Author Archives: Mary Hutchison

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About Mary Hutchison

Every day I'm driving around my cherished neighborhood of Brookside (and Waldo)...observing what's going on, watching new businesses move in and out, and touring homes (I'm a Realtor with Weichert Realtors). Starting this blog about Brookside/Waldo is a way I thought I could promote the area and spark some discussion about what's happening here...and what's going to happen. Your comments are welcome.

Brookside Home Sales Stats-Nov 2018

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Homebuyers are hibernating during the holiday season! It’s the traditional slow period–now through January.  However, home values are up in Brookside compared to last year. Here are the stats for single family home sales in the Brookside zip code of 64113 for last month:

Nov 2018                                                             Nov 2017

Medium list price:     $418,000                       Medium list price:     $409,000

Medium sales price:   $415,000                      Medium sales price:  $405,000

No. of homes sold:      15                                No. of homes sold:      17

Days on market:       17                                   Days on market:         26

The number of homes closed was about the same, and homes went under contract faster. The lowest sales price was $257,000 and the highest was $1.57 million.

Here are YTD figures:

Jan-Nov 2018                                                    Jan-Nov 2017

Median list price:     $402,500                     Median list price:     $389,500

Median sales price:   $396,000                    Median sales price:    $383,800

No. of homes sold:     260                            No. of homes sold:     269

Days on  market:       15                               Days on market:       19

Prices are up just over 3%  year-to-date.  Currently there are 48 active listings in Brookside, with a median list price of $422,500 and 70 days on market.  Over half of the homes for sale are priced over $400,000.

(All stats taken from Heartland MLS; deemed reliable but not guaranteed.)

 

Kristkindl Markt in Brookside This Weekend

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Get into the holiday spirit this weekend…with a German influence!  The annual Kristkindl Markt is happening Dec 7 and 8, 2018 at the Kansas City United Church of Christ in Armour Hills.

gingerbread housesThis event is pretty much like stepping into a little German village…there’s a Biergarten, authentic German food, live music, vendors selling homemade crafts and of course–the gingerbread house making for kids.  Hours are Friday 5-9pm and Saturday 10-7pm at 205 W 65th St at Brookside Road.

The church is located in a residential area, so streets are narrow and there is no parking lot.  Please be aware and park a few blocks away, plan on walking to the site and watch for pedestrians!

 

New Wall Mural in Brookside!

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Brookside mural

Have you noticed the new outdoor wall mural in Brookside??  It perfectly captures the friendly, welcoming spirit of our neighborhood.

First Washington Realty, the company that owns the commercial real estate on the north side of 63rd St between Wornall and Brookside Blvd, commissioned the work by Ruthie Ozonoff.  The mural was created is in conjunction with the 100 year anniversary of our neighborhood shops.  The postcard format is ideal for photos, and I especially like the Brookside gas lamp as the ‘stamp’ in the upper right corner–one of Brookside’s most distinctive features. 

Ruthie is from Kansas City and grew up in Brookside.  When she was ten years old, her family moved to Lawrence to be closer to family.  Ruthie went to KU, studying illustration and animation.  She created a few murals in the Kansas City area that you may have seen:  the “Kansas City I’m So In Love” mural at 2010 McGee and the “Where Kansas City Plays” mural, commissioned by KC Parks and Rec, in the West Bottoms.  First Washington saw her work on Etsy and contacted her about the Brookside piece. It was Ruthie’s idea to use a postcard template. 

ruthie ozonoff

Ruthie Ozonoff

Ruthie started painting at the beginning of November, and it took about two weeks to complete the project—delayed mostly by weather.  It’s located on the north facing wall, north of  CVS (6244 Brookside Blvd) —right by the alley that goes behind the shops.  You can easily see the mural driving south on Brookside Blvd just before 63rd St.  “Doing this mural was  an honor.  Growing up, I wanted to make people happy with my artwork—and it feels great to give back to my historic hometown community.”

You can find Ruthie’s work on her Facebook and Etsy pages, or check it out on Instagram-@designedbyruthie.  She’s currently living in Colorado, working as a freelance designer and a personal trainer/coach.  She says “After sitting at the computer for several hours working on illustrations and graphic design, I like to go to the gym and work out; shake off the pent up energy!”

The next time you are stopping in near the shops–perhaps for a Roasterie coffee or to pick up a few holiday gifts–look for the mural.  And thanks to First Washington Realty for bringing this artwork to Brookside for all to enjoy!

Waldo Home Sales Stats-Oct 2018

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Home prices in Waldo continue their upward trend…I think they will surpass Brookside in terms of percentage rise in 2018.  We’ll see! For now, here are the October single family home sales stats for Waldo, using the boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th St:

October 2018                                                           October 2017

Median list price:        $225,000                             Median list price:     $199,450

Median sales price:     $221,125                           Median sales price:    $195,000

No. of homes sold:        29                                     No. of homes sold:       22

Days on market:           20                                      Days on market:           5

The lowest sales price last month was $134,000 and the highest sale was $425,000.

Here are year-to-date figures:

Jan-Oct 2018                                                           Jan-Oct 2017

Median list price:        $200,000                         Median list price:       $179,900

Median sales price:     $206,500                         Median sales price:     $180,000

No. of homes sold:       324                                 No. of homes sold:      324

Days on market:          18                                   Days on market:           12

Home prices are up over 14% YTD for Waldo..and as you can see, many buyers paying over the asking price.  Currently there are 36 single family homes for sale in Waldo, with a median price of $222,000 and 43 days on market.  The lowest price is $85,000 and highest list price is $384,950.

(All stats taken from Heartland MLS; deemed reliable but not guaranteed.)

 

 

 

Armour Hills Home Sales Stats-Oct 2018

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Home sales are slowing down, yet Armour Hills listings continue to go under contract quickly.  Although last month, the lower priced homes sold in AH. Here are the stats for single family homes in the Armour Hills subdivision of Brookside, Kansas City MO:

October 2018                                                   October 2017

Median list price:   $309,000                         Median list price:     $359,500              

Median sales price:    $296,500                     Median sales price:    $359,500

No. of homes sold:      11                                No. of homes sold:     7

Days on market:         3                                   Days on market:      42

The lowest priced home last month closed at $237,500, several thousand over the list price of $215,000. The highest sale was $413,500.

Here are year-to-date figures:

Jan-Oct 2018                                                      Jan-Oct 2017

Median list price:     $315,000                        Median list price:     $314,750

Median sales price:   $315,000                       Median sales price:   $313,250

No. of homes sold:     72                                  No. of homes sold:     82

Days on market:        9                                     Days on market:      9

Year to date, home prices have barely budged in Armour Hills however…this may be a fluke with October figures, because prices have been on the rise.  Will have to wait and see how things shake out for the year. 

Currently there are ten active listings with a median list price of $386,200 and 73 days on market.  The highest priced home for sale is $525K–unusually high for our subdivision.  Will see if it sells for that much!

(All stats taken from Heartland MLS; deemed reliable but not guaranteed.)

 

 

Brookside Home Sales Stats-Oct 2018

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As we head into the holiday season, home sales traditionally slow down. There are few new listings and buyers are occupied with other activities.  It’s more of a challenge to move in the winter months!  Here are the 2018 October single family home sales stats for Brookside, using the zip code of 64113:

October 2018                                                                 October 2017

Median list price:     $429,500                                   Median list price:     $399,000

Median sales price:   $430,000                                 Median sales price:    $395,000

No. of homes sold:        24                                         No. of homes sold:     25

Days on  market:       3                                                Days on market:      32

Virtually the same number of homes sold last month as a year ago; prices up.  The lowest sales price was $237,500 and the highest was $1.15 million.  Checking year-to-date numbers:

 

Jan-Oct 2018                                                                Jan-Oct 2017

Median list price:      $400,000                                Median list price:     $384,900

Median sales price:    $395,000                               Median sales price:   $375,000

No. of homes sold:      248                                        No. of homes sold:     253

Days on market:           15                                         Days on market:        18

Home prices are up just over 5% for the year.  There have been nine  $1 million+ sales in Brookside this year!  

Currently there are 57 active single family homes for sale in Brookside, with a median list price of $425,000 and 56 days on market.  Over half of the homes for sale are priced over $400K.  Happy Thanksgiving to all!

(All stats taken from Heartland MLS; deemed reliable but not guaranteed.)

Dodson’s Bar Opens in Waldo

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door d

Looking for a new place to meet friends for a drink during this holiday season?  Try Waldo’s newest bar, Dodson’s Bar and Commons at 7438 Wornall.  I stopped by last week to check it out and chat with “’smooth operator and Assistant General Manager” Eric Jones.

 

 

lounge d

Dodson’s opened on September 12, site of the former Waldo Bar.  It has a relaxed feel, with plenty of table and lounge seating.   TVs line the walls, there’s a shuffleboard and Nintendo game, and the modern lighting isn’t  too bright.  The long bar offers 75% local and regional beers, plus several classic cocktails.  Besides the traditional Old Fashioned and Moscow Mule, many patrons try the Suffering Bastard—invented in the 1940s as a hangover cure says Eric—with gin, bourbon, lemon juice, ginger beer and bitters.  During the colder winter months, Eric plans to  add a hot toddy featuring Waldo honey.

Eric D

Dodson’s isn’t offering food just yet, but they do have happy hour every day from 4-7pm: all draft beers are $3 and house cocktails are $5.  Dodson’s is probably open when you are ready for a beverage and some good conversation—hours are every day from 4pm to 3am.  Parking is in the back of the building—the back entrance is hidden by a wooden fence so remember to walk through the alley to slip in the rear door. The front entrance is just north of Pickleman’s at 7438 Wornall.

Eric explained the name of the bar came from the trolley that connected Waldo and Westport (Dodson’s).  They added the Commons to emphasize a “gathering of like minds coming together”. He added “We are incredibly stoked to be in Waldo” because of all the local businesses that support each other and the residents that frequent locally owned businesses.

Stop by Dodson’s over the holiday season and welcome them to our neighborhood!

Farmers Market and Art Market This Saturday!

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Two events to tell you about, both happening Saturday:

farmer

 

The Brookside Farmers’ Market is heading indoors this Saturday, Nov 17, 2018.  You’ll find it at Research Medical Center, 6675 Holmes, open from 9am-noon.  Enter parking lot B near the Curry Education Center.

Also…if you are looking for a unique, handmade gift for someone special this holiday season, check out the Academie Lafayette Art Market–also this Saturday from 10am-5pm.  Over 20 vendors will be there, offering home made jewelry, soaps, jams, Christmas ornaments, pillows, leather goods, etc.  The Art Market is at the school located at 3421 Cherry St.  Food trucks will offer coffee, pastries and crepes!

Holiday Shopping Season Kicks Off Tonight in Brookside

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Brookside holiday opener

Today is  the Annual Holiday Season Opener to kick off the shopping season in Brookside!  Starting at 5pm stroll through the Brookside shops and check out the special deals and discounts.

Be sure to stop by and check out the live music and  local schools’ children’s choirs getting you in the holiday spirit–from 6:30-7:30pm at the small park west of Starbucks on 63rd St.  There will be giveaways as well, plus refreshments from The Roasterie, Price Chopper and Michael Forbes.

Thank you for supporting our locally owned Brookside businesses during the holiday shopping season!  This event extends through Sunday!

Brookside Trick or Treat Street TODAY!

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BKS halloween

 

Halloween is today…and that means it’s time for the annual Trick or Treat Street in Brookside!

From 4-6pm, costumed little kiddos and their parents will be walking along 63rd St, collecting sweet treats from our local merchants. Please be aware of the hundreds of people who will be out at this time, strolling along 63rd from Wornall east to Oak St.  If possible, try to avoid this area altogether Halloween afternoon!

Thank you to the Brookside Business Association for keeping this family friendly event happening every year in our neighborhood.  Please support our Brookside merchants.