Also, the places where you build your houses seem a bit hastily chosen. For example, Lakeview manor is near a necromancer's lair (just north of the house). Who on his right mind would build a house there and move his/her family??? I have already killed the necromancer (sometimes spawns as just a conjurer though), and he/she keeps respawning after 10 days or so. Really sloppy job I'm afraid...

As the Dovakhin you must keep bad guy in check and teach your kids to follow the path 8D
Actually I built an all-patio wings, and it's rather funny to observe him from the patio
He never shows up, but I often get attacked by bandits
I think they choosed those locations on purpose. You're a thane after all,
so it's ok to give you some duties
bandit hold on one side, necromancer lair on the other, a shrine to talos nearby ...
and of course you're in the middle of the revirwood-helgen-falkreath triangle
which is kind of cool
and the lake ... did I mention the lake ...
And the third house (Heljarchen Hall) is right next to a giant camp!!!! Epic fail...
they're quiet, and that's not where you're suppose to raise your family 8P
Lakeview is the recommended spot
Between your housecarl and your steward, along with wife, kids , pets, and carriage driver ...
I don't think the lowlife necromancer there got any chances if he attack
that's Skyrim, not Manathan
you can add bedroom to proudspire and hjerim if you really need safety
I think the whole point is that it adds a challenge (for the dragonborn), no one asks you to move your family there. Anyway I think the whole reason why the land is so cheap is because the jarls couldn't sell it to anyone else

exactly ! and to force you to take care of those bad guys
that's what a thane do