I have 2 accounts this and one I use to sit on boats. Both premium. It took me ages to get two nice areas (A beach side Vic and a waterfall log) but this is because I HATE playing GOH, it frustrates me and I find it boring, I will stay in houses for months because I'm too lazy to pick up my stuff and leave haha. My patience isn't good with catch and release so when I was casually looking again to get rid of this terrible houseboat I had I waited until people thought the stilts were going to release and I got both my ideal houses.
So I was either very lucky or just picked the right time.
But I never go for brand new themes so I suppose I've not come across this alts taking over regions thing.