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Changing Lots in The Sims 4: A Comprehensive Guide

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So, you’re looking to shake things up in your Sims 4 world and want to know how to change lots? You’ve come to the right place! Changing lots in The Sims 4 is surprisingly versatile, allowing you to transform the purpose of a building from a residential home to a library, a bar, or even a museum! The core process involves selling the existing lot (if needed), entering build mode, and selecting a new lot type. Let’s break it down step-by-step.

Selling the Lot (If Occupied): If there’s a Sim family living on the lot you want to change, you’ll need to either move them out or evict them. To do this, first, click on the lot from the map view. You should see a flag icon in the lower right corner of the screen, along with other icons. Click the flag and choose the “Sell Lot” option. This will remove the family and free up the lot for editing.
Entering Build Mode: Once the lot is vacant, you’ll need to enter build mode. There are two ways to do this. Either select the lot on the world map and click the “Build” button or travel to the lot with a Sim and then enter Build Mode from the live mode menu. The shortcut for entering Build Mode is usually the ‘B’ key on your keyboard.
Changing the Lot Type: In the top left corner of the screen in Build Mode, you’ll see a dropdown menu that displays the current lot type. Click the dropdown menu and select the desired lot type. You’ll be presented with a list of options, including residential, generic, park, library, bar, museum, gym, lounge, nightclub, retail, vet clinic, residential rental, and more depending on which expansion packs you have installed. Choose wisely as this will affect the activities and interactions your Sims can have there.
Building and Customizing (Optional but Recommended): Now that you’ve changed the lot type, you can start building and customizing the lot to reflect its new purpose. Add furniture, decorations, and landscaping to make it a truly unique and functional space.

Advanced Techniques: Using Cheats

Sometimes, you might want to edit lots that are normally locked, such as university dorms or hospital lots. That’s where cheats come in handy.

Enable Cheats: Press Ctrl + Shift + C (or Cmd + Shift + C on Mac) to open the cheat console.
Enter the Cheats: Type “testingcheats true” and press Enter. This activates cheat mode.
Free Build Cheat: Type “bb.enablefreebuild” and press Enter. This cheat allows you to edit any lot in the game, regardless of its locked status.
Additional Useful Cheats:
- bb.moveobjects on: This cheat allows you to place objects anywhere, even overlapping each other.
- bb.showhiddenobjects: This cheat reveals hidden objects in the build mode catalog.
- bb.showliveeditobjects: This cheat reveals objects used to decorate the worlds that aren’t normally available for building.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify how to effectively change and manage lots in The Sims 4. Remember that experimenting and creative building are integral parts of enjoying the game, as discussed in the research and insights found at the Games Learning Society, available at GamesLearningSociety.org.

1. How do I change a residential lot to a commercial lot in Sims 4?

Follow the steps outlined above: Sell the lot (if occupied), enter build mode, and then change the lot type in the dropdown menu to the desired commercial type (e.g., retail, bar, museum).

2. Can I change the lot type of a lot that already has a building on it?

Yes, you can. However, changing the lot type might affect the functionality of the existing building. For instance, if you change a residential lot with a house on it to a park, the house will remain, but it will no longer function as a residential home. Sims won’t be able to live there unless you change it back to a residential lot type.

3. What happens if I change a lot type while Sims are visiting?

The Sims visiting the lot will typically leave immediately after the lot type changes. Ensure you save your game before making significant changes if you’re concerned about losing progress.

4. How do I edit university dorms in Sims 4?

University dorms are normally locked, but you can edit them using the “bb.enablefreebuild” cheat. First, enable cheats with “testingcheats true”, then enter the free build cheat. This allows you to modify the dorms as you see fit.

5. Can I change the lot type of a rental lot?

Yes, you can change the lot type of a rental lot. However, doing so might affect your rental agreement and the Sims living there. Be mindful of this before making changes. The Sims 4: For Rent pack lets you create and manage your own rental properties!

6. How do I unlock all build mode items in Sims 4?

Use the cheat “bb.ignoregameplayunlocksentitlement”. This unlocks all items that are normally locked behind career progression or other gameplay requirements.

7. What does the “bb.moveobjects on” cheat do?

This cheat allows you to place objects anywhere in build mode, even overlapping other objects. This is useful for creating unique designs and filling gaps. It will make the game a little buggy though and items like counters will not work properly.

8. How do I rotate objects freely in Sims 4?

After selecting an object, use the “<" and ">” keys to rotate it. Holding the “Alt” key while rotating allows for free rotation off the grid.

9. Can I change the size of a lot in Sims 4?

No, you cannot directly change the size of a lot in The Sims 4. You can, however, bulldoze a lot and choose a different lot size from the world map when you rebuild.

10. How do I move an entire house to a different lot in Sims 4?

Save the house to your library using the “Save to My Library” button in build mode. Then, bulldoze the original lot, go to the new lot, and place the saved house from your library.

11. What are the different types of lots available in Sims 4?

The Sims 4 offers a variety of lot types, including:

Residential: Standard homes for Sims to live in.
Generic: A blank canvas for you to build anything you want.
Park: Public spaces with outdoor activities.
Library: A place for Sims to read and study.
Bar: A place for Sims to socialize and drink.
Museum: A place to display art and artifacts.
Gym: A place for Sims to exercise.
Lounge: A relaxed social venue.
Nightclub: A place for Sims to dance and party.
Retail: A business owned by a Sim.
Vet Clinic: A veterinary practice.
Residential Rental: Part of The Sims 4: For Rent.
And more, depending on installed expansion packs.

12. How do I build underground in Sims 4?

Enter build mode and select the basement tool. You can then draw the dimensions of your basement. Multiple levels are possible by adding more basements on top of each other.

13. How do I add a pool to a lot in Sims 4?

In build mode, select the pool tool. You can then draw the dimensions of your pool. You can also use pre-made pool shapes or customize the depth and shape of your pool.

14. Can I edit community lots that came with the game?

Yes, you can edit community lots, but you might need to use the “bb.enablefreebuild” cheat to do so, depending on the lot.

15. How do I get more lots in my Sims 4 world?

You can’t add more lots beyond what the game provides in each world. However, you can bulldoze existing lots and build new ones in their place. You can also download custom worlds with different lot layouts from the Sims 4 community.

Changing lots in The Sims 4 is a great way to personalize your game and create the perfect world for your Sims. By understanding the basics and utilizing cheats when necessary, you can transform any lot into whatever you desire. Happy building!