Ordinary people should not always think about building a siheyuan; you can't afford it.

Houses in Beijing's siheyuan alleys can be sold, but with many restrictions.
Siheyuan are special properties, and transactions must comply with cultural relic protection regulations.
Purchases require government approval, and many siheyuan inside the Second Ring Road are protected cultural relics, prohibiting private sales.
In terms of price, a complete siheyuan can reach hundreds of millions or even over a billion yuan, and transactions also involve high taxes such as deed tax and value-added tax.
There is also a separation between usage rights and ownership; some only sell a 50-year usage right, and renewal after expiration is a problem.
Maintenance costs for siheyuan are also high, with annual repair expenses reaching 3-5% of the total house price, and potential issues like alley renovations and infrastructure updates must be considered.
However, the government now encourages protective development, allowing interior modernization while maintaining the exterior appearance.