This Weekend: Brookside Art Annual May 2-4, 2014

Posted on April 30, 2014 by Mary Hutchison

Now in it’s 29th year…the Brookside Art Annual happens this weekend! After last year’s record cold temperatures kept attendance low, this year’s forecast is just about perfect! Here are the details you need to know:

Hours are Friday 5pm-9pm, Saturday 10am-9pm, and Sunday 11am-5pm. The booths are set up between 63rd St and Meyer Blvd at the south end of Brookside Blvd. It’s best to park along a residential street and walk to the fair. Food will be available from local vendors (Michael Forbes Grill, Brookside Market, the Brooksider and Avenues Bistro) and free children’s activities take place on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

There are so many reasons why I love this art fair above all others, but the primary one is that I feel the artwork is more affordable than, for example, the Plaza Art Fair. Many regional artists display their work, and you can still buy a unique piece of jewelry or wall art for under $100.

You can find a list of artists and other details at www.brooksidekc.org. Remember, please leave pets at home as the booths will be very crowded with humans!

Brookside Home Sales Report-March 2014

Posted on April 21, 2014 by Mary Hutchison

Ahhh….Spring in Brookside! The trees are blooming, flowers finally popping up and the homes look even more charming than usual surrounded with fresh green grass and bright floral colors. This is one reason why home sales surge in the warm weather months–curb appeal is best in spring and summer months.

Let’s examine Brookside single family home sales for March 2014. There was a lower number of homes sold, but average prices are up. These figures are for the main Brookside zip code of 64113:

In March 2014, 19 homes sold. Average median sales price was $322,500 and 103 days on market. The lowest sales price was $152,000 and the highest was $775,000.

In March 2013, 32 homes sold. The average median sales price was $313,000 and 131 days on market.

More homes sold in 2013, but in 2014 the average sales price was almost $10K higher. This market activity reflects the lack of inventory this spring–the demand is there, but not enough supply, pushing up prices.

Checking year-to-date figures:

From Jan-March 2014, 43 homes sold at a median sales price of $298,000 and 84 days on market.

From Jan-March 2013, 63 homes sold at a median sales price of $280,000 and 115 days on market.

You can see the trend continuing into the busy Spring buying season–prices are up 6% so far this year.

As of this writing, there are 77 single family homes for sale in the Brookside zip code of 64113 with an average median list price of $457,000 and 143 days on market. Of the 77 homes for sale, 30 homes are priced over $1million, which affects average list pricing.

The demand is quite high for updated Brookside area homes priced between $250-$400K. If you are thinking of selling this year–get your house spruced up and ready to take advantage of this hot market!

(All figures taken from Heartland MLS and deemed reliable but not guaranteed).

Three Bedroom Home for Sale in Brookside/Waldo Area

Posted on April 17, 2014 by Mary Hutchison

214 E 73rd Terr in Brookside

Today’s blog will feature a great new listing I have in the Brookside area. The address is 214 E 73rd Terrace, priced at $225,000. This 1937 home is updated and move in ready–yet still has so much of the original architectural charm that Brookside buyers want.

Living room with fireplace

On the first floor, there is a living room, dining room and a bedroom that can also be used as a large office or family room. The kitchen has a tile floor, granite counters, two pantries and a cute breakfast room with butler’s pantry. There is also a half bath, which could be easy to convert to a full bath.

The second floor offers two spacious bedrooms and a full bath. The master bedroom has a walk in closet with a built in dresser and a martini deck! The second bedroom has built in storage benches and another large closet.

Finished basement area with fireplace and built-ins

But wait, there’s more! The basement is partially finished, with original built ins, new carpet and daylight windows. Including the finished room in the basement, you have about 2000 square feet of living space!

FInally, there is a cozy screened side porch, a deck off the kitchen (faces north) that steps down to a patio, a privacy fence and a one car garage with private driveway. You will love the location–walking distance to neighborhood shops and restaurants, close to the Trolley Track Trail and on the bus route to downtown Kansas City, the Country Club Plaza, UMKC and Crown Center.

Deck and patio in fenced backyard

See more pictures on my website..and contact me if you know someone looking for a nicely updated home in charming Brookside!

Be Grateful For Another Day

Posted on April 14, 2014 by Mary Hutchison

It’s Monday in April and the weather has turned cold and it’s snowing – are you complaining? Will you go about your routine day, slightly bored with the monotony of everyday life: tackling the daily to-do list, bugging the kids to get homework done, annoyed that your boss doesn’t appreciate your hard work? Stop…now… and be grateful because you have another day.

The shootings in Overland Park, KS yesterday have shocked everyone. It was a normal day, with normal people going about their business of living everyday life. Was it a normal day for the alleged shooter, a man who must be so filled with hate that he is compelled to shoot innocent people? A man who must so hate his everyday world that he feels he has to end the lives of others? A man who feels no remorse for his actions?

I am not going to rant about the need for more gun control and mental health counseling. Nothing will change. Not today, not a year from now. There will be more massacres and more people killed. This is practically a daily occurrence in our country.

Credible sources tell me the third person murdered yesterday was a Brookside resident. She and her family are members of St. Peter’s Church as we are; she coached my daughter’s volleyball team for a year. Her son and my daughter were in the same class at St. Peter’s School. She was visiting her mom at the time of her murder. Just a normal day for her, until the actions of one man ended it all…forever.

So, be grateful for another day and everything that comes with it: the wet snow you see falling on the spring flowers; the exasperation you feel when your kid is annoying; the extra project that just plopped on your desk; the comfort of the blankets on your bed at night. There is no time to complain about the small stuff…you could be dead tomorrow. Right now, you are alive.

KCUR and 90.9 The Bridge Need Your Support!

Posted on April 7, 2014 by Mary Hutchison

Friends, family and many of my clients know that once upon a time…I used to be a disc jockey (is that still a term used today??). Those were fun times, playing actual vinyl records, making live appearances at nightclubs, going to concerts and interviewing bands. Most of my broadcast career was in the late 70s/‘80s, as groups like U2, The Police, Elvis Costello, The Clash, New Order, REM, The Cure, etc were becoming famous. And even though I’m older now, I will always listen to a great rock song really loud…still get those inner thrills and tingly feelings from the music.

A couple of times a year I revisit my DJ days when I volunteer during the membership drive at KCUR…and this year, I’m also helping 90.9 The Bridge with their on air fundraising. Every day, I listen to KCUR, punching it on through my radio, phone or laptop. Like so many other KC residents, it’s regular part of my routine–and every day, I hear some type of interesting news story or special feature. KCUR feeds my brain, and if you are a KCUR listener, you should help support the station by donating this week during the Spring Fund Drive. I’ll be on today from noon-2pm–call 816 235 5287 when you hear my voice or donate online.

KTBG The Bridge is also having a fund drive this week–have you been listening to this great adult oriented station since it signed on in January? The Bridge is a commercial free station that focuses on new music, some classics and has a strong emphasis on playing songs from local bands. Their website is fantastic if you want to keep up with the local music scene–you can hear interviews with the bands and live performances. Tune into 90.9 The Bridge and donate – I’ll be on the air 10am-12:30 on Thursday April 10.

KCUR and The Bridge 90.9 are two excellent radio stations that are vital to the Kansas City metro area–you hear national news, local music and intelligent discussions regarding important local issues (streetcar expansion; a new KCI, etc). If you listen….show your appreciation by making a donation this week during their on air fund drives. Both of these stations broadcast 24 hours a day for you, the listener. The money you donate will come back to you tenfold, through music, news and entertainment every single day. Thank you!

Inside Brookside (And Waldo)

What's Happening In Brookside and Waldo (Kansas City, Missouri)

Monthly Archives: April 2014