I'm not sure how much additional money the property would go for in making changes...but sometimes, making changes even if it doesn't net additional money is worth it in the fact that it makes the property more desirable in a sea of others that are a similar price, so that has to be factored in. This house appears to be more in the lines of what a young-family would be looking to get, maybe first time home-buyers? If so, what they usually want is something that is move-in ready...something that they need to do very little with at the start to get into the house - they usually have just managed to get enough to get their downpayment and they often have a little one (or a 2nd little one) on the way...so, "heavy lifting" isn't high on their list. They usually have a high wish-list without a ton of money to back it. Understanding who the potential home buyer might be helps in making decisions on what to do. Removing the wallpaper is a no-brainer. It HAS to be done. While it's not a tough thing to do, people walk into a house and envision wallpaper removal as a gargantuan task and it terrifies them! :) Ideally, you replace the fluorescent with can lights. You mentioned that you can replace the door pulls for $1 ea - I think at that price, it's a good change out - looks like that would be $30-40. I would probably replace the countertops if it can be done relatively inexpensively. If you do granite though, you'll probably want to replace the sink as well to be an undermount. Some granite fabricators we talked with in our area included a "builder grade" stainless steel sink that you could pay to upgrade. And if you're replacing the sink, you'll probably want to replace the faucet...see where this is going? BUT, you can keep your eyes open for a good Craigslist/Ebay find for a nice faucet. For a backsplash, I'd probably stick with simple white subway tiles - they are, for the most part, a timeless classic that can help to update things a bit as well. Unless your parents need new appliances, I probably wouldn't worry about replacing those if they are functional. Many people *want* stainless appliances, but I'd consider putting in an appliance allowance with the house rather than changing them since a lot of people like to pick their own appliances anyway. Something else that I would consider doing and I don't think anyone else has mentioned so far is placing some inexpensive under cabinet lights. Lighting makes such a difference when people are looking at a house. Just having that extra light makes people feel all warm and fuzzy. And it can read as more expense than what it really is. You can get something inexpensive at one of the big box stores. I just purchased some LED strips from IKEA for my parents house - they work reasonably well for $70-ish (it's not what we're putting in our kitchen remodel, but for the price and ease of install, it was well worth it). They use an existing plug...there's a cord hanging down then since they aren't hardwired and there isn't a plug up high, but it makes a big difference in the overall look of a kitchen. Well-lit is always a big factor in how someone views a home. If your parents are planning on being there for 3-ish more years, it would be nice for them to do the upgrades now and enjoy a bit of their labors.

I'll leave it to others to offer you aesthetic advice but I hope you don't mind my 2 cents' worth regarding your proposed kitchen lay-out. You have a large space to work with - how wonderful! - but I don't think you're making the best use of the space. Is your island positioned as far from the perimeter as the overhead plan view shows? That aisle looks to be nearly 7 ft. That's a ridiculously wide aisle between your cook top and island and prep sink. Move the island closer to give you a 48" between island counter and perimeter counter. That will also make it easier to arrange table and chairs in your breakfast area.How do you plan to arrange a table and chairs in the breakfast area? The door into the space could cause issues. The space looks to be 10 ft wide. If your table is 42" wide, that gives you 39" aisles at the top and bottom. If you plan to position the table towards the left end of the breakfast area, the door's swing will come close to the table (most exterior doors are 36" wide). Whoever is sitting near the door will need to get up and move out of the way. Do you have pantry cabs as shown in the overhead plan? I don't see any in your elevation drawings. If not, that means your fridge is all the way to the right with the oven/MW column to its left. What counter do you intend to use as a fridge landing area? Where do you intend to set grocery bags to unload into the fridge? I strongly recommend that you place the island's prep sink at the end closest to the clean-up sink so that you can use the island counter closest to the fridge as additional fridge landing space. It's still going to be farther than NKBA's recommended 48" minimum distance but at least you won't have a sink in the way. Do you have plans for the wall area opposite of the fridge and oven/MW column? The overhead drawing doesn't show any cabinets here. Seems like a lost opportunity and a great place for pantry cabs, a drop zone and/or a breakfast station/beverage/snack area.

Well this is neither traditonal or tudor to me this is a bunch of different stuff going on with no real plan. If it was my house the first thing to go would be the portico over the door it in no way works with the house you need something much simpler . The octagonal thing by the door needs to go I would add another light there to light up the doorway. A door with more glass would be nice and trimming down the growth near the house would help. Also the window to the left of the door should be replaced with one that matches the windows in the bump out. That bumpout to me is not right but that could be a big expense to change I like the sort of cottage look for the house and alot more color in the plantings.

Is this one house or is it attached - as in townhouses? To me, this entire facade looks very heavy with the mansard roof. If it is one house - I would pass. If it is a townhome community - then you aren't going to be able to change the roof on just your unit without HOA approval (typically). I agree with Hallett & Co. Not worth the effort, time or money except in very rare circumstances.