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        <title>Denver Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/denver-home-owner-tips/</link>
        <description>Denver real estate topics including local metro Denver community news and events.</description>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/spring-forward-and-fall-back.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/spring-forward-and-fall-back.html</link>
            <author>bruce@bruceswedal.com (Bruce Swedal)</author>
            <title>Spring Forward and Fall Back</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Everytime this spring forward or fall back happens causing my family to go through the house changing our clocks I wonder, why do we do this? 


Daylight Savings Time started way back in 1918 though at the time was not followed too closely. It was left up to the local communities as to whether they wanted to change their clocks forward or backwards an hour. So it was until 1966 when Congress passed legislation called the Uniform Time Act that established Standard Times begin and end dates. The legislations did not make it mandatory that each state followed it - that was left up to each individual states legislature. The states of Hawaii, in addition to the territories of Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico actually don't follow daylight savings time which means they always use standard time. 2005 saw Congress passing additional legislation that extended daylight savings time by an additional month.


The reason that Daylight savings time was initiated was to maximize the light provided by the sun while people were awake to benefit from it. Daylight savings time increases the amount of sunlight during evening hours and decreases it during the morning. There are many studies that show this has beneficial effects such as lower power consumption, less crime and decreased accidents.


I know that when we experience several overcast days if has an effect on me and I can see its effects on others. Thankfully we have great weather in Colorado and this seldom happens. If daylight savings time can bring more sunshine into my day I am more than happy to change my clocks a couple times a year.


 
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            <pubDate>Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:04:30 -0700</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/refrigerators-in-the-garage-wasting-money.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/refrigerators-in-the-garage-wasting-money.html</link>
            <author>bruce@bruceswedal.com (Bruce Swedal)</author>
            <title>Refrigerators in the Garage Wasting Money</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
The other day at a home inspection the buyers, inspector and I were discussing ways to save money in their new home. 


One of the inspectors major points during the conversation concerned the refrigerator in the garage being the devil in disguise when it came to energy consumption.


The garage is one of the worst places a homeowner can place a refrigerator due to the following reasons.




If your garage is like mine - it may be the dirtiest place in the home.


Most garage refrigerators are not full which means they work far more to keep less items cool.


The garage is not climate controlled in most homes. It is exposed to extreme temperature changes.




So the simple truth is that you are asking a lot of an appliance that is placed in a garage setting with it's less than optimal environment.


Now take a moment to consider what you have stored in that garage refrigerator. If you are like most people it may not contain much and the cost to run it could be as high as $30 per month or $360 annually. That is a high price tag for keeping a six pack of beer and a few bottles of water cool. If you do have a garage refrigerator that you are not fully utilizing you may be wasting your money. Even if you are making good use of it you may want to consider moving it to a better environment to increase its efficiency.
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            <pubDate>Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:19:30 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/eminent-domain.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/eminent-domain.html</link>
            <author>bruce@bruceswedal.com (Bruce Swedal)</author>
            <title>Eminent Domain</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
In the United States, when the government wishes to seize privately held property, the exercise their right of eminent domain powers in order to procure it. Some states prefer to use the word 'appropriation', but essentially the process is the same. Other countries, such as the UK, Australia, and New Zealand call the practice 'compulsory purchase or acquisition'. Eminent domain is a right of the government to acquire privately owned property from a citizen, or their rights in a property with appropriate financial consideration. The permission of the citizen is not required, and the purpose of the seizure is not relevant.

In many cases, the U.S. government, for use by the government or for public utilities or railroad and highway creation exercises their powers of eminent domain. At times, the government might seize a property for public safety issues, such as when the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania bought an entire mining town in 1992. The ZIP code was revoked and all of the buildings were condemned because a mine fire has been burning continuously under the town since the early 1960s.

Since the American days of the colonies, common law has stipulated rules governing eminent domain. During those early days, any land that was vacant was taken without payment. Once the Constitution was being written, patriots such as Thomas Jefferson stepped up and voiced strong opposition to the feudalism ownership of England. In the end, the moderate compromise was settled upon and the law was written to express the rights of persons who owned private property included compensation for their land as well as requiring the land to be for &quot;public use&quot;.

When a property is to be compensated for in the acquisition of eminent domain, the fair market value must be offered. The price should reflect what a normal real estate transaction would in an assumed regular sale. While this seems to be extremely fair to the private owner, critics of this approach state that there are many downsides as well, such as when a business is claimed under eminent domain and the owner is unable to relocate to a similar type of location. A few states do provide for at least some of the businesses losses, but not many. This leaves a great number of owners unable to recover their losses, and if they try to sue for adequate compensation, they are responsible for their own attorney's fees and court costs, making a lawsuit less than appealing in most situations.

In 2006, President Bush delivered Executive Order 13406, which limits the federal government's power to take properties for the sake of advancing economic interests to individuals for which the property was taken. While this is encouraging, local and state governments with help of federal monies carry out most eminent domain seizures.
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            <pubDate>Thu, 07 Jul 2011 13:49:30 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/how-landscaping-adds-value-to-your-denver-property.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/how-landscaping-adds-value-to-your-denver-property.html</link>
            <author>bruce@bruceswedal.com (Bruce Swedal)</author>
            <title>How Landscaping Adds Value to Your Denver Property</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Experts say that a well-manicured lawn will help increase the value of your home. A home that has trees, flowers, and a well maintained lawn can increase the chance of selling your metro Denver property by ten percent. Any well-established real-estate agent will tell you if your yard looks unkempt then nobody is going to buy it. Landscaping is not very expensive and can be fun. When landscaping your yard make sure to use colorful flowers that stand out and give your yard a wow factor. You could even put in a pond if that is the look that you want for your yard.

Landscape lights can help extend that hard work into the night for everyone to enjoy. They also can make the yard look magical at night if done right. Landscaping lights will enhance the vibrant colors of the fresh flowers and make the lawn furniture stick out at night. Yard lights are also important because it makes the house safer which in turns makes the value go up and beside who wants to trip in their backyard anyway. Although appraisers inspect the railings other safety stuff in your home, home buyers look for lighted pathways or walkways so they make sure to get a safe yard.

The biggest problem that a homeowner faces when he or she decides to landscape is that they usually have too many ideas and cannot decide on which idea to act on. The thing to do so you will not get overwhelmed is to start small. Pick a small spot of your yard, start there, and work your way up. The goal of landscaping to add value to your home is to wow buyers and make them comfortable so they will want to buy your home at a greater value and to make you feel better about your property.

If you do not have time or are not able to landscape and you want to increase the value of your home then you could hire a professional. Make sure that if you do hire a professional landscaper that they are licensed and have good references. They can help you with bringing your idea to life and it will be fun and add value to your property. Landscaping can be hard work, but it will be worth it whether are planning on selling your home or just making it beautiful. Remember that landscaping can add twenty to fifty thousand dollars to the value price, so it is definitely worth the work.
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            <pubDate>Sat, 21 May 2011 20:34:29 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/outdoors-home-improvement.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/outdoors-home-improvement.html</link>
            <author>bruce@bruceswedal.com (Bruce Swedal)</author>
            <title>Outdoors Home Improvement</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Home improvements are not just catered to the indoors, however, most people tend to forget that the outdoors of the house plays a huge part in how your entire house is perceived. A beautifully landscaped house only adds value to the home, likewise if you have nothing but green grass in your yard, the value of the home may not be as much. So how should you start your own garden?

For most people, starting with container gardens is the most logical course of action to take. This means growing flowers, herbs or even vegetables in a pot so that you can incorporate these into your landscaping. The reason that most people start at this step is because it allows you to get your hands dirty and requires less maintenance than maintaining an entire garden. In addition, these containers are movable, which means you can move the flowers to arrange a unique look that fits your needs. It allows you to get a feel for gardening.

Once you have experimented with containers, you can then move on to larger landscaping ideas. This may mean planting your flowers directly into the ground. This will require more maintenance however, it does look much better than having pots situated over your entire yard. Keep in mind while you do this, you will want to incorporate some greenery as well, and even a few shrubs to give an even well-rounded look. You may also want to consider installing a few statues in the yard, such as a small fountain or whatnot. However, be careful in doing this, as many people can get so caught up in this that their yard starts looking very cluttered. You need to aim for an elegant and classic look to your garden.

Once you have your garden up and running, the last step that many take is to add a gazebo or some other sort of sitting area. This will allow for you to enjoy the labors of your work and your family will also enjoy it.

If you find yourself being overwhelmed, then you may want to consider consulting a landscaper. These people are trained to do what appears elegant while still listening to your concerns and wants. If anything, you can consult with them, but carry out the plans yourself. Be realistic with the time that it will take to complete your garden masterpiece. It may be years before you feel comfortable enough to take on the task of starting a garden, which is completely fine.
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            <pubDate>Tue, 11 Jan 2011 20:38:14 -0700</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/making-cost-effective-kitchen-home-improvements.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/making-cost-effective-kitchen-home-improvements.html</link>
            <author>bruce@bruceswedal.com (Bruce Swedal)</author>
            <title>Making Cost Effective Kitchen Home Improvements</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
In home improvement, another vital area that most people consider remodeling at some point in the time that they spend at the home is the kitchen. However, this can lead to costly remodels that make people think that they have no option to remodel. However, there are some less expensive ways in which to remodel your kitchen, and this article will inform you of these.

First, keep in mind the triangle theory that professionals use. What is the triangle theory? This theory is that the refrigerator, stove and sink should be near each other, which leads to the triangle shape. Rearranging your appliances if you can, to form a triangle will allow you to make the most of your space and improve how the traffic in the kitchen flows.

In addition, pantry closets are great assets in any kitchen. If you find yourself using cabinets for anything, installing one of these pantry closets is a great way to increase the use of your space. Many of these pantry closets can be installed with only a few inches of space, however, it will clear the clutter of the cabinets easily and make the work in the kitchen flow effortlessly. You may also want to consider adding a few kitchen stools around the counters to allow for more sitting spaces if you have company.

The next step is to make the most of your space, as you may not have the money to invest in expanding the kitchen by knocking out an exterior wall. Instead, if you find that you are using cabinet space with pots and pans, you should install a hanging rack for these items. You will find that it will clear a lot of space and give your kitchen a fresh new look. You may also want to consider expanding your cabinets through adding shelves or baskets for items. This will not only help with organization, but it will give you much more needed counter space.

When doing this few improvements, your main goal is to increase the functioning of the kitchen. If you have children and they are always knocking things over to get to their snacks, then you know there is a problem. So to solve this, use a lower shelf just for them so that you can avoid all the accidents that may occur from spilled condiments and spices.

Remodeling your kitchen does not necessarily mean installing new counter tops and floors. Instead, you need to focus on how the space is being used. If you can increase the flow of the space in any way, then it is a successful kitchen remodel.
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            <pubDate>Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:18:07 -0700</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/keeping-family-real-estate-in-the-family.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/keeping-family-real-estate-in-the-family.html</link>
            <author>bruce@bruceswedal.com (Bruce Swedal)</author>
            <title>Keeping Family Real Estate in the Family</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
In challenging economic times, many families find out too late that the family home has been &quot;lost&quot; through poor financial planning. There are options that can preserve that investment for the next generation. However, many of those options require planning ahead.

Simply deeding the home to another family member can have serious tax consequences, as well as a loss of control for the parent. Furthermore, if the parent requires Medicaid assistance within a given time period (commonly a minimum of five years after the transfer), the family may still be required by the state to sell the home for medical expenses. Or the family member entrusted with title to the home may mortgage it, sell it, or even lose it in a bitter divorce.&nbsp;

One common solution is to deed the home to a living trust. This may also be subject to a &quot;looking back&quot; period in the event of Medicaid issues, but proper planning and record-keeping combined with detailed records of family assistance to keep the elderly parent in the home as long as possible can avoid that problem. Furthermore, the living trust allows the parent to retain control as trustee as long as he wishes. Discuss these options with a qualified estate planning attorney.&nbsp;

Reverse mortgages and deferred property taxes may improve cash flow for the elderly parent, but can also lead to a big problem at the parent's death. For example, the state of Florida allows some elderly homeowners to defer property taxes. But all those deferred taxes become due upon the homeowner's death. Likewise, reverse mortgages pay out equity in the home. If the money can't be repaid, the home may need to be sold.&nbsp;

Another source of problems can be medical bills. Aggressive collectors may suggest tapping into home equity to pay outstanding medical debts, placing the home at risk when the homeowner can't afford to repay the loan.&nbsp;

Finally, many elderly homeowners have been scammed by itinerant home &quot;repair&quot; contractors. Typically, these scam artists target elderly consumers, point out the need for &quot;emergency&quot; repairs, and offer &quot;easy financing&quot; for bargain priced &quot;repairs&quot;. The fine print in the &quot;easy financing&quot; paperwork adds additional fees and charges far above the value of any repairs, and often leads to foreclosure for the victim.

It's not always easy for families to discuss financial planning issues. Elderly parents may be reluctant to admit financial problems, and adult children may be reluctant to suggest financial planning for fear of being seen as greedy. But discussing these matters now can save thousands of dollars in the end. It may even save the family home.
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            <pubDate>Tue, 23 Nov 2010 14:40:05 -0700</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <guid>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/finding-storage-room-in-your-home.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/finding-storage-room-in-your-home.html</link>
            <author>bruce@bruceswedal.com (Bruce Swedal)</author>
            <title>Finding Storage Room in Your Home</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
If you seem to be running out of space for all of your belongings, then there are three options available to you. You can get rid of some of your belongings, reorganize them so that they take up less space or find some new places in which to store them. 

Increasing the amount of storage space in your home can be very useful. It can also help to make your home more attractive to potential buyers if you are thinking of selling your house. 

Reorganizing your existing storage space can sometimes make it possible to fit all of your belongings neatly into place without having to take up any more room. You could, for example, rearrange the storage space in your closet, using shelving, clothes rails and wire racks to ensure that all of the available space is being used. 

If you have an unused loft or basement, then you may want to consider packing some of your belongings away and storing them up in the attic or down in the cellar. This may not be an option if you want all of your belongings to remain on display or to be easily accessible. If this is the case, then a loft or basement conversion may be the answer. It would give you a whole new room in which to store things. You would experience a similar expansion in the space available to your for storage if you built an extension onto your house. Outdoor buildings such as sheds and garages may also provide useful storage space, and building a new shed will be much cheaper and easier than building an extension onto your home. 

Another option is to find some unused space in your house that could be converted into a storage area. Very few people actually use up all of the space in their homes. Try walking through your house and looking at all of the empty space that is not currently being used. If you set your imagination to work, you may be able to come up with a way of exploiting these unused spaces for storage. 

You could hang some hooks up on a bare piece of wall, for example, and use them to hang up clothes or storage bags. You might be able to put up some new shelves or cabinets. You could, for example, add a new shelf in between your existing shelves. This will reduce the height available above each shelf, but it may provide you with useful additional storage space. You can buy ready-made shelves and cabinets, which you can put together, request a custom-made design or build your own. If you are trying to fit a cabinet or some shelves into an unusually shaped space, such as the area underneath your stairs, then you may need to buy tailor made cabinets or make your own. 

Building a walk in closet or reach in closet can also be a very effective way of providing more storage space, but you will need to think about how the new closet will affect the size and layout of your existing rooms. A less permanent storage solution such as a wardrobe or built in wardrobe may be more sensible in some houses.
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            <pubDate>Sun, 26 Sep 2010 19:30:41 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/how-to-make-your-home-greener.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/how-to-make-your-home-greener.html</link>
            <author>bruce@bruceswedal.com (Bruce Swedal)</author>
            <title>How to Make Your Home Greener</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Environmental awareness has never been so widespread or so important as it is today. One of the main ways in which you, as a homeowner, can make a difference is by making your home a greener one. Creating a more environmentally friendly home will not only benefit the environment, but reduce your bills and make your house more attractive to potential buyers if you decide to sell. 

Some green homes are built that way, but many are renovated or improved in order to make them greener and more energy efficient. A large number of the homes that are built today have some environmentally friendly features, whether it is the products from which they are made or the installation of green, energy efficient heating and water systems. 

Living in a greener home will reduce your impact on the environment, but it will also offer you some financial benefits. You will be able to control the future costs of maintaining your home, reduce your monthly bills, and increase the resale value of your property. Your home will also become much easier to market if it is made greener, and while you live in it you will experience cleaner air and a healthier living environment. 

If you decide to sell your house, then having done some work to make it more environmentally friendly will prove useful. Green homes are very popular with buyers, and the reduced costs of running an energy efficient home will be an important attraction for many buyers. 

There are many ways in which you can make a home greener. It is a good idea to pick one or two of these projects if your main aim is to increase the value of your property and then to sell it, as you will need to limit your expenditure. If your purpose is to create an environmentally friendly home in which you will be living for the foreseeable future, then you may want to spend more and make your home even greener. 

Keeping your house at the right temperature uses up a lot of energy. You can reduce the costs of heating your home by making sure it is well insulated and by choosing a more energy efficient heating system. Air conditioning can also use up a lot of energy. Installing a ceiling fan may be enough in some rooms, reducing your reliance on air conditioning and its high energy demands. 

A tankless water heater will produce only as much hot water as is needed, reducing the energy that is used to heat water. Radiant heat can be more pleasant and will use far less energy than forced air. It will also make you feel comfortable with a lower thermostat temperature, reducing your energy expenditure. Fitting radiant air into your home can be expensive, however. You may also want to try using the sun to your advantage. If you are building a sunroom, for example, you should ensure that it is facing true south in order to benefit from passive heating by the sun. 

Installing programmable thermostats can ensure that you are not heating or cooling your home when it is not necessary. By turning down your thermostat when heating is not needed, for example when nobody is at home or when everyone is sleeping, you can save between 5 and 20 percent on your energy bill. 

Spray foam insulation is far more effective than fiberglass insulation, as well as being non-toxic and coming with a lifetime guarantee. It can result in energy savings of up to 50 percent. Installing Low-E windows will reduce heat loss significantly. A layer of thin metal is incorporated into these windows to prevent heat being lost through them, or from entering during the summer. The U-factor and SHGC rating show how effective these windows are. Low-E windows can prevent as much as 30-50 percent of energy losses. Storm doors can protect your home against bad weather and make your home as much as 45 percent more energy efficient. Caulking your doors and windows is cheap, but very effective at preventing heat losses. The resulting savings will generally pay for the work within a single year. Doors can also be insulated by choosing ones that are made of fiberglass or metal rather than wood. These doors are five times as good at insulating your home as wooden doors. 

Fitting LED lighting will also make your home much greener. LEDs use less energy than conventional lighting, they are also cheaper, last longer, and when disposed of do not pose such a threat to the environment because they are constructed of less toxic materials. 

In order to conserve water, you can fit your home with low-flow toilets and showers. You can also reduce the amount of water that you use in your garden by choosing plants that are suited to your environment. Drought resistant plants will require less water. Smart irrigation systems can be installed to ensure that only the minimum amount of water is used. Planting trees around your house can also reduce your energy costs by shading the property in a hot climate.
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            <pubDate>Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:04:26 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/replacing-windows.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.denversrealestate.com/blog/replacing-windows.html</link>
            <author>bruce@bruceswedal.com (Bruce Swedal)</author>
            <title>Replacing Windows</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
If your windows are old and shabby looking, you may be able to revive them simply by giving them a good clean and giving the frames a new coat of paint, but replacing your windows may be a more effective way to make your home more attractive. Replacing your windows can also have other benefits. You can choose the style of window that looks best for your property and which matches your own taste. You can select frames that are manufactured from more attractive and hardwearing materials. You can also make sure that you choose windows made from glass that will provide better insulation than your existing windows. 

Window frames come in a wide range of different styles and can be produced from a number of different materials. You should consider both the aesthetic and the practical aspects of different types of windows before choosing which ones you want to install in your home. It is a good idea to choose a style that matches the age and architecture of your property so that the windows do not look out of place. 

Wooden frames can be expensive, but they are also attractive and hardwearing. Frames that are manufactured from uPVC are usually cheaper than wooden frames. They are usually available as white frames, although wood-like uPVC frames are also available. An uPVC frame is energy efficient and durable. Aluminum windows are very durable, but they are less energy efficient, particularly when thermal breaks are not built into the window to prevent heat being lost through the metal frames. Fiberglass frames are expensive, but they can be more attractive and energy efficient than uPVC or aluminum frames. Fewer styles of fiberglass frames are available, however. Composite frames are also available. 

You may want to consider windows that open and close in different wayssince it will be very inconvenient to have windows that you find difficult to maneuver. Some windows open outwards, while sash windows are raised and lowered within the frame, for example. Windows are also available which can be rotated so that it is possible to clean both sides of the glass from within the room. 

It is a good idea to install locks on your windows. This will help to keep your home secure, and if you have young children then installing locks that cannot be opened without a key will prevent them from opening upper story windows on their own. 

A lot of heat is lost through single pane windows. If you replace single pane glass with double-glazing or with another type of insulating glass, then you could make significant savings on your heating bills. It is possible to hire someone to install your windows for you, but it is actually relatively easy for someone who has some experience of home improvement to take out and replace their own windows. 
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            <pubDate>Thu, 23 Sep 2010 14:45:57 -0600</pubDate>
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