The Closing Table with Lawyers Title

Tamera Gaede

Welcome to "The Closing Table with Lawyer's Title," hosted by Tamera Gaede, the top-producing Director of Sales for Collin County at Lawyer's Title. With an impressive career spanning over 13 years in the Dallas/Fort Worth real estate industry, Tamera has established herself as a beacon of knowledge, success, and unmatched customer service. This podcast is your exclusive invitation to join her at the closing table, where the world of real estate comes alive. Dive into the heart of real estate with Tamera as your guide, exploring a wide array of topics designed to educate and inspire real estate agents and industry professionals. Each episode promises a wealth of information, from innovative solutions and resources to building lasting relationships based on trust. Whether you're a seasoned agent or new to the industry, "The Closing Table with Lawyer's Title" is your go-to source for expert insights and advice to help you navigate the complex landscape of real estate. Welcome to the conversation, welcome to the community, welcome to "The Closing Table with Lawyer's Title."

  1. 14h ago

    After the Uniform: The Veterans We Can't Forget

    How do we better support the service members who sacrifice so much for our freedom once they return to civilian life? In Episode 148 of The Closing Table with Lawyers Title, host Tamera Gaede sits down with board member Heather Ball from the Denton County Veterans Coalition (DCVC) in honor of Veterans Day and the Marine Corps birthday. Together, they discuss the upcoming annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down event, uncovering the hidden realities of veteran housing insecurity, the hurdles of transitioning out of active duty, and the extensive local resources available to service members and their families. In this episode, you’ll discover: ✅  Event Details: Everything you need to know about the Homeless Veterans Stand Down on Thursday, November 19th (8:00 AM – 1:00 PM) at the Denton Civic Center (321 E. McKinney Street, Denton, TX). ✅  Comprehensive Free Services: How veterans can access VA housing assistance, healthcare, employment services, hot meals, winter clothing, haircuts, flu shots, and pet vaccinations all in one place. ✅  Veterans Court & Mentorship: How diversion programs provide budget guidance, mental health resources, and peer mentorship in place of traditional court systems. ✅  The Transition Cliff: Why departing the military often leads to financial shock, career translation challenges, and delayed-onset PTSD or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). ✅  Female & Hidden Homelessness: Addressing the unique barriers female veterans face when couch surfing or staying in shelters with children, and the specialized resources set up to support them. Connect with the Lawyers Title Team: For title, escrow, and community partnerships that honor and support our community, visit: https://dfw.ltic.com/ CHAPTERS 00:00 – The Veterans We Overlook 00:45 – Honoring Veterans Day & The Marine Corps Birthday 01:10 – Overview of the Homeless Veterans Stand Down (Nov 19th) 02:15 – Comprehensive Support Services Available at the Event 03:10 – Meet Heather Ball: Becoming "Veteran Adjacent" 03:50 – The Role of Veterans Court & Peer Mentorship 06:05 – Joining the Denton County Veterans Coalition (DCVC) 07:30 – Misconceptions About Veteran Homelessness in North Texas 09:10 – The Transition Cliff: Why Outboarding Briefings Fall Short 10:45 – Emergency Financial Relief: Mortgages and Utility Assistance 11:50 – The Reality of Delayed-Onset PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injuries 14:00 – Navigating Civilian Careers: From Military Roles to Law Enforcement 18:30 – Texas Education Perks: The Hazlewood Act & Legacy Program 20:00 – Success Story: How Kevin Rebuilt His Life with Habitat for Humanity 21:30 – Overcoming Pride: Encouraging Veterans to Claim Disability Ratings 24:00 – The Household Impact of 100% Disability & Property Tax Relief 25:05 – Event Logistics: 54 Community Tables, Elks Donations, and Service Dogs 28:50 – Addressing Female Veteran Homelessness & Dignity Services 31:30 – How to Register and Access DCVC Community Resources 33:00 – Closing Thoughts: A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Service Members

  2. Oct 26

    Own Your Own Real Estate Market

    How do you build a local real estate empire in a single master-planned community while competing against heavy builder incentives? In Episode 142 of The Closing Table with Lawyers Title, host Tamera Gaede sits down with power player Everett Shell, Broker Owner of Everett Shell & Associates Realty. Recognized in the top 100 for North Dallas REAL Producers and exceeding $180 million in career sales volume, Everett breaks down the exact strategies he uses to dominate his home market of Mustang Lakes and the broader Celina corridor. In this episode, you’ll discover: ✅  Inside the 16% Club: Analyzing NAR statistics showing 84% of national realtors struggling to close a deal—and how top producers continue to thrive. ✅  The Neighborhood Expert Advantage: How living in your target community gives you insider knowledge on HOA developments, school district splits (Prosper ISD vs. Celina ISD), and road infrastructure. ✅  Resale vs. New Construction: Creative tactics to help pre-owned home sellers compete with builder rate buy-downs, closing cost credits, and PID payoffs. ✅  The Model-Home Staging Rule: Why staging resale homes to look like builder model units is essential for driving weekend foot traffic. ✅  Maximizing MLS Exposure: How adding detailed upgrade booklets, seller disclosure sheets, and lender rate incentives in the MLS attracts serious buyers. Connect with the Lawyers Title Team: For title, escrow, and neighborhood data that drives local dominance, visit: https://dfw.ltic.com/ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Building Local Market Dominance 00:45 – Meet Everett Shell: North Dallas REAL Producer & Power Player 01:15 – The NAR Stat: 84% of Realtors Have Not Closed a Deal This Year 01:50 – Living Where You Work: The Mustang Lakes Competitive Advantage 03:00 – Master-Planned Infrastructure: 3,000 Homes, School Splits, and 18 Lakes 05:00 – Understanding PIDs vs. MUDs in North Texas Communities 07:20 – Celina’s Expansion: Big Box Stores, Preston Road, and Infrastructure Shifts 09:20 – What Buyers Want in Mustang Lakes: Amenities, Trails, and Yard Maintenance 11:50 – Resale vs. New Builds: Fighting Builder Rate Buydowns and Credits 14:20 – Educating Sellers: Handling the Reality of Declining Pricing Trends 16:00 – The Model-Home Rule: Staging Resale Homes to Compete with New Builds 18:00 – MLS Strategy: Uploading Upgrade Booklets and Lender Rate Sheets 20:30 – Why Holding Your Own Open Houses Builds Direct Client Trust 22:30 – The First 90 Days: How to Launch or Rebuild a Real Estate Business 25:00 – Fundamental Sales 101: Relationships, Follow-Ups, and Value Propositions 29:00 – Closing Thoughts: Make it a Great Day

  3. Oct 19

    The Mortgage Playbook: Rates, Buyers & Home Equity

    Are your buyers sitting on the sidelines waiting for rates to drop? You might be missing the best buying window of the decade. In Episode 145 of The Closing Table with Lawyers Title, host Tamera Gaede sits down with Brett Dempsey (Co-Owner & Branch Manager) and Mark Dusza (Senior Loan Officer) from Lone Star Financing. Together, they clear up the widespread confusion surrounding Federal Reserve announcements, explain how mortgage bonds actually price in rate hikes, and share actionable financing strategies to get buyers off the sidelines and close deals in a high-inventory market. In this episode, you’ll discover: ✅  Fed Rate vs. Mortgage Rate Realities: Why Federal Reserve rate hikes don't directly move mortgage rates—and why future Fed moves are already "baked in" to today's pricing. ✅  The True Cost of Waiting: Why waiting for lower interest rates often leads to increased buyer competition, surging home prices, and lost equity gains. ✅  Wielding Seller Concessions: How 80%+ of today's closed purchase contracts are using seller credits ($8,000–$18,000+) for permanent rate buydowns and low-out-of-pocket closings. ✅  The New TSAHC 30-Year DPA: Inside the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation's new 5% down payment assistance product featuring market-rate pricing. ✅  Tackling the $1.6 Trillion Credit Card Crisis: How cash-out refinances and HELOCs are helping homeowners replace 25%+ credit card interest rates with lower, manageable 30-year mortgage debt. Connect with the Lawyers Title Team: For title, escrow, and market support that keeps your transactions moving forward, visit: https://dfw.ltic.com/ To connect with Brett Dempsey, Mark Dusza, and the team at Lone Star Financing, visit their website at lonestarfinancing.com. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Turning Rates into Opportunity 00:45 – Meet Brett Dempsey & Mark Dusza (Lone Star Financing) 01:15 – Debunking the Fed Rate vs. Mortgage Rate Myth 03:00 – Rate Expectations & What Drives Mortgage Movement 04:45 – Fed Announcements vs. Wall Street Bond Pricing 06:00 – Global Conflicts, Inflation, and Jobless Data Impacts 08:30 – What to Tell Buyers "Waiting for Rates to Fall" 10:00 – The Cost of Waiting: Inventory Demand & Price Escalation 12:35 – "Date the Rate, Marry the House" & Market Realities 14:30 – Why Local Lender Guidance Beats National Call Centers 16:00 – Utilizing Seller Concessions to Buy Down Rates 18:30 – Temporary Buydowns (3-2-1) vs. Permanent Discount Points 20:00 – Creative Structuring: Getting Cash Back at Closing for Buyers 22:40 – TSAHC Down Payment Assistance: The New 30-Year Product 27:15 – Competing with Builder Incentives on Resale Homes 28:40 – DSCR Loans: Competitive Rates & Cash-Out Refinancing for Investors 31:00 – The $1.6 Trillion Credit Card Debt Crisis & Record Home Equity 33:00 – Life-Changing Refinancing: Erasing 25% Credit Card Debt 35:30 – Comparing HELOCs vs. Cash-Out Refinances 38:00 – Responsible Debt Management & Financial Coaching 42:25 – Closing Thoughts: Make it a Great Day

  4. Sep 28

    New Market. New Momentum. Building Business from Scratch.

    What does it take to leave a top 3 state-ranked real estate team, move across the country with zero local connections, and build a $20M business in a tough market? In Episode 141 of The Closing Table with Lawyers Title, host Tamera Gaede sits down with Taylor Racek of Monument Realty. After eight successful years in Oregon, Taylor relocated his family to North Texas to build his business entirely from scratch. In a market cycle where national statistics show 84% of realtors struggling to close a single deal, Taylor shares the exact blueprint he used to establish a luxury brand and build a thriving local sphere. In this episode, you’ll discover: ✅  The Relocation Pivot: Why Taylor walked away from a highly profitable team in Oregon to prioritize his family's lifestyle and community values. ✅  Starting at Zero: The mindset required to transition from an eight-person support staff back to running every backend operational task yourself. ✅  The Brand-First Strategy: Why Taylor spent months refining his logo, signage, and luxury presence before taking on his first Texas client. ✅  Grassroots Community Building: How hosting simple cul-de-sac concerts and backyard gatherings connected Taylor with neighbors and local small business owners. ✅  Servant-Hearted Sales: Why focusing on genuine relationship-building outperforms pushy sales tactics every time. Connect with the Lawyers Title Team: For title, escrow, and marketing partnerships that support high-growth real estate teams, visit: https://dfw.ltic.com/ CHAPTERS 00:00 – New Market. New Momentum. Building Business from Scratch 00:45 – Meet Taylor Racek: Monument Realty 01:10 – The 84% Statistic: Thriving in a Challenging National Market 02:15 – Leaving Oregon: Transitioning from a Top 3 Team 03:35 – The Personal Pivot: Prioritizing Family Values and School Culture 05:35 – Team Structure vs. Individual Agent: Trading Commissions for Freedom 06:35 – Starting at Zero: Re-learning Backend Systems and Operations 09:15 – Ditching High-Overhead Leads: Shifting Away from Zillow 11:00 – Landing in Windsong Ranch: Farming Your Own Backyard 12:45 – The Brand-First Mindset: Crafting a Luxury Presence 16:45 – Building a Safety Net: Surviving the First 12 Months 18:15 – Integrating Your Family into the Neighborhood 20:15 – Relationships vs. Transactions: Why Genuine Connection Wins 22:15 – Cul-de-Sac Concerts: Hosting Low-Pressure Neighborhood Gatherings 24:30 – Cross-Promoting Local Small Businesses: The "I Am" Lip Gloss Story 27:00 – School Sponsorships: Supporting Teachers and PTA Events 28:40 – Hands Open vs. Hands Closed: The Abundance Mindset in Business 30:30 – Starting Small: Backyard Barbecues and Neighborhood Networks 32:45 – Cutting Out the Noise: Returning to Traditional Real Estate Basics 33:50 – Closing Thoughts: Make it a Great Day

  5. Sep 21

    Married to the Business: Dividing Roles as a Husband-and-Wife Team

    How do you build a $20M+ annual real estate business alongside your spouse without sacrificing your marriage? In Episode 140 of The Closing Table with Lawyers Title, host Tamera Gaede welcomes husband-and-wife duo Chris and AnnMarie Mendez from The Bray Team at Compass. Fresh off celebrating their 24th wedding anniversary, Chris and AnnMarie share an unfiltered look at blending marriage and real estate, dividing roles according to individual strengths, and authentically serving the diverse DFW Latino community. In this episode, you’ll discover: ✅  Foundation First: How starting a business 16 years into marriage gave Chris and AnnMarie the stability needed to navigate the hustle of real estate. ✅  Complementary Roles: How AnnMarie leverages her creative eye to help buyers visualize a home's potential, while Chris uses his analytical strength to master contract terms and negotiations. ✅  Demystifying the DFW Latino Market: Understanding that the local Hispanic community comprises 30% of the DFW population and includes diverse cultural, state, and generational backgrounds. ✅  The Multi-Generational Housing Need: The critical shortage of dual-primary floor plans downstairs to accommodate aging parents and extended family living. ✅  Intentional Marriage Boundaries: Tactical advice on preserving quality time, checking in daily, and setting boundaries when operating a 24/7 business together. Connect with the Lawyers Title Team: For title, escrow, and marketing partnerships that support high-producing real estate teams, visit: https://dfw.ltic.com/ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Marriage, Business, and Real Estate 00:45 – Meet Chris & AnnMarie Mendez: The Bray Team at Compass 01:40 – Working with Your Spouse: Building Business on a 24-Year Foundation 04:50 – Dividing Strengths: Creative Vision vs. Analytical Precision 08:20 – Handling Disagreements: Client-Centric Solutions & Women’s Intuition 11:50 – Marriage Boundaries: Checking In & Protecting Quality Time in a 24/7 Business 15:00 – Tested by COVID: Navigating Burnout and Accelerated Markets 16:50 – Uncovering Spousal Strengths: Patience, Grace, and Business Growth 19:40 – Advice for Couples Entering Real Estate: Transitions, Goals, and Boundaries 24:00 – Annual Planning: Re-engaging Your CRM and Setting Business Goals 27:00 – Serving the DFW Latino Market: Understanding Cultural Diversity 29:40 – Language & Representation: The Importance of Spanish-Speaking Partners & Escrow Officers 34:20 – Avoiding Assumptions: ITIN Loans, Cultural Backgrounds, and Client Trust 35:40 – Multi-Generational Housing: The Search for Two Primaries Downstairs 40:30 – Homeownership as Legacy: The Cultural Meaning of the American Dream 43:30 – Affordability in DFW: Housing Trends and Market Price Adjustments 45:30 – What Matters Most: Faith, Family, and Final Thoughts

  6. Sep 14

    Lessons From 30+ Years in Real Estate

    What does it take to build a 30-plus-year career in real estate through every market cycle? In Episode 139 of The Closing Table with Lawyers Title, host Tamera Gaede welcomes Howard Roth, a seasoned Realtor licensed in Texas and Oklahoma who has closed over $200 million in new construction alone. Drawing from his roots in Chicago to his current work across DFW, Broken Bow, and Kingston, Howard delivers a masterclass on standing out through pure value, deep market knowledge, and client-first fiduciary representation. In this episode, you’ll discover: ✅  Timeless Fundamentals: Why today's post-settlement commission and value conversations mirror the exact dialogues top agents were having 30 years ago. ✅  The Builder Advantage: How to act as a true fiduciary when walking clients into a builder's model home rather than treating them like a standard retail customer. ✅  Navigating "Gaps of Expectation": How to guide sellers who bought at peak market prices through realistic resale pricing strategies. ✅  Resale vs. New Construction: Creative tactics for marketing pre-owned homes against aggressive builder rate buy-downs and closing incentives. ✅  Avoiding Shiny Object Syndrome: Why finding your unique niche beats chasing every new marketing trend. Connect with the Lawyers Title Team: For title, escrow, and market support that elevates your real estate career, visit: https://dfw.ltic.com/ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Lessons from 30+ Years in Real Estate 01:40 – Meet Howard Roth: $200M+ New Construction Specialist 03:10 – What's Old is New: Commission & Value Conversations Today vs. 1993 05:00 – Thriving in Tough Markets: Why Clear Communication Wins 06:05 – Customer vs. Client: Representing Buyers in Model Homes 07:50 – The Power of a Strong Value Proposition 09:40 – What Separates 30-Year Veterans from Agents Who Disappear 10:45 – The Ultimate Compliment: Why Builder Sales Reps Hire Howard 12:50 – Standing Out: Truthful Advice Over Hyped-Up Sales Pitches 16:00 – Facing the Reality of Short Holding Periods & Resale Challenges 18:55 – Managing the "Gap of Expectations" in Price 20:00 – Out-Marketing Builders: Selling "Move-In Ready" Pre-Owned Homes 23:30 – Slowing Builder Inventory & What It Means for DFW 25:00 – The Importance of Coaching Sellers Through Lengthy Market Cycles 27:45 – 500k Starters vs. 1.5M Luxury: What Changes & What Stays the Same 31:10 – The 1989 House Case Study: Guiding Long-Term Homeowners 34:00 – Building Trust Over Time: Why Long-Term Relationships Beat Quick Deals 36:20 – Advice to 1993 Self: Finding Your Niche & Avoiding Shiny Objects 37:40 – Closing Thoughts: Make it a Great Day

  7. Sep 7

    Women in Business: The Next Era of Women in Real Estate

    The core foundation of real estate hasn't changed in decades—it is still driven by human relationships, trust, and real-world experience. In Episode 138 of The Closing Table with Lawyers Title, host Tamera Gaede welcomes back top producer and team leader Stacey Feltman (Stacey Feltman Group) for an unfiltered look at what it takes to navigate today's shifting market. Drawing from 14 years of hands-on experience, Stacey cuts through the noise of social media "perfection" and outlines practical strategies for staying grounded, managing client expectations, and focusing on high-leverage activities. In this episode, you’ll discover: ✅  The College Application Grind: A candid look at managing spreadsheets, SATs, and modern AI-detector hurdles for high school seniors. ✅  Information vs. Advisory: Why AI gives buyers raw data, but still can't spot a foundation crack, a tile flaw, or a drainage issue. ✅  The Reality TV Distortion: How social media highlights create an unrealistic image of real estate that damages agent mental health. ✅  The Rule of Three: Why focusing on three core marketing strategies beats trying to manage seventeen different platforms poorly. ✅  Hyper-Local Mastery: Why calling yourself a "DFW Agent" is too broad, and how mastering specific sub-markets like Frisco, Prosper, or McKinney builds true authority. Connect with the Lawyers Title Team: For title, escrow, and ground-game marketing support that elevates your business, visit: https://dfw.ltic.com/ CHAPTERS WOMEN REDEFINING REAL ESTATE 00:00 – Women Redefining Real Estate 00:45 – Meet Stacey Feltman: 14-Year Top Producer & Team Leader 01:30 – The High School Senior Grind: College Spreadsheets & AI Essay Detectors 03:30 – What Has Changed in 14 Years? The Evolution of Realtor Skills 05:40 – Information vs. Advisory: Why Consumers Still Need Human Experts 07:15 – The Core Foundation: Relationships Over Technological Noise 08:10 – The Social Media Facade: Unfiltered Truths About Days on Market 10:00 – Inman Connect Insights: Luxury Real Estate vs. Reality TV Brokers 12:00 – The $180M La Jolla Case Study: Managing Unrealistic Luxury Expectations 14:00 – The Behind-the-Scenes Grind: Dealing with Price Adjustments & Leaks 15:50 – Overcoming "Shiny Object Syndrome": Picking 3 Core Strategies 17:00 – Spheres of Influence: Tapping Into Past Client Goldmines 18:30 – The Rental Misconception: Clear Messaging Across All Price Points 20:00 – CRM Hygiene: Organizing Your Database to Drive Repeat Referrals 22:00 – Conference Overload: Vetting Tools for Real-World Implementation 23:40 – Hyper-Local Precision: Why "DFW Agent" is Too Broad 25:30 – The 90-Day Pipeline Check: Calculating Calls Needed for Closings 27:15 – Mental Health in Real Estate: Navigating Tough Market Seasons 28:40 – The Power of Your Tribe: Building Cross-Brokerage Support Systems 30:30 – Vulnerability in Business: Highs and Lows at the Mastermind Table 32:45 – AI Avatars and Filters: Authenticity vs. Fake Social Media 33:50 – Closing Thoughts: Make it a Great Day

  8. Aug 31

    Winning Real Estate with AI

    There are only five things in real estate that actually make you money—are you letting AI free up your schedule to do them? In Part 2 of this special AI series on The Closing Table with Lawyers Title, host Tamera Gaede welcomes back Brian Force, Executive Director of Productivity at United Real Estate. Brian breaks down how real estate agents can move past digital "tinkering" and use AI as a high-leverage backend assistant to keep themselves focused on revenue-generating human interactions. In this episode, you’ll discover: ✅  The 5 Dollar-Productive Activities: Why setting appointments, running appointments, negotiating agreements, negotiating contracts, and attending closings are the only tasks that matter. ✅  The AEO Paradigm Shift: How Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) differs from standard keyword SEO, and how to structure your property descriptions for conversational AI models. ✅  Eliminating Creative Avoidance: How to use AI to script your video content and prompt your daily call lists so you stop making excuses. ✅  Database Hygiene Hacks: How to plug AI into your CRM to categorize contacts (A, B, C, D) and automate top-of-mind follow-up reminders. ✅  The 3-Hour Lead Gen Rule: Why consistent, daily human-to-human communication will always separate high-producing agents from everyone else. Connect with the Lawyers Title Team: For title, escrow, and productivity-focused support to grow your transaction volume, visit: https://dfw.ltic.com/ CHAPTERS 00:00 – How to Win with AI (Part 2) 01:40 – Meet Brian Force: Productivity & Real Estate Entrepreneurship 02:15 – Focus on Revenue: Staying in Dollar-Productive Mode 03:15 – The 5 Core Money-Making Activities for Real Estate Agents 03:40 – Action vs. Tools: The True Divider of Top Producers 04:00 – Portal Disruptions: Europe Eliminating Search Platforms via AI 05:00 – Will Search Engine Changes Hit the US Market? 06:05 – From Keywords to Conversations: How AEO Changes Property Marketing 08:20 – Marketing the Lifestyle: Describing Homes for Generative AI Models 10:00 – The End of 30-House Marathons: Streamlining Buyer Showings 11:45 – Granular Data Collection: Walking Through Listings with AI Scanners 13:15 – SEO vs. AEO: Keywords vs. Answering Real Human Questions 15:15 – Does AI Replace Video Content Creation? 16:45 – The 3-Hour Rule: Prioritizing Daily Human-to-Human Lead Generation 18:30 – Removing Transactional Friction Without Losing Human Empathy 19:50 – The Danger of Over-Automation: Avoiding Creative Avoidance 21:15 – Practical AI Use Case #1: Cleaning and Organizing Database Hygiene 23:00 – Practical AI Use Case #2: Scripting and Scheduling Video Content 25:00 – Practical AI Use Case #3: Streamlining Client Follow-Up 26:45 – Closing Thoughts: Make it a Great Day

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Welcome to "The Closing Table with Lawyer's Title," hosted by Tamera Gaede, the top-producing Director of Sales for Collin County at Lawyer's Title. With an impressive career spanning over 13 years in the Dallas/Fort Worth real estate industry, Tamera has established herself as a beacon of knowledge, success, and unmatched customer service. This podcast is your exclusive invitation to join her at the closing table, where the world of real estate comes alive. Dive into the heart of real estate with Tamera as your guide, exploring a wide array of topics designed to educate and inspire real estate agents and industry professionals. Each episode promises a wealth of information, from innovative solutions and resources to building lasting relationships based on trust. Whether you're a seasoned agent or new to the industry, "The Closing Table with Lawyer's Title" is your go-to source for expert insights and advice to help you navigate the complex landscape of real estate. Welcome to the conversation, welcome to the community, welcome to "The Closing Table with Lawyer's Title."

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