Welcome aboard, you've come to the right place for sure!
Heed all the advice given above, these guys know what they are talking about! It's tough deciding on a tractor to buy from a distance, but with some research here, and asking questions your going in the right direction.
Like Matt said, stay away from the smaller 482-like lawn tractors if you can find something else. They are decent lawn tractors, but not really up to the task of tilling, or ground engaging implements. The sear ends are light duty, as is the drive system from the engine on back.
A hydro is definitely a plus for maneuvering around obstacles, and makes mowing, plowing or snow blowing easier when you can infinitely control your speed, and not have to fiddle with clutching, lifting the implement, changing gears etc.
As far as hp is concerned, I wouldn't let a smaller hp cub deter your decision making too much. As many will attest to, you can plow snow, run a thrower, mow, pull a moldboard plow...do pretty much anything with a 7hp Cub, that you can do with a 14 hp Cub, its all in traction, gearing, and using the hp to your advantage. I've run 48" decks, and 42" throwers with 7hp Cubs with excellent results.
Hydraulic lift really is nice if you can find a Cub with it, or have the extra cash eventually to add it on, but its not a necessity. A spring assist will make lifting implements much easier. I have spring assists on a few of my Cubs, and it really helps with easing the strain of lifting a heavy snow thrower the most.
Also....be prepared to get your hands dirty..at least a little
Part of the fun of using 20-30-40 year old quality equipment like this, is maintaining it to make sure it will last another 30+ years. The occasional carb cleaning or rebuild, transmission or hydro fluid change, oil changes. These aren't the $900 box store junk you run till it seizes and replace it with another piece of junk...a little bit of maintenance will go a long way, and its really fun to learn how well built, and how amazingly well these old Cubs work. Treat them well, and they will last you, your kids, and your grandkids a lifetime.
If you want post up some links to the ones your looking at...some outside opinions might help your decision making process
Jeff (teet)