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You have found a rare and beautiful riverfront real estate opportunity sited on the Westport Border in a sought after area and coveted cul-de-sac. This property is bright, light and spacious throughout the five bedroom, four and half bath home with everyone having their own space. The first floor welcomes you with a gracious entry and a waiting room. Prepare your meals in your gourmet eat-in-kitchen while enjoying the amazing riverviews. There is a first floor bedroom next to the kitchen ideal for an informal office, playroom or computer place for the kids while dinner is prepared. For those perfect summer nights, dine outdoors on either two decks, in the screened porch, or in the adjacent dining room on those special formal occasions. You may find yourself reading or having quiet time in the paneled cozy library with a fireplace, or entertaining in the expansive living room with gorgeous views of the river and the atmosphere of a fireplace on a cold winter night. The second floor offers four bedrooms and two full baths. The walk out lower level has even more space with two large rooms, i.e. playroom, den, exercise room or a nanny room. Most all rooms will grab your attention with hardwood floors, walls of glass for stunning views of seasonal perennial gardens, lush landscaping and year round river views. Enjoy the gated ambiance of this special property with a two car garage and an exceptionally convenient location for commuting.
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“Virtual Tour”

GUIDELINES FOR LIVING

Feng Shui, which is pronounced “fung schuay” translates from the Chinese as ‘wind and water” – the invisible and visible forces of nature that permeate all life. An ancient design philosophy dating back well over three thousand years, Feng Shui has nothing to do with religion, but does provide guidelines for living in harmony with nature and achieving a feeling of harmony throughout a space.

Both an art and a science, with the goal of achieving balance and serenity within any environment – be it a home or corporate office – Feng Shui works with chi (universal energy), the 5 Elements (fire, earth, metal, water, and wood), and the balancing aspects of yin and yang to bring equilibrium and stability into our spaces and our lives.

Feng Shui is not about spending a lot of money abd having fancy designer labels – quite the contrary. It is all about simplicity, a lack of clutter abd getting rid of extra “stuff” that blocks our energetic progress and clutters our mind. Think “less is more” and you will be on your way to getting the best results from Feng Shui.

The best part of all – Feng Shui is fun to use and the results are dramatic.

RAISE THE CIII, RAISE THE VALUE

Feng Shui is all about how an environment makes us feel. Understanding how Feng Shui operates is not difficult, but does require some understanding of how energy moves through the properties we list and sell. Think of chi moving through a space much like the way water travels through a riverbed. When the water gently meanders, the flow is gentle and peaceful. However, when water travels in swift, straight lines, the river’s energy is too forceful and the results are often destructive. In Feng Shui language this type of harmful energy is called sha chi.

In our homes and offices we want the chi to gently meander through the space. This less aggressive flow affects us on a subtle, yet very real energetic level. In areas where the chi moves too quickly or is blocked by clutter we feel anxious, stressed, and often confused. We feel peaceful and more serene in environments where the chi is calm and nurturing: we feel soothed and comfort able – we feel at home.

`Buyers will bond faster with (and want to make offers on) houses and office buildings that have good Feng Shui. It is that simple. Plus, when you raise the chi of a property, you automatically raise the value (and marketability). I always ask my sellers how soon they want to move, because once the clutter is cleared and simple Feng Shui remedies are put in place, the offers to purchase follow quickly!

Feng Shui is a language of symbols and metaphors. One of the primary examples of this is the symbol of water that directly relates to beneficial energy of abundance and good fortune. When you have a home or office with plumbing leaks, excessive water leaving the property, or a swiftly flowing creek or river behind the property, this symbolizes the chi of abundance and fortunate blessings flowing away from the house. This is not good Feng Shui.

You want to select a parcel of land where the beneficial chi energy has a chance to gently meander and circulate easily through the lot as well as throughout the floor plan. When chi moves too quickly (sha chi) in straight lines (such as in long straight hallways, or right out the rear French doors that are opposite the main front door), the energy leaves the house before it can do its good work of providing serenity and a sense of calm to the surroundings.

FENG SHUI IS REALLY AGE-OLD COMMON SENSE

Most at the guidance from Feng Shui will make you think, “Well, of course!”. Its principles are built on careful observations over centuries of environmental study. For example, you will want to avoid building a structure:

• At the very top of a mountain, but rather about a quarter to one third of the way down from the ridge. (The sha chi from the wind will drive you inside.)
• Over a re-claimed wetland, hazardous waste disposal dump. in a ravine, or too close to a cliff.
• Near a cemetery, hospital. Or mortuary. (The living are energetically uncomfortable sleeping too close to the dead.).
• Near environmental conditions having excessive noise, unpleasant odors, or heavy traffic.

When suggestions such as these are not paid attention to, often because the buyer thinks they are getting a great “deal,” over time the energetic negativity will wear down the occupant and they will be delighted at the thought of selling and moving on. This comes back to haunt the real estate agent who sold them the property, because now they get to list and sell a house with poor Feng Shui all over again – usually a challenge at best. You have all been there.

A GOOD EXAMPLE OF FENG SHUI BUYER’S REMORSE…

DO YOU KNOW HARRY?

After finalizing a difficult divorce, Harry bought a home in a hurry without giving serious thought to the neighborhood, the street he would be living on, or to the floor plan. The house seemed like a good buy at the time; it was in need of some deferred maintenance that he thought would be good to keep him busy – and the seller came down to his low-ball offered price.

Later Harry had a friend from work who practiced Feng Shui for many years, come over and analyze the floor plan. His friend pointed out there was a stairway right in front the main door and that the house was located at a “T” junction on the road. High power lines close by towered over his property. The house sat very close to the street and the master bedroom was in the front of the house, just off the entry – all Feng Shui red flags.

Now, several years after his purchase, Harry was suffering from severe depression, had Iost another meaningful relationship, and was being let go from his job. He admitted he never liked the house and had purchased it in an effort to get on with his life after the break-up of his marriage. Now he knew he had made a big mistake.

Properties with good Feng Shui bring an added bonus: people tend to stay longer in those propertie, and when the do need to relocate, you will be listing a home or corporate office that will automatically sell quickly because it was chosen with good Feng Shui in the first place … a REALTOR©’s delight!

CLUES TO GUIDE YOU TOWARD PROPERTIES WITH GOOD FENG SHUI

When previewing homes and commercial sites.
Look for:

• Parcels having regular shapes (square or rectangle).
• Healthy and lush foliage – the more, the better.
• Lots with flat or gentle topography.
• Floor plans with regular shapes – avoid sizeable “cut-outs” in the overall design.
• Homes and office buildings with plenty of natural light and good ventilation.
• Master bedroom and an office that will allow the owner to “command’ the door- – see the door (from the bed or desk) without looking straight out the door.

Avoid properties:

• Near high powered electrical lines and transformers.
• That slope down at the rear or are located at the edge of a cliff or precipice.
• Have swiftly moving water, such as a river, or a busy street. at the rear.
• Near excessive noise or obnoxious odors
• Located at a heavily trafficked “T” or “Y” junction.
• With floor plans where stairs are located immediately in front of the main door or that have large “cut out” missing areas.
• Bathrooms in the center of or in either rear corner of the house.

MORE AND MORE BUYERS ARE SAYING, “SHOW ME PROPERTIES THAT HAVE GOOD FENG SHUI!”

As real estate professionals, it is our job to help our clients get the best value for their money. We are almost always ‘‘at choice” in the select ion of properties we think are suitable for their consideration, Learning about Feng Shui and applying its principles as you show and list property will put you far ahead on the learning curve and increase your referrals and sales.

Your clients ill thank you for finding property that is not only in their budget, but that also makes their heart smile and their feelings nurtured as they savor their new home. You will become known as the agent who wants the best for your clients and isn’t shy about using knowledge “a bit out side the box.”

“Honey, Stop The Car!”
(a.k.a. Feng Shui Curb Appeal)

Some Feng Shui tips to make your listings (grand or humble) delicious.

Exterior:

• Curb appeal is fundamental. Grass weeded and trimmed; flowers, flowers, flowers.
• Driveway clean, mailbox straight, trash bins out of sight.
• Porch clean, round or oval pots of blooming flowers, weather permitting.
• A fountain on or near the porch – water flowing toward the house
• Front path clean – flowers along the way.
• A new doormat, preferably black – semicircle or oval is ideal.
• Front door should be immaculate, fresh coat of paint or varnish (if needed).
• Remove “No Solicitors,” “Do Not Disturb” signs- replace with “Welcome.”
• FOR SALE sign in front right corner, if possible.
• Address numbers visible from across the street.
• Doorbell that sounds gentle, not jarring. Solid threshold, shiny, firm doorknob.
• Front door lock and key that work easily.

(Be sure to always have your buyers see the home starting at the front door [ mouth of chi] even if the lock box is on a side door and seems more convenient.)

Interior:

• Fresh flowers in entry and on dining table (good looking silk flowers will do).
• Dying plants anywhere are not good Feng Shui.
• Remove all excess furniture – roomy and spacious feeling is most important.
• Clutter is your worst enemy – rent a storage unit for excess, if necessary.
• Fresh paint where needed raises the chi – a seller’s best investment.
• 3-5 accessory items on kitchen and bathroom counters; all else removed.
• Pay attention to artwork … neutral is best (no negative or violent images).
• Position furniture to invite guests inward – nothing blocking forward movement.
• Toilet lids down! Pet dishes out of sight; cat boxes outside.

Use The 5 Elements Effectively In Your Listings

Try to have each of the Elements represented in each room and throughout the home or office.

1. Earth- beige, brown, earth tones. Great colors for flooring. Represents stability and the feeling of being “grounded.”
2. Metal – symbolized by the color white, pastel and jewel tones. Symbolizes clarity and mental focus.
3. Water- deep blue and black. A fountain brings a serene quality to a space. Especially good near the front door. Symbolizes spirituality, introspection.
4. Wood- Green hues. Also good for flooring. It represents inspiration and new beginnings.
5. Fire-The most powerful colors of red, burgundy, flame hues. Use sparingly for accents. Represents passion, excitement, and high energy.

Holly Ziegler, MA,Ed., is the de-facto expert on Feng Shui