By Gretchen A. Peck

Two driveways lead to the three-bedroom home at 149 Bozrah Street in Bozrah, Connecticut. Built in 1971, the 2,448-square-foot house has been improved in recent years and was newly listed for sale this week. The homeowners have enlisted Coldwell Banker Realtor Judy Szablak as the listing agent. They’re asking $325,000 for the property.

Welcome Home spoke with the owners. The couple bought the property four years ago, and estimated that they’ve invested more than $100,000 in improvements, between the house, the landscaping and some outbuilding additions.

They installed a new roof to the house in 2021, upgraded it to new 200-amp electrical service, and put in new split-system heating-and-cooling units.

They added a screened porch to the floor plan, which opens out to a patio, gardens and yard. It’s been an invaluable extension of their living space, and they reported using it nearly every day or evening.

“I come out here in the morning with my coffee. I’ve got [Gardner Brook] right in front of me, with ponds on each side. It’s peaceful,” she said. Asked about the brook, she recalled fishing in its waters as a kid, when her family owned a cottage on nearby Gardner Lake. Locals and visitors can enjoy the 528-acre Gardner Lake via Gardner Lake State Park in Salem, Connecticut—just seven minutes away.

The owners completely remodeled. They chose custom cabinets, granite surfaces and appliances in stainless finishes. Adding a breakfast bar created a more seamless flow between the kitchen and adjacent dining room.

There’s a coziness to the living room, courtesy of the floor-to-ceiling brick-surround fireplace. Hardwood floors are installed on the first and second floors.

One of three bedrooms, the primary has front-to-back proportions and two closets, including a walk-in. The two other bedrooms have built-ins and window seats.

“We put in all new sidewalks, because this house had no sidewalks at all,” he explained. They also built retaining walls and cleared the 0.90-acre lot of overgrowth. “I built a log wall in the back, along the length of the property. It’s probably 4-to-5-feet high, made from all the trees we cleared. Everyone loves the log wall!”

The couple enjoyed the fruits of the land, literally. There are apple, pear and cherry trees on the property, as well as strawberry patches and raspberry and blueberry bushes. They’ve created vegetable and cutting gardens, harvesting potatoes, beets, cucumbers, tomatoes and a variety of herbs.

“This year, we grew pumpkins and watermelon,” he said.

With nearly an acre, there was plenty of room for the gardens and some outbuildings.

“The smaller shed is used for riding lawn mowers, rototillers and weed whackers—all the gardening stuff,” he said. “I’ve been a mechanic for 30 years, so the big two-car garage was a huge space for me to work on cars.” The outbuilding was added just a couple years ago. When it was built, he incorporated a large loft space along the entire back wall, extending the storage area.

There are also two chicken coops on the property.

As soon as the property was listed, there has been a steady stream of prospective buyers coming to take a closer look. They found it funny that every single one asked if they’d consider including the chickens as part of the deal. “Everybody wants the chickens,” she said.

They spoke fondly about their neighbors and said they’ve appreciated the home’s location—convenient to commuting routes, shopping and parks.

Property: 149 Bozrah St., Bozrah

Bedrooms: 3

Baths: 2

Square Footage: 2,448

Acreage: 0.90

Asking Price: $325,000

Listing Agent: Judy Szablak, sales associate Coldwell Banker Realty; Mobile: (203) 257-5892; judy.szablak@coldwellbankermoves.com