Another Legacy Question

[Allie0563]

I've been reading so many of the Legacy and Dynasty stories...there are some creative people on these boards!!!  I am going to start a Legacy, probably in another month or so, once real life family stuff settles down (I have a daughter graduating college in 2 weeks and just a lot of stuff going on with that!).

My question is...I have read Pinstars rules and the rules state to use a lot house that is already established, but I have noticed many of the stories on here start with an empty lot.  Any particular reason why an empty lot was chosen vs. an empty house per the rules?

I think these boards are awesome and I appreciate everybody's responses!!

[TheChronicR]

I don't think Pinstar ever stated that it needs to be an 'empty house'. He always says 'empty lot' in the rules. The addresses he notes are all empty lots with no houses on them. I even quoted that part for you from the rules and pointed out when he says 'empty lot'.

Now to place the founder. While you are free to choose either standard town, there is a very specific lot that must be used. If you move into Riverview, you must move into “345 Riverblossom Hills Drive”. If you move into Sunset Valley, you will be moving into “15 Summer Hill Court”. The common thread between these lots is that they are large, empty and cost $14,700. Yes I know that leaves you with only $1,300 in cash to build a house, that’s the point. All legacies start out with very humble beginnings and expect your founder to live like a hobo for awhile. If additional neighborhoods are made available with mods or EPs, or we gain the ability to plop our own lots down, they may be used, as long as the lot in question is completely empty and costs at least $14,700.

[Allie0563]

Oh my...well that's embarrassing.  I obviously did not read that paragraph very well.   

Thank you!!!

[Allie0563]

And...now I have to figure out how to build a house...great.

[TheChronicR]

You're welcome. All of us make mistakes. It's better to ask than to know the wrong.

EDIT: To build a house, you first need to build a room or at least walls, those can be found in the Build Mode (F3). Place down walls, then cover them with wall coverings, floors - with floor tiles. Don't forget to cover the house with a roof as well.
Then go to the Buy Mode (F2), and I suppose you know how to buy furniture. After you're finished, click Live Mode or press F1. Then you'll be ready to start the game.

Also, Carl's Sims 3 Guide has a great article about building houses. Good luck!

[Allie0563]

I have added walls and made existing houses bigger, but never built from scratch.  And I always get stumped on the roof...can never get the roof right. 
As far as doing a Legacy, I'm going to have to have a fairly big house eventually, with a basement I would guess for housing all collections.  What is the best way to do this?  Should I start off with a basement first and have them live in the basement and then build up from there?  What does everybody else do as far as the "flow" of building your legacy house?

[TheChronicR]

Personally, my Legacy founder was a Kleptomaniac and stole six expensive cars the first night. With approximately 20,000 simoleons in funds, she returned home. I built a small house right away. No need to start with a basement, as you may find that place useful for collections in the future. But, really, it's your choice. Basements cost lower than walls as well.

[Hosfac]

Edit:  Chronic beat me to it

Personally, my Legacy founder was a Kleptomaniac and stole six expensive cars the first night. With approximately 20,000 simoleons in funds, she returned home.

When he first wrote the rules, he had a ban on this (and collecting as well).  The only thing kleptos could do with stolen goods was return them.  However, someone argued that since this was the result of the sim's traits, it should be considered a legitimate way to make money.  He eventually agreed and changed the rules.

[TheChronicR]

Edit:  Chronic beat me to it

When he first wrote the rules, he had a ban on this (and collecting as well).  The only thing kleptos could do with stolen goods was return them.  However, someone argued that since this was the result of the sim's traits, it should be considered a legitimate way to make money.  He eventually agreed and changed the rules.

Yeah, the Black Market Restriction. Anyways, now it's allowed. Only thing that isn't allowed if you correctly follow the rules is moving in a Sim that has been identified by the your Sim as "Rich". Such as Agnes or Cornelia etc.