Assuming a budget for construction (variable depending on your area, your own skills, etc.) there is great potential. The materials and proportions are critical and the existing design (stretching that term ;-) will influence options. You'll want to consider whether the "good deal" equates to the cost of such a significant renovation!

If there is a small overhang of the second story in the front, it appears to be a "Garrison Colonial" if not it looks more like a "Salt Box" Colonial. There are some great pictures on Google of these houses after being updated and painted. Is the structure sound? Wiring, Plumbing etc? Not anything like a Craftsman or bungalow.

A wrap around porch would help but I'm sure its not cheap. Then change out the upper windows and add gables over the front windows. Considering the costs to make the changes needed, perhaps looking for a house more in the style desired might be more appropriate.

Forgot to add the photo.

The look of the whole house is rather unappealing to me. Not sure what the inside is like? Is there any particular reason why it is a good deal? Has the home been inspected by the local authorities to make sure all is up to code and in good working order? I would advise to keep looking if not.

I have a hard time visualizing any changes that would make this house appealing. I'd keep looking!

It's difficult to see what the current siding material is. My guess is that it is cementicious siding and will take paint well. The shutters must go. They are totally inappropriate for the style of windows and the house. Taking this house to a craftsman style is a HUGE reach. It would require new widows, siding and trim and still not appear truly craftsman. Perhaps add some tapered columns to the porch. Landscape around the retaining wall directly below the railings that define the walkway around the house. Plant some shade trees around the property to bring some scale to the house. If they are happy with the interior layout of the house, it meets their needs and it is priced well go for it. Just don't over invest and have an exterior that is still a "miss".

I'm always a sucker for a good deal and I love houses that have possibilities. It's never going to be a craftsman but If the house is sound, and ticks all the boxes re the location and interior then I think that charm can always be added, but if it doesn't, then no matter how much of a good deal, it may be better to pass and find one more expensive but doesn't need as much work.

As for the exterior, it's flatness it reminds me of the movies - specifically the facades used in the old Westerns. I think that the colours are not doing it any favours either. The trim is very insubstantial and the dark colour on it, and the drain pipe is only outlining it's quirkiness and making it look odder. Perhaps instead of the small front overhang, a wraparound porch (as someone above suggested) with bulkier columns would anchor the house and give it some substance and a reason for being, rather than looking like an afterthought.

I'd think if the porch/terrace was wide enough, you could put a roof on in with craftsman columns and it would improve the house's proportions. I'd also put in bigger windows and paint the trim. Landscaping can do a lot.

You want to develop some options and get a rough price and see if the house is still a deal afterwards. Or if you just want to live with the looks.

definitely add a wrap around porch. just remember that a wrap around, covered porch, will not allow as much daylight in, making the rooms a little darker. the windows can be made to "appear" bigger, saving you money, if you wrap them in a wide frame painted a lighter color so they stand out, then add shutters if needed. i don't agree with others that this home should be passed up, but im a sucker for a good deal and sometimes bigger is a good thing. a darker paint with lighter trim would also go a long way to improving the look.

good inspections a must.

I would be wary of trying to make this house something it isn't. I think that you could add curb appeal, but I don't see it as a Craftsman style home no matter what you do or spend.

This house is the antitesis of craftsman. It would be cheaper to start with a vacant lot than turn this house into a decent craftsman.

This house has no character. Grizzly maybe right. If he buys it, start remodeling with the windows...disconnect between 1st and 2nd story. Replace the sliders on the second floor with double hungs. Try to get larger windows to help eat up all that white siding. Next, reside. Large banding and trim also may help to kill all that generic white. Good luck

This house looks like it wants to be sleek and modern to me. It would be a show stopper as big as it is, if it was done right. I like the house, but it doesn't really look craftsman. I suppose a large front porch would push it towards a more traditional look.

To make that Craftsman would take a significant investment. I agree with some previous posts that if Craftsman is where you want to end up, this isn't a good place to start. Just a gut reaction opinion to one photo with not much more info.
Derek.

we bought a similar "deal" at one time and I also like craftsman styles of houses here is a couple of pictures of what we did to change the look.

My first thought was that the windows at the front look small compared to the massive wall. What about putting floor-to-ceiling windows on top floor? This would break up the massive appearance and also brighten up the rooms.

Those of you who have told him to look for another house should consider that maybe he can't afford a "better" house. He can get a good deal on this one. The location may be perfect. He can save money by doing the work himself. The fact the house is sound is the most important issue when buying a house. There are many ways to improve the look of the house.

If this house is structurally sound and really a good deal then go for it. But before remodelling the outside they should really look at a lot of homes with that 'shape' and decide what style is reasonable for it. This could be a great house to remodel and flip later for a real Craftsman home.

Wow, that is one of the ugliest houses I have ever seen. I don't see the potential to turn it into a Craftsman but, since it is modern & lacks historic value, he could raze it & build a proper Craftsman on the lot.

I am currently remodeling a house that looks a lot like your house in Willis, Tx.

It's not a craftsman shape house. I can't imagine how you could make it look like one! Think of some other design. Paint and add shutters. Otherwise, it will never look like a craftsman, don't waste money trying. Wrong bones.

Cjm33 Is there any other styles that your daughter-in-law is fond of? If she likes a traditional look then this house could easily be brought in that direction. Don't let these people discourage you. This house is kind of a blank slate and with a little landscaping, paint, shutters and a porch added, it will look great!

I agree with the comments that if you want a craftsman, this house won't get there. If you put a dress on a pig, it will look like a pig in a dress. The way the roof is on this house, you would have to do major demo to re-build it into something attractive. Look for a different house.

On the other hand, I think it's possible with more minor structural changes and many material changes plus new windows and removal of the railing around the porch, along with lots of cosmetics, you may be able to have very sleek modern house. However it may stick out like a sore thumb in the neighborhood if it's not already a mix of houses or headed for a mix of houses.

I would keep looking. Sad, but that house is extremely unattractive to me. Yes, it could be fixed up, but I wouldn't want to put the money in it. If finance & location reasons make you want to move forward, I would suggest making the front center porch area more prominent. If you must leave the roof line of the porch the same, at least add square-cross-section columns at the corners and against the house. If you can re-do the roof line to be the same low slope, but raise the whole thing a few feet plus make it a few feet wider on both ends, the home would look more graceful, in combination with a nice welcoming light fixture and chairs or swing on the porch. Then you could run a simple horizontal band around the house at the height of that roof (so it's higher than splitting the house in half visually) and put one material on the bottom, such as cement boards that will look like wood but last forever and cedar shake on top. Those windows really need to go and be replaced with something taller and better placed and proportioned overall. If you do that and choose wall and door colors wisely, it will look much better. And the railing around the patio or whatever that is may need to be redone or at least paint it in a way that works with the new scheme. New "fatter" corner posts that would go with your new porch would help. I would try to break up the expanse of brick wall by either removing, facing with stone, painting/aged painted look, and then some appropriate landscaping to soften it up.
Maybe some light grey and sage or other earthier colors they like... not that white which just telescopes the ugly.

But really, I would keep looking unless it's an unbelievable bargain and unbelievably nice house inside that you're in love with. It will be lots of work and $ to get where you want to be. Make sure to negotiate that part into your price if you make an offer. It's a "bargain" because they know it's a problem.

Good luck! Please let us know what you do.

Stay inspired, you can achieve a new look for this home with some hard work and creativity. We took our really ugly duckling and transformed it into a home style that we invisioned. Lots of hours on Houzz helped us gather ideas and details that we never would have thought of on our own. I can definitely see your home with Craftsman features. If you can too, I would go for it.