Ugly exterior needs help !!!

last month

last modified: last month

Hi All, This is the exterior of our home, and it's horrible. The house has white vinyl siding and old railing in the entry. I need to add some curb appeal. I am thinking of some new 4x4 white posts and railing, maybe some shutters (color?), and painting the garage doors to look like wood. We are going to sell next year so we are not looking for a big expense. Any ideas will be appreciated as my wife and I are complete opposites in design and colors. As for landscaping, I want to take down the big tree in front?

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deegw

last month

last modified: last month

It's not horrible, it's a cute house that needs some TLC. The trees and landscape need to be trimmed and cleaned up, the edging needs to be redone, the stone fence needs to be straightened up and the mold(?) and leaves need to be removed from the roof.

I don't think you need to remove the big tree unless the roots are causing issues or if it's partially dead. A cleanup of the smaller limbs will make a big difference.

New porch pillars would look good. I don't see anywhere you can fit shutters without them looking skimpy.

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Comments (24)

jck910
last month
This is not an ugly house. lol All in the eyes of the beholder. No shutters. Wrong type windows for shutters. I would paint the door black and the railings. Leave the garage doors white. Clean up the landscaping. I would a make true circular driveway - get the asphalt away from the left side, (almost looks like a garage conversion with the driveway so close to the house) plant something there. What about the roof?
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This picture illustrates a few changes that you might explore. (The hillside planting is still too busy for my tastes; I'm just playing with what you already have.) My railing isn't a perfect copy of what you have, but you get the idea. Don't know what would be the best tree for you. Something like Arbutus might be a possibility. Surely, there are trees you've seen there that you'd welcome into your front yard. You could get some local advice on that. If your retaining wall is in "healthy" condition, you might explore the idea of modifying portions of it for improved appearance, rather than replacing the whole wall. For example, its saw-tooth edge could be altered so that each elevation runs for several feet before dropping to the next lower level. Each level could turn at 90* (as per the left side of drive) for a much more substantial looking wall. At the right side of drive I'm trying to show if the corner were rebuilt as a radius corner instead of 90* where the drive meets the public walk. (Or, consider a 45* bevel at the corners.) Another thing I'd look into is facing the wall with artificial stone for a much improved appearance. If that's out of the budget, then painting it a darker, stone-like appearing color instead of stark white I think would help a lot. I also like plants that drape over its top edge. Also, you might tweak the house paint scheme. I think a slightly darker body color might show off the white trim to better advantage. And maybe a little less busy scheme at the garage door would be an improvement. Those are just some ideas you might consider. You ask about removing earth to make the yard less mound-like. I can't see how that's a possibility unless you were to remove those extra retained areas that sit inside of your main retaining wall. You must have earth that connects the upper level to the lower level. There doesn't seem to be any surplus beyond what you need to accomplish that (except those retained areas mentioned.) This post was edited by Yardvaark on Tue, Mar 19, 13 at 10:29
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Do you know the name of the shrub that's between the windows? What is behind the brick raised bed with the hedge? I like the suggestion to remove those bushes. What you do next depends on what is on the other side, next to the house. If you have a porch the same elevation as the front entry then I would buy some easy care annuals each spring, such as pansies, petunias, french marigolds. Creeping thyme will help control weeds. If the other side is more lawn or wanna-be lawn, then I'd put something in there that will get about a foot taller than the planter bed. Maybe an ornamental grass. To replace the shrubs I'd put something that will trail over the edge such as creeping thyme, moneywort, trailing petunias. As for the space between the windows I think you've made a good start with the shrub or small tree you have. It needs friends, something that is a bit shorter, one on each side. Maybe nandina, or camelia, depending on your climate zone. Neither needs much care and rare pruning. There are some roses, particularly floribundas that need very little care. When I lived in Bakersfield, California and in the Sierra foothills I cut them back to about a foot high each winter and that was it. I didn't fertilize, spray, nothing. They grew and bloomed just fine. The yellow and peach colored ones were the toughest and most reliable. Floribundas are generally smallish, about 3'-4' tall and have many small rose blooms.
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chloebud
last month
last modified: last month
Very cute house and FAR from ugly! Agree with above suggestions. Definitely no shutters since the windows aren’t the right style for them. What is the actual roof color? That can factor in with color choices.
Toronto Veterinarian
last month
It's not a horrible or ugly house. It looks like the roof is needing replacing, so if you do that I'd go with a darker colour roof. No shutters. Don't remove the tree. New stairs to the porch, with railings that are either white to match the house, or match the door -- unless you go with stone steps, then you'd want to match the tone of the steps (dark vs light). I think resurfacing the driveway and steps would make a big difference.
John Holl
Original Author
last month
I am going to replace the roof as it failing in the main section of teh house.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last month
You haven't provided a close enough image of the front porch to be advised if your ideas are valid. There is no way to tell from your photos whether posts and new railings will work with your home. Take a few more pics.

This is a perfectly charming home that just needs a bit of TLC. The roof should be washed to remove the algae that is eating away the shingles.

The landscaping needs some fill ins in the bare spots and some of the shrubs and trees need trimming but it's a great start.

The island in the center could be featured with perennial plants that come back every year.
PRO
lisedv
last month
Please post more photos, we cannot make out any of the details.
John Holl
Original Author
last month
I know it needs clean up and the holiday lights removed but this is the only picture I had on my phone. This is also New England and we are still in "winter" mode. Thank you all so much for the comments
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last month
So are you prepared to replace the precast stairs and create new supports for the front canopy because this is going to be $$$?
ci_lantro
29 days ago
last modified: 29 days ago
Cute house.

We are going to sell next year

All I would do is remove those four evergreens in front of the bay window and spray the roof to kill the algae/ moss growing on the shingles. Tidy up the rest of landscaping, pressure wash the porch & steps. Plant some grass in the bare spots and mulch under the tree if there is too much shade for grass to grow.
Susan W
29 days ago
I'll join the rest of the crowd and say the house is actually very cute.

Have you priced out how much it would be to remove that big tree? I don't think that will be cheap.

I'd do a general clean-up and some new, but not super extensive, landscaping, plus cute decorating on the porch. I think that would provide more than enough curb appeal for when you decide to sell.
arcy_gw
29 days ago
Why do you hate the big tree? I agree on the evergreens infront of the window. It won't be long until they hide that half of the house completely. Spring is a bad time to take pictures of outside, everything looks dirty and worn. If the roof is failing then it has to be replaced but the rest just tidy up. Maintenance free and clean and tidy will sell your home faster than new paint. There are ways to tidy up repair the front steps if they are looking past their prime.
Boxerpal
29 days ago
Sweet house and very New England.

Are you making changes to prep for resale?

KEEP the tree. I think you will regret removing it. New 4x4 white posts and railing will not be cheap but will definitely make the entry more friendly. I would get shutters for the left window. I can't tell from the photo but it looks like you might need a new roof. If that's the case your roof company may be able to find and put in new post for that entry way. Or a carpenter can help.

From

https://thewhitebuffalostylingco.com/entrance-progress/?crlt.pid=camp.wBoH3yDg3h7x
ShadyWillowFarm
29 days ago
Do the roof, remove the droopy string lights and flag, and do a major declutter. Clutter should not be visible through the front windows. The house is fine, the roof is important, aim for clean and tidy and you should not have any trouble selling if the market holds up.
richfield95
29 days ago
No shutters.

I think the garage doors as white blend i to the house. if you paint them wood tone, Theyll be the stand out feature on the front. Not sure why youd want that.

Trim the shrubs under the bow window, so they are no taller than the shortest one.

Power wash the front steps.

Maybe a new porch light that goes better with the style of the house.
HU-910663146
29 days ago
Your house is not horrible.

As another suggested as well, get rid of the arborvitaes that your have in front of your window and scattered around the yard--those things should be against the law.

Powerwash steps, fill in the crack, and paint them so the concrete repair that you already have there and the filled in crack match.

Ditch the droopy lights if they are still up, wreath, and flag. When you put it up for sale, get rid of all the clutter in the front window--no one wants to see your idea of decorating when they are buying a house.

I can't tell from this angle if the tree is really a problem, but I doubt it, and it will cost a lot to remove unless you do it yourself.
Debbie Downer
29 days ago
Agree - focus only on cleaning, repairing, tidying up, if painting just white or light. The big tree - what kind is it, is it diseased? People know they can choose to remove a tree and will figure the cost in when they are contemplating buying.... as they would with anything else they might not like. But someone who loves trees / nature - it probably wouldnt be a deal breaker for me but I would be annoyed if there was a big stump where there used to be a perfectly good tree. Looks like the rest of the neighborhood is woodsy, so it fits right in. The tree offers some visual buffer between you and the street, but without being totally filling up the space. You cant cater to all possible buyers. You try to cater to one and you might be turning off several others.
ShadyWillowFarm
29 days ago
A seller won’t discount a house if a buyer doesn’t like a tree. Houses should be priced for the condition including the exterior grounds.
elcieg
29 days ago
last modified: 29 days ago
1. Clean up the front steps with some paint.

2. Yes, take the tree down. It should have been removed years ago as it is a threat to the wires.

3. No shutters

4. Leave garage doors white.

5. Your big ticket is to replace the roof. As is, it will be your deal breaker.

Then, show the house uncluttered, and clean (wash the windows).
PRO
Beth H. :
29 days ago
last modified: 29 days ago
landscaping and redo those steps. The steps set the mood for entrance into the home. Would YOU want to buy that house w/those stairs? Those worn steps make the house look sad.

(you can apply a nice porch paint on them if they're still in good shape)

look at this before. like yours.

now the after

here, full How-to:

https://nestingwithgrace.com/front-porch-spring-reveal-with-painted-steps/

maybe new handrail. power wash the siding.

don't know who planted those random 4 evergreens (or whatever they are) but those grow to be over 30feet. bad location for them. remove and transplant elsewhere.

come spring, redo the flower beds w/some border/hardscape, some nice plants/flowers

That's it. landscaping will go a long way.
pat1250
28 days ago
Please do not remove the mature tree. It adds character & an added dollar value to your property. It also offers shade which affects your cooling bills. And a seeing a stump left there would be a real turn-off for me, too.
If it needs some judicious pruning, hire a pro.
liz_fb
28 days ago
If the tree is still alive, I wouldn't cut it down. If the powerlines are too close, check with the city. They may trim it down for you. Spend your money on the roof and an Arborist. They can trim your trees so they don't look so out of control and give you some advice on what shrubs or flowers to plant. Freshen up the railings with rust protectant paint and power wash the stairs and walkway. Adding a window box to the window by the driveway would add some color to that side of the house and also plant some perinnials along the stone border. You have a really cute house!
liasch
28 days ago
Agree… unless the tree is dead, don’t cut it down. It’s expensive to remove them and a stump is not going to be a big selling point. You could simply trim the evergreens and let somebody else worry about them over time…they do provide greenery. Paint the steps.
happyleg
28 days ago
I think those evergreen trees are going to be too big later I need to be spread out somewhere in the yard