Preferred Realtor Partner Kay Anne
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Analyze the potential impact of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac privatization on homebuyers.
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GCA FORUMS Housing and Mortgage News – Weekend Edition
Saturday, February 15, 2025
GCA Forums Weekend News Edition will highlight the most impactful discussions defining the housing and mortgage sector. Below is the dissection of the most important matters:
Possibility Of Reduction Of Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates might drop because of the new changes in the Federal Reserve policy and potential DOGE audits of the Federal Reserve Board. Should the Fed shift towards a more dovish policy to grow the economy, this will benefit our homebuyers because more home buyers can afford mortgages, making home purchases more affordable.
Affordability Of Purchasing A New House
It is still very expensive to purchase a new house, which is still a concern; however, if mortgage rates drop, this could ease some pressures. The balance between wage earnings and the price of houses determines a home’s affordability.
Interest Payment News From The Federal Reserve Board
One of the Fed’s most important responsibilities is implementing interest payments. If this is the case, housing demand will increase. If the economy is tightening, any signal of a rate hike could lead to disinterest in new mortgages.
Yield on the 10-Year U.S. Treasuries
10-year Treasuries directly impact mortgage rates. If inflation is a concern, yields can increase, translating to higher rates unless the Fed steps in. Yields will need to be calculated to guess the costs of mortgages in the future.
Home Prices Throughout the United States
Prices are expected to remain steady, especially with the economic tightening environment. In a few months, the demand and supply gap will determine how active the prices are if they are rising, stagnating, or hyperbolic falling.
DOGE’s Plans for Federal Agencies
Musk’s DOGE proposal has the potential to disrupt the current financing landscape of the Federal Reserve and the IRS and can result in DOGE being audited. If those audits find fraud or ineffectiveness, they can result in lending reforms that modify the stability of finance.
Economic Changes in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
Privatization of these government-sponsored entities could shift the entire mortgage market. Most economic policies that flow from such actions can alter how mortgages are pooled into securities and how they are funded, which would change their terms, pricing, and accessibility.
Possible Collapse in Real Estate and Finance
Concerns are starting to sprout regarding a crash that might surpass the one in 2008. Inflation, high consumer debt, and rising unemployment will build the fire. Such a profound decrease in the housing market would be catastrophic for the economy.
Blowing Inflation Balloons
Purchasing power continues to suffer because of inflation, as does the economy’s stability. Soaring inflation could make life difficult by raising interest rates, which in turn would affect the housing market.
Differences in Unemployment Rate and CPI
Soaring unemployment levels could kill housing demand, while the Consumer Purchase Index (CPI) reveals the changing inflation that affects the purchasing confidence of homes.
Moving Back to a Gold and Silver Standard
If currency is backed by gold and silver, the impact on the financial sphere would be powerful. The economy might stabilize, but there would be a grave concern about housing market instability during the shift.
Effect of Illegals’ Deportation
Housing demand in metropolitan areas, where undocumented migrants make up a large portion of the renting consumers, would greatly decrease if the estimated 11 million migrants were deported. As a result, rents could decline, and vacancies could go up.
The Competition Between Single-Family Home Inventory and Demand
Inventory levels and demand control market movements. Prices are high due to low inventory in several areas. However, any increases in inventory paired with lower demand could cause prices to fall.
The Risk of DOGE’s Auditing Plans for the Housing Finance System
These plans might impose further regulation on housing finance, affecting lenders’ practices and resulting in changes to the mortgage market.
Several economic, demographic, and regulatory issues are shaping the housing and mortgage markets today. These trends are equally important for stakeholders considering the purchase of homes and financing such homes in today’s economy. As we track these updates, we welcome any assertions or feedback from you as we continue to report on news related to housing and mortgages.
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Having a chimpanzee as a house pet can be very challenging and concerning. First, chimpanzees are very intelligent and social animals with a complexity that is challenging to meet domestically. They can become aggressive during adolescence, which is potentially dangerous. Their care also demands extensive time, financial resources, and specific expertise, which is not easy to come by.
Can You Legally Own A Chimpanzee In The USA?
The owner’s legality to erect a chimpanzee varies depending on the state. Due to ethical, safety, and conservation reasons, many states have very strict regulations or bans.
Regions That Allow Private Possession
Alabama: Residents are free to keep pet chimpanzees.
Kansas: Private ownership of chimpanzees is not restricted by state laws.
Nebraska: Ownership is allowed without particular limitations.
North Carolina: No general laws restrict ownership, but some local laws do.
Ohio: Ownership is permitted; however, there are restrictions.
South Carolina: There are no laws against private ownership of chimpanzees.
Texas: Owning a chimpanzee is legal, although some local areas have rules.
Regions That Restrict or Ban Private Possession:
California: Chimpanzee ownership is banned.
New York: Chimpanzee ownership is banned under state laws.
Florida: Ownership is banned unless one meets very tough requirements.
Illinois: Private possession is banned, with limited exceptions for certain facilities.
Remember that in states that allow the possession of chimpanzees, there are stringent guidelines regarding permit applications, animal housing, and liability insurance.
Moreover, there may be extra restrictions set by city or county laws.
Assuming Chimp Ownership: What You Should Know
Ethics and Welfare:
- A chimpanzee’s fancy emotions and socially dynamic behavior are incredibly difficult to control in captivity, often resulting in severe distress.
Public Health Concerns:
- Chimpanzees can demonstrate aggressive and unpredictable behavior as they develop, which poses a danger to society.
Conservation Reasons:
- The trade of exotic animals as pets has been proven to endanger the population of these animals in the wild and hamper conservation initiatives.
- Owning a chimpanzee in some states may be legal but not practical or ethical.
- Safety concerns render the decision unwise.
- Owners should fully understand the laws and consider the responsibilities that come with ownership.
- It is important to exercise appropriate and legal measures by contacting local wildlife authorities and animal welfare organizations.
Here is a Chimpanzee two year birthday party.
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Keeping pet monkeys, particularly abandoned ones, is undoubtedly a complex and demanding task. The discussion includes the legality and practicality of pet monkeys and why a more in-depth overview of the USDA’s minimal requirements is needed here.
Looking Into The Law Aspects
State Regulations:
- According to Illinois law, monkeys are pets that can be owned.
- Some laws in other states are either permissive or prohibitionist regarding monkey ownership.
Permits:
- Illinois citizens who want to own a monkey as a pet may be obliged to secure permits or special licenses.
Picking The Right Kind Of Monkeys To Own
- Capuchin Monkeys: More social and are trained with relative ease.
- Marmosets and Tamarins: Smaller, might require reduced space, but require interaction.
- Considerations: Every species has particular diet, habitat, and social behavior requirements.
Looking After A Monkey Left Behind
Abandon care:
- A baby monkey should be immediately taken to a wildlife rehabilitation center or a trained veterinarian specializing in primates.
- They would be the right people to provide assistance and care.
Feeding:
- Most abandoned monkeys require a specific milk formula (such as Esbilac for puppies).
- A vet will monitor their eating schedule and portion size for the best care.
Socialness:
- Monkeys are known to be inherently social and thus require a reasonable amount of interaction.
- If one chooses to raise a solo monkey as a pet, it can only be done in the company of a companion monkey.
Making The Space Welcoming
Allocate a large, secure area where the monkey can exercise, play, and explore everything.
- Enrichment: Incorporate toys, puzzles, and other items for imaginative purposes.
- Safety: Ensure that the space is properly monkey-proofed to lessen the risk of escapes or other accidents from happening.
Medical and Health Care
- Checkups – Routine visits – Take your pet to a vet who specializes in primates.
- Vaccination: Check that your monkey has the relevant vaccinations and is healthy.
- Diet—Ensure that it is fed a healthy, balanced diet that includes fruit, vegetables, and specialized monkey food.
Modification of Behavior
- Socialization: Spend quality time with your monkey, interact with it, and build a bond so that trust levels increase and anxiety levels decrease.
- Training: Use positive reinforcement to teach basic commands and behaviors.
Moving To Illinois
- Legalities: Make sure there is legality in moving a monkey from another state to Illinois.
- Health certificates: Ensure that there is a certificate of health from a doctor before moving.
What is Right and What is Wrong
- Welfare: Ponder on the ethical aspect of owning a monkey pet, especially one abandoned.
- Long-term: Owning a monkey means caring for it for 20-40 years, which is a long-term commitment.
Explore Other Options
- Sanctuary—If possible, consult a sanctuary or rescue organization dealing with primates. Such places will know how to best care for the monkey.
The decision to raise a pet monkey, especially one abandoned at birth, requires knowledge, time, and resources. A paramount focus on the animal and understanding the ethics of pet ownership are crucial.
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The Different Species of Monkeys that Make for Good Pets
While monkeys are not recommended as pets for ethical, legal, and practical reasons, some types are more popular as pets than others:
Capuchin Monkeys
- Very smart and easy to train.
- Lifespan: 25–40 years
- It needs a lot of social interaction and attention.
Tamarin Monkeys
- Social and small in size.
- Lifespan: ~18 years.
- Less work than bigger species.
Marmoset Monkeys
- Small and weighing about 7 to 9 ounces.
- Lifespan: 12-20 years.
- Called pocket monkeys, they need a lot of attention.
Squirrel Monkeys
- Very social and lively.
- Lifespan: 20-25 years.
Pet monkeys, particularly baby monkeys, are relatively common in Vietnam’s urban and rural areas. Video footage depicting abandoned baby monkeys suggests a wider problem with habitat destruction and wildlife trafficking. Keeping monkeys is controversial, and while some people accept them as pets, it can be argued what is in the monkeys’ best welfare and legal interests.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Caring for an Abandoned Baby Monkey
Without question, the care of a monkey abandoned at birth is an immense challenge and task.
What to do When a Newborn Monkey is Found
How to Keep Them Warm:
- Because babies cannot control their body temperature, they must be kept warm.
- A heat lamp or heating pad can be used for this purpose.
Care of the Umbilical Area:
- The area should be kept clean with an antiseptic to reduce the risk of infection.
- Seek professional advice from a veterinarian.
- Unlike puppies, primates require a specialized milk formula, and cow’s milk is highly discouraged due to its harsh impact on the stomach.
- Instead, use Esbilac milk replacer for monkeys.
Every 2-4 hours
You can use a sterilized syringe or other formulation tools.
Nutrition and Diet
- At 4-6 weeks, infants can eat fruits, vegetables, and even monkey chow.
- It is paramount to give them clean water at all times.
Socialization
Interactions with other monkeys are advised, as their primal instincts greatly benefit from socialization, especially if done to mimic their natural habitat.
Playtime and grooming are necessary for at least a few hours each day.
Hygiene
Their living space’s cleanliness should be ensured daily to avoid spreading illnesses.
When patient, bathe with unscented baby soap.
Medical Care
- Take them for regular checkups with a veterinarian specializing in exotic animals.
- Always vaccinate them against common diseases associated with primates.
Enrichment
- Please provide them with toys, climbing areas, and puzzles that keep them active and interested.
- Change out the toys periodically to keep it interesting for them.
How to Exotically Import Monkeys to Illinois
Due to Illinois’s strict legal boundaries and regulations, importing primates such as monkeys can be timely.
Legal Considerations
- The owning of monkeys as pets is illegal in the state of Illinois without a permit or specific license.
- Regulations such as CITES and the Endangered Species Act can be used.
Required Documentation
- USDA Permits: These permits are necessary for importing and maintaining exotic non-human primate species.
- Health Certificate: This certificate is issued by a qualified veterinarian and indicates that an animal is free from all diseases.
- CITES Permit: This type of permit is required if a species is protected and controlled for international trade.
Transportation
An IATA-certified animal must be transferred to an IATA-compliant animal box.
The monkey should also be placed in a comfortable, relaxing place during transportation.
Post-Arrival
- The vet will quarantine and examine the monkey upon his arrival in Illinois.
- You must be ready for the inspection and compliance with local wildlife regulations.
Ethical Considerations
Think twice before undertaking this. It’s an ethical issue:
Monkeys are very intelligent and social animals best suited for their respective environments.
Keeping a monkey as a pet results in behavioral disorders, anxiety, and injury to the pet.
If you wish to assist an abandoned monkey, consider adopting one from a wildlife rescue organization or a sanctuary where the animal will be properly looked after.
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Who has President Joe Biden pardon before he left as the 46th President of the United States. How many people did Joe Biden pardon? His family? Adam Schiff? Congressman and Congresswomen? Senators? Members of his Cabinet? Dr. Anthony Fauci? What is a pre-emptive pardon and how many people got pre-emptive pardons?
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Last Day Of Joe Biden’s Presidency
Biden’s last day as President is marked by issuing pardons and preemptive attempts to defend individuals from prosecution in the future.
Total Number Of Pardons And Commutations
On January 20, 2025, President Biden decided to grant clemency to a handful of preemptively selected individuals.
Offenders Brought To Justice: 65
A list of family members, public servants, and former officials received immediate pardons.
Strategy Commisioned To Executives
Thousands of people reached towards altered sentences being issued, marking one of the highest usage of exploiting clemency powers.
Notable Preemptive Pardons
Individuals receive this type of pardon before facing legal aid or formal charges, ensuring protection against prosecution.
Family Members:
- President Biden issued a pardon to his closest relatives, such as his brothers James and Francis Biden, his sister Valerie Biden Owen, and their partners, to shield them from any potential scrutiny from the new administration.
Dr. Anthony Fauci:
- The ex-Chief Medical Advisor was issued a standing pardon to avoid any consequences from legal action about his work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
General Mark Milley:
- The ex-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was also issued a standing pardon so that he would not be threatened because of any policies executed during his term in office.
Liz Cheney:
- The ex-legislature was also pardoned before any potential politically added legal issues targeted her.
Other Recipients
The scope of reporting regarding pardons issued to other congressional members, other senators, or other cabinet members of lesser importance with regards to the January 6 Capitol riot for people aiding the investigation, such as police officers daring to testify to the select committee, was somewhat broader.
Context and Implications
These types of pardons seem, at least at first glance, to be designed more to give amnesty to political adversaries than to claim to achieve the delusional goal of safeguarding public servants and relatives from what President Biden describes as politically driven prosecutions. The concept of justifying pardons, even preemptive ones, is open to discussion.
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Congratulations to President Donald Trump on his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States. Let’s take a look at his plan on federal income tax, tariffs, and his approach toward the IRS’s involvement:
Federal Income Tax Policies
Extension of Tax Cuts:
- President Trump intends to extend the individual tax cuts included in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which will expire in 2025.
- These cuts are most beneficial to upper-income levels.
Corporate Tax Rate Reduction:
- Strategies involve cutting the corporate income tax from 21% to 20% and offering even lower rates to domestic manufacturers.
Abolition of Individual Federal Income Tax
There is no indication that President Trump plans to abolish the federal income tax. Such a change would profoundly affect revenue streams and require substantial legislative adjustments.
Tariffs and The External Revenue Agency
Definition of Tariffs:
- Tariffs are taxes levied on imported products.
- Tariffs are payable by US importers but not foreign exporters.
- Tariffs protect domestic industries and earn revenue.
Implementation of Tariffs:
- President Trump has imposed a 25 percent tariff on Canadian and Mexican goods commencing February 1, 2025, to enhance local manufacturing and decrease trade deficits.
External Revenue Agency:
- To facilitate the collection of tariffs, Trump seeks to create a new body, the External Revenue Agency, tasked with generating revenue through international trade.
- This is part of a wider trade strategy designed to pursue an America-first policy on trade.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Policies
Austere Measures:
- An executive order has been signed to stop federal hiring of IRS agents.
- Eighty-seven thousand the previous administration was planning to hire will stop new agents who are planned to be employed.
Retirement of IRS Employees
No new recruitment is currently in effect, but no statements are made regarding the firing of current IRS employees during the Biden-Harris administration. Trump’s decision makes staffing action inevitable.
This order signifies Trump’s promise to the electorate to reform the US economic policies and trade relations while focusing on protecting local industry and being fiscally conservative.
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As President Joe Biden left office on January 20, 2025, he issued a bundle of pardons and commutations, which were granted in the final hours of his presidency. A few of the more notable ones include:
Family Members
- James Biden: President Biden’s younger brother.
- Sara Biden: James Biden’s wife.
- Francis Biden: President Biden’s other brother.
- Valerie Biden Owens: President Biden’s sister.
- John Owens: Husband of Valerie Biden Owens.
Political and Public Figures
- Dr. Anthony Fauci, Former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director.
- General Mark Milley, Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
- Liz Cheney, Former U.S. Congressional Representative and Vice Chair of the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack.
- Adam Schiff, Former U.S. Congressional Representative and member of the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack.
Others
Some members of the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack, including staff and acting officers.
U.S. Capitol, D.C. Metropolitan police officers who gave testimony before the January 6 Committee.
- Ernest William Cromartie: A Columbia councilman convicted of tax evasion.
- Gerald G. Lundergan: The former head of the Kentucky Democratic Party, found guilty of campaign finance violations.
These pardons were preemptive, protecting certain people from possible politically motivated prosecution attempts from the incoming government—as former President Trump did during his leave. Biden stressed that the pardons did not mean those people were guilty but that the legal action taken against them was unjust.
Moreover, on December 1, 2024, Biden gave a son of his pardoned all federal crimes he might have committed between 2014 and 2024. This was arguably the most controversial pardon ever given in history, and it was given to make sure Hunter Biden wouldn’t be prosecuted for ongoing investigations.
Moreover, on December 23, 2024, Biden commuted sentences of 37 prisoners serving the death sentence to life without parole. This was one of the biggest federal moves against the death penalty.
Many people have questioned the ethics behind using clemency, such as in this case, and have wondered what such a move means to justice and political ethics.