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Archive for June, 2010

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Don’t Buy Property in Poland Without These Facts

Filed Under : buy house by admin
Jun.30,2010

Polish property seems to me to be one of the safest places to invest in real estate in Europe. It has both a growing returning population and overseas investors all in search of the best Polish property to buy.

It was not so long ago when Poles migrated to the UK and other European countries in their thousands in search of work and prosperity. There is still a large population Polish people abroad but unlike many other migrants the majority have one thing in mind and that is home. Polish workers earning money are sending it home or saving it for when they return home and this is serving to strengthen the economy.

The recent global slowdown has seen areas such as the UK lose their attractiveness as many skilled polish workers realise they can start earning more money back home.

Poland which is bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast is set to become the financial powerhouse of central Europe.

According to Ernst & Young’s European Attractiveness Survey 2008, Poland is the top European location for new foreign investment. 834 international investors were surveyed by Ernst & Young, with 18% of them indicating they would invest or consider investing in Poland in the future. The investors came from a total of 43 different countries around the world. Poland ranked second in the survey in terms of jobs created last year in Europe. There were approximately 18,400 new jobs were created in 2007, although this represented a 41% drop on the 31,000 jobs created in 2006. For all of Europe, the United Kingdom placed first, with just over 24,000 jobs created.

In terms of foreign direct investment projects, Poland ranked seventh in Europe, with 146 new projects. The UK was first in this category as well, with 713 new projects, followed by France, with 541. The total number of new FDI projects in Europe grew by five percent year over year in 2007, from 3,531 to 3,712.

Buying property in Poland as an overseas buyer traditionally meant that investors would head to where they know. So areas such as Warsaw and Krakow have become property hotspots for both Poles and foreign investors. We all know that where there is demand prices rise so my tip would be to consider the suburbs of these two great cities. Warsaw still suffers with a housing shortage and property on the outside the city seems to be a great investment. Here you will find lower prices and more room for capital growth plus people willing to rent.

Foreigners can buy property in Poland with little restrictions once they have obtained the right permit from the Minster of Internal Affairs Once you have found a property you wish to purchase, price negotiation is usually done face to face with the seller. After agreeing upon a price, a notary will draw up the initial contract. This sets out the terms and any conditions, and a 20% deposit is paid. The notary typically serves as the legal authority, carrying out any property checks and searches.

So in my view Poland as an investment hot spot seems as safe as houses

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9 Home Selling Furniture Tips

Filed Under : sell house by admin

Consider your buyer’s needs when placing, removing or buying furniture.  Here are 9 home selling furniture tips to consider:

Home Selling and Staging Tips – Make more money on your home. General home staging tips to scratch the surface of what home sellers should consider doing to their for-sale home. Home Staging is the art of home making and acquires the heart of home buyers.

If your furniture is worn, torn or outdated, consider covering your chairs and sofas with neutral-colored tasteful slipcovers. Bring worn wooden furniture back to life by using Old English® Lemon Oil or Old English® Scratch Cover, which comes in both dark and light finishes and is easy to use. Be honest about the condition of your furniture. A hand-me-down sofa or chair from your grandmother won’t necessarily help to show the positive features of a room even if it’s the most comfortable seat in your house. Excess furniture should be removed and stored. If you don’t have enough furniture to adequately showcase a space, borrow, rent or purchase what you need. Shop secondhand stores for gently used items or find furniture closeouts to fill the space. When you showcase each room, try to find a focal point and build your furniture around it. Float pieces away from walls to add interest and create conversation areas. Use area rugs to define areas, but make sure these rugs are in proper proportion to the furniture and space. Determine the purpose of each room in your house, and showcase each room as it was originally designed to be used.

http://energizedseller.com/gralarticles/gralarticles/archive/2009/10/14/9-home-selling-furniture-tips.aspx

http://energizedseller.com/

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Tips on Buying Property in France

Filed Under : buy house by admin

Buying a property in France is never an easy undertaking especially to those who are first time buyers. Lots of things have to be considered before arriving at a concrete decision as to what is the property that best suit ones needs.

Basically, the process of buying a property in France is quite straight forward, that is, if you have a clear understanding of the process involved. Always the key to a successful purchase is research and a little patience. It is imperative that you know the basic information in order to guide you in your decision.

Initial Agreement

Purchase or sale of any property raises many questions and even fear especially when you buy overseas. So just like in any other types of sales, an initial agreement is important as it sets the sale’s terms and conditions. It is a provisional or a preliminary contract that is legally binding upon the buyer and the vendor. A professional like a notary should draft this.

There are basically three types of initial contract depending on who is acting on your behalf. That is why it is highly recommended that you do a thorough research on these types before buying. And whatever type you choose, you should keep in mind that this is legally binding upon you. Make sure that you spend time analyzing the terms in details and never hesitate to ask questions if there are conditions that are not clear to you.

The goal of this contract is to concretize the agreement between the vendor and the purchaser and allow the notary to prepare the final sale of deed, so there is no need for you to pay any amount yet before signing.

Signature of Final Sale Contract

The true transfer of property takes place only at the time of the signature of the Title Deeds or also known as Acte Authentique at the office of the notary. The signing transpires once the notaire has carried out the relevant checks and searches and all the conditions are met.

If you cannot attend the contract signing, a proxy can sign but take note that on the power of attorney, your signature should appear on it and should be legalized by the French Consulate or a solicitor or a notary public in your originating country.

Planning Permissions

This should be obtained for any new construction or for refurbishing an existing building. An application for a representative can file planning permission provided a proxy is signed in that regard. Your representative can be the architect who drew up the plan, a solicitor, or the builder.

A planning permission application should include the identification details of the applicant, as well as the land on which there are plans to erect a building, the plot of land’s location map, and the layout plans.

Tax

Taxes and costs are always associated with buying property in France. And these should be considered when planning your investment. Usually there are high taxes for a start, which include income, property, residential taxes, wealth and capital gains. Keep in mind that tax in France is rather high and there are penalties for late payers, so you should check your French tax return for the deadline.

French Inheritance Law

It is important that you know the inheritance law in France because it may be different from your originating country. If you have a property in France, French Succession Law will govern this. Children automatically inherit part of their parents’ estate but there is a limit to how much may be left by Will to non-blood relatives.

These are just a few of the information that you should know to guide you in buying property in France. Before you purchase one, be sure what you are buying.

Take your time and consider all the factors and gather all the information you need that can help you in your decision-making. Remember that as a buyer, you should take responsibility for the condition of the items you purchase so you should inspect them before you purchase.

Seeking legal advice is the best thing that you can do in order to know all the details that come with buying a property in France. Impulsive buying can never do you any good, so be in total control.

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Curbed Appeal: Things Home Sellers Do That Don’t Sell Homes

Filed Under : sell house by admin
Jun.28,2010

There are many ways that you can sabotage your home sale, just by doing or failing to do the 5 things listed in this article. While most people trying to sell homes are actually trying to exchange their home for money, we realize that you, being the avant garde person that you are, plan to defy conventional wisdom and boldly strike out on your own, to ensure that not only will your home fail to sell, or at the very least, fail to sell for the money it could have sold for, it will also be given hardly a passing glance by home seekers on the prowl!

1.    Don’t clean up the yard.
Whatever you do, don’t clean up the yard! You don’t need those nosy home buyers admiring the trim hedges and the leaf-clear ground! In fact, raking leaves might leave them with the impression that the yard is easy to care for! You absolutely CANNOT have that in a house we hope not to sell! The same goes for the garden. Under no circumstances should you waste money and time on tidying the beds, weeding or even dumping some mulch to make things look better. The more forlorn and dead your flora looks, the less likely people will admire it or want to think of it as their own. Bonus points for any dead and decaying plants.

2.    Do not clean or tidy the house.
This is very important. In order to discourage buyers, make sure that you leave rooms untidy and dirty. Don’t under any circumstances let a cleaning product come into contact with anything in the kitchen or bathroom; it will only make things appear fresh and clean. If you have any signs of mold or rot, cultivated them lovingly and encourage them to take up residence underneath the sink and behind the toilet. Avoid vacuuming.

3.    Stay home with the kids and pets.
It’s still your house, right? You have the right to stay right where you are. Don’t go out, but take a good look at the buyers and see what you can do to scare them off. Having one child screaming and the other playing a drum set is a good start. If you pair that with an unruly dog, freshly coated in mud or worse, all the better. Your buyers will probably remember a forgotten appointment 5 minutes into the showing. Don’t forget to point out all the home’s flaws!

4.    Don’t fix anything
If you had to deal with that broken cupboard door for the last two years, don’t allow your buyers to leave without experiencing your home in all of its decaying glory. Remember, fixing things will do nothing more than leave your buyers with the impression that the house is well cared for. If your aim is to ruin the possibility of a sale, you’re shooting yourself in the foot.

5.    Stay away from the outbuildings
In addition to all the nasty rats and spiders that can be lurking around, you don’t want to give your buyers the idea that these structures are useful assets to the property. A rusted lock that takes 20 minutes to force open is better than an oiled deadbolt. Make sure that any electricity is off and that the garage/shed/workshop hasn’t been aired out in at least 6 months.

It can be a challenge to ruin your home sale, but it can be done with adherence to a few simple tips. After all, it’s not like you went to the trouble of hiring a real estate professional, taking out ads, making plans to move, etc. for anything other than idle amusement. Savor the fun and ensure that no one is able to leave with the impression that your home may be right for them.

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How to Buy Property at the Right Price

Filed Under : buy house by admin

Many people dream of buying their dream property. When people are looking to buy a nice piece of property, it can often be confusing figuring out if they are getting a good price. Everyone wants to get a good deal on property, especially during these difficult economic times; however, there are many things to be aware of before signing a purchase agreement.

The following is a list of tips on how to buy property at the right price:

Research Property: Because of the development of the internet, it is now easy to research many properties in many locations. It is easy to compare properties to look for differences in prices. As well, you will find such details as pictures of the property, size of the property, and any unique features. Many real estate sites feature a variety of properties in the area that you are researching. As well, most of these real estate sites provide the prices of similar properties in the area that are for sale.

Property Sales Market Fluctuations: It is important to be aware that the real estate market goes through market fluctuations. You should check to make sure that the area you are interested in is not going through a period of high property sale prices. The price being offered may be the result of current economic conditions.

Negotiation: It is important not to accept the first price offered. In most cases, the seller is expecting to have to negotiate a sales price. Negotiation is a key tool to ensuring that your purchase becomes a wise investment. You should also be aware that sometimes sellers will raise their price a bit because they expect to have to lower it during the negotiation.

Reject Pressure to Purchase: If you feel you are being pressured to buy and you think the price is too high, it is important to walk away from the deal. You want a dream property, but you do not want to pay more than the property is worth.

Inspect Property: Never purchase property that you have not looked at. You want to make sure there are not any problems with the property such as poor drainage. You also want to be able to consider the potential of the property.

Real Estate Agent: It is always wise to enlist the services of a real estate agent. They are a valuable source of information such as the property values in the area and their asking price. They can also negotiate a fair price and locate property with features that you want.

Appraiser: If you are unsure about the asking price of a particular piece of property, you can always enlist the services of an appraiser. An appraiser will be able to assess the value of the property.

It is important to remember that property prices vary according to the area. As well, as the demand for properties change, the prices will also change. Make sure you have the right knowledge about asking prices and transacted prices from as far back as a year.

Because properties are constantly coming onto the market, it is not a serious mistake if you lose out on a particular property. It is better to lose out on a piece of property rather than make a bad investment. By doing your research and acquiring the right information, you will purchase the right property at the right price.

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Astrology, Feng Shui, Magic Spells… and Selling Homes

Filed Under : sell house by admin
Jun.26,2010

As someone in the real estate industry, I’m always eager to find out more about buying and selling strategies. However, I’m not sure what to think about using astrology to sell a home. Or Feng Shui. Or magic spells. There are a lot of people more than happy to take your money in exchange for your magic number, star alignment, or real estate amulet, though.

Astrology has been used to divine the future since before the Common Era. Many people today view it as a harmless amusement. Move.com even has a section for “homestrology” profiles. Realty Times did an article entitled, “Look to the Stars for Decorating Advice”, featuring astrologer John Marchesella, who claims that knowing your Sun Sign can help you choose colors for your home.

In some cases, astrology becomes serious business, spawning websites like realestateastrology.com that sells subscriptions for astrology questions, natal charts, and business outlooks. These cost between $25 to $50 a month. Some astrologers promise results if you buy a personal profile from them, ranging from 19.95 to hundreds of dollars. One website promised that my problems selling a home stemmed from not having my home in proper alignment with the stars. For only 39.95, I could get a astrological profile that would improve my real estate transactions. Some Realtors even claim that they use astrology to sell homes.

Magic spells aren’t just for Mickey Mouse in “Fantasia” any more. Some people believe that they can help you sell your house. One spell requires allspice, myrrh and benzoin. If Eastern magic appeals to you more, there’s a site that sells Chinese Prosperity Oil at the bargain price of 39.95. Apparently you can anoint the doorstep with it or burn it for a pleasing ‘buy-me’ scent.

Another route is to bury a statue of St. Joseph somewhere in the lawn. St. Joseph, one-time husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus, is also the patron saint of real estate sales. One site selling St. Joseph statues intimates that you can sell your house faster if you buy the bigger statue size. One wonders why it is necessary to deep-six an effigy of a saint in order for him to take notice of your house selling woes, but there is no explanation forthcoming from history aside from anecdotes.

Feng shui is a Chinese practice rooted in ancient times. Basically, the idea is arranging objects in one’s life to attract positive energy. However, feng shui also attracts money from people who believe that this practice can help them sell homes. 19.95 buys one information about their element at one website. One feng shui consultant who works in real estate charges $150. An hour. On the plus side, feng shui does encourage people to pay attention to their color scheme and the placement of furniture in the home.

The principles of feng shui may actually work in real estate simply because they encourage people to arrange their house in an uncluttered fashion, with an eye for pleasing colors. Magic spells and astrology, though… are these people genuine, or are they simply taking peoples’ money? The truth is that the efficacy of such things has never been proven. It’s one thing to look at your horoscope for fun; another to hand someone hundreds or thousands of dollars, only to be told that your house didn’t sell because the stars weren’t aligned properly.

In the end, I would urge you to put your faith in a Realtor, whose ‘magic’ you can rely on.

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Tips To Buy Property In Bangalore

Filed Under : buy house by admin

If plan to buy a house in Bangalore is your first initiative then, you might be in for a shock. The process will be nothing less than a nightmare.

When we decided to lookout for a house in Bangalore, we contacted few real estate agents. We cleared him what we was looking for as well as the budget we could afford. He took us to few assorted properties, but none of them were even close to what we was looking for.

Investment in property is definitely a good call especially in a place like Bangalore, but you need to be cautious while concluding to fetch you good Profits. First-time home property hunters commence the search long before most even realizes it. There are many important aspect to keep in mind while buying a property, below are points for your assistance, having learned them hard way.

Mind your Pocket size:

This is the primary step when you go for an investment. The expected expenditure for house must be around or below 35 percent of your total income. Flexibility in your budget would definitely help during times of any unforeseen events. Find out  your capability to accrued loan from any trusted housing loan institute or bank. Watch out your income and Ensure how much you can pay as down payment. This will help you to ascertain  and conclude your budget while hunting property in Bangalore.

Find the best Location:

Location plays an important deciding factor in buying of property. Make sure you checklist few aspects before jumping into conclusion.

· Ensure there are proper approaching roads to the house.
Ensure there are proper water & electricity connections.
Ensure that well laid out drainage, sewerage and garbage disposal arrangements have been made.
Is there any issues concerning to pollution due to industries etc?
Level of developmental activities of the area – ensure adequate public transport facilities and other prominent amenities like educational institutions, hospitals etc.
Survey the market and talk to local people and enquire about the standards.
Do a market research on the current scenario:

Lot of people go by the opinion of someone they know. While trusting is good, but view important decision requires lot of facts & figures. It is advisable to visits brokers, look at websites on real estate, visit exhibitions, then shortlist properties based on your requirement.

Find the right sources.

. Buying a property in Bangalore is one foremost resolution taken by us, make sure you invest your hard Earned income in projects acknowledged by renowned developers or agency having proven track record.

You may rope in trustworthy real estate agent for a nominal commission.

look for resale value:

Always go for a property which has a resale value. Purchase the property in a developing area. The value of land will appreciate but purchase house or flat or land that is Vaastu-friendly from resale point of view. Even if you have to be more flexible with your budget, invest in a property which has resale value. Focus on property in developing area. The value of your property may appreciate in future. Investing your money in Vaastu- friendly property will boost your resale value.

Look for your lifestyle and layout:

Before you search out for a property, decide on what kind of lifestyle you and your family will be comfortable. Would you like villa, apartment or individual house? Or do you need a suburb or inner city? All defines your lifestyle. Study on the layout is also very important. You dont want to buy an apartment and invest twice the amount in restoration. First of all, ensure there are enough rooms for your family. Confirm on the available space of the living, dining area and kitchen. Entire layout has to be planted in prior depending on the size of the family

Once zeroed on a property go through ALL the papers:

Once finalized on the property, the verification of all the required papers and documents becomes property. Before documenting the property in your name, ensure that the building has been raised as per the government sanctioned plan and if there is any deviation, it should be in the allowed limits. Check and recheck the documents and papers with a learned advocate. Assure that the documents of property you intend to purchase are crystal clear. Especially

a) Mother Deed – can be assessed in the registrar’s office. Mother deed gives you an entire scenario as in the details of the holdings of the property for past 30 years.

b) Sale Deed

c) Conversion Documents – Very important when you buy property in place like Bangalore, where propertyis not available in central part, most of the land outside will be meant for agriculture, so it is important to be converted.

d) NOC(No Objection Certificate) – Ensure you have a NOC from BDA or the required authority, if the property is converted.

· Own your Dream:

You need to make sure that you repay your home loan instalments periodically in time. Once you occupy your home. Ensure you maintain your property in proper condition for resale if required.

Buying a property in a place like Bangalore is dream come true. There is a need to maintain extreme caution while finalizing a property. After all its our hard earned money invested in it. Make sure you entrust your dream in a trusted hand. I suggest one such company named relocateeasily.com, who takes an extra initiative in find a home for us. This is one such company which gives personal attention to all above aspects.

I hope they meet their tag line – “relocation was never so easy”

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Why Buy Property In An Economic Recession?

Filed Under : buy house by admin
Jun.25,2010

There is arguably no better time to buy property than during an economic recession as banks and other financial institutions are repossessing ‘distressed’ property at a rate of knots. As long as you are cash flush, the current property market presents fantastic opportunities for the astute buyer and investor.

When there is inordinate greed in any market, be it the property market or the JSE, it is wise to be fearful, but when there is fear in the market you should take a tip from Warren Buffett, one of the richest men in the world, and be greedy!

Insolvencies and liquidations on the rise

Recent statistics have revealed that the number of insolvencies and liquidations are set to spike and with less money and a lot less job security around, the negative sentiment presents unparalleled opportunities for those who are not at the mercy of banks.

Interestingly, more expensive properties are now being repossessed – an indication that the recession is clobbering all segments of the market – which presents great value for prospective buyers in the top end of the market .Clifton property, Llandudno property and Camps Bay property are all going at a global ‘steal’.

Although South Africa is very much part of the global economy, and indications are that we are not quite going to escape the latest market debacle unscathed, there are several mitigating factors for the local economy that may well salve some of the gaping wounds caused by the fiscal impropriety in the first world economies.


Government spending will increase value

The government’s commitment to infrastructure spending for the FIFA 2010 World Cup means that there will be a massive demand for property in the surrounding areas, which in turn will lead to an increase in the value of property close to the stadiums or the newly conceived BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system.

South Africa boasts the fastest growing middle-class on the planet and, together with a free and fair election in April, many predict a boom in property prices by as early as next year.

If Hout Bay property with sweeping views of the bay is your dream or you’re seduced by the idea of beach front living, now is the time to bite the bullet and commit to property – it will always be an outstanding asset in any well balanced financial portfolio.

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Important Working At Home Tips

Filed Under : sell house by admin
Jun.24,2010

Working at home websites are everywhere these days. It seems like every week there is a new one trying to get your attention. The work at home market has become very competitive thanks to the internet.


Here are a few tips to help get you started working at home.


Do not believe everything you read. Sadly this is one area where people can get easily scammed on the Internet today.


It is easy to believe all the hype about how you can make $10,000 a day sitting in your underwear working two hours or less. Yet there are many internet websites like that online trying to get your money.


When you start researching working at home websites consider a couple of things.


- How long has a website been around? You can quickly get a feel for the quality of the site by the number of pages that it has, does it contain an about us page, or testimonial page, do they have a blog, and so on.


- What is the quality of the products they represent? If the site is nothing but a bunch of links for typing at home or doing data entry, then it may not be worth spending any time on it.


Not that there is anything wrong with those kinds of products, but a quality working at home website is going to contain real business opportunities as well. You should be able to find something that appeals to you as a way to work at home on these types of sites.


Also think in terms of starting a business of your own as opposed to getting a job. Internet jobs are almost impossible to find. Your best bet is to start a home business and sell products online.


Even if the product you sell is trading your hours for dollars doing data entry, for example, you are still marketing your skills. You become the product.


Other ways to actually start a home business would be to create your own website and sell products in a specific niche. You might also look at setting up a blog and offering products or services of your own to the public on it.


These are a few important working at home tips you should keep in mind before you get started doing anything on your own. There are so many different ways to work at home today that using the Internet for research is just the tip of the iceberg.

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Tips on Buying Properties in the South of France

Filed Under : buy house by admin

Wouldn’t it be nice to buy properties in the south of France, particularly in St. Tropez?  Some people are inclined to believe that investing in St. Tropez real estate would cost an arm and a leg, but you would be surprised to see that some properties actually go for a lot less than you might expect.

Aside from the price, another incentive that can pull you into buying a St. Tropez property is the fact that the weather is always mild there.  The mild Mediterranean climate attracts people from the colder parts of Europe all year round, but more so during the summer months.  You can treat the property as an income generator by renting it out to these holiday-goers who regularly flock to St. Tropez and the other tourist destinations in the south of France.

Buying properties in the south of France, however, is no simple matter.  If you do not do it carefully, you may end up wasting a good chunk of money on a non-performing asset.  You should always weigh in the factors for and against buying a St. Tropez property before you actually make the purchase.

Here are a few tips on buying property in St. Tropez:

Set a budget.  The first thing you need to do before you buy property in St. Tropez is to set your budget.  Know how much you can afford to spend and stick to that amount when shopping for the property that you want.

Browse listings of reputable brokers.  When shopping for real estate, you should only make transactions with reputable real estate brokers.  View their listings and verify the information that you get from them if you have to.  Dealing with only reputable real estate brokers will save you a huge amount of trouble in the long run.

Visit the property.  As much as possible, go and fly to the south of France so you can view the property you are about to buy with your own eyes.  Do not put your trust in another person’s judgment of the property, no matter how much you trust that person.  In visiting the property yourself, you will be able to assess whether or not you like the property and what improvements you may need to make after buying it.

Hire a solicitor.  Another important move that you need to make when buying properties in the south of France is hiring a solicitor.  A solicitor would be able to attend to legal details that you may lack the understanding, or the ability, to deal with.  Your solicitor will act as your liaison officer in completing the paperwork involved with buying a property.  However, make sure that you know all the details of whatever your solicitor is doing with regards to the property so that you understand what is going on.

Buying properties in the south of France is not a simple task to undertake.  You should do your homework and prepare yourself for the eventuality that you may become a property owner in St. Tropez or anywhere in the south of France.

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