Welcome RJMe,
I think the advice I would give would be different depending on whether you have utility power now - fragile or not - or are planning to build or live where there is no power available. If you have power, you can always supplement it with renewables, and this will be way cheaper than dealing with batteries in the long run. You may be able to net meter, or even just work at removing more and more from the grid as you can/can afford.
If you are committed to being entirely off-grid, I think you will need batteries. You may want to start a list of the critical loads. There are some good worksheets on many of the supplier's sites. A home with 1,200 SF is modest, but when your energy source is limited by sun &/or wind, you will want to pare things way down, or plan to spend a small fortune. If you can do heat & hot water without electricity...hang clothes that certainly helps. AC, aside from swap-coolers (where they work) is out. Refrigeration needs to be small and efficient. Lighting is easy nowadays, but think LEDs, controls, efficient. For that matter every choice needs to have efficiency at the forefront; then the system becomes much more manageable.
I also agree with Damon that the price of solar has come way down, and solar is much easier to start with anyway.
Good luck, ~ks