Howdy
you can be customizing the house and when you have done everything as you wanted, you commit it. The commitment itself costs 12k. You need to funds in your bank for it to work.
And yes, you can first build your first floor, commit, and wait for example a month, or any time until you get more money.
Even if you dont have money, you can build yourself a 700k "imaginary" underconstruction house, you just wont be able to commit it if you dont have the money in your bank.
The grass is just decorative, like any other tile. a hint here, you can use different grass tiles on a lawn to make it look more natural - so you cannot see the pattern of the digital image
You can grow plants too, those can be locked down or secured anywhere in your house - no matter what floor you put it on.
You can either grow your own plants, which takes some dedication and knowledge. you need to water them daily, cure them, get rid of termites that attack it, etc...
Or, you can also buy decorative plants. visit your local excelsior halls
Rugs - those are made with tailoring and come in a form of a deed.
trash barrel - while in your house, say "i wish to place a trash barrel". If you want to remove it, chop it down with an axe (just like any deeded item you put in your house).
Good luck with making your home
I got a house too, it's thru the orange housegate at the south side. I didn't decorate it tho
