Compass, Wallets, & Homebuyer: Why Energy Flows Influence Real Estate?

With over two decades of extensive experience in the real estate and infrastructure sectors, Sunil is a visionary leader instrumental in shaping the overall aspects of the business. His expertise includes land acquisitions, investments, onboarding, and life-cycle project management.

A few months ago, a friend of mine nearly signed on a beautiful penthouse in Hebbal, Bengaluru. It checked all the boxes of his budget, snob value, neighborhood, stunning views, ample space and proximity to work.

Enter Mr. Compasswala, the popular Vastu consultant, who gravely declared, “If the kitchen stays here, it could lead to financial stress and health issues!” That one statement played on my friend’s mind so much that the deal fell through. The penthouse was dropped faster than I could say “are you sure?,” because who wants bad finances or worse, bad food?

Vastu Shastra is an important chapter in the book on modern real estate covering ancient wisdom, decision-making, consultants and perhaps a pinch of superstition. In many cases, direction and energy matter more than dimensions and locality, making Vastu the invisible dealmaker or many times, a dealbreaker.

Meet Mr. Compasswala (name changed for not-so-subtle humor!)

Meet Mr. Compasswala, a fictional yet all-too-real embodiment of the modern-day Vastu consultant or the new age Asto-Vastu apps. Armed with a compass, years of ‘passed-down’ wisdom, a bit of AI and a penchant for dramatic predictions, Mr. Compasswala is the silent force behind many Indian property decisions. His advice often goes something like this:

“If your toilet is in the northeast corner, you’ll flush away opportunities faster than water.”

"A bedroom in the southeast? Frequent arguments, restless sleep and maybe even early baldness await!”

“The main door opens to the south? Depression is guaranteed!”

 “A kitchen in the water zone? Expect financial losses and tasteless meals!”

I’ve seen homebuyers nod in doubt at such declarations and sooner or later, drop the houses they had love at first ‘site’ with. It’s not that they don’t want to think rationally but who wants to risk their fortune over a misplaced toilet?

Vastu is much like astrology, attempts to align bricks and mortar but it also ends up aligning hopes and fears. The thought of bad energy flow is enough to make even the most data-driven buyers second guess their decisions.

And to confess, after years of skepticism, I did fall for Mr. Compasswala’s prophecies myself. After following his advice, things worked surprisingly well. Was it my hard work or the perfectly aligned toilets? I’ll let you decide.

The Younger Generation’s Tug-of-War

Interestingly, millennials and Gen Z buyers find themselves caught in a tug-of-war. On one hand, they prioritize practicality, design and amenities. On the other, they do subtly get pressured to follow Vastu. This creates a fascinating dynamic where buyers compromise on rationality for cultural peace of mind. Even those who roll their eyes at energy flows, do hesitate to buy a house that’s “non-compliant” for fear of future resale value or lectures from their parents.

Science or Superstition?

For all its ancient wisdom and significance, some aspects of Vastu do have obvious practical logic:

Ventilation and sunlight: Homes designed to face east get better morning sunlight, aligning with our circadian rhythm and improving sleep quality.

Avoiding balconies/windows in west bedrooms: West-facing windows trap heat in the afternoons, making rooms uncomfortably warm.

Kitchen and fire zones: Separating kitchens from water areas (like bathrooms) reduces moisture and smell issues.

But then there are the dramatic statements of depression from south-facing doors, financial ruin from misplaced toilets and bad vibes from blocked energy. While I have not seen solid scientific backing, they carry immense emotional weight for many buyers.

Builders Try To Navigate the Maze with Balance

Developers, of course, know how much Vastu influences buyers and do consult the many Compasswalas to make it part of the sales talk. Walk into any project in India, and you’ll hear pitches that all units are Vastu-compliant, with north or east-facing entrances and no toilets in the northeast. And yes, there is a section of buyers who lap it up. After all, a “Vastu-compliant” stamp sells faster even in a resale market than a rooftop infinity pool.

But here’s my take: in closely packed apartment projects, achieving 100% Vastu ‘compliance’ is almost impossible. Developers often try to balance functionality, building bylaws, and Vastu principles, but prioritization towards practical design is inevitable. With hundreds of units sharing walls, floors, and ceilings, isn’t energy naturally mixed? I don’t know!

Still, a large section of buyers remain drawn to the idea of aligning their homes with ancient principles. And if the views here unintentionally offends any Mr. Compasswalas or buyers, please take it with a pinch of salt or should I say a sprinkle of positive energy!

Balancing Tradition and Practicality

So, how do you navigate the Vastu maze without losing your mind (or your dream home)? Here’s my take at a polarising topic:

1.  Prioritize cross ventilation, sunlight, and greenery. These are the drivers of positive energy and healthy living.

2.  Entry, kitchen, and bathrooms matter for Vastu and resale reasons, but should we overthink alignment if it compromises practicality?

3.  Trust your instinct: A home is about comfort, not just compliance. If you feel good in a space, that’s the best energy flow you need to vibe with your inner energy.

4.  Be cautious in tightly packed projects. Apartments with shared walls and layouts naturally mix energy flows. Trust good architecture over rigid compliance.

At the end of the day I have seen Vastu is as much about fear as much as it is of belief. If following it gives you peace of mind, go for it. But remember that a home becomes truly perfect when it aligns with your lifestyle, not just your compass.

Happy buying and may your energy always flow positively!