It really just depends if that $1600 is worth it to to spend on it. For me it likely would not be, but for you it may be. Whereas I might spend $1600 on something else others might not deem worth it. Changes always get more expensive the further into the build you get! At some point you need to just decide it is enough and stop spending :) As for the windows - eh, if you ever “regret” not having more windows you can pay someone to add some later. Sometimes posters here act like this is an irreversible “error” and your life will forever be more miserable for it. Yes, it will cost more to do later as they will need to punch a hole, add a header, flashing, maybe reroute electrical etc, but it is possible. Even easier with vinyl siding. People where I live often add windows for egress etc when renovating so it is certainly not an impossibility. Sometimes there is also a functional purpose - for the owners who live there - to not have windows in certain rooms or on certain walls that may just happen to be side walls. Not sure your plans for the house as a whole but I know for mine we have restrictions on windows on side of house (as a percentage of total windows and a max percentage for a window) due to lot sizes & setbacks (fire safety thing). Plus we are in a colder climate where there are additional energy costs as you add more windows. Seems others don’t have that or same restrictions and so assume everyone is in same boat as them. The rooms on side of my house that lose out on windows entirely are a mudroom/garage entry (where I am putting floor to ceiling storage on exterior wall - 9’), our main floor guest bath (needed this as an insulated mechanical and plumbing wall so could not use for window) and closets (where I don’t want windows due to fade). Our laundry room only gets one window instead of another on exterior wall because again I am doing floor to ceiling storage (8’) there. I also only have windows (3 3x5.5 windows) on one side of my master bedroom as I want one blank wall for headboard (with no doors or windows) and I am very unsettled by windows on my “headboard” side - especially as our neighbours would get a full view into our room from their child’s bedroom if we had them. I also like a darker bedroom as that is where I sleep! I had windows behind my bed once (high windows) and kept them covered with blackout blinds all the time. Our guest room has one exterior egress window and none on exterior side wall but has three interior windows, and our office also only has one exterior egress window but gets an interior clerestory and glass French doors so neither suffer for light. We opted not to put side windows in dining nook (which has one 6x6’ window at rear) or living room (which has has 6 3x6 windows in a 2-story area) as those are the only places in our open living/dining/kitchen room to hang art, nor do we like look of windows around a fireplace as would happen in living room. So we put in plenty of wall washers instead for lighting and to light up art. Our spaces altogether are not very big, so we don’t get that issue of having a room deep in centre without any light. Our basement also has an area with no windows for future development as the plan is for it to be a theatre/very dark man cave room. Houses still sell here even with few or no windows on side because it is what is expected here (and there is a privacy and fire code factor when you are 5-8” away from neighbour). We are taking advantage of our exterior “blank” sidewall/sideyard corners by planning to add a wrap around three or four season deck & solarium - that “blank wall corner” on side of our dining room is where we plan to add a walk in sauna and a private changing area for those using the sauna and enclosed hot tub. Not only are we not blocking a window, no window is a benefit for privacy. I don’t need to be looking at a guests naked body while I am eating breakfast or vice versa :) I also remember you had a walkout basement so I expect you may be able to plan a two level outdoor space/room for future. Don’t fret much about the comments. Your house looks cute. Hey, at least you don’t have the horror I have of a snout garage too ;)

bump - this was in my activity but didn't appear on the forum. Hopefully it posts now.

the quality of paint and proper application will determine its longevity. there are quite a few stain free white houses out there

The view is 100% on the east side of the house. Thus the windows, deck etc. There is no view on the south side, some trees and such. on the north side we have a neighbor and the west side is the only access to the property and thus where the front door must be. The road dead ends at our home so the need for curb appeal is really just for us and our guests. There are only 3 other neighbors who would even drive by the view side of the house. The property has a pretty big slope so to avoid 20foot foundation walls etc we are trying to keep it as narrow as possible as far as how deep the house runs. We are at or near to the maximum width already. Along the west side(front) we are trying to avoid a massive 60ft foundation run because of expense and we are told it will be more stable by the geotechnical engineer I realize a 4’11” x 14’ closet is not everyone’s cup of tea but it works for us Anyways thanks for the input. I’d really like suggestions for siding on the exterior.