There is a guaranteed way to pass lot #111. It is hidden at the bottom of the page.
Questions
Take out a piece of paper. Write your name, date, and period on the paper. Answer the following questions.
What score do you have to achieve to move to the next level?
What happens if your budget busts?
What do you have to identify on each lot?
Look at the value of the house.
What type of floor plan should students create?
What strategy will not attract many buyers or good offers?
What is one thing that earn you points?
Look at the value of features added.
When you add features you need to be sure that they are ____________.
When should you add a garage?
When should you not add a swimming pool.
Go to further hints
What does the floor plan need to include?
What are the best materials to use?
What kind of interior works well?
What two amenities should you purchase?
How many trees and tiles of asphalt should you place?
Who will always be approved?
Scoring Framework
When students or student teams build and sell a home, they receive a score and a critique. The score is determined by a formula that is based on real world criteria.
The total Fair Market Value of the house = value of the lot + basic value of the house + value of the features added.
Students must achieve a score of 70% or higher to move to the next level. Students will discover that planning, careful research (investigation) and good decision-making are rewarded. The following are the factors that determine scores in the three key areas.
1) The basic value of the lot – Students identified the challenges or problems that existed and took steps to correct the situations. For example, one lot has endangered species living on it; another lot is near the site of future freeway off ramp. They could discover these issues through a variety of available sources and resources. They could then hire experts to assess their options and take steps to address the issues. These lot improvements take time and may cost money. They generally pay off.
2) The basic value of the house – Students created a floor plan that is well designed and in line with the needs of buyers that would be attracted to that home and location. Since the house design and layout is totally up to students, it is possible to build a house with a giant game room, small bedrooms and not much else. It might be fun be create a fantasy environment, but it probably won’t attract many buyers or particularly good offers. There are also subtleties in building the home that will affect their scores. Landscaping with shade trees is an energy-saving move that earn points.
3) Value of the features added – Students added features that are appropriate for the types of buyers that will be interested in their house. Did students add a garage in an area where parking is tight? That would add to the value. Or, did students build a guitar-shaped swimming pool on a small lot in a neighborhood that is mostly seniors? That addition would detract from the home’s value and lose points.
Further hints:
Attend the community meeting. You get points for attending the community meeting.
The floor plan must include:
Living Room
Kitchen
Bedroom and bath on first floor
3 Bedrooms and 3 baths total
Include closets, interior doors, and hallways.
Windows count for a lot
Best materials
Aluminum siding
Asphalt roof
Aluminum windows
Wood Doors
Interior
Classic kitchen
Classic bath for master bedroom
Economy bath for second bathroom
Powder room for any possible small tiny bathrooms
Amenities
Security System
Noise proofing
Landscaping
Add five trees at least
5 tiles of asphalt to count as a driveway
Credit tips
Julia Spicer will always be approved
Susan Ascher is also a good bet but not guaranteed