It really depends on the sims I am playing.
- When I do a rags to riches, my sims start with an empty lot and slowly build their house bit by bit.
- Sometimes I feel like building a complete house, fully furnished.
- sometimes I want a basic house to start. I prefer houses without furniture or just some basics. The base game houses of foundry cove (willow creek) or parched prospect (oasis springs) come close to what I mean. Some basic starter furniture but free tiles to add additional furniture. And few decorations to easily add own accents. Lately a lot of talented simmers make houses for new packs. They all look good but are a bit too finished and are more difficult to give my own touch. Same for a lot of houses from the gallery. I often look for nice furnitured houses, roughly remember the interior but then place them without furniture to add my own.