by Tanta on 10/30/2007 11:00:00 AM

Now and in the close of our escrow, amen.

How desperate are home sellers getting?

Item 1: Jewish Buddhist seller buries St. Joseph in the backyard. (Money quote: "I wasn't sure if it would be disrespectful for me, a Jewish Buddhist, to co-opt this saint for my real-estate purposes," says Ms. Luna, a writer. She figured, "Well, could it hurt?")

Item 2: Mortgage broker offers a deal to die for. (Money quote: "'Holy mackerel! This is unbelievable,'" Mr. Cook said.")