replace the garage door with something with style.

We have to know the HOA rules to help. :)

One thing I’d do for sure is have that tree (is it a Live Oak?) trimmed up by a pro.

He is in the process of closing on this house. We are waiting to see what the HOA will allow.
The tree is the first thing we will do! Thank you Jinx!

Congrats to him! Exciting. :)

Let us know once he’s moved in … talented bunch here, someone could maybe do some mock-ups for you.

Thanks! It’s great to have access to great people with new ideas!

Agree a different garage door would be nice (if allowed), such as one with windows.

Also agree on trimming/layering the tree. It would look much better when you can see through it.

I love that idea Jordan!

New door and pergola if allowed would be a game changer

I LOVE THIS!!! I wonder if they sell these pergolas as a kit!?!

@ Jordan… south Texas (San Antonio area). Driveway is pretty much full sun.

Does he plan to paint? Can you see any of the house from the street? Will definitely be nice to have that tree trimmed.

Here in California we receive the HOA rules/documents before closing. The title company sends it via email so maybe he will get them ahead of time and can read through it before his closing date.
Also, he might want to drive through the neighborhood…my guess is all the garage doors will be the same. There seems to be a reoccurring theme with HOAs…houses can not be unique…they all must look the same. Congratulations to him in his new house!

He definitely wants to paint. However … we need to get HOA approval. He would like to try to modernize the house as much as possible. Any color palettes you guys have could help. He would love to add a modern black front door.

The things he would "like" to do don't sound HOA friendly to me. The other houses in the area will tell the tale and reveal some of the limitations.

He paid for the HOA docs but hasn’t received them yet. I drove around and saw a few different color garage doors and I even saw a home with a garage door with windows! Hopefully they will allow him to add windows to his garage door. And maybe a modern looking pergola too!

I find landscape beds along the driveway to be restrictive for foot traffic coming and going from the driveway and front door, especially if the driveway is not particularly wide. And plants/shrubs can easily exceed their boundaries to interfere with drivers’ sight lines when entering and exiting the driveway.

Littlebug, in this situation — not overly wide driveway, small yard — I agree. Been there, done that … and too many times, the plants were run over by people backing out, overgrew the spot, or impeded opening vehicle doors.

We are in yet another horrible drought in Texas, so that’s a consideration, too.

It can certainly be accomplished well, but only by someone very experienced or hiring a pro to design it.

New landscaping will need to wait, with triple digit temps and drought predicted pretty much the rest of summer.

ETA: The post we’re responding to has apparently been deleted. Odd.

Just an FYI but Jordan is a troll.

Ahh, thanks, gg. He had advised Sheryl to do narrow driveway beds, then deleted it. It makes subsequent replies seem confusing.

Yeah, he favors hit and run posting and then comes back and deletes his comments. Makes anyone responding look like they are talking to themselves :-))

Plus he offers really off the wall advice that usually makes no sense or is wildly inaccurate.

Oh gosh!!! I’m pretty new to this! I’m sorry to hear some people try to mess things up. I totally hear you about the driveway! Makes sense to keep that area clear! Thank you for your input Littlebug and of course Jinx!