In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc
NAI FMA Realty presents "In the CRE Vault", a must-listen podcast for anyone interested in commercial real estate. Our co-hosts, industry veterans Mike Ball and Marc Hausmann, will take you on a deep dive into the latest topics and trends shaping the industry. Each episode, Mike and Marc will share their expertise and perspectives alongside a first-class line up of economic, city, and industry professionals, to provide valuable insights and actionable advice for anyone looking to navigate the complex world of commercial real estate. With a focus on real-world examples and practical advice, "In the CRE Vault" is the ultimate re...
So You Want to Be a Commercial Broker? Pack Your Patience
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Matching pants are optional. Patience and thick skin? Those come with the job.
On this episode of In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc, Mike Ball and Marc Hausmann of NAI FMA Realty share a candid look at starting a career in commercial real estate. From returning calls and listening more than you talk to building relationships and finding a supportive team, they discuss the habits that help new brokers gain traction—and why success takes time.
They also tackle the emotional roller coaster of deals falling apart, th...
Property Management Worth Its Weight in Gold
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Property management rarely gets applause when everything works, but it always gets the phone call when something doesn’t. Scott Vyskocil, Senior Vice President of Property Management, joins Mike and Marc to share lessons from a career spent solving problems, serving owners, and keeping commercial properties moving forward.
Scott discusses his transition from managing regional malls to third-party commercial real estate, why management touches every department, and how the profession has evolved into a more financially focused form of asset management. The conversation explores budgeting, CAM expenses, capital planning, tenant retention, an...
When Interest Rates Refuse to Come Down
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High interest rates may dominate the headlines, but the real story is how they affect actual deals, operating costs, and investment decisions.
In this episode of “In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc,” Mike and Marc break down:
How Treasury yields influence borrowing rates Why today’s financing costs feel especially painful The difference between residential and commercial lending decisions How cap rates and interest rates must work together Why refinancing can lead to difficult conversations The stubborn costs of construction, insurance, taxes, and utilitiesThe outlook may be challenging, bu...
When 6% Caps Don’t Cut It Anymore
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What happens to commercial real estate values when borrowing costs climb but sellers still remember yesterday’s cap rates? Mike and Marc head into the CRE Vault to talk about what they’re seeing in the investment market, including multifamily cap rates, rising vacancy, interest rates, and why some properties are now trading—or finally getting attention—at significantly higher cap rates.
They also discuss how multifamily compares with industrial and retail investments, why tenant diversification can reduce risk, and what investors need to consider when the numbers simply don’t pencil.
Your Lease Is Expiring. Now What?
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A lease renewal may look routine, but it can reshape a company’s overhead, workspace, and flexibility for years. In this quick drive-time episode of “In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc,” Mike and Marc explain why an extension option is often less of a guarantee and more of an invitation to start talking.
They cover the questions tenants should ask before renewing:
Is the current rental rate still in line with the market? Does the business need more space, less space, or different parking? Have annual rent increases pushed the...Beyond the Property Showing, The Conversations Behind Commercial Real Estate
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The best commercial real estate opportunities do not always begin with a listing. Sometimes, they start with a casual conversation, a trusted connection, or a broker remembering exactly what a client needs.
In this drive-time episode of “In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc,” Mike and Marc look beyond property showings to explore what really sustains a career in commercial real estate. They share the advice they would give their younger selves, including the value of patience, consistency, ethical decision-making, strong customer service, and returning every call—even when the news i...
CRE Shenanigans: Past, Present, and What’s Next
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Commercial real estate may not be setting speed records right now, but it certainly is not short on plot twists—or restaurant recommendations.
Commercial Advisors Jared Froehlich, SIOR, CCIM, and Tim Dornbos join Mike and Marc for a candid look at Lincoln’s CRE market. The group digs into slower transaction activity, shorter lease commitments, rising insurance and property-tax costs, and the growing number of retail and industrial spaces waiting for the right user.
They also discuss why landlords are becoming more creative with marketing and concessions, why owner-users are...
Sports, Space, and the Future of Hudl
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What happens when a Lincoln startup grows into a global sports technology company but keeps its home-field advantage?
Haleigh Brouillette, Director of Corporate Communications at Hudl, joins “In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc” to trace Hudl’s journey from replacing game-film DVDs to supporting teams across 40 sports. She also shares how the company’s flexible Haymarket headquarters has adapted to changing teams, new hardware development, and the realities of a growing workforce.
The conversation covers Hudl Week’s significant impact on downtown Lincoln, including 1,300 employees, 4,200 hotel nights, and one pr...
The CRE Negotiation Playbook Has Changed
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Commercial real estate negotiations have changed—and the old playbook no longer always applies. In this episode of In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc, Mike and Marc discuss the challenges facing landlords, tenants, buyers, sellers, and brokers in today’s market. They explore rising tenant improvement and maintenance costs, creative lease structures, cap rates, deferred maintenance, and the importance of trust between brokers and their clients. Presented by NAI FMA Realty, this episode offers a candid and entertaining look at what it takes to get commercial real estate deals across the fini...
Back in the Vault: Lincoln CRE’s 2026 Midyear Checkup
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Summer break is over, school-zone lights are flashing, mushrooms are taking over the yard, and Mike and Marc are officially back in the CRE Vault.
In this episode of In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc, the guys dig into the first half of 2026 Lincoln commercial real estate market and break down what they’re seeing across office, retail, and industrial properties. From the flight to quality in Class A office space to tightening retail vacancy and an industrial market where available space remains hard to fi...
Interest Rates, AI & a Bucket of Cheese Curds
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Mike and Marc are back in the CRE Vault—and fresh off a whirlwind road trip to Milwaukee for an NAI regional conference. Seventeen hours in the car, a Brewers game, questionable amounts of Wisconsin cheese curds, and somehow they still managed to squeeze in a little commercial real estate.
In this episode, the guys recap the trip and dig into what brokers across the Midwest are seeing in today’s market: stubborn interest rates, longer deal timelines, shifting multifamily conditions, prospecting, and why relationships within the NAI network matter when busi...
Vacay Replay: Steve Glenn on Investing Through Change, Opportunity & Lincoln Bold
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Mike and Marc are still enjoying their summer break, so we're bringing back another favorite from the vault!
In this Vacay Replay, the guys sit down with Steve Glenn—entrepreneur, investor, and visionary behind the Lincoln Bold development—to talk about commercial real estate investing, navigating changing markets, and what it takes to think big.
Steve shares his journey from growing up in rural Nebraska to building a diverse real estate portfolio, while offering practical insights on cap rates, leverage, interest rates, 1031 exchanges, and why today's market disruption may crea...
Vacay Replay: The Story Behind NAI FMA Realty with Richard Meginnis
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While Mike and Marc enjoy their summer sabbatical, we're unlocking another favorite from the vault!
In this Vacay Replay, the guys sit down with Richard Meginnis, SIOR, one of Lincoln's most respected commercial real estate professionals and a driving force behind the growth of NAI FMA Realty.
Richard shares how he got started in commercial real estate, the evolution from FMA Realty to NAI FMA Realty, and the lessons he's learned through decades of market cycles, leadership, and community service. From helping shape Lincoln's growth to mentoring generations of...
Vacay Replay: Design-Bid-Build vs. Design-Build — Which Construction Delivery Method Wins?
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Mike and Marc are on summer vacation, but the vault is still open! This Vacay Replay brings back one of our favorite bonus episodes featuring NAI FMA Realty broker Andy Widman, whose background in architecture, development, and commercial real estate makes him the perfect guest to break down construction delivery methods.
What's the difference between Design-Bid-Build, Construction Management, and Design-Build? Which approach gives owners the most control? Which one keeps projects on budget? And when does each method make the most sense?
Whether you're planning a tenant improvement, a...
Vacay Replay: Behind the Scenes of Building Maintenance with Shawn Herzog
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We're on summer break, but the vault is still wide open.
This week's Vacay Replay brings back one of our favorite conversations with Shawn Herzog, Senior Vice President of Facility Maintenance at NAI FMA Realty.
From the days of green maintenance uniforms and pneumatic HVAC systems to today's smart buildings that practically text you before something breaks, Shawn walks us through how commercial building maintenance has changed over the past 35+ years.
Mike and Marc also dive into:
Why preventative maintenance s...Vacay Replay: Solving Problems, Building Wealth with Monty Froehlich
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Mike and Mark are out enjoying a little summer sunshine, so we're digging back into one of our favorite conversations from the vault.
This week we're joined by Monty Froehlich, owner of US Property and one of Nebraska's most respected commercial real estate investors and developers.
Monty shares his unlikely journey from working in the dairy industry to building a commercial real estate portfolio spanning multiple states. Along the way, he discusses why solving problems is the real business of commercial real estate, how diversification h...
Realistic Expectations: What CRE Is Really Like (S4:E16)
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Everyone sees the closing photos. Few people see the months of work that happen before the deal ever gets done.
In this episode of In the CRE Vault with Mike & Marc, the guys pull back the curtain on what it's really like to be a commercial real estate broker. From working six months ahead of payday to managing client expectations, pricing properties correctly, navigating slow markets, and building lifelong relationships, they share the realities that don't always make the highlight reel.
Along the way, you'll hear why...
The Man Behind the Numbers: A Conversation with Dan Carmichael
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Ever wonder who keeps the lights on, the budgets balanced, and everyone's computers from spontaneously combusting?
This week, Mike and Marc welcome Dan Carmichael into the vault. As NAI FMA Realty's Vice President of Finance, Dan wears more hats than most people realize—accounting leader, IT troubleshooter, payroll guru, benefits administrator, and occasional miracle worker.
The guys dive into property management budgets, cash calls, office culture, and why Dan may be the calmest person to ever survive a server outage. If you've ever wondered what happens behind the scenes of...
The Questions Brokers Hear Every Day
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This week on In the CRE Vault, Mike and Marc tackle the questions, myths, and misconceptions they hear all the time in commercial real estate.
The guys pull answers from the NAI FMA Realty team — and not everyone always agrees, which makes this episode even better.
Questions covered include:
“What’s my property worth?”“How do you actually market a property?”“Why should we hire you?”“How long will it take to sell?”“What improvements should I make before listing?”“What kills deals?”“Can I just sell this myself?”Spoiler alert:
...
AI Ate the Power Grid- What Do We Know About Data Centers
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This week on In the CRE Vault, Mike and Marc dive headfirst into the mysterious world of data centers — the giant, windowless buildings quietly powering AI, cloud computing, streaming, crypto, and basically everyone’s group chat.
The guys break down:
What “dark fiber” actually means (and why it sounds way cooler than it is)Why the Midwest is suddenly becoming a hotspot for data center developmentHow cheap land and available power are driving billions in investmentWhat exactly a megawatt is — explained in normal human languageWhy these projects create tons of constructi...Fiber, Fast Internet & Future-Proof Buildings with Matt Spethman of ALLO
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This week on In the CRE Vault, Mike and Marc sit down with Matt Spethman from ALLO Fiber to talk about what it takes to keep Lincoln connected — literally.
Matt’s role is all about community partnerships, getting fiber in the ground, and helping homes and businesses stay ahead of their technology needs. ALLO has been in Lincoln for about 12 years and now serves a major share of the residential market, while also growing its business division through enterprise services, cybersecurity, reliable fiber internet, and local support team...
Streetscapes & Shutdowns: Inside the O Street Project with Guests Tony Potthoff and Elizabeth Elliot
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On this episode of In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc, the guys sit down with Tony Potthoff, President of Constructors Lincoln Inc., and Elizabeth Elliott, Director of Transportation and Utilities for the City of Lincoln, to talk about one of the biggest infrastructure projects happening in downtown Lincoln right now — the massive O Street rehabilitation project.
Elizabeth is leading the effort for the City, while Tony and the Constructors Lincoln team are the boots on the ground after winning the project through a competitive Request for Proposal process. Together, th...
Cap Rates, Interest Rates & Decision Paralysis (S4:E10)
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This week on In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc, the team at NAI FMA Realty dives into one of the biggest topics in commercial real estate today: cap rates versus interest rates.
With interest rates rising while cap rates remain compressed, many deals simply aren’t penciling the way they used to. Buyers want yield, banks want a wider spread, and sellers are still adjusting to changing market realities. In today’s environment, there often needs to be a 2–3 point spread between cap rates and borrowing costs for deals to mak...
Commission, Keys, and Confusion: What CRE Brokers Actually Do (S4:E9)
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Commercial real estate agents: professional door unlockers? Commission collectors? People who magically know every property and every deal in town?
Not exactly.
On today’s episode of In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc, we’re busting the biggest myths about CRE brokers and commercial real estate firms. From the idea that “anyone can do it” to the classic “property management is just collecting rent,” Mike and Marc break down what actually happens behind the scenes: problem-solving, research, unpaid legwork, post-closing follow-up, local market knowledge, and yes, occasio...
Lincoln’s Choice 2026: Celebrating Community, Clients, and a CRE Legacy (S4:E8)
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NAI FMA Realty was voted 2026 Journal Star Lincoln’s Choice Award winner for Best Commercial Real Estate Company, and we’re cracking open the vault to talk about what that really means.
This episode features Alexandra “Alex” Cassidy, Vice President of Business Development, who joins Mike and Marc to discuss the award, the team behind it, and the clients and community who made it happen. We dig into NAI FMA Realty’s long-standing Lincoln relationships, a family business legacy that spans generations, and the foundation of ethics, integrity, and trust that continues...
Trust But Verify: The Art of CRE Due Diligence
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In this week’s episode of In the CRE Vault, Mike and Marc from NAI FMA Realty dive into the real-world art of due diligence—aka the “tire kicking” phase where deals either get stronger… or fall apart.
From 30-day timelines (if you’re lucky) to buyers who want everything under the sun—and others who barely scratch the surface—the guys break down what actually happens once a deal goes under contract. Drawing on their experience in the Lincoln market, they walk through the big-ticket items like roofs, HVAC, and sewer...
No Two Days the Same: Inside Property Management with Aaron Peregrine (S4:E6)
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This week we sit down with Aaron Peregrine from NAI FMA Realty—and let’s just say, his career path didn’t exactly follow a straight line… unless that line ran through a commercial kitchen in Chicago first.
Aaron grew up in Lincoln, took his talents to culinary school, got a taste of the high-pressure kitchen life (literally), and decided it wasn’t the long-term recipe. From there, he stumbled into real estate by showing apartments—and the rest is history.
Now in property management, Aaron walks us through what the job...
Investment Pitfalls: What First-Time CRE Buyers Get Wrong
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This week on In the CRE Vault with Mike & Marc, the team at NAI FMA Realty breaks down the investment pitfalls that can catch even experienced buyers off guard.
From tenant stability to the realities of unpaid rent, we dig into why it’s not always simple to enforce leases—and how that risk impacts your bottom line. We also cover the true cost of property maintenance, including what it takes to turn over space for new tenants, and why those expenses are often underestimated.
We talk through the adva...
Big City Burnout? Look to Tertiary Markets (S4:E4)
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This week on In the CRE Vault with Mike & Marc, the team at NAI FMA Realty dives into one of the most overlooked opportunities in commercial real estate: investing in tertiary markets.
While primary markets are crowded and increasingly competitive, tertiary markets offer a different story — often driven by a strong owner-user base, more balanced supply and demand, and slightly higher cap rates. Instead of dramatic peaks and valleys, these markets tend to grow steadily, supported by reliable economic drivers like universities and healthcare systems.
We break down why in...
We Asked AI If It’s Taking Our Jobs… It Said ‘It Depends" (S4E3)
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This week, we’re joined by our very own Kari Knoedler—now officially the office AI expert (yes, she took a class, so it’s legit).
We dive into how AI is actually being used every day in commercial real estate—from cranking out marketing content and building better spreadsheets (seriously… better spreadsheets) to leveling up research and efficiency across the board.
But it’s not just about convenience—AI is already shaping the industry in bigger ways. Think data centers, energy consumption, and how site selection is evolving right in front...
Lincoln CRE Market Report: Industrial’s Hot, Retail’s Boring, Office is Upgrading (S4:E2)
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In this episode, we crack open our annual Lincoln CRE Market Report—the one we obsessively track all year so you don’t have to. We dig into the trends behind absorption, sale prices, and what’s really happening in office, industrial, and retail.
Joining the conversation:
Jared Froehlich, SIOR, CCIM breaks down the industrial market (spoiler: it’s still been on a tear since 2020).Tim Dornbos dives into retail, which turns out is less “retail apocalypse” and more “people still like stores.”Mike tackles office and the ongoing flight to quality—becau...We Went to Vegas… for CRE Research (S4:1)
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Mike and Marc just got back from the NAI Global Convention in Las Vegas, and this episode of In the CRE Vault is a recap of what they learned—and maybe a little of what happened after the sessions ended.
They dive into how being part of NAI Global gives them a unique perspective on the market. One thing they consistently see: trends that hit major markets often show up in smaller markets like Lincoln about six months later.
At the convention, Mike attended a standout medical office breakout se...
New Season, New Market Reality (S4:Intro)
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Season 4 is officially underway!
After a short break, Mike and Marc are back in the studio to kick off the new season of In the CRE Vault. In this quick opener, they talk about where the commercial real estate market stands today and what to expect from the show moving forward.
The market has definitely slowed down a bit—thanks in part to a mix of macroeconomic factors—but it’s not all doom and gloom. Deals are still happening… they just require a little more creativity than they did a co...
Recap of Cap Rates (S3:E8)
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Ever heard your broker throw around the term cap rate and nodded along like you totally knew what it meant? Yeah… we’ve all been there.
In this classic episode from Season 1, Mike and Marc break down what a cap rate actually is (spoiler: it’s not a hat size) and why it matters more than your morning coffee when it comes to evaluating a commercial property.
We’re talking risk, returns, and all the fun math your high school algebra teacher promised you’d never use in real life.
<...Out of Office, But Not Out of Reach (S3:E7)
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You know what’s harder than landing a new client? Keeping the one you already have from bolting because your voicemail says, “Out of office until further notice.” In this episode, Mike and Marc get real about customer service in commercial real estate—how it doesn’t stop at 5 PM, doesn’t care about time zones, and definitely doesn’t end when the ink dries.
Whether you're closing deals or just trying to find a decent Wi-Fi signal in the Caribbean, your clients expect answers—and our favorite duo has opinions. They dish on the...
Not Lawyers, Just Lease Nerds (With Monster Stories) (S3:E6)
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This week, Mike and Marc crack open the mysterious, often misunderstood world of commercial leases—aka that stack of legal paper that decides who pays to fix the HVAC and whether you’re allowed to hang your neon llama sign.
They’re not attorneys (disclaimer: seriously, they are NOT attorneys), but they have read leases so many times their eyeballs have legally changed shape. Tune in for real talk about what’s in a lease, what landlords might actually do versus what they’re required to do, and why your Letter of Intent...
The Art of the Rep (And the Rep Fails) (S3:E5)
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Strap in and hold on to your listing agreements, folks—Mike and Marc are back in the vault, cracking open some of the realest real estate truths around buyer/seller and landlord/tenant representation. What’s the agent’s actual job in each scenario? Who’s paying the commission? And why does giving an inflated value to win a listing feel a lot like promising a six-pack after one gym session?
This episode dives into the difference between active marketing (hint: it’s not just posting on Crexi and praying) and passive ma...
Counting Cap Rates (and Chicks) Before They Hatch (S3:E4)
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Cap rates: they’re stuck, they’re weird, and they’re making commercial real estate sloooow. In this episode of In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc, the guys dive into the upside-down world where interest rates are high, cap rates are low, and some companies are tossing around “projected” or “blended” cap rates that assume buildings are full — even when they’re half empty.
But not Mike and Marc. They keep it real, sharing sharp advice on how to navigate today’s market without falling for the fluff.
Oh, and there’s an u...
Today’s Office Market: Watercooler Talk & Wallet Shock (SE:E3)
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Remember when you could build out an office without needing a second mortgage? Yeah, us too. In this episode of In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc, the guys tackle the slow but not-so-sad state of the office market — where costs are up, patience is thin, and co-workers won’t stop talking about their weekends. From rising buildout expenses to the “flight to quality” trend, Mike and Marc break down why companies are still chasing those Class A spaces with fancy lobbies, solid Wi-Fi, and maybe even a kombucha tap. The market might no...
Mike and Marc on Retail Therapy (S3:E2)
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Retail’s holding steady, and so are Mike’s chickens — both thriving in their own way. In this episode of In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc, the guys dive into the current retail real estate market, breaking down what’s hot, what’s holding, and what’s hilariously unexpected.
From strip centers to street-front gems, they unpack why retail is still kicking strong in a world of online everything. You’ll hear about steady rates, demand, and why this market might be one of the resilient performers in CRE right now.
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