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Here They Come - 03/15/10 08:47 PM
We now see the big flood of investors in the real estate market. Where did they come from? They we in the gutters waiting for their time to strike. There is an unbelievable demand for housing in the SF Bay Area. Every listing gets multiple offer's. Buyers are competing with each other just to get a short sale accepted by the seller(Pre-bank approval). This is weird. Now 8 months ago there were tumble weeds in neighborhood. Now they are selling. Short sale listings have become the thing to have, so I always keep around 5 listings a month. Well with all … (0 comments)
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What We Do - 03/15/10 08:25 PM
Our jobs are for the most part to help people. In good times and bad like a marriage. We don't stop talking to a client because their house is worth less than when they bought it. We don't tell a buyer that after putting offers on a couple of homes that we will not help them anymore. We have to go the extra mile. When we don't know how to do something we should refer them to someone who does. Everything I know I didn't know at one time. training and to gain knowledge is a nonstop adventure. I love the freedom … (0 comments)
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Anyone using a Hands Free service that is free? - 03/15/10 08:25 PM
Via Lisa Ludlow Archer (Team Ludlow-Keller Williams, Charlotte, NC Ballantyne Area ):
Just curious what everyone else is doing and how it is going? What are the positives and negatives of the service that you are using or have already tried?
I heard about FDI Hands Free. It is a phone number that you can add on the speed dial in your phone and then call the number and verbally send text messages and emails. It also allows you to have your email played to you over the phone. Starting on April 1st, text messages will also be read to you.
According to the info … (1 comments)
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Government Spending versus Household Spending - 03/15/10 08:24 PM
Via Ron Brown FHA & VA Home Loan Specialist (First Mortgage Company of Washington):
As a result of the Financial Crisis/Credit Meltdown/Real Estate Bubble etc., the Federal Government has spent approximately 10% of our countries total GDP annually for nearly 2 years now in an effort to "ease the crisis." So what have we gotten for our investment?
Currently we are told unemployment is not as bad as it could be, and is possibly easing after last month's statistics. Despite this reassurance, we have admitted unemployment of nearly 10% which does not count an individual who has been out of work more than … (1 comments)
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Beware of the Ides of March - 03/15/10 07:06 PM
Via Brian Madigan LL.B. (Royal LePage Innovators Realty, Broker):
Beware of the Ides of March!
By Brian Madigan LL.B.That was good advice given by a soothsayer to Julius Caesar although he did not heed the warning.The words were made popular by William Shakespeare in his play "Julius Caesar".In real estate, it is significant because it is the begining of the Spring market and generally as goes the Spring market, so does the rest of the year.So, be alert to its meaning and heed its advice!Brian Madigan LL.B., Real Estate Broker is an author and commentator on real estate matters, Royal LePage … (0 comments)
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One of those days! - 03/15/10 07:05 PM
Via REATA REALTY:
Well, I started to write a blog at 6:00 am this morning and got sidetracked but that's ok I'll get it in before my first appointment this morning at 10:00. It didn't happen.
My Wife was leaving for Tokyo and I spent breakfast with her instead of going to the gym and after going over the commercial lease I was to get signed today from my client. It was time to shower and get on the road to Arlington to get the lease signed.
I'm on time but set in the waiting room for 20 minutes before I'm able … (0 comments)
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Do YOU have to pay real estate taxes? Could you be exempt? - 03/15/10 07:04 PM
Via Vicky Chrisner (Keller Williams):
Do You HAVE to Pay Real Estate Taxes? Hmmm.... Did you know that you, or someone you love, may be exempt from paying Real Estate Taxes in Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William or many other nearby counties? The exemption is reserved for those with limited incomes and who meat certain age or disability requirements. Okay, so that means I have to keep paying my real estate taxes. But, when my mom had a stroke a few years ago, and went on permanent disability, learning about this made a HUGE difference in her monthly available cash. There is a … (0 comments)
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What Makes a Short Sale Specialist? - 03/15/10 07:04 PM
Via J. Philip Faranda (J. Philip LLC) Westchester County NY:
When I closed my first short sale in 1998 I had no idea that 10 years later I'd be doing them with any regularity. At that time, short sales were uncommon; they remained uncommon through 2006. Even in 2007, other agents needed to be educated about what a short sale was, how long it took to close, and what process the negotiation would entail.
Having closed dozens of short sales in the period since 2007 in Westchester and the surrounding counties, I now see a larger number of agents who are … (0 comments)
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YouTube - 03/15/10 06:54 PM
Via Kathy Dove (David Dove Photography):
We are now posting real estate virtual tours that we shoot on YouTube. We were asked by one of our Realtors if we could do this and found that it was relatively easy to convert our virtual tour photos to YouTube videos. They're accessible on YouTube through a number of search options including the house address, city name., and the David Dove Photography Channel. This gives realtors an additional way to reach prospective home buyers. … (0 comments)
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March Madness & Real Estate - You Can't Win If You Don't Play - 03/15/10 06:53 PM
Via Rebecca Chandler (The Real Estate Book):
SWOOSH!
As the NCAA Basketball Tournament or "March Madness" gets started this year, it occurs to me that real estate, like basketball is competitive. Top agents compete for business every day, but the stakes are even higher this time of year, right before the busy spring selling season. The real estate industry has its own version of "March Madness."
Agents compete for listings. They compete for buyers. They compete for market dominance and top of mind awareness among consumers. It's a competitive business. So, how's your game?
Consider these "winning strategies."
Reach for new prospects. According to … (1 comments)
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How to avoid foreclosure Part one - 03/15/10 06:52 PM
Via Sybil Campbell REALTOR® ABR, SRES Williamsburg Va homes for sale (Long and Foster, REALTORS®):
How to avoid foreclosure Part One
Are you a Virginia homeowner who wants to know how to avoid foreclosureand think that you don't have an alternative? There are some alternatives to
Consider this:
If you lose your house to foreclosure, the foreclosure stays on your record for seven years.
You can lose your job as a result of the foreclosure.
Your credit will be adversely affect for 5 - 10 years.
You may be able to avoid foreclosure if you have not received a Notice of Default (NOD).
The government program … (1 comments)
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Moving with Pets - 03/15/10 10:58 AM
Via Sharon Sapp (Century 21 Call First):
Most people think of their pets as family. You take extra care to make moving as stress-free as possible for your kids, right? Then you need to do the same for your pets. Experts agree that pets thrive on routine. Routine and moving don't seem to go together, but there are ways to make the transition a bit easier on you and your pet.
The first step is to visit your current veterinarian. If you are moving out of the area, be sure to request your pet's medical files, this way your new vet … (0 comments)
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How To Create HyperLinks to Anchor Text - 03/15/10 10:57 AM
Via Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain):
How To Create HyperLinks to Anchor Text
Many of our Members and Bloggers have heard, read, or been told that it's not good to include links in your Blog posts to other sites. Nonsense! In this post, I'll share my difference of opinion, then show you how to do it. Creating Hyperlinks to Anchor text can be very powerful and beneficial to your Blog for multiple reasons. Useful and informative links bring more value to your readers and targeted audience, they increase your SEO, and they drive traffic back to your blog from those … (1 comments)
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Set Those Clocks Forward this Weekend - Spring is in the Air - 03/11/10 11:33 AM
Via Sandy Shores, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL, Brevard County Real Estate & Investing (M & M Real Estate Inc. www.SandyShoresMelbourne.com):
The weather is getting warmer because Spring is right around the corner. It's my favorite time of year. The bees are buzzing and the birds are chirping.
This weekend we get to Spring Forward by turning our clocks ahead one hour. We get an extra hour outside to do the things we enjoy. It gives us more time to see properties in the evenings. Or, it gives me an extra hour of daylight to take the dog to the park to get … (3 comments)
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Your License is Expiring - 03/09/10 04:43 PM
Via Liz Loadholt- AgentOwned Realty- Covering SC:
Liz Loadholt Broker, SC Certified Trainer, Relocation Director Co-founder of AgentOwned Realty ] Liz@AgentOwned.com http://mamaliz.onlineaor.com 843-725-5007
The AgentOwned Realty serves your real estate needs for:
Charleston, Johns Island, James Island, Mt. Pleasant, Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island, Daniel Island, North Charleston, Summerville,Goose Creek, Moncks Corner, Santee, Manning, Sumter, Florence, & Myrtle Beach, all in South Carolina
… (1 comments)
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Economy problems - Solutions can come by looking to the Past - 03/08/10 11:13 AM
Via Kevin Simpson (ForeclosureListings.com):
To peer into the future the only guide is to take the help of history and look back and try to learn from the lessons learnt by other great powers in yester years. This is especially more relevant at a time when the great American Titan seems to be tottering under “the too vast orb of its fate” (Matthew Arnold).
This phrase was borrowed by Joseph Chamberlain (British politician) to describe the condition of Britain in 1902. Britain had suffered reverses in its war with South Africa and its world supremacy was being threatened by USA … (0 comments)
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How To Use Your AR "Settings" Page - 03/08/10 10:53 AM
Via Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain):
Here is some information on "How To" use your Active Rain "My Settings" page. I have tried to make this as simple as possible, for you to get the most out of your Active Rain experience. To access your settings page, go to your "MY HOME" link at the top of the page next to the "Logout" option. Make sure you are logged into Active Rain before you try and modify your settings. Next, click on the "My Settings" link on the left hand side of the page just under the "My Ads" link. The … (2 comments)
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Real Estate Rehab Show Draws Fire from Bank of America - 03/08/10 10:52 AM
Via Laraine Shape (Florida Real Estate Broker):
Seattle, Washington - A real estate rehab show about brokers affected with “Short Sale Syndrome,” came under fire this week from Bank of America for what it calls “mudslinging and black journalism at its worst.”
The bank has issued a written warning threatening legal action against RealHab if producers don’t stop using the show as a “platform to improperly portray its loss mitigation personnel as “Twinkie-eating hemorrhoids,” "dipsticks" and "dork wads."
RealHab's treatment counselor is Dr. Bob Stewart, in-house psychologist for the multi-billion dollar ActiveRain TV network and host of the syndicated radio show, RealStar.
… (0 comments)
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This Month in Real Estate March 2010 Newsletter for U.S. Real Estate Market - 03/08/10 10:47 AM
Via Keller Williams Realty:
Keller Williams Realty’s Real Estate Market Update This Month in Real Estate March 2010 Newsletter for U.S. Real Estate Market
03 This Month In Real Estate March Us 2010View more presentations from Keller Williams Careers.
Commentary: As the market continues to show shoots of recovery, experts believe that the roots will continue to grow. In his annual letter to the shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett said, “Within a year or so, residential housing problems should largely be behind us.” After a steep run-up in prices during the first half of the decade, home values … (0 comments)
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10 Easy Ways to Save Energy in Your Home #5 - 03/08/10 10:46 AM
Via Eragorn Northe (Der Hous Inspector):
5. Install efficient shower heads and toilets.
The following systems can be installed to conserve water usage in homes:
low-flow shower heads. They are available in different flow rates, and some have a pause button which shuts off the water while the bather lathers up; low-flow toilets. Toilets consume 30% to 40% of the total water used in homes, making them the biggest water users. Replacing an older 3.5-gallon toilet with a modern, low-flow 1.6-gallon toilet can reduce usage an average of two gallons-per-flush (GPF), saving 12,000 gallons of water per year. Low-flow toilets usually have "1.6 GPF" marked … (1 comments)
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Mortgage market and interest rate commentary for Monday March 8, 2010 - 03/08/10 10:44 AM
Via Pulaski Bank Home Lending:
Below is my daily video update on the mortgage market and interest rates. My name is Bruce Brown, CMPS (Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist) with Pulaski Bank Home Lending in Kansas City. I am the radio host of Dollars and Homes on KCMO Talk Radio 710.
I also have a written blog (courtesy of Bring the Blog) that addresses timely topical issues related to mortgage financing and interest rates that can be read here.
Click the video link to view my daily video market update. If you have any questions or topics you'd like me to address … (0 comments)
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Monday Spoils A Fine Weekend...!!! - 03/08/10 10:41 AM
Via Fran 'The Title Man' Gaspari Title Insurance-PA & NJ (Patriot Land Transfer, Inc.):
After a great Saturday spent with my 3 youngest boys roaming and exploring the hills of Pennsylvania, I come into work Monday morning welcomed by a virus scare on our computer network...!!!Last week, there was a virus spreading like wildfire, that had something to do with Facebook...Needless to say, I stayed away from everything 'FACEBOOK' as if it were 'THE PLAGUE'... We thought we had the virus contained and confined to one computer...until Monday morning, that is...I must warn all those reading this...I never send Email through 'FACEBOOK'...if … (0 comments)
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Playing alot of Tug-o-War these days? - 03/08/10 10:38 AM
Via BethAnn Long, Realtor, e-PRO Spokane Wa Real Estate (Coldwell Banker Tomlinson):
The tax credit crunch is on.
Buyers are writing offers.
Sellers are trying to hold what little ground they have.
Tug o War is on the rise and Realtors better have their best negotiating game face on.
The thing I am personally noticing is that even if the gap is not far, both parties are holding ground.
That middle place for putting a deal together is often quite narrow. So what can we do?
My best opinion is to stand back and advise that your party see the bigger picture. … (0 comments)
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1st Quarter 2010 Reality Check - 03/08/10 10:36 AM
Via Mark Boyd (Marqeteer):
The first quarter of 2010 is coming rapidly to a close. Hard to believe we're in March already, isn't it?
Take some time to put your year into perspective by asking yourself these 5 basic questions I refer to as "Reality Check":
1. How long have I been in real estate?
2. How many people do I have in my database?
3. How many transactions have you closed in the past 90 days?
4. How many transactions do you reasonably expect in the next 90 days?
5. Are you happy with these numbers?
This is root basic stuff, … (0 comments)
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Increasing your home's appeal - 03/08/10 10:35 AM
Via Tim and Gina Guilliams (Keller Williams):
Remember the 60-second rule: That's all the time you have to create a winning first impression. Here are some simple to significant ways to maximize your home's appeal. Exterior* Keep the grass cut and remove all yard clutter.* Weed and apply fresh mulch to flower beds.* Apply fresh paint to wooden fences.* Tighten and clean all door handles.* Clean windows inside and out.* Powerwash home's exterior.* Ensure all gutters and downspouts are firmly attached and functioning.* Paint the front door.* Buy a new welcome mat.* Place potted flowers near the front door.Interior* Evaluate the furniture … (1 comments)
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Mistakes a seller makes when selling a home - 03/06/10 06:03 PM
Via FREE Delaware Homes Search!, $$ Save $$ Find Homes! Delaware Realtor Tom Davis (Harrington ERA,DE Homes For Sale, $$ Save $$ Buy Today !):
As a seller in today's a real estate market you need to do everything you can to sell your home faster and at the highest amount of money. To make sure that you have a happy experience be sure to avoid the top 10 mistakes a home seller makes.
When selling your home you could easily fall into one of these 10 traps so be sure to avoid these mistakes when selling your home.
Mistake … (1 comments)
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A Way Around Appraisal & HVCC Issues - 03/06/10 06:02 PM
Via Drew Sygit (The Lending Edge) Real Estate Financing Expert (The Lending Edge):
HVCC appraisal issues are ruining a lot of purchase and refinance transactions. All mortgage lenders are not subject to the quirks of Appraisal Management Companies though.
MORTGAGE, EXPERT, MICHIGAN, BIRMINGHAM, BLOOMFIELD, DETROIT, ROCHESTER, ROYAL OAK, TROY
We just had a purchase deal transferred to us from another lender after the appraisal they ordered through an AMC came in well under the purchase price. What's more, the loan originator's efforts to dispute the low value were ignored. They even tried to get a second appraisal, but weren't allowed.
We took over the … (1 comments)
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NAR Short Sale Certified - 03/06/10 06:02 PM
Via Marty Gale (Re/Max Metro ):
Martin Gale Earns NAR Short Sales and Foreclosure Certification
Buyers and Sellers Benefit from REALTOR® Expertise in Distressed Sales
City, State, Date — Martin Gale with Re/Max Metro] has earned the nationally recognized Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource certification. The National Association of REALTORS® offers the SFR certification to REALTORS® who want to help both buyers and sellers navigate these complicated transactions, as demand for professional expertise with distressed sales grows.
According to a recent NAR survey, nearly one-third of all existing homes sold recently were either short sales or foreclosures. For … (0 comments)
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Brace Yourself Gas Prices are On the Rise Again - 03/02/10 03:46 PM
Via Ann Dail, Broker/Realtor,ePRO, SRS, B.A.Chem (Baton Rouge Area Homes, Louisiana, 225-761-0551):
One of the unavoiadable costs in our real estate business is gasoline. While we can screen things on the phone and use the internet, it comes down to gas to drive to a listing and put the sign in the yard, etc. Or with a buyer to get in the car and view homes.
This morning I read the article Brace Yourself, $3 Gas Is Coming Back and reflected on the days when it was over $4 here in Baton Rouge.
In these days of slow economy all of us have … (2 comments)
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Nearly 1 out of 4 of all mortgages are underwater - 03/02/10 03:45 PM
Via Brian Turner (Keller Williams Preferred Properties):
Nearly 25% of all mortgages are underwaterBy Les Christie More bad news on the housing bust front: Nearly 25% of all mortgage borrowers were underwater, meaning they owe more on their loans than their homes are worth.First American CoreLogic, the research firm that monitors housing equity, reported Tuesday that 11.3 million homeowners -- or 24% of all homes with mortgages -- were underwater as of the end of 2009. That's up from 23% and 10.7 million borrowers three month earlier.Nevada was the state with the worst record at 70% of all mortgaged properties underwater. That … (1 comments)
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And Out Come the Wolves - 03/02/10 03:39 PM
Via Paul Slaybaugh, Scottsdale AZ Real Estate (Realty Executives):
What is it about the rain that brings the mischievous out to play? Real Estate sales is the type of racket that leads one to bump bellies with all manner of folk. Over my years in the industry to date, you might say I’ve been sheltered. For all of the horror stories that float about a brokerage regarding the customer from hell, or the underhanded agent that shafts a fellow colleague out of a deserved paycheck, the instances in which I have encountered such REALTOR kryptonite have been few and far enough between … (0 comments)
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2009 Taxes- Avoid the Audit - 03/01/10 02:09 PM
Via VanDyk Mortgage Corp:
Have you filed your 2009 taxes yet? Are you worried about your audit risk?
I was reading an article from Market Watch: Audit Avoidance: Want to avoid an audit? Consider how IRS works,
and keep your receipts.
Here are some key points:
Those with incomes over $200,000 are at a higher risk of an audit. Understand the different scoring models to keep your self in check. Know the red flags and understand that they are not all bad IRS is willing to help struggling tax payers
Below are also some nice quick videos … (0 comments)
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an another in the hall of shame series - 03/01/10 02:09 PM
Via Alan May, Coldwell Banker Evanston Realtor, North Shore Realtor (Evanston Real Estate, Evanston, IL):
Here's another photo that is currently on our local MLS...
I can't complain about the quality of the photo... it's a excellent quality photo... in fact you can read the label on the underwear in the front basket, and view the pattern on the sheets, nicely folded on the coffee table.
I don't think this is a good picture of the room to start with, but don't you think they could have moved the baskets of laundry... taken the sheet and towels off the coffee table … (1 comments)
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Has the extended home buyers tax credit really helped? - 03/01/10 02:03 PM
Via Richard Goates ECO Broker Redding Ca Real Estate (LUX Real Estate Group at Keller Williams):
You would think offering returning home buyers a tax credit of $6500 would get some buyers off the fence...but it really hasn't....with the unemployment rates rising and the uncertainty that is in the market place many people have just signed when they are told about the credit.
What is your experience on the Tax Credit? Have you had buyers that only purchased the home because of the Tax Credit?
My experience has been that the people that were going to purchase are happy they are getting … (0 comments)
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This Is A Sick Scam - 03/01/10 02:03 PM
Via Steve Hoffacker - Real Estate Sales & Marketing Consulting and Strategies (Hoffacker Associates LLC):
I have reported on several phishing scams, but this one seems to be the worst for just plain poor taste. I can't believe what I'm reading. Not only that, I got two of them today - supposedly from different people, but both domain names are the same. Both have the typical misspellings and poor grammar, and the second one is using a Hong Kong email address.
Watch out for these, not that you'll be tempted to respond. You just might be saddened, like I am, that people … (3 comments)
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We Will See - 03/01/10 01:57 PM
Housing markets in a dozen states are forecast to appreciate in the annual Housing Predictor Best 25 Market Forecasts in 2010, demonstrating an improving trend is developing in many markets scattered throughout the U.S.
Markets in Ohio are strongly forecast to rebound even in the midst of the worst economy since the Great Depression. Home prices have dropped to levels in many areas of Ohio that forced buyers off the fence and into new homes. The trend should gain momentum with the government's expansion of the federal tax credit.
Cities in Nebraska, Texas, West Virginia, South Dakota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, … (0 comments)
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David Lewis
San Francisco,
CA
More about me…
American Lighthouse Estates Inc.
Address: 225 Bush Street, 16th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94104
Office Phone: (888) 300-1426 x 707
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