Hearthfire: Getting Started, Achievements, and More!

It's early yet, but there's already a couple of messageboards online full of people having some difficulties getting started in Skyrim's newest DLC, Hearthfire. And if you never bothered to download Dawnguard, don't worry, it won't be needed.

After you have bought and installed Hearthfire, walk around one of the towns (such as Whiterun). Sometimes it takes a few minutes, but be patient, because eventually, a courier will show up. He tells you he has been looking for you and has something he is supposed to deliver - your hands only. Once you read the letter, you're instructed to go and speak to the jarl's steward. This is where things get started (If for whatever reason, the courier never shows up, go and speak with the Jarl's steward directly, who will then give you the same opportunity the letter presents you with).

"As a mark of high esteem," you're offered the opportunity to become a landowner in whatever area the courier either finds you in, or the area over which the jarl oversees. However, these areas are only limited to Falkreath, Hjaalmarch, or The Pale.  Each steward can be found in the hold capitals in the list below:

Falkreath Hold - Falkreath City (Tekla, Jarl's Longhouse)
The Pale Hold - Dawnstar
Hjaalmarch Hold - Morthal (Aslfur)

While speaking with the stewards, you should receive a dialogue option reading, "I got your letter about the land for sale. Is it still available?" Provided you have the money, the land is yours. If the wallet's a little light, best raid your collection of dragon bones.

You'll be able to get the following properties in their associated areas:

Lakeview Manor (Falkreath)
Windstad Manor (Hjaalmarch)
Heljarchen Hall (The Pale)

Once you've purchased your property, you'll get a new objective to visit it. The map should update with the location of the new property. And once you have, congratulations, because you've just unlocked Hearthfire's first acheivement! The rest are listed below.

ACHIEVEMENTS
Architect (10 GP) Build three wings on a house 
Land Baron (10 GP) Purchase three plots of land 
Landowner (10 GP) Purchase a plot of land 
Master Architect (10 GP) Build three houses 
Proud Parent (10 GP) Adopt a child 

From here, it's fairly simple. If you're looking for materials to expand your new home(s), clay and stone can be mined, lumber can be purchased from saw mills (finally there's another use for them), and you can buy glass, goat horns, and straw from a majority of stores. Make sure to protect your property, and have fun with it.

The game's still new, so if you happen across something while playing, make sure to comment about it below!