10 Unusual Home-Related Superstitions

Feeling superstitious?

1. St. Joseph Figurine

Burying a St. Joseph figure sideways with his hands pointing towards your home to help guide buyers to your home is a popular widespread belief. Being that Joseph was a carpenter and the husband of the Virgin Mary, the belief is St. Joseph is the patron saint of carpenters and workers as well as the patron saint against hesitation and doubt. Once the home is sold the figurine should be dug up and given a place of honor in the seller’s new home. Using the blessings of this figurine is not an official Catholic practice and used most often by the non-religious.

2. Broom Beliefs

A broom related belief originating in West Africa pertains to housework. It goes like this: “If you’re hoping to sell your house fast, do not sweep your home at night lest you brush away good fortune.” Naturally, sellers still living in the home want to keep appearance neat and tidy so according to this superstition, only housework in the morning will do while your home is listed.

Another belief popular in both America and in the United Kingdom says when moving from your old home into your new home, you should leave your old broom (or mop) behind which will leave any former bad luck (and dirt) behind. New homeowners are encouraged to purchase a new broom and experience a clean sweep to start off properly in the new place. The new homeowners should buy a new broom and sweep the front entrance to clear the way for new luck to enter the home.

3. Scattered Coins

A Feng Shui practice of scattering coins around your home is intended to invite new money and to increase your financial fortune. For instance, coins placed under the door mat is believed to invite money inside. Coins laid around the common living space invites money to reside there. And lastly, for online businesses, coins placed under a computer are believed to invite money to flow into the business.

4. Timing is Everything

A Native American tradition explains Thursday is the luckiest day of the week. Scheduling an open house or house visit on Thursday could be especially lucky.

5. A Listing Price with the Numbers 8 and 4

Numerology recognizes certain characteristics for various numbers. For instance, four is considered unlucky. The number eight is perceived as fortuitous. Some seller may ask their agent to list a home for an amount ending in eight instead of four to bring additional good fortune to the home being sold.

6. Fresh Oranges

A belief originating from Chinese culture regards the use of oranges and this fruit’s relationship with good fortune. Placing a bowl of fresh oranges in the home for an open house or showing will smell delicious plus invites good fortune into the home.

7. Shoes on the Table

There’s an old wives’ tale about shoes and luck within a home. It goes like this, “Avoid placing shoes on a table to ward off receiving bad luck.” While packing to move out or unpacking in your new home, keep this one in mind.

8. Take Care with Mirrors

“Breaking a mirror is seven years bad luck” is one common belief you’ve probably heard. This superstition originates from the Romans who believed the breaking of the mirror lead to seven years of bad luck because one’s soul would be trapped inside the broken mirror.

9. Cleansing with Sage

A Native American ceremony in practice today pertains to cleansing the energy in your new home by ‘smudging Sage.’ Smudging is an easy ritual to perform in each room of your home to enhance the feelings of peace, calm, and remove any lingering negative energy.

10. Using the Same Door

An old Irish tradition explains “The first time you enter your new home has to be the same door in which you leave otherwise you’ll receive a wealth of bad luck.” Considering how often you’ll be moving boxes from the moving truck to inside this practice may be especially easy to abide by.

In Summary

Some sellers will try anything when it comes to selling their home, even dabbling in good luck superstitions. Around our office we believe the best practice for selling a home is working with an experienced and knowledgeable real estate professional. We’ll let you decide for yourself whether you believe in these types of good luck…or not. Click here to schedule an appointment.

Since 2004 Sara Lyn Nguyen continues to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate around the Houston area to those she serves. Sara is a multi-year award winning REALTOR® and relocation specialist where her clients trust her to have up-to-date information on the real estate market. She has been one of Gary Greene’s Multi-Million Dollar Top Producers and was the #2 Top Producing agent in 2020 citywide. When it’s time to buy, sell, invest, or relocate speak with a trusted professional knowledgeable in the homes and neighborhoods of Fort Bend/Sugar Land and the surrounding region.