The "In the long run" bit is the problem. Here in the UK people stay in a house for about 10 years before moving. It's impossible to get payback on many investm

The "In the long run" bit is the problem. Here in the UK people stay in a house for about 10 years before moving. It's impossible to get payback on many investments in that time, and when you sell your house the improvements aren't valued high enough to return the money you spent.