pictures please

@jck910, thanks. I thought I added them!

Generally wouldn't recommend staining brick, but you may want to match them. New landscaping and windows and doors would really help as well as some outdoor lighting. Here are some other really great tips: curb appeal tips

Bunch of things you can do, none of it cheap:

--Stain/tint the right side brick in dark red to match the left. Be careful not to stain grout.

--Put in cement and red brick trimmed walkways.

--Replace both porches with red-brick trimmed cement landings, steps, and attractive cedar railings.

--Get new front doors in dark red.

--Remove the overhang entirely.

--Powerwash everything, particularly the concrete porch and steps.

--Remove awning covers over upper windows.

--Paint the house a lighter shade of one of the brick colors or grout color.

--Match the mailboxes

--Replace fencing with cedar fence

The gold/taupe of the top house would work with your red brick:

Are they two units?

@okibujp, yes they are two units. The left unit's door is perpendicular to the brick. The right unit is a little bigger so it jets out a little farther.

One of the most important things to do when you have investment property is to make sure everything is repaired and is safe. Those steps on both units look unsafe to me just from the pic. The steps on the left need a railing and may need other items not visible in the pic and the steps on the right need to coordinate with the steps on the left. Go through the entire house and come up with a repair list if you don't have one already.

The colors that jck910 shows are warm and welcoming.

The list that housegal200 shows is important. If you don't have the funds for the entire list, then consider doing good landscaping without staining the brick to match or removing the roof overhang. In my area a roof overhang is an asset so the tenant can open the door without getting wet.

If you post your dilemma in the landscape subforum you can get some very good ideas.

I also think large address numbers visible from the street are critical.

Wide non-dirt walkways to each entry will amp up the curb appeal of your property.

Lights at the door under the porch will make a well lit and welcoming entry.

Make sure the entire property is spotless.

The better property condition you provide to your tenants, the better quality tenant you will attract which will reduce your turnover and your expenses (usually). ROI is negatively effected by high turnover and high repairs.

This is a different duplex but shows you how simple landscaping and clean wide concrete walkways really contribute to the exterior appeal.

A|K Design&Development , Infill project Killarney, Calgary · More Info

Here is another duplex more along the traditional style but is very attractive and welcoming IMO. The left is much more prominent than the right side but you can see each has their own walkway and the landscaping is simple and clean.

Bannock Duplex · More Info

Just to give you a visual of some things you can do.....

I would concentrate on replacing the two entry ways with new stair steps and rail and replace the downstairs windows and front door, add some landscaping and a house plaque for each side. The vent on the second floor is decorative. The awnings don't bother me. I would paint them to match the roof. The walk ways meet at a V to the street.

Added shutters to the windows upstairs.

Nicely done okibujp with or without the shutters on the second floor.

Following.

I wouldn't waste my time to dye the brick. It's not particularly attractive, so I'd just paint it.

Some new railing would add consistency and appeal! Here's some recent examples of front porch railing we've done to give you some ideas!

Exterior Railing · More Info

Exterior Railing · More Info

Exterior Railing · More Info

If you have limited budget to do all the nice designs above, maybe just a gravel stone walkway to both apartments and a few large flower pots by the stairs.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/321444492138065600/

......or a gravel patio in the front yard.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/99642210479052732/

Yes, paint the brick in white.

Have anyone here painted their bricks? The color won’t stay long.........

Sure have and the paint looks just like it did 4 years ago when I painted.

Do you have a pic after 4 years? If you google painting bricks, you’d find out printing bricks is not a good thing to do. Bricks are not made to be painted at the first place......