C+C and Lens flare for Double Shotgun Home

[BobSaget]

Any comments would be appreciated. I'm open for any critique (color sat., exposure, perspective) but please don't tell me right doors light should be on. I really like it that way and regardless, didn't want to knock on the door. Also, any recommendations on removing the flare top right? I process in cs3 extended. Shot in raw, this is a jpeg compression.
cross the street | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[Underdeveloped]

the blur on the sidewalk in front is distracting. Not sure that I love the comp, but held my interest for a bit. I think I hate the color and the lens flare.

 

[BobSaget]

I've tried a few things to get rid of the flare. Unless I clone stamp on a microscopic level, I'm really at a loss.

 

[MK3Brent]

The fake bokeh or blur used is very distracting. Especially at the top where you stopped using it because of the tree top.

 

[BobSaget]

cross the street | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

So with saturation and lens flare concerns I decided to go B&W and brush the flared area a bit with black. any thoughts?

 

[MK3Brent]

Looks better with the flare.