To sell houses today, estate agents are looking back to the ancient Chinese art of feng shui. Alexanders is the latest firm of Hampstead-area agents to turn to the idea.

In October, Johathan Miller and partner Susanna took the decision to seek the advice of a feng shui consultancy, to give Alexanders a “health check” and to help them launch their new product, free rent guarantee and legal expenses insurance.

Mr Miller gave Kenny D’Cruz and Kristian Pengkerego, of the Feng Shui Partnership, the brief to make Alexanders’ office more welcoming to the public and more pleasant and relaxing for the staff.

After taking careful notes and measurements of the office, the feng shui team worked out a master-plan. Their report showed that almost every aspect of the office, from simple décor to the layout of furniture – and even the company logo – had to be changed.

“It would be fair to say that the prospect of such major changes was somewhat daunting,” says Mr Miller. “Work commenced and within a few days the office was totally transformed.

“To our relief, when all the work was finished, the office looked wonderful.”

The final touch was a small aquarium with some tropical fish.

“The effect was immediate,” says Mr Miller. “The atmosphere in the office is much more seree and we are actually having complete strangers popping their heads around the door to compliment us on our lovely new office.

“Alexanders has instantly and evidently become more approachable, which must be what any business would wish for.”

Just a month ago, Greene and Company changed from standard bustling Belsize Park estate agent to Home, an estate agency office set up as a living-room.

Customers at Green and Company can drink coffee, eat sweets, and browse through property details while enjoying old films or jazz music, without being disturbed by negotiators.

The feng shui expert behind Green and Company’s change is Rosalyn Dexter, who has been working in building design for 25 years and has just brought out a new book about feng shui, called “Chinese Whispers”.

“Feng shui is no good if it just looks good – it has to function as well,” says Ms Dexter. “The principles of feng shui are well grounded in ergonomics.”