Photos please.

picture attached

I would embrace it.

I'm reminded of that comment from Cher in the movie Clueless: " Isn’t my house classic? The columns date all the way back to 1972." :-)

The photo is a bit fuzzy, but I don't think I'd make radical changes.

New landscaping and entry walk designed by a local landscape architect/designer will likely give you the most return on your investment.

What strikes me as odd are the roof lines. I'd like to add some kind of dormer(s) to the left and right to bring the first story roof lines up a bit. I'd contact an architect to help.

@Celery. Visualization, Rendering images great idea! Im thinking about renting it out so maybe just updating the landscaping and the interior would be ideal.

But if columns we make with ceder color?

and if we add some modern landscape with wide steps?

You can play with it, depends on your budget.

Now it looks more like cabin. :-))

HI - I do not see why the pillars cannot be re-moved and the house made more modern and up dated . Find an Architect and have him do some computer work ups to see what can be done . More important would be to find out if the house is structurally sound and the mechanicals and plumbing need up dating , the foundation is stable and if you need new windows . The 70's is known for being... not a very good design and building decade . I can see the possibility of this turning into a modern ranch style with that upper section being a dormer and the front roof line having a cedar post and beam pergola for the entrance porch . It can turn into what ever you want if you throw enough money at it I guess .

Or just railing on a porch

Great idea @lefty47 and thanks for your suggestions

Without columns on top part

If you are planning on renting it, your idea of improving the landscaping and interior is a sound one. Investing large sums on the exterior may not be necessary, or even result in a proportionate improvement.

If your budget is low, then just paint the columns and white siding to match the brick. Try to draw the eye downwards with a nice door and landscaping.

Nice work, celerygirl!

How does the style of the home fit in the neighborhood? I'm guessing celery's first rendition is more fitting to the other homes surrounding it.

The flat roof on the porch absolutely kills the house.

Get a gable on there Priority #1, like start ripping the flat roof off while the ink is still drying on the closing papers.

Or do not buy it. Because it is an eyesore and needs an owner who will fix it.

Just curious....any estimates of what bringing celerygirl’s first rendering to life might cost?

To me, the columns are the only part that says colonial.

Except for an overhang equal to the overhang of your downstairs roof, remove the upper roof that extends forward beyond the exterior upstairs window/wall.

Remove and either resize your columns (shorter) or replace them with square posts.

Rebuild your front porch roof as a wide forward facing gable beginning beneath the upstairs windows.

You will then have what is basically a brick ranch style home ... but with a slightly steeper roof than most ranch styles of that era.

This home is NOT an eyesore -- far from it. It is a beautiful brick home with a really nice yard. If you're seriously house hunting and if the "bones" of this home are good -- wiring, plumbing, heat/air -- and if it has (or can have added) sufficient insulation, if the floor plan suits your needs, if it is in a good location, if the price is right, do seriously consider purchasing it.

What celerygirl suggested is basically the right idea; however, do at least consider a forward facing gable and even consider extending it beyond the existing front of the porch as well.