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01/31/12 - Chapters 19-22 of Pam's Dreamweaver DecaDynasty Story are Here!
The Sims 3 Real Estate Business
Buying Properties and Upgrading Venues in Ambitions
This Sims 3 Guide was originally written for the PC and Mac versions of the game, but also will help owners of the console versions - PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii. Please remember some info or numbers may have changed.The patch releaed with The Sims 3 Ambitons changed the way property ownership works in the game, including Vanilla Sims 3. You can now purchase properties either from the computer or cell phone, where you'll see a handy list of all available businesses and venues your Sims can buy.
Initially, you're taking a loss when you purchase one of these locales. Only over time will the cost recover itself. Gone are partnerships and deeds. Instead, you're able to access a list of everything you own from the cell or computer. Collecting money is a cinch. It's available every Monday at 9AM. Use Map Mode and you'll see tags next to businesses your Sim owns. You can queue up multiple collections from there, and make a nice round trip gathering all the cash. All the original rabbit-hole type properties start at level 3. Below I've created a table with all the regular businesses Sims can buy, along with how many weeks it would take to make a profit based on the purchase price and weekly revenue.
After you're done collecting on the map, switch back to either Community Buildings or Venues (Ambitions) to see any you might have missed. Clicking collect money from this mode is slow compared to map, but can help you to spot any you may have missed. It's worth noting that if you fail to pick up money from one of your real estate lots, the Simoleans will accumulate from week to week.
| Business Name | Owner Cost | Owner Money/wk | Break-Even Payments |
| Diner | $24,000 | $1,800 | 13 |
| Bookstore | $27,000 | $2,000 | 14 |
| Supermarket | $27,000 | $2,000 | 14 |
| Bistro | $37,500 | $3,000 | 13 |
| Day Spa | $50,000 | $4,000 | 13 |
| Warehouse | $50,000 | $4,000 | 13 |
| Office Building | $58,000 | $6,000 | 10 |
| Theater | $58,000 | $6,000 | 10 |
| Hospital | $105,000 | $12,000 | 9 |
| Stadium | $115,000 | $13,000 | 9 |
| Science Lab | $140,000 | $15,000 | 10 |
The Sims 3 Ambitions Venues: Upgrading and Purchase Prices
With The Sims 3 Ambitions installed, your Sims can now purchase many venues that are more lucrative over time. However, more investment is required to see them reach their max potential.
Venues that start at level 0 or "Closed" will not provide profit until they're upgraded. Note that Sunset Valley is used as an example. This is a list of all venues that can be bought out there. It's up to you to upgrade them all, except in the case of the Library, which starts at level 3.
| Property Type or Name | Cost | Level | Starting Income |
| Stoney Falls | $17,788 | 0 | Closed |
| Crystal Springs | $18749 | 0 | Closed |
| Pinochle Pond | $21610 | 1 | $1000 |
| Summer Hill Springs | $21835 | 1 | $1000 |
| Old Pier Beach | $34806 | 1 | $1650 |
| Cerulean Blue Pool | $59958 | 0 | Closed |
| Consignment Store | $80774 | 2 | $4750 |
| Le Petit Pool Center | $87726 | 2 | $5800 |
| Graveyard | $94200 | 2 | $4600 |
| Library | $129342 | 3 | $13250 |
| Central Park | $138060 | 2 | $2300 |
| Wellness Gym | $191764 | 1 | $8250 |
| Art Museum | $233743 | 2 | $20000 |
The Sims 3 Late Night
Late Night adds a few new venues, which deserve a mention. These are found in the city of Bridgeport but can be added to other towns. Thanks to forum member caliban for supplying this information.
| Property Name | Cost | Income | Break Even Payments |
| Movie Set | 95,000 | 11,000 | 9 |
| Books & Bath | 80,000 | 10,000 | 8 |
| Office & Restaraunt | 170,000 | 19,000 | 9 |
Starting Stats and Upgrading
Towns other than Sunset Valley may not start at such high level as stated above. A good example of this would be the Library. Others may start even lower, requiring further building to raise a level. Thankfully the Real Estate interface accessible via the phone will let you see a list of what's required to upgrade a Venue further. If you play in a town other than Sunset Valley and would like to see the various Venue types click here to see a list by one of our forum members. It breaks them down into the various classifications. Otherwise, the list below is useful for knowing what a certain real estate property will give you when fully upgraded.
Removing objects may change things a bit. For example, taking book shelves out of the Library may require you replace them. This should be reflected on the upgrade requirements screen accessible through the cell or by clicking Real Estate on the venue in Map Mode.
You'll notice from the data below, something I was unaware of at the start of gathering data -- all pools, parks, and other similar Venues will make the same amount of money at the various upgrade levels. The resale values will differ once upgraded, reflecting the new objects you've placed.
Sunset Valley: Detailed Information on Upgrading Ambitions Venues
Note that Lot Values are not cumulative. You can use this as a reference to jump a venue from level 0 to 3 rapidly. For example, Stoney Falls requires a total lot value of $23,000 with 2 Picnic Tables, 1 Toilet, and 1 Sink.
Fully upgraded, if you don't go too far overboard, most of these lots will pay themselves off within 10 weeks.
Stoney Falls (Starts Level 0)
Level 1 ($1,000): Gain a lot value of 10,000 Total.
Level 2 ($1,850): Lot Value of $15,000 or more and +1 Picnic Table
Level 3 ($3,650): Lot Value of $23,000 or more with +1 Picnic Table, Toilet and Sink
Crystal Springs (Starts Level 0)
Level 1 ($1,000): Gain a lot value of $10,000 Total.
Level 2 ($1,850): Lot Value of $15,000 or more and +1 Picnic Table
Level 3 ($3,650): Lot Value of $23,000 or more with +1 Picnic Table, Toilet and Sink
Pinochle Pond (Starts Level 1)
Level 2 ($1,850): Gain a lot value of $15,000 Total + 1 Picnic Table.
Level 3 ($3,650): Lot Value of $23,000 or more with +1 Picnic Table, Toilet, and Sink
Summer Hill Springs (Starts Level 1)
Level 2 ($1,850): Gain a lot value of $15,000 Total + 1 Picnic Table
Level 3 ($3,650): Lot Value of $23,000 Total +1 Picnic Table, Sink, and Toilet
Old Pier Beach(Starts Level 1)
Level 2 ($3,000): Gain a lot value of $22,000 Total + 1 Picnic Table
Level 3 ($5,850): Lot Value of $23,000 +1 Picnic Table, Sink, Toilet, and Lounge Chair
Cerulean Blue Pool(Starts Level 0)
Level 1 ($3,300): Gain a lot value of $30,000 Total + 1 Sink, +1 Toilet
Level 2 ($5,800): Lot Value of $42,000 +1 Sink, +1 Toilet
Level 3 ($11,000):Gain a lot value of $67,000. +1 Pool Ladder, +3 Lounge Chairs
Consignment Store (Starts Level 2)
Level 3 ($10,000): Gain a total lot value of $61,500
Le Petit Pool Center(Starts Level 2)
Level 3 ($11,000):
Gain a lot value of $67,000.
Graveyard (Starts Level 2)
Level 3 ($9,000): Needs 1 Mausoleum. Upgrading this piece of Real Estate may not be possible without the buydebug cheat.
Library (Starts Level 3 @ $13,250) Since Sunset Valley's Library starts at level 3, there's no need to upgrade this venue. Buying Libraries in other towns may require children's toys, and additional bookshelves.
Central Park (Starts Level 2)
Level 3 ($4,600): Needs 1 Picnic Table + 1 Outdoor Grill
Gym (Starts Level 1)
Level 2 ($17,000): 2 Exercise Machines + 1 Stereo
Level 3 ($31,000): Total Lot Value of $190,000 + 2 Exercise Machines
Art Museum (Starts Level 2)
Level 3 ($36,500): Gain a lot value of $220,000
General Tips for Upgrading your Real Estate Venues
Object Depreciation: Keep in mind that most objects you place will depreciate in value by 15% immediately upon exiting buy mode. So, unless you're using plenty of foliage to help up a property's value, expect to shoot for 15% higher than the required total cost. Objects don't continue to depreciate once placed.
Placing Paintings and Photographs May Help: While Sculptures your Sim creates can't be placed on your Venues' lots by any means I can tell. The reason for this is at the lot your Family Invenotry is not visible, just the inventory of the lot you're on. Paintings and Photographs can be placed in your Sim's inventory, and they can place them on walls while not in Buy Mode. Simply visit the lot and hang them on the wall. The photo or painting's value will count toward the total you're trying to reach. Unfortunately, these do not appreciate in value once on a lot. They need to be in your inventory or home for that to work.
Replace Old and Cheap with New and Expensive: Sometimes you'll feel pressed for room when upgrading Real Estate. Change out those old toilets for the expensive model, old Stereos with the expensive variety, and so on. Additionally, you may add rooms to lots such as parks to make room for toilets. Hang paintings in the bathroom, and use expensive wall and floor coverings to help boost values. This helps keep you from being cheap and placing multiple statues of the same variety with a high value just to reach your goal.
Add Foliage: Foliage and Trees may not be very expensive, but they can add a nice touch to a lot and make it more appealing to the eye whilst simultaneously boosting the lot's value.
Get Creative and Have Fun: It's up to you how you design the lots you own. You can move things around, add services you with your Sim always had available. For example, it'll be really easy to wake and get to the Pond before 6AM for a fishing trip if you add a small caretaker's hut and bed. They can then grill hotdogs and use the public restrooms you've created. They may never have to leave their home away from home.
Residual Income: Ahh the dream. Never having to work again and collecting each week. Once you own all the properties you'll make around a couple hundred thousand Simoleans a week.
I hope you find my tutorial to Venues and Real Estate for the Sims 3 useful. If you find information you'd like to add or correct, feel free either email Carl@CarlsGuides.com or visit the Corrections and Suggestions board at our Sims 3 Forum.