The first thing, I would do, would be to remove those awkward squared off hedge plants, and level the area off, for some nice planting beds. It is a lot of work to remove fireplaces, but, I would want that monstrosity gone from the front of my house too. The porch may be big enough, as it is, once that thing is removed. Do you live in an area where grass doesnt grow?

Very expensive to remove the fireplace. I would leave it. What is that sidelight looking thing to the left of the FP? I don't think a porch will be economical. I would remove the hedges and get updated landscaping. Why is there just dirt? Replace the windows. A new garage door, Paint the storm door to match the front door.

Thank you so much for the suggestions ..Yes it make sense not to remove the fireplace actually . We will paint the fire place .And yes ,will cut those hedges and do drive way and some lawn or other landscape .This house is in Redwood City, California . House condition is very bad and don't know where to start .

I would make a plan for both inside and out before doing anything. Do your research on landscaping, painting brick, etc.

It can be a charming cottage without a lot of changes. I agree that planning is the first step. A designer can help you explore alternative materials and colors for the exterior before you do anything. If you don't have a lot to spend on the exterior, I suggest you paint everything including the chimney and add properly scaled shutters to the window at the garage. If you have more to spend, I'd change the gutters to half round and the downspouts to round.

There's a lot going on with the front fascade of your home with the differing materials. Might suggest that you paint all the walls one color to help unify the fascade. Better landscaping would do wonders for the place as well. Hate to suggest removing the tree in your yard but it looks to have seen better days.

#1 fix the garage door. #2 NO to removing the fireplace...it would cost more than the house is worth. #3 Proper porch or deck to play porch on? If you remove the hedge (which would be a mistake as it's the most attractive thing in your front) you have room for some sort of front seating..but that's not a porch and the only way to add a porch properly is to change the roof. Your best effort fixing all the differed maintenance on the building ought to be your first priority. Focus on a paint scheme that will bring out the features. You have a humble home. It can shine if clean/tidy and well maintained.

We recently had a thread with people complaining about HOAs, but here is a perfect example of why some people like them!

Are the neighbors always this messy? And is that boat/trailer (?) always parked there?

If you have neighbors that regularly leave their junk in the front yard, that is always going to bring your house down, so weigh your improvements against the whole neighborhood to make sure you aren't overspending.

That looks like a charming post WWII era cottage. The steel windows, corner window, and fireplace are all character defining and should be worked with not removed. I would use more color on the facde to highlight different elements, otherwise you need new landscaping. Its a cute house.

Agree with @HALLETT & Co. The fireplace and corner window are great and part of the historic charm. It needs landscaping and paint. I personaly feel the garage doesnt belong., but maybe a tree visually separating the garage from the rest of the house woud help. Also, would remove shrubs and plant grasses, wildflowers, and maybe add a bench in the dirt area.

I would not remove the fireplace.

Just paint the siding a medium Sage green color with crisp white trim. a bright colorful front door, in the pinkish/orange family. embrace the cottage style, it's unique.

either trim down the hedging or remove it. Just an overall freshening up. new light fixture and house numbers.

Thank you all ..Really really helpful..

Here is the plan :

• Come up with a paint scheme . Should we keep the brick color for the chimney ? or paint all same ?
• Change Garage door and windows
• Remove the storm door ( that old piece in the porch ) and may be change the floor and sidings of the current porch.
• Finish drive way and landscape
• First cut the hedge to 1/4 and see any change ,if not remove completely . Work with a landscape person as well .

Some inspro

or

A new, nice garage door and paint the brick white. On the front porch, remove the metal railing and why is there something that looks like a sidelight?

100% better just removing the hedge! I like Beverly's idea of lightly white washing the brick so you don't lose the red tone.