Actully, those house encounters always made wonder, if there is any quest in them or not. Like farmer attacked by molerats, or so ;] (You could save him, and he would offer you joining him, at his farm.)
I really like the idea of being able to build/buy a house. It looks so nice and clean compared to that dirty tent, that always seemed a bit temporary to me.
How about wooden hause too? (Like the Tannery in Modoc?)
Requirements could be: Brahmin Cart loaded with 100xWood, 10xRope, 10xWaterBag, 10xApples, Shovel, Hammer, Hatchet
Result could be: A little farm with wooden house, brahmin pen and a field.