jgs7691 - I'm sticking with the hardwood. I can't find anything else that will work. This is an entry to the house that only my husband and I and our two dogs will use. It's a small area that leads to the laundry room (which will be tile) a larger foyer area with two closets and the master bedroom. It will look like a crossword puzzle if I use different flooring. We're in New England so during the messy weather we're going to have to leave our shoes in the garage - very cold piggies! I'll also use a runner/throw rug and hope for the best. Your beagles probably won't be a problem, I'd be more worried about teenage boys. :) Good Luck

Wowza! I love reading everyone's posts. Thank so much. I was away for several days because of house showings. Each showing requires a lot of prep work (long story, but pets are involved too). BTW, mortgage rates just dropped in the last few days, so more people started house shopping right now. What a great bunch of ideas and insights here. I love the posts with sharp analyses too. The photos people posted here look great too. As some people mentioned, my budget is really small. For now, here's a quick update and one question: So far, I've pruned the shrubs to better proportions. I pulled out a groundcover that was raggedy this time of year. Things look a little better. Will be considering doing more. Question. This subject is beyond my grasp and I'm confused: After I remove the storm door, I think the choice of paint color for the door framing could affect the visual proportions of the house. For example, if the framing was the same color as the door, the door might look bigger. If the framing were a different color than the door color, the door might look smaller. I don't know if this is true. But if true, what would be the desirable color choice considering the house proportions and other colors present? Another factor that might influence color choice: I just noticed that the primary door is recessed about five inches behind the front edge of the door framing. Also the framing itself is not the front most surface of the house. That is, the front edge of framing is behind a layer of brick, and on top of the brick are the shutters. ( Earlier I was thinking about a framing color as if the framing were just a shallow picture frame on the front surface of the house). I might be confusing myself with these thoughts... Ideas and comments appreciated. Thanks again.

what do people think of something like this (but not quite as heavy/large in appearance) across the top of the windows on the side of the house...either in white or stained wood to give that side some dimension. Also considering hiding the trash cans under the front deck in an accessible area where a door can be made and they can be slid out. Would like to bump out that deck a ways and expand it, maybe have a couple chairs and a small table sitting to the right of the door with some black metal art above it in that empty space by the front door.

Hi all, Thank you all who answered this post. I wanted to give you an update since things got real crazy for quite a while. I know when I read posts, I always want to find out the resolution. This situation is that we were buying a home from a production builder. After carefully re-reading the fine print in the contract, we realized that we didn't really have much power to force them to upholding our selections and options. We were in contract with them as a buyer and seller, not as a buyer and a builder. Any customizations and selections were totally within their legal right to follow through with or not as they chose. We could have cancelled the contract but then would have been without a home for our in laws. There was not another lot left to swap to for a do-over. We decided to forge on ahead, and actually banded together with some other neighbors on the court to keep each other on our toes in regard to preventing more major mistakes happening. We know this was the best option for us and the parents. They do not have many years(if any) left and they want to spend it living in the same neighborhood as grandkids, not waiting around for perfection. Also, since we started the process pre-covid, we would have ended up spending loads more to get less of a home further away. We did have them build three shallow steps into the house from the garage and if we need a ramp in the future, they will convert it for us. They moved in May, and their home is in the perfect spot for them at the end of the cul-de-sac. They see all the neighbors and dogs walking around the loop and there is a trail that adjoins the older and newer section of the neighborhood that comes out right past their home. Due to the trails, hills, and trees, the backyard has 180 degrees of lovely trees with no other homes in sight. This was absolutely the right move for them, it just was a LOT of headache for us. We tried to not stress them about it too much because we wanted them to actually enjoy living in the home and not have a distaste for it because of all the problems. And yes, we did have a few more minor issues. The main take-away is to carefully read the contract and then determine what is worth cancelling it over. I was not familiar with a builder selling as a seller, not as a contractor, but I realize they do this to keep things rolling and to protect their bottom line. I am sure many people would not choose this set up for themselves, but for our family this has been the right choice. Overall, the quality of the build is very good so we are not concerned about things falling apart on us. Oh wait, but there's more...DH, myself, and our 15yo son have moved in with them! We decided to relocate across the country so DH can spend time with his parents while they are still with us. They are doing great and are very active and DH golfs weekly with his dad. We have made the bonus room over the garage our little apartment and son is in one of the 2 bedrooms downstairs. The other br is a guest room/office for DH to work from home. It is tight for sure, and we have two enormous storage units with all our stuff. We are in the middle of designing our forever home and we have taken GREAT care to vet the buider for our future home so we don't run into this type of struggle again. Thanks again! Juls