The leaves do resemble maple leaves. If it is, even a Japanese Maple, it is a tree and shouldn't be evenly pruned or "tamed" as you might a shrub. Try to get a better picture and post it on the Maple forum for help pruning a japanese maple. You could possibly limb it up a little and remove some of the branches to create a more layered look, but please don't take a hedge trimmer to it. It might also just be too big for the spot it's in.
Good luck with your new home!

It looks like Japanese Maple tree that has been sheared multiple times. Not my style, but I see it quite often. Shearing gives it a more formal look.
It will probably have really good Fall color.
Mike