Most people are so conformist in how they build their homes. Have you ever thought about just going completely counter cultural, and abandoning the ‘McMansion’ mindset in favor of building yourself a genuine castle? While the process is a lot more complicated than a “normal” home, there are a few advantages. For one thing, nearby peasants may be persuaded to pay you a duty, so that if there is an attack on the area they can come into your castle’s keep and be safe. For another thing, a castle is the kind of thing that is built to last, and is going to appreciate in value over time. And as if those more functional aspects are not enough to at least get you to consider building your very own castle, keep in mind that you will never be physically safer than you would inside what is essentially your own fortress.
How great would it be to be able to send your squire (or emissary, if you are not into formal titles) to the local people, and ask them to pay you tithes and tributes, in exchange for the use of your castle keep if someone dangerous should come around? While there is no guarantee that the local people would be keen on becoming your peasants, you never know. After all, physical safety is something that we pay insurance companies and the government to maintain for us. Perhaps you could become the latest beneficiary of this natural human desire for physical security.
You should also bear in mind that while a castle is not normal, that is the entire idea behind it. Anybody could have some chintzy builder throw together another cookie cutter home for them, in their choice of four different colors of beige and complete with the exact same things as every other house in the neighborhood has. But when you build your very own castle, it is yours alone. That’ll grow its value.