Michael,
IMO the biggest obstacle to building an O Gauge layout is space, no matter how you cut it, you must have the space to build the layout, if you want it in your home. I have always wanted a large enough space in my home to leave up a big multi-level layout year around. I did use our office and game room for about 8 years, this definitely disrupted our home, and limited our living space severely. If we ever do purchase another home, it will have enough floor space in our home for me to construct a large multi-level O Gauge Train layout, on a permanent basis.
PCRR/Dave