If you’re looking to sell your house fast, you might have heard about the St Joseph prayer to sell house. It’s one of those old traditions that mixes faith with a bit of ritual, and honestly, I’ve met plenty of homeowners in places like sell my house fast in Lafayette who swear by it—though others just shake their heads. Let me walk you through what this prayer actually involves, the whole statue-burying thing, and whether it might work for you (plus some more practical alternatives if you’re skeptical).
Quick Take:
- St. Joseph prayer involves a nine-day novena or daily prayer until the sale.
- Tradition calls for burying a St. Joseph statue upside down near your “For Sale” sign.
- Results vary; faith, market, and method matter.
- Retrieve and honor the statue after selling.
- Alternatives like cash buyers offer speed but may mean a lower price.
What Is the St. Joseph Prayer to Sell House?
The St. Joseph prayer is basically a Catholic tradition where you ask this particular saint for help selling your home quickly—and at a fair price. Most people do it as a novena, which means praying for nine days straight. You typically end each session with an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. But if nine days feels like a commitment, some folks just say a shorter prayer every day until their house sells. And yes, there’s the whole statue thing too. People bury a small St. Joseph statue in their yard, following what they believe is a careful guide to make it work.
Traditional and Quick Versions
So you’ve got two options here. The traditional novena is pretty structured—same prayer, nine days, no skipping. The quick version? Way more flexible. You just keep praying daily until someone buys your house. Either way, people seem to think adding the statue burial gives it extra oomph.
How Does the St. Joseph Statue Help in Selling Houses?
The story goes that St. Joseph has this knack for helping people find buyers quickly—at least, that’s what believers say. The idea of burying him upside down near your sale sign supposedly shows you’re serious and need help ASAP. Does it actually draw the right buyer? Well, that probably depends on who you ask.
Proper Rituals for Burying the Statue
- Wrap the statue in cloth to protect it.
- Bury it upside down facing the home.
- Say the burial prayer with intent.
- Place it near the “For Sale” sign for symbolic visibility.
- Retrieve it after closing to honor St. Joseph.
What Are the Steps to Bury St. Joseph Statue?
- Pick a spot near your “For Sale” sign—preferably where you won’t forget it.
- Wrap the statue respectfully (some use a small cloth bag).
- Dig about 6–8 inches deep.
- Place it upside down, facing toward your house.
- Say your prayer—and really mean it.
- Once you’ve sold, dig the little guy up and give him a nice spot in your new place.
Can St. Joseph’s Prayer Work for Everyone?
Here’s where it gets interesting. I’ve heard stories from sellers all over, including those selling your house fast in Louisiana, and the results are all over the map. Some people get offers within days and credit St. Joseph. Others wait months and wonder what went wrong. It seems like your faith level matters, but so does your local market. If houses in your neighborhood are flying off the shelf anyway, was it the prayer or just good timing? Hard to say.
What To Do After Selling Your House?
Don’t leave poor St. Joseph buried in the yard! Once you close, go dig him up. The new owners probably won’t appreciate finding a random religious statue in their garden. Most people clean him off and put him somewhere nice in their new home—maybe on a shelf or mantle. A quick thank-you prayer doesn’t hurt either.
Novena Prayer vs. Daily Prayer: Which Is More Effective?
The novena has that nine-day intensity going for it—kind of like a spiritual sprint. Daily prayer is more of a marathon approach. Which works better? Honestly, it might just come down to what you can stick with. If you’re the type who starts things and doesn’t finish, maybe the nine-day option is your best bet.
Additional Prayers for Selling Your House Faster
Some people don’t stop at just the St. Joseph prayer. They’ll throw in some Bible verses, maybe a rosary, whatever feels right. In communities where faith runs deep, this can actually be pretty comforting during what’s usually a stressful time. Even sellers pushing for a fast home sale in New Orleans sometimes mix these old traditions with modern selling tactics—covering all their bases, you know?
Worked Pricing Example
Let’s say: Your house could sell for $150,000 in perfect condition. But it needs $20,000 in repairs (new roof, maybe some plumbing issues). Closing costs run about $5,000. An investor wants to make $15,000 profit—fair enough, it’s a business. So their offer comes in at $110,000. That’s $40,000 less than ideal, but you get cash fast and skip the hassle. Is it worth it? That’s your call.
Alternatives to Selling Houses With St. Joseph’s Prayer
Look, if the prayer thing isn’t your style, cash buyers can close deals crazy fast—sometimes in just a few days. The upside? No fixing anything, no waiting for bank approvals. The downside is pretty obvious: they’re going to offer less than market value. But if you need to sell your home quickly in Baton Rouge, sometimes taking a hit on price beats waiting months for the perfect buyer.
Seller Checklist
- Figure out if you’re doing the prayer thing or going straight practical.
- Get your house looking decent (even cash buyers appreciate effort).
- Know what your place is actually worth—and what repairs cost.
- Be realistic about price (wishing doesn’t make it so).
- If you buried a statue, remember where!
- Get a few investor offers to compare.
FAQ
Does the St. Joseph prayer guarantee a sale?
Not even close. It’s a faith thing, and faith doesn’t override market reality. Your house still needs to be priced right and in decent shape.
Can I reuse the same statue?
Sure, why not? Plenty of people hang onto their St. Joseph statue like a lucky charm. Just treat it respectfully between moves.
Is it okay to combine prayer with listing on the MLS?
Of course! Most people who try this aren’t putting all their eggs in the prayer basket. They list, they market, and they pray. Why not?
What if I’m not religious?
Then maybe skip it? Or treat it like knocking on wood—can’t hurt, might help. But there are plenty of non-spiritual ways to sell quickly.
How fast can a cash buyer close?
Usually 7–10 days if everything lines up. I know someone who needed to sell my house fast in Shreveport for a job relocation—they had cash in hand within a week. Way faster than the traditional route.