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Every home sale will include a title search. This is a process that helps to discover who legally owns the house, and thus, who has the right to sell it. While it may seem pretty straightforward, a title search can turn up hidden claims or liens that might make it difficult to purchase title insurance. This could prevent the sale of a house if the sale is contingent on qualifying for this insurance. Here are nine of the most common title problems you might encounter when doing a title search.

Errors in the public records

One of the most common title problems is clerical or filing errors in the public records. Unfortunately, these errors can affect the status of the title and be difficult and costly to repair.

Forgeries

Much like errors in the public records, forgeries can also present problems when completing a title search. Sometimes forged documents are submitted into the public record, which makes it more difficult to ascertain who legally owns a property.

Liens

Another common problem that a title search can uncover is unknown liens against the property. A lien is a legal ownership claim on a home, and can be filed by anyone who is owed money by the homeowner. This could include tax departments, contractors, and utility companies and is common with distressed properties.

Illegal chain of title

The chain of title refers to all those who have previously owned a property. During a title search you may discover that a previous claim of ownership was not legal. This is possible if a minor, someone of unsound mind, or someone who claimed to be single but was actually married made a previous deed.

Property or boundary disputes

A title search may also uncover disputes about the boundaries of the property. It is possible that different surveys completed in the past show different boundary lines. This could mean that a neighbor could claim part of your property or vice versa. This kind of dispute must be cleared before you can purchase the property. You can search for the most experienced contractual dispute attorneys in your area, and hire one to help you hand this matter.

Bankruptcies

If a previous owner has filed for bankruptcy, you will need to verify that the case has been discharged. The person filing for bankruptcy must have signed off on the property and petitioned the court to release the property in order for the sale to continue.

Missing heir

Many people will their homes to their heirs when they die. But if an heir is missing or unknown when they die, it can become a problem when trying to purchase the property. You may also discover that family members have contested a will.

Missing will

If someone dies with no will or heir, then the state may sell the home. However, sometimes after the sale is complete a will is found and your rights as the homeowner may be compromised.

Unknown easements

Finally, the property may include an unknown easement. This could prevent you from using all or part of the property as you want to. It might also give someone else access to some or all of your property. This can affect your ability to enjoy your property as you had intended.

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Making an offer on a house can be a very exciting – and very nerve-wracking – experience. Finding a home you love can be a challenging process. Waiting to hear back about your offer can have you on pins and needles. This is the point in the home-buying process where things get serious and the exchange of paperwork starts to escalate. In order to keep your cool during this wild ride, it’s helpful to know what to expect.

Choose a starting price

When you’re making an offer on a house, you must begin with deciding exactly how much to offer. You will need to consider local market conditions, your budget, and how motivated the seller is, among other things. Evaluate local comps, and take into consideration how competitive the market currently is. This will help you decide how close you need to be to the asking price.

Determine your contingencies

Contingencies are items that can change or terminate your offer. It is common to include contingencies about appraisals and inspections. That way, if the home appraises for less than the asking price or the inspection reveals serious issues that weren’t previously disclosed, you can walk away. You may also include other contingencies such as securing financing or specifying the amount of time you need to find a buyer for your current home. In a competitive market, it’s wise to limit the number of contingencies to make your offer more attractive than others.

Prepare a written offer

Once you’ve decided on a price and your contingencies, your real estate agent will prepare an offer letter. This letter is legally binding and is guided by local and state laws. The letter will contain such things as the property description, the purchase price, other terms including closing costs and other fees, a mandate requiring a clear title, a projected closing date, and the offer’s expiration date. It will also include how much you will be offering as earnest money.

Consider including a personal letter

In competitive housing markets, it can be helpful to include a personal letter to the seller detailing why you love the home. Appeal to the seller’s emotions and let them know why their home is the perfect one for you. It could be just the edge you need to make your offer stand out.

Submit your offer

Once your offer letter is complete, your agent will send it to the seller’s agent. You will then enter the waiting game. One of three things will happen — the seller will accept your offer, decline your offer, or make a counter-offer. You and your agent can then respond accordingly.

Work with an experienced agent

In the end, when you’re making an offer on a home you love, it’s reassuring to know you’re in good hands. That’s why it’s so important to work with an experienced real estate agent who is an expert in your market. Partnering with a professional who has walked down this road many times with other homebuyers will put your mind at ease and help you submit an offer that a seller simply can’t refuse.

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Finished basements can add a significant amount of living space to a home. But most basements can be more than 10 degrees colder than the other floors of your home.

If you’re planning to use your basement as functional space, then you need to consider how you’ll heat it during the colder months. Here are some great solutions from basement renovations Edmonton specialists for keeping your basement warm.

Extend the ductwork

If you have a forced-air system to heat your home, then you may be able to extend the ductwork to heat your basement. Keep in mind that with this option, you will be heating up the whole house, not just the basement. So if you turn up the heat when you’re downstairs for movie night on a cold winter evening, you’ll be turning up the heat in the whole house. While extending the ductwork can be one of the most obvious solutions, it isn’t necessarily the most energy efficient. For more energy efficient options, visit https://www.peninsulaheatingandcoolingsolutions.com.au/.

Install permanent baseboard heaters

Another solution for heating your basement is to install hardwired baseboard heaters. This allows you to heat just the space you’re occupying, and each room in your basement can have it’s own heater. These heaters require you to hardwire them into the supply circuits. One downside is that they take up wall space so you won’t be able to put any furniture in front of them. But they can be individually controlled, which make them a great option for infrequently used basements.

Use plug-in baseboard heaters

You can hire electricians to install permanent baseboard heaters, especially if you don’t want to go to the trouble of dealing with plug-in models for your basement. You can move these units around to find the best places for them, but keep in mind that they do take up wall space like the hardwired units.

Use space heaters

Space heaters are probably the easiest way to heat your basement in cold weather. They are inexpensive and can be plugged into the wall. There are many kinds of space heaters on the market today, and some are more energy-efficient than others. Never leave a space heater on when you are not in the room, as it can be a fire hazard.

Install a fireplace or a stove

Fireplaces and Home Heating Stoves can also help heat your basement. You can choose a wood-burning, gas-burning, or wood pellet stove. These will provide wonderful ambiance but can be a challenge to install. It will need to be installed by an expert and vented to the exterior of your home.

Install radiant-heat floors

Finally, a cozy option for heating a basement is installing radiant-heat flooring. These types of floors can be easy to install and used with just about any floor covering. You will, of course, need to remove all furniture as well as baseboard trim prior to installation, so the job can be labor-intensive. Radiant-heat flooring is completely silent and evenly warms the entire floor. It is becoming more and more popular in homes today and can be a great solution to heat your cold basement during fall and winter. If you want to install radiant-heat floors, then you may consider contacting a heating contractor for expert services.

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When you’re buying or selling a home, getting real estate appraisals will be part of the closing process. A professional appraiser will inspect the home to determine its fair market value. This will establish how much money a lender is willing to loan for the home. When the appraisal is lower than the offer that was made, the buyer will be responsible for coming up with the difference. Here are some of the most common reasons for a low appraisal and what you can do about it.

Competitive market

If you’re buying or selling in a competitive market, then there may be multiple offers on a home. This can drive up the sales price, especially if there is a bidding war. However, appraisals rely on data from recent sales, which may not reflect current sales prices in your market.

Slow market

Another common reason for a low appraisal is a slow market, or buyer’s market. Sellers may overprice their homes because they don’t know that the value has recently decreased.

New appraiser

Sometimes an appraisal will come in low because the appraiser is inexperienced. They may not be aware of the nuances in your local market that can affect the price. They might also overlook features that could increase the value, such as recent upgrades or luxury amenities.

Rushed appraiser

There are only so many appraisers to go around. In a market that is experiencing an uptick in sales activity, this could result in a shortage of appraisers. Those that are working may feel rushed to complete your job, resulting in a low appraisal.

Poor comps

Appraisers look at recent comps to help determine the value of the property they are appraising. If they use comps that aren’t good matches, then it can cause the appraisal to come in too low.

The home looks dirty

While the bones of your home may be comparable to those in your area, the appraisal can still take a hit if the home is dirty or unkempt. An appraiser assesses the condition of both the interior and the exterior of the home. If your home appears dirty or the landscaping is overgrown, you could receive a low appraisal. The same can be said about your home’s plumbing system. Repair any obvious damages, as well as the ones not easily seen like septic issues that may require a 24 hour emergency septic system service. Additionally, there are alternatives like wastewater aeration systems that can help prevent many of the common issues these systems can present, so you may want to consider those if you notice these issues keep cropping up.

Overestimate value of basement

While finished basements can be great selling points, they do not have the same value as the portion of the home that is above ground. If a seller overestimates the worth of the basement, then the appraisal could come in low.

What to do with a low appraisal

While receiving a low appraisal can certainly take the wind out of your sails, it doesn’t mean the deal is officially dead. Here are four options for dealing with a low appraisal:

1. Appeal the appraisal – You have the option of appealing the low appraisal, but it will require an all-hands-on-deck approach to find the errors in the report and to collect evidence to support a higher appraisal.
2. Order another appraisal – You can also order a second appraisal on the home, but you will be footing the bill for it.
3. Negotiate – In this case, both the buyer and seller look for ways to compromise to save the deal, whether it’s reducing the asking price or splitting the difference.
4. Find another home – Sometimes, the best course of action is to walk away from the deal. Be sure to have an appraisal contingency in your contract so that you can get your earnest money deposit

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With the temperature dropping, you may be wondering how to save on your heating bill over the next few months. Nobody wants to spend too much on their energy costs, especially with the holidays around the corner. If you want to keep your home toasty warm without emptying your wallet this winter, then follow these simple tips. We recommend you to find heat pump installers near you for any emergency repair. You may also consider hiring professional heating contractors.

Use a programmable thermostat

You don’t need to crank up the heat when you’re not in the house or when you’re sleeping. But many of us forget to turn down the thermostat when we could. Programmable thermostats are very inexpensive and allow you to program those temperature changes. You’ll notice a big difference in your heating bill. You can learn more about your unit from this article.

Tune up your furnace

Once a year, have your ductless hvac unit, furnace or heat pump inspected by a heating services professional and conduct Ductless Heating Maintenance. The money you spend on having a pro to conduct a tune-up and furnace inspection in Florissant, MO can save you big down the line. Keeping your appliances in good working order will help keep those costly repairs to a minimum. And don’t forget to change your furnace filters regularly.

Turn on ceiling fans

It may seem counterintuitive, but using your ceiling fans in colder weather can save you money. Turn your ceiling fan on reverse to push warm air down towards the floor.

Keep vents clear

It’s hard for your system to heat the room if you have a sofa pressed up against the vents. Make sure to keep all your vents clear when you have the heat running. This ensures that air can circulate freely. Pull furniture away from walls and vacuum vents to keep them free of dust and dirt.

Use solar power

We’re not suggesting you install solar panels on your house (though that could save you money). Instead, open your curtains on sunny days. The sun that shines into your home can warm up a room significantly, especially in south-facing windows.

Close the curtains

Though it can be helpful to keep the curtains open on sunny days, you should close them on overcast days and at night. Use heavy drapery in the winter to help insulate your room and keep the warm air inside. Getting insulation installation can also reduce your heating and cooling bills.

Shut doors

Do you have rooms that you use infrequently? Then keep the doors to those rooms shut when not in use. Close the vents to those rooms as well. You can also increase the warmth of the room you are in by shutting the door. Consider using a space heater to heat your bedroom at night so you can keep the rest of the house cool.

Decorate with warm accessories

If you’re tempted to turn up the heat as soon as you feel a chill coming, then deck out your house with warm accessories. Use flannel sheets on your bed, and drape cozy blankets on chairs and couches. Use rugs on the floor to keep your feet warm and always make sure you have a pair of slippers handy.

Dress in layers

Speaking of slippers, you can also save on your heating bill if you dress appropriately while inside. Wear several layers of clothing and a hat. Put on those thick socks, leg warmers, and a scarf. You can keep your home several degrees cooler if you dress accordingly.

Everyone loves a good scare on Halloween. And while it’s fun to visit a haunted house in October, most people don’t want to live in one all year. If you think your house is haunted, or it has some other stigma attached to it, you will want to take special care when it comes time to sell. Here are some of the things you should think about when you’re selling a haunted house.

Know what you’re dealing with

Just because the lights flicker or you hear strange sounds in the attic doesn’t mean your house is haunted. You could have an electrical problem or raccoons living upstairs. When you notice anything strange, write it down and keep a log. Over time you may notice a pattern that can help you discover what the real issue is. In my case, I realized I needed to sell my house in Mufreesboro, TN, because I wanted to move out. I reached out to https://www.tennesseestatehomebuyers.com and they helped me sell my house right away!

Be quiet about it

Though disclosure laws vary from state to state, one thing is for sure. Be quiet about the paranormal activity you think is happening inside your home. If you talk publicly about your haunting, then you are legally required to tell prospective buyers about it. In 1991, a buyer tried to back out of a home sale in New York after discovering that the home was haunted. They filed a lawsuit, and the New York Supreme Court ruled that the house was “haunted” because the owner had previously talked with Reader’s Digest about it. Though there was no material evidence of a haunting, the mere fact that the seller spoke about it publicly was enough for the court to rule in favor of the buyer.

Use it as a selling point

On the flip side, talking about your resident ghosts could be a selling point. There are certain buyers out there who are attracted to homes with a spooky past. And some buyers don’t really care one way or another as long as the home is in good shape. This is especially true in a hot market where there’s less inventory and many serious buyers.

Understand how it can affect the price

When setting a price for your home, it is standard practice to look at comparable homes in the area. But unless you live in a neighborhood with a high rate of hauntings, it can be difficult to determine the best price. If your haunting is making it tough for you to find a buyer, then you may need to lower your selling price. There are certainly buyers out there who are looking for a deal and won’t mind sharing a space with a friendly ghost or two.

Talk to a real estate agent

If you’re ready to sell your haunted house, then talk to a professional real estate agent. They can provide invaluable advice about how to handle the selling and what legal disclosures you need to make. Working with an expert will make the experience less stressful and will help you feel more satisfied with the outcome of your sale. In the end, you won’t end up feeling haunted by the selling of your haunted house!

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Are small home remodel projects in your future? Whether you’ve just bought a house or are considering putting yours on the market, chances are you’ll need to make some repairs or updates soon. Without proper planning, your project could quickly derail and become much more expensive and time-consuming than you bargained for. Here’s what you need to know to avoid a renovation nightmare.

Know what you want

First of all, you need to be crystal clear about what you want to achieve with your home renovation. Get specific. For example, let’s say you want to renovate your bathroom. When planning that bathroom remodel, you need to be much more specific than that. Do you want to overhaul the whole room and replace the tub, shower, toilet and vanity? Or will you be satisfied with a new coat of paint and some new decorations? Knowing what you want to accomplish will help you create a plan for the project.

Set a budget

Once you’ve created a plan, you need to determine your budget. Home renovations can easily become a nightmare when you sink much more money into the project than you intended. Write down everything you’d like to do, and research how much each of those things will cost. If your costs are getting too high, find ways to economize. This could include using less expensive materials or eliminating certain aspects of the project entirely. For major renovations, you may need to include the cost of a 30 Yard Roll Off Dumpster Rental in your budget so it’ll be easier to collect and dispose of construction waste.

Understand building codes

When completing any home improvement project, you need to be aware of your local building codes. Some projects will require a permit. It’s important to secure the proper permit before completing a job. If you don’t, then you could have problems down the line when you’re selling your home. While you may think that getting the proper permits is a hassle, it is one responsibility that you should not ignore.

Know when to call a professional

Many homeowners take the DIY approach when it comes to home renovations. Although this can certainly save you money, there are some projects that should be left to the pros. These include replacing kitchen cabinets, knocking down walls, or getting your electrical panel upgrade. If the potential for risk is high. Learn more about Akkaya Construction, an excellent renovation contractor.

Hire the right professional

Just because someone calls themselves a professional doesn’t always mean that they actually are. When hiring a contractor, you need to make sure that they are licensed and insured. Check online reviews and contact previous clients to find out how happy others were with their work. See if any complaints have been filed with a local licensing board or the Better Business Bureau. Though it may be tempting to hire the person with the lowest bid, it isn’t worth it if it will cause you headaches down the line. You can choose a fully-licensed general contractor to design your home renovation. You may take a look at the site here to learn more about their services.

Get everything in writing

When getting a price quote from a contractor, it should state everything that is included. If not, you may find that all those little “extras” begin to add up. You should receive a “scope of work” or similar document with specific details about what work will be completed and all the materials that will be included. Your contract should also include a payment schedule and a refund agreement.

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Although it’s fun to be scared on Halloween, it’s not so fun if something legitimately scary happens at your home. Halloween is the number one day for property crime in the United States. Is your homeowners insurance ready? You can compare home insurance rates at Money Expert.

Here’s a look at some of the most common reasons you may need to file an insurance claim after Halloween.

Injuries

Young children are already prone to slipping and falling. On Halloween, when they’re excited and wearing a costume that may limit their field of vision, the chances that they’ll take a spill are even greater. If anyone does slip and fall on your property, they may hire a personal injury lawyer to seek compensation. An experienced personal injury attorney can help those who got injured as a result of someone else’s negligence. Fortunately, you will likely be covered by your liability insurance. That is, unless there is a significant hazard in your yard. Be sure to clean up all branches and leaves and have plenty of light so kids can see clearly. Otherwise, your claim could be denied.

Similarly, cruise ship accidents can occur due to various hazards, including slippery floors or rough seas. In case of a cruise ship accident, it’s crucial to visit the site and gather as much information as possible to support any potential claims for compensation.

Vandalism

Vandalism and Halloween go hand-in-hand. It’s a night for mischief, and it isn’t unusual for your home to be egged or your trees to be covered in toilet paper. But unless these pranks cause significant damage, it may not be worth it to file an insurance claim. The cost of repairs may not be enough to meet the deductible. Keep in mind that you may also need to file a police report if you want your claim to be paid. If your car is vandalized on Halloween, such as getting egged or having the windows broken, then those repairs would be covered by your auto insurance. Keep your car in the garage if possible on Halloween night.

Fires

Fires are another big concern on Halloween. With all those jack-o’-lanterns and creepy candles, it’s no wonder that fires are more common around this time of year. If your home suffers fire damage, it will most likely be covered by your homeowners insurance, and of course in case of fire is also important to have life insurance which you can also find in this Big Lou Insurance review online. This could include living expenses if you need to stay somewhere else while your home is being repaired. The best course of action is to not use open flames of any kind. Instead, use battery-operated candles in your pumpkins and decorations. You’ll find that most flameless candles on the market today look just like the real thing.

Dog bites

Even if your dog is the friendliest on the block, you never know how they will react on Halloween. With so many people coming to the door in costume, your dog’s behavior could be unpredictable. If your dog becomes frightened or confused, they could bite someone. Most dog bites will be covered by your homeowners insurance. However, be aware that certain dog breeds are sometimes excluded from coverage. Call your insurance agent if you have any questions about what may or may not be covered.

Damage to tombstones

Finally, you may be surprised to learn that cemetery plots are covered by your homeowners insurance. If the cemetery plot or headstone that you purchased is vandalized on Halloween, then it will be covered by your homeowners insurance. Typically, a homeowners insurance policy will cover up to $5,000 in damages.

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First impressions really do matter. Most potential buyers will know within a few moments whether or not they are interested in your house. So what should you do when you have only seconds to impress? Here are some of the best tips we’ve discovered that will help you make a great first impression when you’re selling your home.

Take a photo

The first thing that most buyers will see is an online photo of your home. Before you do anything, take a photo of your home’s exterior. What do you see? Put yourself in a buyer’s shoes. Is this a home I would like to see more of? Or does it leave something to be desired? By taking a photo, you can get a good sense of where you’re starting from and where you need to go.

Spruce up the exterior

Once you’ve taken that photo, it’s time to get to work on your home’s exterior. It’s usually the first picture that buyers will see, and it’s the first thing they see when they pull up to the curb for a showing. Your roof is a huge part of your home’s exterior so it is a great place to start. You may hire a roofing contractor to conduct roof repair to make sure that your home is ready for buyer’s inspection. The exterior needs to be inviting. Clean up the yard and trim trees and bushes. Your tree’s limbs should never get within 10 feet of power lines. If they do, you’ll need to contact a tree removal company in Red Deer ASAP to trim them back to prevent power outages, fires, serious bodily harm or even death. In other words, this is definitely a task for a professional arborist. Have a fencing contractor fix any broken fences. Give the front door a fresh coat of paint. Invest in some colorful plants to place around the front door. A small investment of time and money can pay off exponentially.

Clean the inside

Now that you’ve spruced up the exterior, it’s time to focus on the interior. Declutter and depersonalize every room. Take time to deep clean the entire house. If necessary, hire bond back cleaning services if you’re not feeling up to the task. The inside needs to sparkle!

Stage like a pro

After you’ve cleaned up the inside, it’s time to stage it like a pro. No matter what your personal tastes are, you need to start thinking like a buyer. Potential buyers need to be able to envision themselves living in your home. Paint your rooms neutral colors and use tasteful furnishings. Arrange rooms so that it’s obvious what it is used for. Set the dining room table. Open all the curtains and turn on all the lights. You want to make the house feel as bright and spacious as possible.

Appeal to the senses

Don’t just limit your staging to what you can see. Buyers will experience your home with all their senses. Do a smell test. Do you smell anything funky, like pet odors? Make sure to eliminate foul odors and replace them with something pleasing, such as flowers or baking cookies. Play some soft music. Add soft blankets to beds and couches. Make the interior comfortable and inviting.

Use high quality photos

Finally, once you’ve spruced up both the interior and exterior, take high-quality photos for your listing. Make sure to highlight any of the amenities, such as a great back porch or a basement entertainment room. Use plenty of light and capture each room from different angles. Those photos will help potential buyers decide whether or not they want to see your home in person. Investing in good photos is a must.

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Are you considering putting your house hunting on hold until after the New Year? While it may seem like the end of the year is not a great time to buy a home, it can have many benefits. In fact, now can be an excellent time to get a great deal on a house. Here are seven reasons why you should buy a home before the end of the year.

Less competition

Spring and summer are typically the busiest seasons in the real estate market. Families with school-age children will often move in the summer to coincide with the school year. For this reason, you’ll find there is much less competition in the housing market. Your offer on a home is more likely to be accepted when there are fewer potential buyers putting in bids.

More time to decide

When you have fewer buyers to compete with, then you won’t have to make an immediate decision on a home. In competitive markets, it’s important to move quickly. But at the end of the year, you can take a little more time to make your decision. If you need to sleep on it, then you have the luxury now to do that.

Motivated sellers

When there are fewer buyers in the market it can mean that sellers are more motivated. This is especially true if a seller wants to close on a deal before the end of the year. You’re more likely to find a motivated seller who is willing to negotiate when you’re house hunting at this time of year.

Better prices

When there are motivated sellers, you’re more likely to get a great deal on a home. At this time of year, you’ll find homes that have been on the market all summer without an offer. This could mean that the home was overpriced to begin with. You’ll be in a good position to negotiate with the seller, who will be more open to your offer.

Easier to hire movers

During the busy summer months, you may need to book a moving company several weeks in advance. You’ll also be paying a premium if you’re moving at the end of the month. But if you buy a home at the end of the year, there will be more movers available. It will be easier to hire a moving company on short notice. And you’ll probably get a price break since it’s a slower season for movers.

Easier to hire contractors

Just as with movers, it’s easier to hire contractors during this time of year. This includes inspectors, plumbers, commercial electrician and residential roofer. You’ll have an easier time getting on their schedule during their slow season. They will also often complete the work more quickly, e.g., tankless water heater installation, since there are fewer projects competing for their attention. No home would be comfortable without clean hot water on demand, so taking care of the water heater installation should be high on the priority list for sure.

More builder incentives

Finally, if you’re buying a new home, then the end of the year can also be a great time for you to save money. A lot of new home builders may offer incentives at this time year. This can include credit towards upgrades, paid closing costs, or even discounts on the asking price.

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