I know that new quarters / homes (of all models) are being added regularly to the game. I think a few have opened up since the game started a month and a half ago, and there's a rumor that a new region will be added shortly.
As for getting x type of home in x area, that's tough - it will depend on real estate turnover and if new quarters are added to those streets.
My advice is to keep an eye on the real estate section regardless, but especially at that time when a new region opens. A lot of people move during those times to choicer areas, or areas where a model of home they want is available. If you're looking for a home in a particular area, that's the time to find it.
Xev, some streets in Groddle Forest that did not have housing during beta now have quarters. So, yes, housing is being added even to the older areas of the game.
Oh yeah, and I apologize if my post implied otherwise. There have been and will probably continue to be new quarters added to older game areas. Those existing areas have a huge amount of opportunity for housing expansion. But I know that TS is staggering that (and rightly so).
Forcing players to buy in other areas gives the game balance, even if they fully intend for much more housing to be available in the more "popular" areas. I say popular in quotes, because what's popular to day usually isn't the same as what's popular tomorrow.
I'm planning a move to a larger (30-50K) home soon, so I'll be selling my little log cabin in Buckward Vale. If you're still looking when I do so, I'll try to let you know.
It's all very well to say forcing players to buy houses in other areas gives the game balance but it's hardly fair on newer players is it? Their choices are extremely limited compared to those of us who got in early (please note this is not said with any bitterness as I am lucky enough to own a 50k Alakol home which I am very happy with). However, it does discourage me from trying out other homes - not that any of the ones I would like to try are free...)
I have been looking closely at the realty market lately as I am curious about it from a data perspective and it seems to me that if you want anything other than a 5k or lower treehouse or bog home you're pretty much stuffed. There are some 7.5k caves somewhere but as they only have a single patch they seem a spectacularly poor deal (4k caves in Bortola have 3 patches including one dark).
Even in the bogs where there are still a lot of homes available again all the desirable (7.5k) ones have gone.
Oh and I don't think having to camp on the realty page and take the gamble that you'll be first one in after selling your home is a great option.
I am hoping these issues will become superfluous when the long-awaited nigh-mystical home improvements eventually arrive...
I think the more critical issue isn't lack of housing in high-traffic areas, but lack of resources / transit to the fringe regions. I think this probably will be addressed as more is added to the game.
Likewise, if certain hard-to-get stuff is added as part of the housing upgrade (for instance, barnacles), that would resolve some of these issues.
Groddle is popularly because it's literally central. All the resources in the entire game are accessible from that area.
Why, when you can teleport, or use the Subway, is there any bother about location?
I live in Andra. I like it. I miss the bog, but I like the room.
And the quiet. And I'm not short any resources.
I may have to roll up a second glitch just to see how hellish the experience of not having a Groddle home would be on a newer player.
Since clearly, NOT having a Groddle home is so deeply unfair. Oh wait. I never got to live in Groddle either.
@crashtestpilot If you look at Zog's location page it is clear that Andra has significantly less resources than the central areas. Specifically for my game play there are few bean trees, egg plants or piggies and no bubble trees or rocks to mine (I don't mine enough to make a special trip but I find the odd one here and there useful)
Houses near the subway are scarce in all areas and even with TPV there is an energy loss of 20% of your cap to teleport out and back. The fact is it's really convenient to be able to pop round the block and pick up a selection of the things you need.
Personally I'm also not very keen on the artwork/scenery in the savannah areas so if I were still in the market for a 50k house I'd be disappointed if that were my only option.
I realise this is down to personal preference and play style which is why I think people should have more choice than there is at present. As far as fairness goes - I don't think it's fair that those of us who started pre or soon after live got the pick of the houses whilst newer players are stuck with what's left.
Ya'll know I'm playing devil's advocate. I teleport all the time. It's awesome! I never wanted to live in Groddle, especially since it has become the stepford wife epitome of happiness in this game. But it's worth pointing out that part of the reason it's such a popular area is its proximity to resources.
Frankly, with new areas being added, groddle will cease to be the literal center of the world, but for now, it certainly is.
@geekybird:
a) I like the savannah
b) I have more resources than I know what to do with.
c) I do not feel deprived.
d) I am at peace.
e) Other people are not so strange.
But you're point about Zog is well taken. I'm just not feeling the pain from it.
From a new player's point of view (before learning skills that help them move around, and figuring out what they want to do in the game), Groddle is a great area to be. It's really easy to do what you want to do at any given time.
For peeps living elsewhere who can teleport, the world is basically your oyster. It's pretty rad. I really suspect that as new regions are added, new "central" hubs, like groddle, will also be created. This makes sense as a way to better distribute resources and create high traffic areas (with quieter outlying areas).
I love my house. It's got everything I need near by, and everything else I can TP to. I'm in no way hating on the areas outside of Groddle (far from it!) But I can appreciate that other players who have different needs and priorities don't see it the same way.
I know a number of people passionately hate the other house styles that aren't the cottages. That's a personal taste thing. I love my house, and I understand if they don't.