Our Skyrim houses guide tells you everything you need to know about how to buy or build a house, as well as the different types of properties and plots of land that you can own. There are plenty of these, though most require you to complete certain quests.
How to Buy Houses in the Cities of Skyrim
There are five houses originally included in the Skyrim base game. For the most part, these are found in the major cities. Here are some important tidbits to know about them:
The quests that you complete in these locations will provide an opportunity to purchase a house. Because you’ll become a Thane, you’ll also gain a companion who will serve as your Housecarl. House upgrades and additional features are purchased from the Jarl’s Steward.
Whiterun — Breezehome
Cost: 5,000 gold Housecarl: Lydia Quest Required: Bleak Falls Barrow
Markarth — Vlindren Hall
Cost: 8,000 gold Housecarl: Argis Quests Required: Kill the Forsworn Leader and Dungeon Delving
Riften — Honeyside
Cost: 5,000 - 8,000 gold Housecarl: Iona Quests Required: Skooma Trade followed by various miscellaneous quests and tasks from the citizens of Riften (Dravin’s Bow, Wreck of the Pride of Tel Vos, bounty quests, fetch quests, and donations). These will increase your reputation with the people of Riften, allowing you to buy the house.
Solitude — Proudspire Manor
Cost: 25,000 gold Housecarl: Jordis Quests Required: The Man Who Cried Wolf and Elisif’s Tribute
Windhelm — Hjerim
Cost: 8,000 - 12,000 gold Housecarl: Calder Quests Required: Rescue from Fort Neugrad if you sided with the Stormcloaks. If you sided with the Imperials, then you need to complete the entirety of the quest chain by defeating the Stormcloaks.
How to Build Houses with the Hearthfire DLC
Several Skyrim houses were also added in the Hearthfire DLC. There are some key differences between these homes and the houses from the base game:
Skyrim’s Hearthfire DLC houses are found in the countryside, not inside cities. The plot of land for each house is initially purchased from a Jarl or that Jarl’s Steward. Once you’ve reached the plot location, you’ll see several objects that allow you to build your own house. These include walls, floors, roofs, and more. You can hire your own Steward for that house. Options include companions, specific NPCs, and even your character’s spouse if you’re married. Stewards can then purchase additional house upgrades or features. Houses tend to have a unique feature that can be constructed, such as a Fish Hatchery
Dawnstar — Heljarchen Hall
Cost: 5,000 gold Quests Required: Waking Nightmare and Kill the Giant Unique Feature: Grain Mill — Allows you to make flour or straw from wheat.
Falkreath — Lakeview Manor
Cost: 5,000 gold Quests Required: If Siddgeir is Jarl — Rare Gifts, Diplomatic Immunity, and Kill the Bandit Leader bounty. If Dengeir of Stuhn in Jarl — Some Light Theft, Dark Ancestor, and Rescue from Fort Neugrad (sides with the Stormcloaks). Unique Feature: Apiary — Spawns honeycombs to produce honey.
Morthal — Windstad Manor
Cost: 5,000 gold Quests Required: Laid to Rest Unique Feature: Fish Hatchery — Allows you to breed different kinds of fish as part of the Fishing minigame to create a viable source of food for cooking. This feature is especially useful if you like to have Survival Mode enabled.
Other DLC and Creation Club Houses in Skyrim
You may also purchase or acquire various houses in Skyrim if you have certain add-on DLCs or Creation Club mods.
Solstheim — Severin Manor (Dragonborn DLC)
Cost: Free Quests Required: Served Cold Unique Feature: A fully upgraded city house in Raven Rock. You do not need to purchase anything as there is no Steward.
Whiterun — Goldenhills Plantation (Farming Creation)
Cost: Free Quests Required: The Unquiet Dead Unique Feature: Grain Mill, Apiary, Animal Pens, and Stables. This location also allows you to plant crops and hire farmhands. You’ll earn stable passive income depending on the farm’s productivity.
Lastly, don’t forget to check out the Creation Club in the main menu if you already own the Anniversary Edition Upgrade or purchased the Anniversary Edition. You can download the Creations here, including unique houses like a pirate ship home from the Dead Man’s Dread mod.
Those are all of the potential houses you can buy and build in Skyrim, including those available through DLCs like Hearthfire and Dragonborn and community mods. For more Skyrim tips, head over to our guides hub.
