12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 4: Homeowners who budget

Question

12 Days of Christmas 🎅 GMAT Competition with Lots of Questions & Fun

Homeowners who budget for repairs properly can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value,
since the accumulation of minor damages can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by underestimation.

(A) Homeowners who budget for repairs properly can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value, since the accumulation of minor damages can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by underestimation.
(B) Their property’s monetary value is effectively preserved by homeowners through the proper budgeting for repairs that, when underestimated, can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by an accumulation of minor damages.
(C) Because the underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by leading to an accumulation of minor damages, homeowners can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value by properly budgeting for repairs.
(D) The proper budgeting for repairs by homeowners, due to the fact that underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by the accumulation of minor damages, can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value.
(E) Because a residential dwelling’s overall market value is reduced through the accumulation of minor damages when the home repair costs are underestimated, homeowners properly budgeting for repairs can effectively preserve their monetary value.

nivivacious · Answer

Lets do the easy ones and look at A and C later:
(B) Incorrect - This is in passive voice and awkward. "that, when underestimated, can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by an accumulation of minor damages" is confusing.
(D) Incorrect - Placement of the phrase "due to the fact that underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by the accumulation of minor damages" in the middle of the sentence feels wrong
(E) Incorrect - This sentence is a bit awkward due to the placement of "homeowners properly budgeting for repairs" at the end of the sentence.

Lets see A and C
(A) Incorrect: This sentence is grammatically correct. However, when compared to C - by underestimation" at the end of the sentence could have ambiguity as the underestimation of the overall market value rather than the underestimation of repair costs. It also has a marker of present perfect tense 'Since'
 (C) Correct: It has the correct cause and effect relationship - It correctly states the problem (underestimation of home repair costs leading to a reduction in market value) and then presents the solution (proper budgeting for repairs).

Gprabhumir · Answer

(A) Homeowners who budget for repairs properly can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value, since the accumulation of minor damages can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by underestimation.
 Can preserve their property's monetary value, since.... 
Since is incorrect. It changes the meaning. It sounds like since minor damages can reduce the market value, homeowners who budget for repairs can effectively preserve their property's monetary value. - Doesn't make sense.
Also, can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by underestimation.  - Is the value reduced by underestimation? No, underestimation of repairs cost could lead to minor damages that would reduce the value.
 A is out

(B) Their property’s monetary value is effectively preserved by homeowners through the proper budgeting for repairs that, when underestimated, can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by an accumulation of minor damages.
Overall sentence construction is really odd. Read carefully,
  Their property’s monetary value is effectively preserved by homeowners through the proper budgeting for repairs that  , when underestimated,   can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by an accumulation of minor damages.  
Through proper budgeting for repairs that can reduce the market value! - Nope, incorrect.
 B is out.

(C) Because the underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by leading to an accumulation of minor damages, homeowners can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value by properly budgeting for repairs.
If you read the statement properly, it says 
underestimation of home repair costs
can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value 
by leading to an accumulation of minor damages  
It's not the market value reduction leading to minor damages. It's vice versa.
 C is out.

(D) The proper budgeting for repairs by homeowners, due to the fact that underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by the accumulation of minor damages, can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value.
 Okay, great!

(E) Because a residential dwelling’s overall market value is reduced through the accumulation of minor damages when the home repair costs are underestimated, homeowners properly budgeting for repairs can effectively preserve their monetary value.
 homeowners properly budgeting for repairs can effectively preserve their monetary value 
Homeowners are working towards preserving their property's value, not their own value.
 E is out.

C is our winner!

GmatTest2026 · Answer

Homeowners who budget for repairs properly can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value,
since the accumulation of minor damages can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by underestimation.

(A) Homeowners who budget for repairs properly can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value, since the accumulation of minor damages can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by underestimation. Incorrect 
(B) Their property’s monetary value is effectively preserved by homeowners through the proper budgeting for repairs that, when underestimated, can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by an accumulation of minor damages. Incorrect 
(C) Because the underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by leading to an accumulation of minor damages, homeowners can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value by properly budgeting for repairs. Correct 
(D) The proper budgeting for repairs by homeowners, due to the fact that underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by the accumulation of minor damages, can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value. Incorrect 
(E) Because a residential dwelling’s overall market value is reduced through the accumulation of minor damages when the home repair costs are underestimated, homeowners properly budgeting for repairs can effectively preserve their monetary value. Incorrect

bv8562 · Answer

IMO (A) Homeowners who budget for repairs properly can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value, since the accumulation of minor damages can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by underestimation.

ThatIndianGuy · Answer

Homeowners who budget for repairs properly can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value,
since the accumulation of minor damages can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by underestimation.

(A) Homeowners who budget for repairs properly can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value, since the accumulation of minor damages can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by underestimation. - Wrong, "properly" is adverb and is modifying noun "repairs" , wrong
(B) Their property’s monetary value is effectively preserved by homeowners through the proper budgeting for repairs that, when underestimated, can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by an accumulation of minor damages. - Wrong, "that" is modifying "repairs", Intended meaning is "minor damages" reduce overall market value of property.
(C) Because the underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by leading to an accumulation of minor damages, homeowners can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value by properly budgeting for repairs. - Wrong, change in meaning
(D) The proper budgeting for repairs by homeowners, due to the fact that underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by the accumulation of minor damages, can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value.- Wrong, change in meaning
(E) Because a residential dwelling’s overall market value is reduced through the accumulation of minor damages when the home repair costs are underestimated, homeowners properly budgeting for repairs can effectively preserve their monetary value. - Correct.

Schinchan_bh · Answer

The correct option is:

(C) Because the underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by leading to an accumulation of minor damages, homeowners can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value by properly budgeting for repairs.

Reasoning:

1. **Clarity and Coherence:** Option (C) presents the cause-and-effect relationship in a clear and straightforward manner. It states that underestimation of home repair costs leads to a reduction in market value due to the accumulation of minor damages. This structure enhances clarity and coherence.

2. **Logical Connection:** The use of "Because" in option (C) establishes a logical connection between proper budgeting, the underestimation of repair costs, and the potential reduction in market value. This logical flow enhances the overall coherence of the sentence.

3. **Conciseness:** Option (C) is relatively concise compared to some other options, making it more effective in conveying the message without unnecessary complexity.

4. **Parallel Structure:** The parallel structure in option (C) contributes to its grammatical correctness and readability.

In summary, option (C) effectively addresses the issues present in the original sentence and provides a clear and logically structured sentence.

pooh.2304 · Answer

Option (C) is the most clear and concise choice. It effectively conveys the idea that homeowners can preserve their property's value by budgeting properly for repairs and highlights the consequence of underestimating home repair costs leading to a reduction in market value due to the accumulation of minor damages. The sentence is well-structured and easy to understand.

SnorLax_7 · Answer

Apart from C, A,B, D and E are awkward.

DongTan · Answer

Option (B): The sentence structure is convoluted and lacks clarity. The phrase "Their property’s monetary value is effectively preserved by homeowners through the proper budgeting for repairs that, when underestimated, can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by an accumulation of minor damages" is overly complex and difficult to follow.

Option (C): The sentence structure is awkward, with the phrase "Because the underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by leading to an accumulation of minor damages" placed in an unnatural position. The phrase "homeowners can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value by properly budgeting for repairs" is also not as clear and direct as in option (A).

Option (D): The sentence structure is awkward, with the phrase "due to the fact that underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by the accumulation of minor damages" placed in an unnatural position. The phrase "can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value" is also not as clear and direct as in option (A).

Option (E): The sentence structure is convoluted and lacks clarity. The phrase "Because a residential dwelling’s overall market value is reduced through the accumulation of minor damages when the home repair costs are underestimated" is overly complex and difficult to follow. The phrase "homeowners properly budgeting for repairs can effectively preserve their monetary value" is also not as clear and direct as in option (A).

In summary, option (A) provides the most appropriate structure and phrasing for the given sentence.

Archit3110 · Answer

(A) Homeowners who budget for repairs properly can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value, since the accumulation of minor damages can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by underestimation.  their , since usage is incorrect
 (B) Their property’s monetary value is effectively preserved by homeowners through the proper budgeting for repairs that, when underestimated, can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by an accumulation of minor damages. Their property’s meaning issue

(D) The proper budgeting for repairs by homeowners, due to the fact that underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by the accumulation of minor damages, can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value.  due to the fact modifier issue + due to .. 
 (E) Because a residential dwelling’s overall market value is reduced through the accumulation of minor damages when the home repair costs are underestimated, homeowners properly budgeting for repairs can effectively preserve their monetary value.  meaning issue
 (C) Because the underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by leading to an accumulation of minor damages, homeowners can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value by properly budgeting for repairs.

option C is correct

Bunuel · Answer

Experts' Global Official Explanation:

Grammatical Construction + Meaning + Tenses + Redundancy/Awkwardness

Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that because the underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall monetary value by leading to an accumulation of minor damages, homeowners can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value by properly budgeting for repairs.

A. Trap. This answer choice incorrectly modifies ”reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value” with “by underestimation”, illogically implying that the accumulation of minor damages can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value through the action of underestimation; the intended meaning is that the underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall monetary value by leading to an accumulation of minor damages.

B. This answer choice incorrectly uses “when underestimated” to modify “repairs”, incorrectly implying that when home repairs themselves are underestimated, they can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by leading to an accumulation of minor damages; the intended meaning is that the underestimation of home repair  costs  can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall monetary value by leading to an accumulation of minor damages.

C. Correct.  This answer choice correctly uses “Because of the underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a …” to modify “homeowners can effectively preserve…”, conveying the intended meaning of the sentence- that because the underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall monetary value by leading to an accumulation of minor damages, homeowners can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value by properly budgeting for repairs. Further, Option C correctly uses the plural pronoun “their” to refer to the plural noun “homeowners”. Additionally, Option C is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.

D. This answer choice uses the needlessly wordy phrase “due to the fact that underestimation of home repair costs…”, leading to awkwardness.

E. This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “is reduced”; the construction of this phrase illogically implies that because a residential dwelling’s overall market value is always reduced through the accumulation of minor damages when the home repair costs are underestimated, homeowners who properly budget for repairs can effectively preserve the dwelling’s monetary value; the intended meaning of this sentence is that because the underestimation of home repair costs  can reduce  a residential dwelling’s overall monetary value by leading to an accumulation of minor damages, homeowners can effectively preserve the monetary value by properly budgeting for repairs. Further, Option E incorrectly uses the plural pronoun “their” to refer to the singular noun “residential dwelling”. Additionally, Option E uses the passive voice construction “a residential dwelling’s overall market value is reduced”, rendering it needlessly indirect.

C is the best answer choice.

____________________________
  Video Explanation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_XemTZeM_o

arpan7 · Answer

Underestimation should modify proper budgeting of home repair costs, not home repair costs. Only B does that.

vishal_gupta · Answer

Homeowners who budget for repairs properly can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value,
since the accumulation of minor damages can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by underestimation.

(A) Homeowners who budget for repairs properly can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value, since the accumulation of minor damages can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by underestimation. ( Correct. ) 
 (B) Their property’s monetary value is effectively preserved by homeowners through the proper budgeting for repairs that, when underestimated, can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by an accumulation of minor damages. (No subject. Modifier misplacement.)
(C) Because the underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by leading to an accumulation of minor damages, homeowners can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value by properly budgeting for repairs.(Wrong cause and effect. Modifier misplacement.)
(D) The proper budgeting for repairs by homeowners, due to the fact that underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by the accumulation of minor damages, can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value.(Wrong subject. Modifier misplacement.)
(E) Because a residential dwelling’s overall market value is reduced through the accumulation of minor damages when the home repair costs are underestimated, homeowners properly budgeting for repairs can effectively preserve their monetary value.(Modifier misplacement.)

sj296 · Answer

(A)  Homeowners who budget for repairs properly can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value, since the accumulation of minor damages can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by underestimation. .............Seems correct

(B)  Their property’s monetary value is effectively preserved by homeowners through the proper budgeting for repairs that, when underestimated, can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by an accumulation of minor damages. ...............Change in intended meaning. Underestimated modifying the repairs.

(C)  Because the underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by leading to an accumulation of minor damages, homeowners can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value by properly budgeting for repairs. ......Change in intended meaning

(D) The proper budgeting for repairs by homeowners,  due to the fact  that underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by the accumulation of minor damages, can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value...............wrong use of 'due to the fact'

(E)  Because a residential dwelling’s overall market value is reduced through the accumulation of minor damages when the home repair costs are underestimated, homeowners properly budgeting for repairs can effectively preserve their monetary value. .................Incorrect.

IMO OA should be A

Mukulkumar19 · Answer

(A) Homeowners who budget for repairs properly can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value, since the accumulation of minor damages can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by underestimation.    incorrect sequence of event which makes the sentence wrong 
 (B) Their property’s monetary value is effectively preserved by homeowners through the proper budgeting for repairs that, when underestimated, can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by an accumulation of minor damages.    use of Theirs in beginning........it doesn't refer to any noun 
 (C) Because the underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by leading to an accumulation of minor damages, homeowners can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value by properly budgeting for repairs.    It follows the correct sequence and reasoning 
 (D) The proper budgeting for repairs by homeowners, due to the fact that underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by the accumulation of minor damages, can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value.    Due to the fact that???? unclear meaning 
 (E) Because a residential dwelling’s overall market value is reduced through the accumulation of minor damages when the home repair costs are underestimated, homeowners properly budgeting for repairs can effectively preserve their monetary value.    Meaning problem.....incorrect structure

brp616 · Answer

Answer is A - the starts of these sentences gave it away

A - flows well, active voice, no issues to note

B - Uses the possessive pronoun 'their' to start before saying who 'their' refers to

C - Because is not a proper opening to a sentence, always goes after the point you introduce

D - inserts the final conclusion between the first and second parts of the argument

E - Another because starter, this is also awkward throughout

Mentis678 · Answer

(A) Homeowners who budget for repairs properly can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value, since the accumulation of minor damages can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by underestimation.
Best of the lot.

(B) Their property’s monetary value is effectively preserved by homeowners through the proper budgeting for repairs that, when underestimated, can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by an accumulation of minor damages.
'that can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value' wrongly modify repairs. Eliminate.

(C) Because the underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by leading to an accumulation of minor damages, homeowners can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value by properly budgeting for repairs.
This choice says 'Underestimation can reduce market value'. Eliminate.

(D) The proper budgeting for repairs by homeowners, due to the fact that underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by the accumulation of minor damages, can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value.
Super awkward construction+ meaning error.

(E) Because a residential dwelling’s overall market value is reduced through the accumulation of minor damages when the home repair costs are underestimated, homeowners properly budgeting for repairs can effectively preserve their monetary value.
'their' wrongly refers to home owners.

A is correct.

jaysea · Answer

Homeowners who budget for repairs properly can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value,
since the accumulation of minor damages can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by underestimation.

(A) Homeowners who budget for repairs properly can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value, since the accumulation of minor damages can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by underestimation. Reject A. underestimation is unclear what it applies to.

(B) Their property’s monetary value is effectively preserved by homeowners through the proper budgeting for repairs that, when underestimated, can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by an accumulation of minor damages. Reject B, beginning with "their" improper in this case

(C) Because the underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by leading to an accumulation of minor damages, homeowners can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value by properly budgeting for repairs. Accept C. Effectively conveys the message with proper sentence structure.

(D) The proper budgeting for repairs by homeowners, due to the fact that underestimation of home repair costs can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by the accumulation of minor damages, can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value. Reject D. Improper structure

(E) Because a residential dwelling’s overall market value is reduced through the accumulation of minor damages when the home repair costs are underestimated, homeowners properly budgeting for repairs can effectively preserve their monetary value. Reject E. attributes monetary value to homeowners instead of their property.

Kinshook · Answer

Homeowners who budget for repairs properly can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value, 
since the accumulation of minor damages can reduce a residential dwelling’s overall market value by underestimation.

by underestimation  is misplaced. 
underestimation is not of accumulation of minor damages but of budget for repairs.
Incorrect

Option C is in active voice whereas option B is in passive voice
Option C is preferred.
Incorrect

Concise and corrrect in meaning.

The proper budgeting for repairs by homeowners, ..... , can effectively preserve their property’s monetary value. is incorrect in meaning.
 due to the fact that  is verbose and incorrect
Incorrect

Use of pronoun  their  is ambiguous and can refer to homeowners.
Incorrect

12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 4: Homeowners who budget

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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 4: Homeowners who budget

Prep Toolkit

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