What To Know Before Leaving the City for the Suburbs

 
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With an airborne pandemic rendering the restaurants and crowded cultural energy of cities less appealing, buyers are increasingly looking at homes in suburbs and small towns.

Condo prices and sales suffered worse drops than single family homes in April and May, and have yet to rebound, according to Redfin, even as single family prices are on the rise again.

“The notion that COVID has actually been a rationale for buyers to move into the ‘burbs, or even further out, was to me a ‘tall tale’. But it appears to be playing out,” says Adam Rosenbaum, a realtor with Century21 Adams in Arlington, Mass. One of his clients, having lost out on a few homes in the competitive Boston area, was about to make an offer on an 18th-century house in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, some two hours away. “I’m now a believer,” he says.  

But a move to the mountains wouldn’t be just a change of scenery and lifestyle for his client, who’s been living in urban Somerville, Mass. Even for experienced homeowners, moving from the city to the country can present some unexpected surprises and force buyers to become acquainted with unfamiliar home systems—starting with what happens when you flush the toilet. Ahead, find five things Apartment Therapy thinks you should really read about before making the move.

Septic systems

“The first thing that pops into my brain is the septic,” says Corey Morris, realtor and team leader of the Level Up Group at Keller Williams in Braintree, Mass. “A lot of people, they’re very used to town-provided, municipal things, and they’re not necessarily ready for the potential expense of a septic system and all the ins and outs that come with that.” 

Septic maintenance is straightforward enough, but it does carry an expense, Morris says. Even if the septic tank passes inspection, buyers should try to determine how old the system is, and how well the previous homeowners maintained it. And if you’re buying a four-bedroom home, it’s important to make sure the septic system is rated for four bedrooms, not just three, he adds. 

“The other thing people need to keep in mind is that, if the septic doesn’t pass inspection when they go to sell after they’ve lived there for 5 to 7 years, most times the responsibility of replacing that septic system will fall on the seller,” Morris says. “And that can be anywhere from $25,000 to $35,000.” 

Well water

Homes with private well water can be another system unfamiliar to city dwellers. While you won’t have to pay for water going forward, buyers generally have to pay for a well inspection. “You have your home inspection, and you tack on maybe a few hundred dollars more to get the well water tested to make sure there’s not an overabundance of bad bacteria,” Morris says. Because the Environmental Protection Agency doesn’t test or regulate individual water supplies, the Centers for Disease Control recommends testing your well water annually. 

“Most urban buyers of rural property are scared of wells and septic, but they shouldn’t be,” says Sara Holland, owner/broker at Sara Holland & Co. in New Hampshire. She notes that these systems can be managed with a pretty simple maintenance schedule, offset by the lack of any municipal fees. “Don’t believe the horror stories. They are few and far between,” she says. 

Zoning and permitting

The thing Holland has seen catch city-based buyers off guard, though, is the variety of zoning and permitting in rural communities. Some small towns have similar permitting practices as the more urban communities buyers hail from. “But some towns have none—zero,” Holland says, meaning just about anything goes. “Some buyers love this because they can ‘do what they want!’ But so can their neighbors, which is not as favorable.” So if your next-door neighbor decides to, say, build a backyard motocross course, you may not have any right to complain.

Generators and water pressure boosters

If your new home is in a remote or woodsy area prone to prolonged power outages, Morris says another cost to consider might be the need for a whole-house generator. Water pressure, or lack of it, can also be an issue. “Some homes need a pressure booster because they’re so far out or the town doesn’t have good water pressure,” he says, a deal breaker for at least one client. “This won’t work for me,” she told him, as she turned on the upstairs tub faucet. When Morris asked her why not, she said, “Do you know how long it would take to fill up this tub to give my daughter a bath?” 

There are other obvious expenses and tradeoffs to moving to a rural area, of course, from extra yard work, to pest management, to arranging propane delivery if natural gas isn’t available and you’re hellbent on a gas cooktop. But, Morris says, what might seem daunting at first will soon become second nature. 

“Especially for people who are new to an area, it all seems overwhelming, it just seems like there’s so much to do,” he says. “But just like anything else, I feel like people catch their rhythm, and as time goes on people get used to doing what they have to do to maintain their home.”

Are you considering making the move from city to suburb? Give us a shout, we’d love to chat.

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Things To Do in the First Month at Your New Place

 
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Packing up all of your belongings and moving them from one place to another is a monumental task in and of itself.

But the to-do list doesn’t stop once the last box is unpacked and the pizza is ordered. Here are 17 more things you should consider doing during the first month in your new house or apartment.

1. Renovate 

If you’ve purchased a new home, and you plan on giving the walls a fresh coat of paint or replacing the carpet with hardwood, don’t put those projects on hold for too long. They’re much easier to knock out before you’ve moved in furniture and other bulky belongings, points out Lee Wood, a realtor with Magnolia Realty in Austin, Texas.

2. Take pictures of your stuff

Snap some photos of your furniture, appliances, artwork, and other home goods. Having an inventory on hand will come in handy should you need to file a renters or homeowners insurance claim in the event of a natural disaster or burglary, says Jen Breitegan, founder of organization firm Organizenvy.

3. Change the batteries in your smoke detector

This way, you won’t be woken up by that annoying chirping sound, should the batteries fizzle out. If the batteries in your smoke alarm still have some life in them, place them in a product that’s not entrusted with your safety, recommends Consumer Reports. Here’s our guide to changing your smoke detector batteries and checking your smoke alarms.

4. Give your lease a good read-through

Get a copy of the countersigned lease and familiarize yourself with the important terms, such as late fee policies, what alterations can be made to the apartment, and how you can reach your landlord or the maintenance crews, recommends Julian Felch, founder of bitResi, a mobile app allowing renters to rate their apartments.

5. Figure out the package delivery system

If there’s no doorman at your apartment, get to know where delivery packages are placed in your building. “If packages are just being dropped off outside, you might want to consider some alternatives, like having your packages delivered to your office,” Felch says. 

6. Measure your front door 

If you’re moving in new furniture or mattresses, measure your front door to make sure your purchases will fit through, Felch recommends. Also, if you’re living in a multi-story building, determine whether there are moving hours or reservations for the elevators. 

7. Scope out the laundry room 

Learn the hours of operation and figure out whether the machines take cash or cards, Felch recommends, so that you can plan accordingly and stock up on quarters the next time you’re at the bank. Real estate experts also recommend asking the leasing office, “What’s the washer-to-resident ratio?” to help manage your expectations (and avoid spending Saturdays waiting for an available machine).  

8. Ask your neighbors for takeout recommendations

Not only is it a good icebreaker, but it will help you pinpoint some of the lesser-known neighborhood gems that UberEats might not be recommending, says Jennifer D’Elia, broker manager for Samsel and Associates Realty in Clark, N.J.

9. Change the locks 

If you buy a new home, the previous owner may very well have turned over all of the keys that were in their possession during closing. But what about any keys they lent to, say, a neighbor, friend, or ex? Those could still be floating out there. So, it’s a good idea to change all your locks out when you move into a new place, says Dustin Singer, a real estate investor in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Also, change the code on any garage door opener keypads, Singer says. 

10. Swap out old lightbulbs 

Going through and replacing the old lightbulbs with newer LED lights will save you money on your electricity bill. Plus, they tend to light your home better, Singer says. (Here’s how you can get the best lighting in every area of your new home.)

For even more tips, visit Apartment Therapy.

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What's More Stylish Than a Glass Garage Door?

 
 

Swap out the traditional steel garage door for a stylish glass one, adding a modern touch but not sacrificing privacy.

A new garage door can give a home’s exterior an instant upgrade. If you want to add a modern edge, consider glass garage doors, which provide maximum light.

“From coast to coast and everywhere in between, we are getting an increased number of requests for all-glass garage doors,” says Jeffrey Nofziger, president of Haas Door in Wauseon, Ohio. “The all-glass design increases a home’s curb appeal but can still provide privacy for the homeowners.”

Here’s one tip to make this look work: Match your glass garage door to your entry door. View this picture below of a garage door featuring Haas Door Spiced Walnut powder coat rails and stiles. The tempered dark gray glass and woodgrain elements complement the home’s entry door. Also, the dark gray glass reflects sunlight well during the day, but passersby are unable to see anything inside the garage.

Visit the National Association of Realtors for inspiration + places to buy.

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Most Popular Halloween Candy by State

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It’s a weird year for Halloween and trick-or-treating. Different areas are in different states of covid-19 cases either expanding or contracting.

We recommend you monitor your local situation and follow health guidelines if you plan to trick-or-treat. And wear an effective mask, not just a costume mask, please.

According to the National Retail Federation, trick-or-treaters are expected to be down 20% this year. That said, only 11% fewer people plan to hand out candy.  I’m no math expert, but 11 is less than 20. So, there might be more candy per house to capture!  Right?

Halloween candy sales are expected to reach $2.4 Billion, only down slightly from $2.6B last year. No matter how you look at it, that’s a lot of candy!

The map above reveals the results of our annual data mining, the top 3 most popular Halloween candies in each state. Hover over your state to see the goods. (Apologies, it’s not interactive on mobile devices).

Do your state’s choices surprise you? The top Halloween candy in your state are not always what you think they were. Salt water taffy and Hot Tamales performed much better than some expected, for example.

For over 13 years, we’ve been delivering bulk candy around the country. As bulk candy retailers and distributors, we’ve got a lot of candy sales data to comb through. Including some we shipped to New York in recent years…

We have seen a lot of surprising favorites and least favorites over the years. That’s why working with unbiased data is so much fun. We looked at 13 years of sales data (2007-2019), looking in particular at the months leading up to Halloween. We sell nationwide (and to Canada) so we broke down our sales by state. We also have relationships with major candy manufacturers and distributors – all of whom contributed and helped us reach our conclusions.

To view the interactive map from CandyStore.com, click the image below.

 
 
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What Socially-Distanced Skiing Will Look Like This Season, From Coast to Coast

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Outside Magazine asked 13 major resorts what operational plans are in place for this winter. Their answers ranged from après-ski in a private dome to parking spots you need to reserve.


This is a developing story. For the latest information on the status of resorts and protocol, visit individual resort websites and check back with
Outside Magazine.

Ski season is going to happen this year. But it won’t look like it used to.

Resorts around the U.S. are using input from state and local health guidelines to operate as safely as possible. In place of crowded après-ski bars and packed gondolas, you’ll see extra-long, spaced-apart lift lines, skiers in full-face coverings, and take-out lunches eaten outside. Many resorts will also require advance reservations, so be sure to check for capacity updates before you go.

Beyond operating and safety protocols, we wanted to know what some of our favorite ski areas around the country have planned for this winter, so we called up places like Taos, Big Sky, and Breckenridge to see what’s on tap. 

Copper Mountain, Colorado

Opening day: November 30. Though the resort usually opens earlier in the month, a later opening date should allow for more snowmaking and natural snowfall to ensure there’s enough terrain for skiers and riders to spread out.  

Passes and tickets: The Ikon Pass (from $1,049) gets you unlimited access to Copper, and pass holders won’t need a reservation to ski. You’ll buy lift tickets online. Any ticket purchased more than 12 days ahead of time will be mailed to you; otherwise, you’ll grab it from on-site pick-up boxes.

What’s new: The resort is implementing an online reservation system for parking. Whether you’re skiing, tubing, or just coming to walk around the village, you’ll need to book a parking spot in advance. If you ride public transportation or get dropped off, you won’t need to make a reservation.

Lessons: Copper will kick off the year by offering only private lessons for groups of up to six people who are related. Starting in 2021, additional youth ski and snowboard programs should be available.

Before you go: Check the resort’s website for updates and the Copper Mountain app for notifications.

Aspen Snowmass, Colorado

Opening day: November 26 for Aspen Mountain and Snowmass; December 12 for Aspen Highlands, and December 18 for Buttermilk.

Passes and tickets: You can ski seven days at Aspen Snowmass on the Ikon Pass or two days on the Mountain Collective Pass ($489)—with either, you’ll need to make a reservation online in advance. A limited number of lift tickets will be sold, so book yours at least 72 hours ahead of time. Tickets can be delivered to your local lodging or collected from pick-up windows. 

What’s new: Aspen is expecting a 20 percent decrease in visitors this year, due in part to the lack of international tourists and corporate groups it often attracts, which means fewer crowds this winter.

Uphill access: Known for its liberal uphill policies, the ski hills of Buttermilk, Snowmass, and Aspen Highlands will continue to allow uphill ski access during lift-operating hours, but this year you’ll need to stick to designated routes and check for closures due to capacity limits. The ski area’s fourth hill, Aspen Mountain, will only allow uphill access before or after the ski day.

Don’t miss: A $2.5 million renovation of Sam’s Restaurant, atop Snowmass, is now complete. A sit-down lunch includes slipper service, where you can swap ski boots for (freshly cleaned) slippers. Make a reservation, as capacity will be limited.

Before you go: Check the resort’s website for updates, be sure to download the Aspen Snowmass app, and stay abreast of what’s happening with this new mountain-ops Twitter account, launched this year.

Breckenridge, Colorado

Opening day: Breckenridge plans to open exclusively to those who have any level of an Epic Pass (from $999) beginning November 13. Single-day tickets won’t be sold until December 8.

What’s new: All Vail Resorts, including Breck, will be starting the season with a reservation system for Epic pass holders. So book your ski days in advance—you’re allotted up to seven priority days (which vary by resort) that can be made well ahead of time, while other days can be reserved the week of. This reservation system will open for the season on November 6. Skiers and riders will now be allowed to bring their own lunches into lodges. If you plan to rent ski or snowboard gear, book online ahead of time and get it delivered to wherever you’re staying.

Don’t miss: Grand Colorado on Peak 8 is installing a new clear dome, which can be reserved for property owners and guests in an existing group who want to après responsibly in a heated, private slopeside space with beverage service and mountain views.

What’s closed: Full-service bars will likely not open for indoor service, but beer and wine will be available to go at most lodges and markets.

Before you go: Check the resort’s website, and be sure you have the EpicMix app for updates.

Big Sky, Montana

Opening day: November 26.

Passes and tickets: Big Sky may limit the number of season passes sold this year, but as of press time, they’re on sale and won’t require reservations. The Ikon Pass grants you seven days at Big Sky, for which you’ll need to make a reservation to ski. The Mountain Collective Pass gets you two days here, and at this time, reservations for Mountain Collective pass holders aren’t required.

What’s new: The Lone Peak Tram will open this year, with face coverings required and limited capacity. The resort is also considering a new boot-pack route to offer skiers and riders a way to climb Lone Peak from the top of Dakota lift, bypassing the tram. Also, this winter the public will be able to access the 8,000-square-foot Yellowstone Conference Center as a bigger indoor space for lunch and hot-chocolate breaks.

Early ups: New this year, an unguided first-tracks program called Early Access will let skiers and riders load the Ramcharger 8 lift at 8 a.m., an hour before everyone else. You’ll need to purchase an Early Access ticket online (from $60), and only a limited number of them are being sold.

Before you go: Check the resort’s website for updates, and be sure to download the app.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Opening day: November 26. 

Passes and tickets: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort pass holders won’t need to make reservations to ski, but Ikon pass holders—who get seven days here—will need to book a spot. Mountain Collective pass holders, who get two days at Jackson Hole, do not need to make reservations at this time. The resort will sell a limited number of daily tickets; buy them online at least 14 days in advance for the biggest discount. 

What’s new: If you want to skip the tram, skiers and riders will be allowed to boot-pack up Rendezvous Bowl via the East Ridge Traverse. Those interested in trying out a pair of demo skis this season can now rent gear from seven different locations at the base of Jackson Hole, as well as two hotels—Hotel Terra (from $480) and Teton Mountain Lodge (from $370)—or request delivery to your lodging.

Early ups: Book a private lesson or guide and you’ll have an option to upgrade for early tram and gondola access. This winter the general public will be able to load Teewinot, the Sweetwater Gondola, and the Après Vous chair 30 minutes earlier than the resort’s 9 A.M. opening time, to help spread people out from the base area.

What’s happening: The invite-only Kings and Queens of Corbet’s, an event which features top skiers and riders launching into the famed Corbet’s Couloir, will return for its fourth year this winter. It’s scheduled to run February 16 to 21, 2021, via livestream.

Where to stay: When you book a well-designed vacation rental with Outpost (from $95), amenities include a no-contact check-in, bundled lift tickets, and a fridge stocked prior to your arrival.

Before you go: Check the resort’s website, and download the JH Insider app, which now features real-time updates on lift wait times, parking access, and other information.

Snowbird, Utah

Opening day: Snowbird plans to open, conditions permitting, on November 30. By kicking the season off a bit later than usual, the resort hopes to have expanded terrain, more snowmaking, and as many lifts open as possible starting from the first day.

Passes and tickets: Ikon pass holders get seven days at Snowbird, and no reservations to ski will be required, but you will need to book a spot to park. If you’re buying a day ticket, get it online ahead of time, and plan to pick it up from self-service kiosks scattered around the base area.

What’s new: All visitors to Snowbird arriving by car will need to make a reservation for parking. The UTA Ski Bus will still operate but at reduced capacity and with a face-covering requirement.

Lifts: The tram will operate at just 25 percent of its usual winter capacity; however, anyone not skiing or riding won’t be allowed up to the top of the mountain this year. 

Before you go: Check the resort’s website, and get the soon-to-be-released Snowbird app, which will have wait times, parking information, and other critical updates. 

Park City, Utah

Opening day: November 20.

Passes and tickets: If you have any version of the Epic Pass, you’ll need to make a reservation to ski. For day tickets, rather than buy a regular lift ticket online in advance (pricing to be announced), opt for the more affordable Epic Day Pass (from $107 a day), a low-commitment version of the Epic Pass. The Epic Day Pass also gets you between one and seven days, and, yes, those still require a reservation.

Lessons: Group lessons for the four-and-under age group won’t be available this year.

Eat: For dinner, Hearth and Hill is offering dine-in service, take-out meals for a family of four, and frozen entrées to cook at your lodging, like chef-prepared lasagna, plus free delivery. The restaurant will also sell an array of boxed to-go lunches that you can bring to the ski hill.

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Don’t miss: High West Distillery is hosting virtual mixology classes and online whiskey-education courses. Pick up a bottle of bourbon, and learn how to make a proper old-fashioned at your condo.

Before you go: Check the resort’s website, and be sure you have the EpicMix app for updates.

Taos, New Mexico

Opening day: To be announced.

Passes and tickets: Taos Ski Valley plans to open up season-pass sales this fall and will announce ticket and pass information imminently. If you buy an Ikon Pass, you’ll get seven days at Taos and will need to make a reservation before you show up. The Mountain Collective Pass gets you two days here, with no reservations needed.

Travel restrictions: As of press time, if you’re traveling to New Mexico from a state on the high-risk list for COVID cases, then you’re required to self-quarantine for 14 days.

Start your day: Get a green-chile-smothered breakfast burrito and a coffee to go from Café Naranja, located inside the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort, which is set to reopen this winter.

Stay here: The Blake at Taos Ski Valley (from $250)—the resort’s newest ski-in, ski-out hotel, was closed for the summer but is expected to reopen for winter at limited capacity. Its restaurant, 192 at The Blake, is currently open for online ordering and takeout.

Before you go: Check the resort’s website.

Sugarloaf, Maine

Opening day: To be announced.

Passes and tickets: The Ski Maine Mountain Pass (from $649), on sale until October 12, gives you access to both Sugarloaf and Sunday River; the Ikon Pass gets you up to seven days of skiing here; and the Mountain Collective Pass gets you two days. Currently, no reservations will be required for any of those passes. Lift tickets can be purchased online and, unlike many resorts, at walk-up ticket windows the day of. You’ll also find ten new automated kiosks around the base area to pick up lift tickets purchased ahead of time.

What’s new: Gone are the days of human ticket checkers. Sugarloaf has installed radio-frequency identification gates that you’ll ski through to scan your passes before loading the lifts.

Travel restrictions: Visitors to Maine coming from outside of a handful of nearby states are required to show a negative COVID test result or self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in the state.

Transportation: You can still ride the free shuttle around the area, but plan on wearing a face covering, and expect capacity to be cut in half.

Before you go: The resort’s website has more details, and be sure to download the app. The @SugarloafSnow Twitter feed will post updates on operations and conditions. 

Stowe, Vermont

Opening day: November 20.

Passes and tickets: All guests using an Epic Pass will need to make a reservation to ski at Stowe this winter. Lift tickets will only be sold online after December 8 for designated days.

Travel restrictions: Vermont currently has cross-state travel restrictions in place, so if you’re coming from outside its borders, be sure to read up on quarantine requirements before you pack your bags.

Lifts: The gondola will be open. Face coverings will be required, and only related groups will be allowed to load together.

For your convenience: You can now get take-out orders or groceries delivered to your door, thanks to Stowe To Go, the area’s first (and only) food-delivery service.

Before you go: Check the resort’s website and the EpicMix app for the latest updates.

Mammoth Mountain, California

Opening day: Mammoth tends to be one of the first ski resorts in California to open. This year the resort will start cranking the lifts November 14.

Passes and tickets: Walk-up day tickets won’t be available, and those purchased in advance will be sold on a limited basis, so expect to secure them at least seven days in advance. Skiers and riders with an Ikon Pass have unlimited access to Mammoth and won’t need to make reservations, as of press time.

Drink: Distant Brewing has a socially distant beer garden that’s open for patio dining and beer tasting, or order online to pick up a growler to take back to your pad.

Soak: Squeezing into a natural hot springs with strangers isn’t a great idea this year, and many of the steaming pools around Mammoth can get crowded in a normal year. Instead, book a private tub and winter campsite or room at Benton Hot Springs (from $60), 50 minutes northeast of town.

Before you go: Check the resort’s website, and download the free mobile app.

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, California

Opening day: November 25, conditions permitting.

Passes and tickets: There’s no reservation system here for skiing and riding. Ikon pass holders get unlimited days at Squaw Alpine; Mountain Collective pass holders get two days. There will be no walk-up ticket sales, and advance tickets will be offered on a limited basis. If you buy a ticket more than ten days ahead of time, it can be mailed to you.

What’s open: Ski and ride schools will be operational, with new regulations in place. The Funitel and aerial tram are slated to open with face coverings required and social-distancing efforts in place.

What’s closed: The popular sunset happy hours at High Camp, atop the tram, won’t be available this year, though restaurants there will be open. Favorite festivities, such as the holiday torchlight parade and moonlight snowshoe tours, aren’t currently scheduled, but the springtime Pain McShlonkey Classic is likely to go on, pending local ordinances.

Eat here: Tremigo Mexico Kitchen, which opened last year in Squaw Valley Village, has online ordering and swift take-out service.

Before you go: Be sure to check the resort’s website and mobile app or the @squawalpineops Twitter feed for the latest on parking and mountain capacity. 

Sun Valley, Idaho

Opening day: Sun Valley’s Bald Mountain will open on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, with nearby Dollar Mountain to follow on December 12.

Passes and tickets: You won’t find a reservation system at Sun Valley this winter, though lift tickets may be restricted to minimize crowds, so be sure to get there early. Epic pass holders now get seven days of skiing or riding at Sun Valley, and even though the Epic Pass requires reservations at Vail-owned destinations, at this time you don’t need a reservation to use your Epic Pass here.

What’s new: This winter, a high-speed quad replaces what was the resort’s oldest chairlift, Cold Springs, and skiers and riders will be able to spread out on 380 acres of new skiable terrain, located on Bald Mountain’s south side.

For your convenience: If you need to leave items behind, there will be a bag-check station outside the lodge.

Before you go: Check the resort’s website and Facebook page for updates.

If you are wondering how current national and global situations might be impacting your property’s value, your neighborhood, or the Real Estate market in general, we are happy to provide more specific information.

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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