How would you change the curb appeal of this home?

Question

So I just got this home under contract.  It is in a great location and neighborhood.  Only problem is this weird looking garage.  Any ideas on how to improve this curb appeal?  Any ideas would be appreciated!

Bill Gulley · Answer

Good thought Lee, but

What's the budget for this face lift? Lots can or could be done?

What's in the neighborhood? Style of homes? Is there a flavor to the neighborhood? What's the target market, nothing particular, boomers, up and coming contemporary types ?

Good ideas above, I'm conservative to bland with a little pop.

IMO curb appeal should match or beat the others near by, stay with the flavor of the area and be maintenance free or low. :)

Say, I think I had one like that one. Entry. living room to the right, dining to the left, straight back to the kitchen, utility off to the left and 1/2 bath, stairs off the entry 4 beds up bath in master back corner, bath off hall up stairs. Family room off kitchen then to the garage? Nice house. :)

Colin L. · Answer

i'm in the "it looks pretty good as is" camp.  some landscaping and professional photography will do wonders to this property.  if it was my place i would try to eliminate those angled corners of the garage door as it really dates the place.

Stephanie Dupuis · Answer

Please do not paint the brick. I would never buy a house with painted brick - I always just walk on by painted brick houses, fyi.

I think this place looks fine.

• The trees are in the way. Trim them.
• Clean the brick, if needed (around the chimney, esp.).
• Clean the roof if you can or replace to a color that compliments the natural brick.
• Paint the shutters
• Replace the garage door with one you like, inexpensive
• landscape the front: a. Dora Rhody in garden bed of window with shutters (Dora or similar Rhody - they are sm/med. sized and don't grow too large); b. Heathers or similar along pathway c. Trim lawn along driveway Obviously, I can't see how much room you have, so the plants probably won't work - but you get the idea. The point is - Frame the front porch and walkway. Put fresh dark compost (not bark) in the beds. It presents better. Makes the house and plants look fresh. Keep the compost 1/2 inch below the concrete edge (don't overfill the beds). You just need a slight "color coat".
• Paint the siding a color that goes well with the brick - you'll need to pick the color b/c none of us can really see the true brick color online. From my puter - I'd say a Dorian Gray (Sherwin Williams) with an off-white for the porch and windows. But...that may look completely different in real life.

A note on the landscaping. I can't really see how much room you have there, so I'm really just guessing on plants and quantity. But I've found the above plants are affordable and present well. Not sure if they have them in your area, but you can look up similar varieties.

Nice house!

John Rooster · Answer

Obviously the big problem is that goofy addition(?) above the garage. The picture of the addition isn't complete and clear enough for me to give a specific suggestion. But I am thinking either, remove it completely, or put a bay window or full dormer window on the front of said addition

eta: please do not paint the brick, I hate that

The shape of the garage door opening is very odd. Is that common in your area?

Pam R. · Answer

I don't think the house looks bad either. I agree with some solid landscaping work - the stump, lower branches on the tree, some nice shrubs AND flowers, bold color on the front door, and maybe paint the garage door.

John Moore · Answer

For a quick flip and low cost I would replace the window, paint the garage door, put up some nice carriage lamps on either side of the door, plant bushes from the garage to the front porch and upgrade the interior of the garage.  Paint interior and the floor.  If you have a garage door opener open the garage to show off the interior as your showing the property.  Keep your budget within means as you may be spending your profit.

Bill Gulley · Answer

Actually, I agree with mike, work on the yard and trim the tree.

Please, please, please don't paint brick or stone. If it's really bad, chipping off, flaking, cracked you can consider paint. Painted brick is not popular here, defeats the purpose of having a maintenance free (limited) exterior.

Top roof left, the facia looks like it needs paint. :)

Mike G. · Answer

Wow, picky crowd.  To me, the house doesn't look that bad at all.  The roof looks a little worn, but it's hard to tell from the quality of the photo.  The brick looks fine, the house colors look fine.  Everything appears to be in good shape.  Looks like you have a winner.  Hard to tell from the angle of the picture, but you may want to trim the tree if it is significantly obscuring the view of the home.

How would you change the curb appeal of this home?

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