Your windows can be repaired. Just because the glaze is gone and some wood is rotted doesn't mean they need to be replaced. There are video's on my windows page to show how the work is done. I know the enclosed porch really comes in handy but it's a very important choice you need to make. It is visually impossible to achieve curb appeal with it enclosed. Boarding up windows saves heat too but that doesn't do any good for appearance. Your house was not designed for the porch to be enclosed. Past architectural perversions create a disfigured appearance that affect your inner senses when viewing a building that abruptly sticks out. Instead of softening the facade of a house as a porch is supposed to do, it instead appears as an architectural wart - attached but not belonging. Your house can be stunning - even with the current siding. New paint colors will look nice but the problem will still be there but in a different color. Think about it. Everything takes getting used to but you can adapt not having that extra space. Good looks and everything good comes with a price. Good luck!

thanks! I really like traditional/colonial/vintage homes and wanted to build something like that... Hoping it will be achieved. For the kitchen we are doing white cabinets with white Fantasy / super white granite. Kitchen island is a dark stained mahogany look. It's a pretty traditional style kitchen. flooring is a dark stained (walnut/ mahogany) hickory.

I also vote no shutters. Please don‘t take what I’m about to say the wrong way : ) ... Yes your home is old, and all the other homes in your area may have shutters....however your home was never designed to have shutters. You can tell by the placement and design of the windows. While shutters can act as eyebrows for your windows, the original purpose was to “shutt”. If visually you can’t shut and open the shutters it will look off, and therefore, wrong. Bellow I illustrated what your shutters would need to look like if they propperly fit your windows: See what I mean. Every shutter needs a window, but not every window needs a shutter. Your home won’t look “off” without them, they will look right. Your windows on your first level are wood, leaded, and original- let those shine! Now, as far as trim and door color...I’m pegging you home between 1910-1920....possibly early 1930?? When choosing trim and door color, go historic. I went and did some quick research for you on archive.org. You can also find historic colors at any local paint store. If you design your homes exterior in the era it was intended, it will never look dated. Yes, many of these colors seem bright (not everything was pastel back then as we usually think...) Also remember that your colors will be outside, bleached from the sun. Always go darker and more colorful than you think. Choosing your color outside will help :) 1920 https://archive.org/details/TheMuraloCompanyInc.C1920 1910 https://archive.org/details/RuekelBestQualityMixedPaint 1930 This one is for galvanized iron, but it could still easily be applied to your door and trim. https://archive.org/details/GalvanumForGalvanizedIronTheOneOutstandingPaintNotedForItsAbility Here are two examples of historic homes with proper color pallets, see how they come to life! Notice while this home from 1929 has shutters, visually they can all close. Hope that helps, and good luck!

@showing my home love I have read through your comments and some of the additional comments. I worked for a real-estate attorney with the evaluation of property values and then as a real estate agent. 1. You were correct in the decision to paint your home - the lead paint was peeling and chipping - requires painting. 2. White happens to be a popular color at the moment, but I believe you made the right decision to paint the home sage. The color will allow you to have white trim and give you the contrast that makes your home interesting. 3. Sage Green is a color that many people like. It is seldom seen as an offsetting color or a negative color. 4. I would not paint the front door purple. It happens to be my favorite color, but I am in the minority - many people dislike purple. I would probably choose a front door color with broader appeal. This would be my suggested colors: Bold - Benjamin Moore Coat of Arms, Less Bold - Benjamin Moore Everard Blue Select a less bold color if your door isn't what you want them to notice and remember - Bold only if your front door is is perfect condition. These colors will have a much greater universal appeal than purple. When looking for resale value you don't want to overspend on renovations, but you must make everything look well cared for. Remove or trim back overgrown bushes and fill in with annuals when it is time to sell. Mulch all the beds. Buying expensive perennials will cost you more than they will return. When I am doing renovations I assume a 50% return on my investment. Whatever I am doing is going to have to bring me the other 50% of the cost through enjoying my space. If you are going to be there 3 years do whatever is needed to spruce things up, but know that 50% of what you spend is being gifted to the next owner and is that much less that you will have to spend on your next home. Your home will be valued based on the neighborhood, the square footage and overall condition of your home. It will sell if it is priced correctly given the 3 parameters above. To know how to price your home visit every home that goes on the market that is in your neighborhood/school district. Are they bigger than yours - reduce the price. Are they nicer than yours - reduce the price. Did they sell fast or sit on the market - if they sat they were over priced. Did they sell at or close to the listing price? Educate yourself on what is going on in your area and price your home right. Don't trust the realtors to give you the right information. They want your listing and will often tell you an unrealistic price because they know that listing your house and advertising your house will make buyers call. The buyers who call will likely buy a different home, but if they can hook the buyer with your house and sell them something else they still make a commission. This gets your hopes up - thinking you are going to get a higher price for your home, but if you price your home too high and it sits on the market and you will be forced to lower your price. Once a house is seen as stale the price people are willing to spend goes down. You usually end up with low ball offers from people who assume you are getting desperate. Hope this helps you with the decision making process.