I agree with your idea of a larger support column for the gable roof. The column there now is spindly. Think your best bang for your buck would be in landscaping. Would suggest plants, shrubs and small ornamental trees with lots of color as the house is pretty black and white. Might also suggest adding light fixtures above the garage doors - perhaps goosenecks. Might also suggest some largish house numbers perhaps vertically oriented and place on the section of wall to the right of the nearest garage door. Overall, it's a nice looking place.

IMO a cute house that needs major landscaping IMO the column is just right on the house maybe aquare it off but there is only one and IMO does not need to be bigger the other is just a down spout.A new front door in a color your parents like as for the gargae doors they look fine so maybe a bit more info about that.

Super cute home!! Really doesn’t need a lot. Definitely not 20k :)

I agree to wrap the posts. I’d do the downspout also, so it looks uniform.

Lighting throughout

And lots of landscaping

....

Other than all that save the rest. It’s a GREAT looking home!!

If you think they’d like a different siding color, here are several schemes that would look nice with the red brick:

https://thecolorconcierge.com/color-palettes-red-brick/

Tan siding with white accents is very welcoming:

Beautiful color scheme with sage and brick:

Black trim:

Blue with red brick is beautiful:

It’s hard to say regarding landscaping without seeing the whole yard … I think it would be worth calling a landscape designer in for the best advice for your area. I’d incorporate bird bath(s) and other garden decor to enjoy from the front porch.

There is cleaner you can get to remove the mildew on the roof (if you’re not planning a new one).

Definitely beefier columns, and a wood garage door would look good with anything.

Fun project! Hope you show ’afters’. :)

Have the lawn reseeded, improve the planted area with easy-care zone-appropriate shrubs and ground cover, plus a few big rocks. Add a medium-height flowering tree in the lawn area, but off to the right side so not to block the view from the porch chairs. I agree the front column needs to be beefed up and there should be lighting for the garage area, walkway and front porch. If needed, you may want to add a handrail next to the front steps. The house itself is adorable.

Oh you guys are giving me some ideas. Landscaping was better but previous owner ripped it all out in order to have drains piped out to the road, so it's a shame about that but I'll contact a designer to draft something up.

I'm now thinking wood garage doors with goose neck lighting above, matching wood tone front door. Beef up the columns a little more, the siding I really want to change and add color to the house, would shakes on the upper peaks anywhere look good ?

Uploaded additional picture I had of front exterior, hopefully this is more helpful.

One other suggestion. You need to have a very visible, preferably lighted, house number on this lovely home. For EMS services, if required.

If you want wood for the garage doors, I would consider https://www.chiohd.com/homeowners/garage-doors/stamped-shaker I researched garage doors extensively before our remodel and loved the "real wood" look of these. Mine is plank style, but your parent's house might look nice in a stamped shaker or one of the other more traditional door styles in dark oak or cedar. Spend your $ on landscaping and lighting and house numbers! Add some potted plants on the porch and maybe a hanging fern basket centered on the window. I would definitely make some of the other changes before you consider re-siding a perfectly cute house!

Landscaping is what is needed. Nothing wrong with the house other than that. i wouldn’t emphasize the garage door via wood, but that’s just my opinion. I think wood doors there would place too much focus on the garage doors rather than the entry ( where it should be ).

Your in laws are so lucky to have you looking out for them! Safety: handrail at stairs as Felizlady noted. Railing across porch. Light at door. The downspout poking onto the walk is a tripping hazard (the one on the other side of the garage isn’t great either) — large planters on either side of the garage would help elders avoid them. Personally I wouldn’t reside this cute house unless the siding is in bad shape. If your in-laws like interacting with the neighborhood, I’d enlarge the front porch to gain room for a table, another chair or two, and especially room to safely maneuver around others who are seated without falling off. If enlarging the porch isnt practical you could still create a patio area in front at grade. Either way they’d have a better view of the street and passersby. Good luck!

PS: Have your roof cleaned by a professional service.

Everything that Mama Cita said! And widen the front curved walkway which will give more room to avoid the downspout when approaching the front door. A potted plant next to the downspout is a good idea. Add lights and railings even though there are only a couple of steps and a short distance between the front porch and the dirt.

or

Didn't read all the comments but why are you worrying about curb appeal if you're not going to sell the house anytime soon. I'd save the $20K and invest in some nice landscaping instead.

Please, no more modern farmhouses. The universe is already over saturated with them. Beef up the columns, add some lanterns, and enhance the landscaping as suggested by many commenters already. @RappArchitecture, doesn’t landscaping also contribute to curb appeal? And doesn’t curb appeal matter even if you don’t plan on selling anytime soon? I always want my home to have curb appeal and I’m not going anywhere!

Lol sorry didn't expect these 2 last responses. I wouldn't have really called that style modern farmhouse but i like the overall appeal of it with a few tweaks. Thinking siding shakes on peaks above garage door, goose neck lights, and add in a hand rail for front 2 steps for safety reasons, I'm taking in a lot of suggestions from several commenters. This post has been really helpful.

Also I will be investing heavily into landscaping and reason for spending so much is the fact that I plan on keeping it for a long time I like to make sure everything is in great condition. I've done that for every property I own. I'd rather find a hidden leak or rot damage now than I would in 10 years after it's spread more and became a structural issue, it's more work for me but will be money saved down the road.

Or, if i were your parents i would take the $ 20 k & go on a luxury Mediterranean cruise , some even include First class / Business class air included!

i agree with lkoes comments re ”modern farmhouses” ( sick of that whole thing).

It looks like you made a wise purchase. If you want it less "farmhouse-y," you could remove the shutters as Celery has done in the second rendering above. They are inappropriate for the windows on the lower right, in any case. If you decide to put siding shakes on the peaks, then the shutters should definitely be removed.

Let it be farmhouses or cottagy, it’s darling. So beefed up posts railing across and down the steps. More lighting, cute house numbers and landscape. Great investment for you and I’m sure your in laws love you!!

Had some fun cartooning on your in-laws cute house, with some of the ideas mentioned in the comments. shake shingles in the peaks, wood garage doors, porch posts and shutters in same wood tone, extend porch to make it deeper, add short rafters above the deeper porch for shade and interest, maybe grow a pretty green vine to climb it. A handrail near the step and a rail surrounding the porch. A pot to avoid tripping on the downspout. Maybe also some rafters above the garage doors too. Some pretty plants in front of the porch and it's charming and welcoming.

It‘s already so nice. Landscaping and a few tweaks. Have the in-laws voiced their preferences?

Oops, porch lights too! 😄

@flopsycat1 No it's a suprise for them, they live 13 hours away and in the last couple of years talked about selling their house and moving to NC to get away from the snow (shoveling 2ft of it at 70 can't be fun).

I've been purchasing rental properties here and there and with the recent spike in home prices I sold one in order to purchase this one. It just seemed really ideal for them, in middle of town close to all shopping with no road noise and a simple small yard on a cul de sac.

@Ang Williams thank your for the drawings, that is another completely different style I could go with. Never though about rafters over the garage doors.

Nothing special on the gables, please. Beef up the columns, new lighting (see below for guidelines regarding proportion), landscaping, color on the front door (let them pick--anything will work with white), the vinyl siding looks to be perfectly fine--why add to a landfill when the current siding is perfectly serviceable and not in NEED of replacement?

Add handrails to the steps and make sure the garage entrance into the house is easy to navigate (handrails if needed). I work with people everyday who have to go into NHs simply because they can't get into their homes, install handrails.

Further info: https://www.delmarfans.com/educate/choose-outdoor-lighting/#garage

You are a very thoughtful SIL.

@Anna (6B/7A in MD) The vinyl siding is in decent shape but it also hides a lot, last house I purchased with vinyl looked as good as this one but ants and a window leak took out 15ft of sill plate and 4 wall studs 3ft up. I had to open the entire west wall to repair it properly and then reside the house since it was impossible to match (color fade) so I went with hardie plank.

There is a multi material recycling place near me, I should probably check into vinyl recycling.

Here’s an excellent idea for a well-designed, attractive entrance to a home that doesn’t shout “we have trouble with stairs!” I’ve had family and friends with mobility difficulties — both long term disabilities and short term sports ankle sprains — and even 2-3 little stairs are challenges. This pix is from a Houzz photo search for ADA entrance ramps — there are many more. Your in-laws may find this addition welcome as an attractive design element, rather than a medical necessity.

Just purchased this house for my in-laws to live in as they age and everything about it makes it a perfect retirement home.

If aging in place is the goal here, is it already "elder friendly?" You may want to designate a portion of your budget to things like railings and handrails on the porch, a wheelchair ramp, grab handles in the bath and shower, perhaps even widening doorways so that walkers or wheelchairs can navigate.

There's a difference between spending money on needed maintenance and repairs and spending money on "curb appeal". Money spent to maintain the existing structure is an investment, money spent on curb appeal is a choice. With the right landscaping your property will have more than enough curb appeal as it is.

James, scroll up and look at Celerygirls rendition images. I don't think you caught it.

@Beth H. : I did and worked with celery to throw together suggestions of others to make a rough draft. I'll mess around with colors more but this is looking pretty good

Cute. And…yes to the suggestion of a hand rail on the left side of the front steps. Black wrought iron.

@ptreckel Oh I didn't think about a black wrought iron rail. That would really go well with overall style. Thanks for the suggestion.

I showed my wife the stone & cement wheel chair ramp. Going to go that way later years if they need it, that'll be one job I'll hire out.

Good lord they’re 71 not 101

I understand your concern about the siding being a great cover for problems. If you’re redoing all of it, consider Hardie for its durability. I like both the blue and white colors for the exterior with natural wood features (garage, shingles at the peak, front door) to add some warmth. I think this is the sweetest gift I’ve ever heard a son-in-law giving his wife’s parents.

Aging in place homes need walk in, curbless, showers large enough to accommodate a wheel chair and bathrooms that allow assistance getting on and off the toilet. If the home doesn't already have those things, they need to be included in the budget.

It's not how old the person is, it's unfortunately, the ailments they encounter. Those ailments can strike at any age. Plan now for them. When you really need it, it's too late.

I would step back a little and temper your improvements more along the lines you usually do….because …most of the things suggested here …..may not be needed for a good while…..…plus…do you know with certainty that they want this to be their forever home?…that it is what they want?….where they want to be?..i think they should be consulted …involved…if they wish..rather than the possibility that they feel left out of the loop…obligated even…

He’s giving them a house near their daughter in a better climate! I doubt they feel obligated. All the old stuff can be added late le

Grateful comes to mind…..

Maybe asking your wife what her parents tend to like is a better move than asking all us strangers….. 😂 I know my mom’s taste pretty well and could tell you how to paint it for her. What does your wife think?

@RedRyder This discussion is taking quite the unexpected turn but she's liking the ideas. Also helps to get other opinions into things we may have missed. We're not exactly designers and have a pretty neutral taste so this has been very helpful for us.

@Kathy Furt Thanks for your comments, not everyone may agree with us suprising her parents without their input but they also don't know my in laws. I won't get into family dynamics but they're going to be excited.

One more thing you can do is get the mildew off the roof. There's lots of mildew removal services around NC and they give a three year warranty. You'll be surprised how much better the house looks after a refresh.

I mentioned that above. :)

My roof is having the same issue.

@Jilly was suggesting he hire a company to do it. Safer, easier and not very expensive. Comes with a warranty.

After seeing some of the suggested renditions on here I thought of what my very stylish mother used to say …. ” Less is more”.

My mom would want the place painted beige.

Glad the Houzz community is helping you two to figure out the best for your Mom-In-Law.

James I love your last rendition, just add the railing in wrought iron and you’re done!

bethd12345 has absolutely the best idea for exterior access.