You’re tired of sleeping at the Bannered Mare. Honestly, everyone gets to that point after about ten hours of trekking through the tundra. Carrying three hundred pounds of dragon bones and ancient Nordic pottery isn’t a lifestyle; it’s a burden. You need a chest. You need a bed that gives you the "Well Rested" bonus. But the game doesn’t just hand you a set of keys because you’re the Dragonborn. You've got to earn the right to buy property, and the locations vary wildly in terms of price, utility, and sheer aesthetic vibe.
Where can you buy houses Skyrim holds for you depends entirely on which Jarl likes you and how much gold you’ve managed to loot from burial urns.
Most people start with Breezehome in Whiterun. It’s the classic choice. It’s cheap, it’s right next to a blacksmith, and it feels like home. But maybe you want something more "grand mage" or "shadowy thief." Or maybe you want to build a mansion from the ground up in the middle of a swamp. Skyrim offers five traditional city homes and three buildable plots through the Hearthfire DLC. Each one requires you to navigate the local politics of the Hold, which usually involves helping out the citizens and eventually being named Thane.
The Starter Home: Breezehome in Whiterun
Whiterun is basically the heart of the map. It's the first place most players go, and for good reason. To get Breezehome, you just have to finish the "Bleak Falls Barrow" quest. Talk to the Jarl, kill a dragon at the Western Watchtower, and Proventus Avenicci will sell you the place for 5,000 gold.
It’s small. Two stories, a bit cramped, and no enchanting table. That’s the big dealbreaker for some. If you’re a mage, Breezehome kinda sucks because you have to run up to Dragonsreach every time you want to put a soul gem into a sword. But for a warrior? Having Adrianne Avenicci’s forge right next door is unbeatable. It’s the most "convenient" house in the game, even if it isn't the fanciest.
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Solitude’s Proudspire Manor: The High-End Money Pit
If you’ve got gold burning a hole in your pocket, head to Solitude. This is the most expensive house in the base game. 25,000 gold just for the deed. Then you have to decorate it. By the time you’re done, you’ve spent close to 35,000 or 40,000 gold.
Is it worth it?
Visually, it’s stunning. It’s a stone villa in the wealthiest city in the province. You get three floors and plenty of room for your family. To buy it, you have to complete "The Man Who Cried Wolf" and then do a favor for the Jarl, Elisif the Fair. It’s a status symbol. If you're playing a high-society character or someone deeply embedded in the Imperial Legion, this is the spot. But honestly? It’s a long walk from the city gates. I find myself getting annoyed at the trek just to drop off my loot.
Markarth and Windhelm: Vibe Checks
Markarth is... polarizing. Vlindrel Hall costs 8,000 gold. It’s built into the side of a mountain, so it’s all stone. If you like the Dwemer aesthetic—brass pipes, stone beds, ancient machinery—you’ll love it. If you find the city of Markarth creepy (which it is, thanks to the Forsworn and the Namira cult), you’ll hate it. You get a lot of bookshelves here, though. It’s a librarian’s dream.
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Then there’s Hjerim in Windhelm. This house is arguably the best in the game for layout and display cases, but it has a dark history. You have to finish the "Blood on the Ice" quest to even think about buying it. Yes, you are buying a house where a serial killer was literally performing rituals. You have to pay to "clean up the mess." Once it’s clean, it’s a massive, beautiful Nord hall. It costs 12,000 gold. It’s perfect if you’re joining the Stormcloaks, as it places you right in the heart of the resistance.
The Stealthy Option: Honeyside in Riften
Riften is the home of the Thieves Guild, and Honeyside reflects that. It’s 8,000 gold, but it has a unique feature: a private entrance from outside the city walls. If you have a high bounty or you just don’t want to deal with the guards, you can sneak right into your house from the lake.
It’s cozy. It feels like a cottage. It has an enchanting table and an alchemy lab, which Breezehome lacks. To get it, you need to disrupt the local skooma trade. Talk to Wujeeta at the Riften fishery to start the questline. It’s a mid-tier house that punches above its weight class because of that backdoor access.
Building Your Own: The Hearthfire Plots
For many, the answer to where can you buy houses Skyrim doesn't lie in the cities at all. The Hearthfire expansion added three plots of land:
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- Lakeview Manor (Falkreath): The fan favorite. It’s in a lush forest with a view of a lake.
- Windstad Manor (Hjaalmarch): It’s in a swamp near Solitude. A bit gloomy, but you can build a fish hatchery.
- Heljarchen Hall (The Pale): A snowy tundra property with a private grain mill.
Each plot costs 5,000 gold. But that’s just for the dirt. You have to mine the stone, saw the logs, and forge the nails yourself. It’s a massive time sink. However, these are the only houses where you can truly customize the wings. Want an armory? Build it. Want a library? Go for it. You can even have a carriage driver and a personal bard. Just watch out for the occasional giant or bandit raid that might spawn in your backyard.
The Logistics of Becoming a Homeowner
You can’t just walk up to a Jarl and buy a house. You need to be a "friend of the court." Usually, this means:
- Completing a specific quest for the Jarl.
- Helping 3 to 5 people in the city (fetching items, clearing caves).
- Returning to the Jarl for the title of Thane.
Once you own the property, you have to buy the furniture. This is done through the Jarl’s Steward. If you buy a house for 5,000 gold, expect to spend another 1,500 on the "Living Room Decor" and "Bedroom Decor." Pro-tip: don't try to decorate by hand-dropping items from your inventory. The physics engine in Skyrim is notorious for "exploding" your decorations when you re-enter the room. Use the official upgrades provided by the Stewards to avoid your house looking like a tornado hit it.
Making the Right Choice
If you're still undecided, think about your character's needs. If you're a hoarder, Hjerim has the most storage. If you're a family person, the Hearthfire homes allow for the most children's beds. If you're just starting out, stick to Breezehome.
Actionable Steps for New Buyers:
- Liquidate your inventory: You’ll need at least 5,000 gold for the cheapest house and about 2,000 extra for basic furniture. Sell those dragon scales.
- Target Whiterun first: Finish "Bleak Falls Barrow" immediately to unlock the option to buy Breezehome.
- Check the Steward's schedule: Stewards usually sleep at night. If you can’t find the person to buy the house from, wait until noon in the Jarl’s longhouse.
- Prioritize the Alchemy Lab: When buying upgrades, always get the crafting stations first. They provide the most utility for leveling your skills.
- Save before buying: Occasionally, scripts can glitch. Save your game right before you hand over the gold to ensure the "decorating" dialogue options appear correctly.
Owning property is the best way to transition from a wandering mercenary to a powerhouse in the province. It gives you a place to store the artifacts of Daedric Princes and a spot to park your follower when they get in your way. Pick a city that matches your fast-travel habits and start doing favors for the Jarl.