A New Way To Sell Your House – Bury St. Joseph In Your Yard

February 12, 2011 by

bury st josephAre you religious (or not) and looking for a new way to speed up the process of selling your home? If so, you may want to try what one person did to help sell her home in Brooklyn, N.Y. during this difficult real estate market. She has turned to an unlikely source for help: St. Joseph.

St. Joseph is a Catholic saint who has long been believed to help with home-related matters. And according to lore now spreading on the Internet and among desperate home-sellers, burying St. Joseph in the yard of a home for sale promises a prompt bid. After she and her husband held five open houses, even baking cookies for one of them, she ordered a St. Joseph “real estate kit” online and buried the three-inch white statue in her yard.

These statues are flying off the shelves as an increasing number of skeptics and non-Catholics look for some saintly intervention to help them sell their houses. Talk about desperate measures. You might as well put your house up on eBay and/or Craigslist and see if anyone makes a bid. Regardless, I guess at this point I would try anything and everything to help sell my home.

You can read the entire article on the RealEstateJournal website.

Update: I received an email from the seller and her house has sold! Congrats to her and apparently burying St. Joseph in her yard helped. :-)

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87 Comments »

2007-10-31 01:38:37

[...] A New Way To Sell Your House – Bury St. Joseph In Your Yard [...]

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Comment by Loanspeed
2008-09-21 09:34:03

I think this is the story I heard about on the news last week. Seems a little questionable, but who am I to judge.

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Comment by Seanster
2008-10-02 05:01:10

Each and every one of us has different ways in order to market our Business in this rough economy that we have.
If you feel comfortable doing that and if it feels good then so be it…

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Comment by Mr Mogul
2008-11-26 15:07:36

I guess pointing out a good luck charm is buried underneath the top soil is better than pointing out where the pets have taken their final resting place.

There’s something to be said for positive karma attracting to positive karma.

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2008-11-28 05:26:48

[...] market.  It actually worked!  Her home was sold afterwards and she credits the St. Joseph “real estate kit” which included a three-inch statue, complete with instructions for proper [...]

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2009-01-23 17:31:18

[...] [Real Estate Weblog] Related Topics to this Article No related posts  [...]

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Comment by Bridget Reno
2009-02-01 14:11:07

This all seems like helpful advice that would be beneficial when selling your home. The only concern that I have is that houses don’t seem to be selling right now. The housing market as a whole is struggling to stay balanced. People are selling and renting houses for less than half the value of the home. It is hard for the sellers and land lords, but the buyers are struggling too. Even with all the great deals on houses that this economy had created, with the economy seizing to improve there just isn’t a lot of money that people could afford to spend. This is all one big vicious cycle that will continue until a big change is made in America. If you happen to be one of the few out there that are in a position to buy a house right now, then it will be a remarkable time to invest. Especially with all the great deals on hiring movers and renting storage units, it may be cheaper to move now rather than latter.

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2009-02-14 10:47:04

This is great! I had a client do this and it worked! Thanks St. Joe!

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Comment by Apdaila
2009-02-26 07:02:01

I know this idea already. Thanks.

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Comment by Jared Gruber
2009-03-10 19:26:57

I will have to recommend this to my catholic sellers!

http://www.LeasePhilly.com

 
 
Comment by charlotte nc homes
2009-03-25 01:17:15

I did not know this idea before.Thanks for sharing.

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Comment by real estate leads
2009-04-26 08:07:03

Hello Guys, thank you for sharing your ideas with me… i think this blog is really awesome!!

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Comment by Jeff
2009-05-13 18:25:35

I guess whatever works. My friend had a client once that had a priest come in to cleanse the house. “This house is cleeeeean.” haaaaa

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2009-06-06 06:03:22

I have heard of this and seen it done. Maybe I need to get some dolls and make them a part of my listing presentations…

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2009-06-19 10:22:25

That is pretty funny, but it tells me that the real strategy is to connect with the people around you. This adds character to your real estate marketing.

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2009-07-14 10:55:58

That is a very cute idea and the new rural superstition. If it helps people stay positive, I think they should do it. It’s kind of a nice ceremony to say the least.

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2009-08-05 05:18:48

That is extremely funny, but hey go with what works right. In this market and any for that matter, the more help you can get the better.

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2009-08-05 22:26:41

Sounds weird, I ‘m quite religious person but I have not tried to bury our St.Joseph. Maybe it depends with the condition of the house your going to sell.^_^

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Comment by Rich Johnson
2009-08-11 15:59:08

I recently heard a radio talk show host interview a small business owner that made claims of their business business being up in bellevue by an amount of 250%. The business owner was a fortune teller whose clientel was primarily made up of local Real estate agents. I could well imagine that these agents are suggesting to their Sellers that they bury a statue of St. Joseph in their yards. For me, I think I’ll stick to the listing presentation that I have & leave out St Joseph’s buriel.

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2009-09-13 10:34:53

Thanks for the tip, i will try it too. I hope it helps.

-David

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Comment by Atlanta Real Estate
2009-09-13 12:55:02

I’ve had clients actually DO THIS.

LOL.

Rob

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Comment by Real Estate Leads
2009-10-04 01:46:01

We need to find some strategy which can do better in recession time.That strategy will help us to sell the house.

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Comment by metin2 yang
2009-10-23 19:03:05

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Comment by Real Estate
2009-11-23 14:14:18

This is hilarious! Religions are going to take over America! Religions do have their values and represent a large parts of humanity and our history, but this story is just very funny. If you have homes for sale, you can list your homes on Trulia, Movoto Real Estate, Zillow, etc. There are many good internet portals around

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Comment by mt. pleasant condos
2009-11-27 07:17:28

I always find it amazing how people turn to divinity in times of distress. But if that’s what it takes to turn people mindsets to a positive frame of mind then so be it.

I am pretty shocked about that though… crazy!

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Comment by Scott Nachatilo
2009-11-29 17:21:55

For me in real estate business you really have to have faith in whatever ways you want to follow in order for you sale abundant property, you just add a lot of hard works & perseverance.

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Comment by bhartirealty
2009-12-06 06:06:08

This is really interesting…thanks

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2009-12-08 07:00:24

[...] David Cowgill Real Estate Blog [...]

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Comment by cathy
2009-12-13 13:19:03

You can now get an eco-friendly St. Joseph. Its called Eco-Joe. http://www.ecojoekits.com/

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Comment by Cain
2010-01-12 09:09:13

I’m not sure if a St. Joseph will help here in Polaris World Torre. Worth a try though. So we’ll now be offering a St. Joseph to evryone that visits our office.

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Comment by Jim Subscribed to comments via email
2010-01-19 18:07:15

So what happens if I bury into my company yard? Do I get more business and get richer? :)

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Comment by alon banay
2010-01-25 06:49:33

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often

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Comment by Real Estate
2010-02-02 22:17:33

This is funny. I hope this thing works.

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Comment by Rowell Auctions
2010-02-24 08:18:43

When you’ve seen it all… you haven’t!

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Comment by Heartland Writer Subscribed to comments via email
2010-03-03 09:20:29

One of my friends wondered if she buried it in her neighbors yard, would it get them to move! Here’s another great article about St. Joe: http://www.housingwatch.com/2010/03/02/st-joseph-can-sell-your-home-while-standing-on-his-head/

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Comment by Bon
2010-03-18 15:26:55

You are not serious, right?

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Comment by Bert
2010-03-18 15:29:18

And pigs fly over the moon. Get a life. If it sold, it was because it was priced right, staged properly, and presented well.

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Comment by Tony Baumer
2010-04-19 12:21:44

I think this is a great product! It balances having fun with the subject and being respectful. People have been doing this for years, why not embrace it and make it something new and responsible?

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Comment by Buy Home
2010-05-19 19:17:27

Even before you decide to sell your old house, one thing that you need to be very clear about is your ownership of the house. In other words, your equity in the house that you propose to sell should be 100 per cent. Your ownership in a house could be of many types.
Buy Home

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Comment by Inventory Overload
2010-07-16 21:33:58

I can’t believe I am reading this crap.

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Comment by Boise Idaho
2010-07-24 18:44:29

I don’t preach luck as a strategy but I do believe it plays a part. Let’s face it if you are a real estate agent, if you are meeting people that are just getting started, they are not ready to talk yet. Even if you are the perfect real estate agent for them or have the perfect home, your timing is wrong.

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Comment by Real Estate Expert
2010-07-26 21:08:42

Ok this is a humorous idea, people can belief what they choose to believe. In my opinion however this just one of the many things that marketers do to help sell their products.

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Comment by j
2010-07-30 08:31:36

you folks need to check out what God’s word says about idol worship, witchcraft, praying to the dead etc… it is an abomination in His eyes. Duteronomy 18:9 to 13 I love and respect St. Joseph, what he did as a father and husband for Jesus and Mary, but praying to, keeping images of, and certaintly using these statues in an attempt to get what you want is definatly in line with witchcraft and the like. there is something spiritual out there that is making sure you house sells quickly to continue to allow others to think this type of practice is “religious” but the spiritual force behind it is definatly not God and its definetly not St. Joseph. please know i am not judging any one here, simply that i wish the best for those being deceived and desire for all to know the truth of these things, please dont be angry at me, i didnt say all this, God did. May God bless and keep you all and validate His truth to you.

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2010-08-12 15:16:30

I think that many people confuse God with a genie and expects him (or her) to grant their wishes.

I think that asking for money is as bad as using his name in vain.

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Comment by Susan
2010-08-21 11:14:08

I’ve seen these sold in the store at the Association of Realtors.

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Comment by las gavias
2010-08-27 16:38:11

I believed that if someone helps you with home-related matters, is easier to find what you are looking for.

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Comment by sell/swap/lease2buy Subscribed to comments via email
2010-09-14 14:24:59

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2010-09-19 05:35:24

What ever works!

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Comment by BerStan
2010-09-26 08:42:10

Just cannot belive this could work. Any evidence that it evber did?

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Comment by Dick Plumb
2010-09-26 08:43:59

I have a friend who swears that this did work for his Mom.

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Comment by Realtor Agent
2010-09-26 22:47:03

Haha! Is this for real? This is my first time to hear this, and it’s kind of weird. But I think I am giving this a try, hope it’ll work. Online ads like eBay and Craigslist will work better though.

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2010-10-01 09:44:21

Some find it very effective while others find it not true. Those who doesn’t believe on Saints, they might say that it’s a matter of faith.

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2010-10-25 08:44:18

Hello,
Great these are fantastic ideas to sell and buy houses. This is really going to help the new comers in this field.
I must appreciate your thoughts and intelligence.

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2010-10-31 21:49:36

Good information for home seller, really informative post, thanks fr the sharing, please keep it up…

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Comment by Dubai Property Subscribed to comments via email
2010-10-31 22:50:58

Great these are fantastic ideas to sell and buy houses.
Thanks for such a great post !!

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2010-11-06 21:28:38

This is ridiculous.

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2010-11-24 12:00:40

What in the world, I guess anything to sell a house lol

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2010-11-24 21:24:53

Every one have different idea about to sell home. This post is also very good.

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Comment by London Property
2010-11-24 22:42:42

Beautiful Flats to rent in London for long term stay

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Comment by London
2010-11-24 22:43:55

Now Rent Villa in Dubai is 1 click away from you. Book online

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2010-11-25 04:05:59

Gee, this is so smart. I’m going to try it. Thanks St. Joe!

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Comment by MPLSProp
2011-03-22 11:13:21

The things people are doing these days are crazy

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Comment by Prostar Auctions
2011-03-30 02:25:39

Sounds a little farfetched but I’ll try about anything anymore!

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Comment by Concerned
2011-04-28 11:58:38

This is nothing but “catholic witchcraft”….this can even be found in the “wicca spellbook” to help sell a house…..please pray and ask God himself before you consider this method to sell your home. The Bible says “my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Also see in Deut. about the abominations of God…divination, witchcraft, etc. Please do not use this method to sell your home…..please do not open up yourself up to a power other than what comes from the Lord. If you have, you can repent and help others become aware of what this really is……simply witchcraft…relying on a power other than from God….research for yourself!

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Comment by Tayo Subscribed to comments via email
2011-05-06 01:40:54

Great article but i don’t think this is the best or only way to sell it.

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Comment by Tayo Subscribed to comments via email
2011-05-06 01:42:24

Greatidea

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Comment by Jake
2011-05-08 18:49:50

That is hilarious. I will definitely mention that to some of my clients. Maybe some of them are even desperate enough to try it.

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Comment by Joe
2011-05-15 06:28:04

15 years ago we lived in an area that was plagued with Cancer Cluster ‘Media Hype!’ We needed to sell our home and move west. Although this hysteria dropped the value of our home below what we paid for it years before we decided to make the move for career and family reasons.
I purchased a St. Joseph Statue and buried it in the front yard upside down about 8-10 inches in a flower bed! Within weeks we sold our home.
I left the statue there for the new owner….

I am a believer and will do it again on my next sale.

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Comment by Dave Duncan
2011-06-03 12:39:29

Well, there is no harm in trying especially if you are absolutely serious in doing everything to sell a property. Some may think it is hilarious and too desperate but just like what I said, each one of us have the right to do everything when we are determined to succeed in what we are trying to accomplish. If you think, this is worth the try, then go for it!

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Comment by Alex Wilkins
2011-06-06 00:17:43

Intresting stuff

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2011-06-09 15:42:08

I have seen a few listings this week, that I am pretty sceptical that St. Jospeh will be able to help. Who knows. I guess it can’t hurt.

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Comment by Thomas Snyder
2011-06-14 04:28:55

Is this for real? :-) Well, if it really worked for some then perhaps, you won’t lose anything if you try!

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Comment by Avaya Subscribed to comments via email
2011-06-15 16:38:17

I’m trying to sell my home, and after we started showing it, I have found several foreign coins, hidden in drawers, behind plants, and inside a fruit bowl. It’s kind of weird, have someone heard anything about this?

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Comment by Frank Zweegers
2011-06-30 03:45:14

Interesting topic!

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Comment by JessieHanz
2011-06-30 16:42:46

How was this method of selling a house proven effective? Perhaps I wouldn’t be able to believe it unless I try and prove it on my own. I don’t think real estate investors woud rely on this too much.

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Comment by treadmill assembly
2011-07-05 18:35:51

This is a nice things in when it comes to real state.

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Comment by Katee of Zia Group
2011-07-18 13:43:40

Different strokes for different folks.

Great Marketing for the “st. joseph real estate kits” and congrats for the woman who sold her home.

Haha!

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2011-07-20 02:15:25

Thank you for being so detailed in your approach. Such a interesting article.

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Comment by Realnet
2011-08-10 10:16:33

“…she ordered a St. Joseph “real estate kit” online…”
Who’s idea was it to start selling these? And it’s insane that people would actually buy them. Somehow I doubt that the little St. Joseph statue made someone purchase the house. It probably had more to do with the other work she did to sell it.

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Comment by Bob
2011-08-10 12:24:59

I have heard many agents talk about burying a St. Joseph in the yard. I must admit that we had difficult homes on two occasions and the sellers were okay with burying a St. Joseph. Low and behold both homes sold.

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2011-08-18 13:15:48

My grandmother swears by this! She (apparently) sold her home 2 days after buying him…

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Comment by Kristi Subscribed to comments via email
2011-08-29 08:36:28

We are trying to sell our house, it’s been on the market a little over a month now and all we’ve gotten is a few drive bys. I heard about this from a coworker so I purchased a St. Joseph statue early this morning and it should arrive this week and he will be promptly buried. The way I see it…what have I got to lose but the $10 I spent! I will update when the house sells!!

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Comment by lovely
2011-09-19 03:01:12

One thing I don’t understand here. Can anyone explain why burying a statue of St. Joseph can help sell the house fast?

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Comment by Nathan Fisher Subscribed to comments via email
2011-11-01 10:39:48

Such a great post about Sell house McDonough. Keep on posting!

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Comment by servcorp
2011-11-02 21:57:15

Hi,

After reading this blog, i can say that you really mentioned a different way for sell house. I think this is quite an interesting article. Thanks for sharing.

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Comment by Karla Mitchell
2011-11-06 04:57:04

There is no harm in trying right? So maybe I will try doing this practice so I can sell more of my listed Portland Homes for Sale. I do hope it work but of course, I will not solely depend on St. Joseph. I have faith but i also work hard.

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Comment by Urban Interest
2011-11-23 04:05:34

Good blogpost! Interesting information.. Thanks for sharing!

Greets, Urban Interest

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