Don't get me wrong, my intention isn't to sound harsh on SE.
In my opinion, the first idea of SE about housing was right : make it FCs only to favor social interactions.
When they have opened it to individuals, it has changed. Back in ARR times, some plots were available and it was not that lively, but full individuals (or ghost FCs) wards are just dormitory cities. As far as I can imagine housing, Wildstar is the system that looks to me to have the best balance.
My main grievance on SE is to make FCs and individuals to compete for a content designed for FCs. The best solution (and realist) we could have is :
Extended apartments : three size. Opened to FCs.
Greenhouse as an option for players and FCs.
Workshop as an option for FCs.
(why not to place the door for the workshop and the greenhouse at the apartments hall).
The idea of FCs wards is probably not that tricky for ressources if housing becomes shared with alts and if they keep the lock one FC house and one individual house per server per account.
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What I wish -without illusions- is a FCs wards system where the three sizes are replaced by options : everyone can have the S size but you have options to make the garden bigger or add rooms/levels to the house. With the lock and shared with alts, an expandable system can be opened to individuals.