Suppose That There Are Two Types of Houses for Sale

question 34

Multiple Choice

Suppose that there are two types of houses for sale: those with solid foundations and those with cracked foundations. In all other respects, the two types of houses are identical. Houses with solid foundations are worth $200,000, while those with cracked foundations are worth $200,000 minus the $20,000 to fix the crack, or $180,000. Sellers know which type of house they have, but buyers cannot detect whether the foundation has a crack. Suppose that 80 percent of the houses for sale have a solid foundation and 20 percent of the houses for sale have a cracked foundation. If buyers are risk-neutral and know the that 80 percent of the houses for sale have a solid foundation while 20 percent have a cracked foundation, then how much will buyers be willing to pay for a house?

• A)$200,000
• B)$196,000
• C)$180,000
• D)$160,000

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Definitions:

Lava Fountains

eruptions where lava is forcefully sprayed into the air through a vent or fissure, resembling a fountain.

Scoria Cones

Volcanic cones made up of fragments of lava or rock ejected during explosive eruptions, usually with a bowl-shaped crater at the summit.

Basaltic Lava

A dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that forms from the quick cooling of basaltic lava, rich in iron and magnesium.

Viscous Lava

Lava that has a thick, sticky consistency due to a high silica content, flowing slowly.