They earned the right to buy them, if you didn't get one, it's because you were too slow or couldn't compete with their gil. Why should you get a house for putting in less work and time then people that got them? Nothing is stopping you from buying and flipping either. And no, I did not get a house at Shirogane and no I do not flip houses. I reiterate, if housing is so important to you, find a way to get competitive with people who obviously want them more than you do. Bottom line is, in order to get a house, you have to be rich, timely, smart, crafty, saavy etc. You're not just going to get handed one.