Help inspire me for some kerb appeal!

[ThisMustBeMyDream]

Just getting ready to go on the market for first week in April. I'll attach some pics, but basically, I would like some help to up the kerb appeal. I will be putting plants by the door, and hopefully a hanging basket as it will be spring by then. I'll put a fake one (but not a cheap one!) if not. I'm getting a new knocker as I removed the horrible ugly lion head 14 years ago and never replaced it! The drive is being pressure washed, and then lifted and relayed. I can't afford a new drive, so DP and DS are going to lift the existing, replace broken slabs, and repoint them. They will also do the front wall too hopefully. DP laid his mums patio before, so has some experience.
I don't have loads to spend, the above will cost me a few hundred. But does anyone have any other ideas?
I've already cleared in front of the wall before anyone asks. The pics are current (but before I cleared the leaves on the pavement). I'm going to reply with some more pics so you can see it in the summer.

I’ve seen people paint white upvc doors and it looks lovely.

These pics show it when spring has sprung! The currently cut down thing at the front is a glorious buddleia.

I'd love to paint it, but I'm terrified of fucking it up! Next door have a matching door and windows, so also worried it might look odd!

Ffs. Attached wrong screenshot. I've reported it

A few things strike me as doable without spending too much money.

Don’t paint the door. I don’t like it but it matches next door doesn’t it? I’m assuming you cannot afford to replace it, so just replace the knocker with a plain one.

Obviously repair the drive. I would take down the green edging near the house. It’s naff. Just edge up the lawn properly against the flower bed. Hanging basket? No. We’ve moved on. Don’t waste your time or money.

Get rid of the tree right by the front door/window. It’s in completely the wrong place. Plant the border with flowers for a border pre chosen by a company like Crocus. You don’t need to think, you just plant. Can you plant under the front garden wall so it’s not so bleak?

I actually think it’s a pretty house with character. A few relatively minor improvements will make a huge difference. But the tree must go.

Those flags look pretty iffy.

OP one of your second lot of photos has your postcode on it. You may want to get it taken down.

I agree that the big tree close to the house would be off putting once in leaf. I love trees generally but that just seems too close to the house and looks like it would block light. I’d also consider pruning the bush near the gate post. The drive looks ok to me, I’d repair it if cracked but not sure if it needs relaying. Definitely not hanging baskets unless your market is the over 70s but a couple of nice pots by the door with small trees or nice spring bulbs would be good.

Fox drive, get rid of the tree and the edging. That would be it for me.

Fix even!

I like to see house names or numbers clearly. Perhaps it could be added to the drivewall pillar?
How is the house lit if an evening? Do you have a front light or could add some along the edge of the drive leading you to the front door?

KEEP THE TREE!

Ahem. Don’t paint the door – painted upvc looks nice in pictures but bollocks in real life, or at least disappointing if you’ve been sold a Rightmove vision.

My number one free tip would be to open your blinds for photos and viewings – closed is making the house look unforgiving and stern.

Do not keep a tree near foundations of a house! Just poor advice! This one blocks light and is not in the right place. Get rid and plant the border.

Move the dustbins to behind the side gate when photos of the front are done and vice versa.
Cut down the tree. If I was buying your house I would worry about damage to the foundations.

Get rid of the tree, remove the green edging.
Repair the cracked slabs.
Some tubs by the front door whatever the season get lots of colour in them, just ask at the garden centre what will last longest. Don't get take flowers.

Get rid of tree. Its too close the house and not particularly pretty.

Hide bins for photos.

Get nice big door number.

Remove the funny flower bed edging thing.

There’s a beer can by the front wall

I’ve seen loads of really nicely painted/spray painted upvc doors. If you use the right paint and do it properly it looks great.

I love trees but I have to agree, it is too near the house and would worry me. You could replace with something at the front of the garden? You can get nice flowering cherries, crab apples and Rowan's for about £30 from b and q. The cherries and crab apples will be in flower in a month or two and would look lovely.

I would get rid of the buddleia by the front wall. It is likely that it is what has caused the damage to the wall and drive.

Fix the drive and get advice on the tree. And open your blinds! Otherwise looks fab. Seriously don't spend any money on it apart from drive.

It's a pretty tree but in totally the wrong place. It needs removing along with the Buddlea. Again nice shrub but it's in the wrong place and needs removing. Sorry butterflies! Agree also with removing green edging.
Once the drive is done and front wall mended it will be transformed. Buy big pots to put on front steps and plant up with maybe a miniature shrub/conifer and bedding plants around it. Pop to your local garden centre for ideas. Open blinds too. Good luck!

I agree about the Buddleia, its roots are thuggish and I wouldn't want it anywhere near a brick wall.

What’s wrong with hanging baskets?!

I’d consider putting a large planter on each side of the door and a hanging basket above each, especially if it’s the kind of road where lots of the neighbours are doing baskets and planters. Don’t have your house be the only bare one!

I think it’s appropriate to the age and character of the house too.

I feel terrible about removing trees personally but that one would worry me for being so close to the house. I would take it down if possible.