I had another post in mind today until a good friend called to tell me about her planting success. She and her husband are trying to move - they have found and made an offer on a new house, but needed to sell theirs. We all know that the market is still in a funny place and trying to recover, so they opted to pull out all the stops and plant a St. Joseph statue to try and ensure house selling success.
I had never heard of planting a St. Joseph as a real-estate superstition, have you? It is based in Catholic Folk-magic.
Apparently Saint Joseph (San Jose in Spanish and San Giuseppe in Italian) is the Patron Saint of real estate matters and home sales (among other things).
The superstition involves burying (planting) a statue of Saint Joseph upside down in the yard while your house is for sale. This will then ensure a quick and profitable sale. The custom originated in the US and goes way back (according to urban legends) to the 1970s (wasn't there a big housing market crash back then too?).
When you plant the St. Joseph upside down in your yard (or in a house plant if you have no yard) it will not grow, or flower or produce fruit - in fact you need not even water it. The only requirement is that when your home sells, you must dig it up and move it to your new home...where it must be honored for the good fortune it brought you.
I am curious if any of you gardeners have had success with planting a St. Joseph?
My friend is swearing by it -- they sold their house in 3 weeks at full asking price.
Apparently renters and first time home buyers need not despair -- there is a functional opposite to Saint Joseph, Our Lady of Loreto addresses situations in which one wants to buy or rent a house -- but I am not sure what direction you have plant her...
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Seriously?
Really offensives. Catholics believe in the Communion of Saints, not. Magic.
As a raised-but-no-longer-practicing Catholic, yes, I am very familiar with the St. Joseph superstition. My parents buried one when they were selling our house, and more recently my aunt buried one in my grandmother's yard...the house had languished on the market for almost a year but sold within a few weeks of St. Joe being left there. It's a ridiculous superstition but I'm of the "eh, can't hurt" school of thought and was planning to bury one my parents sent to me when selling my house 18 months ago, but since my house sold before it was even officially on the market I ended up not needing his help!
Have tried this 3 times...first time my house got an offer as I was tamping down the soil...seconds after burying it (July 1987)
The 2nd time, I got an offer as I was purchasing the St. Joseph statue from a church office. (June 2005)
The 3rd time, I buried the statue on a Weds, my house hit the MLS on Friday, got a full offer on Monday. (Sept 2010)
It works!
This is ridiculous. Superstition is the irrational belief that something will bring about a result, like success (or failure) or luck (good or bad) regardless of other circumstances. You can't swear that something works just because the outcome happens to be what you wanted. I've seen houses sell for more than the asking price, in 1 week. I don't think they had a statue planted upside down in the yard.
It's true. My mother gave my brother and his wife her statue of St. Joseph several years back when they were selling their house in a tough market. It sold within the week of being listed. I'm not even a practicing catholic but I've never known it to fail.
My mother did hound my brother for a few weeks after the sale to make sure she got her statue back though, tee hee.
I am a practicing Catholic and this has worked for me on two separate occasions. Our first house was on the market when BRAC closed a military base very close by. We were told not to expect a good outcome. We sold in 1 week of planting St. Joseph and received our asking price. Second house sat idle for months. Planted St. Joseph and not only did we get the asking price, buyer requested a "quick close."
My dad has successfully sold two houses in a bad economy using the St. Joe trick. I've actually heard that you're not only supposed to bury it upside down, but you should also rotate the statue so that it faces your front door. My family is Catholic, so is it insulting? Only if you take yourself too seriously. After all, Catholic book stores sell these bad boys! Come on, I'm pretty sure that if there is a god, s/he has to have a good sense of humor.
Referring to any religious practice or superstition—regardless of the faith and how bizarre it may seem—as "folk-magic" is pretty ignorant.
My (all Catholic) dad's side of the family has always done this with every home they were putting on the market, but some have sold quickly and some have sat for a long time (one took about 3 years and sold waaaaaay under the original asking price). Just putting it out there as a bigger sampling.
I can't believe that this is a post today. You don't even want to read what I would really like to write.
Wow. You do realise that the bible in no way promotes the worship or belief in these random Saints and that superstitions go against biblical teachings, as do images or idols of any person or thing (A Statue of St. Anyone is idolatry and it directs worship to someone other than God)? As for "Catholic-folk Magic"...huh? The Bible also condemns the use of magic and people who try to practice such things. This whole article is bizarre.
I generally don't believe in superstitions, but 10 years ago was trying to sell a house that I owned with my ex...we got an offer that fell through and I was desperate to get the house sold. Someone told me about this, and I bought a statue and buried it near the front door. Three weeks later, on St. Josephs Feast Day, we got another offer and sold the house. I still have the statue (you are supposed to keep it in a position of honor in your house afterward, and I do). For what it's worth...
@NEAL G - In general, I agree - but sometimes superstition is just that - superstition. When great grandmother died, the entire family went into a tizzy to avoid certain colors, to avoid certain homes for a certain number of days... it was silly superstition mixed with cultural tradition and I'll call it for what it is: folk-magic.
"Catholics believe in the Communion of Saints, not. Magic." -- right on, @HRAL
I'm Catholic, and in spring 2008 I planted a St. Joseph in front of my Nashville condo (which was in a huge condo development and was on the market at the same time as many others just like it). Sold it in three weeks. I'm sure staging the condo and pricing it right had a lot to do with it, but the St. Joseph bit has worked for so many people in my family I don't want to discount it as 'folk-magic.'
"(A Statue of St. Anyone is idolatry and it directs worship to someone other than God)" - really, are you kidding? The statue of Michael Jordan out in front the United Center makes him an idol? The statue of Abraham Lincoln in the Memorial forces you to worship?
Puh-leeze. Images of people we respect and venerate are never worshiped - that would be creepy.
People mix up their folk stories with their religion and almost wilfully ignore the reason and truth that would keep the balance between the two. Burying a statue is superstitution and saying it disrespects St. Joseph, faithful, silent St. Joseph, that it hurts his feelings, somehow, is also superstitution. It does breed a certain disrespect so it should be avoided, though.
apparently I can't spell "superstition."
Hot Topic, eh? No Therese Z, I didn't say it forces anyone to worship the statue. Putting faith in a man made object is a form of worship (like the st. joe statue). And yes, statues of people can be considered idolatry. How many teens do you know with posters of their fave celeb on their walls say, "Oh I just idolize so and so". It's so silly and harmless, but it is still a form of idolatry. You don't have to be down on your knees and lighting candles. Just sayin'. Not trying to get into any arguments. If I do, it's totally AT's fault, haha.
Just to clarify for those who make up their own understanding of Catholic faith and practices...
Catholics do not worship saints or their statues. Catholic venerate saints, giving them respect which glorifies God, (because the saints lived their lives to honor Him).
Catholics believe the saints can intercede for us, in effect, pray for us.
And yeah, I'd say it's superstition if you don't believe in God or the saints and you still plant a statue... because if you don't truly believe in the power of intercession... the only reason you would be doing it is out of superstition.
Who knew such a silly post about superstitions of Catholic lawn statuary and selling your house could spark such a vicious debate? If only there was a trick that worked for finding the perfect apartment with hardwood floors, laundry, and balcony!...
Never heard of that funny, incredible( stupid ?) superstition ! Maybe it doesn't work in France !
OK, for those of you convinced that this works, I have only this to say. YOU DON'T KNOW. You have no unbiased side-by-side comparison. You have no idea how quickly the house would have sold if you never even thought about planting a statue in the yard. And those of us with a scientific bent, who use logic and reasoning and evidence understand that this is a combination of coincidence and doing everything ELSE you can do to sell the property. (My previous house sold before it officially went on the market because we did cosmetic upgrades, priced it intelligently, and had an excellent real estate agent with a motivated buyer. )
(I would suggest taking some derelict, unlivable, overpriced house in your market and trying a statue there, but sure as heck some weird coincidence would happen and IT would sell, BUT NOT BECAUSE OF A STATUE.)
(I'm sorry to perpetuate this argument, but frankly brainless superstitions like this exasperate me because they prove how unthinking too many of my fellow voters are these days.)
Just for a change of gear, if you ever dig in your front yard and find an upside-down altar stone there (square, white marble, small slot for relic), it means your house was exorcised.
My parents discovered this (to my mother's enduring horror) during a routine "let's move the azaleas!" dig. The neighbors informed us that there had been a triple-murder next door 25 years before, and that house had been razed. Our house's previous owners apparently left no precaution untended and nothing to chance in their concern that their property remain "quiet". And it is. ; )
idolatry at it's best.
yipee for delusion :)
@Sherrybinnh, well said.
To someone looking in from the outside, yep, this sure sounds like folk-magic to me. (I'm sure this will get me flamed but eh, had to throw in my two cents.)
"Referring to any religious practice or superstition—regardless of the faith and how bizarre it may seem—as "folk-magic" is pretty ignorant."
@Neal G, sorry if you find it offensive, but it's not ignorant. By definition, the terms "folk-magic" or "folk-religion" refer to religious customs which fall under the umbrella of an organized religion, but outside of official doctrine/practices. And that's exactly what this practice is. You are unlikely to see a non-Catholic doing this, but you will not see it endorsed (and may even see it condemned) by official Catholic doctrine.
Anyway, are there alternative methods for non-Christians? ;)
Also, how does Eco-Joe work, if you're supposed to dig his statue up and honor it in your new home? Based on the description, I assume Eco-Joe decomposes.
I'm a cradle Catholic, and never ever heard of this practice, though probably because my parents are immigrants. Does seem pretty weird to bury the statue (instead of making a prayer request or novena, like the other saints). I wonder what tradition this emerged from.
Oh it's fun...just another little helper and hoper in getting the house sold...if you believe you may receive. Nothing super serious here people....to Catholic's of any level, probably more hopeful with the planting of a St. Joseph, the carpenter, statue..and there should be no problem for anyone with that..respecting and all. This isn't voodoo practicing ; ).. By the way...family's home sold finally, after planting...but I think they left it there..OH NOOOO! haha
Catholics (I was raised a Catholic) look to many saints for help in their everyday lives. My mother always prays to St Anthony if she loses something important, and puts a donation in the poor box when it turns up. Another tradition, in Ireland at least, is to put a statue of the Child of Prague (not technically a saint) outside your front door the night before your wedding to ensure fine weather on the day itself.
There are many other examples, these are just the ones I can think of offhand. I don't think there's anything wrong with any of them, if you're a Catholic they're just a small example of your faith in action in everyday life, if you're not a Catholic it's still a positive intention so I don't see what's wrong with it.
I just bought one of these today at a Catholic store. It's actually a plastic St. Joseph with the above instructions and a holy card and cost $4. Even if not officially sanctioned by The Church, it's apparently sanctioned enough to be sold for this express purpose at a Catholic store. Also, there is a novena on the holy card and you're supposed to pray it for nine consecutive days. So there's that.
My parents did this when we were having trouble selling the house I grew up in. It didn't work. The house is still on the market.
Also, the prayer on the holy card is almost identical to an "incantation" that came with some "pagan spell candles" I bought last year. So, there's that, too.
I picked up a St Joseph statue at a thrift store around Christmas time. It's waiting for my next trip to my for-sale townhouse in Illinois, which is a six-hour drive from my new home in Wisconsin. It's been on the market for 8 months already. Planting St. Joseph can't hurt!
@STATIONERYFIEND Exactly!! : )
Tradition is so much older than the 70s... came to the US with Italian immigrants... New Orleanians have been doing this for at least 100 years. Some of ya'll are wound a bit too tight. We do St Joseph altars and have lucky beans in our wallets....even those of us who seen't Italian or Catholic.
Oh my people, really? When will we ever grow up? I bought a different toilet paper and three weeks later I met the girl of my dreams. So now, every time I want a new "girl of my dreams", I'm going to change toilet paper.
@TINKA777 - a novena is a different thing altogether, they can be for any intention. My mother swears by them too LOL. There are actually many different kinds of novena, though they are all done for nine days or weeks. Many is the job / house / promotion / college acceptance that has been attributed to one of my mother's novenas, and they have been happily accepted by non-Catholic and non-Christian friends and family as well.
superstition : any blindly accepted belief or notion
religion : see above
Here's a thought...if you find the practice to be idiocy, don't do it. If it bothers you...don't do it, but to be so very hypercritical of other's opinions, unclench people.
Is this kind of superstitious crap really what Apartment Therapy is about?
My Mormon friends planted one and they swear it worked...ha ha :) Thanks AP, this post made me smile...
BTW, I hope I find the 'house buying' statue and she comes with instructions.
I can't believe this article didn't mention that for the inside, you also have to have a cookie jar containing a figurine of St. Ursula, the patron saint of staging.
When you go to meet with your mortgage officer, don't forget to kiss a statuette of St. Boniface, the patron saint of low interest rates.
I've known about the St. Joseph thing for decades. It's hooey. If I found out that a seller was using the old St. Joseph technique, I would wonder whether he had also abandoned reason when maintaining the plumbing and HVAC.
Hi everyone
As the founder and General Manager of EcoJoe, I appreciate everyone's comments, both positive and negative.
The legend has it that the tradition started in 18th century, when a group of nuns tried to sell their convents by praying to St Joseph and burying St Joseph coins into the ground. As time goes on, the tradition evolved into burying a St Joseph statue.
As a real estate professional (I've been a home stager for 6 years), I found out about the St Joseph tradition/superstition/good luck ritual when one of my clients buried one. As someone that helps homeowners to prep their homes for sale, I see many things that can be reused or properly recycled are just being tossed into landfill, like lumber, flooring, kitchen cabinets, etc. Not to mention we are producing more plastic, burying more plastic into the ground every time someone uses a St Joseph statue as a good luck charm.
Whether you believe it or not, it is still a very popular practice in the real estate community. It is my hope that EcoJoe, as a small token, can serve as a way and icebreaker to jump start the green conversation in the real estate community.
As a stager, I am also very realistic with the home sellers that burying a St Joseph statute cannot replace sound real estate practices like pricing your home well, staging, creating curb appeal for your home, etc.
I welcome any comments or feedbacks you have about our products!
Cheers,
Cindy
I sent one to my husband when he was trying to sublet his apt in college -it worked, but I think he did it wrong b/c the subletter was kinda crappy. But, he has pride of place in our current home (I spray painted him glossy white so he looks ceramic-y) and will be buried again when we sell. :)
HELP ...we planted a St. Joseph and got a full offer in 24 hours ! This was 5 years ago and has been displayed in my house ever since. NOW, can I use the same statue to sell another house ?? I cannot find any info. on reusing the statue. Thanks!
Well, I for one, am not one to believe in superstition or "voodoo", but when it came to selling my house, I figured, why not. Any luck or "whatever" I can get, I'll take.
We got the first offer and contract on our house 5 days after St Joseph went in the ground. That offer, unfortunately fell through, but two weeks later, another offer came, and we are happily packing, and getting ready to move to our new home. So whatever it's worth---
On another note--I am Jewish, so there was no "worshipping" of any statue. Just figured I had nothing to lose, and everything to gain, and I did!!! Thank you St Joseph!
The practice of burying a statue of St.Joseph isn't about voodoo or superstition. Most Catholics know about the powers that Saints possess. We had friends that put their home up for sale. After having it on the market for several weeks, we suggested burying St.Joe in their backyard. It was less than seven days, they received their first offer from a young couple. Coincidence? That is a matter of opinion :)
I will try to make a long story short. Does the St. Joseph Statue work? Absolutely 100% YES. I do not have time to get into all the details. Our house sold when everyone told me it would not happen. I had faith and followed the instructions. Our house had the most walk throughs of any house in the entire County- 31 in 30 days. YES it worked.
House up for sale. No luck in 6 months. Just relisted. A good friend of mine suggested the planting of St. Joseph's statue. He is going to purchase one at St. Joseph's Oratory and is going to give it to me tomorrow. Can't wait to plant it! I certainly can't hurt...I kind of like the idea lol! I will tell you guys what happened.