This is not a question we can answer - depends where the house is and how restrictive your local authority is in regard to fencing off. Up the road from where I live, there are privet hedges 4 feet high and because its a conservation area, owners are not allowed to remove the hedges nor replace with fencing. Where I live its not so strict, but that doesn't necessarily mean I could erect an 8 foot fence round the front garden.

As for what you can do with the back garden, impossible to say without knowing its size (width and length) and aspect (which way it faces, that is, does it get sun or is in shade all the time), preferably with photos, along with what part of the country its in. It's certainly possible to make a small space outside look good.

What got me into gardening in the first place was a small garden exhibit at a garden show. Amazing what can be done in a small space either in full sun or total shade. To get good ideas from GOY members, press "s" in the Goycopedia at the bottom of this web page and go to" small garden ideas" As Bambo has said you must confirm that what you want to do with your front space is legaly permissible. Finally, it is so rare to find a house that one loves so GO FOR IT!

For the back garden a photo of the site would help people to give good advice. Easy to add to your question.