If you're at all handy, you should be able to repair the mortar between the bricks yourself - any hardware store will have the materials, which you can mix in a bucket. If the structure isn't sound, though, it will be a continuous job to keep replacing the mortar. We had brick steps that were very similar to yours; we eventually replaced them with a wooden structure that has more of a "landing" where you can put down groceries etc while fishing around for the keys. It's not quite a deck, and it's not exactly beautiful, but it's handy and workable. The cost was much less than for a brick entrance, and although I'd eventually like to go back to brick, it's worked out well for us.

semi-circular extension of patio is an element I took from your plan. I don't know what it is, but it only made sense to me if it was an extension of paving. I'm not suggesting you add paving you don't need. (If the grey semi-circle in your plan represents gravel, that is just a softer form of paving.) You are the one deciding what it is and where it is. I'm just trying to make guesses that keep up with you. Mowed grass is the de facto path for areas that are accessed infrequently. There are a few (very few) groundcovers that might stand up to fairly infrequent use if grass is not desired. But part of the equation depends on cultural conditions present: light/moisture/soil, etc. For areas that need frequent access, some kind of non-plant material (paving) must be used. You could say you're "not happy" with something. But if you don't say exactly WHY, then it's impossible to help work toward overcoming the objections. As I mentioned at the outset, it was difficult to interpret the plan because it is not spelled out what things are. One cannot get sense of how elements are, or should, fit together. It would be helpful to label anything that is not plants, even if it is very generic. Whatever shape represents a plant material, assign a height value to it (height when it is mature.) I suggest using a scheme where mowed grass is +0 and all other plants are +whatever-their-height-in-feet-is. If we knew this, the intent and direction of the plan might be easier to figure out.

Age of the Roof - insurance give good discount if it is newly replaced. Use a home inspector to have a thermal scan to see any leaks and water damage earlier. In the attic check the Roof for insulation and heat barrier. In case of a carpet, pls get a new flooring done (the most dirtiest thing is carpet even it looks clean) And then some measures that keep your house maintenence low: Calcium deposit in shower, faucet and plummbing issue - So pls have a water purifier. If you cook everyday - microwave vent is not enough add additional vent hood. Protect your back door if you do not have a patio. Remove a tree that shed lots of leaves (pine, vigorous growth tree) Lawn mowing, pest control and carpet (best to have any kind of wood floor). Congratulations!!!

@Diana Bier Thank you for so many thoughtful notes The house is in NJ and is an existing structure. We are blowing out back to add square footage but cannot widen much (even if we got a variance) so not worth it. Cannot change entry to side of garage.. we do not have that much land. The plans are rough until we choose which general layout we really want to go with.. Plan A The sink in dining room is little nook for wet bar but I would definitely not do that. Don't need a family room and living room but that is generally style with houses here in NJ.. a family room off the kitchen area.. We could definitely do sliders for any closet doors.. I actually have no idea what that square is at the end of the hallway but would extend laundry if we chose that general layout to make closet perhaps.. Plan B I agree, my main issue is that door to stairs is tight - so to add entry space would get rid of that "wine room" to push hall closet there and then have the stairs push back maybe 3-4 ft Agreed, worried dining room may be too small.. would be nice to have table for eight And there would be no change in level on either plan (that was from early plan where they were not going to elevate 2nd floor and excavate out basement below but that's all changed)