Door and Window

Learn how to buy a lot and build your dream house in The Sims! This guide covers Build Mode, Buy Mode, and essential tips for creating the perfect Sim home.

Alright, so you've got your family created and you're ready to get them a place to live. This is where the real fun begins! We're going to head back to the neighborhood screen. First, click on the family you just made on the family select screen, then hit that button in the bottom-right corner – it looks like a family with an arrow pointing to a house. This will take you back to the neighborhood view where you can pick your perfect spot.

You need to find a lot that's empty, meaning no other family is living there. You can buy a lot that already has a house on it, but honestly, building your own place is way more rewarding (and usually cheaper!). If the lot you've got your eye on is already occupied, don't sweat it. You can totally evict the family or bulldoze the existing house to clear the land. Just look for the bulldozer button at the top of the screen. Click it, then click the lot you want to clear. If there's a family there, it'll ask if you want to evict them. This process sells off all their stuff (except walls, carpets, and wallpaper) and sends them back to the barracks. Either way, you'll get the lot cleared and ready for your Sims!

The size of the lot you should buy can depend on how many Sims are in your family. More Sims means you'll earn money faster, but you'll also have more mouths to feed, so to speak. For your first go-around, I'd suggest not making it too complicated and sticking with a smaller lot. It's all up to you, though!