I wouldn't paint the brick, add shutters, or columns. What I would do is replace the roof. The color of the roof will drive the bus for any exterior colors. (and I would not now or later paint the brick).

What's the typical time between brick repaintings in your area? Will you choose a new color paint when you get a new roof?

Judianna20: I concur - I would prefer to change roof color but a new roof will cost between $8k-$11k. With 5-7 years left on this one, that doesn’t seem like a good financial choice for a rental property. Painting brick is about $1200. The column (which will replace the rusting porch support) and shutters are more about giving a blah front a little character. I admit I am a little hesitant to paint brick as I can’t Unring that bell.

Apple_pie_order: that’s a great question - I need to research. A lot people here (Texas) paint brick and I have not heard of having to repaint

I’d beef up the porch roof support with a wood column, no stacked stone. Add plantings to the front of the house, and leave the brick alone.

You paid for the brick because it is NO MAINTENANCE. Painting it now devalues your home, if not today because it's the latest FAD over time it will FOR SURE. Not only does it make it a maintenance needed home it is a maintenance NIGHTMARE. No future owner will be able to paint it themselves. They will have to pay to have it done. HUGE HUGE bummer!!

Flopsycat1: thanks for that. We have to repaint the trim - there’s wood rot so it will be replaced. Any thoughts on trim color? It’s currently a mauvy-brown.

I wouldn't paint the brick or do a stacked stone column. A simple wooden column would look nice and fit better with the brick. The brick looks great as is, is zero maintenance, and painted brick is ruined forever. I would focus on trimming the trees, possibly removing several, then adding some foundation plants and adding some wow factor to the front door and porch.

Sunshine_31: thank you! Yes - the tree person is coming next week to remove two trees and trim the others. We are pulling out the invasive ground cover in yard and adding new landscaping. Seller fixed the foundation (33 piers 😳) and now the plumbing under house is under repair (hence the big piles of dirt). I just need to figure out a color scheme for house exterior.

That is a really nice, attractive house. Take some more pictures once the trees come down, especially of the front porch. If things are in good shape, I would spiff up the front entryway (needs more light) and live with it a bit. If you still hate the brick ( I don’t) then revisit the paint concept when you get a new floor.

ShadyWillowFarm: thank you! Good idea to wait a bit. But I will have to make a selection on trim color soon and I know for sure I am not keeping the pink-brown color. Any thoughts on that? We got a really good deal on the home and have allocated a dollar amount for updates, but most of that is going to interior (if I showed you pictures of inside, you would agree that’s where we need to focus😝).

Since there's wood rot to be gotten rid of, paint the trim and new wood with white primer. A good coat or two of white primer will banish the old tan from your minds and give you a completely blank palette. Match the gutters to the current roof color. Then try warm off white, terracotta, and sage green for the trim, using foamcore boards for testing.

I would not paint this very nice looking brick house.

With a new roof in mind for the future, I would plan to match paint to the darkest brick in your pattern. I would paint the same color for the trim and siding you need to repair/replace. What are the windows made of? They might be painted too. SW and BM have paint for vinyl if that's what they are. They are not the type to work with shutters, so save your money there. A square wood column that can be painted will be best on the porch. I would pull out the overgrown hedge. It has been neglected, is overgrown and no renters want the chore of trimming and keeping it under control. Dwarf varieties of plants that won't grow to cover the windows would be a better choice. If your son will mow the lawn, get him a trimmer/edger and remove those tacky edging bricks all around the yard/walks.

Agree with everything @decoenthusiaste said.

decoenthusiaste: Thanks for solid advice. The seller replaced the windows in the last couple of years - they are a beige vinyl. Good for energy efficiency, but don't love the color. But if we're sticking with the current brick colors (which are not my first, second or third choice on color either), then they blend. The picture with the hedge is somewhat dated from the realtor listing: the snowpaclypse of 2021 killed virtually all the hedges, and the foundation work took care of the rest. I have a landscaping plan: just need to finish the under-foundation plumbing repairs before we can start. The trees prevent grass from being a great option - so we'll probably do a large bed with hostas, ferns and other shrubs. 100% agree about the tacky edging bricks. My son works in construction, so he'll be most of the improvements (and yard work). The front door is currently forest green - would you paint the door the same color as the trim? Also- are you saying that the windows are not type to work with shutters because they butt up to the eave of the house?

apple_pie_order: Thanks for saying it's a very nice looking house. LOL - in the neighborhood, it's known as the "ugly brown house". Worked to our advantage in buying though. Average time on the market in this area is about 2-3 days, and selling "as is" at 10-15% over asking price. This house had been on market 35 days with no offers. We were able to get it at 85% of list price plus he did $20k in repairs and gave me $30k at closing for plumbing repairs. I want to improve it, but not "over" improve.