A node will add something to a planet it's conjunct. Barely being in tne same house brings nothing, imo. Say, NN is conjunct Mars in the 1st - how is Mars placed otherwise? Sign,dignities? If Mars is weak, the NN will not repair him completely but will inject a bit of good energy into him. This may sometimes be important as Mars needs to act if he is a significator. Being angular is fine but if he is weak dignities wise a bit of energy boost would do him well. Sometimes it may make a receiving planet more welcoming, softer,so to speak, in a better mood. If Mars is already strong,then again,a bit of aboost will be experienced. Then a last of the Moon in a horary to the NN is a hope for good outcome,given the aspect is poistiveitself. Opposite with the Sn. But the houses this happens do matter.
In any case, if the main significators and the Moon,and all kinds of translation, collection of light don't promise a positive outcome,no nodes will bring it to perfection, imo. They eirher boost the energy of the planet they conjunct or take away from it as with the SN. They are not deal makers or breakers though.
I personally don't rely much on them and haven't really seen the NN add much to a chart but am theorizing here. I only take them into account if the Moon's last aspect is to one of them or if they are conjunct a significator.