Investment

For the aspiration benefit, see Aspiration benefit#Fortune.

Investments are another way for Sims to earn money over the course of The Sims 3. It is comprised of Partnerships and Ownership of community lots. Both of which will put big holes in a Sim's wallet but, over time, will pay for themselves if collected on a regular basis.

Once a Sim has partnered (Become a Partner) or become an owner (Buy out Property) a Partner's Deed or Owner's Deed will be moved into the Sims inventory. Upon installing the original Sims (without patches), the deeds will be separate items in a Sim's inventory. In version 1.3, deeds will form a stack in the inventory, which will have a "Collect All" interaction. Deeds can be transferred between Sims of the same family at anytime (by dragging them out of a Sim's backpack into another Sim), and are automatically transferred to a relative when a Sim dies. However, if a Sim moves out of the household while carrying the deed, the household loses the ownership or partnership of the house, but can be bought back for the original price.

In the updated The Sims 3, deeds are no longer used. Instead, when in Map View, establishments with a special sign symbolize ownership. Instead of establishments, Sims can also buy real estate like parks, gyms, etc. Sims can either enter a business establishment (rabbit hole) or visit the City Hall to buy any real estate, and can also easily buy both business and real estate through the internet or phone. The only lots that cannot be bought are residential lots, empty community lots, City Hall, and the Police Station.

Sims must invest in Partnership first before they are eligible for Ownership. So, Total Cost of Ownership includes both Cost of Partnership and Cost of Ownership.

Money has to be collected from their respective locations, hence traveling will be needed. Locations like V.I.P. Lounges, Dive Bars, and other Late Night estates do not need to be open in the morning in order to collect the money, as the sim only has to stand on the lot for a few in-game minutes.

A sim can own an establishment where careers are available, yet it will have no effect on promotions/demotions. (E.G. Sims who own a certain establishment and is constantly missing work can still be fired.). Bosses will still be selected randomly based on the current workers (A sim cannot have a housemate as a boss, but can have a relative from a different household.), but by owning an establishment, the sim has the power to fire anyone at anyrime and can rename the building. Firing workers, however, is at the expense of the relationship between the owner and that employee, and can lead to a very low relationship. They cannot fire the owner (which would be themselves), or the last employee of a business.

The real estate system, introduced in Patch 12, allows Sims to use the computer or the phone to purchase community lots. The player can then upgrade it and with the upgrades receive more profits. The class of upgrades are symbolized by three stars being the maximum, and one star being the lowest. A certain Net Worth or Total Cost of creating a community lot can affect its upgrading level (E.G. Galleries need at least 200,000 to have a three-star upgrade), while some lots have specific requirements (E.G. Graveyards need two mauseloums to be upgraded to a level higher than one).

Costs & Profits

Business	Partnership					Ownership
	Cost of Partnership	Weekly Earning	Sell Price	ROI	payoff in weeks	Cost of Ownership	Total Cost	Weekly Earning	Sell Price	MROI	TROI	payoff total in weeks
Diner	6,000	850	4,800	14.2%	7	18,000	24,000	1,800	19,200	5.3%	7.5%	14
Bookstore	7,000	1,000	5,600	14.3%	7	20,000	27,000	2,000	21,600	5.0%	7.4%	14
Supermarket	7,000	1,000	5,600	14.3%	7	20,000	27,000	2,000	21,600	5.0%	7.4%	14
Bistro	12,500	2,100	10,000	16.8%	6	25,000	37,500	3,000	30,000	3.6%	8.0%	13
Spa	15,000	2,500	12,000	16.7%	6	35,000	50,000	4,000	40,000	4.3%	8.0%	13
Abandoned Warehouse	15,000	2,500	12,000	16.7%	6	35,000	50,000	4,000	40,000	4.3%	8.0%	13
Theatre	18,000	3,000	14,400	16.7%	6	40,000	58,000	6,000	46,400	7.5%	10.3%	10
Office building	18,000	3,000	14,400	16.7%	6	40,000	58,000	6,000	46,400	7.5%	10.3%	10
Hospital	30,000	6,000	24,000	20.0%	5	75,000	105,000	12,000	84,000	8.0%	11.4%	9
Stadium	35,000	6,800	28,000	19.4%	5	80,000	115,000	13,000	92,000	7.8%	11.3%	9
Science lab	40,000	7,900	32,000	19.8%	5	100,000	140,000	15,000	112,000	7.1%	10.7%	10

Late Night

Business	Partnership					Ownership
	Cost of Partnership	Weekly Earning	Sell Price	ROI	payoff in weeks	Cost of Ownership	Total Cost	Weekly Earning	Sell Price	MROI	TROI	payoff total in weeks
Film Studio	25,000	5,000	25,000	20.0%	5	70,000	95,000	11,000	95,000	8.6%	11.6%	9
Books and Bath	20,000	4,000	20,000	20.0%	5	60,000	80,000	10,000	80,000	10%	12.5%	8
Office and Restaurant	50,000	10,000	50,000	20.0%	5	120,000	170,000	19,000	170,000	7.5%	11.2%	9

Pets

Business	Partnership					Ownership
	Cost of Partnership	Weekly Earning	Sell Price	ROI	payoff in weeks	Cost of Ownership	Total Cost	Weekly Earning	Sell Price	MROI	TROI	payoff total in weeks
Hospital and Lab	70,000	14,000	70,000	20%	5	170,000	240,000	27,000	240,000	7.6%	11.3%	9
Supermarket and Cafe	13,000	2,200	13,000	16.9%	6	27,000	40,000	3,300	40,000	4.1%	8.3%	12
Equestrian Center	35,000	6,800	35,000	19.4%	5	80,000	115,000	13,000	115,000	7.8%	11.3%	9

External Links

Carl's Guide to Real Estate and Venues - Guide to Investing in Ambitions Venues