Removing chain link fencing is one good way to update it! Remove shutters. Paint the house create a defined entrance, removing the old entrance overhang and columns. A Metal roof would also be good. Be sure to check out your local Habitat For Humanity Re- store. note: cracking brick could mean foundation problems or something structural. Think Katrina Cottages

@HALLETT & Co. The original owner added the brick planter in the late 1980’s and they’re crumbling and safety hazard. I don’t think they offer any curb appeal. Especially the long planter to the right of the door, it seems odd. The smaller one near the garage is ok but not great shape either. The tall brick stacked next to the front door is original to the home, it’s staying put. We found out my husbands best friend’s great uncle had this home built and we have confirmed those aren’t original. I feel better about doing away with them.

Really nice house. Like the red door color suggested by Beth H. : Choose your own favorite bright bold color for your entry door ... or black would work as well. With that light brick, your home would look good with its siding and garage door -- all painted surfaces -- painted white. When you change your siding, do box around the gutter downspout with treated wood boards and add siding to that boxed area as well. You could choose a garage door with windows at the top of it and interesting trim atop that -- something on which you could boldly display your house numb er -- or add a short white arbor above the garage door and put your 911 house number on the front edge of that. https://www.realhomes.com/advice/how-to-paint-a-garage-door If you don't want a white, you should probably paint the garage door and garage door trim the same color as the siding you choose . https://www.terraformdesign.eu/products/schiobet Choose windows that do open, preferably top and bottom.. Those with a smaller fixed window at the top would look good with your style house and work with a garage door with windows at the top . https://www.remodelingcosts.org/window-replacement-cost/ Wouldn't replace the curved entry steps but would enhance them. You have room for three large deep planters, perhaps for red rose bushes) on your curved steps and, perhaps a smaller pot or two beside each one.. [Afterthought: I wouldn't paint or whitewash that brick but, if you do want it darker, you might well consider staining it rather than painting or whitewashing it.. https://www.google.com/search?q=dark+stain+for+light+brick&client=firefox-b-1-d&sxsrf=ALeKk00IIi-FskYvkdxGdS7yvHucJ9bSnw:1591777295814&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjT3JzC6PbpAhW5TTABHTvGDMIQ_AUoAXoECA0QAw&biw=1291&bih=648#imgrc=uwoCX35BVHmSbM]

Interesting - I like your theory about someone homesick for New Orleans LOL. As mentioned above, porch cant really be removed without leaving scars - and an overhang much deeper than the rest of the house, which would look funny. Can the balcony be used, does it make sense to open up a room to it? Part of its oddness is that its obvious that there is no door and cant be used. Whats going on under the porch, behind the hedge? Some kind of patio? You could remove the hedge, expand that and make it into useable attractive outdoor living space - framed in a border of flowering fragrant shrubs, 1 or 2 well placed ornamental trees (ie short, placed toward the side of the house), intermixed with perennials/bulbs. You could leave a few of the evergreens - its just the solid wall of them that is so unappealing. What are the rooms on the lower level - would any of those benefit by opening up to a patio? .... or maybe it could be an actual courtyard and by that I mean a professionally designed walled space which fits architecturally with your house.... not an ugly cheap privacy fence from Menards! But then that gets to be expensive too - probably more than just removing the darn thing! Otherwise, maybe just swap out the frilly iron work for something simpler/more linear, with strong horizontal lines as is fitting for this style/era. Also changing all the white to something less high contrast - would help de-emphasize it.