Buying a home inevitably involves making some compromises.  It is rare to find a home that fits you perfectly, that has everything that you want, and nothing that you don't.

But... there are different types of compromises you might be considering making when viewing any particular home...

1.  I like this home a lot, but I will probably want to update the flooring and do a lot of painting, and I might want to try to open up that wall between the kitchen and dining area.

2.  I absolutely love this home, and wouldn't really change anything about it, other than that I wish it didn't back up to this busy road as all we hear is road noise when we're out on the back deck.

The compromise on the first house is short term, and changeable -- you can (soon or eventually) replace flooring, paint walls, and possibly open up a wall between two rooms.

The compromise on the second house is likely long term, and unchangeable -- busy roads almost always tend to remain busy roads or to become busier roads. 

So, as you are thinking about the compromises you are making in pursuing any given home, think about whether they are aspects of the property that you can or cannot change in the future.