I don't know if anyone ever removed a large amount of ivy from a house, but if you have you know how hard exactly it can be. I guess, with spring coming it might be a project for some. My house was covered in it a few years back, even growing onto the roof and it had taken forever to take it off. On this old house they were showing how to easily remove it.
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,1631583,00.html
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,1631583,00.html