The house is in the country and across the road is a barn. I don't think there is room to widen the road.

Even so, I'd talk to the town to see what their future plans are.

A picture would really help as for road widening IMO that is not likely on a country road

I love old homes and have owned a few. Their charm can blind you to certain possible problems.

My first step would be to check if there are any "easements" on the property. Second step is determining the age and condition of the water service line and sewer line (if present) into the property. Replacing these lines can be VERY expensive. If you are serviced by a private well check the size, an 8 inch diameter is now standard. Electrical service should be 200 amps with breakers.

Please realize that because of the age of the home NOTHING is "standard" and therefore any remodeling / updating is a challenge (and costs more). Good luck!

I'll try to get the photo to load. As I haven't purchased the house, all I have are photos from the real estate site.

You might be able to see from this photo that at the bottom right of the picture, just below the retaining wall is the road. Sorry, this is the best picture I could find.

I bow to the knowledge of others about the things you need to think about, but in my view that house doesn't need further privacy. The front windows are small and high -- nobody is going to see much of what goes on inside. You could make the entrance and steps less flimsy, but other than that, it's GORGEOUS! No harm at all in planting shrubs along the border of the road, but I wouldn't look for heavy screeners there, but light and graceful plants that just give the illusion of separation from the road. I'm thinking a row of azaleas.

Ask a local nursery about Photinias. They are the hedge shown in photo here. New growth is reddish. Grow to about 12 feet but easy to keep whatever height you like.

Great info, everyone! Rina, I agree no one can see inside, but I guess it was just a knee jerk reaction to being thisclose to the passing cars. You did help me realize what I really want: something of a separation from the road. I agree with the azaleas, also I think pampas grass would be nice. It has the added benefit of taking the edge off the square house.

So now what to do with the flimsy front steps? It looks as if there had once been a porch. Looking above the door you can see the wood posts still in the stone. Anyone have any idea what should be done? Obviously there isn't enough room to do a large porch. Not sure where to go with it. Anyone have any ideas?

Could you replace the door with a window and put the entry elsewhere?

This really does look like a large project. Maybe buy a lot and build a "historic" home?

There is not enough room to put trees or tall shrubs between you and the road. Very low shrubs would look nice, and soften the base of the house. But if you are buying this, realize that you ARE right on the road, and nothing you do will change that one fact. If you don't like that, look for another house.

Saigon, for the entry I would keep the current shape of the stairs but double it -- steps going down both sides, with wrought iron rails and a slightly wider landing centred on the door. My choice would be to make the finish very basic -- I'd probably do raw concrete.

Hard to estimate the space, but judging from what I see of a path from the steps to the left, there is space to plant in front of that. Gave you a couple of azaleas. You might need a bit of judicious pruning on the house side to provide easy access to the door. Don't choose varieties that spread out too much.

Please note that my azaleas don't have to wait for spring to bloom. :-)

Really? I've always loved them but didn't know much about them. It looks as if there's room for them. It would be nice to see a flowering bush in front of that stone house.

Thanks everyone, for your suggestions. It's true that the road isn't going anywhere. Beyond the noise, I can't really see how it would affect the house. It's beautiful inside. I'll see if I can include some pics. As far as the porch, Rina, you helped me to clarify it better. I think you're right about the steps on both sides. And I like the wrought iron rails, too. I wonder if it would look better painted white.

Thanks for the picture! That color works wonders for the house! Oh, the entrance the family uses is on the side of the house.

Amazing house in lovely rural setting; please add the MLS link if you are comfortable doing so. Please look into the utility easement for the phone or electrical wires above the knee high stone wall to see what you can do there- you might not be allowed to plant shrubs.

Granite steps would look good. The house is beautiful. Was the house stuccoed before? I would see if you can get that off.

Beautiful home. A sketch of possible wall below. Is the stone available in your area to match what is existing?

I love the idea you have. I've actually looked into adding a fence to the top of that cement retaining wall but I had never conceptualized it as you have. I think that looks great. As far as the stone, I have no idea; but you're right in that it would have to match. If the stone wasn't available, do you think a metal fence would work?

Azaleas come in many sizes and shapes and growth habits. Take advice from your nursery.

If stone too expensive for no great matches out there, a picket fence such as this would work also.

Rosemary is a very hardy plant and the trailing type would soften up that retaining wall.

Be nice to have protection over your front door.

Lovely house! My first thought was hedgerow. Have no idea how long it takes to grow a decent hedgerow. I just know that we once stayed at a B&B outside of Bath, England, and there was hedgerow everywhere, with old houses like this along the narrow country lanes. The hedgerow not only provides a bit of privacy, it would act as a protective barrier if a car swerved off the road.

Here is a lovely stone wall:

How wide is the area between the house and the wall? Perhaps Japanese Boxwood hedge next to the wall with path to door and larger shrubs and flowers next to house.

Absolutely love that house. Built close to the road was typical and love Rina's suggestion for the double staircase.

Love as is, but here is another beauty with shutters and highlighted trim on windows.

How about shutters inside?

The remaining stucco may be the original exterior:

"Historic
stucco is also sometimes incorrectly viewed as a sacrificial coating,
and consequently removed to reveal stone, brick or logs that historically
were never intended to be exposed. Age and lack of maintenance hasten
the deterioration of many historic stucco buildings. Like most historic
building materials, stucco is at the mercy of the elements, and even
though it is a protective coating, it is particularly susceptible to
water damage."

Love love love the comparison to the traditional homes in England. I hadn't visualized it that way. It totally makes it all seem new again. I do agree that something over the doorway would be nice. The pictures really illustrated that for me. It would also ease the harsh look of the square stone house. (Although I love it.) And the picture of the weathered wood fence was fantastic. I like the dogwood, too. I wonder about a fence over the retaining wall with dogwood growing down to cover the wall. And then there are the hedges. Although I don't know if there is enough room. There might be 5 feet between the house and the road; maybe a little more. The comment about the stucco was disturbing because I am concerned why the stucco was there and why it was removed. The good news is stone is much stronger than brick or wood so I believe the stone is fine. I hope. Oh, the shutters. Did you mean on the exterior? I think it would be nice, but I wonder what others think.

we live on an 1870 house right on the street. it's a small street but quite busy as its an allowed cut through between two larger streets. the traffic really doesnt bother us.

even if we werent in a historic district we wouldnt be allowed to do anything different with our porch as its so close to the street and arent allowed to plant anything 'permanent' in our grass median strip taller than knee high. you may want to find out what you would be allowed to do/build that close. (our house is the one across the street in the pic)

i'd buy the house, btw.

I would move the entrance even if you don't remove the door and make that a secondary entrance, hidden by the large hedges you're planning. If you are allowed to, I would make that door a matching window and move the entrance to the side of the house.

Rocketjcat, that's a great idea. If I hid the door behind hedges or a fence, I wouldn't have to worry about a new porch. That would save some money.

Shutters inside the house.

nnigrt Are you in Cambridge?

No, there are no shutters inside the house.

For privacy and saving money, I would go back to Photinias for a privacy hedge. Grow fast and easy to keep whatever size you wish.

SO glad you posted photos.

OMG!!! This house is fabulous! Is that a terne roof? Get a mason to check out the condition of the mortar...tuckpointing may be needed and it's not cheap. I would seek consults with historical societies as to the appropriate porch, plantings, fence, etc. Lord, what a gem you will have when you're done.

Please, post photos of your progress!

I thought I'd leave the stucco there. It's kind of cool looking in an old Italian farmhouse kind of way.

I haven't bought the house. Still in the works with the seller. But I need to know what my options are on the house. Work needs done but luckily nothing too expensive.

It's in Pennsylvania. It's not listed as a historical home, so there are no restrictions. (That I know of.) You can see it on Zillow. 23350 Rt. 522, Beaver Springs.

JudyG, we're in arlington.

Beautiful home! Please continue to post!

Lived for a time in Coudersport, PA. Please keep us posted!