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Home buying

3 Points Home Buyers Must Assess When Home Shopping in North Carolina

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Happy Halloween, everyone! It is a great season of fun as we head to the holidays. For many Triangle, Lake Norman, Charlotte, and Wilmington home buyers, shopping for a new home and location can be very challenging. Fall is the perfect time for making a change, and there are many homes on the market in the regions of North Carolina we serve! It is important, especially for first time home buyers to separate wants and needs. Unfortunately, there is no “perfect” home; yet there are so many places to live that improve lifestyle and opportunity! Some home seekers have an unrealistic list of must-have features and this causes them to miss out on a great upgrade for an ideal home. Our expert agents at Flat Fee Realty want to help home buyers across North Carolina find the best available home this time of year. We will help every prospective buyer know the variables of what is important when looking for a home.   

Our Flat Fee Realty experts offer three important issues home buyers should deemphasize when looking for a new home:  

  • The home’s decor: It truly does not make sense to disregard a home due to interior paint color and fixtures. An original homeowner’s taste in design is a simple fix and it should not affect the house’s suitability. A baby’s room could become a home office. Do not focus on changeable items and temporary situations. 
  • Home warranty: In the competitive North Carolina real estate market, some sellers will offer incentives. While a new home warranty does offer benefits and provides basic peace of mind, be careful to be over-influenced. A warranty only covers specific systems in the home and provides for discounted repairs; do not confuse it with insurance. 
  • Interior space: Many buyers want a specific amount of square footage, but flexibility will allow suitability. An open floor plan can make a smaller home feel larger, and townhomes offer advantages as well.

Open houses can be a lot of fun for buyers, but there is a lot to think about. The one strategy home buyers in the Triangle, Lake Norman, Charlotte, and Wilmington can apply is to keep things simple.  Focus on the basics of what is important. Keeping non-negotiable needs the top priority and assess the possibilities of everything else. This advice is central to a low-stress home buying experience.

Our team can help. And our buying and selling agents at Flat Fee Realty are here across North Carolina to begin the process!  

Contact an agent at Flat Fee Realty today!

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Happy Halloween! This post on selling and buying a home in the regions of the Triangle, Raleigh, Lake Norman, Charlotte, and Wilmington is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty and is intended for informational purposes only.  

The Future of Real Estate! 

 Flat Fee Realty 

919 342 5230 (Raleigh and the Triangle)
910 225 7721 (Wilmington, Carolina Beach)
704 659 3560 (Lake Norman, Charlotte)

Photo: Pixabay

Contact Us 

Terry@FlatFeeNC.com 

 

 

3 Reasons Why It Is the Right Time to Buy a Home in North Carolina

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The timing for buying a home in Wilmington, Lake Norman, and Wilmington has never been better. Fall of 2017 is featuring a great market across our sales’ regions.  

Flat Fee Realty’s expert team of realtors have seen great real estate trends as we head to year-end. These trends lead the agents to believe that now is the time to buy!

Flat Fee Realty NC offers home seekers three reasons why a now is the time to buy a home before the end of 2017:  

  • Rising interest rates: It seems like mortgage rates are always rising. But, mortgage rates dropped quite a bit over the past 2 years which is now leading to a slight increase in mortgage rates. However, we can never predict where the rises will stop, so, it’s best to buy now.
  • Shrinking inventory of available homes: This is a problem across the United States, but it is tremendously more challenging in North Carolina. This is due to a growing economy and beautiful weather, and our schools and regional infrastructure. Our cities are ranked as top communities across the country. Families are coming here every single day, and our housing inventory is getting lower. There is quite a bit of new construction coming to help the problem in 2018, yet finding a home now with our help will get things settled for the new year.
  • Increasing home prices: It is the simple law of supply and demand. As the housing inventory in North Carolina lessens, the price of the remaining homes will slightly increase. Across the country, real estate experts are expecting a 2% to 3% price increase as we end 2017 and head into 2018.

There are many important reasons to purchase home this year. However, it may not be the right decision for everyone. If the time is right, contact our team at Flat Fee Realty and set up a time to ask any real estate question.  

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This post on selling and buying a home in North Carolina is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty LLC and is intended for informational purposes only.

Look for our new locations in Wilmington and Lake Norman/ Charlotte

Find us on Instagram!

The Future of Real Estate!

Flat Fee Realty

Triangle: 919 342 5230 

Lake Norman/ Charlotte: 704 659 3560

Wilmington: 910 225 7721

Find and like us on Facebook!

Contact Us

Terry@FlatFeeNC.com

Photo: Deposit Photos, 1707662

3 Facts to Know About Open Houses in the Triangle, Lake Norman, and Wilmington

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As newcomers move to North Carolina, people are often eager to find the home of their dreams as soon as possible. There are several excellent ways that home buyers can utilize to find their new home, including seeking out a Flat Fee Realty NC agent, browsing potential options with one of our team, and visiting open houses.

Some people may think that open house events are outdated since the internet provides virtual tours, galleries, and more to showcase the listed home. To a certain degree this is true, but there are still benefits to attending an open house, in person, and that cannot be replicated by the internet.

Flat Fee Realty offers three important facts about open houses in the Carolinas:  

  • Open houses have many purposes: For those who are new to navigating the real estate market, it may seem like the point of an open house is to sell the featured home. In many cases that is the end goal. However, it is important to note that open houses are great for traffic and opportunity. Home seekers can connect with people in the industry and get a feel for how they conduct business.
  • Neighbors are often good resources: In theory, an open house will attract serious buyers only, but that’s not always the case. There will always be neighbors and casual walk-throughs and others with no intent to purchase. However, they usually have a wealth of knowledge pertaining to the neighborhood, schools, community, shopping and more.
  • Reality Can’t Be Retouched: Since the internet is a viable resource for home buyers, people can get a view of the house without ever being on the property. This can be great news, especially for those moving from another area or if there is no time to shop in person. Note that internet photos can be carefully shot to hide flaws or to exaggerate space from a specific angle. The benefit of attending an open house is seeing the home in person, without the magic of photoshop or filters to adjust its image.

Open houses are still useful in the real estate market today, especially for home buyers in the Triangle area who are looking to connect with the best of the best in the industry. Contact us at Flat Fee Realty to inquire about local open house events and to meet with our friendly and knowledgeable agents! Terry McDonald and his team in the Triangle, Lake Norman, and Wilmington are ready to help today!

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This post on selling and buying a home in North Carolina is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty LLC and is intended for informational purposes only.

Look for our new locations in Wilmington and Lake Norman/ Charlotte

Find us on Instagram!

The Future of Real Estate!

Flat Fee Realty

Triangle: 919 342 5230 

Lake Norman/ Charlotte: 704 659 3560

Wilmington: 910 225 7721

Find and like us on Facebook!

Contact Us

Terry@FlatFeeNC.com

Photo:FlatFee Realty NC Wilmington, Lake Norman, Triangle 

3 Simple Home Improvements that Increase North Carolina Home Values

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As the Carolinas head to Labor Day and the start of back to school, it is a great time of year for Lake Norman, the Triangle and Wilmington. it is beginning to cool down but it is still warm enough to enjoy the outdoors. September is also a great time for real estate as many local families begin considering a move to a new home. Many homeowners begin the process by considering home improvements that will attract just the right buyer.

At Flat Fee Realty, headquartered in the Triangle, we suggest keeping things simple while at the same time staying within the family budget. Many of homeowners can make a few quick changes to their home to improve the offer price.

Flat Fee Realty NC offers three simple yet effective home improvements that really positively impact the price of a home in our collective markets:  

  • Update the décor: If a room feels outdated to the homeowner, it will most likely feel that way to a potential home buyer. A home needing updates is a big reason not to buy for many house seekers. Again, keep things simple. Replace older rugs and window coverings. Paint rooms in a neutral color. Change out fixtures and add new knobs to kitchen cabinets. Determine if the flooring needs to be updated. Add some light throw pillows or wall decorations. Spending a little often brings a lot of return.
  • Clean and organize: Many North Carolina homeowners have lived in their home for a long time. There is a good chance that there will be clutter and a little disorganization. Toss unnecessary items, give away what is not needed, and store as much as possible to give the home a warm and organized feel. Decluttering is one of the main priorities. Clutter is the number one reason buyers choose another home.  
  • Improve curb appeal: This is typically one of the most cost-effective home improvement projects and a great one for fall. Does the lawn have brown spots? Work on seeding over those sections. Add fresh plants and flowers to the flower beds. Trim the bushes. Edge the lawn and have the driveway power washed. If needed, add a fresh coat of paint to the exterior of the home. There are quite a few simple upgrades for the exterior of the home, including putting fresh paint and handles on the front door, that will help home buyers feel right at home when they first pull up.

These are all really easy, cost effective projects that will help any home sell faster and get a better asking price. Looking for a first home, maybe a bigger one for the family? Call our offices in Lake Norman, Wilmington and in the Triangle to chat about the process of selling and buying a new home this fall.  Contact the Flat Fee Realty team to get started today!

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This post on selling and buying a home in Wilmington, Lake Norman, and the Triangle of North Carolina is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty LLC and is intended for informational purposes only.

Please note our new locations in Wilmington and Lake Norman/ Charlotte

Find us on Instagram!

The Future of Real Estate!

Flat Fee Realty

Triangle: 919 342 5230 

Lake Norman/ Charlotte: 704 659 3560

Wilmington: 910 225 7721

Find and like us on Facebook!

Contact Us

Terry@FlatFeeNC.com

Photo: Flat Fee Realty NC

3 Important Financial Tips for First-Time Home Buyers in North Carolina

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Rent and lease prices are on the rise across the nation, and it is the leading cause for the increase in first-time home buyers here in the Triangle and across the United States. According to Zillow’s 2016 Consumer Housing Trends report, 50% of buyers are under age 36, and 47% of them are buying for the first time. This means there are an array of buyers in the market who need guidance from the local area experts, Flat Fee Realty NC.

Everyone knows that one of the biggest factors associated with buying a home is money. Buying a first home can be expensive, risky, and it can leave North Carolina homebuyers wondering if they’re making the right decision. Luckily, homebuyers in Wilmington, the Triangle, and Lake Norman have the expertise of Flat Fee Realty’s knowledgeable team of agents that are willing and ready to help buyers plan their financial investment in the right way.

Flat Fee Realty shares three important financial tips that are most important to first-time home buyers in North Carolina:  

  • Assessing geographic considerations: It’s all about location, right? Without proper planning, buyers may find their closing costs will skyrocket due to the applicable taxes in a specific area. The rates can vary across street names, so it’s best for buyers to be aware of the rates in their target locations and plan for them.
  • Avoiding Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI): Most mortgage lenders prefer a 20% down payment on a new home. If buyers offer something less, they are likely forced into other fees instituted to protect the lender; this situation can include private mortgage insurance (PMI). A full down payment will help to reduce interest rates on the loan overall and avoid the extra monthly fee associated with PMI.
  • Making sound financial decisions: No one can truly predict the future, and there may be potential financial benefits ahead for a first-time home buyer that might convince them to shop out of their budgeted price range. However, anything can happen, and it’s best to not count on money that might not be there in the future. First-time buyers should be realistic about what they can afford need to stay within predetermined means.

Buying a home for the first time is a huge investment; and Triangle, Lake Norman, and Wilmington buyers deserve a local dedicated team on their side. Our agents at Flat Fee Realty can help first-time buyers plan their finances and make sure nothing comes as a surprise. Contact us today to see how we can help!

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This post on selling and buying a home in North Carolina is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty LLC and is intended for informational purposes only.

Look for our new locations in Wilmington and Lake Norman

Find us on Instagram!

The Future of Real Estate!

Flat Fee Realty

Triangle: 919 342 5230 

Lake Norman: 704 659 3560

Wilmington: 910 225 7721

Find and like us on Facebook!

Contact Us

Terry@FlatFeeNC.com

 Photo: pixabay

3 Important Impacts of Rising Mortgage Rates in North Carolina

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There are a number of housing trends in the Triangle, Lake Norman and Wilmington markets to track in 2017. One major factor is the mortgage rate, which will continue to have an impact on the housing market overall across the entire state.

Luckily, our homeowners and buyers in our three markets have a dedicated team of professionals working hard to stay on top of mortgage rates and more. Our experienced agents at Flat Fee Realty are transparent about the potential impacts the rising mortgage rates will have, and we’re dedicated to ensuring that home buyers and sellers are knowledgeable of the market shifts.

Flat Fee Realty offers three important impacts that rising mortgage rates will have on the North Carolina real estate market:  

  • Mortgage affordability: Buyers have been able to secure historically low rates for the past few years, but since the national election in November, the rates have increased and we may see more increases throughout 2017. Since income hasn’t increased in tandem, this leaves homeowners making slightly higher monthly payments than they did last summer.
  • Lower inventory: Since current homeowners have lower fixed rates, it could be less appealing to sell a home and refinance or take on a new mortgage. This will potentially lead to fewer houses listed on the market, which will in turn make home buying a little more challenging. Working with a Flat Fee Realty NC agent is very beneficial for buyers who need guidance and access to more properties that could otherwise go unnoticed.
  • Housing appreciation. According to Zillow, home values did increase by 6.8% in 2016, and they’re projected to rise 4.6% in 2017. So, with increased home value, buyers will be faced with borrowing a little more and at slightly higher rates. Again, our agents will help navigate the shifting market and give homeowners and potential buyers peace of mind in 2017.

Although things may look uncertain for the Carolina housing market this year, there’s no need to worry if our Triangle, Lake Norman and Wilmington residents are working with our local teams at Flat Fee Realty. Despite the increases, we’ll be here to guide our homeowners and buyers throughout the process, ensuring they are aware of all current market trends. Contact our regional office in Morrisville NC today to see how we can help find an affordable home at the right price.  

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Photo: Flat Fee Realty NC

This real estate blog post on mortgage rates and home buying and selling in North Carolina is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty LLC, and is intended for informational purposes only.

Check out our new locations in Wilmington and Lake Norman/ Charlotte

Find us on Instagram!

The Future of Real Estate!

Flat Fee Realty

Triangle: 919 342 5230 

Lake Norman/ Charlotte: 704 659 3560

Wilmington: 910 225 7721 

Find and like us on Facebook!

Contact Us

Terry@FlatFeeNC.com


 

 

 

3 Ways to Use Social Media to Boost Home Marketability Across North Carolina

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Since so many Triangle, Charlotte, and Wilmington residents have social media accounts through Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, home sellers are able to utilize those platforms to keep home buyers informed and interested in listed properties. Our real estate professionals at Flat Fee Realty recommend using social media to help in to help in the home selling process.

3 ways Flat Fee Realty uses social media to boost the visibility of North Carolina homes:  

  • Create and share websites: Serious sellers looking to increase their home’s online presence know that creating easy-to-navigate websites is important. A website can include information on the property, pictures, and even virtual tours to entice buyers to schedule a visit. The links to the website are easily shareable to social media platforms, making them ideal for sellers and buyers to interact.
  • Use personal networks: The great thing about social media is that everyone already has an established network of contacts at their fingertips. Friends and family are generally eager to help when one of their connections expresses a need. They’re able to share postings to spread the word, or they might even have advice for success during the online selling process!
  • Be careful of spamming: Social media users also have control of their news feeds, and they’re able to hide and delete repetitive or “nuisance” posts. Be sure to use the power of posting in a reasonable manner when sharing details of a home for sale. Try to keep posts informative and new, so don’t re-post the same thing several times a day.

There are many other important ways to use social media for selling a home in across North Carolina. Our experts at Flat Fee Realty are knowledgeable and have insight into how the platforms can be used to their full potential. Contact our real estate agents today to see how their guidance and the use of social media can help sell a home!

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This post on using social media for selling and buying a home in Lake Norman, Charlotte, Wilmington and the Triangle of North Carolina is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty LLC and is intended for informational purposes only.

Check out our new locations in Wilmington and Lake Norman/ Charlotte

Find us on Instagram!

The Future of Real Estate!

Flat Fee Realty

Triangle: 919 342 5230 

Lake Norman/ Charlotte: 704 659 3560

Wilmington: 910 225 7721 

Find and like us on Facebook!

Contact Us

Terry@FlatFeeNC.com

Photo: tumisu, pixabay

 

 

3 Reasons Home Closings Can Be Delayed in the Triangle

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Buying a home is a major milestone for Triangle residents. However, the lengthy process of viewing listed properties, making offers, and utilizing due diligence periods is usually worth the time and effort, especially when the closing date is in sight.

There are times when the process does not go as planned and home buyers in the Raleigh, and the rest of the Triangle find stumbling blocks as they head to closing. Our expert real estate agents at Flat Fee Realty have seen last-minute surprises that that can hamper the process, but the collective expertise and guidance of each agent has worked through the setbacks.

Flat Fee Realty offers three common problems that home buyers may encounter during the closing process and how to manage them:  

  • Home appraisal issues: Transactions for buyers and sellers always include a bank appraisal of the property –they’re imperative for buyers acquiring a mortgage. The bank’s appraisal may differ from the seller’s original listing price, often due to repairs the bank requires before the loan process. The closing may be delayed if this issue arises, and having the guidance of an experience Flat Fee Realty agent can prevent this from being a surprise at the last minute.
  • Title problems: Knowledgeable and practiced agents are an asset for buyers in this regard. We are able to ensure that the buyers are acquiring a clean title and that it will not impact future financing or sales of the property; we research the title to ensure the buyers are not buying a property with liens against it.
  • Additional documentation: Mortgage lenders are scrupulous in their reviews of buyer funds. A simple pre-approval may cause buyers to assume everything is fine, and they could be, but there are numerous documents that are required to finalize the lending process. Often, lenders will look more deeply into credit and bank statements even days before closing. The request for additional documents, such as explanations for recent deposits, may delay the process. Our Flat Fee agents can help ensure buyers are prepared with all documentation that will be needed to avoid confusion and miscommunication.  

Buying a home needs to be a joyous occasion for Triangle buyers, even if it can be somewhat of a headache. There’s no need to worry about any of the hurdles of buying and closing on a home with a friendly and trustworthy agent from Flat Fee Realty assisting with the process. For the best service in Triangle real estate, contact us today!
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This post on selling and buying a home in North Carolina is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty LLC and is intended for informational purposes only.

Look for our new locations coming soon in Wilmington and Lake Norman/ Charlotte

Find us on Instagram!

The Future of Real Estate!

Flat Fee Realty North Carolina

Raleigh and the Triangle: 919 342 5230

Lake Norman and Charlotte: 704 659 3560

Wilmington: 910 225 7721

Find and like us on Facebook!

Contact Us

Terry@FlatFeeNC.com

Photo: home-1353389_1920, pixabay.com


 

The Important Difference Between Buying and Selling Agents in the Triangle

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The very hot Triangle real estate market is buzzing with spring activity; potential sellers and buyers have many questions as to how the process works. Flat Fee Realty has the buyer’s and seller’s agents that can help owners and buyers have a great experience.

Now, what is the difference between the buyer and seller agents. Regardless of the situation, our team at Flat Fee Realty believes that Triangle sellers and buyers in the Raleigh, Cary, Apex and the entire region will benefit from having an experienced and local agent by their side.

The two key roles that buyer’s and seller’s agents play during the real estate process are extremely important:

  • Seller’s Agent: The seller’s agents are also known as listing agents, and they will represent the seller throughout the selling process. They will strive to get the best deals for the seller, and they will often make suggestions during the selling process for making the home look its best. This process can include the staging for photographs, updates to the home to make it more desirable to buyers in the market, and other related strategies. Seller’s agents are also legally required to disclose important information about potential buyers, to minimize last minute surprises.
  • Buyer’s Agent: Buying a home in the Triangle is a milestone for many people in their lives, and it’s typically the first major financial decision they will make. Buyer’s agents protect buyers, and help them understand the often-complicated terminology used in contracts. This guidance helps them to more easily navigate the local housing market. Our Flat Fee Realty agents will help buyers get the best price for the home and point out any issues that need to be addressed during inspections and appraisals.

Buyer and seller agents are integral to the home buying process in the Triangle area. Our agents at Flat Fee Realty are eager to help each party have the best experience and save the most money. Contact us today to see how we can help you buy or sell your home!

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This important real estate blog post on selling and buying a home in the Triangle, is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty and is intended for informational purposes only.

The Future of Real Estate!

Flat Fee Realty

919 342 5230

Find and like us on Facebook!

Contact Us

Terry@FlatFeeNC.com

Photo: Mastersenaiper, pixabay

3 Areas of Focus to Assess Before Building a Triangle Home

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Buyers in the Triangle market are eager to make a new home purchase so they can settle down and enjoy everything the local communities have to offer! But some buyers may not be finding the ‘perfect’ fit in the homes listed in the Apex, Holly Springs, and Fuquay Varina areas. Luckily, buyers have many options when it comes to purchasing a new home, and they can choose to work with builders to construct the home of their dreams.

Choosing to construct a new home affords buyers many options when it comes to design, but it also presents a few challenges. What exactly should buyers consider when they’ve made the choice to build a new home?

Flat Fee Realty recommends doing due diligence and serious homework to make sure building is the best way to go:  

  • Choose the Right Community. Buyers can always choose upgrades and redesign the plans as their new home is being built, but they can’t change the location. Take the time to do thorough research on the communities and neighborhoods so that there are no surprises once ground is broken. Also, make sure the available lots don’t have hidden faults like poor drainage or awkward underground piping that could hinder future development.
  • Research Builders. Like Flat Fee Realty, local builders are also licensed by the state and have open records concerning complaints and legal action against them. Almost every builder is reputable and does exceptional work. Yet, at times, there are those who aren’t 100% client-focused. Always check reviews and make sure the builder shares both needs and wants.
  • Have the Home Inspected. Just because the home is brand new doesn’t mean it’s perfect. Before closing, have the home inspected to make sure any potential problems are addressed before the builder’s warranty expires. This will prevent future problems and dissatisfaction down the line.

Buying an existing home with the help and support of Flat Fee Realty is an important consideration for new home buyers as well. Choosing to work with Flat Fee Realty agents can save buyers time and money, not to mention the quality care and service we specialize in providing each and every transaction. Please call us about potential neighborhoods and communities in the Triangle area.

Contact us today! 

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This post on selling and buying a home in the Triangle is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty and is intended for informational purposes only.

The Future of Real Estate!

Flat Fee Realty

919 342 5230

Find and like us on Facebook!

Contact Us

Terry@FlatFeeNC.com

Photo: I.M.U. Social Media LLC

 

 

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