Just putting in my 2 cents. I have this problem too. I notice it is less of a problem if all families have the same item (maybe in different color) in the same place. But, if you want different homes to have different items in those places it is a huge problem.

One work around that works "sometimes" is to clear all items out of the room, then log off for several minutes. Log back on and you may be able to place the new items even if they are not exactly where you want them to go.

Maybe if in VF3 there were different floor plans for each of the 5 families this would not be an issue. Just thinking.

Warning: Try not to place action items such as the piano or the guitar in different places in the different homes or you will get little peeps playing invisible pianos, hugging invisible bears, and swimming through grass. LOL