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Feng Shui is an ancient science of Chinese art of placement for creating harmonious environments at homes, offices and other premises. Feng Shui is said to balance the relationship between nature and the dwelling spaces.

The fundamental part of Feng Shui is energy called Qi (pronounced as “Chee or Chi”). Feng Shui involves placement of objects, use of color, etc. based on techniques that create a natural balance and a positive flow of this energy into surroundings.

The knowledge of Feng Shui is useful in real estate. This is because Feng Shui is a part of life for many people and an increasing number of home and other property buyers look for Feng Shui compliant homes and offices. A real estate agent can largely benefit by knowing the application of Feng Shui techniques in homes, office and other buildings.

Here are a few Feng Shui tips that a real estate agent can use.

1. A building should have adequate windows for energy to flow freely.

2. Always keep the entrance tidy and clutter free for unhindered flow of Chi.

3. There shouldn’t be anything in line with the front door such as a tree or telegraph pole, if so; one can fix this by placing a Bagua mirror over the door on the outside.

4. Since we spend 1/3 of our lives sleeping, it is vital to create more harmony in the bedroom. The bed should be positioned in such a way that the occupants can see the door. This gives one an inner feeling of security. As much as possible, position the bed away from the door.

5. Always keep the bathroom doors closed and toilet lids down to avoid negative energy (Sha).

6. Avoid sleeping under ceiling beams as this could cut the energy.

As more and more home buyers and sellers discover Feng Shui, it is advantageous for real estate agents to learn what it is and how it’s used. Feng Shui techniques can help a real estate agent to provide Feng Shui solutions, enjoy quicker closings, receive more referrals, increase income, and get an edge over competitors.

If you want to narrow your California property search to the best place to live in then look no further beyond the limits of Santa Cruz.

Why You Should Live in Santa Cruz, California

Leaving your old home and your old life for a new one is never easy, but you’ll find it quicker to adjust if your new hometown or city has everything you’re looking for.

Location

When you move to Santa Cruz, California, you are immediately planting yourself in a strategic location. It is only thirty-five miles away from Silicon Valley and Monterey and almost double that figure only to reach San Francisco. With such important cities close by, the job opportunities awaiting you are practically infinite.

Recreation

If you are mostly concerned about the recreational aspect and you want to know if there is anything fun to do in Santa Cruz then the answer to that is an unequivocal ‘yes’. To sum it up, Santa Cruz can offer its residents a choice among the best nature parks, lush redwood forests to explore, beautiful beaches to get an equally beautiful tan, and acres of rich farmland that you might want to tour or even invest in. If you’re looking for urban pleasures, Santa Cruz has many of that, too. Its shops and restaurants are diverse and numerous and other activities you can enjoy include golf, tennis, sailing, hiking, and fishing.

Are your tastes leaning more toward the cultural side? If so, Santa Cruz has a constant list of highly-recommended performances and exhibits for you to enjoy at the Henry J. Mello Performing Arts Center, the University of California Performing Arts Center, and the McPherson Museum of Art and History. Special mention is also worth giving to groups like the Santa Cruz County Symphony and events like Shakespeare Santa Cruz and the Cabrillo Music Festival.

Weather

If you left Boston because it’s too cold or Texas because it’s too hot then you’ll love Santa Cruz, California because it’s the perfect compromise with its Mediterranean climate. You’ll enjoy 300 days of sunshine with gratifyingly low humidity levels.

Education

If you have kids then naturally, their education will be a concern to you. In Santa Cruz, California, their closest options are the University of California and Cabrillo Community College although other educational alternatives can be found in nearby San Francisco.

Overall, residents of Santa Cruz enjoy a high quality of living and you should to if you immediately narrow your California property search to this wonderful place!

     In the face of many unfavorable situations, the real estate business is an unyielding pillar in the US economy. The ease in homes sold in recent years could lead many homeowners to believe that selling a home is easy. Many owners will ponder on options in trying to sell their home. They could either choose a real estate broker or else do the selling on their own.

                While it is true that there are several advantages and many savings in selling a home on their own, there are also disadvantages that these homeowners have to face, especially in the present crisis in the economy.

Below are several guidelines as to why selling by homeowner does not work in this economy.

1. Trying to sell a home on his or her own, a seller might find that many homebuyers assume that the selling price is lower since the seller does not have to pay a big commission in hiring a real estate broker or realtor.

2. In this kind of selling, the buyers often think that the seller will shoulder all the closings costs. FSBO’s are attractive to buyers due to its limited marketing options in contrast to having the property listed by a realtor. This could also mean a longer time a home spends in the market and a much lower selling price that could make a negative effect on the values of homes in the area.

3. The selling process could be quite tedious and stressful. Homeowners should be able to establish a realistic and even competitive price based on the present rates in the market. He or she must determine the best way to market by creating appropriate advertising and assume all the marketing costs; must educate oneself on the paper works involved, the disclosures and legal matters associated with selling and must be able to accomplish the legal papers and forms and to evaluate and screen prospective buyers.

4. Homeowners are obligated to show the home to anybody who comes to look. They may only have their instincts to evaluate whether the person seeking entrance is truly interested in the property or is there to harm the homeowner and the rest of the family. In selling on their own, sellers must consider dealing with people calling to inquire, and deal with the wordy and sometimes complex contracts to legally sell their home.

5. If a homeowner does not have enough knowledge on the law of real estate, or fails to disclose latent defects, he or she might be vulnerable to a possible lawsuit later on.

6. For sale by owner is not for everyone. If a homeowner has the tendency to become nervous in showing the home to strangers, working with title agents and making the negotiations to prospective buyers, it is better to overcome this nervousness or list the house with a real estate broker.

7. There are instances where homeowners make the biggest mistake in marketing their home. They are usually unrealistic when it comes to values and assume that the home is worth more than it really is. The important thing is the actual worth of the house and not how much was spent on having it fixed.

8. Another drawback in an FSBO is the risk of drawing a small percentage of potential buyers. A home seller can advertise on the web, but mostly, buyers are using the services of a real estate agent in trying to look for a home to purchase.