SUZETTE HACKNEY: Some home sellers place faith in buried statues of St. Joseph
Some say it's better to put icon upside down
April 8, 2005
BY SUZETTE HACKNEY
FREE PRESS REAL ESTATE WRITER
There's no question that people often turn to religion when faced with challenges, and for many this spring, the challenge may be selling their homes.
Home sales are sluggish, and supply is outpacing demand in nearly every segment of the market. But the weather has finally broken and the spring home buying season is under way.
And for those who believe, there may be extra help.
One quick Internet search will yield dozen of results: For the low, low price of $7.45 or $9.95 or $11.95 or $19.95, a statue of St. Joseph can be yours, complete with a prayer card or book and instructions on how burying the statue will help you sell your home faster.
The tradition of burying St. Joseph memorabilia to assist in the sale or acquisition of property dates back to the Middle Ages. St. Joseph, Mary's husband, is traditionally portrayed as a home builder and carpenter. He is the Roman Catholic Church's patron saint of the family and household needs.
So is his ability to help unload homes urban legend? Folklore? Superstition?
No, says Debbie Ptak, an employee at G.A. Fuch's religious supply store at 32525 Stephenson Highway in Madison Heights (248-589-0200). She said real estate agents frequent her store to buy the statues for their clients.
And they've never returned to complain that the St. Joseph statue hasn't worked its magic.
"We've been selling them constantly, though we tend to sell more in the spring and summer," Ptak, 52, said. "You just have to ask and you shall receive. God does work miracles through his saints."
Most commonly, the statue is covered in a protective cloth and buried upside down in the yard of a home for sale. Some kits suggest that the statue be buried near a For Sale sign. Some companies also recommend you dig the statue up after the sale and give it a place of honor in your new home.
As we watch Pope John Paul II's regal journey to his final resting place today, we can't help but reflect on individual beliefs.
"I would say St. Joseph is for everybody," Ptak said. "The main thing is to have faith and trust that he can help you -- help you even sell your home."
Another kind of help
For those who are seeking more conventional ways to sell a home, a new staging company has arrived in metro Detroit. Impact! Interior Design Solutions, based in Royal Oak, offers professional staging consultations and project management for agents and home owners. Other services include a one-day redesign, and living space organization and downsizing.
For more information, call 248-761-3320 or go to www.impactids.com.
Have a house question or real estate story idea? Contact SUZETTE HACKNEY at 313-222-6614 or hackney@freepress.com.
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