Housing

Space for rent is readily available in most communities. Its cost depends on the type of space rented (hotel room, storage space, apartment). Those in need of temporary lodging might check into a hotel, or visit a boarding house where paying guests are provided rooms and meals. Regular apartments generally require nothing more from the tenant than a lease agreement and payment of the first month's rent; luxury apartments may entail substantial leasing, additional fees, and some background checks.

Real estate and housing represent significant investments of time and money. The sale of private property is seldom transacted in one lump sum; buyers must expect to place a down payment on housing and make up the remainder of the cost through a loan or mortgage. Price factors vary depending on the condition of the property, the surrounding neighborhood, local property values, and previous ownership (if applicable).

As the path of civilization leads into far-flung frontiers, some pioneering spirits might invest in unsettled land. A payment of just a few thousand dollars can buy the deed to a sizeable acreage of pristine farmland in some new colony or settlement, where taxes are low or nonexistent. Moreover, the potential of natural resources may one day make a "useless" tract of land worth its weight in gold — literally!