good morning, my situation has some similarities, and a lot of differences. I kind of think some of my thoughts may be useful though.

I bought the place just about a year and a half ago. When the agent and I walked around the side of the house I saw the slope - and right then decided to make an offer. I saw myself gardening there. I saw a few terraces, a path, a tree or two, spring bulbs. It all washed over me and I was so impatient to GET AT IT! It was literally agony going through the process... didn't they realize the planting season was rushing by? I finally got in here in August. (ugg)

But the wait did give me time to study what I wanted and where. I took the time to draw up a Three Year Plan, on paper. I wanted to retain a portion of the artless nature of the land and not have it carved and fixed until it looked like a store window. Unlike you I had no viable trees, in fact I have four huge spruce that have to come out. So I studied the view from the two windows I'd be viewing from the house, drew out plans where to put a tree, several bushes, spring bulbs, a low retaining wall, and a path. Then I walked the slope repeatedly to be sure the would-be-path took me to and from areas of high use and would not become a gully from run-off.

I am glad now that I took these considerations into account rather than dashing about with flats of annuals and a shovel.
Gardeners_Hands