Arcade

Build-a-lot

Buy and sell real estate for massive profits!

4.76 / 5 from 25 player ratings

HipSoft

Download Free

100% safe and secure. Installs with the free iWin Game Manager.

7.0GoodDFG score

DFG Exclusive Review Summary

A very good game, far above average & recommended.

Pros

Easy to follow tutorial makes for quick mastering of controls.
Your successes will periodically be rewarded through receiving random checks.
Each level brings about new challenges that are clearly explained.

Cons

One difficulty setting.
Levels are small and can be easy to complete.

Read Full Build-a-lot Review

About this game

Become a Real-Estate Tycoon in Build-A-Lot!

Build-A-Lot puts you in control over the real estate in a variety of towns. In Career Mode buy, build, remodel, and sell various styles of houses and other buildings at the request of the mayors of eight different towns.

It's up to you to just flip houses or sit back and collect rent for easy profit.

It's Easy to Learn

Gamers of all ages will understand how to play this real-estate strategy sim. With an interactive and intuitive interface Build-A-Lot practically eliminates the need for the helpful tutorial it provides in the town of Meadow Dale.

The game takes you through eight different towns including Pleasant Valley, Evergreen Park, Lakeside, and Palm Grove among others.

Play it Smart

Before you build anything or make any money you must buy the blueprints to the building and have enough workers and materials for the job. These all come at a price so save and spend wisely. Simply by dragging your cursor over a job will notify you of how many workers and materials are necessary.

Upgrade Your Houses for More Income

You can increase your rental income by upgrading your properties with additions to your buildings that include new paint, remodeled bathrooms, new fireplaces, custom mill work, wireless intercom systems and game rooms. Even add bowling alleys and pools to special clients' houses. This will increase your total worth and provide more money to build, buy or sell houses.

You Are Not Restricted to Just Houses!

You can also build other buildings including saloons, cinemas, post offices and fire stations. But it's up to you to build, manage and maintain these buildings too.

In Casual Mode You Call the Shots

The game also features a Casual Mode where you answer to no one. You have to complete the first few levels of Career Mode to make Casual Mode available, but once you do you can set up your real-estate kingdom at your own pace.

Increase your total worth to the highest possible amount.

Watch Out For Those Pesky Problems That May Arise

It's not all happy-go-lucky on your properties all the time. It's up to you to maintain the houses when a repair is needed.

A variety of problems may arise including plumbing, electrical, structural and pest problems. These problems require workers and materials. Don't neglect your properties or tenants.

Try Build-A-Lot for Some Money-Managing Fun!

This is a great sim for anyone interested in real-estate or money or business management games. Play alone or play with a group and try out Build-A-Lot for its award winning features.

Get addicted to the lucrative real-estate markets of Build-A-Lot and forget about the economy!

Build-a-lot Review

Review by Dylan

Build-a-Lot is an interactive real estate development game that will have you building, drafting plans, and planning out neighborhoods. The game is broken into 40+ levels, all with different scenarios and objectives. You will buy and sell homes for a profit, while completing objectives and building quality neighborhoods.

Easy to Learn and Play

One of the best things about Build-a-Lot is the ease of play. The tutorial is clear, concise, and explains all the game's intricacies. After playing the tutorial, which is cleverly incorporated into levels, you will be a seasoned veteran developing the best neighborhoods. The gameplay in Build-a-Lot is divided into four main parts. You earn money through collecting rent and then you use that money in three ways. You draft plans, purchase lots, and buy materials. Drafting blueprints is a one time expense and is necessary when building both homes and buildings. Blueprints are expensive, especially as the homes or buildings increase in size, however they are essential.

It's All About the Benjamins

Purchasing lots, another facet of the game, is a great way to build revenue and increase your total number of homes. Lots tend to be about 25,000 dollars . They are relatively cheap and can generate you a lot of money if you build on them and then sell. Buying and selling quickly is a great money making strategy of the game. The final key element of the game is buying materials. Materials might seem expensive, however these are the only things needed when building a house. For example, if you buy a tutor style home it will cost you 30,000 dollars in material (only a fifth of its total value). Buying materials in bulk and building a lot of homes might be expensive at first, but it will make you lots of money.

Levels Play Quickly

A drawback of this game would be the rate at which you advance. Playing for less than 10 minutes you will most likely complete at least 2 levels maybe even 3. For some this element might be a plus because it keeps the game moving, however it eliminates the “start small and grow” strategy that makes simulation games so great. Also, you won't be able to build and develop a single neighborhood because of the level system that will constantly have you advancing and starting fresh. This can be especially frustrating, for example, if you have built a superior neighborhood in level 7. After you complete the level and advance to 8, your neighborhood and the houses are gone and you will be starting fresh with new objectives and materials.

Conclusion - A Good, Basic Real Estate Sim

Overall, despite the level associated drawbacks, this game is a fun real estate and neighborhood development game. This game will keep you entertained for countless hours regardless of your real estate expertise. The smooth gameplay and great tutorial will get any gamer, regardless of skill level involved and entertained. Build-a-Lot is an enjoyable game and is very deserving of the strong “7” score its received. Play and enjoy.

Player Reviews

awesome
I loved this game my son told me mommy try it I did I love it so much now I am hooked try them all. Swear you will fall in love with it.
by cindy on Sep 22, 2010
exellent
build alot 1 2 3 4 5 is very good i have told alot of people about it and have recommended people to buy the full version and to tell other people aboutt it xxxxxxx .
by wee gal on Jul 4, 2010
Awesome, try other 3 versions
Very addictive game. Starts off easy but gets very challenging and surprisingly addicting. Try the sequels as well. I think #2 is my favorite.
by Steve on Apr 7, 2010
amazing game
Well its one of the most amazing games ever. It is about time management, rural design and money investment...
by rach on Mar 7, 2010
amazing game
this is the most amazing addicting game i have ever played i just wanna spend all day playing it it's challenging and i never get bored
by Jocelyn Purifoy on Dec 23, 2009
build a lot
I have all the build alot games love them all look forward to the new ones if they make anymore
by user4133 on Dec 5, 2009
A cool sim game for those interested in real estate!
I really like this game because the tutorial is easy to understand and the career mode is great with goals to be reached within a certain time limit. Could be a great way to entertain kids as well as adults.
by Lyle Atkinson on Nov 19, 2009
Awesome Game
My fourteen year old daughter and myself play this game together. She plays and I keep up with her materials and which homes need repairs. We discuss what to sell and what to keep. We both enjoy this game and it is something we can do together. We have not been able to buy this one yet, so we try to find it an hour at a time. So for us it is extremely fun, well worth downloading. Great game.
by Elizabeth Murray on Jun 7, 2009
***** Great Game!
This is an addicting and awesome game. I recommend to anybody who wants a fun and different game. If it was mathematically possible, I'd give it 100 out of 5 stars. You have to try this game;It's awesome!
by stan don on May 31, 2009
good
this game is really good also it is really easy and i love it because it is the best game in the whole world because of all the features and the pictures.the game is really worth it because its good so u should download it.:)
by kieran on May 5, 2009
AWESOME
Build a lot is a great game. I love it. It provides hours of fun. It is a lot like really building houses. I've played other games like this one, but they don't even come close to comparing. AWESOME game!
by Nicole on Apr 15, 2009
build a lot
Build a lot is so much a fun and awesome.This is my favorite game.I have got so far.This how I started my real estate job.My kids even like to play this game.The full version is what you would have to get.I might get the game if dont win the 2 free full version.Plant tycoon is also a good game to get.That would be the other game I would want to get.
by jason on Sep 16, 2008
build-a-lot
build-a-lot is a superb game that even a small child can earn a lot of money seeing this game.I like it so much that i cannot live without it.So,please send me the full version of this game........
by mohan barath on Sep 6, 2008
i love this game
if you want to know more about real estate this is THE game for you!!! you can build your own houses and shops. also you have to make the neighborhood nice(paint houses, construct playgrounds). you have to reach the goals to go to the next level and with each level you can build something new. i really like this game it's very addictive!!!
by kaytjuh on Jul 19, 2008
This game is the BeSt!!!
This game is all out managing you finance and build lots. This really improves your skills with money and you must have a good judgment on how to spend your money otherwise you will go bankrupt. This game is really cool and you will not waste your money buying it. If you are not sure of buying, try the free version first. The game is all out you and you and I both know that...
by Adolf74 on Feb 15, 2008
Cool game you guys!!!!
Really cool game and the more you play it the more you want to play. It makes you say "I WANT MORE." This game is really cool and worth buying
by Adolf on Feb 15, 2008
Magnifique
This game expands a player's way to manage money and helps one to grow smart in the area of Business and Real Estate. The allows you to buy, remodel, build, upgrade and sell houses. All in the while realizing your long term goal to become the top real estate agent. I believe that one can learn real life skills in this game and have fun at the same time while racing against the clock. This is by far, The most exciting game.
by Kenrick on Feb 1, 2008
Build Your Own Community
Build-a-lot is a great game for the aspiring realtor. I liked how there was goals to accomplish, and I couldn't find ANYTHING I did not like. The game was great to play, even though I don't have the full version. It's a great game to play by yourself, with friends, and even family! I like this game because it's simulation as well, and that is something I enjoy.
by Andrea on Jan 29, 2008
Love it!
I love this game. It is different than other simulation games and keeps you interested. I could prob. spend hours playing this game.
by Amanda on Jan 7, 2008
Build a lot ... BUILD SOME FUN!
build a lot is a fun game. In the trial you can get reasonably far, so you'll know the game well before you buy. The game has about 8 towns and 2 modes of play career mode and freeplay mode, both fun. The game has a simple tutorial and does not keep you doing one thing forever like other games.The only thing id change is the trial time... I WANT TO PLAY MORE! This game is great from kids... the download time is definitely worth the game.
by Dot on Dec 15, 2007
Sensational
This game is really sensational and exciting. The only thing I wanted to do is play on and discover more features.
by Nancy on Dec 9, 2007
Build-a Lot
This game was awesome. It was exciting to sell other houses and make money. Also, the goals you had to meet were creative. I liked the fact that you could do other things besides the challenges and still meet all your needs. I think it was worth the time to download because mine took 10 minutes. I could wait, though. I really liked it when I read about it online. The full version is worth the price because, most games aren't that great, and this one is awesome. kids would love it, but I really don't think adults would. If I compared this game to Sims, I would be amazed by how this game is so much better. Sims you can only do what the people want, and their are cheats to get more money. In this game, it requires thinking to get all your money to work together. I think this game is great, and everyone should buy it. It requires thinking, so it's not a waste of time. Please consider buying this great game. You should, what's not to love about Build-A-Lot? This game rocks!
by MissBrooks on Nov 17, 2007
addictive fun
This game is addictive!! My free trial went to fast. Its easy, fun, yet gotta challenge to it. For me, its been one my favorites. Have FUN!!!
by Beth on Nov 16, 2007
The best game ever.
This is the best game i ever have tried and it gets you to think about what to build next. The best game ever.
by Line from Norway on Nov 14, 2007
Build-a-lot
Well, first of all, this game is interesting and a fun tycoon game. But, the plot could have been better, and the graphics weren't as good as I expected. But overall, it's fun and captures interest.
by user5868 on Nov 13, 2007