Burying St. Joseph: Real Estate's Most Wholesome (and Slightly Weird) Good Luck Charm
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If you've ever sold a house, you've probably heard some interesting advice.
"Bake cookies before the showing!"
"Paint everything beige!"
"Hide the litter box!"
And then there's my personal favorite...
"Have you buried St. Joseph yet?"
Wait... we're burying who?
So... who is St. Joseph?
St. Joseph was the husband of Mary and the earthly father of Jesus. He was a carpenter, a provider, and is considered the patron saint of homes, families, workers, and - thanks to a centuries-old tradition - people trying to sell their houses.
Somewhere along the way, homeowners started burying a small statue of St. Joseph in their yard while praying for a successful sale.
And somehow... This became one of real estate's most beloved traditions.
But... why are we burying him?
Excellent question.
The tradition dates back hundreds of years, with stories tracing back to European nuns who prayed to St. Joseph while trying to acquire land for new convents. Over time, the practice evolved into homeowners burying a small statue of him in the yard, asking for help selling their property.
Eventually, someone apparently thought: "You know what this needs? A shovel." And history was made.
Wait... is this actually supposed to work?
Here's my professional opinion as a Realtor:
- The paperwork still has to be signed.
- The price still has to make sense.
- The house still has to be clean.
- And your neighbor still needs to stop parking his project car in front of your house during showings.
St. Joseph can only do so much.
So... do I recommend it?
If it brings you peace, absolutely. Selling a home can be emotional. There's uncertainty, waiting, negotiations, inspections, appraisals... it's a lot.
Whether someone buries a St. Joseph statue, says a prayer, keeps a lucky penny in their pocket, or crosses every finger they have, I think rituals can help us feel hopeful during stressful seasons. Hope isn't a bad thing.
If you're going to do it...
Traditionally, people:
Bury a small St. Joseph statue near the front of the property.
Place him upside down, facing the home (although you'll find approximately 9,000 different opinions online about the "correct" direction).
Say a prayer asking for guidance and a successful sale.
Once the house sells, dig him up and give him a place of honor in your new home.
(Please don't leave him in the yard for the next owner. He has done his job.)
The Realtor's Secret
I'll let you in on something. Most successful home sales don't happen because of luck. They happen because of preparation. Great pricing. Great marketing. Professional photography. Thoughtful negotiations. Good communication. A solid strategy. Those things move houses. But if St. Joseph would like to help with multiple offers... I'm certainly not going to stop him.
Final Thoughts
Real estate is full of stories. Some involve contracts. Some involve inspections. Some involve buyers who absolutely had to see the house during the one hour you were trying to make dinner. And some involve quietly burying a tiny carpenter in the front yard and hoping for the best. Whether you believe in the tradition or simply enjoy the story behind it, I think it reminds us of something important:
Sometimes people just need a little hope while they're waiting for the right buyer to walk through the front door. And I think there's something pretty beautiful about that.