Depends on your budget. I like the color., but maybe change the trim and door color? The 100% front yard gravel lot is depressing. Makes the house look like it was plunked down in a parking lot. I think focusing on the landscaping would have the most effect for whatever your budget is. Some trees or narrow evergreens along the fence to block the really close neighboring house. Changing the steps to something wider and less haphazard looking, but even better, a porch that goes the entire width of the house would really be nice. Again, depending on your budget, I'd make those windows larger.

First thing, get something to soften the front. if you can't do something about the parking lot in the front yard get some flowers in pots. Do you want to sell it or rent it?
Trees and bushes will go a long way toward hiding the ugly front. Next expand the steps and perhaps make a small stoop or even a little deck, Then perhaps painting that door alcove a lighter color than the rest of the front.

This house gives me a Swedish cottage vibe. I'd just paint the brown part red, paint the stairs white, change out the door, and plant some wild flowers.

IMO remove all the ashphalt to begin with and if you need a diveway put it on one side only and wide enough for one car. The siding dates the house so unless you plan to change that go with the style .I think bigger windows for sure and a nice entry area modern flat roof. I also think curb a ppeal is often best left until you have renovated the interior since that might change the window placement where you want toenter , If you must then IMO remove the driveway and get bigger windows and the new much nicer entry area. Think of this idea but just the main floor look

Love the color scheme of Patricia’s idea. For sure needs landscape and a big porch. New windows. This house needs lots of lighting!! Add grass to the whole front with a small driveway

Here's a mock-up of Patricia's suggestion. Not sure if black is too dark for the area, but it does look more modern. It would depend on your budget, of course.

What is your current budget range for changes? Will this be a long term rental or a vacation rental? Parking for two cars?

What is your plan for this investment property? Are you looking to sell soon, rent short term, rent long term, sell as rent to own? If you clarify your intentions perhaps the recommendations will be more appropriate for your situation.
What is the market value of the property? I would think spending 5% of current market value might be appropriate to get a good return on the money.
Confining the gravel driveway would be a good start. Edging it with landscape timbers or brick would allow the grass a fighting chance to grow undisturbed

I would create a stepped down level to replace the stairs and complement the MCM style of your home.

Then I would install individual square pavers as a walk through the gravel front yard.

I'd also add a 6' fence or hedge to block the view of the neighbor's home.

or easy way with some kind of pergola

The grade in front gives the optical illusion that the house is lopsided. Level the ground in front of the house on the right side or plan to hide the un-even appearance with porch or raised bed; then pick one of Celery's visualizations as inspiration (I much prefer the first of the two because I would want larger windows) Definitely get a more modern looking front door and I vote for the larger porch too. Would you be able to un-recess the front door?

First off, thank you all for the quick and detailed responses. I already have so much to think about and love your suggestions.

Here is a little more info on our intentions, budget, etc.

This is an upstairs/downstairs set up with 2 beds and 1 bath in each unit. We plan on renting out both units long term after renovating them both. So although this isn't a house we will live in, it is something we will regularly see and want it to stand out as a beautiful property.

Since they will be rentals, we are required to provide at least 1 parking spot for each unit off street. My thoughts were to utilized the minimum amount of the front for this and use the rest for grass/land scaping in the shape of a T, across the full front of the house, with a strip in the middle going to the street.

Budget wise we are pretty flexible because I am skilled in most trades and can do everything myself or with the help of friends.

I love the idea of a porch on the front and will be leveling off the lot as soon as we take possession. I think these two are my best options moving forward. Knowing that I need to keep spaces for two vehicles, can anyone suggest a great layout for the front grass/walkway etc?

Thank you!!

In a beautiful wooded setting with a view out the back, will anyone sit on a front porch facing two parked cars? If not, repair or replace the small steps with a small porch (say six feet wide) and steps, then regrade the driveway. The driveway should drain away from the house, not toward it. A full width porch would have to be protected from critters moving in underneath.

Then add parking stops on each side of the driveway for each unit's car. Pull in a couple cars or pickups to see where the parking stops should go. If budget permits, adding an asphalt driveway and walkway to the lower unit's stairs would be a big upgrade in appearance over the gravel. If you add a curb on each driveway's edge, you'll keep the cars off your new grass or planting area. If there's no curb to guide them, the cars will run over the new grass occasionally or often.

apple_pie_order has made a good point based on the new information. I am thinking that instead of a porch for sitting, do enlarge the entrance steps/landing (with more attractive construction), and make low walls enclosing raised beds to frame either side. Those raised beds could be for flowers, or maybe small vegetable gardens if the sun exposure is right. That would also define the front of the parking area.

I am not clear but assuming that the entrance to the lower unit is down the stairway on the left?

You could construct a low matching wall to frame the entry to the stair. Hmm, maybe even design the raised bed walls to partially form a curved path from one parking space to the front door that we see (use pavers to complete the walk to the driver's side doors), and the other to lead to the stair from the left hand car space.

Wish that I had photoshop or drawing skills to show what I mean...

Consider a fresh coat of paint, some landscaping, or updating the front door for a welcoming touch. Look into local architectural styles for inspiration. By the way, have you checked out property in Vietnam? Heard interesting things about the market there. Just a thought for future ventures!

3 year old post.