GCA FORUMS and subforums were founded with one concept in mind: To serve consumers, entrepreneurs, homebuyers, home sellers, real estate investors, and the general public. When people buy or sell a certain house, they move and, therefore, have to start life in that new place. All the partnerships that they have developed with local vendors and merchants will cease to exist ………. Read More
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A tree grows not just in Brooklyn but also in New Jersey. I’m nothing special, just a 60-year-old apple tree in Northern New Jersey, yes, the Garden State. The owner of the house planted me in memory of his dad, who was an apple farmer. My Golden Delicious apples are wonderful! Local folks know of my history and travel each fall to pick my beautiful orbs of sunshine.
Cider, apple pie, you name it, I can make it. I came up from a seed, just like my parents and grandparents. My great-grandfather led the way back in the 1930s. He and his siblings had the only producing orchard during the Great Depression. They were generous with their fruit as they gave to anyone who was hungry, not like that Wizard of Oz apple tree, grumpy and cheap. They fed everyone! I was planted as a reminder of when times were difficult.
Back in those days, the highlight of the week’s work was topped off by a fresh apple pie for Sunday dinner. When I was a lad, a seedling, too young to produce a crop, I was the playground for the kids in the neighborhood. As I aged, they would climb me, tie old rubber tires from my branches and make swings. I was loved and cherished. I can’t begin to tell you the satisfaction I had watching these kids grow up. Youth was innocent. Although dirt-poor, the joys of a simple existence may be gone in today’s culture. The anticipation all week of a hot fresh apple pie gave hope on Sunday as much as going to church.
At one time, the owner’s dad had a huge orchard, but as years went on during the Depression, he lost much of it. Bank foreclosures, unable to hire workers or till the land himself, his farm shrunk, and worries of feeding his family grew overwhelmingly. When the owner’s son planted me was no longer a farmer, he became a builder, swearing never to farm for a living after seeing what his dad experienced. However, I was planted as a symbol as to not to forget.
As the years ticked away, and I was a sapling nearing the juvenile stage of my life, I gave shade for summer picnics. I also gave shelter from the storms and allowed all birds to nest in my branches and give birth to new life. My roots never faltered, and I stored water when It rained.
My crop increased every year, and soon I was producing more apples than any other apple tree. I was a great landlord, never evicting anyone. They could come and go as they pleased. Sooner or later, most would return with their families and tell of my wonderful living conditions.
Soon after my sapling period, I’m not sure when though, kids started carving their names on my trunk. I hated this, destroying my beautiful bark with crude initials. The owner’s five-year-old daughter was the first to etch into me with her initials, DM. She was barely a sapling herself when she borrowed her older brother’s pocket knife. Boy, did she get a whooping! Her DM was carved so low on my trunk that it was hardly one foot above the ground. At first, I despised this, but in time I grew fond of the daughter and felt almost honored for her to “tag” me.
I aged quite nicely during my adult years, and each year my harvest increased, and suddenly I saw an increase in carved initials. DM’s etching led the way for many other kids. DM was now three feet above the ground, and below her were her four siblings and neighboring children.
My adult years were very fruitful, but old age is rapidly approaching. I turned 50 last spring, and I am showing signs of decline. I am considered an elderly tree. My apple crop, although tasty, is less and less each year. DM’s initials are now twelve feet above the ground, and she is nearing 50 years old. The owner who planted me passed away last summer, and I am beginning to feel useless. DM’s youngest brother is 35; PA tagged me when he was 10. He is a builder just like his dad. He now owns the house that has been passed on through the generations. I am now in the autumn of my years and reaching the snag phase of a tree; I’m near death.
He wants to replant the orchard! Wow! I didn’t see that coming, but he wants to chop me down! I do not understand why? The day has come, and I am being razed. It doesn’t seem to hurt. The owner chops me down, but my roots are saved. My root bulbs will be planted throughout the new orchard; I will live longer and prosper once again.
When they cut me down, they were extremely careful not to disturb the first 12 feet of bark. The bark was gently removed, planed, and sanded down. The 20 or so initials carved into my bark created a bench. Every child’s initials since 1950 can be seen on the backing off the bench.
An engraved metal plaque also reads, “You were there when we needed you, and your roots are now our future.”
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There are a lot of scums of this Earth people in existence today. There are selfish people, liars, thieves, and people with no morals who are willing to take advantage of you any chance they can. However, the world 🌎 is not all bad. There are kind people who are not selfish with a good heart. Here’s a short video clip about generosity and kind hearted ♥️ people:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/qyV4z4c42VZEPafk/?mibextid=Ls6BEq
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This discussion was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by
Gustan Cho.
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This discussion was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by
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Climate change refers to long-term shifts and alterations in temperature and weather patterns, primarily driven by human activities. These changes can manifest over decades to millions of years and can result from natural factors as well. However, the current trend of climate change is largely attributed to anthropogenic factors. Here’s a detailed overview:
Causes of Climate Change
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Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Released from burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas), deforestation, and various industrial processes.
- Methane (CH4): Emitted during the production and transport of coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as from livestock and other agricultural practices.
- Nitrous Oxide (N2O): Released from agricultural and industrial activities, as well as during fossil fuel combustion.
- Fluorinated Gases: Synthetic gases used in various industrial applications.
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Deforestation:
- Trees absorb CO2, and when they are cut down or burned, the carbon stored in them is released into the atmosphere.
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Industrial Activities:
- Emissions from manufacturing and energy production contribute significantly to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Effects of Climate Change
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Temperature Increases:
- The Earth’s average surface temperature has risen, leading to more frequent and intense heatwaves.
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Melting Ice and Rising Sea Levels:
- Polar ice caps and glaciers are melting, contributing to rising sea levels.
- This poses a threat to coastal communities through increased flooding and erosion.
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Extreme Weather Events:
- Increased frequency and severity of storms, hurricanes, and typhoons.
- More intense and prolonged droughts and floods.
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Impact on Ecosystems and Biodiversity:
- Species migration and changes in the distribution of wildlife.
- Increased risk of extinction for many species unable to adapt to changing conditions.
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Ocean Acidification:
- Increased CO2 absorption by oceans, leading to a decrease in pH levels, which affects marine life, particularly coral reefs.
Mitigation and Adaptation
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Mitigation:
- Reducing Emissions: Transitioning to renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power.
- Energy Efficiency: Enhancing energy efficiency in buildings, vehicles, and industries.
- Carbon Sequestration: Planting trees and employing technologies to capture and store CO2.
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Adaptation:
- Infrastructure Resilience: Building infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events.
- Water Management: Developing strategies to cope with changes in water availability.
- Agricultural Practices: Adapting farming techniques to new climate realities.
Global Efforts and Agreements
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Paris Agreement:
- An international treaty aiming to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
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United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC):
- An international environmental treaty established to address climate change and its impacts.
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This discussion was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by
Gustan Cho.
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One of my favorite people and mentor Kevin DeLory,
, Chief Lending Officer at Equity Prime Mortgage (EPM). Just love his messages
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Hunter Biden has been convicted of guns charges. What does this mean for the Joe Biden Administration. Besides gun charges, Hunter Biden was widely reported to have been under federal investigation related to potential tax issues and making a false statement in relation to a firearm purchase in 2018, but there has been no announcement of any convictions from reputable major news sources that I can find. Unless you have a confirmed report from a trustworthy journalistic outlet, it would be premature and potentially spread misinformation to state that Hunter Biden has definitely been convicted. The investigation appears to still be ongoing based on publicly available information. Without a conviction, this hypothetical scenario would not directly impact the Biden Administration. However, if there were confirmed charges or convictions brought against the President’s son related to taxes or firearms, it could potentially become a political issue. But substantiated facts would be required before making any definitive claims. Please let me know if you have a credible source reporting a conviction that I am unable to find.
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There’s a lot of talk about how Democrats are trying to destroy America. What is the 16-Year Plan? How are the Democrats trying to destroy America 🇺🇸? Why was COVID created? How was coronavirus vaccine a weapon for human depopulation?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qw0fqiP1g0
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This discussion was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by
Gustan Cho.
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This discussion was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by
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This question is for Michelle McCue. Alex and I have a disagreement on can a high school graduate qualify for a mortgage if they have a full time job after high school. I say yes because high school is treated no differently than college on the past two years of full time schooling . Please give us your take and guidelines on the loan programs. I have done loans for recent high school graduates.
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This discussion was modified 3 years ago by
Gustan Cho.
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This discussion was modified 3 years ago by
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Did you know you can purchase an owner-occupied property without income, employment or debt to income restrictions? Well, you can!
There are restrictions based on state law of course, but you can purchase or refinance a home without income or employment. Admittedly, that feels odd. How can that be?
The lenders that provide no-ratio loan qualify the borrower based on credit and assets.
- Credit scores must be over 660
- 12-18 months of reserve mortgage payments must be documented.
- Maximum Loan to value 70% on a cash out refinance, the cash out can be used for reserves
- Rate and term refinance maximum Loan To Value of 80%
- Purchase Loan To Value 65-80%.
- The lender will verify funds electronically with a VOD (verification of deposit)
- Gift funds are allowed to 95% – 5% of funds and reserves must belong to the borrower.
- Ability to repay is satisfied through taking the Framework home buyer’s class.
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Can someone explain to me how and why our nation’s capital has such a high crime rate? They cannot even get their own backyard cleaned up and they want to reach out and touch other states.
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Anyone know why mortgage lenders do not like log homes? Log homes are stronger and has better insulation.
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This discussion was modified 3 years ago by
Gustan Cho.
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This discussion was modified 3 years ago by
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This is a skill that every homeowner should learn. If you follow the steps carefully and safely cut the power before doing anything, then you can do this yourself.
Who feels comfortable wiring a light switch?
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Do first time investors have to put more or less down on their first investment purchase? Are there down payment assistance programs for investment purchases?
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Scientists still have not figured out the missing link in our evolution. I know a few people who look like they are only the second generation in their family that has been standing up straight. There is an obvious gap in the evolution chart.
So, there are a lot of theories. I think the missing link is an extra terrestrial. They came here and started to breed with earth’s inhabitants. We have seen cave drawings in ancient caves and even in the pyramids.
What do you think? What or who is the missing link?
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Had a memorable great lunch with my two son’s Kristian (32 years old) and Tim (30 years) at Iron Age Korean Steak Restaurant for Father’s Day 2024. Tim called me last week extend an invitation for today at 11:30 am with Kristian. Iron Age Korean Steak House was near the corner of Lake Avenue and Milwaukee Avenue in Glenview, Illinois, an area I grew up but have not been there in decades. Had a great duper memorable lunch. Tons of food, great food, had a few drinks, smiles, and tons of good ole fashing laughs and more laughs. Busted Timothy’s chops and had a great time. Love you Kristian, and Tim. Missed my oldest daughter Monica but got a text from her. Monica lives 5 hours north. North of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Need to find time to go visit Monica and my new grandson, Alex. Thanks again, boys. Love you and had a great time and enjoyed every minute of it. Love you tons. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday and have fun and be safe. Talk to you, soon. Tim, send me video clips of your two cats. The cats you taught how to play fetch, bark, and act like a dog. Lol. @Chotime @Kristian
https://maps.app.goo.gl/g6fJQfMPDfPjHCGs5?g_st=i
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This discussion was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by
Gustan Cho.
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This discussion was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by
Gustan Cho. Reason: Forgot image
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This discussion was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by
Gustan Cho.
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This discussion was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by
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Google suggests using a non-toxic glue to make cheese stick to pizza. That’s SLOP, the new SPAM. Yesterday’s article in the New York Times by Benjamin Hoffman writes how SLOB appears out of no where and looks legit. Tech companies are looking for new AI search engines. When you start a search the AI will give you, what it thinks you want. Overall its being represented as a bug that inverts what you are searching. You don’t know what’s real or not, they appear in emails and messages. Be careful of SLOP, you never know when it happens, is this post SLOP?
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For sometime now I have lost many a tee shirt to these mystery holes mainly in the same spot, toward the bottom. Could be one small or many holes. I have heard many theories such as , moths, belt buckles, shirts tucked in, seatbelts, bleach , washing machine even rubbing up against a counter. I don’t think it’s necessarily any of these things because men’s shirts don’t get them! I think it’s the cheap quality of the material and weaving being used. Woman typically buy more clothes than men so sell women cheap quality Tee shirts as they will just throw them out and spend money again and again for the same favorite shirt!
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What types of jumbo loans are there, and what are the lending requirements to qualify for jumbo loans?
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It is fact checked that 100% of the dogs are Democrats. Here is a Pulitzur Winning Song about how canines are all Democrats and expect free things in life and do not work for things they need or want. So if you love dogs, you love Democrats:
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The two days out of the year when suddenly NO ONE is confused about what a man and woman is.
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Last week FED CHAIRMAN Jerome Powell announced interest rates will not be cut this year because the economy is in pace on recovering. Inflation has dropped but it’s slightly higher than the 2.0% target. Inflation is at 3% and unemployment rate is at 4 25% which means the economy in the United States 🇺🇸 remains strong. Jerome Powell keeps on lying on national television. The same is true with Joe Biden, Janet Yellen, and hundreds of Democrats on national television. Joe Biden is busy traveling the United States 🇺🇸 campaigning he is the Navy Seal of Fighting Inflation with his Bidenomics. Dementia Lying Cheating Joe Biden aggressively is lying that he took Inflation from 9% when he took office to under 3.0%. All of these clowns are just a joke. Have they not seen prices of goods and services? Ridiculously outrageous. Mortgage loan applications are the lowest in 30 plus years. These numb nuts are destroying America. We need competent politicians and not politicians who never held a job and have been leaching off taxyers for the past 60 years.
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This discussion was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by
Danny Vesokie | Affiliated Financial Partners.
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This discussion was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by
Danny Vesokie | Affiliated Financial Partners.
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This discussion was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by
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There are mortgage lenders that have no overlays on VA loans. Lender overlays are higher lending requirements set by individual mortgage lenders above the minimum agency guidelines from the Veterans Administration on VA loans.
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What’s going on in this country. We have serial police inpersonator Jeremy Dewitte and now we have a civilian wearing a full set of Army Uniform shopping on black Friday impersonating a Army Ranger with a purple heart 💜 and other combat patches. What is this guy doing. Chubby fellow who is definitely quite obese to be an active duty Army Ranger. What is he doing? What scam does he want to pull? Is he going to commit a crime? Does he want to pick up little girls or little boys? Does he want free food?
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/C9spumr2GqqegA7M/?mibextid=D5vuiz
facebook.com
Fake' army ranger busted | 'Why don't you just admit you're a phony?' 😠 | By Daily Mail | Facebook
'Why don't you just admit you're a phony?' 😠
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Veteran Class A Actor Kevin Spacey loses his house due to non-payment and got his Baltimore Maryland home foreclosed on. Kevin Spacey avoided bankruptcy up to today but may need to file in the coming weeks or months. Asked how much money he has, he replied NOTHING. There is a lot of talk, rumors, accusations, and news reports alleging Kevin Spacey being one of the most notorious child molesters and pedophiles in the world. Here’s a copy of a recent interview of Kevin Spacey and a reporter.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/7TPvuyVjNncq12he/?mibextid=D5vuiz
facebook.com
#KevinSpacey breaks down telling #PiersMorgan he’s losing his home and is millions in debt. #trending #fyp #interviews #spacey #houseofcards #moviemagicwithbrian #foryou #foryourpage #foryoupage...
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G-7 is supporting Black Rock buying World’s Infrastructure. The more land and real estate they buy, the more control Blackrock will have. Bill Gates, who is an outspoken supporter of human depopulation has started buying farm land in Arkansas and other states so he can get control of the nation’s food supply thereby controlling population in the United States. This is a disgusting act of malice because I think he’s planning on starving people to death.
rumble.com
Neo-Feudalism: G7 Supports BlackRock Buying up World's Infrastructure, to Make Rich Even Richer
Neo-Feudalism: G7 Supports BlackRock Buying up World's Infrastructure, to Make Rich Even Richer - POLITICIANS HAVE SOLD US OUT - BILLIONAIRES ARE BUYING YOUR FUTURE - 16,254 views • June 15, 2024 Geop
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If this doesn’t imply my landscaper has ADHD, I don’t know what does. I had to hire a temporarily landscaper from a Craigslist ad to help me with mowing the lawn for $25 dollars for the job and this is what I get.
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I am calling the next Supercar to skyrocket in value to be the 599 GTB Ferrari V12 supercar. The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano is a high-performance sports car produced by the Italian automaker Ferrari. It was manufactured from 2006 to 2012. The “599” in its name refers to the engine displacement, with a 6.0-liter V12 engine under the hood. The “GTB” stands for “Gran Turismo Berlinetta,” which is a term often used by Ferrari to denote their two-seater, front-engine, and rear-wheel-drive sports cars.
Key specifications of the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano include:
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Engine: The car is powered by a naturally aspirated 6.0-liter V12 engine, which produces a substantial amount of horsepower and torque. The engine is known for its fantastic sound and delivers exhilarating performance.
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Performance: The 599 GTB can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 100 km/h) in around 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of approximately 205 mph (330 km/h).
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Transmission: It typically comes with a 6-speed manual gearbox, although an F1 automated manual transmission is also available, providing paddle-shift capability.
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Handling: The car features advanced suspension technology and active aerodynamics to enhance its handling and stability at high speeds. It has been praised for its balance and precision in corners.
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Design: The 599 GTB Fiorano features a sleek and aerodynamic design, with distinctive Ferrari styling cues. Its front-engine layout gives it a long hood and a classic GT profile.
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Interior: Inside, it offers a luxurious and driver-focused cabin with high-quality materials and various customization options.
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Technology: The 599 GTB includes various technological features, including a modern infotainment system and driver aids to enhance the driving experience.
Please note that my knowledge is based on information available up to January 2022, and there may have been updates or newer models released since then. Ferrari often produces limited-edition and special variants of their vehicles, so it’s a good idea to check the latest information directly from Ferrari or a reliable automotive source for the most current details on their models.
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