Bring Everyone to the Yard: How to Throw the Best Yard Sale

Sometimes love can fade. It’s no one’s fault; it just sort of happens. The once super cute ottoman, the goes with everything lamp, the needs to be in my living room right now or I’ll regret it forever coffee table, they can all lose their charm as time passes. Don’t blame yourself or your furniture, sometimes we just grow apart. If you feel the magic slipping with some of your household items, you know what you have to do. That’s right, it’s time for a yard sale.

We know yard sales can be a lot of work. There are many complicated steps involved, and it’s easy to lose your head. So we’ve come up with some great tips and ideas to help with everything from planning to promoting. Read on to learn how to throw one seriously successful yard sale.

Purging – There are probably a few items you already know you want to get rid of, but one or two pieces of furniture does not a yard sale make. It’s time to take a hard look at your possessions and see what you really need, and what you’ve been holding onto for far too long.

Pricing - Enlist the help of an unbiased third party, a friend you can trust to be honest or a sibling, to help you come up with fair and realistic prices for your good. You may have bought that armoire for $150, but your starting price should be at least half or lower. You are not going to be making a profit on these, so forget about their original value and assess them with fresh eyes.

Appearance – When it comes to getting an interested buyer, looks matter. The pieces you’re selling may not be in mint condition, but that’s no reason for them to be dirty. Give everything you’re parting with a good scrub before setting up your yard sale. Wear and tear are expected, but dust and grime can be avoided. You’ll get a better price for your pieces and won’t scare off buyers. 

Promotion – One of the most important parts of throwing a successful yard sale is getting the word out. No one will come if they don’t know about it. Start posting flyers two weeks ahead of time, and check on them to make sure you have lost any to wind or vandals. Create a Facebook group and tell neighbors about the event. Make sure to share lots of information, not just your address. List the types of items you’ll be selling and the approximate cost of each. That way the majority of visitors you have on the big day will be there with a purchase in mind.

Ambiance – Be thoughtful when it comes to displaying your goods. Having a nice layout can mean the difference between someone pulling over to check out the sale, and driving along. Place your best pieces in prominent spots, and space everything out as best you can. Consider playing some catchy music and offering light refreshments. This can encourage guests to stay, browse, and chat with you about what you have for sale.

Pro Tip: Selling several small items? Place them in tote boxes and label each box with its contents and the price of each item. It’ll keep things organized and help shoppers figure out what you’ve got.

Be Prepared – As the Boy Scouts always say: be prepared. Have lots of change on hand, (get more than you think you’ll need at the bank), and be ready to answer questions about your goods. How long have you had it? Where did you buy it originally? Do you know what it’s made out of? Folks might also try and haggle with you. It’s a good idea to be ready to negotiate. What is the absolute lowest price you’ll take for an item? Don’t get caught off guard and give away something valuable for nothing.

High Tech Help – The future of yard sales is here! Although they aren’t totally necessary, consider using these two tools, Square and Varage Sale, to get the most out of your event. Square is a credit card reading device that hooks up to your phone or tablet, so you can accept more than just cash. It’s perfect for the buyer who’d love to buy several of your goods but only has plastic on them. Varage Sale (virtual garage sale) lets you advertise your unwanted goods to local buyers. Don’t have enough space or things to warrant a yard sale? Use Varage Sale to sell one or two things online.

We hope these ideas help you throw an awesome yard sale. Have a tip we missed? Share it with @HomeShows on Twitter!

Not sure what to do with all your yard sale earnings? Grab tickets to the Marketplace Events Home Show nearest you and find new home decor to replace what you’ve lost. Right now you can get 2-for-1 on our Facebook ticket deals. Connect with us on Facebook to learn more. 

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Home Maintenance Advice: 5 Chores To Do This Spring

We’ve talked about cleaning, we’ve talked about organizing, and now it’s time for the final installment in our spring cleaning blog series: home maintenance. For many households, early spring is a time devoted to getting your home in shape. While you’re giving overlooked areas a good scrubbing and organizing as part of your spring cleaning chores, take some time to complete a little basic home maintenance. It’s the perfect opportunity to address anything that may have happened to your home during the colder months, and prepare it for the warmer ones. We’ve compiled a list of home maintenance tasks you should consider as part of your spring cleaning. Check it out below.

Gutters – Although the saying is “April showers bring May flowers”, we tend to see a lot of rain throughout the spring and summer. To help combat the adverse affects extensive showers and moisture can have on your home, it’s important to make sure that your gutters (or eavestroughs) are clear of debris. Over the course of the year, leaves, dirt, and litter can collect in your gutters. If you don’t clean them out, the water from rain and melting snow can get trapped, and instead of being directed away from your roof, will instead spill onto it, damaging your shingles and potentially seeping into your attic.

Image via This Old House

Roof – Your roof can take a beating during the winter (this harsh season is usually toughest on roofs). The freeze/thaw cycle we experience towards the end of winter can be especially damaging. Once it’s warm enough and the snow has melted, inspect your roof (either safely on a ladder or on the ground using binoculars). Look to see whether you have any broken or worn shingles.

Image via This Old House

Should you have any damaged shingles, get in touch with a roofing specialist (if you don't know one, check out a referral based website, like Angie’s List or HomeStars, where you can find local, recommended, experts) and have them repaired immediately. These can serve as an entry point for water, so you want them fixed as soon as possible.

Furnace/AC – Throughout the year your furnace and air conditioner will see a lot of use. Although these are complex systems, even the most basic maintenance can help keep them working efficiently and improve their lifespan. Once a month you should check your furnace and air conditioner filter to see if it needs to be cleaned or replaced. If the filter full of dust and debris that means your furnace or air conditioner has to work harder to cycle the air it’s either heating or cooling. A clean filter makes this process more efficient.

Image via Mother Earth News

Some filters are reusable; some are not. If your filter is not reusable and you need to get a replacement filter, measure your filter BEFORE buying a new one (trust us!).

Grading – As you start working on your flower beds, check to see which way the ground close to your home is sloping. If it slopes towards your home, you’ve got an issue. When it rains, water will follow the slope or grade of your lot. If the ground around your home slopes toward your home, the water will move toward your home and pool. This can lead to moisture seeping into your foundation and basement. To correct the issue, re-slope the ground to direct water away from your home. Some shovels and a bit of hard work should do the trick.

Image via Angie's List

Caulking – Although this is a chore you should have tackled before the winter (it really helps with drafts and pests), if you have yet to do it, do it now. Sealing cracks in your foundation and around windows and doors will help to keep moisture and bugs out of your home. It will also help to keep cool, conditioned air in and hot air out.  

Image via The Simple Dollar

This is something most homeowners can tackle on their own, but if this is outside your comfort zone, reach out to a professional.

We hope our spring cleaning series has helped you get more organized and prepared as we inch closer to summer. Missed our pieces on cleaning and organizing? Check ‘em out here and here. 

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5 Ways To Get Your Home More Organized

Spring cleaning isn't just the time when you scrub the areas of your home that aren't always on your "To Do" list, it's also a great opportunity to organize spaces that tend to get easily cluttered. We've vowed to help you with your spring cleaning, so we compiled a list of rooms and appliances that can typically use an assessment, purge, and restructuring. Check it out below, as well as some expert techniques you can modify and implement in your home, and get ready to get organized.

Remember, spring cleaning has chores that fall into three categories: cleaning, organizing, and maintenance. To help you, we're writing blogs to tackle tasks that fall into all three of these categories. Enjoy our tips on organizing below, read up on cleaning here, and check back for more advice on home maintenance.

Organizing

Refrigerator - We're sure cleaning the fridge is on your spring cleaning list, (you probably even do it more than once or twice a year), but is organizing it on the list too? When your fridge space makes sense, you're less likely to waste food and it's easier to keep your fridge clean year-round. Squawkfox has a great system you can modify to fit your refrigerator and eating habits.

Image via Squawkfox

Kitchen Cabinets - While you're working in your kitchen, it might be a good time to evaluate the state of your cabinets. How organized are they? It's easy for us to hold onto kitchen items for longer than we should (I'm sure you've got some Tupperware that doesn't have all its parts, chipped mugs and glasses, and old water bottles that you wouldn't use but don't want to throw away). Since you're in spring cleaning mode, take the plunge and start purging your useless kitchen items. Bargain Briana has got great tips to help you whip your cabinets into shape.

Image via Bargain Briana

Bathrooms - It's so easy for your bathroom to become cluttered. It seems like there's a specific product or two for every part of your body, and if you're sharing a bathroom with one or more people, that's a lot of stuff you have to make room for. If you have a gigantic storage-filled bathroom we're jealous, but if you're like most of us and have a small space you have to make compromises in, Good Housekeeping has some great ideas for you.

Image via Good Housekeeping

Garage - For many households the bulk of spring cleaning revolves around the garage. It is an area of the home that sees a lot of change as the weather gets warmer. Bring out your gardening gear and sports equipment, put away your shovels (finally!) and holiday lights. Getting your garage organized is a large chore, but luckily Listoic has it broken down into 28 manageable tasks.

Image via Listoic

Closet - Another part of your home that'll see some major change as the weather improves is your closet. As you say goodbye to sweaters and hello to sundresses, use the opportunity to take a minute to organize and purge this space. Buzzfeed has some useful techniques to help you assess your garments so you can determine what stays, what should be donated, and what belongs in the trash.

Image via Buzzfeed

We hope these tips help to clear your space and mind. For more spring cleaning advice make sure to check out our article on keeping your home spotless, and watch out for more advice on home maintenance soon.

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9 Life Hacks To Keep You Sane During Spring Cleaning

This month we’ve been on a quest to provide simple tips, tricks, and ideas to help you spring clean smarter. Although we have already outlined some best practices and often-missed spots for cleaning, there’s a lot more info coming your way. In the next few weeks we’ll be discussing methods for organizing and maintaining your home more effectively. But for now, while you’re in the thick of your most tedious spring cleaning chores, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to share with you some household cleaning hacks.

Showerhead Hack – Not sure how to clean your showerhead without unscrewing it or doing some seriously awkward scrubbing and reaching? Don’t worry. The folks at Wonderful Engineering have hacked this chore; all you need is vinegar, a plastic bag, and a little patience.

Image via Wonderful Engineering

Shower Spray Hack – Ok, so we’ve yet to find a five minute deep clean hack for showers (that’s wizardry), but we did find a cheap and effective way to keep your shower clean. Once your shower has had a good scrub, use this homemade shower spray after every shower you take. It’s simple and inexpensive to make (there are only three ingredients) and it’ll help your scrubbing go a long way.

Image via Pop Sugar

Pillow Hack – Think you can’t clean your pillows? Think again. It’s as easy as turning on the washing machine. One Good Thing hacked this important chore so you can get your comfy cushions back in great condition.

Image via One Good Thing

Vacuum Hack – Don’t have one of those fancy vacuum attachments? Don’t worry. A toilet paper roll will work just as well. Save yourself some cash and clean all the hard to reach spots in your home.

Image via ViralNova

Cord Organizing Hack – Toilet paper rolls also work well for keeping cords untangled and organized!  

Image via Wonderful Engineering

Hard To Reach Hack – Have you ever tried getting the dust and crumbs trapped in between your keyboard keys or car vents? Those spots used to be pretty well impossible to get clean...until now! This cleaning slime, (yes, we know it sounds like an oxymoron), is your new best friend! Simply Living Smart will show you how to make it and the best spots to use it.

Image via Simply Living Smart

Furniture Hack – Over the years your furniture can see some wear and tear. If you’ve got dings on your wooden pieces, buff them out using walnuts! (Seriously!)

Image via Wonderful Engineering

Fix It Hack – While we’re on the subject of fixing things, did you know there’s a website that will give you a step-by-step tutorial on how to fix something you’ve broken? So if you get a little over zealous during your spring cleaning and break something, the Fix It Club has got you covered!

Image via SlipTalk

Hammer Hack – Should any of your fixes or chores involve a hammer and nails, we’ve got the ultimate hack to share with you.  Instead of holding the your soon-to-be-hammered nails in your mouth as you line everything up (gross and a little dangerous), simply glue a magnet to the bottom of your hammer and keep your nails there! What a genius idea!

Image via Dream A Little Bigger

We hope these simple hacks help you through your spring cleaning chores. Are there helpful hacks that you think we should know about? Tweet @HomeShows your favorite home improvement and cleaning hacks – we want to hear from you!

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Spring Cleaning: Tips & Ideas For A Spotless Home

Many of us have been ready for spring for a while - an especially long winter will do that to most, and this has been a long one (it doesn't even seem over in some places yet!). Although this change in seasons is one that's highly anticipated, it does bring with it something that not everyone loves: chores. That's right, we're talking about the dreaded act of spring cleaning, when the usual surface tidying will not do, and homeowners must instead start sweeping behind the very couches under which they normally hide dust.

It's easy to get overwhelmed by the magnitude of your spring cleaning "To Do" list, so we decided to help you get started and came up with a list of our own. We've found clever and efficient ways to complete your essential spring cleaning tasks. The way we see it, most spring cleaning chores fall into one of three categories: maintenance, organizing, and cleaning. To keep things simple we'll be posting separate blogs for each category. Today's is Cleaning, but make sure to watch out for Organizing and Maintenance.

Cleaning

Window Sills - Most of us are too busy looking through our windows to notice the dirt that can collect on the sill and inner part of the frame. These areas are a grime magnet, and since they're so awkward to clean, it can be hard to get them to shine - or at least it used to be. First Home Love Life has a great technique and solution for cleaning this space. All you need is vinegar, baking soda, water, and just a little elbow grease.

Images via First Home Love Life

Stove - Ok, it's harder not to notice the dirt and debris that collects on your stove and in your elements. The main issue holding most back from cleaning this part of the kitchen is knowledge. How do you get your stove spotless without breaking something (including a heavy sweat!)? Like most things in life, Martha Stewart has the answer.

Image via Martha Stewart

Oven- Martha also has great advice for cleaning your oven that doesn't involve scary, chemical-ridden oven cleaner. Make a paste out of baking soda and water and wait. Scrape it off after enough time has passed and you won't believe the results!

Image via Martha Stewart

Microwave - Not a big baker? Your microwave could probably use a good scrub. Simply Stacie has an awesome technique to remove the stuck on mess that can collect in this appliance without spending hours scrubbing.

Image via Simply Stacie

Washing Machine - Think you don't have to clean your washing machine? Think again! Yes, it does have soap and water running through it regularly to get your clothes clean. However, your garments will leave remnants of their now-removed stains as well as lint and other debris behind. Most manufacturers will recommend a semi-annual cleaning, so it's a great chore to incorporate into your spring cleaning list. Love, Pomegranate House has a fabulous method for getting a top loading washing machine clean. Try it today.

Image via Love, Pomegranate House

Mattress - Mattresses often get overlooked when it comes to spring cleaning, but trust us, this is something you want to clean! We won't got into dust mite facts (they're gross!) but seriously, clean your mattress. Better Homes and Gardens outlines a few different techniques you can try, and they're all very simple to execute.

Image via Better Homes and Gardens

We hope this list helps you get a jump start on your spring cleaning. Remember to check back for more tips on organization and home maintenance.

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Johnson County Home + Garden Show Exhibitor Spotlight: StinkBOSS™

Get ready to "defeet the stink" at the Johnson County Home + Garden Show! Visit the StinkBOSS™ booth to get the tools you need to curb unwanted foot odor in your home.

Before you see this exhibitor, learn what they'll be bringing to the show...

Name: Lamar Williams

Booth Number: 38

Describe your products:
"StinkBOSS™, the innovative shoe deodorizer uses nature's most powerful disinfectant ozone to kill bacteria and unhealthy problems like athlete's foot. This stink and odor destroying technology is designed to aid in drying, sanitizing, and deodorizing sweaty, nasty athletic gear and shoes. StinkBOSS™ is very easy to use - place your stinky shoes or athletic gear inside the enclosed container to soak in ozone air to permeate deep inside the pores, plus the surrounding area."

Will you have any show specials?
"Show special pricing $99.99"

Sounds like you can't afford to miss StinkBOSS™ at the show! With hundreds of home, garden, and lifestyle exhibitors ready to help you with your latest projects, the Johnson County Home + Garden Show is the place to be! Join us at the Overland Park Convention Center February 20 - 22, 2015. Don't have tickets yet? Get 2-for-1 on Facebook and bring a friend or family member to the show - we can't wait to see you there!

FEBRUARY 20 - 22, 2015.
OVERLAND PARK CONVENTION CENTER

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Favorite Finds At Cleveland's Great Big Home + Garden Show

For a third year, Rosanna Hrabnicky, Show Manager of The Great Big Home + Garden Show, presented by Carrier®, has picked her favorite finds from this year's show. From a floating vacuum to make housework easier to a pinball machine perfect for any entertainment room, keep reading to learn about some of the latest trends in home and garden products. And don't forget to stop in and check these out for yourself when you visit The Great Big Home + Garden Show at the I-X Center from February 6 - 15, 2015.

Rosanna's Favorite Finds

Favorite Find: Decorative Concrete
Company: Dan Guardo Contracting
Website: danguardo.com
Booth: #268
Product Description: Decorative concrete improves the curb appeal of your home, lowers your maintenance with rock hard surfaces, and transforms your space into the peaceful retreat that only a patio can provide.

Favorite Find: aiRider
Company: ComfortWorX Inc.
Website: comfortworx.com
Booth: #1224
Product Description: A cumbersome, tedious, and usually boring job becomes effortless and actually fun as your aiRider, the world's most powerful floating vacuum, floats with you from room to room.

Favorite Find: "Sunny Side Up" Farm Table
Company: Moore Finishes
Learn more on Facebook
Product Description: The "Sunny Side Up" Farm Table is upcycled from an early 90s piece in white and blonde wood. Inspiration for this breakfast table is found on porches and patios all across the countryside in the form of the old kitchen table turned work table. Used to store tools, pot plants, or just keep junk up off the patio, these tables bring a work inspired patina indoors.

Favorite Find: Special Effects Laser Lights
Company: WildFire Lights
Website: wildfirelights.com
Booth: #939
Product Description: Bring your home or next event to life with this special effects lighting laser light. Set the mood for a rave or create the perfect ambiance with its numerous application and setting possibilities. Multiple pattern models and light colors are available.

Favorite Find: Oriflamme Fire Table
Company: Designing Fire Inc.
Website: designingfire.com
Booth: #149
Product Description: Created by an artisan who sought to capture and share the "essence" of fire, the unique and innovative Oriflamme Fire Table offers the original designed fire. The Oriflamme Fire Table will be a centerpiece for conversation or contemplation, and enhance your outdoor environment and experience.

Favorite Find: Lighted Umbrella
Company: Summer Accents
Website: summeraccents.com
Booth: #349
Product Description: This lighted umbrella features 40-feet of LED light-emitting diodes built into the umbrella's ribs, allowing for your backyard gathering to last well into the night. During the day, the square cover provides more shade than round or octagon shapes.

Favorite Find: Pinball Machine
Company: Pinball Shoppe
Website: pinballshoppe.com
Booth: #1202
Product Description: Looking to take your game room to the next level? This expertly refurbished pinball machine will add both nostalgia and great entertainment for you and your guests.

Favorite Find: Lil' Tex Elite Grill
Company: Traeger Pellet Grills LCC
Website: traegergrills.com
Booth: #524
Product Description: The Lil' Tex Elite Grill is built to give you the ultimate all-in-one outdoor cooking experience. It features 418 square inches of cooking surface, along with high-tech auger-fed burner electronic autostart, EX-drain grease system, and multi-position digital thermostat control.

Favorite Find: Bird Feeders
Company: Twin Oak Barns
Booth: #132
Product Description: Hang these beautifully handcrafted bird feeders around your home and enjoy the soothing sights and sounds of nature. Being made from poly, these bird feeders are completely maintenance free.

Favorite Find: Sloggers Garden and Rain Boots
Company: The Leather Outlet
Website: sloggers.com
Booth: #156
Product Description: Just the right height for garden work or rainy days around town, these mid-calf boots are lower and wider than most rain boots. They also feature "All-Day-Comfort" insoles and provide great traction for wet and muddy conditions.

Check out Rosanna's Favorite Finds and more at The Great Big Home + Garden Show. The home and garden event of the season takes over the I-X Center February 6 - 15, 2015. Don't have tickets yet? Get 2-for-1 via Facebook and treat a friend or family member to the show - we can't wait to see you there!

FEBRUARY 6 - 15, 2015.
I-X CENTER

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Cleaning Your Gutters: Don’t Eave It To The Last Minute

What’s on your “To Do” list right now? If cleaning out your gutters or eaves isn’t on there, grab a pen! We know it’s a busy time of year and that this is not a glamorous task, but trust us you do not want to leave this chore to the last minute. It’s much easier to take care of now, before the temperature dips dramatically and the wind begins to whip. It’s not safe or fun to be on a ladder in the snow.

Image via This Old House

As much as we might try to deny it, winter is coming. It’s a harsh season on your home, and your roof feels the brunt of its effects. Heaps of snow, ice, and sleet have the potential to cause serious damage. Cleaning your gutters before winter is in full force can help to protect your roof and your property.

Over the course of the year dirt and debris will accumulate in your gutters. Without a regular cleaning this buildup can impact how well your gutters work. It acts as a barrier, limiting the amount of water that can pass through. Gutters exist to collect the water that falls from the sky and drips off your roof. It moves through the gutter, down the downspout, and away from your home. If any part of that process is disrupted it greatly increases the chance of water seeping into your home. When water can’t move through your gutter it will remain there until it overflows onto your roof. Should that happen, there is a much higher possibility of it deteriorating your shingles, permeating your roof, and leaking into your home. 

Image via Right @ Home

When your shingles experience this type of wear and tear often, (clogged gutters continually overflowing water onto and under them), you could have more significant and costly issues on your hands. It’s best to avoid these headaches altogether by cleaning your gutters regularly – at least once every spring and fall.

If you simply don’t have the time to take care of this chore, consider hiring someone. Referral websites like Angie’s List and HomeStars will help you find someone reliable in your area. And, while you’re making sure your gutters are in good working order, take a look at your downspouts as well. They should extend at least six feet from your home to properly direct water away from your foundation. Completing these easy chores now will help protect your home for many months to come.

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Toronto Exhibitor Spotlight: Messy Maid

EXHIBITOR SPOTLIGHT

We're excited to have Messy Maid at our Toronto Fall Home Show (Oct. 3-6)!

• Tell us a little bit about Messy Maid:
• Messy Maid provides full service home cleaning, including, such extras as de-cluttering, windows, washing, bed-making, etc.
• How did Messy Maid get started?
• Our President & CEO had many years of Maid Service Management combined with prior experience with home design & decorating.  Barry Driedger, founded and grew a similar format service based Franchise organization.  Recruiting and overseeing over 300 Franchisees worldwide.  Together they provide the perfect team to develop the next major force in the home cleaning industry.
• What is your company's mantra?
• "Messy Maid Makes Your Day" & "Not Messy Anymore"
• What's the best advice you've ever been given?
• "Persistence"; never quit or ever give up if you believe in what you are doing!
• What are your home or garden pet peeves?
• Cleaning bathrooms, especially in a houseful of men.
•  Pet hair.  It sticks like glue to everything.
•  Sticky grease on kitchen backsplash and stove.
• Dust!!  Just as you do it, it seems like it magically appears again.
• Hard water and calcium deposits.  So difficult to get rid of.
• Cleaning the stove and fridge. You have to climb right inside them.
• What are your top 3 home and garden tips for this season?
• Dried food in microwave?  Put some water with lemon juice in a cup, microwave on high for a few minutes.  Steam loosens the food so you can just wipe it away. 
• Coffee stains in your kitchen sink?  Pour a little javex and it magically disappears.  
• Pet hair on your upholstery?  Wipe with a rubber glove.
• What is your favourite part about the Fall Home Show?
•  Meeting so many wonderful people and hearing about their cleaning dilemmas. So many decorating ideas. 
• What is the weirdest client request you have ever received?
•  A Saturday morning, after a Friday night party, client asking if we come as soon as possible to clean up the remains of a flour and olive oil fight.

Don't miss Messy Maid at our Toronto's Fall Home Show (Oct. 3-6)!  

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