Overview

Students will analyze resources on the net in reference to renting for the first time. This is an appropriate activity for students planning to live on their own, specifically 11^th and 12^th graders in high school.

Introduction

You have been waiting for this day for which seems like forever; graduation from high school. You graduate from high school and have a job waiting for you making 22,000 a year. What now? Can you afford to live on your own? Let’s see if you can find a nice apartment and afford all that renting entails.

Task

A decision to live on your own is not easy to make, no matter how much you want to get out of your parent’s house. You must research all your options in order to make a wise decision on your first housing choice. At the end of this webquest, you will be able to answer the following questions in order to make an informed decision.

How much can I afford to spend on renting a place?

Can I afford to live on my own or do I need a roommate?

What is eviction?

Do I have any options with a lease?

Why do I need a deposit, how much will it be, and can I get

my money back?

Why do I need insurance for something I don’t own?

Do I have any rights as a renter?

Process

You need to make an important decision regarding housing arrangements for the future. Do you stay living at home with your parents or do you choose to take a risk and try living on your own. Gather information on renting and apartment shopping in order to make a decision that best suits your situation.

1. Your first goal is to establish how much you can afford for rent on a salary of 22,000 ( after taxes). If housing costs should be 30% of your income, how much can you spend on a housing allowance. Compute allowance here.________________.

2. Next you need to gather information on renting. Visit the attached site Renting 101 to gather information on first time renting. Site features information on renting vocabulary, leases and roommates.

3. Now begin your search on the internet for housing choices. As you search keep in mind your housing allowance and the option of a roommate.

4. Choose 3 housing choices and compare and contrast their options. Complete chart.

5. From your research choose the best option for your first housing choice. The next step is to contact an insurance agent over the net for an estimate on renter’s insurance cost.

6. Final step is to convince your parents that you have done your research and that you made an informed decision about living on your own. You want their support and of course their help in moving out.

Resources

Here are some suggested resources for gathering information on renting and apartment listings:

Apartment searches

http://www.apartments.com/

http://www.springstreet.com/apartments/home.jhtml?source=a2gt7t2t010

http://www.apartmentguide.com/index.asp?partner=5095

http://www.mywebrealestatecenter.com/Apartment_searches.shtml

Roommates

http://www.roommates.com/

http://rentcal.com/roommates.html

Renter’s Insurance

http://www.statefarm.com/quote/renters.htm

http://www.allstate.com/Products/Home/PageRender.asp?Page=main.htm

https://homeowners.geico.com/renters.html

Evaluation

Renting 101

Name: ________________________

Teacher: Kays

Date of Presentation: ____________

Title of Work: ___________________

Criteria

Points

	1	2	3	4
Organization	Audience cannot understand presentation because there is no sequence of information.	Audience has difficulty following presentation because student jumps around.	Student presents information in logical sequence which audience can follow.	Student presents information in logical, interesting sequence which audience can follow.	____
Content Knowledge	Student does not have grasp of information; student cannot answer questions about subject.	Student is uncomfortable with information and is able to answer only rudimentary questions.	Student is at ease with content, but fails to elaborate.	Student demonstrates full knowledge (more than required)with explanations and elaboration.	____
Visuals	Student used no visuals.	Student occasional used visuals that rarely support text and presentation.	Visuals related to text and presentation.	Student used visuals to reinforce screen text and presentation.	____
Mechanics	Student's presentation had four or more spelling errors and/or grammatical errors.	Presentation had three misspellings and/or grammatical errors.	Presentation has no more than two misspellings and/or grammatical errors.	Presentation has no misspellings or grammatical errors.	____
Delivery	Student mumbles, incorrectly pronounces terms, and speaks too quietly for students in the back of class to hear.	Student incorrectly pronounces terms. Audience members have difficulty hearing presentation.	Student's voice is clear. Student pronounces most words correctly.	Student used a clear voice and correct, precise pronunciation of terms.	____
				Total---->	____

Teacher Comments:

Conclusion

This webquest brings together one of the most important steps for planning to live on your own. You have gained an appreciation for the costs involved in renting your own housing. Now as we bring this activity to a close the question to consider is:

Do you still want to live on your own?