Thanks for the comment Denita. This was my grandparents rent house for many years and the Estate is doing some repairs before I purchase it. Garage doors are first on the list! I’m hoping to point my mom in the right style direction but within budget as well. A modern cottage style is up there on my list too. Currently there is no outdoor deck or porch on either side. I really like clean crisp colors and lines too like the pictures below. I will probably put exterior paint at the top of my to do list.

While there have been a lot of good suggestions, the first thing I would work on is the right side of the house (Picture right). The way your bushes are currently cut, they emphasizes the slope. I would replace or significantly cut back the bush to the right of the steps (middle of the porch) I would let the one on the end grow to a greater height or replace it with something that grows taller ie Lilac, Rose of Sharon, or Spirea While some have mentioned limb up the tree, The tree as is, blanks out the slab wall of the house next door so I would keep it so I could mow under it. (to me that wall visually detracts from your house. ) It looks like it is close enough to the, that as you drive past your house you would never see the slab wall. The above could be done for less than $50. When you decide to spend more I would work on the front steps. However instead of making them square, I may consider making it half round out of bricks. In this way you would have the functionally egress you currently have, but the open welcoming presentation of the suggested square steps. Eventually I may add a landscape wall out toward the right (picture) ending in a large flowering bush like Lilac, rose of Sharon, or Spirea. I would plant flowers in the planter that was created such as roses or perennial.

Landscaping would help a lot. You have a nice big area with some shrubs all bunched together on the right side near the garage. Depending on what they are, I'd remove them or at least some of them. I'd plant some additional flowers and or low growing shrubs there instead of the grass. I'd also plant some small flowering tree to mask that expanse of brick on the left. I'm guessing there is a matching window that we don't see. I'd get rid of the shutters on the larger windows. They are too small for the window size. Do you plan on painting the siding? The white really contrasts with the brick in a not good way. I'd paint the siding a different color that is more similar to the brick and the garage door the same color.

Yes we need to know budget but more to the point is what are you doing inside. Are you adding windows any other changes that will have a effect on the exterior? IMO the shkes need to go and be replace with regular siding. That weird 1/2 cover on the driveway needs to be removed and IMO park your car on the street . You will need to be careful to design the block type finish to enhance the house the same goes for the dark color everywhere. That tiny window needs to be addressed IMO it throws off the whole front .The hedge needs to removed and if you go with eiter idea above new windows for sure. in a much more contemporary style and in black.