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Feng shui (pronounced fung shway) is an ancient Chinese philosophy that focuses on living harmoniously with the environment. In a home, positive energy or “chi” can be channeled through proper placement and design to achieve balance among the elements fire, earth, water, wood, and metal.

One of the easiest things to follow when choosing a property or home with positive feng shui is the lot. A house with positive chi has a lot shaped like a rectangle or square - never a triangle. Triangles are considered incomplete and irregular because its sharp points indicate ill omens. The lot should also have a natural source of running water, like a river or a creek beside the home, be located near nature or animals, placed between two hills with different sizes that are not larger than the house itself, or placed in front of a hill.

The house itself must face south to allow warmth and sunlight into the home for a good part of the day. A house that is positioned at the end of a dead-end street or a cul-de-sac have less chi because its positions trap in the sha, or the negative energy.

Design-wise, houses that use natural materials like stone or concrete countertops and wooden flooring have a clear flow of chi. Other design elements need to be considered. For instance, the master’s bedroom should be located farthest from the front door, preferably at a back corner. Loud colors and art should be avoided, and you shouldn’t be able to see yourself on a mirror from the bed as your reflection disturbs your sleep patterns.

Whether you actually believe in the flow of positive chi or you just like the location of your lot and the way your furniture is arranged, the philosophy of feng shui is all about harmony and balance - elements that are needed in any home.

Congratulations, you’ve finally gotten around to moving out of your parents’ house and finding a place of your own. You already know what kind of furniture to get and the parties you’ll be throwing every weekend. But before you celebrate, do remember that this is real life and living on your own isn’t just about no longer having a curfew. Here’s some advice you might want to follow so that you can avoid making costly mistakes during first experience out on your own.

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A spacious, Asian-inspired house is for rent at Ayala Southvale Village (beside Ayala Alabang Village). The lot size is 586 sqm with a total floor area of 510 sqm. Featuring 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 1 family room, 1 househelp room (which can fit 4 helpers), 1 driver’s room, and a separate laundry area, this house is ideal for large families raising young kids. There is no swimming pool, but there is a big garden at the back. (Click on “Read the rest” to view pictures of the house’s interiors.)

The house is located in a cul-de-sac park and is within walking distance of the clubhouse, swimming pool, and tennis and basketball courts. Compared to Ayala Alabang, the neighborhood at Southvale is more serene (with different kind of bird species chirping at night).

The house was also featured in the March 2006 issue of Real Living Magazine and the April 2006 issue of Good Housekeeping.

Contact me for details and inquiries.

View more photos after the jump

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Buying or selling a home is among one of the stressful events one has to go through because you have a lot at stake, financially speaking, during the real estate transaction. A good or bad transaction may affect your net worth and your well-being. There are several factors involved in real estate transactions, some of which are beyond your control no matter how well you study the market. For instance, interest rates could increase unexpectedly, or your home inspector might discover a structural defect you were unaware of. However, there are a few precautions you can take so your real estate transaction will go well.

First, you need the right real estate agent who will help you accomplish your goal and find what you’re looking for. If you don’t already have an agent or a mortgage broker, ask your friends or coworkers for recommendations and interview each referral carefully.

One of the common mistakes first time home buyers make is that they underestimate the time it takes for the transaction to finish. Don’t pile on additional work on yourself during the middle of a home sale or purchase so you can manage the stress easier.

Stay involved in every single process of the transaction, up until the closing. Even though you’ve got a professional who’ll help you out, the most they can do is give you advice. In the end, you’re the one who’s making the decision. You’ll definitely encounter problems if you let your agent or broker make the decisions for you because only you know what you want. Be nice but firm towards your agent and let him or her know what kind of services you expect.

Finally, make sure you read and understand every document before signing anything and ask for copies of everything you sign. You need to keep your own copy of the documents even after the closing so in case a problem comes up, you’ll have something to back up your case.