The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is notorious for its large number of dungeons and items to find. Despite being able to carry hundreds of pounds of gear, everyone needs a place to store all of their treasure.

That is where player homes come in. Skyrim has a wide range of player houses that can accommodate any type of player. Most player houses are pre-built and reside inside cities, although there are a few exceptions that involve making a home of your own. For those chasing the title of Thane or are completionists, here are all of Skyrim's player houses and how to obtain them. We are only including player homes tied to Holds. Houses tied to factions, spouses, and remote shacks are not included in this guide.

Updated October 15, 2023, by Sean Murray: No Skyrim playthrough is complete without a home to call your own. Each of Skyrim's houses are detailed at length in this guide, making it easier than ever to pick the home that's right for you. We've also updated this guide with more breakout tips and links to other helpful Skyrim topics.

How Many Player Houses Are In Skyrim?

Skyrim has nine unique player houses that are customizable. Out of the nine available houses, six of them are pre-built, while the other three are tied to Hearthfire's crafting system. Hearthfire's homes are tied to plots of land instead of a city itself. Every other house is purchased outright from either a Jarl or their steward.

Here are where each of the pre-built houses are located:

And as for the plots of land that are tied to Hearthfire's houses:

Winterhold is the only Hold in Skyrim that does not have a player home, although players can sleep and store their goods in the College of Winterhold once they become a member.

Breezehome (Whiterun)

Breezehome is likely the first home you will purchase in your playthrough. Located in Whiterun, this home requires you to complete the "Bleak Falls Barrow" quest. Since it is one of the first quests you'll receive, this is hardly a requirement.

Once Farengar has the Dragonstone Tablet, the Jarl will permit you to purchase Breezehome from Proventus Avenicci for 5,000 Gold. Breezehome can be further upgraded by purchasing an alchemy lab and furnishings for your rooms. Purchasing every upgrade costs 1,800 Gold, making the total Gold investment for Breezehome 6,800 Gold.

Hjerim (Windhelm)

*A bug exists that reduces the cost to 8,000 Gold

Hjerim is Windhelm's player home that is locked behind two quests. Before Windhelm's steward will sell Hjerim to you, the Civil War questline must be concluded, and the "Blood on the Ice" quest must be finished.

Completing both of those prerequisites will allow you to purchase Hjerim for 12,000 Gold, although a bug exists that reduces the price to 8,000 Gold. Upgrades for this house cost a total of 10,250 Gold, which includes decorations for each room, alchemy and enchanting tables, and a small fee for cleaning up the mess tied to the "Blood on the Ice" quest.

Honeyside (Riften)

To purchase Riften's Honeyside house, you will need to stop an underground Skooma operation inside the city and help five NPCs that live in Riften. "Skooma Trade" is a miscellaneous quest that requires you to uncover and shut down a Skooma drug operation. It's rather easy to complete.

Talk to Wujeeta near the Riften docks to start this quest.

Once "Skooma Trade" is complete, talk to the Jarl. He will ask you to raise your reputation by helping out the commoners of Riften. Complete five miscellaneous objectives in Riften and talk to his steward. You should now be able to purchase Honeyside for 8,000 Gold. Honeyside can be further upgraded. Purchasing every upgrade costs 4,300 Gold.

To make Honeyside cheaper, talk to Anuriel with at least 5,000 Gold and purchase the house.

Proudspire Manor (Solitude)

Solitude's Proudspire Manor is locked behind two separate quests. "The Man Who Cried Wolf" and "Elisif's Tribute" must be completed before Falk Firebeard will sell the house to you.

Proudspire Manor costs 25,000 Gold with no means of reducing its cost. Upgrading the manor costs an additional 11,000 Gold. While at a hefty cost, this house grants an enchanting table, alchemy station, a children's room, and a whole host of mannequins and weapon racks to store items on.

Severin Manor (Raven Rock)

Severin Manor is Solstheim's player home that can be found in Raven Rock. This is the only player home in the game that is completely free. To own this house, the "Served Cold" quest must be completed. This is part of a longer quest chain that requires the "March of the Dead" and "The Final Descent" quests to be finished before "Served Cold" becomes available.

Completing that quest chain will grant ownership of Severin Manor. This house also has no upgrades to purchase since it already has basic storage and crafting benches pre-installed. A smeltery, alchemy station, and enchanting table are included with the home.

Vlindrel Hall (Markarth)

Markarth's Vlinderel Hall has multiple acquisition methods that are rather easy. You can complete three "requests" for Jarl Igmund—one of which includes assisting five Markarth NPCs, give Markarth to the Imperials during the "Season Unending" main quest to change the Jarl, or complete the "Liberation of Skyrim" quest.

Those in a hurry to obtain the house will find helping the Jarl to be the fastest option.

Regardless of which method you used, Vlindrel Hall can be purchased from the Jarl's steward for 8,000 Gold. Upgrades for the house cost 3,900 Gold if you install a children's room, 4,200 Gold if you replace the room with an alchemy lab.

Heljarchen Hall (The Pale)

Heljarchen Hall, a plot of land provided by the Jarl of Dawnstar, is locked behind the "Waking Nightmares" and "Kill the Giant" quests. The former is a Daedric quest, while the latter is a short quest that unlocks at level 22.

Talk to Skald the Elder once these objectives are complete. If the Imperial Legion owns Dawnstar, Brina Merils will sell the plot of land. Both characters will sell the plot of land for 5,000 Gold. Note that this is only a plot of land; you will need to build the house yourself.

Lakeview Manor (Falkreath)

The Jarl of Falkreath sells Lakeview Manor, a plot of land a short distance from the Guardian Stones. There are many conditions tied to this location based on your reputation with Falkreath and who's currently Jarl. Here are a few ways you can obtain this plot of land:

1. Become Thane of Falkreath.
2. If you are under level nine, complete the "Rare Gifts" and "Kill the Bandit Leader" quests for the Jarl.
3. If you are not a Thane, complete the "Kill the Bandit Leader" quest.
4. Instill Dengeir of Stuhn as Falkreath's Jarl. This can be done by giving Falkreath to the Stormcloaks in the "Season Unending" quest or by taking over Falkreath for the Stormcloaks during the Civil War questline.

No matter which choice you make, completing one of those requirements will open up Lakeview Manor for sale for 5,000 Gold. As with all of Hearthfire's houses, you must build the house yourself.

Windstad Manor (Hjaalmarch)

Windstad Manor is located in Hjaalmarch, the same Hold that houses Morthal. To purchase Windstad, you must complete the "Laid to Rest" quest for the Jarl.

Morthal's steward will sell the plot of land for 5,000 Gold. Similar to Lakeview Manor and Helljarchen Hall, the house must be created from scratch.

Next: Skyrim: Complete Guide And Walkthrough