It’s a new year and the buyers are out, searching for homes to purchase! Inventory across the city was at a record low last month–less than two months’ supply! I expect Waldo will be another hot spot for buyers in 2020.
Below are the stats for January 2020, and a comparison to last year. I’m using the Waldo boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th Street. Year-to-date comparisons will resume next month.
January 2020 January 2019
Median list price: $205,000 $219,900
Median sales price: $197,500 $206,100
No. of homes sold: 17 21
Days on market: 35 21
The highest closed price was $295,000 and the lowest was $42,000. Although the overall sales price was lower than last year–the winter months are not very popular for buying homes and houses can set longer, with prices being reduced. We will see if Waldo is as hot of a market this year as it was last year as we get into the warmer weather.
Currently there are 17 active single family homes listed in Waldo, with an average price of $255,000 and 77 days on market.
(All stats taken from Heartland MLS; deemed reliable but not guaranteed.)
First, a little background on the house: Richard Wornall purchased the 500 acres of farmland in 1843, stretching from State Line to Main St and 59th to 67th Streets, taking out a loan of $2500. (These days that amount isn’t even a down payment on a Brookside home!) He and his family first lived in a cabin on the homestead until the house was built. They farmed the land, selling grain and animals in Westport. Eventually, Richard and Judith’s sons, John and Thomas, inherited the property. Soldiers took over the house during the Civil War and used it as a field hospital as the Battle of Westport was taking place nearby (in present day Loose Park). Pieces of land were sold off through the years, and finally, John Wornall’s third wife, Roma, sold the remaining 150 acres to JC Nichols. In 1963, the property was purchased by the Jackson County Historical Society and is now a free standing, non profit entity in conjunction with the Alexander Majors House at 8201 State Line Road.
This long time, locally owned business was what Waldo was all about: area folks who started a business from scratch, grew into a respected institution and earned a well deserved reputation for excellent customer service. Dave and his wife Bette ran the shop at 7432 Wornall for over fifty years. Dave started out with a few lamps and a willingness to learn by doing. Slowly, the business grew and the store expanded, with local guys who liked to tinker with parts helped out the owners. Bette added home decor to the huge inventory of lampshades and bases. Dave could make a lamp out of just about anything –customers came by with sentimental pieces such as an old bottle, toy, a piece of sports equipment or musical instrument and Dave would get to work, fashioning a unique, workable table or floor lamp. If you just needed a part, or a lamp repair–Dave and Bette were there as well, ready to help and tackle the job. Through the years, both were active in the Waldo business association, participating in promotions and neighborhood events. 
Although this can be the most boring time of year……there’s always 
Inside Brookside (And Waldo) 