Wylie High’s CTE Realtor Class Learns Budgeting, Value & Decision-Making—One Gingerbread House at a Time
(Mrs. Martin's Class Getting a Surprise Choir Performance)
The scene at Krystal Martin’s real estate class in the Wylie High School cafeteria felt less like a lecture hall and more like an open house—if open houses involved frosting-covered fingers, intense negotiations over sprinkles, and students debating the long-term value of ‘extra M&Ms.’
Welcome to the Gingerbread House Flipping Project.
In this Career & Technical Education Realtor course, students aren’t just learning vocabulary like ROI and net sheet from a textbook. They’re living it—one candy purchase at a time. Each group begins with a fictional $1,000 budget and a clear directive: buy your gingerbread house, track every expense, make strategic upgrades, and sell it for a profit at auction.
Overspend, and your ROI suffers. Choose wisely, and your value climbs.
At one table, students confidently pitched their property like seasoned agents. “It’s a one-story, one-bed, one-bath,” one student explained, pointing to a carefully iced structure. “It fits one happy little snowman. Big spruce tree in the back. Open concept. Family-oriented. Good neighborhood. Walking distance to everything you need.”
Another teammate jumped in with the fine print: “There might be an ant problem eventually—but other than that, if it passes inspection, you’re good.”
And just like in the real housing market, not all upgrades are created equal.
While some groups splurged on decorations early, others focused on foundations, structure, and long-term value. One group proudly noted they had spent only $300 so far. “Other people are spending way more,” a student said with a grin. “They’re not the best value. We got the best deals.”
Mrs. Martin added real-world twists throughout the project. Want to save money? Hire a cheaper contractor—but each student can only work with one hand for ten minutes. Build strong relationships? The “supplier” might reward you with a free item from the store. Every decision came with consequences, forcing students to weigh risk, reward, and efficiency.
When asked how they’d list their gingerbread house on Zillow, students didn’t miss a beat. “Newly remodeled,” one said quickly. “Cookie slab foundation. Nobody else really has that. The other teams just use cardboard!” Another group emphasized land—front yard, backyard, and room to grow—recognizing that sometimes the value isn’t just the house, but what surrounds it.
Even candy placement became a lesson in planning. Students sorted M&Ms by color to avoid running out mid-pattern, learning firsthand how preparation prevents costly mistakes later. Roles naturally emerged: finance, construction, project coordinator. As one student put it simply, “It’s construction… but also business.”
Behind the frosting and laughter is a serious purpose.
Mrs. Martin explained that the Realtor course is part of Wylie ISD’s CTE pathway, preparing students to take their real estate licensing exam as soon as they graduate. “They’re learning the ins and outs of real estate,” she said. “This makes it real.”
And real it is.
Students learn that you can decorate later, but you can’t fix a weak foundation. That value matters more than flash. That budgeting requires discipline—even when candy is involved. And that sometimes, the smartest investment is knowing when not to spend.
As the final auction approaches, some gingerbread houses may turn a tidy profit. Others may learn the hard way what negative ROI feels like. But every student walks away with something far more valuable than a sweet treat: real-world financial literacy, decision-making skills, and confidence.
In Wylie ISD, even gingerbread houses come with life lessons baked in.
And moments like these—equal parts learning, laughter, and frosting—are just one more reason why it’s great to be a Wylie Bulldog.
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