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kris01
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 1731 total posts
Name:
Kris
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House with Small Bedrooms - Update!
**** Update****
so we saw the house again, love it and put an offer in but now we are in a "bidding war" because now there have been multiple offers. One offer is cash but according to our agent they haven't shown any bank statements or anything so I'm hoping the deal falls thru and they take our offer.
I hate this! LOL
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DH & I saw a house over the weekend that we really liked, the one drawback is the bedrooms are small. We don’t have any kids yet but even the master bedroom is smaller than our current one.
There is possibility to expand the master bedroom and then have 2 bedrooms or expand a room over the garage so they it would still be 3 bedrooms.
I’m going to call the real estate agent again this morning to see if we can see the house again this weekend. Everything else was perfect. it’s in great condition, great area. Basically it’s move it ready if we want. I have a feeling a lot of house in the area are going to be the same with the smaller rooms because of when the houses were built. I’m just so torn over the smaller bedrooms.
Message edited 2/6/2018 2:47:38 PM.
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Posted 1/30/18 9:33 AM  |
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Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource | Long Island Weddings |
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Re: House with Small Bedrooms
To me, I rather have smaller bedrooms then small common rooms. To me bedrooms are for sleeping and getting dressed in. While nice to have they aren't necessary at least for me. Our first house had small bedrooms and we managed just fine. The kids played in the finished basement instead of their rooms.
Message edited 1/30/2018 9:41:12 AM.
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| Posted 1/30/18 9:40 AM |
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kris01
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 1731 total posts
Name:
Kris
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Re: House with Small Bedrooms
Posted by MerryChristmas
To me, I rather have smaller bedrooms then small common rooms. To me bedrooms are for sleeping and getting dressed in. While nice to have they aren't necessary at least for me. Our first house had small bedrooms and we managed just fine. The kids played in the finished basement instead of their rooms.
Thanks!! See I'm with you. I don't need a large bedroom, yes it's nice but not necessary. The house has a living, dining room, huge eat in kitchen and a full finished basement that could be used to hang out/watch tv
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| Posted 1/30/18 10:08 AM |
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loveus
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/13 684 total posts
Name:
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House with Small Bedrooms
I don’t need a large master suite, just the necessities. When looking I did make sure my bedroom furniture would all fit since I love it. My kids don’t need full beds, a twin bed is sufficient.
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| Posted 1/30/18 10:20 AM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: House with Small Bedrooms
Our house has small bedrooms and while I'd love to have more room for DD, and we did have to kind of adjust the kind of furniture set we got for her when she graduated from baby furniture, I don't think it's the end of the world.
Would more room be nice? Yes
But if I loved a house in all other aspects I think I'd overlook the bedroom size.
Message edited 1/30/2018 10:21:37 AM.
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| Posted 1/30/18 10:21 AM |
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NYCGirl80
I love my kiddies!
Member since 5/11 10413 total posts
Name:
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Re: House with Small Bedrooms
I would be ok with smaller 2nd and 3rd bedrooms. For the master, I think it really depends on what the room dimensions are. We had a master on the smaller side in our last house and it was fine because our furniture more than fit. If we upgraded to a king size bed, I think it would've been too tight. We're now in the process of buying a new house and the master is long and narrow. It was initially a deal breaker for me except that it's a 4 bedroom house and we only need 3 bedrooms. The 4th bedroom is tiny and shares a wall with the master so we're planning on taking that wall down and making the master bigger.
In my forever home, I would not be happy with a tiny master. Again, though, room size is relative, so for you, I think it would depend on the actual dimensions and if you're willing to expand over the garage. I would not make it a 2-bedroom house because that's really bad for resale value.
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| Posted 1/30/18 11:42 AM |
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Re: House with Small Bedrooms
Only you know what is too small, but if the bedrooms are functional, I would not dismiss an otherwise good fit of a house because of that.
As others have said, most people prioritize common space over bedroom space (which is why a lot of people open the 4th bedroom in capes and make it a dining room or den... most people would rather have more places to gather). Kids these days don't really "play" in their bedrooms.
Unless you can afford new construction or a newly renovated/expanded home, you are probably looking at houses built in 1950s/1960s, which is most of Long Island. Some areas the houses are more 1920s/1930s houses, and those rooms are really tiny! So you have to consider if what you are seeing in the home at issue is normal for a home of that age and in that area, and are just "small" compared to a new construction or what one typically sees on HGTV. Or if they are truly "smaller" than what you can expect for that area, style of home, age of home, etc.
Think about how you will really use the room -- if it's a kid's room, and you can fit a bed and a dresser, I think it's good to go. A large master is nice, but again, I'm not ballroom dancing in there. So if it fits the furniture, it's fine. And truthfully, I've had clients hem and haw about whether their large dresser or hutch or whatever will fit in a bedroom... you are buying a house and spending hundreds of thousands of dollars. I'd get furniture to fit the house and not vice versa.
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| Posted 1/31/18 10:24 AM |
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kris01
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 1731 total posts
Name:
Kris
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Re: House with Small Bedrooms
Posted by Christine Braun - Signature Premier Properties
Only you know what is too small, but if the bedrooms are functional, I would not dismiss an otherwise good fit of a house because of that.
As others have said, most people prioritize common space over bedroom space (which is why a lot of people open the 4th bedroom in capes and make it a dining room or den... most people would rather have more places to gather). Kids these days don't really "play" in their bedrooms.
Unless you can afford new construction or a newly renovated/expanded home, you are probably looking at houses built in 1950s/1960s, which is most of Long Island. Some areas the houses are more 1920s/1930s houses, and those rooms are really tiny! So you have to consider if what you are seeing in the home at issue is normal for a home of that age and in that area, and are just "small" compared to a new construction or what one typically sees on HGTV. Or if they are truly "smaller" than what you can expect for that area, style of home, age of home, etc.
Think about how you will really use the room -- if it's a kid's room, and you can fit a bed and a dresser, I think it's good to go. A large master is nice, but again, I'm not ballroom dancing in there. So if it fits the furniture, it's fine. And truthfully, I've had clients hem and haw about whether their large dresser or hutch or whatever will fit in a bedroom... you are buying a house and spending hundreds of thousands of dollars. I'd get furniture to fit the house and not vice versa.
Thank you!!!
Yes, I agree with everything you said. I LOVE everything else about the house. The common areas are spacious and have a ton of room. We have an appointment to look at it again this week. I can buy a new dresser or furniture for the bedroom. We don't live in our bedroom. as long as it fits a bed and a dresser I'm good.
Thank you all!
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| Posted 1/31/18 10:36 AM |
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queensgal
Smile
Member since 4/09 3287 total posts
Name:
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Re: House with Small Bedrooms
i would consider closet space as well. Having a nice size closet makes a ton of difference as you need less furnuture for storage.
Small kids rooms don't bother me. Thats pretty much the norm in this area unless you have a big budget. You can get beds with built in storage and other things to help with storage.
I built a big storage room and extra closets in my basement. I move off season stuff down there and its not a big deal.
The renovations you mentioned sound pricey and just based on this, Im not sure you would recoop the investment.
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| Posted 2/1/18 7:09 AM |
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nraboni
Uggh...
Member since 10/09 6905 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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House with Small Bedrooms
Just keep in mind that if you build over the garage you may have to add support under the garage. A lot of houses on LI did not have garages - they were car ports transformed into a garage but were never given the support needed to handle a room on top of it.
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| Posted 2/1/18 8:49 AM |
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lightblue
LIF Adult
Member since 1/17 2249 total posts
Name:
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Re: House with Small Bedrooms
Agree about the closet space- we have a small closet (the previous owners must have turned what was a walk in closet into a master bath) and I didn't really pay attention to it until I actually moved in. We have more dressers to compensate but the room just looks smaller now w/ all of the furniture we have in there.
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| Posted 2/1/18 10:02 AM |
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kris01
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 1731 total posts
Name:
Kris
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Re: House with Small Bedrooms
The house actually has great closets. The master bedroom had 2 closets that were really deep and high. Each one had a double bar. There was also a linen closet and a big closet in one of the bedrooms. I cant remember what the 3rd bedroom had.
And the basement had two closets with shelves
We have an appointment to look at it over the weekend.
The basement is huge too. I could always build more closets to store season clothes.
Thanks!!
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| Posted 2/1/18 10:16 AM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: House with Small Bedrooms
Posted by kris01
The house actually has great closets. The master bedroom had 2 closets that were really deep and high. Each one had a double bar. There was also a linen closet and a big closet in one of the bedrooms. I cant remember what the 3rd bedroom had.
And the basement had two closets with shelves
We have an appointment to look at it over the weekend.
The basement is huge too. I could always build more closets to store season clothes.
Thanks!!
Then you are way ahead of me because I have tiny bedrooms and no basement!
Sounds like a dream home to me. 
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| Posted 2/1/18 11:04 AM |
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MichLiz213
Life is Good!
Member since 7/07 7979 total posts
Name:
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House with Small Bedrooms
We have small bedrooms, but large living spaces. It's only three of us in a four bedroom house with a basement, so there's plenty of space. The small bedroom thing doesn't bother us.
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| Posted 2/3/18 11:08 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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House with Small Bedrooms
My DD's room is a shoebox. But, to maximize the space, she has a loft bed and her desk and small couch thing is under that (used to be toys) and we took the closet doors off her closet and hung curtains to make it seem a bit larger.
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| Posted 2/3/18 11:14 AM |
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kris01
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 1731 total posts
Name:
Kris
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Re: House with Small Bedrooms - Update!
**** Update****
so we saw the house again, love it and put an offer in but now we are in a "bidding war" because now there have been multiple offers. One offer is cash but according to our agent they haven't shown any bank statements or anything so I'm hoping the deal falls thru and they take our offer.
I hate this! LOL
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| Posted 2/6/18 3:05 PM |
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chilltocam
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 9141 total posts
Name:
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House with Small Bedrooms - Update!
Good luck! It's so tough out there right now!
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| Posted 2/7/18 9:13 AM |
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jame0801
LIF Toddler
Member since 5/11 428 total posts
Name:
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Re: House with Small Bedrooms - Update!
Posted by kris01
**** Update****
so we saw the house again, love it and put an offer in but now we are in a "bidding war" because now there have been multiple offers. One offer is cash but according to our agent they haven't shown any bank statements or anything so I'm hoping the deal falls thru and they take our offer.
I hate this! LOL
Hang in there. We just bought a few months ago. Houses were flying off the market so fast. Inventory was low so when we saw our house and knew we loved it we jumped on it immediately (put the offer in the next morning). It stinks that u have to make a decision so fast but unfortunately it seems its a sellers market right now. Best of luck!
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| Posted 2/8/18 9:05 AM |
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Re: House with Small Bedrooms - Update!
Good luck with your offer!
You really have to put your best foot forward, and make your strongest offer right off the bat, when you know that other offers are in the picture. You just might not get a chance to raise your offer. Good, experienced listing agents try to avoid a true "bidding war" where you are going back to the parties multiple times, trying to get them to raise their offer.
When I am in this situation as a listing agent, I will often just let all parties know - we have multiple offers coming in, the sellers will review all offers and make a decision at x date and time, so I recommend making your highest and best offer. If there are two offers that are very similar or the same (and those are the "best"), then my seller may (based on my recommendation) go back to those parties to say that we have 2 offers that are essentially the same so we want to ask for highest/best, and see if one comes up higher. But it's usually best -- from a sellers' standpoint and listing agent standpoint -- to put parameters on the negotiations, otherwise they can quickly spiral out of control. And you don't want to lose a good offer by playing games, or pit people against each other.
Also, keep in mind that the "best" offer isn't necessarily the highest. Terms come into play, too. So make sure that your agent (or you) emphasizes any favorable terms that you bring to the table, not just the price. If you can close quickly (or give them more time as needed), if you have nothing to sell, if you have a stellar credit score, if you've been at your job for a really long time and have stable employment, if you already have an attorney and home inspector lined up, etc. Make sure all of your paperwork is in as well (preapproval letter and the like). Those things can definitely influence how the listing agent, and therefore, their client, views your offer.
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| Posted 2/8/18 9:52 AM |
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kris01
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 1731 total posts
Name:
Kris
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Re: House with Small Bedrooms - Update!
Posted by Christine Braun - Signature Premier Properties
Good luck with your offer!
You really have to put your best foot forward, and make your strongest offer right off the bat, when you know that other offers are in the picture. You just might not get a chance to raise your offer. Good, experienced listing agents try to avoid a true "bidding war" where you are going back to the parties multiple times, trying to get them to raise their offer.
When I am in this situation as a listing agent, I will often just let all parties know - we have multiple offers coming in, the sellers will review all offers and make a decision at x date and time, so I recommend making your highest and best offer. If there are two offers that are very similar or the same (and those are the "best"), then my seller may (based on my recommendation) go back to those parties to say that we have 2 offers that are essentially the same so we want to ask for highest/best, and see if one comes up higher. But it's usually best -- from a sellers' standpoint and listing agent standpoint -- to put parameters on the negotiations, otherwise they can quickly spiral out of control. And you don't want to lose a good offer by playing games, or pit people against each other.
Also, keep in mind that the "best" offer isn't necessarily the highest. Terms come into play, too. So make sure that your agent (or you) emphasizes any favorable terms that you bring to the table, not just the price. If you can close quickly (or give them more time as needed), if you have nothing to sell, if you have a stellar credit score, if you've been at your job for a really long time and have stable employment, if you already have an attorney and home inspector lined up, etc. Make sure all of your paperwork is in as well (preapproval letter and the like). Those things can definitely influence how the listing agent, and therefore, their client, views your offer.
Yes! Thank you! This is what our real estate agent had explained to us. We haven't heard anything so I'm thinking they went with the cash offer that was similar to ours. Even though our offer was a great offer and we don't need to sell anything, have a stable income, great credit, we putting over 50% down in cash etc. I'm thinking it ended being one of those out of control bidding wars. We did put our best offer forward and even went back and did raise it. I just have to keep the mindset that if it's meant to be it will be
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| Posted 2/9/18 11:26 AM |
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Re: House with Small Bedrooms - Update!
Posted by kris01
Posted by Christine Braun - Signature Premier Properties
Good luck with your offer!
You really have to put your best foot forward, and make your strongest offer right off the bat, when you know that other offers are in the picture. You just might not get a chance to raise your offer. Good, experienced listing agents try to avoid a true "bidding war" where you are going back to the parties multiple times, trying to get them to raise their offer.
When I am in this situation as a listing agent, I will often just let all parties know - we have multiple offers coming in, the sellers will review all offers and make a decision at x date and time, so I recommend making your highest and best offer. If there are two offers that are very similar or the same (and those are the "best"), then my seller may (based on my recommendation) go back to those parties to say that we have 2 offers that are essentially the same so we want to ask for highest/best, and see if one comes up higher. But it's usually best -- from a sellers' standpoint and listing agent standpoint -- to put parameters on the negotiations, otherwise they can quickly spiral out of control. And you don't want to lose a good offer by playing games, or pit people against each other.
Also, keep in mind that the "best" offer isn't necessarily the highest. Terms come into play, too. So make sure that your agent (or you) emphasizes any favorable terms that you bring to the table, not just the price. If you can close quickly (or give them more time as needed), if you have nothing to sell, if you have a stellar credit score, if you've been at your job for a really long time and have stable employment, if you already have an attorney and home inspector lined up, etc. Make sure all of your paperwork is in as well (preapproval letter and the like). Those things can definitely influence how the listing agent, and therefore, their client, views your offer.
Yes! Thank you! This is what our real estate agent had explained to us. We haven't heard anything so I'm thinking they went with the cash offer that was similar to ours. Even though our offer was a great offer and we don't need to sell anything, have a stable income, great credit, we putting over 50% down in cash etc. I'm thinking it ended being one of those out of control bidding wars. We did put our best offer forward and even went back and did raise it. I just have to keep the mindset that if it's meant to be it will be
Sounds like you are getting good advise, and that you have the right attitude. You have to educate yourself and be proactive in this market, but at the end of the day, there are only so many factors that you, as a buyer can control. So if this one doesn't work out, it wasn't meant to be, and you just have to let it go and move on.
Also, I know some people hate to engage in a multiple offer situation, but it's VERY important that you do. Even if you don't initially prevail, if the first deal falls through (and they sometimes do), at least you have a good offer on record and the seller/listing agent may contact you. It's happened to me many times that my buyer submits an offer, we are told the seller selected another offer, and then a week or so later, I get a call from the listing agent that the deal fell through and they want to know if my buyer is still interested.
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| Posted 2/9/18 12:09 PM |
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kris01
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 1731 total posts
Name:
Kris
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Re: House with Small Bedrooms - Update!
Thanks! I'm trying to be positive but I am alittle upset that our offer wasn't accepted, but like you said who knows what can happen!!! At least our offer is there and they know we were serious.
and if we don't get the house, it wasn't meant to be and it's not our house.
This was our first time putting in an offer and I can now see how crazy and out of control it can get. Who knows if we bid higher again that it wouldn't end of at some crazy number.
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| Posted 2/9/18 1:04 PM |
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mrsrainbow
LIF Adult
Member since 1/17 1465 total posts
Name:
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Re: House with Small Bedrooms - Update!
Posted by kris01
Thanks! I'm trying to be positive but I am alittle upset that our offer wasn't accepted, but like you said who knows what can happen!!! At least our offer is there and they know we were serious.
and if we don't get the house, it wasn't meant to be and it's not our house.
This was our first time putting in an offer and I can now see how crazy and out of control it can get. Who knows if we bid higher again that it wouldn't end of at some crazy number.
Don't count yourself out yet - our house had a cash offer when we made our offer 8 hours after seeing it. A week later they called us back and it was ours, for $10k less than our initial offer because they were desperate to sell (this was back during the bust). You never know! Keep the faith!
Message edited 2/9/2018 4:40:35 PM.
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| Posted 2/9/18 4:39 PM |
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