We have listed this house for sale but feedback is negative for curb appeal- we have completly renovated the house on the interior and it took over a year- we should have added a porch but we didnt- now we are tired!! how can we increase the curb appeal without major additions?

What is that structure at the front ? Is that where you are supposed to park cars?

Ask your deck contractor to give you an estimate to move the stairs to the front and make a splashy entranceway. Here's an example:

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Plant some bushes across the front. I don't know where you are so I don't know what would work there, but get something flowering if you can. Landscaping usually makes a big difference and no one wants to do it when they buy a new house. You don't have to get something huge, but don't get something that is so small it looks like you cheaped out.

I'm confused, your picture looks like the front of the house, not the side?

The top picture is actually the front- the side has the entrance off the deck. There is a carport off the left side of the front of rhe house. Thanks for suggestions!

Adding a door to the front is out of the question, huh?

At this point- unfortunately

I think we need better pictures to give any advice.

maybe give us more info on listing so we can view it.

@Angel 18432, this is the front.

So it seems landscaping needs to be done on the front of the house.

Got it. Yes landscaping.

fwiw I think your house is charming looking. Don’t be discoursged. It could just be a question of waiting for the right buyer.

Thank you. FYI rhe landscaping is tricky in the front because it only gets about 4 hours of direct sun a day but irs at the hottest part of the day- we are in South Carolina.

Idea: Put up a front door in the middle of the two windows, maybe find a used one. Then landscape around it as tho it was a real door.

Overall, you have no landscaping - it needs to be addressed.

Landscaping is what’s needed.

There is no defect that price can't cure!

Lower the price and the curb appeal issue won't be so important.

What direction do I come from when driving up…do I pass the carport first then arrive at the house or from the opposite side, or is it a big circle? Am I supposed to park in that carport and then hike all the way to the house?

It looks like that is the back of the home and the side view looks like a duplex with two doors. What does the elevation to the back look like? These pics look like the house is facing a lake...

I don't see WHERE the landscaping can be done--it's all gravel in front the the house???? Maybe an arial view would help us.

What about a blooming tree between the windows?

So is there a door on the left side of the house? Or just the right where the deck is?

I think part of the problem (for me anyways) would not be knowing the best way into the house. I would at minimum have a row of impatiens or something along the "walkway" if it's to the left with one of those little banner flags with "welcome to my home" or something so realtors and buyers will know best way in.

If the door is ONLY from the deck (i.e. the house really has only 1 door) and there is no door adjacent to the car port I think that's a different issue.

I would add flowers to a deck railing planter, additional annuals in a pot on deck stairs and on the deck. You could fill the front with small shrubs and annuals. S Carolina is pretty hot and I think a lot of things will grow in part shade there. I like Beverly's idea of a small tree if there is enough space, if not, lattice with a climber such as jasmine,etc. If you need just a few shrubs, a local landscaper or even Lowes/HD will have a supply and believe it or not, sometimes have someone on staff who knows about plants that would work for your situation. Hope this helps!

Here are some ideas:

I think you need to think cottage.

I love @apple_pie_order idea of an arbor. The arbor should be facing the gravel straddling the walkway, so the steps don't need to be changed (or in front of the walkway, trial and error). If you can fit any type of arbor, even a light weight one with climbing flowers, it will that it is the entrance.

@BeverlyFLADeziner landscaping idea for the tree, will add to the cottage feel. Then add rhododendrons on both sides of the tree.

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@Dig Doug's Designs you always have the greatest solutions that looks so nice

How much time and money are you willing to put into this effort? Some budget friendly ideas:

Instead of planting along the front of the house, make it interesting as you walk toward the side entrance.

Line the strip along the front of the house between the sidewalk and the house with river rock and put something interesting in the space between the windows Don't junk it up with little stuff, use a large piece of outdoor art or large planters, one or an appealing arrangement of planters.

Imagine this combination of river rock and planter(s). You don't have to sell the planters with the house.

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A very rough rendering below. You don't have to do plants, interesting yard art is nice too but that might get expensive and maybe not appeal to all tastes if it's a little funky. You'll place the river rock far enough to the left and right to look intentional and lead to the deck stairs. You could repeat the planter at the base of the stairs to tie it all together. You could plant some tallish native grasses like Indian Grass or Red Switch grass surrounded by something that trails over the edge of the planter. All drought tolerant so you drive yourself crazy watering.

BTW, in my county in NC it is a fire hazard to put pinestraw closer than 10 ft. to the house. Maybe no restrictions in your area but if so, this would solve that issue.

Next I would landscape in front of the beautiful deck. And hang a price tag on that deck, it's a real investment by you!

This house has stone with plantings but I would do the stone and add some interesting metal folk art hopefully from a local artist.

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Lots of river rock ideas below

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