Chances for getting a house (they call it a "villa" here) are pretty good right now. Several guys, who originally applied for them, changed their minds and got themselves cancelled off the waiting list. Also, there are several people currently in villas looking for someone with a flat, to swap.
There are various reasons for it, but the main one is because of the costs. Water, electricity, maintenance etc. quickly add up to ridiculous bills, especially during the summer. Things get more and more expensive every year, and apparently in future you'll even have to pay part of the rent by yourself. Few people are prepared to spend that much money for a house they don't even own. Life's expensive enough here as it is.