House upgrades are definitely more of a long term project in the latest version considering how many of them there are and how expensive some of the upgrades are. Personally I would focus on the yard options first, especially your first workshop and the Gazebo (specifically for pool parties).
I lucked into buying those first and I agree, the workshop especially is such a boon I probably should fit it in before Duraplate, but maybe not Combat Armor as that's a money-maker in itself allowing you to take out higher level targets and making all cheaper as you won't have to spend nearly as much on tendstims.
What do you think about the new character creation system? I can't get past the first day as I always want to try another combination out. I figured out I can hold my nose (required as I have to take Body Odor!) and take enough negative attributes I can be an expert in a field on the 120 point Grimdark setting while taking only one that truly limits future development, but I've enjoyed playing around with the 280 point setting so much I think I'm going to play that way. I just can't decide which configuration I like best. I really want to try Hunter as I think I can game it with Loren that I'll have no difficulty with money and I'll have a decent combat build just from Hunting Expert, but I can't decide how to spend the rest....or decide I just must have little miss Adora Sanor from the get-go with all the goodies (her quest). I found a Combat Veteran to make the opening much easier, but then again I can manage without it and I have to fit the new guy into my merc teams and haven't figured out who I want to drop from my eventual 'A-Team.'
Doctor looks good too, especially if combined with Soldier. Slaver is another tough one to not want to get to the second level at least. I think Grim outdid himself on this new system, I can't stop playing with it. I may never strip, whip, and sodomize senseless another slavegirl as I'm still playing with the character creation system!
