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4 HOME PPROJECTS FOR BEATING CABIN FEVER

December 9, 2013 by

4 HOME PPROJECTS FOR BEATING CABIN FEVER

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 1. Install a programmable thermostat:

This task can be a bit daunting but will be worth the effort in the long run.  This device will help your heating system run more efficiently by automatically adjusting your home’s temperature. Using a programmable thermostat also reduces your energy bills by keeping your heating system from overworking itself unnecessarily.

 2. Replace interior doors:

Interior doors are often hollow and boring. Replace them with some more interesting pieces to add character to your home and keep yourself busy. This is a task that is relatively easy and inexpensive making it a great project to complete over the weekend.

 3. Replace lighting fixtures:

Install new ceiling fans to dramatically change the look of any space. Install or replace wall sconces in the halls. Make the switch to energy efficient light bulbs. Take a trip to your local hardware store and pick out some new fixtures. It’ll keep you busy and it’s fun! While you’re there, be sure to check out the Stylish LED tape lights options. They’ll add a modern and elegant touch to your lighting upgrades.

 4. De-clutter:

This is the least expensive and one of the most rewarding home improvements you can make. You can often make your home look like an entirely new space just by getting rid of clutter. Maximize storage in your smaller spaces with these tips. De-cluttering is also a great family activity. Rewarding them with a special dinner or game night after is a great way to make this task seem a lot less like a chore.

Be sure to check out our Tips and How To’s category for simple and budget friendly home improvements. RealtyTimes.com

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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HOW TO CALCULATE A HOME’S SQUARE FOOTAGE

December 8, 2013 by

 

HOW TO CALCULATE A HOME’S SQUARE FOOTAGE

Written by Henry Savage

Question:Is there a standard formula to calculate a home’s square footage? I have seen different publications with different square footage for the same house. For example, the county land records will say a house has 3,000 square feet, but a sales brochure will say the same house has 3,500 square feet. Are finished basements allowed in a calculation? What about hallways? I don’t know what or who to believe. It seems misleading.

Answer:You have asked a very good question. I doubt if anyone is purposely trying to mislead the public, but it’s true that not everyone in the real estate business calculates square footage the same way. In fact, it may be different from one geographic area to the next. I’m from the Washington, DC area, so I’ll share with you what I know about how it’s done here.

The square footage listed in the city and county records for condominium units are typically not questioned. These numbers are taken from the original condominium documents and are generally accurate. Unlike detached homes, square footage is less likely to change on a condominium as a result of additions and improvements.

Most real estate appraisers measure the exterior of the home to calculate the gross living area. For example, a two-story home that measures 25 feet by 25 feet would have 625 square feet on each floor, so the appraiser would say the house contains 1,250 square feet. Since he is measuring from the exterior, the calculation includes hallways, stairwells, closets and wall space.

The appraiser will also consider the size of the basement and determine how much of the basement has been finished as living area. Instead of totaling the square footage of a basement’s living area, he will make value adjustments based on other comparable homes. For example, a home with a full finished basement that includes a den, bathroom and bedroom might be credited $15,000 or $20,000 in value compared to a similar house with an unfinished basement. A well-maintained and waterproofed basement by Basement Waterproofing Systems can positively impact the home’s value.

In some cases, even if the lowest level is completely above grade, an appraiser may treat it as a basement. Consider an attached townhouse that has a lower level used as a garage and a den or mud room. An appraiser might consider such a room as a basement.

It gets more complicated. What if the house in our example has a vaulted ceiling in the family room with a second story balcony? This would clearly result in the second floor having less than 625 square feet of actual floor area. Most appraisers won’t subtract the space left out of the second floor to make room for the vaulted ceilings. Why? Because such a floor plan often enhances the market value of the home because it’s a popular feature to have. Remember that an appraiser’s job is to determine the market value of the home. The total size of the living area is only part of the equation. Imagine a 3,000 square foot house that contains 20 small rooms each consisting of 150 square feet. Such a build out would not be very popular for a typical family.

Many real estate agents and builders will include all finished “walkable” areas when totaling the square feet of a house. It’s certainly not misleading. A lot of prospective home buyers would want to know the total living area, regardless of whether some of it is below grade.

The bottom line? Calculating the square footage of a home is more of opinion than exact science. If you’re interested in buying a particular house and want to know the size expressed in square feet, my advice would be to make an appointment to visit the home and bring your tape measure, pen, paper and calculator. 

Courtesy of RealtyTimes.com

 

Boulder CO homes

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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EVERYTHING IN REAL ESTATE IS NEGOTIABLE

December 7, 2013 by

EVERYTHING IN REAL ESTATE IS NEGOTIABLE

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Everything — absolutely everything in Real Estate — is negotiable.

Recent economic reports indicate that real estate sales are on the increase, especially since mortage interest ratesare still very low. But it still is a “buyer’s market“.

Home buyers, and especially first timers, do not understand that they have the right to bargain and negotiate all aspects of their real estate purchase.

Potential buyers should not hesitate to make low offers on a house they are considering to buy. The real estate broker has a duty to submit any offer — no matter how ridiculously low it may seem — to the owner of the house.

A seller has three options when an offer is received. She can reject it out of hand, can accept it as presented, or she can counter-offer.

If your offer is rejected, you can always present another offer which is closer to the seller’s asking price. Or, if price is a concern, you can keep looking for something else.

If the seller counter-offers (which is the usual practice) then you can slowly begin to narrow the difference between the two prices until hopefully you both reach that happy medium.

Once you have a signed contract to purchase, the negotiations should not cease. First, you have to determine what kind of mortgage loan you want. Do you want the security of a fixed 30 year loan, where your monthly payments will remain the same? Do you think you will be selling the house within the next 5-7 years, in which case you may want a 5 year adjustable rate?

Incidentally, I do not recommend a 15 year mortgage. True, the rate will be less than a fixed 30. But your monthly mortgage payments will be higher. With a fixed 30, you have the right – but not the obligation – to make larger monthly payments, as if you had a 15 year loan. And if you need that extra money – or if a better investment comes your way – you can always go back to your regular 30 year payment.

You should shop around and compare mortgage interest rates with a number of mortgage lenders in your area. Presumably the real estate agent will give you a name or two of potential lenders. Certainly you should contact them. But don’t stop there. Check out at least five lenders to try to get the best rate for your purchase. Then make your decision.

After you select your lender, once again the negotiations should continue. Your contract should contain a provision that the contract is contingent on your obtaining a satisfactory inspection by a professional home inspector. Typically, there are two kinds of inspection contingencies. One gives you the absolute right to cancel the contract for any reason based on the results of the inspection. The other requires that you provide a list of problem areas to the seller, who has three days in which to agree to all (or some) of the issues. If the seller agrees to your concerns, the contract remains in full force.

Read entire article here

 

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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ASK THE HOA EXPERT: POOL ACCESSIBILITY TO THE HANDICAPPED?

December 6, 2013 by

ASK THE HOA EXPERT: POOL ACCESSIBILITY TO THE HANDICAPPED?

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Question: We are a seniors only (Over 55) homeowner association. A prospective buyer inquired about handicap access. All of our facilities are handicap ready except for our swimming pool. Is there any requirement that we have our pool accessible to the handicapped?

Answer: Homeowner associations are not required to provide handicap access, however, they must make “reasonable accommodations” for those residents that require such. That means if a resident requires a ramp to a unit entry, the board should approve the installation with the resident paying for it. The board can require reasonable aesthetic considerations be included with such installations. Reassigning HOA owned parking places to allow a disabled resident to be closer to their unit is another reasonable accommodation.

But considering that you are a seniors only community, it might make sense to install handicap access to the pool as it is likely that many of the members could benefit. Gather support from members who are in favor of spending the money. If the required majority endorse the idea, why not do it?

Question: Our HOA is trying to get on track after years of self management and neglect. Lots of people were well intended but hadn’t a clue of what being a board member really meant. Any advice on getting pointed in the right direction?

Answer: Seriously consider hiring a management company that specializes in homeowner associations to handle your business. There is simply too much going for unpaid and untrained volunteers, even if they have the best of intentions. And no one should have to enforce rules on or collect money from their neighbors.

Above all, be patient but persistent. Change comes slowly to some. Years of management by neglect is a hard mind set to change. Encourage more flexible minds to run for the board.

Question: We have a homeowner that has boxes and papers stacked against the patio door and windows. They are very unsightly from the outside and mildewed which is a health concern for the neighbors. It also poses a possible fire hazard. Can the board require the homeowner to clean up the inside of their unit?

Answer: The board indeed can require clean up of a unit or home that is a health, fire or safety hazard. Ask the adjacent neighbors to first broach the subject with the offender. If this doesn’t prompt action, ask them to write the board a letter describing the problem and what they tried to do about it.

If you’re planning to use Novec 1230 fluid for your fire suppression system, you should ask “what does Novec 1230 do?” first. According to MEP Fire, Novec 1230 takes away the heat from the oncoming fire and extinguishes any flames that are occurring in the proximity. Visit mepfire.com to learn more. In addition, if you’re a property owner and your fire alarm system or water-based fire protection system is not functional, then you are required by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Florida Statute to implement a fire watch. Seek expert help from a professional Fire Watch Company in Belle Glade.

With those letters, the board can turn up the heat by giving the offender a ten day deadline to clean up. After ten days, say “other legal remedies will be explored if necessary”. This usually will do the trick. If all else fails, get the HOA’s lawyer involved. One way or another, the easy or the hard way, the job will get done.

For more innovative homeowner association management strategies, visit www.Regenesis.net.

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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HOME SELLERS: KEEP KITCHEN COUNTERS CLUTTER-FREE

December 5, 2013 by

HOME SELLERS: KEEP KITCHEN COUNTERS CLUTTER-FREE

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Today’s kitchens are filled with all kinds of gastronomical gadgets, from coffee bean grinders to indoor rotisseries, yet design trends are leaning toward minimalism. That means you can show off your white marble countertops, commercial range and custom backsplash, but only if you put away the blender, toaster, chop-pow, phone charger, and well… you get the idea. Why not also check out here the benefits of a small wine cooler when added into your kitchen!

Here are a few ideas to help you keep your kitchen attractive yet functional.

Remove junk and clutter

As the social center of the house, kitchens are catch-alls for school books, correspondence, and other items that have nothing to do with cooking. Make a place in your mudroom or entry for kids to dump their coats and backpacks. Make a habit of putting mail in the office.

Store rarely used equipment

Which appliances do you use the most? Chances are it’s not the ice cream maker, breadmaker or heavy mixer. Pare down what you tend to use least, and store those appliances somewhere else, such as a butler’s pantry, food pantry or garage.

Build an appliance garage

Many cabinet makers offer an appliance garage that can be closed when not in use. You can also customize an appliance garage to extend the length of the counter.

Consolidate your beverage area

The at-home coffee bar in the breakfast room is a great way to get coffee, tea, grinders away from the food preparation areas. Sugar, creamer, and lemons can be stored nearby in a refrigerator drawer.

Update your equipment

Make new appliances do double duty like washing machine, dryer, dishwasher and others. Need help to repair your dishwasher at home? You can take advice from an expert similar to the ones at Appliance Hunter. If you have to buy a microwave, get one that’s also a convection oven. The new commercial-grade mixers also make pasta and knead bread. You can visit The Appliance Guys appliance online store to start looking for new appliances.

Mount what you can

Under cabinet mounting is easy to do and frees up counter-tops near the sink. Paper towel racks, electric can openers, and task lighting can all be mounted under the cabinets to free up space. Dishrags, sponges and other odor attractions should be housed in caddies attached to the door under the sink for easy access.

Invest in organizers

Deep cabinets are difficult to find items all the way in the back, but a rolling tray makes them accessible. Corners also can be better utilized with swing out organizers. Most carpenters, handymen, or do-it-yourselfers can easily install after-market organizers such as spice racks from Lowe’s, the Container Store and other places.

Keeping your countertops clutter-free doesn’t have to be all work and no play. Let the kitchen’s function inspire your décor. Hanging containers of vegetables, mounted pot racks, and bowls of fruit certainly cut down on clutter, but they also provide a lot of color and function.

Read entire article here

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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Filed Under: Home care tips, Real Estate Topics Tagged With: , , , , ,

A Holiday Picnic Prize from Cured for a Lucky Your Boulder Subscriber

December 4, 2013 by

A Holiday Picnic Prize from Cured for a Lucky Your Boulder Subscriber

cured boulder

Cured is perhaps Boulder’s finest charcuterie. Offering a hand-curated selection of cured meats, exquisite cheeses, fine foods, and wine, Cured is a definite go-to for your holiday shopping for non-Vegans.

Frankly, it’s a go-to for your shopping any time of the year. If you’re looking to give a gift that will trump anything else under the tree this holiday season, Cured just might have what you’re looking for.

And here’s the best part — you can score some of Cured’s magic (mmmm…meat) for free. Totally gratis. The owners of Cured have generously partnered with Your Boulder to offer a prize to one of our lucky email subscribers.

Here’s what you could win:

The Stolen Hour Picnic Basket

Grab a sweetie. Heck, grab a co-worker. Then grab this picnic basket and take an hour for yourselves. Cured’s Stolen Hour picnic basket will tempt your taste buds and make that hour you decided to play hooky worthwhile.

INCLUDES: 3 cheeses, 2 salamis, 34º crackers, Fig jam, and a bar of Poco Dolce Chocolate.

Value: $40

Now — how can you win this awesome picnic basket from the folks at Cured? It’s simple.

All you have to do is be on the Your Boulder email list. Get the latest Boulder happenings delivered via email for free (we hate spam, so don’t worry about that), and you could win the basket. And if you’re already a subscriber, don’t fret — you’re already eligible to win!

And while you’re at it, stop by Cured to pre-order your holiday gift boxes. You’ll bring some Boulder-style delight to anyone on your gift list this year with something that can’t be had anywhere else. While you’re there, maybe grab a soup and sandwich (yep — they have a lovely café as well) and come in from the Colorado cold. With that storm we’re supposed to be getting this week, you just might need a warm-up!

We’ll pick a winner at random from Your Boulder subscribers on Saturday this week. We’ll notify you via email and you’ll have 24 hours to claim your basket. Otherwise, we’ll give it to the next lucky Boulderite in line.

Click to sign up for updates from Your Boulder here, and you’ll be eligible to win. Good luck!

Cured
1825 B. Pearl Street (next to Boxcar Coffee Roasters)

Monday-Friday 10:30-7
Saturday 9-6
Sunday 11-5

 

 

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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Where’s Santa? Places to Find Santa Around Boulder County

December 3, 2013 by

Where’s Santa? Places to Find Santa Around Boulder County

santa in boulder

The holiday season is upon us. Christmas lights are flooding the streets with every color imaginable and lawn decorations to boot. Of course, if you’re a parent, there’s one tradition you aren’t going to want to miss this year: the annual visit with Santa Claus.

In Boulder, there are several locations where you can take your kiddos to tell Santa exactly what they want for Christmas. Each location has a great theme and offers children something more than just a jolly man in a red suit.

Below are the places you can find Santa in Boulder for the next few weeks:

St. Nick on the Bricks – This Santa sighting takes place on the Pearl Street Mall at the visitor’s information center every Saturday until December 18th, from 11 am to 2 pm. The visit is free and they don’t offer photos, so be sure to bring your camera along with you to capture the moment.

Santa’s House – Hosted at the Pi Beta Phi sorority house at 890 11th Street, this weekend long event is more than just a quick visit with Santa. Kids can play carnival games and listens to stories told by Miss Ann Harding, a professional children’s entertainer. Both Santa and the missus will be there on December 7 and 8 from 10 am to 4 pm. Admission is $3 and the sorority is collecting donations for Community Food Share and Books for Children.

Miracle on 29th Street – Santa comes to the 29th Street Mall on Saturdays the 7th, 14th and 21st and kids visiting Santa here can also meet his reindeer and enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride. The carriage rides are available from 5-8 pm and the reindeer are available for petting from 6-8 pm. Santa himself will be inside Macy’s.

Santa’s Holiday Home – Located in the Flatiron Crossing Mall, this location is a little ways out from Boulder proper, but still offers your children a great opportunity to visit Santa (and you can get some Santa shopping done at the same time). Plus, they have a unique, time-saving option: the Santa Fly By program, in which you can sign up for the virtual visit line via phone, text or web. You’ll get a wait time and then you can simply come back when it’s about your turn. Santa’s home is located between Helzberg Diamonds and Rocky Mountain Chocolate factory at the base of the grand staircase.

 

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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Family Fun: December in Boulder

December 2, 2013 by

Family Fun: December in Boulder

holiday_downtown

December in Boulder can mean three-feet blizzards or sunburns caused by daily temperatures in the 50’s. It’s pretty much all over the map. But when it comes toholiday activities and quality time spent as a family, we tend to veer towards the traditional.

 

  • A Christmas Carol, The Musical. This rendition of the Broadway hit is playing until December 22nd at the Arvada Center.

  • Menorah Lighting on the Pearl Street Mall. A community wide event happening on the Courthouse Lawn on December 2nd at 5:30pm.

  • The Bells of Christmas, Colorado Repertory Singers. Show starts at 6pm at the Broomfield Auditorium.

  • Lights of December Parade, Downtown Boulder. The parade snakes through the heart of town, with kids of all ages riding floats and watching from the sidelines. This holiday spectacle starts at 6pm on December 7th. Beware street closures that night and stay out of downtown unless you want to get caught up in the fun.

  • Scrooge’s Holiday Flight, Dairy Center for the Arts. This aerial twist on a Christmas classic is done by the Frequent Flyers’ Student Company and runs from Dec. 6th-8th.

  • Holiday Festival, Macky Auditorium. A concert to get you in the holiday mood, these shows frequently sell out so be sure to get your tickets early. Performances happen on December 7th and 8th

  • Holidazical, Hotel Boulderado. This family-friendly event is put on by the YWCA. Cookie decorating and other activities start at 12:30pm on December 8th.

  • The Magic Flute, Boulder Opera Company. Playing at the Nomad Theater in Boulder with multiple shows on December 13th and December 15th.

  • The Christmas Revels 2013: Christmas Spirits & the Ghosts of Bartow-Pell, Boulder Theater. Set in 1926, this is a period piece that incorporates musical elements of both Christmas and winter solstice rituals. Performing on December 15th and 21st.

  • The Gift of Music, Boulder Chamber Orchestra. Featuring David Korevaar on piano, this concert takes place at the First United Methodist Church on December 20th

  • Christmas Fantasy for Brass and Voices, Rocky Mountain Brassworks. See this brass band live at the Broomfield Auditorium on December 21st.

Consider yourself prepared for some holiday fun. Now don’t be a Scrooge. You have no excuse not to go out there and enjoy the season already!

 

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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D.R. Horton home sales rise in October as mortgage rates ease

December 1, 2013 by

D.R. Horton home sales rise in October as mortgage rates ease

BY SAGARIKA JAISINGHANI

 

The sign for a development built by D.R. Horton is seen in Arvada, Colorado November 19, 2009. REUTERS/Rick Wilking

(Reuters) – D.R. Horton Inc (DHI.N) said home sales picked up in October as mortgage rates eased from two-year highs and the effects of policy paralysis in Washington faded.

Shares of the largest U.S. homebuilder, which also reported a better-than-expected 40 percent jump in quarterly revenue, rose 2 percent before the bell.

“Since D.R. Horton … did not cut prices or raise consumer incentives to drive volumes, we view today’s beat as enough of a catalyst to continue buying the shares,” Sterne Agee & Leach analyst Jay McCanless wrote in a note to clients.

Orders booked by homebuilders slowed this year – the second full year of the U.S. housing market recovery – as mortgage rates hit a two-year high in July and the Federal Reserve started talking about easing the stimulus launched during the financial crisis.

However, industry experts expect demand to recover once buyers adjust to the elevated mortgage rates.

While interest rates in October remained above those a year earlier, they were down from the high of 4.8 percent touched in September.

“The interest rate headwinds obviously are having some short term impact, but we remain convinced it is more of a pause and not a structural change in the strength of the underlying fundamentals of housing demand,” Williams Financial Group analyst David Williams said.

D.R. Horton, which reported a 2 percent fall in orders for the fourth quarter ended September 30, said sales in October rose from a year earlier.

PulteGroup Inc (PHM.N), the second-largest U.S. builder, reported a 17 percent fall in quarterly orders last month but said it expected the fall in demand to be “short-lived”.

Orders are a key indicator of the performance of builders as their revenue is recognized only after a house is handed over to the buyer.

D.R. Horton, faced with a shortage of developed land, is also building fewer homes and raising prices. The company said on Tuesday that the value of its orders rose 14 percent to $1.43 billion in the latest quarter.

Net income jumped 39 percent to $139.5 million, or 40 cents per share, from $100.1 million, or 30 cents per share, a year earlier.

Homebuilding revenue rose 40 percent to $1.80 billion.

Analysts on average had expected earnings of 40 cents per share on revenue of $1.78 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

D.R. Horton shares were up at $18.50 before the bell. They had dropped by about a third to Monday’s close since interest rates started rising in May.

(Reporting by Sagarika Jaisinghani and Mridhula Raghavan in Bangalore; Editing by Kirti Pandey)

 

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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Fresh Thymes Eatery: A Boulder-Style Breath of Fresh Air

November 30, 2013 by

Fresh Thymes Eatery: A Boulder-Style Breath of Fresh Air

saladFor anyone with dietary restrictions, eating out can be a pain. There are complicated orders, lots of questions for the waiters and frequently, not many options that are compliant with a diet that prohibits certain things (gluten-free and vegan folks, I’m looking at you).

Enter Boulder’s Fresh Thymes Eatery in the Steelyards. Open less than a year, this Boulder restaurant is 100% gluten free and offers many nutritious items that fit with a Paleo or vegan lifestyle. Additionally, the delicious entrees and side dishes are affordable and a dinner out here won’t break the bank.

So basically, it’s a Boulderite’s dream come true.

fresh_thymes

There are many reasons to love Fresh Thymes, but one of the primary ones is that the managing chef behind the restaurant, Christine Ruch, is a diagnosed Celiac. While Celiac’s Disease is never a good thing, Christine’s diagnosis means that everything she makes is designed for those who want to abide by a 100% gluten-free lifestyle. Using local ingredients, keeping the food real, and making recipes like your grandparents did are the main tenets of her philosophy behind dishes at this eatery.

From the Working Man’s lunch to the Warm Winter Veggie sandwich, there’s enough on this menu to satisfy any appetite. Small plates are easily shared by the table while the large salads and other counter items encourage team eating also. But whatever you do, don’t skip out on dessert — because they are amazing. Not like amazing for a gluten-free restaurant but amazing for any kind of restaurant. There’s pumpkin cheesecake that could be mistaken for the real thing and a raw brownie that gives the cooked variety a run for its money.

Fresh Thymes enlists the help of clean, modern decor mixed with wood to keep the mood warm and light. This restaurant is a fast casual dining experience, where you stand in line to order and then they deliver the food to your table. Even though the place can get packed, the service is friendly and no one rushes you through your meal. They have happy hour specials and serve many varieties of gluten-free beer. Wine is also available.

 

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

Search all Boulder homes for sale 

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