Is Hearthfire really worth it anyway?
I like it, but it's certainly not without it's flaws. You'll have to stop and run to the store 20 times building your house, and you're worthless-ass steward is, well, worthless. You're stuck with the rooms you build because they didn't incorporate any method for remodeling. Unless you're the type to turn away poor, fixing to freeze to death little kids, go ahead and build a kids bedroom, cuz you'll get saddled with a couple of them and there's no way to build one after the fact. I don't care for the armory at all. Should have twice as many mannequins and weapon racks. At the very least, have enough mannequins to display the unique armors you'll be awarded.
As for the plus sides, the Lakeview house is pretty nifty and nicely located. Having a greenhouse and garden is awesome. You'll never want for potions and poisons again. If you build the house with the hatchery, you'll have easy access to particularly potent poisons, as well.
It would appear that horse mechanics are Beth's biggest blunder. Seems so obvious that you should be able to park your horse somewhere and leave it, yet as soon as you fast travel it shows up next to you.
Hence why I stick with my conjurable horse.
Damn, that thing's awesome. I might never fast-travel again. I just wish it'd stick around 30 seconds after you dismount, so you can hop off for something and not have to conjure up another one. Also, NPCs don't seem to react to you when you're riding one. Don't know if that's with horses in general or just the ethereal ones. I had to dismount to give a highwayman the opportunity to threaten to gut me so I could kill him lawfully. Then conjure up a different horse to continue with.