Greetings,

I'm in a bit of a bind concerning my Dad's home in Iowa. As a late 1970's, early 1980's split foyer, it's exterior is pretty blah. The vinyl siding is unattractive and clearly he needs some trim to be repainted. He's in his 60's and recently divorced. Many of the design decisions for the home were made by his ex-wife and I'm looking to help him start fresh in his home by making some changes that will make the home feel like new and like it's his again.

Low budget is best, but he's willing to invest in the right kinds of changes that will actually add value to his home and update the style.

I'm love the idea of taking his home the "sustainable" path, but his house would be the only one on the street making use of such design cues so I'm not certain it would help the home value or be accepted by the neighborhood to modernize the appearance.

I do think a portico of some type would really make for a much more dramatic feel to the front of the home, drastically enhancing its curb appeal. A change of siding, perhaps a fiber cement in grey with white trim as well? I'd love to put a stacked stone look over the prefab poured in place "brick" foundation.

Lastly, I've told him time and again he needs some landscaping. Last summer, I tore out EVERYTHING that his ex had planted, thus providing him with a blank slate.

I've read in many real estate blogs that changing the style of the home can hurt, so I feel like I'm supposed to stick with "traditional" styles for this neighborhood, but with revitalization and the sustainable design movement really taking hold, I don't really think updating the home is a bad idea.

The first home is my dad's... (the white with blue and grey trim)... the rest are homes that feature ideas I like for one reason or another.

I'd love to hear ideas and examples of work from people that have upgraded a similar style home.