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In Final Fantasy XIV, even finding a roof over your head is a matter of pure luck with the Housing Lottery. It’s the ultimate test of your patience and your wallet. This system has been confusing players since its inception, and for a good reason. Imagine a world where you have to bid against other players to buy a virtual house, and the only way to win is by sheer chance. Well, that’s precisely what the Housing Lottery in FFXIV is all about. With limited plots and fierce competition, getting a house in Eorzea is no walk in the park.
How the Housing Lottery Works
Through Final Fantasy XIV‘s Housing Lottery, players can bid on available plots of land and pay a full amount of Gil for a number assignment. Players can submit bids during the first five days, followed by four days when winners must claim and purchase their property. But beware some wards, plot sizes, and locations are more popular than others, so choose wisely, or you’ll end up in the wrong neighborhood. If you’re lucky enough to win, don’t celebrate too soon, or you’ll also pay a 50% cancellation fee if you don’t claim and purchase your property during the results period. And if you lose, don’t despair. You’ll get your deposit back, but claim it within 90 days, or you’ll be broke and homeless.
Final Fantasy XIV Housing Lottery Schedule for May
If you meet the requirements for purchasing, have the necessary Gil, and have unlocked one of the five housing zones in FFXIV, then the following dates apply to you: The bidding period is currently underway, and the current Final Fantasy XIV housing lottery schedule is as follows:
- Results: May 3 at 6:59 am (PST).
- Bidding: May 3 – May 8 at 6:59 am (PST).
- Results: May 12 at 6:59 am (PST).
Remember that FFXIV’s in-game clock is attuned to your timezone, so plan accordingly when placing your bids.
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What Happens If You Lose the Housing Lottery?
If Lady Luck hasn’t been kind to you and you got a losing housing lottery ticket in Final Fantasy XIV, don’t worry! You can still try your luck again by investing anywhere between a measly 3 to a whopping 50 million Gil, depending on the size of the plot. Of course, there’s no such thing as too many attempts, but you can only enter once per cycle, so make it count! But remember, if you lose again, don’t be too sad. Just make sure to reclaim your losing ticket deposit within 90 days by giving a shout-out to the placard of the house you’ve set your sights on.
When Do Fresh FFXIV Housing Plots Become Available?
If you want to upgrade your living situation in FFXIV, head to your city’s big shiny teleportation thingy (aka Aetheryte) to find vacant homes. Be on the lookout for houses that become available when a Free Company or private owner decides to ditch their property or if they ditch the entire server. Also, some players might forget to pay their rent and leave their homes unoccupied for 45 days. That’s when the auto-demolition process kicks in, so keep your eyes peeled for those too. But don’t worry. In case of natural disasters or other exceptional circumstances, Final Fantasy XIV’s housing lottery has your back and will suspend the process.
What If a House is “Currently Unavailable for Purchase”?
Some plots might be marked as unavailable because the previous owner chickened out midway through the entry cycle. If that’s the case, don’t despair! You’ll have a chance to snatch it in the next entry period. So, keep your eyes peeled for those houses and return to bid again.
Final Fantasy XIV is available on PC and PlayStation.