Nice house! The first thing I'd do is remove the shutters. All the windows are much too wide for them. What is the actual roof color? A closeup of the brick would also help.

Thank you and thanks for your response. I wish I did have a better photo of the bricks, but I think the brick colors are dark reds with brown and black? The roof is black. Would you remove the shutters from the first floor, too? Do you say remove them because they make the house look more squat?

I found something with the brick colors! And while it's posted what would you do with this, if you don't mind?

The shutters don't fit the windows, so they really don't belong.

The siding might have asbestos in it. OK if it stays, but an extra expense if you change it.

I admire James Hardie fiber cement siding if you decide to do that. It comes in factory colors or it can be custom painted. This one is Evening Blue clapboard and Arctic White trim. I really like the color even if you just paint, I think you should consider a blue like this,

Here is one example, in shakes and clapboard, that would look crisp with red brick:

Here is one in Woodstock Brown color. :

If you do reside, you should square off the garage door openings.

I love all 3 houses! thank you for the photos. Shutters will be gone, and the siding is wood, thankfully. You are right about squaring off the garage doors. Will figure out a way to do that regardless of residing! Thank you.

The plan is to only be there 3 years (you know how that goes). We're trying to make it a home that we genuinely enjoy and nice enough to sell quickly. We don't anticipate making a profit and that's fine. We need a place to live!

Thank you so much.

Do you think going dark with paint color would make the house look squat?

Three years goes by awfully fast, more so when you’re engaged in renovations. I wouldn’t make any structural changes, just minimal cosmetic changes. Waste of time & money & hassle.

It is the shortness of the upper windows that make the house look squat, IMO, shutters or no shutters. If you truly are going to replace windows (if you actually buy the place) look into putting in taller upper windows.

Some colors

Do you want to spend the entire 3 years overhauling this house just to break even? I wouldn't take on a TON of work unless it was to be my forever home and I was in love with it.

I think the belly board should be painted white and the trim around the porch. It will make the top half not so heavy. (Not sure about the garage door trim.) But here is an example of a white belly board.

Thank you all so much. I appreciate the input.

Celerygirl, seeing the colors imposed on the house is amazing. I like them all. Probably favor the top one. Can I bother you for the paint name? Love the door, would never have picked something like that!

Houssaon, The belly board is the the strip that separates the bottom brick from the upper siding? It really does make a difference in the sample house you posted. It would run from the left side of the house, over the garage doors, little porch area, over the first floors windows and then ends at the right side of the house? I really like that idea. Thank yo so much.

Ohio, Thank yo for you recommendation. Is there room for taller windows, which I far prefer, and if so, would you install windows with or without mullion?

K Laurence and Decoenthusiast, I agree, however, we listed our house, expecting it to sit a while and it sold in 2 days. Our rental has fallen through and our timeframe for remaining in the area lengthened longer than anticipated. We have a trusted contractor who can supposedly do it all in 2 months (fingers crossed!!!!). If this falls through, we have no where to go :(

Thank you all so much!!

p.s. what do you think about the little porch area? can anything be done to enhance/change the railing.

I like celery's first color suggestion - beige, or her 4th one - gray. I would straighten that slightly bowed entry where you have the house numbers. I'd rather it repeat the belly band in shape. The porch looks very low to the ground so code may not require the railing at all. I would prefer all the windows trimmed out in white and no decorative shutters. Let the front door be the center of attention.

I think some kind of putty/clay color would like great with an off-white trim and black accent color. And this is a rare occasion for me to say that I would be open to painting the brick personally. Just my two cents!

Decoenthusiaste, Thank you for your suggestions! You are right on all points. Definitely will straighten that slightly arched board and paint & remove the railing! Such seemingly minor tweaks but impactful. Because the porch area is so dark and shadowy, love the idea lightening it up by making the front door the focus.
Leslie, Thank you! I’ll look at the color combo. I’m not in love with bricks either. What color do you suggest?

RE taller windows (windows that extend lower, closer to the floor)-- it will depend on what is on the interior or inside the walls. From the exterior there certainly is enough room, and generally enlarging a window is not complicated or difficult. Also, this style of house can certainly work with mullions, either on just the upper half or on both upper & lower. That might add more interest especially if you eliminate the shutters.

Ohio, thank you for your advice! I imagine that the mullions on the upper windows would brighten the house?
I’m having trouble picturing the bottom windows with them, because those 3 windows are closely grouped together and right next to the dark porch and front door. Would the mullions also brighten it up or add clutter to a small busy area?

The exterior is not bad and I would only do things like upgrade lighting. Remove the lower shutters. Keep the others if you like them.

Main thing I think it needs is remove the rail, it is not needed. Remove that mess growing near the porch. Plant it somewhere else.

Shrubs in front of window need kept below the window.

Thank you for your your advice. The problem is that I'd have to sit on my hands to not do anything ;-) We'll live there for a few years and it would drive me crazy - it's why renting isn't an option and renovating is the first choice. This poor house has been neglected and run down.

When the time comes to list, it needs to move quickly. Our housing market isn't that hot. I sold my current house in 2 days and people are stopping us and asking how we did that. I'm laughing a little because how don't they know that at a minimum painting and maintaining it puts them ahead of most of the competition, even just decluttering and removing furniture brightens a home. So, we hope to outclass the competition when the time comes!