When you start your mortgage process in Leicester, you will come to realise that there are lots of different options available to budding homeowners and existing homeowners alike.
This article will cover a list, alongside related videos, of the most popular types of mortgages available on the market. Whether you are a first time buyer in Leicester, looking at moving home or need to remortgage, these types of mortgages should all be relevant to you.
If you have any further questions mortgage-related, then please do not hesitate to contact us and speak to one of our dedicated mortgage advisors in Leicester.
A fixed-rate mortgage means that your mortgage payments will remain as they have been for a set period. You can set the length of the fixed term yourself, with common options typically being 2, 3, or 5 years or longer.
No matter what happens to inflation, interest rates, or the economy, you can rest assured that your mortgage payment, usually your biggest outgoing, will not change at any point during your term.
A tracker mortgage means that your interest rate will follow the Bank of England’s base rate. This means that the lender that you are with does not set the rate themselves.
You will be paying a percentage above the base rate of the Bank of England. To provide an example of this; if the base rate is 1% and you are tracking at 1% above the base rate, that means you will be paying a scale of 2%.
When you take out a repayment mortgage, you are paying capital and interest together. So as long as you keep your payments going for the full length of the mortgage term, the mortgage balance is guaranteed to be paid off at the end, with the property becoming yours.
It is the most risk-free way for your capital to be paid back to the lender, in the early years it is mainly the interest that you are paying, and your balance will go down at a slower rate, especially if you have taken out a 25, 30, or 35-year term.
This situation will switch up in the last ten years or so of your mortgage, where your payments are paying off more capital than interest, and the balance will come down at a much quicker rate.
While many Buy to Lets in Leicester get set up on an interest-only basis, it is much more challenging to get a residential property on that same basis.
It is a lot less likely for lenders to offer an interest-only product nowadays. However, there are certain circumstances where this may be a viable option.
These include downsizing when you get older or having other potential investments that you will use to pay back the capital. Lenders are being a lot more stricter when it comes to offering these products now, and the loan to values are a lot lower than they once were.
With an offset mortgage, the lender will set you up a savings account alongside the mortgage account you have with them.
This works in a way where, let’s say you have a mortgage balance of £100,000 and £20,000 gets deposited into your savings account, you would only pay interest on the difference, so in this case it would be £80,000. It can be a very efficient way of managing your money, especially if you pay higher rates of tax.
You could be a first time buyer in Leicester looking to get onto the property ladder, a home mover in Manchester or a homeowner at the end of your term, looking to remortgage for home improvements. In any of these cases, overpaying, even by a small amount, can be incredibly useful when it comes to the amount on the interest you pay back over your mortgage term. The earlier you begin to overpay on your mortgage, the better the effects it will have.
Some homeowners prefer not to do this, some cannot afford to. Quite often though, it will come down to life just getting in the way. Regardless of the circumstances, overpaying is definitely a good habit to get into when you take out a mortgage, but in reality, there’s always something else we’d rather buy, as opposed to making an extra payment on our monthly mortgage.
Part of the dilemma here is remembering to make those extra payments. It’s unlikely to cross your mind too often, except perhaps when your mortgage only has a few years left to run.
So, if you can see something of yourself in the above and would like to be making those extra payments so that, perhaps you can retire a year or two early, then what should you do?
It’s highly recommended setting up a standing order payable to your lender each month. Set up the standing order to go out on the same day as your regular mortgage payment. E.g. your mortgage payment is, say £500pm and is collected on the 1st of the month. You can afford to pay an extra £75pm, so set up a standing order for £75pm to go out of your bank also on the 1st
The reason for the above is that very quickly you will start to “feel” that your mortgage is £575pm and you will get used to that within a matter of months.
The big advantage of setting up a standing order to a direct debit, is you (the payer) are completely in control, unlike a direct debit where this is the receiver.
Therefore, if you find yourself a little tight with money for one month. You can easily log in to your online banking and pause the standing order so that it would cancel any future payments from going out until reactivated.
Up until the point of stopping the payments, at least you have benefited from the additional payments made until that point, and as mentioned above, this does not stop you from reactivating your standing order in the future when you are more financially comfortable.
Some mortgages will even let you make reduced payments or take a Mortgage Payment Holiday in Leicester if you have been overpaying for a while. Before choosing a payment break though it’s essential to check with your lender that you are eligible to do so to avoid a bad mark on your credit report.
Whether a first time buyer in Leicester or looking to remortgage in Leicester, overpaying your mortgage is a great habit to get into. You don’t need to go hell for leather at it unless you feel so obliged but even shaving a year or two off will be very welcome when you near the end of the term.
A 95% mortgage is as simple as the name would suggest; you are borrowing against 95% of the price of a property, and then you are covering the remaining 5% with your deposit. An example of this is if you looked at buying a property that was worth £150,000 with a 95% mortgage, you would be putting down £7,500 as your deposit and borrow the remaining £142,500 from the lender.
Off the back of the March 2021 Budget, Boris Johnson announced a Mortgage Guarantee Scheme for mortgage lenders, making 95% mortgages more readily available from the bigger high street banks.
This is fantastic news for first time buyers and home movers alike, as this scheme will continue running until December 2022. Certain terms and conditions will apply though, which is something your mortgage advisor in Leicester will be able to look at, to see if you qualify.
All our customers who get in touch will receive a free, no-obligation mortgage consultation where one of our dedicated mortgage advisors will be able to make a recommendation on the best possible route for you to take.
95% mortgages are usually accessible by both first time buyers in Leicester & those who are moving home in Leicester. Whilst saving for a 5% deposit sounds like a pretty straightforward concept, you’ll still need to have an acceptable credit score and prove that you are able to afford your monthly mortgage repayments, in order to access a 95% mortgage.
A good credit score is essential in the process of obtaining any mortgage, especially a 95% mortgage. Things like paying any current credit commitments on time, ensuring your addresses are updated and checking that you’re on the voters roll, can all help with your credit score.
Affordability is another one that is important to take note of. By giving the lender details of your income and monthly outgoings (things like your bank statements will be necessary for this) and any pre-existing credit commitments, your lender will be able to get a general overview of whether or not you are able to afford this type of mortgage.
Nowadays we see lots of family members helping each other get onto the property ladder, especially parents looking to further their children’s lives. The way this usually happens is by gifting the person looking to find their home, the deposit required. Known through the industry as the “Bank of Mum & Dad, gifted deposits are only intended to be a gift, and not as a loan. The lender will need proof that this has been agreed, before it can be used towards your mortgage.
When looking for a 95% mortgage, you want to make sure you have the right type of mortgage. Each mortgage type works differently, with that choice allowing you to find one that is most appropriate for your personal and financial situation.
Some homeowners and home buyers prefer Fixed Rate or Tracker Mortgages, mortgage types which mean you either keep interest rates at a set amount for the term given or have your interest rates tracking the Bank of England base rates.
Alternatively, you might find that Interest-Only or Repayment Mortgages are more your style. Interest-Only allows cheaper payments until you need to pay a lump sum at the end (mostly now used for Buy-to-Lets), whereas a Repayment mortgage (a normal mortgage if you’d like) means you’ll be paying interest and capital combined per month.
Seeing as a mortgage is such a large financial outgoing, you need to be prepared and need to be aware. You might find things like higher interest rates, remortgaging difficulties due to less equity and then negative equity all cropping up if you’re not.
There is no need to worry though, as all these can be avoided if you’re savvy enough with your process to begin with. The more deposit you put down for a property, the less risk the lender will see you as.
A larger deposit, of say 10-15%, would not only reduce the rates of interest by a noticeable amount but would also give the property more equity and reduce the risk of negative equity, thanks in part to you borrowing less against the property.
So, whilst the risks may seem intimidating, planning ahead and saving for a bigger deposit to access something like a 90% or even an 85% mortgage will be a massive help in your mortgage journey and something you’ll be able to reap the rewards from in the future.
Negotiating the price of a property in Leicester can be a crucial step in the homebuying process. As a prospective first time buyer in Leicester, it’s important to approach this negotiation with preparation, strategy, and professionalism. Leicester, a city rich in history and culture, offers a diverse housing market that may require a thoughtful approach to secure the best deal on your dream home. Here, we’ll guide you through the art of negotiating an offer on a property price in Leicester with a series of effective and insightful headings.
Before you even think about making an offer, arm yourself with knowledge about the properties in Leicester. Research recent sale prices of similar properties in the neighborhood to gauge the market value. This information will provide you with a realistic baseline for your negotiation and help you avoid overpaying.
Understanding your budget is essential before entering into negotiations. Factor in additional costs such as stamp duty, legal fees, and potential renovation expenses. This will give you a clear idea of your financial limits and prevent you from making an offer you can’t afford.
Start the negotiation process with a reasonable and well-calculated initial offer. It’s a common practice to make an offer slightly below the asking price, but ensure it’s based on market research and the property’s condition. A fair offer demonstrates your genuine interest and opens the door for further negotiations.
When submitting your offer, communicate your seriousness as a buyer. Providing a mortgage pre-approval letter and evidence of your ability to move quickly can strengthen your position. Sellers are more likely to consider offers from committed and prepared buyers.
Try to understand the seller’s motivation for selling the property. Are they looking for a quick sale, downsizing, or relocating? This insight can help you tailor your negotiation strategy. For example, a motivated seller might be more open to negotiation compared to someone who isn’t in a rush to sell.
Remember that negotiation isn’t solely about the price. Consider other terms that can be negotiated, such as the inclusion of appliances, furniture, or covering certain repair costs. Flexibility in negotiation can create a win-win situation for both parties.
Maintain a professional and polite demeanor throughout the negotiation process. Avoid being overly aggressive or confrontational, as it can negatively impact the negotiation. A respectful approach can foster a more positive and productive dialogue.
Negotiation often involves some level of compromise. Be prepared to meet the seller somewhere in the middle. This might involve adjusting the price, accepting certain conditions, or finding creative solutions that benefit both parties.
Consider enlisting the services of a skilled real estate agent or property lawyer. Their experience and expertise can provide you with valuable insights and guidance throughout the negotiation process, ensuring that your interests are protected.
Lastly, be prepared to walk away if the negotiation doesn’t lead to a favorable outcome. There are always other properties on the market, and it’s important not to become emotionally attached to a deal that isn’t in your best interest.
A mortgage agreement in principle (AIP) is essentially a document to prove you have a mortgage in place. To the estate agent, it shows you are creditworthy as you have passed the lender’s credit score.
However, it is not a guarantee that you will get a mortgage as a full application, it will require further background checks.
How having your mortgage agreed at the outset can help you negotiate on an asking price. A mortgage agreement in principle is essentially a document to prove you have a mortgage in place. It is something we obtain for all of our clients, and almost all lenders offer them.
A mortgage agreement in principle is not a guarantee that you will get a mortgage, as your full application will require further background checks (such as evidence of income) and a satisfactory valuation of the property itself.
However, it is a good idea to get one done at the earliest opportunity for the following reasons:
When you are ready to make an offer on a new home most estate agents will undertake due diligence. This will result in them asking you to produce evidence that you have funds available to complete the purchase.
It will take the form of bank statements and also an agreement in principle certificate that we can provide for you. Once you have provided them with all this documentation, the estate agent will then frequently stop marketing the property and put a “Sold” or “Sale Agreed” board up.
If you already have a mortgage agreed before you make an offer you are making yourself appear as an attractive proposition. In any case, this proves you are not making an offer on a “whim”, you’ve thought about how you’re going to fund the purchase and do something about it.
However, this might persuade a seller to accept an offer you put forward on their property underneath the asking price.
When it comes to buying a house as a first time buyer in Leicester or home mover in Leicester, some clients have always “put the cart before the horse.” They go full steam ahead and make an offer on a property without first checking that they can proceed. It can lead to terrible disappointment if the mortgage application fails.
By that time, they have got their heart set on their new family home. This disappointment can get avoided by contacting a mortgage broker in Leicester like us as early on in the process as you can.
Sometimes some things are causing a mortgage to decline that can get overcome given a little time.
For example, there may be a niggling issue on your credit report, perhaps a disputed mobile phone bill that can get easily rectified.
Maybe you thought you were on the voter’s roll, and you’re not – once again, that can get sorted out given a few weeks.
Or maybe you can’t get a mortgage at all! But if that’s the case, it’s better than you know now rather than mess people about and we’ll be able to tell you what you need to do to improve your credit-worthiness for the future.
Ok, so you know you’ve got a good credit rating because you’ve never get turned down for credit, register on the voter’s roll and you’ve always made your credit card payments on time.
You could approach ten different Lenders these days and get ten different maximum mortgage amounts!
They all calculate affordability in their unique ways. If you’re self employed in Leicester, some Lenders take your net profit, others your salary and divided. Some use your latest year, others an average over three years.
Knowing your borrowing limits is essential as then you know for sure what your price range is. We’ll be able to advise you of the maximum mortgage available to you.
Also, more importantly, together, we’ll work out how much you can afford to pay back each month.
Without a doubt, we recommend that everyone should spend time managing to boost their credit score. The higher your credit score, the more chance you have of your mortgage application getting accepted. No one is guaranteed to get approved, and different Lenders have their internal scoring systems.
Following we advise everybody like a first time buyer in Leicester, to not worry if you fall short with one Lender. Contact us and Speak to one of our mortgage advisors in Leicester their job is to match you to the correct Lender that suits your circumstances, end of the day we both want the same outcome to get you the best deal available.
We recommend going to ether Experian and Equifax. It’s a good idea to use multiple agencies to get an average of the numbers for your credit score. Just using one agency might hold incorrect data. Checking with several agencies will help you identify any such discrepancies.
There are some excellent practices listed below regarding things you can be doing to improve your credit rating:
Firstly multiple credit searches can harm your score. Be careful when using price comparison websites, which are significant culprits of credit searching on individuals. However you know you want to apply for a mortgage soon, it is wise to avoid using it for any other credit. While having some credit and paying it back is a good thing for your score, in the long run. In conclusion, Lenders do not like to see you increasing your borrowings just before making a mortgage application.
Being on the electoral roll adds many points to your score. It indicates stability and Lenders like that. Ensure your name spelled correctly and that it’s your current address, not an old one. However, if you are not registered, it’s easy to do so online.
If you max out your card each month, that will reduce your score. Using a credit card and paying off the balance in full each month is preferable. Not to mention, it is indicating that you are good at managing your money. Worst of all would be exceeding an agreed card limit or overdraft. Lenders want to know that you take your finances seriously.
Quite often, it can appear that you are living in two places at the same time on your credit report. Maybe you had forgotten to tell one of your credit providers that you have moved to a new house. Check all addresses have been spelled correctly. If you have lived in a flat, this can be tricky as the flat/apartment number can get formatted in different ways.
You should contact the providers of store/credit cards you no longer use and get the account closed. In the short term, this can harm your score briefly as the credit reference can’t tell if it’s you closing the account down or the provider. However don’t worry, it’s one step back to take two forward. Another good thing to do to reduce your chance of falling victim for fraud should you not notice you have lost a card you don’t use regularly.
If you have a family member or ex-partner connected to you, then this could be affecting your score. You won’t be able to get the financial association removed if the account is still live, in any case. To remove one of these links, you should contact the credit reference agencies and make a request.
Furthermore, many consumers had felt that credit scoring is an ‘unfair way’ of Lenders assessing applications. Lenders feel differently. It is much cheaper for them to operate this way.
Send an up to date copy of your credit report to your mortgage advisor upfront, and you will increase your chances of being accepted the first time. The more your advisor knows about your finances, the better. There are still some smaller Lenders out there that do not credit score. These Lenders do it the old-fashioned manual way, they will always have specific rules about the number of defaults and CCJ’s they will allow.
Most people you ask might say renting is a waste of money. However, not everyone has the equal opportunity to dive straight in and put their foot onto the property ladder. For some, it takes longer than others.
More people rent now than in the past. Here we will delve into the pros and cons of buying a home.
The property market is unpredictable and can be disappointing if you buy a property and it goes down in value. Thousands of UK Homeowners have been impacted over the years, but history suggests that even if you buy at the very peak of the market as long as you can upkeep the property, eventually prices tend to go back up.
There is certain evidence of this if you look at Sold values from the Credit Crunch timeframe. That was one of the worst economic periods of our time yet less than a decade later, UK property values had reached a new all-time high.
You could also lose money if you get forced to sell your home at the wrong time, for example, due to a relationship breakdown or reduction in your income.
Speaking to one of our Mortgage Advisors in Leicester before committing to purchase ensures you get protected from some of these things, i.e. Unable to work due to illness.
That said, we are talking about a Home, not merely an investment, and the most critical driver is finding a suitable one for you regardless of circumstances.
Often mortgage payments will be cheaper than rent. Interest rates go up and down which means your mortgage payments will also do this. If you are worried about that, then you should take out a fixed-rate mortgage in Leicester so that your payments remain the same for a set period.
On the other hand, rent payments can either stay the same or go up. It is very unusual for a Landlord to reduce your rent. Being in control of your living arrangements eases alot of uncertainty for most people. Therefore, some people have felt that owning their home creates a more stable environment for them and their family; if you can afford your mortgage payment, nobody can force you to move from your own house.
While you do have some protection as a tenant in terms of how much notice your Landlord needs to give you, if they want the house back, there’s not much you can do. This isn’t ideal at all if you have family or work nearby or you have children in a local school.
We have seen some cases where Landlords offer tenants ‘first refusal’ to buy the property if they are selling, so they can save on Estate Agents fees. The Flexibility Renting can be more flexible than owning.
There is nothing to stop you from giving your Landlord notice if you choose to move away – this isn’t as easy as a Homeowner. You will have to decide whether you want to rent out your home or sell it.
The process of selling a home and buying a new one is time-consuming and expensive. If you think you may not be around in an area for very long, you should consider whether it is worth buying.
Maintenances as a tenant means your Landlord should be responsible for any significant repairs. Some Letting Agents and Landlords are better than others when it comes to repairs. However, even if you are renting, you might end up doing some minor maintenance of the property yourself.
If you are a Homeowner, then all this is down to you, as is insuring the property.
In conclusion, contrary to what some people might say, owning your own home is not for everyone. If you are young and moving in with your partner for the first time, there’s nothing wrong with renting for a while.
Things don’t always work out the way we plan and it can be tough to get removed from a mortgage. Buying a home is an enormous financial commitment and everyone should consider all the options before diving in if you decide to rent. Although it may take you much longer to save up for a deposit.
Ultimately, most people end up deciding they would prefer to buy rather than rent. Whether you are renting or paying a mortgage, you are still making monthly payments to live somewhere and most would rather see this go towards their benefit than someone else’s. It is sometimes just a case of getting your timing right and being in the correct financial position to be able to proceed.
If you are looking to purchase a property as a first time buyer in Leicester, we are more than happy to help and offer trusted Mortgage Advice in Leicester suited to your individual needs.
Generally, these days most mortgages tend to be ones that are portable, the process is relatively straightforward but varies from lender to lender.
Portable means that it is often possible to transfer a mortgage from one home to another if you’re moving home in Leicester, without a penalty. Ideal if you are in the middle of a fixed rate and decide you want to move.
Not all mortgages are however portable though. So you should check with your lender or broker before putting your house on the market to clarify. If you have an older mortgage or if it is with a specialist lender in Leicester there is a chance it might not be portable.
Some customers decide not to affect the porting option even when it is available to them. Undoubtedly there are several potential reasons for this. Possibly the new lender will not lend them the extra money they need to fulfil the move.
When you port a mortgage there is a restriction in that it is only possible to port the amount currently owed. Any additional borrowing needs to be from the new mortgage products currently available from the lender’s range and might not necessarily be competitive.
If you do port a mortgage and borrow extra monies, the additional borrowing creates something called a “sub-account”. In other words, you have one mortgage but with two different rates of interest applying to it.
This can be a real pain because almost certainly the two products will “overlap” each other and as such it’s difficult to get these to line up without having to let one drift onto the standard variable rate for a while.
Customers tend not to like having to change their mortgage deals as often as this and some of them decide to take the “hit” and pay an early repayment penalty to swap Lender and get it all lined up.
Porting a mortgage to a property of higher value involves your current lender valuing your new property, as well as assessing your current financial situation to allow them to decide whether they can increase your mortgage.
If you are considering porting a mortgage you would be wise to enlist the help of a trusted mortgage broker in Leicester for their opinion on the options.
Most married couples usually make joint mortgage applications rather than a sole name mortgage. House prices have risen quite significantly in recent years and with house price inflation outstripping wage increases over the years. For many mortgage applicants, two salaries are required to qualify for a large enough mortgage.
However, there are times when one salary is enough to support the mortgage application for the borrowing amount. There can also be further consideration as to why one of the applicants doesn’t want to go on the application. This could be due to;
There may be an issue with bankruptcy, low credit score, defaults or a CCJ from one of the applicants which is preventing them from getting a mortgage at this time.
For mortgage applications in this scenario, providing the spouse or partner is not connected to that issue then the mortgage application could be made in their sole name.
It is important that this person would need to be careful to try and avoid creating a financial association with their partner if they want to guarantee that their credit score would remain unaffected by that issue.
Maximum borrowing capacity, as a couple of borrowing capacity, is generally lower as a rule than if the working applicant took out the mortgage in their sole name. This may be due for example when one partner is currently not working.
The age of the applicants is relevant and has an effect on the mortgage calculation. If you have one applicant aged in their 50s for example, buying with a younger partner then it’s possible if the younger applicant is a good earner that they could borrow more as a sole applicant.
It may be that there are stamp duty or other tax implications which would lead to an applicant preferring to apply on their own.
Some lenders can be quite strict about married applicants completing the mortgage in joint names. Most probably because they are concerned that this could in some way affect their security in the future.
Particularly if the couple were to divorce and the question of ownership and their rights to share in the home is then raised. This is when getting specialist mortgage advice in Leicester is essential.
One of the most frequently asked questions we are asked by homeowners who are looking at moving home in Leicester, is how much will the process cost overall.
In order to answer this, we have put together a full list of the fees you can expect to pay as a homeowner moving home in Leicester, and when they will become payable.
Applying to those who own their own home, you will likely have to pay a listing fee. With the ever-climbing popularity of online estate agents such as Zoopla or Rightmove, a basic listing to sell your home can cost as low as £500.
If you would like a much more personalised service and your own dedicated and trusted sales negotiator, the fee will generally be somewhere within the area of 1-2% of the sale price.
Your mortgage lender will also be required that you, as a home buyer, have a valuation taken out on the home that you are looking to buy and move into, to make sure they are lending against adequate security.
The prices of these valuations can vary, depending on the one you have taken out. A basic valuation with some mortgage lenders can cost nothing, whereas you may be looking at a couple of hundred pounds for a home buyer’s report that has more detail.
You may find that a full building survey can cost you even more. It’s all about having that element of choice, as in whether or not you opt to have a more detailed report.
The decision that you make will more than likely be dependent on the age and type of the property that you are looking to purchase, along with any fears and or concerns that you have about the property in question.
You will find that there are some mortgage products which offer comparatively cheap rates. That being said, this benefit can be outweighed by an arrangement fee payable to the mortgage lender themselves.
Not every product will have one of these, so you may not have a cost to factor in, but on the other hand, there could be a cost of say £999 or even higher, depending on the mortgage lender you are working with and the product you are applying for.
Sometimes you will have to pay these fees upfront, whereas in other circumstances you may be able to add these fees onto the balance of the mortgage you are taking out, though these would incur additional interest charges.
As a company that prides itself on being mortgage experts in Leicester, we are able to compare a wide variety of mortgage deals for you, finding the most suitable one for you, with your fees all included.
When you are going through the home buying process, especially when you are both buying and selling a home, you will need to hire the services of a trusted solicitor, with the fees of these varying enormously depending on the firm you are quoted by.
Generally speaking, as an estimation for a more simple purchase with a solicitor, you could be looking at around £600 for a lower-value property.
You will need to give them the property address, as well as whether the property you are looking to buy is leasehold or freehold. You will also need to give the purchase price to obtain quotations.
The key points to cover when asking for a quote are:
You may also be required to pay Stamp Duty tax, which is a tax that the solicitor collects on completion of the property purchase, in addition to your solicitor’s fees and disbursements.
A mortgage broker in Leicester will typically charge a fee for their mortgage advising service. Our fee is only payable upon completion of your process when you get the keys to your new home.
Please try to avoid any application fees where your money will be at risk.
The cost of moving your furniture can vary significantly, depending on the level of service that you are looking for as a home mover in Leicester.
If you are quite happy to hire a van and do the work yourselves, you may find yourself with a cost that is only a few hundred pounds, potentially less than even £200.
On the other side of the coin, if you are looking for a company that provides a full moving service, doing all the manual handling for you, it can potentially be upwards of £1,000.
If you would like to talk more about the costs that are involved in moving home in Leicester and obtaining a mortgage in more detail, then please don’t hesitate to book your free home movers review today and we will see how we can help.
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