I like the color of the brick. I think making a change to the roof (for which I have no ideas) and even a small amount of landscaping would do wonders.

Unless you want to add an attic or second floor, why try to raise the pitch of the roof?

If I was a roofer I would say that roof is perfect. Simple gable style, ridge vent, no valleys, not super steep. I wouldn't change it. Looks to me like you are looking for things to blow money on, the house looks fine to me also.

I guess you could change it to a metal roof with a color that pops if that is what you are into.

Don't paint the brick!!!!!!!

Landscape.

I think that it is flat and without interest, but has so much potential. Paint the brick, install shutters, and add interest to the roof line much like this photo

Spending 50K on tearing off the roof and reframing it, and adding all of those gables won't ever be recouped. Nor would it really do anything positive for that cute little ranch other than make it look fake. Making a no maintenance surface like brick into a high maintenance one that needs reprinting would actually reduce the value of the home. Fake sized shutters would also not be a positive unless you spent another 20K and replaced all of the windows and then added actual operable shutters. And that again wouldn't suit the bones of the home.

I like the brick and the roof. I would get a new metal roof, but not in a funky color. A greyish brown.

That is your best bet, it gives someone something additional to look at instead of a normal boring shingle roof. And it will add value also. Same color as the downspout would look nice.

I hate those useless shutters.

Maybe you should have bought a different house if you hate this one so much. Throwing massive amounts of money at it isn't going to "improve" it at all. Accept it for what it is.

First of all, no where in this conversation did I say that I hate this house. In fact, I love the place. What you don't see from the picture is the land and the location. It sits on 1 acre of prime lakefront property with a deeded boat dock and boat ramp. Something that is nearly impossible to find where we live. It is our second home and we have a significant amount of money to spend on it. So, before you go making assumptions you should reread the initial request where I am simply asking for suggestions on making changes to the roof elevation and thoughts on painting brick.

I wouldn't go into changing the pitch. But if you're looking to change the appearance, maybe a stacked gable entry.
Stacked entry

What you don't seem to understand is that changing the roof elevation requires tearing off the existing roof, exposing the interior to the elements, and then completely reframing the roof. It is not a trivial decor decision. It is a major undertaking that would need to be permitted and inspected and will involve risking damage to the rest of the home as it undergoes that process. It ain't cheap or easy to do.

Wouldn't you rather buy a boat? Or a new car? Burn the cash cooking hot dogs? Those depreciate into nothingness too, but at least they will get you from A to B or fill your belly. A different roof on that house won't even keep off the rain any better for the huge amount it will cost. With zero return.

Now, a tear down and rebuild, there's return on that. And not s lot more money involved either for that little bit of square footage.

@ Sophie Thanks but we already have a boat and are actually looking to buy a new car (I have a soon to be 16 year old). Hot dogs? Nah. I prefer steak. And I have thought about tear down and rebuild but again that is off topic for this post.

Can you see the water from that small patio?

I'm asking because I have a idear.

Put a metal roof on it. And enjoy the view FROM. The house instead of the view OF the house.

Since you have an inspiration picture and possessed of an indomitable will, find an architect to draw it up, start writing the checks, and build, baby, build.

If your username is a portent, you will have the rare opportunity to burn through money at a rate you never considered. But, hey, it's your dream, so never compromise one iota.

Casey

I like the house as is, especially the brick. If I was deadset on making a change, than I would do a metal roof. But if you have lots of money to throw at it and want to significantly change it, I would consult an architect.

Since I'm spending your money :) - If I was going to modify this house, it would be to add features in the back yard that draw you out to the patio and the lake view. If you re-frame the roof peak a little higher so it can extend the rear area over a covered and/or screened porch addition at the same level as the house it would draw you outside to sit on that porch and look at the view of the trees or lake. You could make it a 3 season screened/enclosed porch (no heat/AC) or even add a mini-split to make it a 4 season area.

Also open up the connecting door to the house to make it easier to move back and forth between the two areas. You want to draw people out onto the new porch area and make it more like your family/living room.

I also think the existing brick is quite attractive. I'm not a fan of painted brick and I don't think it would add anything to your house.

Don't worry about what the house looks like from the front yard, since its already looks like an attractive little rambler. A new metal roof and enough extension to raise the peak and allow for extending the roof in the back would be enough. Just surprise everyone when they get to the back yard and find out what you really have.

Bruce

I think painting the brick might be worth considering (I don't love the dark brown brick). Some of those on the monthly building thread have elected to paint their newly installed brick (chose inexpensive brick from the start with the plan to paint it). I would want to research further how often it would need to be repainted before proceeding.

I definitely agree that re-shingling the roof with much higher quality shingles will make quite a difference (does not have to be metal, but metal would look good). What plans do you have for the windows? How old are they? Some of them seem kind of small. Perhaps enlarging some of the openings might be in order.

As per raising the roof, that does seem drastic for little return. How high are the ceilings? If they are less than 8 feet, than raising the roof starts to make sense. Instead, I would explore a small addition to add interest to the exterior (could be a porch addition or conditioned space add-on). I have linked a book below that will give you some ideas for adding on in a small (or larger way). I was able to get the book from my library and found it very helpful when we were designing our addition.

Can you post a picture of the front of the house (I assume what you have posted is the back of the house)?

Carol

addition idea book

So, I think your brick has grown on me on a second look. There may be other ways to spruce up the front without painting the brick. Is the photo you showed a front view?

I do think your curb appeal question might be well suited to the kind of questions I see on the home decorating forum. There are many colour experts there that might even PhotoShop in some different roof colour options. I would suggest you X-post on that forum too.

Carol

Well, if it were my house and I really wanted to change it, I would get an architect and explore a modern/midcentury route. To me, it does not look fit the traditional house you posted above.