colonialgp Hang on a minute. This is a 200 year old house. Are those windows original? Do you know what's under the plaster or sheet rock inside before you start tearing out walls to increase window size? You have a darling house and while the rooms are dark with small windows, think twice and thrice before you start changing it. You could be opening a very expensive can of worms.

Questions to ask: what is your budget? Will you use the rooms with dark windows or are they guest rooms? If so, these rooms can wait awhile. Is that clapboard siding - if so be careful power-washing. Have you researched the origins of this house? Are there old photos of the house? Possibly brackets are missing from the roof line?

For now, remove the shrubbery and tree covering the front windows. Remove heavy curtains inside so there is more light coming in. Paint the front door a bright color. Replace shutters with working shutters that actually fit the windows. Wait a year before digging up yard; unless you know this yard well you may be destroying some plants that are dormant now. It's always a joy to look out one day and see bulbs coming up that weren't there before.

It's exciting moving into your first home and you want everything done NOW. But it will save you time and agony to go slowly. Trust me on this one.