Delving into how the number 13 affects real estate around the world

The roots of number 13's bad luck

The number 12 is often considered a 'perfect' and complete number, so following directly on its heels, the unfortunate 13 may be found lacking and unusual. In addition, historical events where a 13th guest has arrived, have also put a negative spin on this number. In the Bible, Judas is the 13th guest to arrive at the Last Supper and the person who betrays Jesus. In Norse mythology, Loki is the 13th guest at a dinner party, leading to an upset of balance and introducing evil and turmoil to the world.

A cultural difference

Many western countries view the number 13 as unlucky. In fact, fear and avoidance of 13 has an official name, triskaidekaphobia. There are, of course, countries and cultures that have a completely different interpretation of the number (for example Italians have traditionally viewed 13 as particularly lucky). In Eastern countries, the same fear and beliefs are associated with the number 4.

Effects on property

Whichever way the number 13 is viewed, and even if you don’t consider yourself superstitious, it’s a good idea to be aware of how this number can impact property.

Sale Dates

In terms of sale dates, there may be a drop away of people purchasing on the 13th of a month. So if you are planning to sell your property, it may be a good idea to speak to your sales agent about your auction date.

Streets with no 13

The extent of the belief that 13 is an unlucky number has led some councils around the world to ban the number 13 on their streets. In the UK, Zoopla reports that a quarter of the streets do not have a house with the number 13, including the famous Downing Street. In Australia, however, this is not at all a common occurence, with plenty of streets and houses keeping their number 13.

Missing 13th floors and rooms

From a commercial perspective, have you ever ridden an elevator in an office building only to notice that there’s no Level 13? Some building owners prefer not to try their luck with a potentially unlucky floor so completely remove it off their plans. According to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in North Carolina, more than 80% of high-rise buildings in the United States do not have a 13th floor. This also happens in hotels, airports and hospitals where the business decides to omit a number 13 room number or gate.

The Australian industry hasn't displayed the same level of concern around the number 13 as some of the other countries mentioned, but we hope this blog has been a helpful guide on how the number 13 is viewed around the world.

If you have any residential or commercial property questions, feel free to contact our team. View our services page to learn more.