[princess3000]

You know, when you pay rent you generally receive a place to sleep and keep your things. Just because you aren't making money on it as investment doesn't mean it's a loss.

[chad_oliver]

Yes, but that's also true of purchasing a house. Just because the price might not appreciate over the long term doesn't mean it's a loss.

[skorgu]

It's a loss /as an investment/ if you can't sell it for more than you bought it for (modulo inflation).

You still got value in the form of shelter for your expenditure in the form of a mortgage just as you would have if you had paid rent.