ASTRAL REFLECTIONS
BY TIM STEPHENS
MAY 11 - 17, 2003

All times/dates are PDT.
People are starting to ask me about property prices. I could just refer you to my "House Numerology" article on www.astralreflections.com, where in 2000 I forecast property trends. But the simple answer is: house prices should flatten or (more likely) decline this summer through 2007. 
If you're an investor, start looking at your REITS (Real Estate Investment Trusts) with a wary eye. From June 2003 through July 2005, refinancing and affordability become a problem for ordinary people and their houses, which dampens real estate prices in general. (This might also dampen consumer spending, and knock a buttress out from under the macro economy.) Various aspects from September 2003 through early autumn 2004 could buffet all "paper" surrounding real estate - mortgages, interest rates, etc. (Interest rates could start gyrating even earlier, from June 2003 onward.) If your REIT owns good properties and has locked everything in with a 20 or 30 year mortgage at 4 or 5 per cent, then holding could be a good idea. But realty trusts that are gambling on vacancy rates could suffer burned fingers and declining share prices. Office property REITS are already suffering from office vacancies, and it will get worse.  
The possibilities affecting realty prices/investments are, in order of least to most likely: economic recovery, deflation/recession, or stagflation. 
If there's an economic recovery, REITS should be fine, and office REITS might even be a bargain right now. But aspects hint that a robust recovery is far off. 
If there's a deflationary recession or depression (perhaps somewhat like Japan's) then you might as well bail out. In Japan, property prices began to sink 2 years after the stock markets fell, and have declined for two decades since. We're now approaching that 2-year "marker" in North Anerica. If house prices do fall now and refinancing dries up, the economy itself might fall out of bed - in slow, Japanese-style motion.
Stagflation (a sluggish economy with rising prices) is the most likely economic scenario. However, this does not necessarily mean rising real estate prices. The higher interest rates of stagflation would swell mortgage interest payments, make properties less affordable (and less attractive to investors who can grab high bond yields) and thereby cause prices to decline. So your REIT's net asset value could decline, though its income might stay healthy (because stagflation would inflate rents). 
I suspect apartment REITS have further to fall than office trusts. If a 1970's-style stagflation occurs, REITS could be halved in value, or worse.  

Start Nothing: 0:09 a.m. to 4:42 a.m. Mon., 1:13 a.m. to 5:14 a.m. Wed., and 8:36 p.m. Thurs. to 4:43 a.m. Fri.

Aries   March 21-April 19
Continue to collect money owed you from past efforts, while refusing to spend on new ventures (the new would fail, disappoint). Memories and "sensual nostalgia" continue to intrigue you. Love remains sweet; your hopes stay high. But a sharp word could make you wonder about a relationship's future Monday/Tuesday. If so, get intimate in love,  confidential in business Wednesday/Thursday - and demand answers until you're satisfied. If answers aren't forthcoming, caution flags should go up! Sweet, mellow understanding, compassion and peaceful love float in Friday/Saturday. Possible you'll wed someone older.

Taurus   April 20-May 20
Your energy, charisma and luck remain high, but delays/indecision affect love, intellectual, educational, friendship and similar zones. This theme lasts all 2003. You might reconnect with an old flame this year and find love - or an eye-opener. Until late August, heal, rest, establish a solid foundation - real estate will reward (including this Friday).  Romance, pleasure, gambles intrigue Sunday, but remain thoughtful. Work/health run into indecision or glitches Monday/Tuesday, with repercussions into Thursday. Stay alert around machinery! Relationships swell yet surprise Thursday/Friday. Mysteries, lust, big finances, major changes succeed Friday/Saturday!

Gemini   May 21-June 20
Weariness, indecision will only last ten more days. Life has pampered you recently with either the reality or the dream of love and affection. Keep soaking it up! Be near home (or in nature) during a soulful Sunday. Romance, pleasure, creativity are sparked Monday/Tuesday. Some doubts creep in due to an unintended sharp word (or a secret slipping out) - maintain your dignity, be open without sarcasm or snap reactions - applies Monday into Friday morning. Take care with tools, machinery, driving Wednesday/Thursday - buy nothing with moving parts. Relationships please Friday/Saturday.

Cancer   June 21-July 22
Old friends, old flames appear. There's goodness here, so accept. An old ambition or wish might be granted in a small way. Accept, but don't change your life to chase a former goal. Travel, casual acquaintances, news, paperwork and details fill Sunday. Focus on your home, security interests and family Monday/Tuesday - a bit of worry arises from the re-awakening of old ambitions, desires, "sins" - don't exaggerate this, forgive yourself and others. Applies Wednesday/Thursday also, when romance and the joy of children flow closer. To work Friday/Saturday - get it done!

Leo   July 23-Aug. 22
Capture what you can from an old ambition, an old prestigious contact - but don't cling. Be prepared to launch yourself into the future next week. New opportunities will come, related to foreign countries, higher learning, media, law, friendship and love. Decide now, today, to be noble, to throw away any past resentments - that way, the best will come - including huge love, a major winning streak, wide, wide joys! Handle money carefully Sunday. Take care with your speech Monday to Friday morning - be patient! Love, beauty, happiness pour in, Friday/Saturday!

Virgo   Aug. 23-Sept. 22
All's sweet and mellow! Your understanding widens. But don't start new projects (especially in legal, educational, travel, international, media and similar areas). You attract attention Sunday, but commit to nothing (and no one) new. Your indecision about marriage is natural - let it play out, wait until late May to decide. Work's hectic all month. Practice safety precautions, drive safely, and don't let worry lead to health upsets or impulsive action on the work front Monday through Thursday. Paperwork, details, and friendly conversations fill Wednesday/Thursday. Embrace home, family, nature Friday/Saturday.

Libra   Sept. 23-Oct. 22
The bulldozer of change continues to rumble its way through your life - but you're not driving. Just let it happen - whatever occurs will be for the best (including financial or sexual changes). You might worry about a relationship, or your ability to love/be loved this Monday to Friday morning. You'll later realize worry was wasted emotion! Instead, love, show pleasure, be romantic, coo sweet nothings. Rest, recuperate Sunday. You attract love, attention Monday/Tuesday. Careful with money Wednesday/Thursday. Talk everything over Friday/Saturday - someone agrees! Two splendid days for travel, newspapers.

Scorpio   Oct. 23-Nov. 21
Go slow, act slowly, be wary of commitment, of new "opportunities" - and even of traffic - Sunday through Tuesday. Sunday's enjoyable, but your energy falls off Monday/Tuesday. Your personality sparkles Wednesday/Thursday, though - you could attract an old flame, a former partner, or an old business opportunity. These are good Thursday after dawn, but they're "dangerous" Wednesday - don't touch! Money's lucky Friday/Saturday, especially Friday even/night - ask the boss for a raise, or contact a prestigious client, etc. All week (especially Tuesday to Thursday) be gentle at home.  Soon, love will enter!

Sagittarius   Nov. 22-Dec. 21
Keep slogging away at your pile of chores, Sage. Focus on old burdens, tasks, employment situations - DON'T agree to nor pursue new ones. You feel active, restless - don't let this rush you into careless driving, impulsive travel, or hasty communications, especially Monday to Friday morning. You're ambitious Sunday - but don't lock horns with anyone. Solitude's the best co-operation. Socializing, light flirtation and upbeat hopes fill Monday/Tuesday - enjoy these without basing your life on them. Lie low, rest and avoid competitive situations Wednesday/Thursday. Your energy, charisma blossom Friday/Saturday - someone's attracted!

Capricorn   Dec. 22-Jan. 19
Continue to bask in love, beauty, vacation, the charms of children. Whatever happens, you win, you experience pleasure! Your creative side soars - but don't start any masterpieces now, they'll become "forever unfinished." You feel wise, mellow Sunday - remain evasive about a commitment.  Ambition, VIP relations arise Monday/Tuesday, and big hopes, optimism elevate your mood Wednesday/Thursday. But all four days need a wary attitude toward money and spending. Drive carefully, be safe around machinery, and sign nothing. You sink into a calm, happy weariness Friday/Saturday. Sleep, research, meditate, be charitable.

Aquarius   Jan. 20-Feb. 18
Unexpected occurrences/delays on the home front benefit you - let it happen, rather than trying to initiate projects or "govern" family members. Visit an old haunt for a sweet rest, nature walk, etc. A long-lost relative might visit. DON'T commit financially nor sexually Sunday. All week, impulse and illusion are a dangerous combo: be realistic. A mellow mood slides over you Monday/Tuesday - ignore baseless worries about family, security, retirement or real estate. Career or parental duties call Wednesday/Thursday - perform, but neither push nor fret. Happiness, optimism, good friends come Friday/Saturday.

Pisces   Feb. 19-March 20
Handle backed-up communications, paperwork and errands rather than initiate new projects. (E.g., a mail campaign started now would end in chaos.) Relationships contain some attraction and co-operation Sunday afternoon/eve, but the long-term outlook is dim. If single, wait - someone more exciting is around this year's corner. Be wary, realistic with finances, sexual, health, investigative, and diagnostic situations Monday/Tuesday. This "alert" continues through Wednesday/Thursday, but you're more able to see, to understand the "picture beyond the surface." Sign nothing! Your career, reputation or community prestige get a good boost Friday/Saturday!

www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337.

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