to have everything i wanted because i would just add what i wanted and how i wanted myself. that was how i ended up doing it. i was luck as i had the energy and the skills to do most of it myself and had some family willing to help. it is very easy to think you can tackle a big project and very easy to underestimate how much work you are biting off. i ended up with the house i wanted in the beginning and then some and was happy there for 30 years. so it can be done.
i learned a lot in the process when looking for houses 