Articles Tagged "sell a home"

If your kitchen is due for a makeover, it's important to know that a kitchen update doesn't need to be costly or time-consuming to be effective. Our real estate agents suggest these simple tricks to update your kitchen. 

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As an independent real estate firm, our goal is to provide the best possible service to you and provide comprehensive assistance in achieving your real estate goals. This is true whether you're moving to a Virginia/West Virginia community from across town or across the world. One of the ways that we provide that level of service is through our affiliation with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LeadingRE), a worldwide network of top independent real estate brokerages.

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Your home's exterior is your best chance to make a good first impression on home shoppers. Your exterior has a huge impact on your ability to sell quickly and drive clicks to your listing online. Taking the time to ensure your garden, lawn, and patio area are all in tip-top shape before listing your home is essential for success.

Home staging is the process of dressing up your home in such a way that it is attractive to home shoppers. It's a process that can help your property sell fast, and it can also help you earn a higher sale price. When it comes to home staging, many sellers are quick to prioritize the interior; however, our real estate agents always tell clients to not forget about the outdoor space. Here are a few tips to keep your home's exterior looking great:

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As life changes, people naturally seek new homes that are better suited for that next stage of life. Whether it's starting a new family or starting to downsize, our needs are constantly changing.

Understanding what buyers are looking for can really pay off when it comes time to sell. Our real estate agents always recommend you put yourself in the shoes of your target buyer, so you can market features of your home that are most desirable. Here are some of the top home features we believe consumers are willing to move for in 2022:

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Spring naturally brings out the desire to clean, and if you're interested in selling your home, it couldn't come at a better time. Before your home is listed for sale with one of our real estate agents, make sure it will look its best. Spring cleaning can make your home shine and look fresh and clean! This is sure to make it more appealing to prospective buyers and help it stand out from other Rockingham County homes for sale.

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If your plans for 2022 involve selling your home and purchasing a different property, now is the perfect time to start your planning. Accomplish your New Year's resolution of selling your home! Here are some tips our real estate agents recommend in 2022 to help you streamline the selling process. 

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You're ready to put your home on the market, but the holiday season is near. Should you wait to sell your home, or is there a way to find a buyer during the holidays?

Our real estate agents know that with a few adjustments, it's entirely possible (and even profitable!) to sell a home during the holiday season. Buyers tend to have more flexible schedules around the holidays, which gives them more opportunities to look for a home. Here's what you need to know about selling your home during the holidays. 

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Spring is just around the corner, and if you're thinking about putting your home on the market, now is the time to start getting ready. The real estate market heats up every spring, and with interest at historic lows, there couldn't be a better time to take advantage of the seller's market. 

Preparing to list your home can be a lengthy process, especially if it's your first time. From cleaning to staging, you may not know where to even start. If you want to make sure your home stands out among these beautiful Virginia homes for sale, be sure to follow these tips below:

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As you prepare to show your home, our real estate agents suggest that you and your agent take an afternoon to evaluate the entire house once more to ensure that everything is as presentable as possible. Unless you've hired a professional staging company, you may want to consider these easy last-minute staging suggestions that will showcase your home.

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Selling your house runs more smoothly when you begin with a plan.

Buyers have ample options when shopping for West Virginia real estate, so it's essential to present your listing in the most favorable light possible. Our real estate agents are here to help for selling your home, with six tips to make your home stand out in your local real estate market.

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Help! We Sold Our Home Before We Bought Another

If the first three rules of real estate are, "Location, location, location," the fourth rule would be, "Timing is everything." Selling and buying a home simultaneously is a tightrope act that defies the skills of the most experienced circus acrobat.

Fortunately, our real estate agents have a superior sense of balance. Here are their top tips for buying and selling a home at the same time.

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It's beginning to look a lot like a home sale! Homeowners across the city are listing their Harrisonburg homes for sale during the most wonderful time of the year. If you're interested in listing your home during the winter, our REALTORS® have eight things you should know about selling your home during the holidays.

Eight Tips for Selling Your Home During the Holidays

1. Winter is an excellent time to list your home.
   Despite the colder weather and busyness of the season, the winter is a uniquely advantageous time to sell your home. Typically, there is less inventory on the market which lessens your competition. Many buyers are also more motivated to secure a home as quickly as possible, as many are buying to meet their immediate family or career needs.

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There is a reason most sellers--roughly 90 percent--use a professional real estate to sell their homes.  Professionals have the real estate "know how" to sell your home quickly and for the right price.  If you're still considering a FSBO to save the price of a commission, think again. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® reports people who choose to "go it alone" and sell without a REALTOR® often make less money than they would hiring a REALTOR®. 

Selling a house quickly and for the most money takes time, marketing skills, knowledge of the local neighborhood, and negotiation skills--to name a few.  Using a real estate agent can be the difference between a successful sale and months of frustration.

If that's not enough cause to hire a professional, here are four more reasons why hiring a REALTOR® like those on our team at Old Dominion Realty is the right choice for you.

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Our real estate agents understand the importance of professional photography and its powerful impact on selling your home. Professional photos make a lasting first-impression and can help you sell your home quicker and for more money. Over 90 percent of home buyers use the internet to search for a house, and the use of professional photos of your home is a great way to grab their attention.

Here are just five reasons why you should consider using a professional photographer for selling your home.

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When selling your home, you may teeter between having a professional home inspector evaluate your home prior to listing or not.  

Something you need to know ... A report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) showed that nearly four out of every five homes sold in the United States are evaluated by a professional home inspector before they are sold. In addition, realtors recommend buyers get a home inspection nearly 99 percent of the time.  Most buyers heed their agent's advice and request a home inspection in 84 percent of all transactions.

Understanding the home inspection process and getting your home ready for the inspection only helps to ensure that your home sale goes through reaping the best selling price possible.

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As Punxsutawney Phil popped his head into the daylight on February 2, he saw his shadow...calling for six more weeks of winter weather.  If you're planning on selling your home this spring, lucky you! It gives you a few more weeks to get your home ready for the spring selling season because as the days warm up, so does the real estate market.  

Our REALTORS® offer these ten tips to get your home ready for a quick spring sale.

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First-time Home Buyers

Staunton, Virginia is a vibrant community with many attractive attributes, and a great place to settle down in your first home. There are a wide variety of cultural and social opportunities in the area including outdoor exploration of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah Valley. Deciding to buy a home can be intimidating, though, no matter how much you like the community. Here's some helpful information for anyone considering buying a house for the first time.

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The Upside of Downsizing Your Home

Have you noticed your friends and neighbors talking about downsizing their homes?  Whether their decision is the result of a life event or a need to live more simply, people are realizing that many advantages exist when you live in a more manageable space.  If you're trying to decide whether downsizing is the right move for you and your family, here are some benefits to consider before taking the plunge.

1.  Less Means More Manageable

The larger the home, the more you have to maintain. Properties, no matter how new, require consistent care. People downsize for several reasons, whether recent empty nesters, divorces, lifestyle adjustments or to save on expenses. The nice part living smaller is less to worry about in interior and exterior care and cleaning, meaning you have more time and money to spend doing other things.

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Get a Taste of Virginia with Old Dominion Realty and Kline's Ice Cream

Join Old Dominion Realty at the 36^th Annual Home and Garden Show on April 2 – 3, 2016 at the Augusta Expo in Fishersville, VA.

Get a true taste of what living in Virginia is all about with Old Dominion Realty at Booths K10 and L10 for the unveiling of our new Myers Corner model home plans and subdivision plat as well as complimentary scoops of delicious ice cream from Virginia's own Kline's Ice Cream.   104.3 Country KCY will be onsite with a live remote from 11AM – 1PM with giveaways throughout the day.

Old Dominion Realty along with other "home and garden" businesses ranging in categories from real estate, home improvement, home repair, building and remodeling, HVAC, financial, and travel will showcase their services and products to the local Augusta County community.

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Polishing Your Home to Perfection

Spring arrives on Sunday.  As we welcome warmer weather, you might be considering selling your home.  If you are a newcomer to the real estate market, you might not know where to start.  Not to worry…our team of REALTORS® at Old Dominion Realty is filled with real estate wisdom when it comes to selling and buying homes.  We've created this simple, spring cleaning checklist that will add a little sparkle and shine to your home, helping it stand out from the crowd.

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Avoid These 6 Deadly Home-Selling Sins

So you want to sell your house?  Did you know while most home buyers make a list of features they want in a home, many also have a list of "pet peeves" that will send them running as soon as they see them?

If you want a home buyer's heart to go pitter patter, avoid these six deadly home-selling sins.

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Let the Good Times Roll

"Let the Good Times Roll" will be the theme in Augusta County, VA at this year's Good Times Festival presented by Blue Ridge Beverage and Seven Arrows Brewing Company and hosted by the Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce.  Perhaps the perfect place in the Blue Ridge Mountains to find the best burgers, beverages, and bands on September 19, the Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce's annual signature event has been relocated to the Shenandoah Acres Family Campground.

With the goal of telling residents and visitors about the local Augusta community and businesses, the Chamber of Commerce will feature:

• A gourmet burger cook-off
• A battle of the bands and
• A beer competition featuring 30+ craft and domestic brews
• Virginia wines vendors will be sold by the glass

About the Good Times Festival

The Good Times Festival benefits the Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce. However, it also embraces community spirit and brings people together for some serious fun.  This year's event takes place on Saturday, September 19 at Shenandoah Acres Family Campground. All ages are welcome, and the event features activities for the whole family. Some festival highlights include:

• Music – Listen to local artists and popular bands at two different stages. Gypsy Town, Jacob Paul Allen, Tara Mills, and Hound Dog Hill will perform on the smaller stage while the main stage has incredible acts like Jeremy Staubus, The Hacksensaw Boys, and Dylan Scott.

• Food – The Good Times Festival will introduce you to some of the best food in Virginia. Save room for BBQ, kettle corn, farm fresh fixings, and of course, burgers. The burger cook off is a main event that has local businesses battling it out for the coveted title.
  
  

• Drink – Augusta County is known for its craft beer and wine. Sip and taste your way around the festival to see what new offerings regional vendors have.
  
  
• Goods – Find jewelry, clothes, and more perusing the different vendors.
  
  
• Kid's Area – The littlest attendees won't be left out with a designated area of their own at the festival. Activities and fun will be waiting.

The festival runs from 12 - 5 p.m. and the concert from 5 - 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 per car, and you can pre-purchase online. Preferred seating and VIP tickets are also available. Beer passes are $5, and the burger cook off sample tickets are $1 per slider.

With a little bit of planning, the Good Times Festival can be a weekend getaway. The Shenandoah Acres Family Campground has tent sites, RV sites, and cottages. With access to a beautiful lake and other wonderful amenities, your whole weekend can be a celebration of the wonderful area you live in, or would like to live in.

Contact the Great Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce if you are interested in volunteering during this event.

About Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce

The Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce is focused on the growth and development of area businesses, industry, and agriculture. The Greater Augusta Regional Chamber serves Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County and welcomes small businesses to large industrial complexes and remains true to their motto is, "Your Success is our Business!"

A Proud Sponsor of the Augusta County Community

Old Dominion Realty is a proud sponsor of the Good Times Festival. For us, introducing people to Augusta County and its surrounding communities is a worthwhile endeavor.  The festival has a positive impact on the region, one we are thrilled to be a part of.  If the Good Times Festival is enough to convince you to become a member of Augusta's community, contact one of our real estate agents to find your new home in Augusta County.

Everything you wanted to know about the digital house hunt, but were afraid to ask.

Remember when all it took to sell a house was an ad in the Sunday classifieds?  That's okay--I don't either.  Back then, home buyers depended only on their real estate agents to lead the way to find a home.

Fast forward to 2015 and discover over 90 percent of house hunters search for their "dream homes" on the Internet.  In today's digitally driven marketplace, real estate and technology go hand in hand.  Technology has improved the way business is done for both customers and real estate agents. 

Real estate customers are web savvy.  They use specific online tools during different phases of the home buying process.  Information such as property listings, prices, neighborhoods, demographics, real estate agent reviews and mortgage rates are available with one click of a mouse.  The use of mobile devices—whether smartphones or tablets--is steadily increasing as we search for the American dream.  2014 trend research shows that mobile traffic will soon rise above 50 percent for some real estate brokers.

How does all of this impact the way Old Dominion Realty serves our customers? 

As real estate professionals, we understand selling real estate is as much about the people as the properties.  Because of our customers' growing demands for information, Old Dominion Realty has provided them with specialized and enhanced services. The use of innovative technologies has allowed us to help buyers find homes; sellers list houses; and real estate transactions to be closed quickly and easily.

1. Online Property Search.  Our OldDominionRealty.com website puts property listings within easy reach of customers.  Our auto-complete feature gives customers faster results when inputting city and state, county, subdivision, MLS# or zip code.
2. Real Estate Videos. Old Dominion Realty's real estate agents spotlight property listings through high-quality, professionally created, online videos.  If a picture is worth a thousand words, then our property videos tell home buyers the entire story before they walk through the front door of a home.
   
   
3. Real Estate on the Go. Mobile devices like smartphone and tablets put real estate in customers' hands 24/7.   Customers can access property listing information, driving directions to listings and contact our real estate agents from their mobile devices.  Our real estate agents gain increased accessibility to their customers.
   
   
4. Rave Reviews. Old Dominion Realty's online customer reviews allow new customers to read comments about our real estate agents past transactions and interactions with other clients.
5. New Listing Emails.  We've taken our "seek and find" functionality one step further by allowing customers to create accounts that will automatically send new listing emails from virtually the minute they are enter our system.
6. Dotloop and E-signatures.  No more waiting for a signed contract.  Dotloop is a digital transaction system that links people, paperwork, and tasks so work can be completed quickly and easily.

As the real estate industry continues to advance with the help of technology, Old Dominion Realty's goal is to give our clients the best possible online experience.  By providing customers with the information they want when they need it, we are bringing our agents closer to their clients. However, the digital house hunt is only part of the story.  Home buyers still rely on their real estate agents to marry their online and real worlds. 

Contact Old Dominion Realty to buy and sell houses in the Virginia real estate and West Virginia real estate markets.

Shenandoah Valley Draws Local Attraction

The unparalleled beauty of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley attracts thousands each year.  From rolling hills and mountain vistas to stunning wildflower meadows, the landscape throughout the Shenandoah National Park System offers sights that simply should not be missed.  Include a drive along the area's picturesque Skyline Drive at the top of your list of things to do  Virginia list this summer.

Not Your Typical Sunday Drive

Skyline Drive stretches for 105-miles through the Shenandoah National Park.  A drive along the Skyline evokes a different time, when life moved at a slower pace, and people commonly took drives for sheer pleasure.  Families trying to decide what to do in Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley, should consider a cruise down the park's only public road.  Running north and south through the park, Skyline Drive travels along a crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering unique views of the park and the surrounding region. 

Explore Nature's Beauty

Animal lovers need to look no further for things to do in Virginia.  Skyline Drive is frequently visited by the park's wildlife, especially during dawn and dusk.  The Shenandoah National Park is home to one of the country's largest populations of black bears.  In addition to bears, use Skyline Drive's vantage points to spot white-tailed deer, raccoons, red and gray fox, river otters, woodchucks and over 200 species of birds.

Bring Your Camera 

For photographers and artists, the Shenandoah Valley's  natural beauty brings new inspiration. Scattered along the drive are 75 scenic overlooks  providing plenty of photo opportunities for residents and visitors alike.  Of course, you do not need to be a professional artist to find inspiration along this drive.  Skyline Drive varies greatly in width as it curves along the mountains, offering varied and stunning views.

Go For A Hike 

Along Skyline Drive, you will find plenty of opportunities to get out of the car and stretch your legs.  Hiking often tops the list of what to do in Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley National Park for many nature and outdoor adventure enthusiasts.  The Appalachian Trail, one of the East Coast's most famed and challenging hiking trails, runs parallel to Skyline Drive.  Overall, you have access to more than 500 miles of hiking trails from various points along the drive. Additionally, horseback riding and cycling are allowed along the Skyline. 

Drive Safely 

Keep in mind, animals frequently dart into the road, so please adhere to the posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour.  A cruise along Skyline Drive is a ride meant to be savored; slow down, take your time and do not forget to stop and smell the wildflowers.   You are welcome to tow campers and trailers along Skyline Drive.  Just be prepared to shift into low gear. Make sure your trailer will clear Mary's Rock Tunnel, which features a 12'8" height limit.

Old Dominion Realty to Find Homes for sale in the Shenandoah Valley

Claim a piece of the Shenandoah Valley for yourself. Contact Old Dominion Realty to begin your home search today and discover the many, picturesque communities dotting the region. 

Simple ways to save energy and money this summer

Summer officially arrives this weekend on Sunday, June 21.  Just because temperatures will be on the rise doesn't mean your electric bill needs to increase also.  If you are looking for ways to reduce the costs of using your air conditioning system this summer, consider these tips from us at Old Dominion Realty. With a few small changes, you can enjoy energy savings all summer long.

#1  Have a Cook Out

Dining out may not be cost effective, but cooking out can help prevent heat gain by using your oven or stove.  Grill outside as much as possible or use the microwave and crock pot to cook your food without heating up your home. Using the oven during hot days will cause your air conditioner to work overtime.

#2  Close the Blinds

The summer sun beating through your window can cause quite a bit of heat gain.  Eliminate this by closing the blinds to block out the warm rays especially when you are not home to enjoy the light.  Your air conditioner won't have to work as hard and you will enjoy energy savings with one simple step.

#3 Clean the Filters

The air moving through your air conditioning system is dirty and grimy.  Unfortunately, much of that grit ends up in the air conditioning filter.  Over time, a dirty filter can lessen the efficiency of your system overall.  For simple energy savings, keep the filter clean . US News and World Report recommends cleaning the air conditioning or replacing the filter once a month.

#4 Use a Programmable Thermostat

It's easy to forget to increase the temperature in your home at night or when you leave for the day.  Use a programmable thermostat.  You can save up to 30 percent on energy savings every year by increasing the temperature when you leave for the day during the summer so the air conditioner works less.  Raising the temperature by as little as five degrees for the eight hours you are at work can lower cooling costs by three to five percent.

#5 Unplug Electronics

If you leave your electronics, including your TV and radio, plugged in when not in use, you are using up electricity unnecessarily. Electricity still flows to these items, and then when they do not use it, back through the cord, and this causes some electricity to be lost. Either learn to unplug these items when they are turned off, or use a Smart Strip that will cut power to them.

#6 Have Your System Inspected

Unless you are an HVAC professional, you have no way of knowing if your system is working efficiently.  Have your air conditioning system inspected at the start to the summer to rule out any problems that may be increasing your energy costs.

#7 Use Fans

Fans cost less energy to run than the air conditioner and create a cooling effect in rooms.  To make the most out of your fans, only run them in rooms you are using. The wind effect does not actually lower the temperature of the room, but only how comfortable you feel, so turn the fans off when you leave a room.

Old Dominion Realty Serving Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, Augusta & Rockingham Counties

Everyone needs to pay attention to energy savings especially when the temperatures in Virigina and West Virginia start to soar.  If your summer plans include buying or selling a house in the area, contact Old Dominion Realty.

Best-kept Secrets for Selling a Home in Record Time

Rarely is selling a home a simple decision. Once you've determined an asking price, found a real estate agent, and listed your home, you may think the hard work is over. Taking a little more time to properly prepare your home can help you up the chances of selling a home quickly and for top dollar.
 

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6 Tips for Adding Value to Your Home

Renovating any house requires a homeowner to make a host of difficult decisions as they go. No matter how you plan on retooling an existing home, your modifications should add to the cumulative value of the domicile rather than subtract from it. The following upgrades are sure to bump up the resale value of any house.

1.  Jazz Up the Kitchen

As a focal point of the modern home, the kitchen is an obvious renovation target. Update your existing layout with a multi-purpose island, some custom fixtures or a few unique storage options such as hanging racks. If you feel like going all out, you could always put in a granite or marble countertop.

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The kitchen is the heart and soul of any home. The kitchen is where people get together to enjoy food in the presence of friends and family members. Trends in kitchen design are always changing based on current styles and tastes. Here are a few popular trends in kitchen design for people that are thinking about a remodel or want some inspiration to spruce up their kitchen.

Photo courtesy of Kitchen-Design-Ideas.org

White Cabinets

This popular neutral color will go well with almost any other kitchen design scheme. Karin Beuerlein and H. Camille Smith wrote in an HGTV article about kitchen trends that while white cabinets are still the most popular, gray is another very desirable color for kitchen cabinets and may soon overtake white's top spot. Many tasteful homeowners will choose to contrast their lighter color cabinets with a dark backsplash or darker appliances. 

Lighting Fixtures

Although hidden lighting was stylish for a long while, modern trends in kitchen design are shifting back towards sconce and other types of exposed lighting fixtures. A large chandelier-style light in the center of the room will serve as an elegant focal point. Be sure that lighting is also set up in a way that makes it easy to complete work that needs to be done in the kitchen.

Sophisticated Appliances

Today's appliances are very high-tech: it is common to see a refrigerator that can play music or a sink that turns on and off automatically. Many new kitchen design trends incorporate technology. At This Old House Online, Kristen Mucci shows readers a multimedia ventilation hood that includes a 17" LCD display that can be used for television or DVDs.

Expressive Backsplashes

Like an accessory in a trendy outfit, backsplashes allow homeowners the ability to express their unique tastes. White tile is a common material, but many people decide to accentuate other colors in the room with their backsplashes. Other homeowners add flair by using bright oranges, greens, and pinks for their backsplash.

A kitchen should have the right balance of sophistication and comfort. People that want to remodel their kitchen to sell their home or those that are buying a new home and are curious about trends in kitchen design should research consistently to find out about trends as they change. At Old Dominion Realty, we help our customers use kitchen trends and other information to quickly sell their home or find their ideal residence.

Selling a home begins long before the sign goes in the yard. In the months prior to officially listing your home for sale, you will be spending time prepping the home, getting everything from the carpets to the walls clean and in move-in condition. Sometimes knowing where to start on this task is difficult. These tips will help you get the job started well, so you can enjoy a fast sale for a good price.

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