Can a Little Divine Intervention Help Sell Your Home?

"I buried Saint Joseph in my backyard and not one person has come to look at my house. Could it be that I needed to bury Saint Joseph in my front yard?"

If you have been in or around real estate for the last 20-25 years, you have heard the stories about Saint Joseph. The belief is that if you bury Saint Joseph in your yard, your home will sell in a short time period.

I believe any help we can get in this market is welcome and it is hard to question divine intervention. Have I ever seen it work? You bet I have!

I had a home listed several years ago and we were getting no offers. The home was on a busy street and a style that was not on the top of many peoples list. I told the sellers about the Saint Joseph stories and they listened. Without telling me, they purchased and buried a Saint Joseph statue (where, I do not know). The next week the seller received an offer and was able to sell his home.

I was so excited that my super duper sales skills and marketing were the cause of this fantastic offer. My bubble burst when the seller informed me that she had listened when I talked about Saint Joseph and that she not only bought one, but had the priest bless the statue with holy water.

I know some agents who have bought them by the dozens. They would always have one in their trunk, and if a seller was struggling they would go out to their car and grab one. Not sure what the end result was for these agents but something to think about.

I am not Catholic but I understand that Saint Joseph is the patron saint of homes and now, home sales.

If you buy one then you best find out how to bury him. I have been told upside down, facing the house is the way to go. For burial instructions, this site may help you. http://www.st-josephstatue.com/st_joseph.htm

From an agents point of view, I think Saint Joseph helps those who help themselves. Price your home right for the market. Prepare your home for the market with staging and updating and if you wish to bury Saint Joseph, please do.

The following homes are going to be open this weekend. I do not know what is buried in the yards but visit these lovely homes and see if one might be yours.

Peachtree Corners (Gwinnet)
5711 Clinchfield Trail info
$400,000
Open from 2 - 4 p.m.

Peachtree Corners (Gwinnett)
5922 Spalding Park Place Zip: 30092
$389,000

Peachtree Corners (Gwinnett)
4121 Blue Iris Hollow Zip: 30092
$569,000

To learn more about Saint Joseph, read Stephen Brinz book, "Saint Joseph,My Real Estate Agent."

One story often talked about is the man who could not wait to sell his home. He buried Saint Joseph in the backyard, and when nothing happened he moved him to the side and he continued to move him all over his yard over the next few weeks. Finally he got so upset he threw him in the trash. A few days later he opened his paper to read , “Local dump has been sold."

Editor's note: For questions or information about these homes, contact Nancy Minor, Keller Williams Chattahoochee North