Where Do Players Buy Housing From?
In general, players have two main ways to get housing:
Buying directly from a settlement
Buying from other players
Settlements issue housing deeds once they reach certain development stages. Apartments, static housing, and freeholds all come from the settlement system in one way or another. Once a property exists in the world, it can usually be sold between players unless specific conditions prevent it.
Most players will start by buying from the settlement itself, especially early on when fewer properties exist and player-to-player sales are limited.
How Does Settlement Housing Sales Work?
When a settlement advances to a new stage, new housing may become available. Developers have stated that they are considering an auction-based system for listing these new properties.
In practice, this usually works like this:
A grace period happens first, during which housing exists but cannot be purchased yet.
After that, the housing enters an auction.
Bidding starts at a minimum reserve price.
That reserve price scales based on the number of citizens in the settlement.
When the auction ends, the highest bidder wins the property.
This means housing in more populated settlements will usually be more expensive, even at the starting price.
Why Does Housing Get More Expensive Over Time?
Housing prices scale for several reasons:
More citizens increases base housing prices.
More apartments purchased raises the price for future apartment buyers.
Static housing is limited and usually in high-demand locations.
In general, the more successful a settlement is, the more expensive its housing becomes. Most players should not expect housing prices to stay low once a node becomes popular.
There is no hard cap on how expensive housing can become when sold by players. Player-driven pricing is fully controlled by supply and demand.
Can Players Sell Housing to Other Players?
Yes. Players can buy and sell housing between each other.
This includes:
Apartments
Static housing
Freehold plots
For freeholds specifically, the seller can decide whether to:
Sell directly to another player, or
List the freehold through an auction system
Previously, it was stated that freeholds might not be tradable, but that restriction no longer applies. In the current design, players cannot be blocked from buying a freehold if it is legitimately listed for sale.
How Does Freehold Buying and Selling Work?
Freeholds are a special case because they exist outside settlement walls but are still tied to settlement influence.
Players can acquire freeholds in three main ways:
Through deeds issued by a Village (stage 3) or higher settlement
By buying a freehold from another player
By winning a freehold auction
Once owned, freeholds can usually be sold again unless they are destroyed or reclaimed by the system.
Most players treat freeholds as long-term investments, since they take more effort to maintain and are exposed to more risk.
What Happens to Housing During Sieges?
Housing is not permanent.
If a settlement is successfully sieged:
Player housing inside the settlement can be destroyed
Destroyed housing can no longer be sold
This is one of the biggest risks in the real estate system. Players who invest heavily in housing within contested regions are accepting that risk.
Freeholds are especially vulnerable, since they sit outside settlement defenses. In general, most players who buy freeholds will pay close attention to regional politics and military strength.
Can You Lose Housing Without a Siege?
Yes. Property taxes are another factor.
Housing ownership can default back to the settlement if the owner fails to pay property taxes. When this happens:
The property enters a kind of foreclosure process
Any unpaid balance and penalties are passed on to the new buyer
This discourages players from holding housing they cannot afford to maintain.
Is There a Limit on How Much Housing One Player Can Own?
Yes. Players cannot exceed their housing allotment.
This limit exists to prevent a small number of players from controlling all available housing. In practice, this means most players will have to make choices about what type of housing they want to own instead of collecting everything.
Is Real Estate Meant to Be an Investment System?
According to the developers, yes.
Housing is intended to be something players can:
Invest in
Use
Sell later for profit
At the same time, housing is also a resource that can be removed through sieges and taxes. This creates risk, which is intentional.
Most players will approach housing carefully, balancing location, cost, and political stability. Some players will speculate on growing settlements, while others will prefer safer, established nodes.
How Do Players Usually Afford Housing?
Housing can be expensive, especially in high-population settlements. Most players will not buy premium housing early unless they are part of an organized group or have strong income sources.
Some players may choose to save gold over time, while others look for ways to speed things up. You may occasionally see discussions about options like buy AoC gold from a trusted site like U4N, but in general, most players rely on normal gameplay methods such as crafting, trading, and group content.
Practical Advice for New Players
If you are new to Ashes of Creation, housing should not be your first priority.
In general:
Focus on leveling and income first
Watch which settlements are growing steadily
Avoid buying housing in unstable regions
Understand tax obligations before buying
Expect prices to rise as populations grow
Most players who rush into housing without understanding the system end up overpaying or losing properties during conflict.
Summary: What to Expect From Real Estate in Ashes of Creation
The real estate system in Ashes of Creation is designed to feel alive and risky. Housing prices scale with population, demand, and player behavior. Buying and selling is largely player-driven, but always tied to settlement success and political stability.
In practice, housing rewards players who pay attention, plan ahead, and understand the risks involved. It is not just about owning a house, but about choosing the right place at the right time.