I'm not sure where you live, but I live in the Northeast and my neighbors painted their vinyl siding and with heat/cold the siding expands/contracts. They had stripes of the old color at the joints. They paid for painting and then paid for new vinyl siding!

That is exactly what I'm worried about!

Maybe work with the beige... I think black solid shutters with red door/black fixtures would be nice. We could always stone clad the painted brick at the bottom, too?

They had blue siding (popular in the 80's) and replaced it with beige siding. They did exactly that, black shutters and light fixtures, off white trim and garage doors and a dark red front door. It looks fabulous !

Thanks for the advice. However, I think that looks terrible (with the exception of the garage doors). I appreciate the time, though.

I'm going to stick with the red door, black shutters and re-rocking the brick with stone.

The hideous shrubs need to go. I like red doors. I think it would be less expensive and more attractive to just paint your brick. Paint the garage door the same color as the house. It should not be the first thing people notice.

I'm with ya on the too much beige thing. I would be weary of painting the siding but wouldn't think twice about painting that lower brick - Maybe paint it in a color similar to what you think you'd like in stone and live with it for a while to see what you think. I also think the shutters are much too small, try switching them out for something bigger and heavier. I've seen a lot of homes with that color vinyl that opt for a darker trim around the windows or darker windows and beefier white trim. I'll see if I can dig up some photos.

I've heard they have vinyl siding paint too, but have never tried it. We have white on the back of our house and when an idiot I hired to stain the deck didn't mask the siding, it became a cape cod gray to match the deck. It never came off, and it wasn't even meant for vinyl. I liked it better, too. Anyway, there are lots of options. Red doors almost always look good. Paint the garage door to match whatever you choose for the bottom half of house. Stone can be nice, or paint the brick, since it's already painted. Landscaping needs a complete overhaul. If you love the inside of the house and the location, you can make it work.

It looks like I told Penny I didn't like the idea, but someone else posted a hideous photoshop then deleted it. I think red/ black would be awesome.

Painting the brick would definitely be cheaper, I might try that first. I totally agree with the shutters. I think solid (no louvers) who'd help make them look more substantial.

Remove the shutters, paint the door a dark red, and replace the iron railing with a white wooden one. Then professional landscaping should be done. It will look great!

I meant add that you don't need the shutters. Style of house doesn't really work with them, and they're too small, anyway.

HI -- I think before anything ... I would change that front window for one that comes down longer and bigger and you don't need shutters there . Either a box or bay window or the fact that the window looks more full height would be a big improvement . Right now with them being up high and looking small makes the house look plain . I see that as more of a problem with the curb appeal then the beige siding . Also look at James Harding sidings and exterior panels to re-do the exterior . Maybe consult with an architect for up dating the exterior . Benjamin Moore paints has the proper paint for vinyl sidings .

Maureen, those are really pretty! I think much better without shutters!

I think it feels more updated without the shutters, for style of your (potential) home. Good luck.