The 5 Things Video Games Taught Me: Finding a New House

Agh ... house-hunting is hard, guys.

I mean, I know it's not just me. As I understand it, house-hunting's kind of challenging for most people. I've just got the additional challenge of having never done it before. Throughout my college career, I've always lived in campus housing; now, with my Masters defense only a month away, that housing is about to go the way of the Virtual Boy.

So I'm dealing with the double-whammy of a limited housing market coupled with being a bit of a n00b in this particular arena. In need of help, I turn to my usual haven of gaming to see what advice the gaming world can contribute.

The 5 Things Video Games Taught Me: Finding a New House
-The Sims: buy an empty lot, type in money cheat (!;!;!;!;!;1, ad nauseum), and just go nuts.
-Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas: find some tycoon to impress and get set up properly in the penthouse suite. Fine print: lease requires nuking a small town and/or possibly murdering a casino owner.
-Assassin's Creed 2: dump wads of money into estate and surrounding area; eventually, have small, self-sustaining fortress town. Fend off constant attacks by rivals.
-Animal Crossing: Roll into town, rent the first crummy house you see, end up forced into indentured servitude by greedy, unscrupulous raccoon.
-Any Legend of Zelda game: Barge in. Break all pots. Rifle through chests. Exit calmly.

Must ... shatter ... vases ...

... okay, so video games have a rather skewed perspective on the matter. Fortunately, my bad advice notwithstanding, my guys and I have a few prospects we're pursuing. Hopefully within the next few days I should be able to post triumphantly about our newfound home! Wish me luck, guys.

Edit: Audience participation time! What house-hunting advice have you gotten from video games? Post in the comments, and I'll add the best ones to my list!

-Meg, the Token Girl