Hi savvymay, just a quick mark up, I would suggest adding dormers on 2nd and above the entry area to add interest to the facade. The recessed area above the garage is a bit awkward and might be helped with larger windows.

Perhaps painting the wing on the right side a different color on the first and second floors? (same color as one another, different from the left side)

The house looks beautiful. I would hire a professional landscaper, though. A professional will know how to enhance the property and house. I can always tell when a house has been professionally landscaped. When the shrubs are removed, curb appeal will be improved b/c the porch and columns will be more noticeable and they help to break up the house.

White rockers on the porch might look cute, at least they look cute in this photo:

House in the top photo: A short retaining wall to enhance the front area might look good, as in this house. I love the look of a short retaining wall like this house has. Also hanging baskets might help, but they'd be too much work for me http://greensborogardens.wordpress.com/2008/06/24/stone-retaining-walls-add-value-beauty-to-homes/

Hi -- That's a big house - NICE - First I would paint the facias on both levels the same color as the roof . Paint the siding on the second level and the garage brick wall on the right, the same color - Ben Moore " Ranchwood " will go with the remaining brick at the entrance section on the left. The shutters are too small along the upper windows and at the top left they have a chopped uneven look so I would fill that in with bigger shutters to make a cleaner line - Paint your favorite color on the front door ( maybe a darker pumpkin or a jewel green ) and paint the shutters the same color as the facias. Once the plants are gone I think the posts on the lower front are going to look too thin - so beefing those up will look more balanced . Maybe add some railings inbetween painted the same color as the shutters . The landscaping will need a professional - they will probably put the plants in groupings instead of in marching rows. Don't forget some landscape lighting !

Soften the hard lines of the landscaping! Remove those angular bushes and put in a nice, round tree and some more organic plants. That will really help bring other shapes to your house. I also love the dormer idea.

Nothing wrong with the house at all - Just improve the landscaping by having a professional come in.

I would add dormers like the 1st suggestion. It will help take away from the low pitch of the roof. Next, I would paint the brick to match the siding. This will help update the entire exterior of the house. The brick on the lower half and siding on the upper half give the house a 60's feel. Painting it all the same color (beige) will let you keep the textures giving it intrest while updating it. Contrast the shutters and door w/ a charcoal black or dark chocolate brown. Lastly, hire a landscaper! Good luck!

We, too, have a home with brick on the bottom & siding on top. We painted it all the same color. This makes it more updated. (Actually, we used solid stain on the brick rather than painting it. The stain lasts much longer on the brick than paint does.) The long horizontal lines of the roof are the cause of the problem. The best way to deal with that is to minimize its look. While most people paint their house a light color with dark trim, I suggest doing just the opposite. If you paint/stain your home a dark charcoal or grey that is similar to the color of your roof, but just a little lighter, the long lines of your roof will just disappear. Instead of shutters on the upper floor, have a carpenter use wide (4+ inch) boards to trim all 4 sides of your windows. Paint this in a crisp, warm white along with any other trim on your house. You could also paint the walls inside your front porch area this same white. This would make this area really "pop" & give depth & definition. Then paint your front door an eye catching color: Red, Yellow, Lime Green, etc. You will have a very modern look and be the envy of your neighbors. Before you commit to any decision, find a program that lets you upload your home's photo and digitally "paint" it. Then you will know what you like. I have seen this dark paint/white trim combo & it is gorgeous. Made me want to repaint my newly painted house!