Are you dreaming of building your own home but terrified by the cost of an architect? You aren't alone. Searching for is one of the first steps millions of future homeowners take.

Don’t break the bank on blueprints before you break ground.

Believe it or not, the government is your friend here. The USDA Rural Development website offers classic, simple house plans (often for farmhouses and small cottages) that are fully in the public domain. You can download, modify, and build them without paying a dime.