Can you pull out the porch to match the furthest forward wall? Do something real colonial and fancy with white columns and a copper roof. It will also add practicality for visiting guests and packages, and give you a spot to decorate seasonally or just sit on a rocking chair.

https://betweennapsontheporch.net/how-much-does-it-cost-to-build-or-add-on-a-front-porch/

That said, it's far from an eyesore. If you're feeling like you absolutely positively have to figure out how to "pretty it up" before you commit to buy, is it possible that this style of home just isn't right for you?

Thanks, ElleN. I love the style of the house, but just feel like it’s missing something. Your idea of a portico sounds nice, but it’s hard to imagine how that will look with the palladium window so close above.

hmm that's true, you may not have enough room structurally either. Depending on where you live, one of those faux balconies might be an option to keep the roofline low.

Some things you could do are ...

• Widen the walk and especially the entrance landing. (The skimpy walk seriously cheapens the whole home, especially since the entrance is far from the drive.) If you redo the whole thing, consider if it needs to be a bit farther away from the garage -- at least 6' I think.
• Remove the center tree. It gives a goofy look to the garage wall. Hang a piece of outdoor art on the blank wall if it bothers you. Or, a wall mounted flag.
• Plant below windows as if it's a flower box .... color and annuals. With windows so low to the ground, it's not practical to have the typical shrub situation. Instead, some evergreen shrubs can go near corners of the garage.
• Incorporate a bed of groundcover in order to knit everything together. It is much more luxurious looking than a bed of mulch.
• Plant some medium height (3-4') colorful perennials to wrap the far corner.
• Limb up the front yard trees such that they do not impede view of first floor from the street. Limb up the small trees at the garage so they clear the window tops. Since they are very formal elements, keep their tops shaped and height in the vicinity of the eaves.

There are probably other things you could do fore of the space that is shown. I see what I think is a mulch bed below the tree at left. This could be a sumptuous, lush bed of groundcover instead of a dry, flat, brown space.

Oh my goodness, this is why I LOVE this app. Dig Doug and Yardvaark, you both created beautiful renderings that created the look and feel I was going for. Absolutely love the suggestion of widening the landing around the entrance steps (and creating a round flower bed with bench was genius). I WILL DO THIS. Thanks a million! As for the actual house, think I’m going to repaint all trim in pure white, add wide black window shutters, add white moulding above each window, and add antique black light fixtures.

Put me in the landscaping crowd as well. Gotta bump out that walkway a bit and bring in some more color to the front of the garage.