It turns out that the home for sale is a rarity.
“This is a hard-to-find spacious ranch in West Hartford in a convenient location,” said Evan L. Berman of William Raveis Real Estate, the agent handling the sale of at 148 King Philip Drive in West Hartford. He went on to note that, “Right now, there are only four ranches in all of West Hartford actively on the market.”
This ranch home also stands out for many other reasons. “The home has good curb appeal, with an entry court yard that is unique,” said Berman. He continued, “That feature gives you a buffer and gives the home a unique look.” Adding to the curb appeal is the recently upgraded landscaping at the front of the home and cedar siding.
Once inside, another unique aspect of this home becomes readily apparent: It has an open floor plan. The living room and dining room are open to each other, giving an enhanced sense of space and allowing the home’s fireplace to serve both rooms. Hardwood floors in very nice condition add to this area’s appeal. Then there is the eat-in-kitchen, just steps away from the dining room, and the family room.
The kitchen and family room are also open to each other. “The family room, with its cathedral ceiling, is beautiful,” said Berman. This room’s exposed cross beams add architectural interest, as does the beautifully finished vaulted wood ceiling. A large array of windows that soar to the top of the ceiling at its highest point and face west let in an abundant amount of natural light during the day, while giving the house a contemporary look from the street.
Just off the family room and beyond a pair of French doors is another large room, which Berman referred to as a “bonus room.” It has been used as a den, and could easily be a home office. It could also serve as a fourth bedroom, and served this function in the past. Dual closets on either side of the French doors add to the room’s flexibility. So does the bonus room’s direct access to the attached and oversized two-car garage. This layout makes this home an ideal candidate for intergenerational living.
The eat-in kitchen is roomy, with a large L-shaped island ensuring there is ample counter space for a chef and several helpers when preparing for larger gatherings, which this home could easily handle. The island contains the sink and a dishwasher. A range with a hood, a microwave oven nestled in an upper cabinet, and a large French door refrigerator are easily accommodated along with more counters that ring the kitchen’s outer wall.
“The kitchen is spacious. It’s an eat-in kitchen with good cabinet and storage space. Around the bend, close to the first floor laundry room, there’s an extra cabinet area that is like a coffee bar station,” Berman said. The kitchen is conveniently located immediately next to the attached two-car garage, which eases the unloading of groceries and other household supplies.
The kitchen also has direct access to a large rear deck, which enhances the outdoor living and entertaining options during pleasant weather. Mature trees at the rear and side of the house enhance this area’s privacy.
In this house, “The living area is on the south side of the house and bedrooms are on the north side. That gives you a nice separation between the two,” Berman noted. This bedroom area has two full baths, including one reserved for the primary suite that features a large shower. This suite also has dual closets. The other bath serves the two other bedrooms on this side of the house and has a tub and shower combination. In addition to new carpeting in the bedrooms and hardwood flooring in the living and dining rooms, the home features tile in the kitchen, first floor laundry, and baths.
The lower level has ample space, which is a characteristic of most ranch houses. There is plenty of room for the home’s mechanicals, storage and workshop space, and a nicely finished room that is quite large. “The lower level has 665 square feet of finished space and that includes a half bath. It is also heated on its own zone,” Berman said. Another heating zone covers the living areas of the first floor while a third zone is for the bedrooms. The home features central air conditioning for summertime comfort.
If the oversized garage with its high ceiling, the ample closet space, and storage options in the basement prove to be insufficient, there is a shed in the backyard. “This house is not lacking storage space,” Berman noted.
Adding to this home’s appeal, the King Philip Drive location is very convenient. “King Philip Drive is within walking distance to both the King Philip School, which is the middle school, and Aiken Elementary School, which is just down the road to the north of this house. It is also close to Bishops Corner,” Berman said. If the more than 40 stores and services located in Bishops Corner are insufficient, Blue Back Square and Westfarms Mall are just a short distance away. Likewise, commercial districts and numerous businesses in West Hartford, Hartford, Farmington and Avon are within easy commuting distance.
In the final analysis and considering its location and appealing design, this home is a rare find in today’s market.
Info Box:
Built: 1957
Price: $559,900
Style: Ranch
Rooms: 8 plus finished room in lower level
Bedrooms: 3 with a 4th bedroom an option
Baths: 2 full; 1 half
Square footage: 3,123; 2,458 above grade
Acreage: 0.46
Mill rate: 44.78
Best Feature: The open concept floor plan imparts a spacious feel
Contact: Evan L. Berman
Broder Team at William Raveis Real Estate
860-306-6543