You’ve probably heard how important it is to make a good first impression when meeting someone. But did you know the same principle applies to your home?
When people enter your space, they form an impression of your life in seconds. Even more important — every time you walk through your door, your home is giving you that same impression.
Let me share a personal story about how a bad first impression can ruin deals.
The Story of My Parents’ Home in Quito
When my parents built their home in Quito, Ecuador, the concrete and steel structure was designed and calculated by my uncle Jorge — a highly respected civil engineer — and carried out by his crew. Years later, when Quito was shaken by a strong earthquake, the house stood beautifully. Not a single crack appeared in the structure, only one broken window.
In front of the house, there was space for two cars. It was fenced in for protection, but the garage had no roof. In the mountains of Ecuador, where weather is mild year-round, that didn’t seem like a problem. At some point, though, my father decided he wanted a roof over the garage. This time, instead of calling an engineer, he simply hired a couple of construction workers and directed the work himself.
The result? A concrete and steel roof that wasn’t done properly. Over time, it began to sag in the middle, like the side of a canoe. Instead of tearing it down and rebuilding it correctly, my parents added a few columns underneath — again, without an engineer’s guidance. Eventually, the whole thing started coming apart.
The Problems Became Visible
By the time my parents passed away, the roof and columns were visibly failing. When I asked a former professor at the School of Architecture for advice on what to do before selling the house, he suggested I list it “as is.” With Ecuador’s economy being what it is, I might not recover any investment in remodeling, he said, so better to test the market first.
My brother and I had the house cleaned and put it up for sale. But when potential buyers came to see it, they didn’t notice the solid, earthquake-proof structure. What they saw was the failing garage roof. It scared them. Some buyers even offered only the value of the land, claiming the entire house would need to be demolished.
No amount of explanation helped. We could say, “The roof was an afterthought, the house is solid and could last a hundred years!” — but buyers believed what they saw.
Finally, this past week, I decided to hire a crew to tear down the garage roof and the crumbling columns. When the work is finished, people’s first impression will be completely different. Nothing will suggest that the house is unstable, and buyers will he able to see its true potential.
Here are some clips of the work being done this week:
The above are videos my awesome real estate agent, Rosa, has sent me. I can feel relief in my soul just by looking at the progress at the end. By the way, if you know someone in Quito, Ecuador looking for a home with three rental units, contact Rosa Intriago here on her WhatsApp account.
Are You Doing This to Yourself?
Maybe you practice affirmations, create vision boards, or try to manifest a better life for yourself and your loved ones. But if the first impression your own home gives you is one of disorder, neglect, or lack of beauty — your subconscious won’t believe the words you’re repeating.
Every time you walk in, the house is telling you another story: “This is falling apart. Things are not improving.”
And that message sinks deeper than any affirmation.
If your home is messy, dirty, or simply uninspiring, it works against you every single day. But when you shift the energy of your space — when it feels orderly, beautiful, and supportive — suddenly it becomes easier to believe:
“Every day, in every way, my life gets better and better.”
Don’t let your home do to you what that garage roof did to the sale of my parents’ house — block the true value that’s already there. If you want your home to reflect stability, possibility, and beauty, I can help. Join the free Feng Shui for Us Friends Membership and learn how to create a home that inspires confidence and supports your dreams.
Want to start learning Feng Shui? Take the class Feng Shui Explained.
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If I were a buyer, I would not want to go through this repair. It makes me nervous just to watch it.
For sure, people don’t want to buy problems!
It’s great advice to see your home through the lens of someone who would buy your home! It helps you see clearly the first impressions that are making an impact on your psyche daily but that you are not consciously aware of because you’re so used to them.
Right, and I think part of “getting used to” something is actually becoming numb to it.