I would get more substantial-looking windows of the same style as what's there, and leave the rest of the outside as it is.

I know it's regional, but a chain link fence in the front of a house like this is a negative, some people will do it at the sides or back but not out front.

I hate that chain link fence. With a passion. If I could I would have already ripped it out…

We’ll definitely do something nicer in the front, and privacy fencing around the sides and back.

But you are right about the regional thing. So many people down here have chain link, yet where we’re from in the NE no one seems to. More fences in general actually.

Grrrrr. Grabbed the wrong picture. This is what I like:

Keep the brick. Brick looks good with white picket fences. You can also plant around the fence to hide it. I'd put a flowering tree in your yard, roughly between the two windows on the left. It will break up the roof line and add interest to your yard.

“Embrace the 1963 red brick ranch and run with it.”

This this this. :)

It’s got a lot of nostalgic character and as you said, just needs fencing and landscaping updates. It’s a good-looking house and not the cookie cutter limewashed brick so trendy and popular now (and permanent — no going back).

Your house is nice, I would leave the brick as is. Update the windows as Palimpsest suggested and get rid of the fence. Besides working on the landscaping as suggested above, I would remove the concrete walk. Replace it with a wider stone or brick path with a nice curve and add a landing area by the door. I would also replace the wrought iron pillar with a more substantial wood pillar.

Have you chosen the roof colour and the window frame colour? Do you want suggestions for that as well?

I too would leave the brick as is. And get rid of the schoolyard fencing. It's definitely regional.

Thank you to each person that responded.

It's interesting, because I think I'm feeling relief with the suggestions to keep the brick. My knee-jerk reaction was definitely to paint it, but deep down I wasn't feeling that was the right thing to do.

And although it is definitely a long-held belief that I do not like a red brick ranch, I'm actually finding myself growing more and more attached to this place. So thank goodness we needed to wait on some finances before we were able to jump into Phase II, as I'm thinking that in the beginning I would have slapped a coat of paint on this baby very quickly. LOL.

I've thought about colors for the roof and trim, but I would truly appreciate any advice y'all have. Also, the other 3 sides of the house (which are in horrible condition) are not brick. They're white wood siding. Here's what the back currently looks like:

Our addition is going to come out on the right side above, straight back.

The detached garage will be on the left, set back in the corner. It's a nice size lot, so we're looking forward to creating some enjoyable outdoor living space, with a pool and patio.

And friends, when I tell you this place was a hot mess when we bought it - it's no joke! We've actually come light years already. Here's what it looked like outside:

Note: Those 2 photos don't really do justice to how bad it truly was.

I'll throw out there that my husband was really wanting to put a metal roof on the house - we're in hurricane territory and I know they're preferable. If we keep the red brick I don't think that a metal roof would look good, but I'm not sure.

Also, as far as windows are concerned, we looked into doing it right after we got the house, but then decided to put it off. It was suggested at the time that the large picture window in the front be replaced with 3 separate double-hung windows.

Again, if anyone has any thoughts on color schemes, landscaping ideas, or anything - I'm all ears. Thank you, thank you!

metal roof on a house similar to yours. If you choose to do that get one that is solarpanel-ready.

I googled metal roofs on low slung houses

ETA - we are building new and putting on a metal roof that is solar panel ready. We don't have a choice with a metal roof as we live in a designated Wildfire Hazard Area.

Looking at the picture you shared of the house you liked, I think you should add shutters. People will say “shutters need to fit the windows” but ranches were built with decorative shutters! It’s the same as a scrollwork on a Victorian.

Removing the chain link and landscaping plus shutters in a complementary color will make a huge difference.

I think you get the same “decorative effect” as shutters by landscaping strategically. Nice job getting it into ship shape. I’m all for painting ugly brick, but I think yours is nice. I like the black fence in Doug’s mock-up. We live in a red brick house and have a black wrought iron fence around it. I think black looks great with red brick. Aluminum is easier to maintain than iron, though.

What are your plans for the carport? Will that remain after the new garage is built? Perhaps that could become a screened in patio. Or maybe a porte-cochere for unloading groceries/kids/dogs/spouse/etc on a rainy day.

The front of the house isn’t welcoming at the moment, although no doubt less forbidding than when you bought it. You can do better than the hurricane fence. Wrought iron or picket would be a great improvement. Perhaps Hubby may be more receptive to not fencing EVERYTHING once the vehicles are out of sight in the new garage/pool/cave. Landscaping can make a huge difference in curb appeal for you. A wider, and less linear walkway to the front door would be good too.

Since you are saving a chunk of change by not painting the brick, perhaps you could consider an alternative siding material in the back. If the left side in back is stucco, it might work to use that on the new addition and adjoining areas.

Colors I’ve seen with red brick are cream/ivory and pale green. I’m not a fan of picture windows that don’t have a beautiful picture to enjoy from inside, so I’ll let others help you sort that idea.

Finally, take a walk past the beach cottage next door. What is it that you liked about the exterior there? Is there a way to re-interpret some of that vibe with your new home? A porch? A swing? Plantings? Front door color? It won’t be the same as your old house, but maybe a small nod to the past will help make your home more yours.

You’ve made so much progress! Continued good luck with your project!

Whoa - these are all such kind and helpful comments. I'm taking it all in and keeping my mind open to everything. Thank you!

Ultimate plans for the carport aren't settled yet. We've talked about using part of it as a sitting area since we won't need both halves for vehicles. We'll have a driveway to the right of it, leading back to the detached garage. But we'll probably continue to part one car/truck in the original carport - my hubby's a bit of car guy. Translation: we own 4 vehicles, one of which is an old hot rod. It will definitely occupy one half of the garage.

If I'm being honest, the carport and the large yard for a garage were the biggest selling points on this house. We love the neighborhood and buying the horrible house right next to our own seemed like a good idea. There've been some stumbling blocks along the way, but we're both happy with the decision.

That mock-up from Doug is incredible! Talk about encouraging. And it goes a long way to reinforce my ideas about how much of a difference landscaping can make. I've already thought about the addition of some sort of brick pillar with a black fence. I think that looks great.

And maybe a nice pop of color on the front door can brighten things up a little and add a little of a beach vibe.

Thanks again for all of the thoughts.

Glad you're keeping the red brick. As for the chain link, a temporary solution is to cover it in vines. This is my side yard. Under the vines on the right side of the picture is a chain link fence. This is star jasmine, which is evergreen and blooms wonderful fragrant flowers in the spring.

This is a sweet autumn clematis. It's a single plant. I cut it to the ground in the winter and in the spring it begins to grow and grow and grow. I feel like Jack and the Beanstalk when it starts growing. This is on a wooden fence but the point is, you can cover a fence. Find a vine that is good for your area and plant it. Don't do morning glory. Once you plant that it reseeds relentlessly and you'll have it everywhere.

This is the same autumn joy clematis from the other side of the fence in full bloom. Smells incredible!

So when you have lemons and have to keep them temporarily, make lemonade!

Beautiful @tozmo1!

Wood picket fence no matter what, IMO. White picket is great, a naturally aged cedar picket is good too. Perhaps it's because I live in the northeast, but I have always found metal fences to look harsh and not home-y. I would do that irrespective of what you do with the brick, but that said, I love the look of a faded-effect limewash, which kind of splits the difference.

I'd think about adding wood or azek window boxes and chunky wood/azek paneled shutters with shutter hardware to give the front of the house some added dimension and interest. A new front door painted in a contrasting color would also do wonders.

your ranchburger is very nice looking.

I would keep and embrace the red brick. Honestly, the post from @HU-918119203 is another example (to me) of the original red brick looking far better than a painted/stained/shmeared white look.

I completely agree with @palimpsest that new more prominent windows would help. Looks like you have a nice big window next to the carport that is being hidden by landscaping. Showing off that big window and the one to the left of the door and having them be matching new windows would help. I might replace the post by the front door with a solid square one (painted in trim color), unless the iron is really pretty. And a new front door with some glass, but lose the storm door unless you need it.

Since your brick is attractive and in good condition, I would not put any $$$ into changing it right now. You have more important projects and when the things that need to get done are done, make a decision about the brick. It’s a great house and your changes will make it even better!!