That's interesting that you say it is not an RP based game at all.
When you create your character(s) in WoW, you have the option of creating it on a role play server, player vs. enviornment, player vs player, or role play - player vs player servers.
That said, there is Role Play alive and active on the Argent Dawn server that Clan Skullcrusher is active on. No, we can't lay items on the ground for someone else, but that does not prevent us from striking up conversation with a new, low level character and giving them items or money...think of it this way...if a new player or another player cannot pick just anything up off the ground, that encourages interaction does it not?
I won't blast UO for it's graphics. I've often had conversations with people regarding graphics in a game and I've equated it to a good movie - does it have to have great effects to have a good story? 99% of the time it does not. WoW does not have the best graphics out there for its genre either, but they convey everything just fine IMHO.
As far as houses go, there is rumor of housing becoming available in the expansion. Won't know for sure until that gets here, but the models are already in place to do so. Just something else to consider.