I would start by trimming and/or removing some of the bushes that hide the front of your house on the left. I think that would make a huge difference to the balance of the house and allow you to see where the front door is located. The front entry to the house should draw you to the front door and make you want to go inside.
I also think what you like about the neighbors house may be the dimension they get from having a different trim color- nothing too bold but just a few shades darker then siding would look best if siding is going to stay white. New windows will also help to clean up the look. I always prefer taller windows but it depends on if that works from inside the house too.

Your house, a mid-century ranch, has once again become a very desireable and fashionable style. It wouldn't take much to spruce yours up and make it look fresh.

The first thing I'd think about is paint. The all-white look makes your house appear boring and a bit dead. Some colour would definitely give your house a lift. Why not think about a warm grey shade, or perhaps an adobe colour for the main body of the house with a very dark brown on the roof trim. Those colours would work well with the brick and add some definition. The dark paint along the roof would play up the roof angles and add some linear definition. The brick veneer is in keeping with the style of the house, and also appropriate to its period. I'd think carefully before deciding to remove it.

The metal framed windows, while lacking much character or depth, are also appropriate to the house. If you need to replace them, I'd look for similar metal-framed windows in either a horizontal sliding configuration or casements. Vinyl windows aren't really appropriate to the style or period of the house.

The next thing I'd do is work on the landscaping. Get rid of the tall jungle at the front. You really want to accentuate the horizontal. Low-growing swaths of shrubs and ground cover with a strategically placed multi-trunked tree or small grouping of trees (think palms, perhaps -- or something else with interesting branching) to provide a pleasant asymetrical balance might be good.

While the circular drive was probably fashionable at the time your house was built, they are no longer in vogue. I'd think about jack-hammering it up and replacing it with a simple drive (perhaps exposed aggregate concrete) to the garage and some sort of landscaping.

Play up the mid-century styling of your house. Don't try to change it to something it's not. Simple clean lines are the key.

You might want to look for a few books specializing in this genre of house. There are a number out there. Your house has a strong resemblance to the Eichler style. There quite a few books on Eichler homes. You might also want to look at the link below for book available from Amazon on Ranch houses. You may find inspiration amongst its pages.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ranch House Style

Thanks Pinkpowertools and JamesK for the feedback. Great suggestions. It sure helps to have someone else with a different perspective.

Pinkpowertools, I'm hoping you can help do a mock-up picture or two with your photoshop capability. I think you did a great job for others on this forum. Any help is appreciated.

One of the key changes is to change out the existing louvered windows and need to see how a different size/location will look. Any other changes are appreciated as well. Thank you.

change the trim color and do some major trimming of the existing trees and bushes so you can see your home. i do like the neighbors trim around their windows...