A lot of the housing pains right now is due to the auto demo being off. I imagine it's going to be about few months before they turn it back on. Once they do, it's pretty much given after there will a be a handful of plots opening up then about 45 days after the auto demo is turned back on a lot of plots open up at once. Last year this happened when they turned auto demo back on after about 6 months of it being off. It was nuts during that time. so many people camping playing click the placard.
Also as things start to go back to normal somewhat in the world, people will stop/cancel the subs, and housing will open up more. It definitely sucks right now don't get me wrong, just a peculiar time we are in were people have more time to play there weren't able to before.
I say best thing is to casually browse the wards form the city-states and if you see a plot open swing by it. Also don't be picky in your plot. You can always transfer your plot in server (not data center) to an open plot that's more desirable later on. Don't loose sleep over it though if you don't have one yet its honestly not worth the sleep deprivation. that's my 2 cents.
