The answer depends strongly on your budget.

Garage doors are to big for the size of the roof / eave overhang. Consider if you actually need both of the doors to be of this type of entry.
Could you incorporate a folding door arrangement...? Block off one door and use an exterior entry door.....framed into the space.
Pull the siding... Go with a vertical replacement and even look at some simulated stone prod

1) My budget is limited - maybe $2000.
2) The garage doors are standard size doors. In order to maintain it as a 2 car garage, the doors couldn't be made smaller.
3) The exterior is brick. The only part that is vinyl is the garage, which was added on later. However, the owner decide to paint the brick (much to my dismay) before putting it on the market.

With all that said, I was hoping for color ideas, maybe some landscaping, or add some type of architectural detail. Help!!!
Thanks.

I would change the direction of the driveway and curve it around so that your guests enter from the other direction. Then I would disguise the garage from view with trees and large shrubs. Way over your budget, but that's the only solution to that unfortunate layout.

I was going to say almost the exact same thing that Sharyl King said. Paint the garage doors the same as the body of the rest of the house. Absolutely no need to make them smaller. Lots of colorful potted plants around your entry and maybe plant a row of trees or large bushes along the driveway in the grassy area opposite the garage doors. Good luck with your decision to purchase this interesting property and let us know what you do with it.

You may need some handy friends...but what if you did a pergola/arbor build along the garage wall? It would not impede access via the garage doors, and add some interest to the front of the house. This is pretty common in my part of the country to dress up garage door-heavy entries. Tie it into the entry area, and you have a front area suitable for entertaining as well as the back garden!

I agree that the garage doors need to be painted, a lighter color. That will take care of the "mass" of the garage. I would try to tie it all together by placing similar-sized planters and what is planted in them on either side of what looks like the sliders at the front of the house and one on each side of the garage doors and one in the center of the garage doors and one by the front door. Then I would plant a nice flowering tree next to the garage on the way to the front door to cover up that mass of wall. I would also put another light in the center of the garage doors and change all the existing light fixtures and make them down lights to light the planters (think halogen light bulbs for clarity of light) and an up light under the flowering tree. The only cost would be the paint for the doors, the planters, and the light fixtures. All this for well under $2000 and it greatly improve the curb appeal and make it very appealing. Just a few ideas for you. Hope you like them.

It would be nice as well to have some lights in the planter on either side of the sliders.

Trick the eye by painting garage doors same colour as house walls. They won't stand out.

There are so many questions about downplaying prominent garage doors, and they are always accompanied by pictures of them without any automobiles in the driveway -- where is where most of them end up spending most of their time - in which case we should think of the vehicles as accessories to the architecture. So in this case, imagine the driveway with something eyecatching - sleek/vintage/fun? - parked in it. It may be a better investment than altering the doors.

Put some tall potted evergreens in between the garage doors and flanking on either side if you have the space. Paint the doors white or whatever color compliments the house. I think you would find that painting makes a huge difference.

On the other hand, if you really hate the outside appearance of the house, maybe you shouldn't buy it. It might be hard for YOU to resell down the line.

I would consider something like this pergola . With so much concrete perhaps you can tile over it and turn the area into an attractive courtyard. http:/// land I also think these colors will dramatically improve your house. an estimate from a architect/builder for a good design in which the pergola frames the garage and entrance to create a courtyard in the large area near the entrance. And of course landscaping would do a lot to enhance your vast expanse of lawn leading up to the house.

With a steep hill like you have a great rock garden like this would look fantastic.

All the above answers sound fabulous but over your budget. Feel free to skype me for a consultation, email lisa@ccandinteriors.com for details. I can definitely give you a design intent that you can do yourself within your budget.
Lisa
ccandinteriors.com shop.ccandinteriors.com

Hey Lisa Berardo wonder how you know what the budget is since it hasn't been mentioned ? This forum is all about suggestions. We'd love to hear yours.

Well Caroline...had you read the whole thread you would have seen the original poster mentioned that his budget was about $2000........

Chaney, since you budget is limited, if you do buy this house, I would start with some raise box planters between the garage and drive area and the front entry.. Create a defined entry promenade. Take it in steps as you can add more to your budget maybe a nice pergola over the newly defined patio, maybe a nice gate between the planters............then you have defined the "entry" from the garage and drive area and at the same time increase the visual appearance in size of the other half of the house, drawing your attention from the 2 garage doors. Add some nice couch lighting to the garage wall, tie those in with the lighting in the patio area and bingo..........you've created an outdoor space that is inviting to the eye as well as the visitors, you've established some useable area off the sliding doors and you've defined the entry...............mission accomplished.

Oh sorry I missed that S. Thomas Kutch. My point to Lisa was that we are all making suggestions here on this thread and we'd love to hear hers. Even with a budget of $2000 it could be a good start.

Yes, I love this place and I pay attention to details i.e. review the first comment to aikido0067, it's mentioned in item #1...Have a great Saturday:)

If you love the interior, I certainly see potential for the exterior. Mr. Kutch had exactly my idea so add my vote to his. Start with the quick jobs like the painting of the garage doors and adding planters to guide guests to the entry. Next year, be ready with the pergola construction with finishes to the landscape.

Oops I meant to say courtyard for entry instead of pergola.

Well y'all have some awesome ideas! I love green and the one suggestion had a link to a house with some darker, smoky looking green. If I were to keep the brick painted, I would love to try that color. I also agree with everyone about the dark color on the garage doors needing to be lightened up.
And I can see how some lighting would draw attention to the main entry at night. Love that idea. I also would like to try adding the planter boxes as one suggested. The mulched area for landscaping is now kind of flat and seems so small in comparison to all the concrete. I think having planter boxes flank the garage and patio doors would be a great look and by putting one near the tiny entrance door would help to tie it all together - especially with some taller plants in the back of the current planting area.
Although not something I could afford right now, in the future I would love to add a pergola. That would add the architectural detail this place needs.
This homes exterior is far from my style. I have always been drawn to a ranch style home with a covered porch and a rustic touch to it. This house is a blank slate and I believe in time, I can add my own touches and truly make it "my" home.
One thing that was never mentioned though.....color for the actual entrance door. It is currently just a plain 36" steel door painted brown (same color as the garage doors). In time, I would like to replace it. But I love having a storm door, so I can enjoy the breeze and not feel so closed in. So are there suggestions for door color and possibly a storm door style and color that might draw your eye to it and yet be functional?
I'm open to all styles. (Not a fan of anything modern.) I definitely prefer something more traditional or country.
Thank y'all for the great suggestions!

Is it t'all is or y'all are welcome ?! :-)

Because of the shape of the house and the way the garage is, the garage doors and driveway are two major focal points. That both need major work! As well as the rest of the yard. But don't cheap out on these areas.

I think everyone is focusing on the garage doors...but here's a thought paint the exterior of the house and the garage doors a whole new color something that blends into the landscape wonderful greens deep rather mossy colors greyed down is what I mean soft possible like three different colors that are gradients of each other so the exterior becomes "invisible" to the eye so to speak and the next phase would bring more landscaping plants pot into to scene...the right colors will transform this and be very cost effective...look at different colored homes I think they will have to be somewhat stronger colors that become a part of the scene instead of standing out like a white sore thumb...just a thought:)

Also hire a designer to help select the colors if this is your path...while it seems easy it isn't you need someone who can do color well...