Whenever you see this message boldly displayed on a building, you would assume that it's meant to ward off anyone interested in buying the property, be it professional speculators or a stranger walking on the street, but from my experience, this sign often signifies the exact opposite that house is likely on its way to being sold, or is already about to be placed on the market.
I have come to observe a pattern that is too regular to dismiss buildings that display this message are never on the market for long. Rather than being a warning to drive away speculators, it can function like a secret coded message that quietly informs keen buyers that something is in progress, and the house might be up for grabs depending on how things turn out.
Most times, the display of such a message isn't just something people just put up like that, but rather an indication of an ongoing internal struggle over the property. This is particularly what happens among families where ownership and the decision making process may not always be clearly defined and conflicts begin to surface concerning how the property should be dealt with, who has the power to decide whether to sell, and how any proceeds should be distributed if a sale is made.
In some cases, a single individual is fueled by the need to sell, often the firstborn son or a prominent family member, and he clashes with other family members who may not agree to the selling of the house, or who are unhappy with the suggested selling price. During these periods of disagreement, "this house is not for sale" transforms into a public declaration that the matter is currently being contested, rather than having been resolved.
In my area, three buildings bear this message; my own house is one of them. I felt uneasy since the day a group of men showed up at our fence with cans of black paint and promptly inscribed these very words onto the fence without informing us before, as it felt less like a warning and more like the start of an unwanted transition.
Curiosity got the better of me, and when I inquired from them about their motive, I was told they were instructed to do so by the owner of the compound, and when I confirmed it with the owner, my unease grew further as I realized that the building could be on its way to be sold sooner than later.
Since that day they put the inscription on the fence, people have come in and out of our compound on more than 3 occasions, walking around and asking questions; all of them claiming they were sent by the landlord to see if the house was being well-kept; but their frequency, coupled with their manner of observation, are signs indicating the building might be on its way to be sold.
I felt I can no longer ignore the pattern, and I have decided it's high time to find a new apartment before a new owner inevitably comes along with a mandatory eviction notice that leaves no room for preparation.
The truth is, "this house is not for sale" rarely lives up to its meaning, and quite often, it's a silent signal to potential buyers to begin their observations and inquiries, and to get ready for a deal, while the internal war waged over it is slowly but surely moving towards its resolution.
