Tough Decision

Assignment 1.1 Using the five step decision making process

Step 1: Define the Decision Clearly

My husband and I would like to buy a smaller house on at least 3 acres of land in the country when our last daughter graduates high school in 2 years. 

Step 2: Consider all the Possible Choices

1.       Sell home and purchase land with home

2.       Purchase land without a home on it and build a new home

3.       Rent out current home and purchase new home on land

Step 3: Gather All Relevant Information and Evaluate the Pros and Cons of Each Choice

Possible Choices	Information Needed	Pros	Cons
Sell home and purchase new home with land	·     Need to review comparable value of others homes in the neighborhood to identify what current market value is        Determine sell it on my own or use a realtor Hire a realtor to help us find the home of our dreams	Move to a new location with no neighbors and fresh air        Using a realtor will increase marketing Using a realtor allows us to view more properties ·	Our home has dropped in value        Realtor fees will make us pay to sell the house        Selling on own home means increased work and it takes longer to sell a home
Rent out current home and purchase new home	Research Property Management companies       Obtain copies of rental/lease agreements        Meet with accountant	Investment property        Possible additional income       Hire property management company to manage rental  Tax write-off when rented	Upkeep on rental Wear and tear on home              Securing single family renters with good credit        Additional house payment/insurance      Renters  default on rental payments leaving me with 2 house payments
Rent out current home and purchase new home	Research Property Management companies       Obtain copies of rental/lease agreements        Meet with accountant	Investment property       Possible additional income       Hire property management company to manage rental  Tax write-off when rented	Upkeep on rental Wear and tear on home             Securing single family renters with good credit        Additional house payment/insurance      Renters  default on  rental payments leaving me with 2 house payments

Step 4: Select the Choice that seems to best meet the Needs of the Situation

The best choice  for us would be to find a realtor that will help sell current home and find property with a home already on it.

·     A Realtor is familiar with market trends and can help with selling home and finding new home

·    Obtain more peaceful surroundings in a smaller home since children will no longer be living at home. (I can dream… can’t I?)

· No fear of having 2 payments for housing if the house doesn’t rent or the renters do not pay.

Step 5:  Implementation of a plan of action and monitor the results

·         Agree upon a timeline to sell existing home and buy new home

·         Down size our belongings to fit in a smaller home

·         Contact bank and obtain a pre-approval for home loan

·         Contact realtors to interview and place current home on market

·         Have home staged and de-cluttered for a speedy sale 

·         Schedule appointments to view available homes in the country to buy

·         Close on my old home and move into my new home

Assignment 4.2 Learning Journal

Strength- I think that my strongest learning experience was learning about my own style and how it affects me as an educator. After reading as much as possible about being an auditory learner, I was able to reflect on my styles both in learning and teaching. After pondering my style and how it has taken me from point A to point B. I was ready to learn more about the other styles of learners and how to reach them in my training.

Improvement – I believe that I can improve upon my teaching style by immersing myself in the learning styles in which I am least comfortable. This will allow me to figure out how my learners are learning. While I may not be able to have a well rounded curriculum at first, I believe that I can add bits and pieces that work for my students. This may take some time, but I am willing to feel uncomfortable to engage the student’s styles in learning.

Insight – Learning styles may be controversial, but if we all look within ourselves, we can see that we all have them. I believe that while it is difficult to teach every lesson to all of the styles individually. We as educators can modify our teaching styles to reach the students who are not engaged. Teaching is not about me; it is about the student. I think what it all comes down to for me, it that I want to be the best teacher I can be.