Looking for a place to settle down in Oblivion Remastered? Well, you’re in luck! This version of the game comes with all of the DLCs, which includes the handful of loaded properties that you can claim and upgrade at any time. Here, I’ll show you how to find and claim them!
Before we get started, it’s worth noting that you technically own these as soon as you leave the sewers at the start of the game. You still need a decent chunk of money to get their full features, but they’re still better value than most of the houses you can buy. They’re also great for roleplaying purposes!
House #1 – Frostcrag Spire
Let’s start off with Frostcrag Spire, which is an abandoned wizard’s tower on a mountain east of Bruma. Check the map below to see where it is. Once you get there, you’ll be met with a locked front door, but you can get a key in a chest just a bit downhill to the south.
Alternatively, you can just pick the lock (it’s only average difficulty). If you’re struggling with that, I’ve got a YouTube short that’ll help you figure out the lockpicking mechanic.
When you first get inside, read the journal on the frozen hand to learn more about its features and initiate its restoration quest. Long story short, you have to buy all of the upgrades from Aurelinwae at the Mystic Emporium store in the Imperial City’s Market District in order to restore it to its former glory.
You’ll find all of the Frostcrag Spire upgrades in her stock, as well as the Magetallow Candles that you’ll need to activate the tower’s altars of spellmaking and enchanting. By the way, this is the only way to use these two features without joining the Mages Guild!
It’s the perfect place for a mage-centric character. When fully upgraded, you’ll have access to an alchemy table with a passive skill buff, teleporters to every Mages Guild halls, and even an entire indoor garden with valuable resources.
House #2 – Deepscorn Hollow
To the southeast of Leyawiin is a hidden lair previously owned by a vampire who was once a member of the Dark Brotherhood. Needless to say, this base is tailored towards more “evil” characters, but nothing’s stopping you from claiming it no matter what your alignment may be.
To find it, head to the marked spot in the map below and dive into the water between the three sections of the ruined building. You’ll find a hollow tree trunk underwater, and in it is the door leading to Deepscorn Hollow.
Once inside, you can read Greywyn’s journal on the stool beside the entrance to learn more about what happened here and to progress the restoration quest.
At the start, this place is pretty much just a barren cave with a few special and hidden features that I’ll leave you to discover on your own. One thing of note, though, is the Font of Renewal at the cloister. This thing lets you cure vampirism with zero effort.
Its upgrades are purchased from a former member of the brotherhood named Rowley Eardwulf. He’s found at the Wawnet Inn just outside of the Imperial City, and his upgrades include an entire garden full of deadly ingredients, a shrine for high infamy characters, and more.
One thing to note is that he only seems to sell items at certain hours. While writing this, I noticed he didn’t offer anything at late nights, but at daytime, his bartering and training options suddenly appeared. Just something to keep in mind before you report it as a bug.
House #3 – Battlehorn Castle
Battlehorn Castle is an entire fort that you can claim just a short jog west of Chorrol. If you’re actually trying to do the main quest right off the sewers, this place is hilariously close to where you’re supposed to deliver the Amulet of Kings.
Before you approach this area, make sure you’re ready for a fight. There’ll be a group of marauders outside staging the most half-assed siege you’ve ever seen, and you’ll need to kill them first before you can get inside.
Once you’ve killed all the would-be invaders, open the gate and speak with any of the guards to receive the will of Lord Kelvyn, whose dead body you probably stepped over as you entered (RIP).
In his letter, you’ll learn more about the tragic history of this castle and why you suddenly own it now. In order to upgrade it, you’ll have to find Nilphas Omellian at the Merchant’s Inn in the Imperial City’s Market District.
He’ll give you a list that shows what each upgrade does. It’s a lot, and most of them add new servants and even a trainer to your castle. Even without upgrades, Battlehorn Castle already comes with a blacksmith who’ll repair your gear, an altar near the front door, and some decent furnishings.
House #4 – Dunbarrow Cove
Finally, we have Dunbarrow Cove, which is a smuggler’s den hidden right under the castle at Anvil. Just head to the south of Castle Anvil and you’ll find a door to the Smuggler’s Cave above shallow water. Once inside, run straight forward to get to Dunbarrow Cove.
Now, it’s not entirely safe here, as the previous tenants are now roaming the area as skeletons. You’ll need to kill all of them, including the now-undead captain in his quarters, before the place actually becomes habitable.
Once you’ve cleared the place, you can buy upgrades from Dahlia Rackham, who hangs out in her ship called The Sea Tub Clarabella. It’s the easternmost ship at Anvil’s docks, and you can approach her at any time.
Unlike the other houses, the upgrades for this one are purchased through dialogue and have flat prices. Instead of just plain upgrades, she instead sells you pirates who offer various services, all of which also add new facilities in the cave when hired.
One of the most notable offerings here is the fence. If you’re a member of the Thieves Guild, this means that you can sell stolen items from the comfort of your own home. The cove is a great choice if you want a populated space, because you essentially get your own gang of pirates once it’s fully upgraded.
That’s a wrap! You’re spoiled for choices when it comes to houses in Oblivion Remastered, as there are purchasable options in the base game. You can even get an entire manor at Anvil for relatively cheap, though you might not enjoy owning it at first.
So get out there and pick whichever suits your characters best, or use all of them since they have unique features that you might need at some point! My personal favorite has always been Frostcrag Spire, cause it’s way too useful even if you aren’t trying to be a mage.
If you wanna try haggling with some of the NPCs who sell upgrades for these houses, you might want to try persuading them to raise their disposition first. Just something to try if you aren’t swimming in money!