Did your agent tell you to address something in the front? It looks neat and clean, though certainly basic. I'm not sure spending funds will result in any additional value to the home. Only large amounts of $$ landscaping will have any effect on the overall appearance of the property.

Put a square planter on each side of the door filled with colorful flowers. Other than that I think it looks fine.

I'm a big fan of container planters. They're easy to maintain especially when you have weather considerations like the ones mentioned. You can add dimension in any area of your yard without making anything permanent. My thinking is like a landscape portrait . . . your house needs framing and color. Put something on the corners to soften those harsh edges for the first drive-up appearance. And certainly under the window to the left of the front door. Add a variety of heights and colors. Remember that green comes in dozens of shades from blue to black including reddishes. Use them. Then accent with a few splashes of something bright - like geraniums in a few spots. I walk into a garden center and scan across the entire place to see what catches my eye first. That big bright spot of color is what becomes my accent. Then I add complementary colors around it.

How about a water feature? Near the front door? Simple thing that welcomes as well as draws attention?

Also, don't go out and buy a bunch of terra cotta pots. See what you already have. Containers do not have to be clay pots. Use interesting things. Look on BHG site for container gardens for ideas. And don't neglect those lonely trees in the front yard. I really think if you add stuff like this to "dress up" your outdoors, the first buyer that drives up will say, "Wow! What a pretty yard!" And the rest of the house will show itself off better.

Here's a few links to photos of similar stuff on Houzz:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/ams-landscape-design-studios-inc-mediterranean-landscape-los-angeles-phvw-vp~215593

[houzz=https://www.houzz.com/photos/debora-carl-landscape-design-contemporary-landscape-san-diego-phvw-vp~129217]

[houzz=https://www.houzz.com/photos/city-townhouse-contemporary-landscape-vancouver-phvw-vp~563871]

[houzz=https://www.houzz.com/photos/mediterranean-landscape-mediterranean-landscape-phvw-vp~61593]

[houzz=https://www.houzz.com/photos/mediterranean-landscape-mediterranean-landscape-san-francisco-phvw-vp~2864191]

[houzz=https://www.houzz.com/photos/exteriorscapes-traditional-landscape-seattle-phvw-vp~93548]

Sorry . . . I can't stop!

Have you thought about adding rain barrels to collect the roof water for irrigation?

How long has the home been on the market? I'd give it some time and try to get feed back by having your realtor ask prospective buyers what it is they like and, more importantly, don't like about the home. It looks very neat and well kept.

When we sold my last house, agent invited all the area agents to an open house to look and comment before it was shown to possible buyers. Lots of minor details to chase down inside and out.

Containers in Central Texas dry out extremely fast. Residents were not encouraged to water containers daily. The heat surrounds the containers and dries the roots and evaporates the water, plants burn up quite easily.

You could consider some simple timber beds you fill with lots of garden soil(bagged purchases, or truck load), and mixed with compost, water retainer crystals, etc and heavily layered in mulch after you plant the extreme drought tolerant plants. Mulch looks pretty to buyers. The raised beds, if deep enough and lining the driveway or whatever should solve the washed away in the monsoon issue, too. Salvias, lantanas, etc. to get them started, you'll be watering more than usual so the roots deepen properly.

Have you thought about widening the sidewalk to the front door and stamping/dyeing it to complement the house? Not exactly cheap, but might be interesting. How is the porch light, patio light, etc? We did drive by prospective homes after dark- in some areas, it shows wildlife, graffiti, and so on.

Architecture is typical for the area. I was worried about house flow, systems and so on. Good windows? Fenced area for kids and dogs?

Lights along sidewalk and driveway? you can find some for "dark sky initiative" so light doesn't drown out the stars above.

This house looks just fine. Clean, neat and well maintained. Given the hot dry weather, I'd skip flowers in pots this time around. Instead, put out some large colorful pumpkins by the front door.

Your mother is selling the home, not updating it to be nice. You need the advice of real estate agents and not designers. Things that sell: brushed nickel door knobs and fixtures, kitchen design and appliances, bathroom design, fresh paint, clean carpet, wood floors, open space, uncluttered shelves and cabinets, etc. Save your money on landscaping and outside appearances and put it towards features that raise buyers' interest. Real estate agents will give you good advice there.

Cement drive=plus
Side-entry garage=plus

Thank you everyone for your comments. To answer some of your questions: yes, the house has been on the market quite a long while. The interior is certainly not an issue, great layout, very well kept, updated, organized closets/cabinets, etc. We have obviously already spoken to real estate agents for input-- we couldn't very well put it on the market, while avoiding that. :)

The exterior is the issue we are concerned with, as other houses in the area have much more visually interesting rooflines, architecture and landscaping.

@clarkjeanenne- Thank you for the photo links, those do look great, and would definitely add some interest!

@ocotillaks- Yes, there are some rain irrigation barrels on the side, you are right, they are wonderful to have!

On the left side of the driveway there are some cacti. Could you add something similar to the front of the house? Maybe putting some into colorful containers? With all the different textures & colors cacti & succulents offer interest. Wondering if using stones along the front with slight curve & some cacti would add some curb appeal? I agree though with others about not spending a lot of $. It's a nice looking home & yard.

Sounds like then the buyers agents are not emphasizing the positive interior and the blank canvas with low maintenance outside. Some buyers have no imagination for interiors or exteriors. They go by the tv shows, believing they will never compromise and the perfect house with all their wishes will land in their lap with a bow and their price point.

Trees do grow and the slower growing ones have less maintenance and longer lifespans than the faster-growing versions.

Carry the cactus/succulents landscaping up to the house.

I love the house, but live in Michigan. Most often the comment is to remove shutters. I wonder if adding wide enough shutters in the color of your front door might add the extra you are looking for. If handy, you may even be able to make wooden ones yourself with two or three vertical boards and an horizontal board close to top and bottom...then paint.

If you make the more rustic type shutters, you could also build a couple long benches with backs and arms to set in front. Would like nice with a few 'seating areas'.

Because watering is obviously a concern you'd want to chose plantings indigenous to your area. That's why I tried to include photos of succulents and southwestern-friendly plants that add color as well. Thanks for the kudos!