Budget? Photo of entrance?

Hi! Thanks for responding! Our budget is about $50k. Its not an all out structural remodel for ourselves. just a cosmetic facelift. There are two separate entrances on the one side opposite each other. Ill try to upload a pic. Sorry for the poor pics, we had to do a quick video tour and take screenshots

(1) Hire a landscape designer to design the landscape and hardscape – i.e., a parking area, driveway, walkway(s), entrance way steps. Remove grass and growth along the perimeter of the house and create a walkway or something like that around the perimeter to prevent moisture infiltration and rot.

(2) Get rid of the window ACs and put in 1 or 2 mini-split units, installed preferably on side walls of the duplex rather than the front. If they have to be installed in the front wall, the landscape designer can figure out a way to disguise the units.

(3) Get rid of the small upright logs (?) and the blue thing on the front porch. If it’s the mailbox, install a new one to the left of the entrance steps. The landscape designer may have a suggestion regarding placement.

(4) Remove trim from window areas and install new windows and new trim. Windows should be a type (not louvers) that can be opened from the inside to allow emergency egress. Enlarge windows if that’s feasible, based on what’s inside.

(4) Replace the wire that is strung across the front of the house with one that can be hidden up under the eaves in conduit or disguised in conduit and some sort of housing (whatever is allowed by code for electrical wiring).

(5) Get new front doors that can withstand the salt air and climate (perhaps fiberglass?).

(6) Clean, prep, and repaint the exterior. Perhaps one of the pros could weigh in on what’s best in terms of color. Install new, more prominent house numbers.

Good luck! Keep us posted on your progress.

Is this an investment property? If so, will you be paying for landscape maintenance? Tenants are not always interested in maintaining what you spend to install. That said,Nester44’s suggestions are great.

We need pics of the whole building and maybe at least a sketch of how it sits on the property and where the road is

Yes, this is an investment property. it will be a vacation rental, so we will be handling the landscape maintenance. i will uplaod an aerial pic so you can see the orientation and a sketch of the floor plan. Thank you so much for your comments and suggestions!

It looks like there needs to be some repair of portions of the wall and window casings (just from what I see in the photos). Are the walls stucco? If so, I might suggest you parge coat the entire surface as there seems to be damage and doing so would provide you with a repaired and cleaner surface. A definite YES to landscaping. Would consider hiring a landscape architect or a landscape installed that has enough experience to give you a good design even if the upkeep will be done by yourself. Good luck!

Thanks for budget info and new photos.

Are there two units? Why are there two front doors? If there's only one unit, you could remove the extra front door.

When you put in a driveway, add concrete or rubber parking stops (like the ones in parking lots) to mark where cars should stop before hitting the front wall. A concrete, gravel, or asphalt (same as driveway material) walkway in front would be better than plants in a foundation bed that'd be under the front ends of cars.

This is a good case of "you never get a second chance to make a good first impression". The front needs major work to make it attractive after repairs. You have a choice of making it merely okay or really attractive. An architect's design services could be a good investment.

Everything that @nester44 wrote. In addition, find a good location for the trash can where it can be shielded from public view - remember, YOU will be responsible for taking it to the curb for pick-up, install gutters.

I think repain the wall will make it like a new one

Great suggestions! Thank you!

I am taking all your great suggestions and running with them: landscape, drive, stucco, gutters, trash, doors, windows, a/c, and entry. Other than enlarging the front windows, I’m trying to figure out how to make the street view tolerable, possible a deck or covering as it would be for the front unit

Great ideas and rendering. i love the deck!

Is this a vacation rental or a residence? Either would benefit from a paved parking area, new paint for exterior, landscape, and a patio area for each unit, if possible.