I know this post is a few years old, and you have probably solved your porch problem...but it made my heart so sad that no one helped you. So I decided to put aside an hour and draw something out for you (just in case you still have no idea)... If you can do a wrap around that would be even better, but this would be a simple porch that could be added to your cute little home Without any major changes. Hope this helped in some way, and have a wonderful day.

I suggest you not fill in front of the porch with garden but bring the lawn up to it, allowing small beds for seasonal color at the posts and a small bed near the garage. (Let the garage bed be at least 4' deep.) At the left side, it looks like you could bring a bed forward, connecting it with the lot line, and include a small tree in it. Groundcover could go below. The front of the house would look MUCH better if the grade were level and flush with the stoop. However, this causes an issue near the garage because it was not planned for this. The bed at the garage could be sunken and this portion concealed with planting. The turf would need a curb at the front of the bed in order to retain its edge (which would seem raised relative to the bed. It does not make sense to me -- for either appearance or function -- to have the "riser" of the stoop exposed.)

I've seen stories about agents doing on site tours via video chat with prospective buyers. Meaning, the agent is the only person in the home and walks through all rooms and answers questions. If the lookers turn into serious potential buyers with pre-approved financing and all that, then a one-time showing can be arranged. In the hot market where I live (DC and DC metro area), many homes are purchased without the buyers ever actually being in the home. They are familiar with the areas and home styles, etc. Inspections can be done by one person in the home. There are some good articles online at WaPo (Washington Post). Call me crazy but if I needed to sell, I wouldn't be worried about one or two people in my home. I wouldn't want them using the bathroom or wiping their faces with my towels, but things can be wiped down after they leave.

Just catching up on this. It looks like some great progress is being made. "should I redo the bottom portion of the walkway with new pavers or should I fill with soil and grass?" It took me to nearly the last picture to figure out what is being asked! It would have helped much to have all of the project committed to a plan and refer to the plan regarding questions and changes. But I think I understand now. Since the drive is not long, I would widen it by running the walk all the way to the curb. This means that two cars can park in the drive and people can still access the walk and porch easily instead of having to weave their way through cars or brush against them, step on the grass, or in any way be inconvenienced. As well, it puts a decorative, upgraded edge along the drive. It is still not too late to create a plan. It would help iron out details that are yet to be faced and make discussing any of them easier.