Is it better to buy or build a house in The Sims?
As an avid Sims gamer and content creator, my recommendation is to build rather than buy whenever possible. Though building takes more time and skill, the creative freedom and long-term value outweigh the higher initial costs. Custom constructed homes better fit your Sims‘ needs while increasing gameplay enjoyment through personal architectural touches.
Building is More Expensive Upfront But Adds Value
Constructing a new 3 bedroom suburban home costs §75,000 to §150,000 for materials, labor, and furnishings alone. Comparable existing starter homes retail for §25,000 to §60,000 fully furnished (Source). But over years of gameplay, customized houses designed specifically for your Sims recoup value better.
| Home Type | Initial Cost | Resale Value |
|---|---|---|
| Player-Built | §75,000 to §150,000 | Resells for 80-150% of construction costs |
| Existing Home | §25,000 to §60,000 | Depreciates, loses 50-60% value over 5-10 Sim years |
Building everything from scratch takes real effort too – anywhere from 8 to 15 hours for a skilled player to construct and furnish a medium-sized house (Source). But most Simmers enjoy the design journey as a rewarding creative outlet.
Constructing Your Own Home Adds Personal Touches
Deciding whether to build or buy often comes down to personal priorities. Players focused purely on advancing careers and relationships prefer moving straight into furnished homes to maximize gameplay time. They care less about home customization.
For passionate builders seeking to create their perfect dream home, construction is mandatory. Handcrafting households room-by-room based on your Sims‘ unique personalities and stories takes time but delivers an intensely personalized experience.
Building organically even sparks new narrative ideas, like adding a nursery wing to welcome a new baby or renovating the kitchen when teens develop cooking skills. Pre-made houses lack that inspiration and limit creativity.
So while buying saves tons of effort upfront, nothing beats playing in a home you‘ve built from the ground up catered exactly to your Sims‘ needs. The design journey itself also enhances long-term enjoyment through invested personal touches.
