Off of the left front corner of the house is at least one place where a Japanese Maple could go. (There might be others.)

The big tree is placed decently. The large shrubs need to go away as they're not contributing to a welcoming look, if you are after that look. The remainder of plants cannot be well seen, but collectively, they look like an ineffective jumble. So I would plan on redoing them. Also, we cannot see the stoop, landing and walk very well. Chances are that the landing and walk need improvement.

First thing you need is less. Less big shrubs. Remove them as they are overgrown and past their prime.

Yardvaark & littlebug zone 5 Missouri Thank you for the comments. I agree - the shrubs are not inviting at all. While I like the idea of some privacy on the front porch, I don't see myself sitting out there as much as I would on the back deck anyway. So those are definitely first on the chopping block! Surprisingly the stoop, landing, and walk are all in good shape and really just need a good pressure washing. If money were no object I would have them redone, but that will have to wait.

Dig Doug's Designs Thank you so much for the visual! I really like the idea of having the Japanese maple at the front (and i'll probably add another elsewhere as well!) Removing the shrubs and adding the potted plants is a great idea. Quick question - are you saying you would remove both trees that are beside the house and replant? The home inspector definitely recommended removing the one that is right up against the house. The other also looks like it is almost dead.

Yes, those shrubs & tree are overgrown. Also, you will need to balance the landscape with additional plantings on the other side of the garage.

FYI, you would get a lot better information if you'd get rid of the overgrown shrubs, take the pictures and let us see the house front. Without seeing how everything in front of the house is configured, guessing what to put where is a crapshoot.

Yardvaark I agree - and i think that will be the first thing I do out front once I close on the house :) Once I do it I will post updated pics. Thank you!

Let me offer a few tips on taking the pictures. For the foundation planting, move in a little closer than as in your first picture, above. In the camera viewfinder you should be able to see just a little sky above the house and about 20' of lawn space in front of it. Situate yourself such that you are standing in line with the front door. Take a series of slightly overlapping pictures that pan from far left to far right, with the fronts of your right and left neighbor's houses showing in the first and last pictures. (Basically, a 180* view.) Don't substitute a computer generated panorama as it will be too small to see detail.

Then, back up, a little more than in your second picture, above, and take another picture that shows the whole front yard. This could also be two slightly overlapping pictures if your yard is wide. It should show from the curb, back.

Include a statement about your objectives ... what benefits you hope for, or are expecting to achieve by making landscape changes. If it is more than street-appeal, say what.

The front walk is something that almost universally comes in the cost-cutting phase of house building. Even though your walk may be in good physical condition, I can see barely enough to tell that it is substantially undersized for the house. Changing, or making it into something more fitting, would make the overall house look and function much better.