Will you please post some more close-up pics? Is that siding or logs? Do you have a budget?

This is the only picture I have at the moment. The siding is rough wood, not logs. And I'm not even sure what kind of budget to plan for this. Ideas?

Are you fixing it up to sell or did you just buy it?

considering purchase - but want a game plan in mind before I take that leap ...

Oh my goodness, there's so much potential here, I love it! I would definitely enclose the garage (you could one day convert it into a master suite - lots of space there). Then, the layout of the front of your house is very similar to mine. A good paint job would change this exterior completely and wouldn't break the bank. You could pull out the cement walkway to create a front porch area, enclosing it with a small porch rail, or long planter boxes, whatever suits your fancy.

I agree, paint it, or one stain color on the whole house. Re-paint the shutters. Also, removing the green trim around the door and possibly the sidelights, would help the door go with the style more.

I actually think this house has a lot of great potential for rustic modern. The front windows really need to be enlarged and the shedrow dormer (not sure if that's correct terminology or whether it should be called clerestory) could also be redone to be bigger and make more of a statement against the roofline. I bet that would make the interior much more dramatic as well and give lots of light in what looks to be a shady area. If you keep the footprint of the roof windows the same, I'm speculating that it would not be horribly expensive to gain some elevation there by putting in larger windows.

HI -- Well ,the architectural style is good but it just looks a little backwoods right now from lack of maintenance . Yes, to the others comments -- I guess it's depending on how much you have to put into this - a little or a lot . I would keep the roof dormer and if the roof is redone the eve's should be extended and a metal roof or concrete shingle would work and would be a one shot deal. You could add a shed or flat style roof over the entrance too. Yes ,too re doing those windows to larger more modern style maybe black metal frames with bottom awning openers . I don't think this house needs shutters . New siding for sure - long horizontal wide board or board and baton style . Horizontal lines would look best. A new double garage built a little forward than the carport is now with a shed slope roof , high side on the right . Better to build a new garage than try to turn the carport into a garage - never looks right . New entrance door with a larger single door with matching side light and transome-and more modern with tempered glass . And the landscaping -- a meandering flag stone walk to the front door and a showy tree planted a little right of center about 15 to 20 ft. from house . How about a Weeping birch ?? Or a grove of aspens and some flowering shrubs and mass plantings of some perennials . Your local nursery will help you make a planting plan . This house can go from sad to fab !

It sounds like you really don't like this house so don't buy it! It's like marrying someone that you think you can mold and change to fit your idea of the perfect spouse. Doesn't work, and never has. Same with a house......

I like the trees

Can you be more specific? Are you thinking this will someday be your primary residence/dream house? Or, are you buying to flip and make a profit? Or, fix-up and rent out?

I see a whole bunch of $$$, even to do the simple list of items in your opening paragraph. Not to mention the unseen deferred maintenance items.

It's pretty clear that you do not like this house. The design is not good, the construction is not good, and the condition is not good. I'd keep looking.

I too would be curious what is drawing you to this particular house. Is there a sugar white beach with crystal clear water in the back or perhaps a snow covered mountain with your own private lift?

Is the lot in a desirable neighborhood? If so, you could level this and build new. If this is a first time home or a flip house, make sure that your renovation budget includes structural repairs and/or enough framing materials and labor to reconfigure the roof and add coherence to the front!

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To do the necessary repairs (NO visual appeal...just the neglected maintenance) figure on $5,000 - $10,000 ($7,000 for a new roof is not unheard of). If you want to do some of the other stuff, then you can be looking at $50,000 - $100,000 depending on what you have done. Enclosing (but not making it liveable) the garage = $7,000 - $10,000 (that includes materials, insulation, wiring, and labour).

New windows: $800 - $1000 EACH. Siding + insulation = $7,000 - $10,000.

So here we go:
Maintenance due to neglect: $5,000 (eaves, cement slab/sump pump, water tank/furnace)
New Roof: $7,000 (cheapest on the market)
Enclosed Garage: $7,000
Siding + Insulation = $7,000
Total: $26,000

This is highly dependent on where you live and availability of skilled craftsmen. If you want new windows...add another $5,000 - $7,000 (includes labour, and SOME structural changes...but not many).

Just to make this look nice (no structural changes other than the enclosed garage) you could be looking at $30,000 without batting an eye. A contractor would be able to walk the perimeter and give you a ball park that has a few more details than mine. It's a good place to start.

Personally I would leave the carport and change out the windows. Much better return on output of money (save heating costs). While the siding is being done, you change out the windows...saves a bit on labour and allows a better fit with the siding....that sort of thing.

Anxious to hear more about your budget, intention, and must-haves for this house.

I would Hobbit this place myself. It cries out for fantasy. I like the door and would like larger windows leave the carport and make the pillars like logs. Imagination is needed more than an overhaul costing 10s of thousands after the important repairs. Landscaping will help a lot too. But then I am hearing a different drummer.

Better to let this one go. This is a "clunker". Neglected. Hideous. It feels like depression in a bottle. I predict a painful period of regret if you buy it. Only 1 real answer is you need an architect experienced with remodeling (not all of them have the chops) and you'd need a real budget. Think architect, my friend.

Stone (veneer?) to the base/foundation (lower half of home). Paint window trim a dark navy. Add cedar/wood main door, cedar pillars to carport, dusty navy cedar shake around main door. cedar shake around upper window. light grey siding, maybe board and batten (hardie board) siding. cedar window/flower boxes. lay a slab of concrete in front of home, add a roof (metal sheeting) and cedar pillars to create a covered front patio. Cedar rocking chairs.