A curious point raised by the agents in the episode: in California, home to families from all over the world, specific cultural beliefs can directly influence a home purchase decision — something many Brazilians don't usually consider right away.

Feng shui: not always the same rule

Feng shui, an Asian-origin practice related to the flow of energy within a space, comes up frequently in negotiations. One example mentioned: if the house's front door is directly aligned with the back door, some buyers consider it a problem, believing that "everything good that comes in also goes out" — even though, from another angle, the same argument could be seen as a positive (what's bad also leaves). The agents themselves point out that feng shui interpretations can vary between cultures, which requires extra attention.

Staircases visible from the entrance

Another practical example: houses where the staircase is visible right when you walk through the front door can also be avoided by some buyers, based on the belief that "bad things climb into the house" that way.

Religious items

Agents also recommend being careful with religious items visible during showings — even when the seller themselves doesn't attach importance to the topic, some buyers may react negatively to strong religious symbols in the decor, which reinforces the general recommendation to keep the house decorated neutrally during the selling period.

Why this matters in practice

• It's not an isolated belief: agents report it's common, especially among buyers of Asian descent, to get specific questions about these topics right at the first showing.
• A seller who ignores this kind of cultural preference may, without realizing it, reduce the number of interested buyers.
• The practical recommendation is the same as for staging: neutral decor tends to appeal to the widest possible range of buyer profiles.

Sources and verification

• Accounts and practical examples of feng shui and religious items in the buying decision by the agents in the episode.
• Transcript of episode 5 of the Cadê Moradia podcast (March 2026).

This topic comes from the full episode — watch it:

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