How the Apartment and House Number Affects the Purchase Decision: Numerology in Real Estate

When buying a home, people usually focus on square footage, layout, location, and transportation access. Yet there is another factor that often remains in the background but can significantly affect buyers’ decisions — numbers. The apartment number, the floor level, or even the date of closing may seem like small details, but they frequently become the final argument for or against a purchase.

Numerology is the study of numbers and their symbolic meaning. It has gone far beyond the realm of esotericism and, in the most unexpected way, has found its place in the real estate market, where it can actually influence prices.

In this article, we will explore why numbers have such an impact and how the «magic of numbers» is closely intertwined with cultural traditions and superstitions.

The Origins of Numerology

Numerology is one of the oldest esoteric teachings. As early as the works of the Pythagoreans (6th century BCE), we encountered the idea that the world is governed by numbers, each carrying a unique vibration that reflects specific qualities. Similar traditions can be found in India, where numerology is closely intertwined with astrology. In China, numbers play a special role in feng shui and everyday superstitions.

Over time, different cultures developed their own schools of numerology:

• Pythagorean numerology. Based on the teachings of Pythagoras. Its core principle is reducing any multi-digit number to a single digit from 1 to 9. Each number is interpreted as carrying a certain kind of energy. This system remains the most popular in the West.
• Chaldean numerology. Originating in Babylon, it is considered more «mystical.» Here, numbers are associated with planets and sound vibrations. Unlike the Pythagorean system, not all numbers are reduced to single digits, and special attention is given to the «karmic numbers» 4 and 8, as well as to the combinations of digits.
• Kabbalistic (Hebrew) numerology. Based on the system of gematria, where each letter and word is assigned a numerical value. This tradition is mainly tied to the interpretation of sacred texts but is sometimes applied to addresses or names to determine their «spiritual power.»
• Vedic numerology. Closely linked to Indian astrology (Jyotish). In this system, numbers correspond to celestial bodies such as the Sun, Moon, and Mercury, as well as to the lunar nodes Rahu and Ketu.

It is important to emphasize that, despite the diversity of systems, there is no scientific evidence that numbers possess any mystical influence. Modern research in psychology and sociology explains the phenomenon differently: numbers function as cultural markers and psychological triggers.

How Numbers Influence Real Estate

At first glance, the numbers in an address or the date of a transaction may seem neutral. Yet even people far removed from numerology tend to notice them. This happens largely because, in culture and collective consciousness, numbers carry symbolic weight — and people are often willing to pay more for «lucky» numbers or, conversely, avoid properties with «unlucky» ones.

Apartment, House, and Floor Numbers

Numbers carry the greatest weight in Asia. There, the number 4 is often avoided because in many local languages it sounds like sǐ («death»). As a result, properties with this number are considered inauspicious. A study by the National University of Singapore (2015) found that apartments on the 4th and 14th floors sold on average for 1.5–3% less than comparable units. This phenomenon is so widespread it has its own name — Tetraphobia.

Countries with tetraphobia include:

• Japan.
• South Korea.
• Taiwan.
• Malaysia / Singapore / Southeast Asia with a significant Chinese population.
• Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan.

In these countries, the 4th floor is often missing, especially in hospitals and hotels. For example, in South Korea, the number «4» is replaced with the letter F, while in Japan, floors 14 and 24 are commonly labeled as 13A and 23A. Buyers of Chinese origin, even in overseas markets, may request a discount if the property’s address contains the number 4.

In contrast, the number 8 (bā) sounds similar to the words for «wealth» or «prosperity,» and apartments with an «8» in the address often sell for 2.5–10% above market value. In 2018, an apartment in Hong Kong with the number 88 sold for a record $57 million, roughly 1.5 times higher than the market value of comparable properties.

In the United States and Canada, the unlucky number is 13. Its association with misfortune goes back to Christian tradition (13 participants at the Last Supper, with the traitor being the 13th). Horror films like Friday the 13th reinforced this image. According to Otis Elevators, 85% of high-rise buildings in North America skip the 13th floor, replacing it with labels like «12A» or «M.» This fear is known as Triskaidekaphobia.

In Russia and the CIS, there is no widespread fear of numbers, but stereotypes still matter. People tend to be more cautious about properties with the number 13 or 666 (the biblical «number of the beast»). Around 12% of buyers consciously avoid such numbers, and realtors note that «unlucky» numbers often become a reason to negotiate a discount.

The same influence extends to transaction dates. In China, buyers prefer closing deals on dates that include the number 8, such as the 8th or 18th, to ensure prosperity and success. In India, buyers often consult astrologers to determine the most favorable date, so the astrological forecast may be more important than the number itself.

The Meaning of Numbers in Numerology

We have already looked at cultural aspects; now it’s time to turn to numerology itself. It claims that each number carries a certain vibration. Below is how the three main schools interpret the numbers from 1 to 9.

The most favorable numbers:

• 1 — houses with this number are associated with new beginnings and the ability to «be in charge.»
• 3 — brings growth, creativity, and luck (especially in the Chaldean and Vedic traditions, where it is ruled by Jupiter).
• 6 — symbolizes comfort, harmony, and beauty under the influence of Venus.
• 8 — a symbol of wealth and power in the Pythagorean system, though in Chaldean and Vedic traditions it is considered difficult, but extremely powerful when approached correctly.

Numbers to аvoid:

• 4 — in the Chaldean and Vedic traditions, linked to karmic trials, unpredictability, and restrictions. It may bring difficult challenges, followed by relief.
• 7 — a number of mysticism and solitude, not always suitable for a family home or business. It can «disconnect» a person from reality, making them blind to problems until it’s too late.
• 8 — despite its association with money, in the Vedic system it is ruled by Saturn, which brings serious trials and lessons of fate.
• 9 — in the Chaldean system (Mars) it is tied to conflict, aggression, and the need for constant struggle.

In numerology, not only individual numbers matter but also their combinations. The «energy» of a house or apartment is determined by the sum of all digits in its number, yet the combinations themselves may carry additional meaning.

Key rules for combinations:

• Summation rule. All digits in the address are added together until a single digit (or a master number 11, 22) is obtained — this is the main vibration. For example, Apartment 245 counts as 2+4+5 = 11, a master number linked to spiritual growth.
• Master numbers (11, 22, 33). In the Pythagorean system these numbers are not reduced to single digits. Double or triple repetitions amplify not only positive but also negative vibrations. Numbers like 66, 777, or 888 are considered especially powerful.
• Strong and weak numbers combined. If the sum of the address gives a positive number (say, 6) but the digits include 4 or 7, numerologists interpret this as a sign of coming trials. On the other hand, combinations such as 3 and 8 are viewed as favorable — growth paired with prosperity.

In Conclusion

Numerology is not an exact science nor a tool for predicting the future, but rather a system that inevitably influences how people perceive their surroundings. In real estate, it matters because buyers and renters make decisions not only rationally but also emotionally.

Sellers often take advantage of this by highlighting unusual or «special» numbers in property listings. On Asian markets, this can translate into a real price premium. For investors, numbers are worth paying attention to as well: apartments with favorable numbers can often be sold not only at a higher price but also faster, directly impacting liquidity.