Print Scenario Scenario Summary After a number of years of planning, you have made the decision to evaluate the potential purchase of a home. The goal of the assignment is to compare two homes based on demographics, and also to analyze a number of additional factors related to the home-buying process and ongoing possession. Your Assignment You will first need to research the housing market and compare the values of two similar homes in two different areas. The two homes must be extremely similar in structure size, land size, year built, and additions such as swimming pools or barns. Then, based upon your findings, you will select one of the homes to purchase, calculate a monthly payment on the mortgage note, compare this information with what you can potentially afford, and address additional questions related to home ownership. KEY PLAYERS Back to Top You Decide Scenario Your Role Key Players Assignment Scenario After a number of years of planning, you have made the decision to evaluate the potential purchase of a home. The goal of the assignment is to compare two homes based upon on demographics, and to also analyze a number of additional factors related to the home buying process and ongoing possession. Your Role You will first need to research the housing market and compare the values of two similar homes in two different areas. The two homes must be extremely similar in structure size, land size, year built, and additions like a swimming pool or a barn. Then, based upon your findings, you will select one of the homes to purchase, calculate a monthly payment on the mortgage note, compare this information with what you can potentially afford, and address additional questions related to home ownership. Key Players Michael Joseph Real Estate Agent Bethany Smith Mortgage Lender Timothy Baxter Current Homeowner/Seller Mary Thompson Condominium Association, President Assignment Given the scenario, your role and the information provided by the key players involved, it is time for you to make a decision.  If you are finished reviewing this scenario, close this window and return to this week's You Decide item, in your course window, to complete the activity for this scenario.  You can return and review this scenario again at any time. YOU DECIDE Activity or Assignment Assignment House #1 House #2 Go to the following website:  http://www.realtor.com/ . Enter a ZIP code. Chose Homes for Sale. Enter your price range (the minimum and maximum amount you want to spend). Enter the specifications (number of bedrooms and number of baths). Hit Search. Find a home that you like or would consider. Go to the U.S. Census website:  http://www.census.gov . Click on the American Factfinder tab on the left of the screen. Under the Fact Access to Information title, enter the ZIP code of the house you found. You will get lots of data on demographics like age, gender, family size, education, income, and crime rates. Find out the price per square foot for .

1. Print
Scenario
Scenario Summary
After a number of years of planning, you have made the
decision to evaluate the potential purchase of a home. The goal
of the assignment is to compare two homes based on
demographics, and also to analyze a number of additional
factors related to the home-buying process and ongoing
possession.
Your Assignment
You will first need to research the housing market and compare
the values of two similar homes in two different areas. The two
homes must be extremely similar in structure size, land size,
year built, and additions such as swimming pools or barns.
Then, based upon your findings, you will select one of the
homes to purchase, calculate a monthly payment on the
mortgage note, compare this information with what you can
potentially afford, and address additional questions related to
home ownership.
KEY PLAYERS
Back to Top
You Decide
Scenario
Your Role
Key Players
Assignment
Scenario
After a number of years of planning, you have made the
decision to evaluate the potential purchase of a home. The goal

2. of the assignment is to compare two homes based upon on
demographics, and to also analyze a number of additional
factors related to the home buying process and ongoing
possession.
Your Role
You will first need to research the housing market and compare
the values of two similar homes in two different areas. The two
homes must be extremely similar in structure size, land size,
year built, and additions like a swimming pool or a barn. Then,
based upon your findings, you will select one of the homes to
purchase, calculate a monthly payment on the mortgage note,
compare this information with what you can potentially afford,
and address additional questions related to home ownership.
Key Players
Michael Joseph
Real Estate Agent
Bethany Smith
Mortgage Lender
Timothy Baxter
Current Homeowner/Seller
Mary Thompson
Condominium Association, President
Assignment
Given the scenario, your role and the information provided by
the key players involved, it is time for you to make a decision.
If you are finished reviewing this scenario, close this window
and return to this week's You Decide item, in your course
window, to complete the activity for this scenario.
You can return and review this scenario again at any time.

3. YOU DECIDE
Activity or Assignment
Assignment
House #1
House #2
Go to the following website:
http://www.realtor.com/
.
Enter a ZIP code.
Chose Homes for Sale.
Enter your price range (the minimum and maximum amount you
want to spend).
Enter the specifications (number of bedrooms and number of
baths).
Hit Search.
Find a home that you like or would consider.
Go to the U.S. Census website:
http://www.census.gov
.
Click on the American Factfinder tab on the left of the screen.
Under the Fact Access to Information title, enter the ZIP code
of the house you found.
You will get lots of data on demographics like age, gender,
family size, education, income, and crime rates.
Find out the price per square foot for the house you found.
The goal now is to find a very similar house (age, lot size,
square footage, number of rooms, and number of bathrooms).
Repeat Steps 1 through 12.
In Step 2, pick another ZIP code 20+ miles away from the first
ZIP code you picked for the first house.
In Step 5, pick the same specification and choose a house that
was built in the same year or so as the first house. Also, try
your best to find a house that has the same lot size and square
footage as the first house.
Construct a table showing a comparison of data (including

4. location, square footage, total price, price per square foot, and
specifications), for both houses and then write a 3–4-page paper
detailing the following:
What is the logic for choosing your two ZIP codes? Is the
selection based upon work location, family location, good
schools, and so on?
What is the logic behind choosing the size and specifications of
each house?
Compare the total price of the two homes.
Compare the price per square foot for each house.
Compare the demographic data (referring to the location and
ZIP code) of each house. Based upon these data, try to explain
the similarities and differences in pricing for each home.
Select the home that you will purchase and explain the
reasoning behind your selection. Assume that at least a 20%
down payment is required. How much money would you need to
have saved? After the down payment, what would be the
purchase price of the home?
Assume the following:
Closing costs (including all potential loan origination, title, and
closing fees) are $3,500.
You have been approved for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage note
at a rate of 5.0%. Calculate the monthly payment for this loan.
(It is recommended that you show your calculation.)
Using your textbook readings this week as a resource, and based
upon your monthly gross income and current additional debt
payments, perform the calculations below (it is recommended
that you show your calculations).
Your affordable monthly mortgage payment (assume your lender
uses a guideline of 33% for monthly gross income or 38% if you
have other debt payment obligations)
Your affordable mortgage amount (meaning the amount that can
be financed; assume the loan terms under #7b)
Your affordable home purchase price (assume a 20% down
payment). Compare these calculations to the previous data
under #6 and #7. What are your conclusions? Discuss your

5. findings, including any surprises!
When purchasing a home, what additional considerations must
you take into account? Discuss the parties that will be involved,
what type of documentation will be required, home inspection
requirements, any additional financing options that you would
evaluate, and so on
Present a general summary regarding home ownership. What are
the advantages and disadvantages of home ownership, and how
does your personal choice fit into your overall personal
financial plan?
Grading Rubric
Category
Points
Description
Home Research and Comparisons
20
A comparison of the two homes identified is presented in detail
through the completion of the table and a discussion (#1–5)
Home Selection and Mortgage Payment Calculation
20
Home selection decision; calculation of the mortgage payment
(# 6 and #7)
Home Affordability
15
Calculate, discuss, and compare home affordability (#8).
Home Purchasing Considerations
15
Discuss home purchasing considerations (#9).
Home Ownership Summary
20
Present a general summary related to home ownership (#10).
Formatting and Grammar
10
Points will be deducted for poor grammar, spelling, or writing
style. Any external sources must be cited. References must be

6. cited in two places: within the body of your paper and on a
separate reference list. Please follow required APA guidelines,
as well as guidelines regarding plagiarism.
Total
100
A quality paper will meet or exceed all of the above
requirements.