The first question is 'why'? Why paint the brick, why remove the bushes, why do any of it? What is your inspiration? Typically you want to play to the strengths of what is already there. You have a cool mid mod ranch, so play it up. To me the current bushes work with the house and the brick color is great. The porch columns would look dinky on a colonial but are appropriate here... I think the white is the mistake, I would keep all the wood components one color but I would likely go very dark grey, black fox, or olive. Garage doors could be replaced when they fail (I mean, its a rental...)

The brick is my favorite part. It is classic and charming. Plus, as a rental, I would want the least maintenance possible. The last thing I would want is more stuff to periodically paint.

I don't mind the dinky posts- they fit the style of the house. The house in the background is brick so unpainted brick probably fits the neighborhood and, again, the style of the house. Some new posts and mailboxes would look nice. Large mailbox with locked storage are under $150 and would look good and give piece of mind to the renters. Boxy structural hedges would fit the style but they do require some upkeep. It's a huge undertaking but perhaps remove the tree and put in sod.

Don't paint the brick, and don't remove the shrubs. Paint the downspouts the same color as the brick. Make sure the color you get is duller than the brick, not brighter.

There are other things that would make more of an impact. I would Never paint brick especially on a rental. The less maintenance the better. Once painted it's an ongoing maintenance Item. I would change the color of the already painted areas of the house keeping the white trim. Beef up the posts and change the railings on the porch to update the look and maybe paint just the entry door a splash of color. Add some new flowering plants in front of the updated porch instead of removing bushes. Unless they aren't functioning I wouldn't change the garage doors except to get insulted ones if these aren't. If both units are already rented I would leave any interior work until a side is vacant Or If neither are rented I would consider updating one side first so you can have money coming in while you are updating.

Love the brick. Why add upkeep to a rental property?

I would be concerned about the giant tree’s roots getting into the sewer system. Do the toilets and sinks drain quickly? Do you know where the water and sewer lines run so you can have them inspected?

You need to start thinking like a landlord. Your goal is easy maintenance and “tenant proofing”. Adding paint is adding maintenance. Shrubs can be easy exterior maintenance. Are these an easy maintenance type? Also, check out MrLandlord dot com and their Q&A section. Very experienced landlords with a variety of backgrounds and property types. They answer landlord questions of all types. Tenant management, leases, decorating, repairs, animals, tenant proofing. And different approaches to the same question. A very active site.

The first thought I had was don't remove those shrubs.

Do beef up the posts.

I'm neutral on painting the brick except that it would always need repainting and this is a rental not your home.

Garage doors aren't terrible.

Sow grass seed and possibly add a ground cover vine like vinca around the tree trunk since grass probably won't grow too well there.

I suspect most renters are more concerned with the interior of the house than its exterior. What does the inside look like?

You are correct! This particular property needed some sprucing up on the exterior. The inside really needs to be updated but both sides are currently rented (we inherited the tenants) when their lease is up we will update and I will post pictures.

Can't tell the condition of the roof or color but if the roof is good but a light color, it might need a good power wash to remove moss and whatever else is growing on it. I'd also look at getting a tree guy out to see if there are any limbs on the tree that should be removed so that they don't damage the house if there is a storm.

I am also a fan of painting ugly brick, but I don’t think this brick is ugly. Also bushes don’t bother me. The tree scares me, because it’s so close to the house, but it is lovely. Honestly, the roof is the only thing that stands out as an issue. It looks saggy, but tough for me to tell. Did you have an inspection?

Just one more thing. Renters don't normally take care of a place like it's their own. Since they are already there you have a good idea of how they will take care of your property. If they don't water they don't need to mow. So you may be wasting your money on plantings outside to improve curb appeal. If Things don't get watered they die especially if they are new. the shrubs that are there have stood the test of time, better left alone. There is a chance you will get renters that enjoy making their (your) home comfortable. Be nice to them. You want them to stay. Be prepared for things like holes in walls when someone is mad

I do believe though that most people will take care to keep a nice property nice. You will get better choices for tenants if you have a nice place to offer them. Keep up on updates, improvements and maintenance and you will have something pepole will want to rent. if the rent is decent though they will also want to stay and won't be looking for something better.