Honestly if they want to keep it a random system, at least make this a lottery. We all pay the plot price up front, get thrown into a pile, and can get on with our lives while praying RNGesus favors us. If it does, hurray - we got a house without wasting our lives and playtime clicking a placard like mindless drones! If it doesn't, we get our money refunded and just try again at the next one.

I hate the randomness of this, but at least make it so we aren't wasting actual playtime trying for a chance at a house because SE refuses to make a better system. I'd be a lot happier with a lotto than this hidden timer BS.