The following is an excerpt from my book in progress, Behind the For Sale Sign. 

Chapter:   Hocus Pocus 

On our first appointment I took a Chinese family, Eric and Sherry Wang, out to preview six homes.  In the course of our travels I discussed the importance of house numbers in their culture.  I told them that I had learned that certain numbers were good luck - 6 and 8 - and others were bad luck - 4. I relayed a story to them about the time I took a Chinese family to 444 Littleton Road and when I asked the customers if they liked the home they said, "We would never purchase a home with the number 444 - it means Die!Die!Die!"  The Wangs laughed and agreed that they would steer clear of a home with that number too.

In my most diplomatic manner I told Eric and Sherry that not only do the Chinese have superstitions regarding numbers, but Americans do too.  I related the silly things that Americans do regarding the number 13 - our elevators don't have 13th floors and we consider Friday the 13th a day of bad luck.

The next day I called the Wangs to check on whether they liked any of the houses we had seen the previous day.  Eric very seriously said, "Although we liked 13 Parker Street we are not going to purchase it.  It is bad for resale." 




Real Estate Tip #21 - Superstition and numerology are rampant in many cultures.  In my profession I take them all seriously.  Purchasing a home plays on all of one's emotions - both rational and irrational.  I have found that dealing with superstitions upfront and in a serious manner saves time and avoids problems down the road.