Those of us who develop or own buildings, seeing the property utilized to its fullest and contribute to the community is a satisfying feeling. While there is often a financial benefit to maximizing the use of a property, in the big picture, buildings and property ...
Topics: Real Estate Development, Real Estate Developer, Commercial Real Estate Broker/Agent, real estate advisory
Crime dramas and police procedurals have taught people how essential forensic science can be for solving crimes. But the field of forensics goes far beyond fingerprints, DNA, ballistics and tool imprint analysis. With exception of a handful of cases, forensic ...
Topics: Construction Forensics
Fall-related accidents are associated with high-risk industries such as roofing and construction, but they can also occur in other work environments that aren’t normally associated with workplace accidents. While most jobs don’t require working on elevated ...
Topics: Walkway Auditing, Risk Management, Facilities Management, Property Condition Assessment
The construction process involves many moving parts and a diverse team of professionals working together. With this era’s shortage of skilled labor, the process is fragile, so complications can easily create delays or even total standstills in the construction ...
San Diego isn’t Manhattan or San Francisco and never will be. But, it can be built out with higher-density building product that will accommodate a broad range of buyer and renter types.
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, San Diego, Market Research
We are pleased to announce that Kirk O’Brien, an award-winning architect and past president of the AIA San Diego Chapter, has ...
Topics: Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, Architecture, Los Angeles, Kirk O'Brien, Water Intrusion Investigation, Architecture Design Defect Analysis
At the core of most construction-related lawsuits is the plaintiff’s burden to establish the failure of the defendant to exercise reasonable care, resulting in actual damages to a person or entity that the defendant owed a duty of care.
Topics: Standard of Care Claims, Ted Bumgardner, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert
Strategies for achieving better outcomes and saving costs in high-stakes legal disputes
Topics: Computer Forensics, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, Brian Hill, Construction Claims, Construction Legal Issues
Subject: General Contractor vs. Sub-Contractor Claim Resolution
Topics: Ted Bumgardner, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, Construction Claims, From Our Case Files, Construction Defect Claims
As many of you are aware, California Senate Bill 721 is an issue we have been following closely here at Xpera for the last couple of years. Signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown last September and made effective January 1, 2019,
Topics: Construction Safety, California, Brian Hill, Law, Balcony, Steve Grimes
Our Quality Assurance (QA) team is always looking to up its game—including expanding and updating our skills and depth of ...
Topics: News, Quality Assurance
Construction contractors live with risk every day, both in workplace safety and a whole slew of financial risks and legal disputes. It’s no secret that many private-owned construction companies end up closing shop in less than a decade, smaller contracting firms ...
Topics: Construction Delay Claims, Risk Management, Construction Claims, Breach of Contract Claims, Construction Defect Claims
Construction projects usually have a clearly defined start date – it normally occurs days after the Notice to Proceed date – yet when you ask the project manager when the project will be complete, the answer may sound ambiguous. That is because there are different ...
Topics: Construction Delay Claims, Claims, Risk Management, Construction Claims, Breach of Contract Claims
Last month, Alan Nevin was a guest to Wealth Legacy Group's podcast with R.J. Kelly. The discussion went into a wide variety of economic topics such as car and home sales, how millennials are going to impact the wider economy, demographic shifts occurring ...
Topics: Economics, Events, Alan Nevin, In The News, real estate advisory
We have some exciting news to share about the Xpera leadership team as we kick off our 10th year in business in 2019.
Topics: Ted Bumgardner, News, Steve Grimes, Management Team
Next generation of high-rise buildings might use advanced engineered wood for structural integrity and sustainability, but what are the risks?
Topics: Architecture, Brian Hill, Building Codes and Standards, US Green Building Council, Sustainability, Scott Riffenburgh, Publications, Commercial Construction, Building Materials
It’s no secret that water intrusion can spell disaster for a building. In fact, leak damage is the single biggest driver of construction defect litigation. As projects and regulations become increasingly complex, it is more difficult than ever to maintain quality ...
Topics: Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, Steve Easton
As construction professionals, we tend to focus a lot of our time on new buildings. It can be easy to forget that they represent a very small segment of the overall industry. Most people live and work in structures that were built decades ago, benefiting from the ...
Topics: Construction and Maintenance, Real Estate Asset Management, real estate advisory, Property Condition Assessment
Once upon a time, regional shopping centers were king. They were the destination for everyone’s shopping. They had a real purpose.
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, San Diego, Market Research, Real Estate Asset Management
California is no stranger to introducing hundreds of new laws each year. 2018 proved to be even more ambitious than usual, with several areas of legislation impacting the construction and real estate industries.
Topics: Real Estate Development, California, Law, Commercial Construction, Residential Construction
Most properties do not stay the way they’ve been built. Shifts in the real estate market, demographics, and the way people live and work over the years play a major role in whether a building stays in high demand or is able to stay rented at a rate that keeps up ...
Topics: Real Estate Development, Asset Valuations, Real Estate Asset Management
In construction litigation and construction claims one term gets brought up time and time again: standard of care. Standard of care analysis is often used when there’s a delay, the building(s) have construction defects or when a party alleges that someone breached ...
Topics: Standard of Care Claims, General Contractor Standards, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, Construction Claims, Building Codes and Standards
The architectural world in November started with a bang with AIA San Diego's Design Awards ceremony, which celebrated the region's outstanding architecture and design. The event was held at The Alexandria at Torrey Pines, next door to the Farmer & The Seahorse ...
Topics: Building Envelope, Architecture, Events, San Diego, California, Sustainability
When people think about design, construction and real estate, “innovative” and “forward-thinking” probably aren’t the first words that come to mind.
Topics: Construction Safety, Construction Management, Risk Management, Brian Hill, Quality Assurance, building science, Construction, Innovation and Technology, Trends, insurance, Commercial Construction, Residential Construction
Suffolk has a lofty company vision:
Topics: Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, San Diego, Steve Easton, Quality Assurance, Client Spotlight
Subject: Property Valuation & Investment Strategy
Topics: Specialty Experts, Alan Nevin, Property Owner/Manager, Testifying Expert, Market Research, Rental Property, From Our Case Files, Asset Valuations, Real Estate Asset Management
We have all heard the old adage:
Topics: Project Management Practices, Construction Management, CM/Development Services, Tim Ireland, project assessment
Those who have visited our website the past few weeks may have noticed something new. We have reorganized our pages relating to Real Estate Consulting Services, which was previously listed as CM/Development Services. We have revamped this group of services to ...
Topics: Real Estate Development, Real Estate Developer, CM/Development Services, Website, project assessment
While San Diego’s construction industry is bustling with activity, it is important to sometimes step away from the office and job site and participate in the community.
Topics: community
October 22 Update: Since writing this article, the City council today has decided to rescind the short-term rental regulations with a vote 8-1.
Last year, HomeAway, the vacation rentals brand owned ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, Rental Property, Residential, real estate advisory
In late September, the San Diego Global Partnership had put together their first ever conference called the Global Investment Forum. The forum brings together both public and private organizations to explore opportunities in Southern California and Baja California ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Events, Alan Nevin, San Diego, In The News
Those who have followed our series of articles about balcony risk are well aware of the incoming legislation. The Balcony Bill, formally known as California Senate Bill 721, has been amended close to a dozen times, but finally passed in the state legislature with ...
Topics: Balcony
Modern commercial and residential buildings often include spaces below ground level. The areas below the grade level are often used for parking, utility rooms, storage for maintenance and tunnels for services and communication conduits. As part of the building ...
Topics: Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, Quality Assurance
Doing everything right the first time around can seem expensive, especially when the change orders roll in during a project’s plan reviews or during the course of construction. It’s not easy to agree to the extra costs since they ultimately impact the ROI. The ...
Topics: Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, Quality Assurance, Water Intrusion Investigation
In recent years, the real estate business has become increasingly exacting for individuals involved in it, and the need for real estate development consulting firms has never been higher. ...
Topics: Real Estate Portfolio Analysis, Real Estate Asset Management, real estate advisory
Many businesses and individual investors understand the value of hiring attorneys and accountants for handling specific tasks. When it comes to real estate, even some experienced developers are still not quite sure why they should hire the services of a real ...
Topics: real estate advisory
When a business sets a goal, they may not have all the resources and knowledge to perform the tasks in order to reach it. The business would often reach out to one or more consultants who have the expertise in that plays a part in ...
Topics: Real Estate Developer, Commercial Real Estate Broker/Agent, Real Estate Portfolio Analysis, Real Estate Asset Management, real estate advisory
When it comes to diversifying your portfolio, many commercial real estate consulting firms as well as sophisticated wealth management firms advise investing in ...
Topics: Real Estate Development, Commercial Real Estate Broker/Agent, Real Estate Portfolio Analysis, Real Estate Asset Management, real estate advisory
Bob Dylan said it best: “The times they are a-changing.” They certainly are in the construction industry, particularly with regard to skilled labor availability and material costs.
Topics: Economics, CM/Development Services, Cost Estimating, James Weber
I have been accused of reading tea leaves to assist in my forecasting prognostications. Fortunately, the state of the economy is such that by simply using the government’s most mundane data, I can forecast with some degree of certainty the status of the economy ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, CM/Development Services, Market Research
The old adage that “Time is Money” has never been more true than as it relates to the development and construction of revenue producing properties. Between the Owner’s debt service expense on multi-million-dollar loans, lost revenue and the Contractor’s ...
Topics: Construction Delay Claims, Ted Bumgardner, Construction Forensics, Construction Claims
2018 marks the 25th anniversary of West Coast Casualty’s annual Construction Defect Seminar. Prior to its acquisition by Xpera, Roel Consulting Group was a founding sponsor of this leading educational event and Xpera has proudly continued to support WCC ever ...
Topics: Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, West Coast Casualty's Construction Defect Seminar, Brian Hill, Construction Claims
Our Quality Assurance team is proud to have a long working history with many of our clients. In fact, it’s not unusual for these relationships to span 10 years, 15 years or longer. That is the case with two of our current homebuilder clients, ...
Topics: Quality Assurance, Building Codes and Standards, Client Spotlight, Code Compliance Review, Residential Construction
Xpera is pleased to welcome two more seasoned members to the Building Envelope team.
Topics: Building Envelope, News, Quality Assurance
Several years ago, we did an analysis to predict which zip codes would have the fastest return to pre-recession levels for single-family homes. That analysis looked at all 90 zip codes in San Diego County. The results indicated that the higher the SATs for the ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, San Diego
Real Estate Development is not for the faint of heart. Whether it's a spec house, high-rise complex or a master planned community, economics dictates that if it doesn't meet some form of demand when it's completed, you will have a hard time making good returns no ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Market Research
Decks are beautiful additions to any type of home – be it a house, a condo or an apartment. It’s a versatile space that is especially coveted in the Californian climate. However, decks have to be properly built and maintained, otherwise they become serious and ...
Topics: Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, Water Intrusion Investigation
Any kind of investing, including real estate, brings most value if you can walk the fine line between maximizing gain and minimizing risk. However, finding the golden balance is something only you can do (alone, or with the help of a real estate advisor in ...
Topics: Finance, Real Estate Development, CM/Development Services, Real Estate Portfolio Analysis, Real Estate Asset Management, real estate advisory
Through my work in construction forensics over the past 20 years, I have had a front row seat to over 1,000 construction lawsuits, claims and other disputes. From allegations over defective design, manufacture or installation, to claims of delay or cost overruns, ...
Topics: Construction Delay Claims, Construction Forensics, Construction Claims, Trends, Publications, Construction Defect Claims
In April, the Xpera team had the opportunity to give a presentation to the San Diego Defense Lawyers group on the subject of construction delay claims.
Topics: Construction Delay Claims, Ted Bumgardner, Construction Forensics, News, Construction Claims
Please join us in welcoming the latest additions to our Building Envelope Group.
Topics: Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, News, Water Intrusion Investigation
There is a whole lot of building activity happening right now at UC San Diego, and Xpera is proud to once again be a part of the action.
Topics: Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, News, Quality Assurance, Featured Project - BE, Code Compliance Review
Over the years, Xpera Group has been involved in a consulting capacity in numerous wildfires throughout California, with our most prominent engagement involving the 2007 fires in Southern ...
Topics: Real Estate Development, Claims, Cost of Repair, Alan Nevin, Cost Estimating, Custom Homes, Residential, Property Loss, Economic Damages / Loss of Value, Custom Home Construction, Reconstruction, Residential Construction
Subject: Stair/Balcony Construction Analysis
Client: Matthew J. Speredelozzi, Esq, San Diego, CA
Expert: Stephen Wilson, Xpera Building Envelope Group
Topics: Specialty Experts, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, Stephen Wilson, Building Codes and Standards, From Our Case Files, Construction Defect Claims
Our esteemed director of economic and market research, Alan Nevin, is once again making headlines for his industry leadership and accomplishments, this time on an international scale.
Topics: Entitlement / Land Use, Economics, Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, CM/Development Services, News, In The News, Market Research
We are thrilled to announce that Tony Fulton has joined Xpera’s diverse team of experts.
Topics: Specialty Experts, Finance, Construction Management, Architecture, Member Spotlight, Tony Fulton
If you were to peruse a list of building awards over the past 10 years, you’d see that a sizable portion of the projects hold LEED and/or other sustainability certifications. There’s no doubt that more businesses are deciding to invest in sustainability for their ...
Topics: Specialty Experts, Energy Management Systems, Green Building, Building Codes and Standards, US Green Building Council, Sustainability, LEED, Code Compliance Review
Xpera Group is proud to exhibit once again at West Coast Casualty’s Annual Construction Defect Seminar in Anaheim. This highly anticipated event, now in its 25th year, brings together well over 1,000 of the nation’s top construction attorneys and insurance ...
Topics: Events, Construction Forensics, News, West Coast Casualty's Construction Defect Seminar, Law
A testifying expert can be a tremendous asset to your case. Read on to find answers to the most common questions relating to expert witnesses in construction cases, but feel free to reach out to us if you’d like answers that pertain directly to your case.
...Topics: Specialty Experts, Testifying Expert
Given the complexity of construction projects, it’s understandable they are fraught with possibility of claims. Actually, at least one quarter of construction projects go through a claim. Claims equal delays, frustration, financial losses and strained or ruined ...
Topics: Construction Delay Claims, Claims, Construction Claims, Breach of Contract Claims, Construction Defect Claims
Every construction project owner wants to get the highest possible quality at least possible cost. Positioning a construction project like that, you may be tempted to wonder whether ...
An ongoing series exploring cases involving Xpera Group’s team of experts.
Subject: Property loss evaluations for hundreds of properties destroyed or severely ...
Topics: Cost of Repair, Ted Bumgardner, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, Cost Estimating, From Our Case Files, Property Loss
First, the basics. The Critical Path Method, or CPM, is the most commonly used scheduling technique in the construction industry today, designed to minimize delays and enhance accountability, so that projects can progress most effectively and efficiently.
...Topics: Construction Delay Claims, Construction Forensics, Construction Claims, Publications
In Fall 2017, Xpera’s Building Envelope Group began consulting work for the University of California, Irvine. Our team is providing roofing and building envelope waterproofing expertise for two capital ...
Topics: Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, News, Featured Project - BE
California Senate Bill 721, which would mandate the inspection of elevated exterior elements (EEEs) for all multi-family projects with at least three units, is moving forward.
Topics: California, Brian Hill, Construction Legal Issues, Law, Balcony
The State of California is known for many great things, including sunny weather, proximity to the ocean, an incredibly robust economy, technological innovation, leadership in sustainability initiatives, and some of the best real estate on the planet. For better or ...
Topics: Real Estate Development, California, Construction, Construction Legal Issues, Law
Xpera Group recently provided the Douglas Wilson Companies with an interesting fiscal impact study for its Sweetwater Vistas project in Spring Valley. The 218-unit townhome project will be built on land formerly planned as part of The Pointe master-planned ...
Topics: Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, CM/Development Services, San Diego, Market Research, Feasibility Study
It was with heavy hearts that we bid farewell in December to our friend and colleague Bill Kopperud, who passed away after an off-road accident.
Topics: Specialty Experts, Building Envelope
The Xpera team was thrilled to once again work with San Diego Habitat for Humanity on a recent affordable housing project in our community.
Topics: News
Jay Penland, Xpera's construction expert in General Contracting and Fenestration, recently sat down on camera for a mock deposition. This short video gives an introduction to Mr. Penland's background and experience as a custom home builder, renovation ...
Topics: Fenestration, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, Jay Penland, Mock Deposition
When a case requires forensic building investigations for finding construction defects, how do you find and choose the expert witness to work with?
Topics: Specialty Experts, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, Construction Claims, Construction Defect
Alan Nevin, Xpera Group's Director of Economic & Market Research, just published his 2018 Economic forecast for the United States and California. As one of the nation's top Real Estate Economists, Mr. ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, News, Market Research, Housing Permits, California, Video, Trends
Merriam Webster dictionary defines expert as “having, involving, or displaying special skill or knowledge derived from training or experience”. However, an expert isn’t always a good expert witness. And many can testify to the fact that a good expert ...
Topics: Specialty Experts, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, Construction Claims, Construction Legal Issues
James Weber joined Xpera Group as director of cost estimating in 2015. He is our “go-to-guy” for all things cost-related, including feasibility studies, forensic review, value estimating, expert witness testimony and estimating oversight.
Topics: Electrical, Cost of Repair, Cost Estimating, James Weber, Member Spotlight
Having an effective Quality Assurance program for construction with clear and well established procedures goes a long way in constructing a building that will stand the test of time. No matter how great the superintendent or professional workforce may be at their ...
Topics: QA, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Quality management, Publications
About a year ago, I had the honor of representing Xpera Group at Zweig Group’s annual Hot Firms conference, which celebrates the top architecture, engineering and construction consulting firms in the country. In her opening keynote address, Zweig’s director of ...
Topics: Construction Forensics, Brian Hill, Innovation and Technology, Trends, Publications
A penny saved is a penny earned. And a process for finding and preventing wasted dollars on major construction contracts is a worth its weight in gold. It's called construction auditing.
Topics: Specialty Experts, Construction Management, CM, Ted Bumgardner, CM/Development Services, Cost Estimating, Patricia Campbell, Construction Auditing
Design-Build has become a very popular project delivery method for both the private and public sectors within the construction industry. As a modernized take on the “master builder” model that has served mankind for millennia, the contract creates a single ...
Topics: Construction Management, CM, Ted Bumgardner, CM/Development Services, Construction Legal Issues, Publications, contracts
The toll of natural disasters over the past several months has been shocking. While we watch the evening news with empathy for the victims of flooding, fires and earthquakes, I’m sure many of us are asking ourselves what would we do in similar circumstances.
...Topics: Ted Bumgardner, Risk Management, Construction Forensics, Publications, Property Loss, Damage Assessments
Over the past few years, Xpera Group has become increasingly active in downtown San Diego construction.
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Real Estate Developer, Alan Nevin, San Diego, Market Research
Leaks are more than a nuisance. Damage caused by water intrusion is the single most costly driver of construction defect litigation, totaling billions of dollars over the last 20 years. That’s why it’s critical to ensure that a property’s building envelope systems ...
Topics: Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Quality management
Alan Nevin was recently interviewed by Chad Dannecker on The American Dream TV Show, shown at Cox Channel 4 San Diego.
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, San Diego
Recently Alan Nevin took a dive analyzing the latest report by the Population Reference Bureau to see how the United States fares in comparison to the rest of the industrialized world. The major trend that is impacting the industrialized world's economy is the ...
Topics: Economics, Alan Nevin, In The News, United States, Trends
In May, over 1,200 construction law professionals from across the United States gathered for West Coast Casualty’s 24th annual Construction Defect Seminar in Anaheim, CA. Numerous legal and insurance industry thought-leaders presented the latest developments in ...
Topics: Specialty Experts, Testifying Expert, West Coast Casualty's Construction Defect Seminar, Construction Defect, Law
Subject: Projects in Distress
Attorney: David Cardone, Founding Partner, Dunn DeSantis Walt & Kendrick
Expert: Ted Bumgardner
Topics: Specialty Experts, Ted Bumgardner, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, Construction Claims, From Our Case Files
“We have a problem.” How many times have we all gotten that call?
Topics: Project Management Practices, Construction Management, CM, Ted Bumgardner, CM/Development Services, Construction Claims
Alliance Residential is one of the largest privately-held multifamily real estate companies in the United States, with a $15 billion portfolio across 19 states and 29 metropolitan markets. As an active buyer, builder and manager, the firm credits a proactive risk ...
Topics: Building Envelope, BE, Steve Easton, Quality management, Client Spotlight
Long-time Xpera member Jay Penland has been involved in both the residential and commercial sides of the building industry for over 30 years. He knows the business from the ground up—quite literally.
...Topics: Specialty Experts, Building Envelope, Fenestration, Testifying Expert, Jay Penland, Member Spotlight
In the eyes of this economist, the last president to make a significant impact on the economy was President Carter. He ignored his economists’ advice and allowed inflation and interest rates to soar, resulting in a three-year recession that almost destroyed the ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, Market Research, Market, California
Within Xpera Group, there are so many team members that keep each of our service groups running smoothly and efficiently. You may hear their voices on the other end of the phone or see their names pop up in your email inbox, but we’d like to take a moment to ...
Topics: QA, Quality Assurance
Part 3: Industry Issues Series
Topics: Specialty Experts, Architecture / Engineering, Construction Forensics, Brian Hill, Balcony, Publications
The following is a guest column from Jeff Cavignac, president of San Diego insurance brokerage firm Cavignac & Associates, who has been a trusted colleague and service provider for Xpera Group for a number of years. We thank ...
Topics: Architecture, Litigation, California, Law, insurance, Publications
Slips, trips and falls are the most common accidents to occur in the workplace and in public spaces. One of the most effective ways to identify and handle the risk of slip and fall claims is by having a Certified Walkway Auditor perform a Walkway Audit. Yet, few ...
Topics: Walkway Auditing, Risk Management, Stephen Wilson, building science, Publications
Xpera Group's Alan Nevin was interviewed and featured in a segment this week on ABC 10News San Diego. A recent study on housing has reported that the metro-area needs to add around 72,000 apartment units by 2030. However Mr. Nevin has informed 10News that the ...
Topics: Economics, Alan Nevin, San Diego, Apartments, In The News
Have you explored our website recently? If not, now would be a great time.
Topics: Announcements, News, Website
This is Part 2 of our three part series. You can read from the beginning here and the last article
Topics: Ted Bumgardner, Apartments, California, Brian Hill, Building Codes and Standards, Balcony, Publications
This is a supplement of Part 2: Hidden Dangers of Wood-Framed Cantlilevered Balconies of our three Part Balcony Series. You can ...
Topics: Apartments, California, Building Codes and Standards, Balcony
Xpera CM is proud to be working with The Richman Group of California to provide construction management services on three exciting projects in Southern California.
Topics: CM, CM/Development Services, News, San Diego, California, Featured Project - CM
Xpera Group is pleased to announce Jeff Asher as our newest member. He joins our forensics and litigation support team as a structural engineer with more than 35 years of experience in the construction and design industry.
Topics: Structural Engineering, Construction Forensics, News, Testifying Expert, Jeff Asher, Member Spotlight
Xpera CM is wrapping up a two-year construction management project for Wakeland Housing and Development Corp. in San Diego.
Atmosphere is a new affordable housing community in downtown San ...
Topics: Building Envelope, CM, CM/Development Services, News, San Diego, California, Affordable Housing, Featured Project - CM, Featured Project - BE
At Xpera Group, our business model is simple: We listen to our clients’ needs and tailor our services to fit those needs. As a company, that means we’re continuously growing and evolving, adding new areas of expertise to make us even more of a “one-stop-shop” for ...
Topics: Mechanical Engineering, Alan Wilson, Building Systems Commissioning
Most industry professionals who have been around the block a few times will tell you they’ve seen it all. That is, until they’re surprised by a major problem they’ve never encountered before. When these surprises involve waterproofing issues, the ripple effects ...
Topics: Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, Architecture, News, Steve Easton, Kirk O'Brien, Quality Assurance, AIA
If the Empire State Building took less than 14 months to construct back in the 1930s, why does it often take years to build a custom home?
Topics: Construction Management, CM/Development Services, California, Custom Homes, Publications
As most of my students and audiences have learned over the years, for an industrialized nation to prosper, it is necessary to have two children born for every mom and dad. If that birth rate falters, the economy of the nation cannot grow and prosper on a long-term ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, Market Research, Trends, Publications
An ongoing series exploring cases involving Xpera Group’s team of experts.
Subject: Construction Claim & Contractor Licensure
Attorney: Christopher Frost, Partner, Eisner Jaffe, ...
Topics: Construction Lawyer, Alan Nevin, Ted Bumgardner, Construction Forensics, California, Construction Claims, From Our Case Files
John O'Donnell is a civil engineer with over 30 years of experience in both the private and public sector.
Topics: Specialty Experts, Civil Engineering, Testifying Expert, John O'Donnell, Member Spotlight
Quality is the goal of every building project. For builders, ensuring that they got every detail just right is a huge responsibility—not to mention financial liability.
That’s why Quality Assurance is a critical part of our service offerings at Xpera ...
Topics: Production Homebuilder, QA, John Kyrklund, Quality Assurance, Client Spotlight
Our City San Diego Magazine recently hosted a seminar focused on the apartment industry, as the first in a series of real estate seminars for its subscribers and guests.
Topics: Economics, Events, Alan Nevin, San Diego, Apartments, In The News, Market Research, Multifamily
There was much buzz going on in Austin, Texas in late-March as Procore Inc. held its third annual Groundbreak construction conference at the downtown convention center and made its big reveal—Construction OS.
Topics: Construction Management, Events, Construction, Innovation and Technology, Groundbreak
Xpera Group is an annual sponsor of the UCSD Economics Roundtable, which provides a valuable forum for local business professionals and community leaders to exchange ideas and information with worldclass economists and financial experts.
Topics: Economics, Alan Nevin
It has been one year since we lost our friend and colleague, Michael Burgess. He was our trusted “go-to” man for mechanical engineering expertise. He had a real passion and talent for problem-solving and he is sorely ...
Topics: Mechanical Engineering, Construction Forensics, Construction Defect, White Paper, Publications
In 2017, southern San Diego County (often called South County) has started a major "development binge" according to Alan Nevin, Xpera Group's director of Economic and Market Research.
Topics: Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, San Diego, In The News, Market Research, California
Our construction management company, Xpera CM, recently provided strategic ...
Topics: CM, CM/Development Services
Please join us in welcoming our newest member: R. Randy Goodson.
...Topics: Specialty Experts, CM/Development Services, News, Randy Goodson, Member Spotlight
We are pleased to announce that Tim Ireland has joined the Xpera CM team as ...
Topics: Construction Management, CM, News, Tim Ireland, Member Spotlight
I’m a numbers guy. Analyzing data helps me make sense of the world ...
Topics: Defects Analysis, FS, Ted Bumgardner, Construction Forensics, West Coast Casualty's Construction Defect Seminar, Construction Defect, Publications
Over the last few years, we have seen a surge in apartment construction, ...
Topics: Real Estate Development, CM/Development Services, Construction Consultant, San Diego, Apartments, California, Condo Conversion, Condominiums, Building Codes and Standards, Law, Publications
This is the beginning of our Three Part ...
Topics: Waterproofing Systems, FS, Ted Bumgardner, Construction Forensics, QA, Balcony, Publications
Xpera CM has managed many high-profile building projects over the last ...
Topics: Waterproofing Systems, CM, CM/Development Services, San Diego, David Pallinger, Custom Homes
What a year! Xpera’s Quality Assurance division achieved a record 4,000 ...
Topics: QA, News, John Kyrklund, InSpec®, Quality Assurance
In the spirit of giving back to our community, this November, the Xpera ...
Building envelope consulting has long been one of our most sought-after ...
Topics: Building Envelope, Architecture / Engineering, Risk Management, News, San Diego, Steve Easton, Kirk O'Brien, AIA
Xpera Group was once again recognized by the Zweig Group, this time with a ...
Topics: Events, BE, CM, FS, RE, QA, News, Press Releases, David Pallinger, Brian Hill
This Fall, we invited Xpera’s entire roster of construction experts to our ...
Topics: Specialty Experts, Events, FS, Alan Nevin, Construction Forensics, News, Testifying Expert, Bruce Beardsley, Ron Whitehead, Xpera Headquarters, Construction Claims, Video, Steve Hill
“Better to be wise by the misfortunes of others than by your own.” - Aesop
Getting an education in the intricacies of managing a complex custom home construction project can be a very expensive ...
Topics: Standard of Care Claims, Construction Management, *, CM/Development Services, Construction, White Paper, Custom Homes, Publications
Our Director of Economic Research, Alan Nevin has just published his 2017 economic forecast for San Diego and California. As we begin another year, we look ahead at the market forces shaping the county and the golden state such as California housing ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, *, Alan Nevin, San Diego, Market Research, Housing Permits, California, Video, Trends
This Saturday, November 12th, Xpera CM's project, Lofts on Landis was featured in San Diego Green Building Council's 2016 Green Homes Tour as a celebration of sustainability. It is the only multi-family affordable housing development to be on the ...
Topics: Events, CM, News, San Diego, Apartments, Chula Vista, Brian Hill, Affordable Housing, Green Building, Sustainability, SDGBC, Thor Kamban Biberman, LEED, 2016, Featured Project - CM
California has acted as America's spearhead in Greenhouse Gas reduction using a wide range legislative and executive mandates. While both institutions and the building industry create and follow methods to satisfy the mandates, sometimes they get ...
Topics: Real Estate Development, CM, San Diego, BIA, California, Construction Legal Issues, Sustainability, Publications
Something special happens in San Diego in October. More than two dozen organizations, local partners and non-profits come together in a collaboratively-operated initiative to create a fun month-long program called the San Diego Architecture and Design Month. ...
Topics: Architecture, Architecture / Engineering, Events, BE, CM, RE, San Diego, Innovation and Technology, LEED, Trends
We are pleased to announce that Scott Riffenburgh, a recognized leader in the energy management and green building space, has joined the Xpera member network as a sustainability expert.
Topics: BE, CM, RE, QA, News, Green Building, Sustainability, LEED, Scott Riffenburgh, Member Spotlight
Remember when the 2013 building codes went into effect? There was a rush to permit new projects because the new codes were going to increase capital costs for new construction. Home builders complained that their margins were shrinking and they couldn’t compete ...
Topics: Energy Management Systems, BE, CM, RE, QA, Sustainability, Scott Riffenburgh, Publications
Alan Nevin is often asked to speak to various professional organizations about economic matters, particularly those relating to the state of the real estate market. It’s a subject near and dear to his heart, as Xpera’s director of economic and market research.
...Topics: Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, In The News
Without data you’re just another person with an opinion.
W. Edwards Deming
Introduction
The Great Divide is a book about America and tomorrow. It is a compelling ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Market Research
Following several months of retrofitting and renovations, the Xpera team has settled into our beautiful new office building at 10911 Technology Drive in Rancho Bernardo.
We have all heard the expression, “Just the facts, ma’am.” But nowadays, simply presenting the facts in a case is not enough.
Topics: Specialty Experts, Construction Forensics, Construction Consultant, Testifying Expert
Camp Anza is more than just another successful project for our construction management arm, Xpera CM. It’s a victory for veterans. The former military camp has been given new life as a housing community for those who served.
Topics: Construction Management, BE, CM, CM/Development Services, RE, News, Press Releases, Featured Project - CM
When the new 317-room Pendry Hotel opens in downtown San Diego this fall, its owner, The Robert Green Company, can be confident that its building envelope system is ready for the elements.
Topics: Building Envelope, *, BE, San Diego, Featured Project - BE
Our esteemed economist and director of market research, Alan Nevin, is proud to announce that his latest published work, The Great Divide, is now available on Amazon.
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, BE, CM, FS, Alan Nevin, RE, News, Press Releases
Xpera Group has been engaged by UC San Diego for a new long-term, multi-project assignment, under the leadership of Director of Construction Services Steve Grimes.
Topics: Building Envelope, *, BE, San Diego, Featured Project - BE
Construction Finance Managers at this year's CFMA Southwest Regional Conference in San Diego will be in for a treat! Alan Nevin will be speaking on the Great Divide on Monday, September 26th, sharing his insight on demographics of America detailed in his ...
Topics: Economics, Alan Nevin, San Diego, In The News
John O'Donnell, Xpera's construction expert in Civil Engineering, recently sat down on camera for a mock deposition. This short video gives an introduction to Mr. O'Donnell's background and experience as a testifying expert and forensic engineering, and ...
Topics: Civil Engineering, Architecture / Engineering, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, John O'Donnell, Mock Deposition
Stephen Wilson, Xpera's construction expert in building envelope, waterproofing and custom home quality management, recently sat down on camera for a mock deposition. This short video gives an introduction to Mr. Wilson's background and experience as a ...
Topics: Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, Stephen Wilson, Mock Deposition
James Weber, Xpera's forensic expert in Cost Estimating, recently sat down on camera for a mock deposition. This short video gives an introduction to Mr. Weber's background and experience as a testifying expert in electrical and cost estimating, and provides ...
Topics: Electrical, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, Cost Estimating, James Weber, Mock Deposition
Bruce Beardsley, Xpera's forensic expert in OSHA and construction safety programs, recently sat down on camera for a mock deposition. This short video gives an introduction to Mr. Beardsley's background and experience as a testifying expert, and provides an ...
Topics: Safety, Construction Safety, Construction Forensics, Bruce Beardsley, OSHA, Mock Deposition
Xpera's President Ted Bumgardner recently sat down on camera for a mock deposition. This short video gives an introduction to Mr. Bumgardner's extensive background and experience as a testifying expert, and provides an example of a potential scope of his ...
Topics: General Contractor, Standard of Care Claims, Cost of Repair, Ted Bumgardner, Construction Forensics, Mock Deposition
Note: This article was orginally published in August, 2014 at AECforensics.com and is reprinted below with full permission.
Finally, after ...
Topics: *, Brian Hill, Green Building, xg, International Code Council (ICC), building science, USGBC, Construction, AIA, ASHRAE, Construction Legal Issues, IES, feature, Building Codes and Standards, redirect
Steve Hill, Xpera's expert in general contracting, recently sat down on camera for a mock deposition. This short video gives an introduction to Mr. Hill's extensive background and experience as a testifying expert, and provides an example of a potential scope ...
Topics: General Contractor, Standard of Care Claims, Cost of Repair, Construction Forensics, Steve Hill, Mock Deposition
As part of the 23rd annual West Coast Casualty's Construction Defect Seminar (WCCCDS), a panel of longtime insurance ...
Topics: FS, Construction Forensics, West Coast Casualty's Construction Defect Seminar, Brian Hill, Construction Claims, Construction Defect, Law, Trends, Publications
Stephen Jirsa, Xpera's construction expert witness in structural engineering, recently sat down on camera for a mock deposition. This short video gives an introduction to Mr. Jirsa's background and experience as a testifying expert, and provides an example of a ...
Topics: Structural Engineering, Construction Forensics, Architect / Engineer, P.E., Stephen Jirsa, Mock Deposition
It only took about 10 years from the time that Wakeland closed escrow on the property at 4th Avenue and Beech in downtown San Diego, until the first residents of the Atmosphere affordable housing project move in some time in 2017.
Topics: *, CM, CM/Development Services, News, In The News, David Pallinger, Brian Hill, LEED
When it comes to designing and constructing the built environment, architects, engineers, contractors and other professionals in the industry often use terminology that may sound like a foreign language to outsiders.
Topics: Architecture, Architecture / Engineering, *, BE, RE, Architect / Engineer, Brian Hill, AIA, CE
As we like to say, "leaks occur at the intersection of contracts." In other words, the cause for most defects that lead to water intrusion is a lack of proactive quality assurance by professionals that understand the myriad codes, standards and manufacturer ...
Topics: Specialty Experts, Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, BE, Steve Easton, Brian Hill
This year's PCBC conference keynotes and sessions brought a very diverse range of speakers that many would have not have expected in the building conference. Included were people from Google Ventures (GV), airbnb, a past writer of TIME magazine along with ...
Topics: BE, CM, FS, RE, QA, PCBC, Innovation and Technology, CE
Alan Nevin, Xpera's Director of Economic and Market Research, recently sat down on camera for a mock deposition. This short video gives an introduction to Mr. Nevin's background and experience as a testifying expert, and provides an example of a ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, Construction Forensics, Mock Deposition
Xpera's own Director of Market Research & Economic Studies, Alan Nevin, recently appeared on a local San Diego TV show hosted by Steve Sexton of the
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, *, Alan Nevin, RE, San Diego, In The News, feature
There is nothing quite like the annual construction defect conference that Dave and Coral Stern work so hard to put together each year, now in its third decade.
Topics: FS, Michael Burgess, West Coast Casualty's Construction Defect Seminar, Construction Defect
Join Xpera's own Alan Nevin at San Diego's Real Estate Mastery event on May 26th.
Topics: Real Estate Development, Events, *, Alan Nevin, RE, San Diego, In The News, California
As part of the Vistage Executive Summit in San Diego, Xpera President Ted Bumgardner was interviewed on trends in the construction and real estate industry.
Topics: Real Estate Development, Ted Bumgardner, In The News, Market, Construction
Our continued growth has left us bursting at the seams of our current office space, but not for much longer. An extensive renovation project is currently underway for a new 12,000-squarefoot Xpera headquarters building at 10911 Technology Drive in Rancho Bernardo, ...
Since our founding in 2009, we have continued to evolve to include additional industry disciplines and specialty areas to better serve the needs of our diverse client base. One such area of expertise we are proud to now offer at Xpera Group is architecture.
Topics: Architecture
In 2015, the Economic and Market Research division of Xpera Group set a new record in terms of participation in litigation and market studies.
Topics: Economics, Alan Nevin, News
It is our great pleasure to announce that Steve Grimes, a 30-year construction industry veteran, has joined Xpera Group’s executive management team as director of construction
services.
Topics: BE, QA, News, Press Releases
A year of yawn is not a bad thing. As a matter of fact, it’s a very good thing, at least for California. Our state had an excellent year in 2015, adding 400,000-plus new jobs and over 350,000 in population. Personally, I’d be happy to see a repeat of this in ...
Topics: Economics, Alan Nevin
We are pleased to announce that in 2016, Xpera Group is supporting the Building Industry Association (BIA) of San Diego County as a Gold Level Member.
Topics: BIA
Steve Giroux joined Xpera CM from upstate New York by way of North Carolina. He joined the military soon after high school and has since ...
Topics: CM
Xpera Group brings together the most comprehensive team of construction and real estate experts on the West Coast. We invite you to visit our online expert directory to browse our experts by area of expertise or let us help find you the ideal expert (or coordinated team of experts) for your ...
Topics: Specialty Experts, Construction Consultant, Testifying Expert
Xpera’s Building Envelope Services Group has been experiencing a project boom in downtown San Diego in recent months, with contracts representing over 1,500 new residential units in the 92101 zip code alone. In fact, if you spot a project as you drive by or fly over the downtown skyline ...
Topics: BE
As we begin another year, it is once again time to look ahead to the market forces shaping our economy in the fine state of California.
Topics: Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, RE, Market Research, 2016
The pace of change in the design and construction industries continues to accelerate. Blueprints have been succeeded by digital files. The simple level that used to be little more than in a bubble in some liquid has now been replaced by lasers. Now it seems that at least some of the labor ...
Topics: BE, CM, QA, Articles, Brian Hill
As we say goodbye to 2015, all of us at Xpera Group would like to say "Thank You" to all our clients, employees, members, collaborators, friends and family for making this our best year yet.
Topics: BE, CM, FS, RE, QA, Announcements, Brian Hill, xg, Video
The San Diego Union Tribune recently asked our expert Alan Nevin for insight on a recent major acquisition of an apartment complex in Mira Mesa, CA by a Silicon Valley investment firm, Pacific Urban Residential. The company has a large portfolio of over 17,000 ...
Topics: Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, RE, San Diego, Apartments, In The News
Three years ago I was an expert witness in a case involving a residential property in downtown Los Angeles. I walked around downtown for several days looking for new development and major redevelopment projects. I also explored the development history over the past several years. Virtually ...
President George H. Bush signed the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act into Federal Law 25 years ago in 1990. The legislation ensured the right of a physically or mentally disabled person [* see footnote] to gain access to ...
Topics: RE, CASp, Fay Lorraine Sueltz, disabled rights, Accessibility, Certified Access Specialist (CASp), Building Codes and Standards, ADA, Publications
SAN DIEGO (NOV. 4, 2015) - Xpera CM, a San Diego-based construction management consulting firm announced today that construction is now complete on a new $50 million hotel tower project at the Viejas Casino ...
Topics: CM, CM/Development Services, News, San Diego, In The News, David Pallinger, Viejas
The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians opened its new 109-room hotel tower on its Alpine reservation on October 30th and while it took The Xpera Group five years to get the contract, the process has gone smoothly for a complicated job.
Topics: *, CM, CM/Development Services, David Pallinger, Viejas, Featured Project - CM
This summer, the newly formed apartment renovation division of Xpera Group (known as Xpera RE) hosted an informative Apartment Renovation Seminar at the San Diego County Apartment Association.
Topics: Real Estate Development, CM, Alan Nevin, Neal Singer, CM/Development Services, RE, Fred Nagel, David Pallinger, Brian Hill, Kirk O'Brien
Xpera Group, and Xpera CM, were proud to sponsor this year's annual Green Homes Tour put on by the San Diego Green Building Council. The event took place on October 4th and featured eight different sustainably built projects, showcasing the cutting edge of ...
Topics: CM, RE, QA, In The News, Brian Hill, Sustainability, SDGBC
One of the hallmarks of a successful firm is the portion of its business generated by repeat customers. It is also proven that it is far more expensive to generate new business than to serve existing clients.
Xpera Group was recently named to Zweig Group’s 2015 Hot Firms List, a significant milestone which coincided with the celebration of our company’s sixth anniversary.
Topics: BE, CM, FS, Ted Bumgardner, RE, QA, In The News
The Good: The state is a job machine. In the past four years, the state has added almost 1.5 million jobs, a high percentage of them in well-paying Industries, such as construction, manufacturing, professional and business services, educational and health services, and ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, RE, California
The Xpera team of experts continues to grow to bring more specialized expertise to our clients. We recently welcomed our newest member, Fay Lorraine Sueltz, AIA, CASI, to assist clients with ADA ...
Topics: *, FS, RE, Fay Lorraine Sueltz, Accessibility, AIA, Certified Access Specialist (CASp), Construction Legal Issues, ADA
Venture includes over $500 million in building contracts in three states, creates unique, senior-level “construction management powerhouse”
SAN DIEGO AND LOS ANGELES (Sept. 14, 2015) – Xpera CM, a ...
Topics: CM, Announcements, News, In The News, David Pallinger, Jim Callaghan
This is Fay Sueltz' second article on accessibility for us. I met Fay by chance at a networking function for forensics professionals. She is one of the very few California Division of the State Architect Certified Access Specialists (CASp) in the San ...
Topics: *, FS, RE, California, CASp, Fay Lorraine Sueltz, Accessibility, Certified Access Specialist (CASp), Construction Legal Issues, ADA
Only San Diego-based firm to make prestigious list recognizing 100 fastest-growing firms in architecture, engineering, planning and environmental consulting
SAN DIEGO AND LOS ANGELES (Aug. 7, 2015) – Xpera Group, California’s ...
Topics: Construction Management, *, Ted Bumgardner, Construction Consultant, News, Press Releases
Senate Bill 1186, passed in California September 2012, now requires the disclosure of the existence of a “CASp Report”, that is a Certified Accessibility Specialist program Report on any commercial properties coming up for new leases. Such a Report is ...
Topics: California, CASp, Fay Lorraine Sueltz, Construction and Maintenance, disabled rights, Accessibility, DSA, Americans with Disabilities Act, Certified Access Specialist (CASp), ADA
by Alan Nevin
Director, Economic & Market Research
In my new book “The Great Divide,” I segment the ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, *, Alan Nevin, RE, News, San Diego, Articles, Market Research, California, Publications
We are pleased to announce that Kirk O’Brien, an award-winning architect and past president of the AIA San Diego Chapter, has joined Xpera Group to lead our new architectural division.
Topics: Architecture, *, News, Articles, Kirk O'Brien
Last summer, we announced the formation of Xpera CM, our sister company providing project management services under the leadership of President David Pallinger. One year later, the firm is going strong with several exciting project updates.
Topics: CM, CM/Development Services, News, Articles, David Pallinger
Since its inception, Xpera Group has largely been known as a “San Diego firm.” Yet, our team has been increasingly called upon by clients outside our home-base market. This led to us opening an office in downtown Los Angeles several months ago.
In preparation for this ...
Topics: General Contractor, Economics, Building Envelope, Plumbing, Mechanical Engineering, *, Alan Nevin, QA, News, Articles, Steve Easton, John Kyrklund, Market Research, Stephen Wilson, Michael Burgess, Los Angeles
Last May, Xpera President Ted Bumgardner addressed the West Coast Casualty construction defect seminar in ...
Topics: Ted Bumgardner, Construction Consultant, News, Articles, Construction Claims
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of a new service division, Xpera RE, focused on the repositioning and renovation of income-generating properties.
Topics: Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, Neal Singer, RE, News, Articles
By Katie Thisdell, San Diego Daily Transcript
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
This might just be the most average real estate market that agent Carey Guthrie has seen in 25 years in the business.
Though inventory is incredibly tight, there are finally buyers on all levels, ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, RE, News, San Diego, In The News, Market Research
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
More evidence emerged Wednesday that San Diego’s accelerating economy is driving up rents faster than ...
Topics: Economics, Alan Nevin, RE, News, San Diego, In The News, Market Research
By Alan Nevin
It wasn’t too many years ago that San Diego County was saddled with a 10 percent-plus unemployment rate and we were losing far more jobs than we were ...
Topics: Economics, Alan Nevin, RE, News, San Diego, Articles
By Jonathan Horn, UT San Diego
Friday, April 24, 2015
Julian Cummings recently returned to his Pacific Beach apartment to find a notice taped to the door.
Topics: Economics, Alan Nevin, RE, San Diego, Market Research
Despite a small rise in initial notices, foreclosure ...
Topics: Alan Nevin, CM/Development Services, RE
By Thor Kamban Biberman, The Daily Transcript
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
The average monthly residential rent in San Diego County is pushing $1,600 per month, while vacancy is at its lowest point since 2008.
MarketPointe Realty Advisors reported that at the ...
Topics: Alan Nevin, CM/Development Services, RE, San Diego, Market Research
By Thor Kamban Biberman, The Daily Transcript
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, RE, San Diego, Market Research, Charles Montgomery
SAN DIEGO (March 10, 2015) – Xpera CM, a construction management consulting firm with offices in San Diego and Los Angeles, announced today that Frank Downey has joined the firm as a senior project manager.
Topics: Real Estate Development, CM, CM/Development Services, Press Releases, Frank Downey
SAN DIEGO (March 3, 2015) – Xpera CM, a San Diego-based construction management consulting firm was retained by the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians to provide construction management services for a second ...
Topics: CM, CM/Development Services, Press Releases
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