Hi John,
Don't worry about being nit-picky. Nit-pick to your heart's content as this is the type of critique I'm looking for. I'm thinking of going freelance so any tips anyone can give me can only help me perform better. Plus it prepares me for future nit-picky clients π .
I actually updated the image before you posted your message. It's still missing the small details that you suggested, but I've fixed the windows and added curtains behind them. Hopefully you'll agree it looks better now.
Here's the image:
Residential Exterior 2nd draft
I posted this on the SU Podium forums and they said some of the same things you did. I guess it's times like these I realise how much I still have left to learn about rendering.
I'll be back with a new update some time in the (hopefully) near future.
Regards,
Ken.