From Tent to Dream Home: A Comprehensive Guide to Getting a House in Animal Crossing
Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers a delightful escape to a deserted island where you can build a thriving community, design your dream island, and make friends with adorable animal villagers. One of the first major milestones in your island life is upgrading from a humble tent to a proper house. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step walkthrough on how to achieve this goal, along with tips and tricks to make the process as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
## The Initial Steps: Settling In and Meeting Tom Nook
Upon arriving on your deserted island, you’ll be greeted by Tom Nook and Timmy and Tommy. They’ll guide you through the initial setup process, which involves:
1. **Choosing Your Island:** You’ll be presented with a few island layouts to choose from. Consider the river mouths, peninsula locations, and the placement of Resident Services when making your decision. This choice is permanent, so take your time!
2. **Selecting a Tent Location:** After choosing your island, you’ll need to select a spot to pitch your tent. Consider proximity to Resident Services, potential future development plans, and overall aesthetics.
3. **Attending the Orientation:** Tom Nook will hold an orientation to explain the basics of island life, including crafting, collecting resources, and using your NookPhone.
4. **Sleeping in Your Tent:** After the orientation, sleep in your tent to officially begin your island adventure!
## Nook Miles: Your Ticket to Progress
Nook Miles are a crucial currency in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, especially in the early game. You earn Nook Miles by completing various tasks and challenges around the island, such as:
* **Catching Fish and Bugs:** Use your fishing rod and net to catch different species of fish and bugs. The more you catch, the more Nook Miles you’ll earn.
* **Collecting Resources:** Gather wood, stone, clay, and iron nuggets by hitting trees and rocks with your axe and shovel. These resources are essential for crafting and building.
* **Crafting Items:** Use DIY recipes to craft furniture, tools, and other useful items. Crafting new items will earn you Nook Miles.
* **Talking to Villagers:** Interact with your fellow island residents and complete their requests. This is a great way to earn Nook Miles and build relationships.
* **Completing Nook Miles+ Goals:** After paying off your initial moving fees, you’ll unlock Nook Miles+, which offers a rotating set of daily goals that reward bonus Nook Miles. These are an excellent way to quickly accumulate miles.
To check your Nook Miles balance and see available Nook Miles+ goals, open your NookPhone and select the Nook Miles app.
## Paying Off Your Moving Fees: The First Step to Freedom
Your initial move to the island isn’t free! Tom Nook will charge you 5,000 Nook Miles to cover your tent and other essential supplies. This might seem daunting at first, but with a little effort, you can easily earn enough Nook Miles to pay off your debt.
**Tips for Earning Nook Miles Quickly:**
* **Focus on Nook Miles+ Goals:** Prioritize completing the Nook Miles+ goals, as they offer significant bonus rewards.
* **Complete Stamp Rally-esque Achievements:** Look through the Nook Miles app for larger, multi-tiered achievements. Many of these are related to fishing, bug catching, and talking to villagers, things you’ll be doing regularly anyway.
* **Visit Mystery Islands:** Use Nook Miles Tickets (bought for 2,000 Nook Miles each) to visit mystery islands. These islands are rich in resources and offer opportunities to catch rare fish and bugs.
* **Participate in Island Events:** Keep an eye out for island events, as they often offer opportunities to earn bonus Nook Miles.
Once you’ve accumulated 5,000 Nook Miles, head to Resident Services and talk to Tom Nook. Select the option to “Pay off debt” and you’ll be one step closer to getting your house!
## Upgrading to a House: A Real Home on the Island
After paying off your initial 5,000 Nook Miles debt, Tom Nook will offer you the option to upgrade from your tent to a proper house. This upgrade comes at a cost of 98,000 Bells. Bells are the primary currency in Animal Crossing, used for buying items, upgrading your house, and other expenses.
**Why Upgrade to a House?**
* **Increased Storage:** Your tent has very limited storage space. A house offers significantly more storage, allowing you to hoard all the resources and furniture you collect.
* **Customization Options:** With a house, you can customize the exterior and interior to your liking, creating a space that truly reflects your personality.
* **Furniture Placement:** Houses allow you to place furniture both inside and outside, giving you more creative control over your island’s aesthetic.
* **Future Upgrades:** Upgrading to a house is the first step towards further expansions and renovations, allowing you to build the ultimate dream home.
## Earning Bells: Funding Your Home Upgrade
98,000 Bells might seem like a lot, but there are several effective ways to earn money in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
**Effective Ways to Earn Bells:**
1. **Selling Fish and Bugs:** Fish and bugs are a reliable source of income. Different species fetch different prices, with rare ones being particularly valuable. Sea creatures, caught by diving, also bring a good price.
* **Tips for Catching High-Value Fish and Bugs:**
* Fish in the ocean and river mouths, as these areas tend to spawn rarer fish.
* Use bait (crafted from Manila clams) to attract fish to specific locations.
* Look for large shadows in the water, as these often indicate more valuable fish.
* Visit mystery islands at night, as they often have a higher concentration of rare bugs.
* Plant flowers to attract more bugs to your island.
2. **Selling Fossils:** Every day, four fossils are buried somewhere on your island. Dig them up with your shovel and take them to Blathers at the museum to have them assessed. If you already have a particular fossil donated to the museum, you can sell duplicates for a good price.
3. **Selling Fruit:** Fruit is another easy way to earn Bells. Your island will have one native fruit type. You can sell this fruit, but you’ll earn even more Bells by selling non-native fruits. Visit mystery islands or trade with friends to obtain different fruit types.
* **Creating a Fruit Orchard:** Plant different types of fruit trees to create a fruit orchard. This will provide a steady supply of fruit to sell.
4. **Selling Crafted Items:** Crafting items and selling them can be more profitable than selling the raw materials. Experiment with different DIY recipes to find items that are in high demand.
5. **Completing Villager Requests:** Villagers will often ask you to complete tasks for them, such as delivering items, catching bugs, or finding lost objects. Completing these requests will reward you with Bells and other valuable items.
6. **Diving for Sea Creatures:** Once you get a wet suit, you can dive for sea creatures. These sell for a decent amount and can be a good source of income.
7. **Investing in the Stalk Market (Turnips):** Every Sunday, Daisy Mae will visit your island and sell turnips. The price of turnips fluctuates throughout the week. You can buy turnips from Daisy Mae and then sell them to Timmy and Tommy at Nook’s Cranny for a profit. This is a high-risk, high-reward strategy. Check the turnip prices twice a day (morning and afternoon) and sell when the price is high.
8. **Utilizing the Money Rock:** Each day, one of the rocks on your island will be a “money rock.” Hit it repeatedly with a shovel (without pausing) to release Bells. Dig two holes behind you before hitting the rock to avoid being knocked back and maximizing the amount of Bells you receive.
## Securing Your Loan and Building Your House
Once you’ve accumulated 98,000 Bells, head to Resident Services and talk to Tom Nook. Select the option to discuss home loans. He’ll congratulate you on your hard work and offer you a loan to cover the cost of building your house. Accept the loan, and construction will begin the next day!
The next morning, your tent will be replaced with a charming little house. You’ll finally have a place to call your own on the island. Step inside and admire your new home!
## House Customization and Expansion
Getting your initial house is just the beginning! You can further customize and expand your house to create the ultimate dream home. Tom Nook will offer you various upgrades and expansions for a fee. These include:
* **Room Expansions:** Expand the size of your existing rooms to create more living space.
* **Adding New Rooms:** Add new rooms to your house, such as a basement, an upstairs, or a side room.
* **Exterior Customization:** Change the appearance of your house’s exterior, including the roof, walls, and door.
**Customization Options:**
* **Happy Home Academy (HHA):** After you upgrade your house, you’ll receive a letter from the Happy Home Academy. They’ll send you regular evaluations of your house’s interior design and offer suggestions for improvement. Following their advice can help you earn HHA points and unlock rewards.
* **DIY Recipes:** Use DIY recipes to craft furniture and decorations to personalize your house.
* **Nook’s Cranny:** Visit Nook’s Cranny to purchase furniture, decorations, and other items to enhance your house.
* **Seasonal Items:** Keep an eye out for seasonal items, such as holiday decorations, to add a festive touch to your house.
* **Custom Designs:** Create your own custom designs using the Custom Design app on your NookPhone and use them to decorate your walls and floors.
## Interior Design Tips and Tricks
Designing your house’s interior is a fun and creative process. Here are some tips and tricks to help you create a space you’ll love:
* **Choose a Theme:** Select a theme for each room, such as a living room, a bedroom, a kitchen, or a bathroom. This will help you narrow down your furniture and decoration choices.
* **Plan Your Layout:** Before placing any furniture, plan the layout of your room on paper or using a digital tool. This will help you visualize the space and avoid making mistakes.
* **Use Color Coordination:** Choose a color palette for each room and stick to it. This will create a cohesive and visually appealing space.
* **Mix and Match Furniture:** Don’t be afraid to mix and match different furniture styles to create a unique and eclectic look.
* **Add Personal Touches:** Incorporate personal touches, such as photos, artwork, and souvenirs, to make your house feel like home.
* **Consider Functionality:** Think about the functionality of each room when designing it. Make sure you have enough seating, storage, and workspace.
* **Use Lighting Effectively:** Use lighting to create different moods and atmospheres in each room.
* **Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment:** Experiment with different furniture arrangements and decoration styles until you find something you love.
## Paying Off Your Home Loan: Achieving Financial Freedom
After upgrading to a house, you’ll have a home loan to pay off. Tom Nook offers flexible payment options, and there’s no interest! You can pay off your loan in installments or all at once. Paying off your loan will unlock further expansion options and give you a sense of accomplishment.
## Conclusion: Enjoy Your Island Life
Getting a house in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a significant milestone that opens up a world of possibilities. From customizing your exterior to designing your interior, you have complete creative freedom to build the dream home you’ve always wanted. So, embrace the island life, make friends with your villagers, and enjoy the journey of creating a thriving community and a place to call your own. Remember to take your time, have fun, and let your creativity shine!
This guide provided detailed step-by-step instructions on how to obtain your first house. Happy Crossing!