House proud magazine Issue 1

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ouse Proud ee

Fr

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Handy tips & tricks for your home

Pick up a great deal in the CLASSIFIEDS section Transform your garden with a simple DIY project

Stay Green this Winter Issue 1

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Magazine June/July 2014

7 steps to your SUCCESSFUL renovation Get street appeal in a day with SIX simple steps!

Now available as an e-magazine • www.houseproudmagazine.com •

more than just a mortgage broker...

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HouseProud [editor’s letter]

From the editor Welcome to the first edition of House Proud Magazine. I am delighted you have taken the time to leaf through our magazine and I hope that you will thoroughly enjoy it now and in the future.

Home is where we go to relax, to be ourselves and is ultimately a reflection of who we are. In this bi-monthly magazine, we will show you new ways to vamp up your home, keep on top of your garden and cook up a storm in the kitchen.

The local community plays an important role in our home life. We therefore welcome community news, views, forthcoming events and local information to help

keep you, our readers, connected. So please feel free to write in and share your thoughts, announcements or anything else you may wish to share with your community.

The free classified section invites you to buy and sell items with ease and will feature in each edition (see page 13 for more details).

If this proves popular, we may be able to find the space to increase the number of adverts.

So as the nights begin to draw in and the days become a bit cooler, curl up and enjoy all this magazine has to offer.

Vicki

Editor

3

CONTENTS

6 Street Appeal in a Day

8 Staging the Perfect Open Home 11 Cookbook

13 Classifieds

14 Stay Green this Winter

15 DIY Corner

17

Coffee Break Quiz

19

Handy Tips & Tricks

20 Q&A

6

22 Real Estate Roundup

24 Kids Corner

27 Quiz Answers

29 Phonebook

11

Get in touch

visit www.houseproudmagazine.com www.facebook.com/houseproudmagazine @HouseProudMag Editor Vicki Hiett Deputy Editor Shahna Hudson Features Editor Amy Stephen Advertising 07 3272 1000 Editorial Enquiries editor@houseproudmagazine.com 4

19

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HouseProud [style]

Street appeal in a day

If your home's street appeal makes a great first impression, everyone including potential homebuyers and tenants - will want to see what's inside.

Here are a few day projects you can do to vamp up that curb appeal.

Make your entrance appealing with a custom wood door

Dress up the front door

Create an instant garden quickly

Give your front door a blast of colour with paint or install one of the many stylish timber finished doors available on the market.

Clean off any dirty spots around the knob and use metal polish on the door fixtures.

and affordably. Container gardens add a welcoming feel and colourful appeal to any home exterior. Ready-made containers are available at garden centres or create your own staggered, asymmetrical design, which works best to create a dynamic setting.

Replace old hardware such as house numbers, the entry door Install outdoor lighting to give lockset, a wall-mounted mailbox your home street appeal whilst also providing safety and security. and install an overhead light Lighting fixtures can add accent fixture. These add style and lighting to trees, the house or to interest to your home's exterior.

Use these features collectively illuminate a walking path. You for the best results and avoid could also install solar fixtures mix-and-match pieces. Oiled(remember their light levels are bronze finishes suit traditional not as bright or as reliable). homes, whilst brushed nickel suits more contemporary ones.

Create perfect symmetry Not only is it pleasing to the eye, Give your mailbox a makeover if it's also the simplest to arrange. it is looking a little tired. Try Symmetrical compositions of painting the wooden post to light fixtures and front door match your home's exterior accents create welcoming colour, surround it with plants or entryways. consider purchasing a new one.

6

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HouseProud [style]

How to go from For Sale to Sold Selling your house can be a stressful time and may involve the staging of an Open Home. You can help reduce some of this stress by putting into action a few tips that might just help you go from For Sale to Sold before you know it.

Focus on the Floor! If you have old, tired carpets get them steam cleaned to add freshness to a room, or better yet have a look to see if there are floorboards beneath. Restoring the floorboards will give the new owners the option to recarpet or enjoy the newly renovated floors.

Declutter the house by tidying away knick knacks and any surplus furniture to give the illusion of a spacious home.

By depersonalising your home to some extent, buyers will find it easier to imagine themselves living in your house.

Natural light is important for making your house seem bright and airy. Pull back the curtains, open some windows for fresh air and if a room is particularly dark, put on a subtle lamp or use dimmers.

Inspired by http://www.realestate.com.au/blog/9expert-tips-prepare-home-ofis

First things first, make your entrance appealing. Many potential buyers will drive by your house to get a feeling for the area. If your house fails to appeal from the street, they may not even come to the Open Home.

Try sprucing up your driveway, repaint your mail box and install some outdoor lighting if possible. For more ideas, see page 6.

Make sure your house is spotless! Clean all the surfaces, walls, cupboards and windows and update the tiny details. New door handles or kitchen cupboards can completely transform a room and make it appear more modern.

Dress your room to impress! Make the beds with clean and freshly ironed sheets. Try and stick to neutral colours and dress with some scatter cushions for a luxurious feel. Clear your surfaces of unnecessary items and try to balance the room with a symmetrical design.

Keep the furnishings if you can.

Furnished rooms help buyers interpret how space can be used in the home. Rooms actually appear smaller when empty as buyers often over estimate how big their furniture is. If you have already sold or moved out your furniture, beg, borrow and steal from friends and family or consider hiring a stylist to furnish your house.

Dress the bed with fresh, ironed sheets and stick to neutral colours

If you have pets at home, consider moving them from the property for your Open Home. Pets might distract potential home buyers so make sure you minimise their presence, including removing odours, toys, litter trays and feeding bowls.

And finally...

Do the final checks before your potential buyers arrive. Have you emptied the bin and hidden it away? Have you tidied away your mail?

Clear your clothes line of washing and tidy the cupboards, especially in the kitchen (people may look in them!).

Let the buyers leave with a wonderful impression of your home.

Open up curtains for natural light and try to keep furniture in place for that homely feel

9

passion 10

Cookbook Ingredients • • • • • • • • • • • • •

HouseProud [cookery]

Spicy Sweet Potato Soup

1 teaspoon chicken stock powder 1L (4 cups) boiling water 2 teaspoons sunflower oil 1 large brown onion, finely chopped 1 tablespoon red curry paste 2 carrots, peeled, thickly sliced 750g sweet potato, peeled, coarsely chopped 2 teaspoons lime juice 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar 90g (1/3 cup) extra light sour cream 1 long fresh red chilli, finely chopped 1 tablespoon chopped fresh coriander

Method

Step 1 Combine stock powder and water in a jug. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook the onion for 5 minutes or until soft. Stir in curry paste for 1-2 minutes or until aromatic.

Step 2 Now combine the onion mixture, carrot, sweet potato and stock mixture in a pan. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer for 25-30 minutes or until tender.

Cool slightly.

Step 3 Blend the soup until smooth. Heat over low heat for 2-3 minutes. Stir in the lime juice and brown sugar. Season.

Step 4 Combine the sour cream, chilli and coriander in a bowl. Serve with the soup.

11

energy

Classifieds

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You can expect House Proud Magazine to be read by over 60,000 people. You can advertise in the Classifieds section for FREE in the next edition by sending your information to editor@houseproudmagazine.com. We reserve the right to edit or decline adverts and to allocate the space accordingly.

13

J

HouseProud [garden]

Stay Green this Winter

As winter approaches, it’s the perfect time to think about some garden projects for the cooler months ahead.

une’s colder temperatures and shorter days mean growth in the garden will be particularly slow and as far as pruning and seed sowing goes, there is very little to do. So take advantage of the reduced workload by getting stuck into bigger projects, such as repair jobs, landscaping and maintenance.

Physical labour is far more enjoyable in the cooler tempertures, so consider preparing your garden beds. Improve the soil by digging compost into your planting areas, add dolomite to the soil and turn over.

Repot patio plants, transplant established shrubs and if you have any questionable trees, consult an arborist about having them removed or pruned.

Queensland’s sub-tropical climate also makes winter the perfect time to establish your veggie patch. June is a great month to grow pumpkins, English spinach, beetroot, carrots, onions and garlic, broccoli,

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turnips and cabbages. In areas that are frost free you could also try tomatoes, capsicums, zucchini, squash and cucumber.

If you missed the window to plant your seeds in the warmer autumn months, you might find that planting in colder temperatures will mean germination is poor. To resolve this start seeds off in pots and keep them in a warmer place, such as a patio or indoors. Alternatively you could purchase seedlings from the garden centre.

Remember winter doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying your garden. There are many jobs to keep you occupied during the forthcoming months and you’ll be thankful for your beautiful garden come spring.

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HouseProud [garden]

DIY vertical pallet garden Vertical gardens are right on trend at the moment. This vertical pallet garden is perfect for tenants, homeowners, and big or small yards.

Materials - Timber pallet - Piece of scrap timber - A roll of weed matt - Staple gun - Scissors - Flowering plants - Drill - Nails & hammer - Sheet of plywood - 4 to 5 bags of potting mix - Gardening gloves - Dynabolts

Method Step 1 Nail a scrap piece of timber along the entire length of the bottom of your pallet (with no gaps), to hold in the soil.

Step 2 Nail plywood sheet to the back of your pallet.

Step 3 To make two sacks to sit side-by-side in the pallet, cut weed matting into four rectangles of equal size, to fit in the pallet. Place two rectangles together and, using a staple gun, staple along three sides to make a sack.

Repeat with other rectangles.

Step 4 Lean the pallet against the wall, place sacks inside and fill with potting mix, making sure it is compacted. Once filled, fold over the top of sack and staple closed.

Step 6 Cut holes in the weed matting and dig holes in the potting mix so the plants will fit in.

Remove the plants from their pots, soften the mix around the roots and position one plant in each hole.

Step 7 Water thoroughly, ensuring water gets to the plant as some weed matting is not water permeable. Allow to rest on the ground for 1 to 2 weeks until the plants have had time to develop root strength.

Step 8 Rest your vertical pallet garden up against a wall or fence in your yard. Or, using a drill and dynabolts (anchors that fix to concrete), attach it to the wall. Then sit back and enjoy the view!

Step 5 Place the pallet on the ground in a spot where it can be kept flat for a couple of weeks.

Inspired by: http://homes.ninemsn.com.au/diy/craftprojects/8383807/vertical-pallet-garden and theinsideroom.net

15

growth

HouseProud [brainteaser]

Coffeebreak

Q

uiz

Why not take five minutes to yourself, sit down with your favourite drink and have a go at some brain teasers!

With thanks to www.printable-puzzles.com

Trivia

Logic

What common household product is known chemically as NaCl? Of which country is Reykjavik the capital?

What type of food is haloumi?

What is a quetzal?

Three friends each won a medal at their school's sports day. If Chuck got silver, but not in the discus, and Sanjeev's long jump got him a higher placing than the contestant in the 100m, which event did Russell take part in, and where did he come?

Angelina Jolie has portrayed which video game heroine?

On which continent is the Kalahari desert?

sudoku

sudoku

easy

medium

Answers on page 27!

17

John Paul College Middle School

Creating their Personal Future

In 2015, Queensland Year 7 students move into secondary schools for the first time.

John Paul College has included Year 7 within High School for more than 20 years. Throughout this time, we have created specific programmes that meet the developmental needs of young people. Our Middle School is all about shaping the person that is yet to be and helping them to create their own personal future.

Transitioning in Year 7 Students in Year 7 are in a transitional stage of their development and require a blend of approaches to successfully harness their energy and potential. When students enter Middle School, the focus is on developing relationships and organisational skills to prepare all students for the challenges of learning.

Our tailored curriculum ensures a seamless transition between Primary and Secondary Schools and builds the essential skills of problem solving, collaboration, analytical thinking and creativity.

Students have the opportunity to grow in a safe and welcoming environment whilst learning the routines of secondary school and having endless opportunities to explore and participate.

Building Connections Years 7 – 9 are an exciting time when young people experience significant emotional and physical growth. Academic progress during these teenage years is enhanced by students feeling emotionally and socially connected. Learning within our Middle School Precinct ensures that they develop their sense of self and confidence in their relationships.

Middle School Precinct In 2015 our Middle School Precinct will feature a state of the art refurbished learning environment with modern air-conditioned classrooms and interactive technologies, allowing for flexible and collaborative learning.

Leadership Opportunities As part of the Middle School philosophy, students are offered many opportunities to take responsibility, get involved and be part of the student voice. The Middle School Student Council, student committees and class leaders all work together to help serve the school and broader communities.

Bus Routes A network of bus services provides transport to the College from throughout the southern suburbs.

Network of Support Our teachers work closely with all students to ensure that they are provided with numerous opportunities to reach their individual potential.

Their network of support includes the Head of Middle School, Head of Year, Head of Teaching and Learning, Heads of Learning, Head of Careers and Pathways, Subject Area Teachers, Counsellor and our Chaplain. Each student is carefully supported by their Pastoral Care Teacher who oversees the students’ holistic growth.

Want to Know More?

Our Year 7 Programme provides the ideal transition between primary and secondary education by extending students in this middle phase, equipping them with the skills to become independent learners and successful citizens who are globally minded and culturally aware.

To help you make an informed decision about Year 7 in 2015, come to our Middle School Information evening on Wednesday 20 August, commencing 6.30 pm.

For further information and to register, visit www.johnpaulcollege.com.au.

Unity | Christ | Learning

(PYP/DP)

John Paul Drive, Daisy Hill Phone: +61 7 3826 3333 www.johnpaulcollege.com.au

HouseProud [ideas]

Bye Bye Pests!

Keep your bin smelling fresh!

Many people have experienced an increase in the numer of pesky ants in their homes.

If you have an ant problem, desperate times call for desperate measures. Put small piles of polenta - yum yum! (available from your local supermarket) where you see ants and they'll gobble it up, return "home" and won't be able to digest it. Your ant problem will soon be gone.

Line the bin bag with newspaper and a little baking soda. The paper will absorb any liquids and the baking soda will take care of the nasty smells!

Handy tips & tricks for your home Wrap cheese chunks in aluminium foil and store in the fridge to keep your cheddar fresher for longer and to keep mould out.

Suck it up!

To vacuum hard-to-reach gunk from under your fridge or behind a bookshelf, insert an empty paper towel roll into the end of your vacuum cleaner. Bend or flatten it to squeeze into these difficult spots.

Get creative!

Paint a section of your furniture with chalkboard paint. This is the perfect place to write shopping lists, notes to the family or somewhere for the children to draw!

Coffee stain on the carpet?

Hung out to dry

Apply a weak water/ammonia solution to the stain and dab with a clean cloth. Follow this with a white vinegar/water solution and dab.

Keep alternating until the stain has gone. For best results do this immediately after the spill. Make sure to do a patch test on an inconspicuous area of carpet before proceeding with the full process.

hing on the When putting was s that are line, hang any item the cupboard normally hung in er. This saves directly on a hang s creases. time and minimise Genius!

19

HouseProud [talkback]

QA &

How easy would it be for me to turn my garage into an additional bedroom?

- G Sanders, Runcorn There are several things to consider before taking on a conversion like this. It is always a good idea to consult with a private certifier first.

They will be able to tell you exactly what you need to do to gain council approval. Also, bear in mind that you may actually adversely affect the value of your home by doing this, so it's best to consult a real estate agent before you start any plans. Often the hardest part of this type of conversion is complying with the regulations concerning the physical barriers required for termite protection. You should also take into consideration the cost of the project - it isn't just a case of adding some furnishings and fixtures.

Think about insulation, flooring, waterproofing, heating and lighting. I'd recommed seeking professional help and make sure the job is finished to the highest standard.

- Howard

Your Questions Answered We are moving out of our current house and are thinking of renting it.

Should we rent through an agency or do it ourselves?

- M White, Underwood Choosing between a property manager and renting it yourself is a personal decision.

However having the support of a professional property manager is most landlords' preferred choice. Property management has undergone many changes over the last few years, so it's important that the person managing your property is up-to-date with the process. A property manager will work hard to maximise your rental income, whilst also staying on top of tenant requests and maintenance bills in an efficient manner. Finding and maintaining a tenant can make or break a rental property, so bear this in mind as agencies will have a prospective tenants database, which could make renting your property a breeze.

- Howard

How do I remove the white water marks from my glass shower screen?

I have tried all the cleaning products on the market. Howard, please help!

- N Edmonds, Calamvale Genereally, these white marks cannot just be removed by cleaning products as the glass has actually been etched by chemicals in the water.

However, there is a way to mask the appearance of these white streaks. Mix 1 part white vinegar to 100 parts water, clean the glass and allow to dry. Apply a sparing amount of sweet almond oil (available from the chemist) to a dry cloth and rub over the glass.

This will mask the appearance of those unattractive white streaks and make your screen look good as new.

If you want to protect your shower screen, purchase a window squeegee and wipe down the shower after every use.

- Howard

Got a question on real estate?

Need advice on a DIY or building project?

Howard is here to help and will happily share his extensive knowledge of both.

Email editor@houseproudmagazine.com with your questions

Howard Groos Principal of Professionals & QLD Licensed Builder

All advice given is general in nature. Please consider carefully if this advice is appropriate for you. Please note we are unable to respond to every question.

20

Looking for a safe pair of hands to manage your rental property?

07 3272 1000 Compton Centre, 66 Condamine St, Runcorn QLD 4113

www.professionalsruncorn.com.au | rentals@professionalsruncorn.com.au www.facebook.com/professionals.runcorn

HouseProud [feature]

Real Estate Roundup What is the current state of Real Estate?

ARE you aware of recent changes in the real estate market? Here is a bit of information to keep you updated.

Recent market analysis from realestate.com.au has revealed that Queensland property market is set for strong growth this year, with Brisbane in a favourable position to become the nation’s strongest property market in 2014.

Predictions show that property value in Brisbane is set to increase by 7%, perhaps more in some areas, over the duration of 2014, creating a competitive, seller friendly market.

Affordable properties and the desirable lifestyle of Brisbane and its suburbs is attracting a diverse range of buyers, from Melbourne and Sydney retirees to professional fly-in / fly-out workers, as well as local young professionals and established families.

Howard Groos, Principal of Professionals Runcorn comments; “The local market is going from strength to strength.

In Runcorn 73 properties are currently for sale and 96 have already been sold in the last 5 months. A high proportion of these buyers are investors, which reflects an equally strong

rental market.�

Statistics from realestate.com. au reveal Runcorn to be a High Demand Market, with an average of 30 people looking per property - well above the Queensland average of 13. This is commonplace among the surrounding suburbs, for example Stretton sees 25 people per property, Eight Mile Plains 34 and Sunnybank Hills a staggering 36!

In compiling this information, House Proud Magazine has relied upon information supplied by a number of external sources. So whilst House Proud Magazine believes all the information was deemed reliable at the time of publication, it does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.

Runcorn

Stretton

Calamvale

Properties sold in Jan - May 14 96

Properties sold in Jan - May 14 21

Properties sold in Jan - May 14 99

Current properties for sale 73

Current properties for sale 34

Current properties for sale 87

Highest sale price in Jan - May 14 $1,900,000

Highest sale price in Jan - May 14 $1,261,000

Highest sale price in Jan - May 14 $2,500,000

Lowest sale price in Jan - May 14 $255,000

Lowest sale price in Jan - May 14 $531,000

Lowest sale price in Jan - May 14 $305,000

Median sale price in Jan - May 14 $476,500

Median sale price Jan - May 14 $851,000

Median sale price in Jan - May 14 $538,000

22

Kuraby

Eight Mile Plains

Underwood

Properties sold in Jan - May 14 52

Properties sold in Jan - May 14 84

Properties sold in Jan - May 14 65

Current properties for sale 46

Current properties for sale 88

Current properties for sale 54

Highest sale price in Jan - May 14 $840,000

Highest sale price in Jan - May 14 $1,129,388

Highest sale price in Jan - May 14 $794,000

Lowest sale price in Jan - May 14 $250,000

Lowest sale price in Jan - May 14 $300,500

Lowest sale price in Jan - May 14 $292,000

Median sale price in Jan - May 14 $577,500

Median sale price in Jan - May 14 $650,000

Median sale price in Jan - May 14 $465,000

Sunnybank Hills Properties sold in Jan - May 14 27 Current properties for sale 72 Highest sale price in Jan - May 14 $2,600,000 The Stretton real estate market shows a move from a buyers' market to an equilibrium from November to January, a trend which is seen across most Southern suburbs and is expected to continue as the Brisbane property market strengthens.

Graph: Commonwealth Bank

Lowest sale price in Jan - May 14 $120,000 Median sale price in Jan - May 14 $550,000

“Your Investment Property Magazine” recently labelled Runcorn as the Queensland suburb to watch. With its close proximity to the city and the M2, its wide mix of housing types, access to local amenities and diverse resident base, Runcorn is likely to experience attractive growth over the rest of the year.

prices.

Rental yields currently sit at a healthy 5% and a vacancy rate of just 1% makes this area of Southern Brisbane an attractive investment location. But properties may be hard to come by, as only 0.9% of all properties in this neighbourhood were on the market in March 2014. This may lead to buyers facing some competition to get the house that they want, and can potentially aid an increase in property

New research from Commonwealth Bank and RP Data has revealed that the suburbs of Southern Brisbane are moving away from a buyers market, towards a sellers market and currently sit in a Buyer/Seller Equilibrium.

The real estate market is really starting to hot up as we move further into 2014 and market research is painting a positive picture for the months ahead.

With the Brisbane property market in its current position to become one of, if not the strongest property market in the country, it has never been a better time to do your homework on real estate!

Houses in this market tend to sell within a few weeks and buyers have only a moderate level of negotiation power.

Data sourced from Commonwealth Bank Home Buyer’s Index and RP Data

Commonwealth Bank states;

Howard Groos states; “As one of the leading agencies in the local area, we list houses for sale in Runcorn on a regular basis, and they never last long on the market. One of our properties sold in under two days, resulting in a very happy buyer and an equally happy vendor!”

23

Byers and sellers appear to be reasonably equally weighted based on the amount of homes being advertised for sale and the number of funding approvals.

HouseProud [puzzle]

K C

ids orner With thanks to www.kidspuzzlesandgames.co.uk

Answers on page 27!

The lion is lost! Help him find his way to his friend.

True or False?

You see with your eyes Dogs have 10 legs!

3+4=8 Sheep cannot fly

24

K C

HouseProud [puzzle]

ids orner

Find the names of the dinosaurs in the box!

With thanks to www.kidspuzzlesandgames.co.uk

Dinosaur Wordsearch!

Word Search

Princess Maths

To Colour

BELLE

TIANA

JASMINE

MULAN

ARIEL

MERIDA

RAPUNZEL

AURORA

Add the numbers to complete the pyramid

25

Find the Princess

STRETTON Cnr of Compton Rd & Condomine St. RUNCORN

HouseProud [solutions]

Coffee break The Answers! uiz

Q

Trivia

Table salt Iceland Cheese A tropical bird Lara Croft Africa

Logic Chuck - Silver 100m Russell - Bronze Discus Sanjeev - Gold Long Jump

K C

The ids Answers! orner

True or False? True, False, False, True 18 8 10 5 5

27

20 8 12 3 5 7

life

HouseProud [contacts]

Phonebook Emergency

000

(Police/Fire/Ambulance)

Police Link

13 14 44

Crime Stoppers

1800 333 000

SES

13 25 00

Flood/Storm Emergency)

Energex (Loss of Power)

13 62 62

Poisons Information

13 11 26

Public Transport Info

13 12 30

(Translink)

24hr Health Line

1343 2584

Dial Before You Dig

11 00

Brisbane City Council

3403 8888

Logan City Council

3412 3412

This handy list of contact numbers is ideal to keep next to the phone!

Other Important Numbers

29

power

Would you like a SOLD sign outside your property?

SOLD

Call

Professionals

for a FREE appraisal today

07 3272 1000 Compton Centre, 66 Condamine St, Runcorn QLD 4113

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