Looks like buffalo in the second lot of photos but it also looks like you could have some couch in there too Buffalo is a great wearing lawn but it is hard and scratchy and kids don't like playing on it too much, unless it is Sir Walter, which is a more friendlier version and the most popular one now. It will respond well to a sandy type of top dressing - black river sand is really good if you can stand the mess for a few weeks while it settles - a sandy soil will give the runners something to grab onto and grow and this is what buffalo needs. I would leave the couch in there for now but dig it out as the buffalo runs to achieve a really even lawn. The buffalo will probably choke most of it out too but do try to control weeds early as it is harder to get them out when the lawn is established and many weed killers will kill buffalo too. Buffalo is very much a surface grass so the clay won't bother it but it will affect your lawn in terms of run off and water absorbency. With winter now approaching, there won't be a lot you can do but study run off over the coming months and where the water pools, time it takes the grass to dry out after rain and then decide just how much you need to do to control water problems. Maybe just running some agriculture piping around the edge of the paving will solve your problems or there may be other areas some piping can help drain quickly. Nothing worse or more irritating than water problems, so it is really worth the effort fixing them in the coming months ready for next spring, the problem will be fixed forever and you can focus on letting the lawn grow. There are quite a few websites with tips on growing buffalo and problems you need to watch out for. This one gives good tips on mowing heights too, which is very important, especially in your heat. If you mow it too low the sun can burn it and kill it. http://softleafbuffalograss.com.au/buffalo-lawn-care-and-articles/maintaining-buffalo-lawn.php

Hi everyone, well the good news is my house is having the pictures taken tomorrow morning ahead of the first home open. Thank you all for the advice offered and shared. In the end I had to keep to a low budget as its unlikely I'll get it back in the sale price. What I want to do it MOVE it quickly, as the market is poor and we are heading toward Christmas. The first 30 days are VIP. So I did the following; -exterior eaves, guttering paint - whole house interior wall paint (grand piano quarter) and one ceiling - carpet throughout from Harvey Norman - verticals, as other spotlight/ikea options did not fit. I needed to have these made. - new lightfittings - remove exterior rotary clothes line, put an Aldi one that comes from one wall. - cleaning of pavers with high pressure cleaner (my new found friend) - cleaning of kitchen tiles and grout with toothbrush, gumption and patience (gumption is also my new friend) - new shower screen So there we have it! Thanks again for your help and colour suggestions, and multiple suggestions to CLEAN. This CLEAN priority cannot be understated. I considered staging the home however I believe as it is modest and first home buyer home and a new migrant market, it wasn't worth the spend. Fingers crossed!

I think your concerns are valid. Too much red. The roof does not look original to me, it looks painted already. If it is in good condition (pointing is all good, no broken tiles, no leaks)- it would be a straight pressure wash to clean, then a repaint. Perhaps get a couple prices? Late 70's, early 80's- this roof could of originally been brown, charcoal, green or even blue! I'm personally not a fan of 'adding' maintenance, so would avoid rendering, bagging or painting any of the brick (house or fence). If you have the budget, change the windows. You won't regret it- it will improve aesthetic, functionality and your electricity bills. There is little to any price difference between timber and commercial aluminium. Both would allow for a thicker, more defined frame, vs what you currently have. As for colours- by losing the commitment to all the red- will open up lots of options. Just depends on the look you want to achieve. PS- can't believe an air con installer would put those units there!!...when they could of gone around the corners, with conduit coloured appropriately and along the top of the fascia- you'd barely see them!...so dodgey!

Suggest rather than hanging g plants that you plant climbers eg a grapevine or bougainvillea into a half wine barrel or into other large pots or elsebreak up the concrete around the car port posts so plant a climber. A pandorea would be nice.Re earlier comment : forget nasturtiums unless for pots of annual colour as they are short living annuals only. You need sturdy perennial climbers to grow over and around the car port to soften it. Replace the white balustrade with something modern and place some lArge modern pot plants with large greenery on the balcony also to soften it. I would suggest a warm cream in place of the stark white to blend with the red brick. They greys and charcoals eg monument are verycookie cutter and a current trend that we are all heartily sick of. Using them will date the house very quickly.