I've had the Honda 2000 for a year now. Runs my oil burner (which gives me hot water) and the refrigerator. Connected it with a transfer switch (no extension cords).
First advise is to not buy more generator than you need. After all, you'll have to find fuel for it! In an ideal situation, you have natural gas - run the generator on natural gas and have no fuel worries.
Second advise is to get an alternator/inverter type rather than a straight generator. The straight generators are always roaring away at 3600 rpm to make the 60 cycle power - even if you don't need power at the moment. The inverter type only runs as hard as it has to to make the power you need - no demand and the units drop back to a quiet idle.
My only complaint about the Honda is that the vent valve marking on the fuel cap for ON/OFF are very small and hard to read (black on black). The Honda runs well and starts easily, but not when the vent is OFF. I love being able to toss it in the back of my truck and take power where I need it.