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.

Waldo Home Sales Report – July 2018

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Waldo home values continue their upward climb compared to one year ago…demand is very strong for the moderately priced houses you can find in this area. Here is the July 2018 single family home sales report for Waldo, using the boundaries of Gregory to 85th St and Holmes to State Line:

July 2018                                                                 July 2017

Median list price:      $215,000                            Median list price:     $149,725

Median sales price:   $210,000                           Median sales price:  $162,000

No. of homes sold:       43                                    No. of homes sold:    30

Days on market:           8                                       Days on market:       5

The lowest sales price last month was $47,000 and the highest was $460,000.

Year-to-date stats below:

Jan-July 2018                                                       Jan-July 2017

Median list price:     $199,900                          Median list price:      $175,000

Median sales price:   $200,000                         Median sales price:   $176,000

No. of homes sold:      237                                No. of homes sold:       243

Days on market:        15                                    Days on market:          15

Compared to the same time period last year, Waldo sales prices are up 13%! Currently there are 27 active listings, ranging in price from $115,000 to $398,000 and 27 days on market. 

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

Big Splash Car Wash in Waldo-Under New Management

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Today’s blog is about a locally owned business at 8320  Wornall Rd:  Big Splash Car Wash.  The business is under new ownership and recently celebrated a grand ‘reopening’. 

big splash

Claire Cunningham and her husband Jason own several of these car washes around the KC area—other locations include Overland Park,  Westport and a new site opening in Grandview this Fall.  Claire explains the design of the property is for “easy in and easy out to get your car washed. There are three entrance lanes including a special lane for members only”.  Drivers stay in the vehicle as it goes through the wash, and free DIY vacuums are available.  The car wash is designed to service up to 150 cars an hour (!!).  I used the wash a couple of weeks ago and was finished up, including vacuuming my car interior, within 20 minutes.

At Big Splash, you can stop in for a one time wash or purchase a membership and they have several packages available.  I did a quick run through called the “Splash ‘N Dash” for $8, which washed the outside with a jet dry.  The machines did a pretty good job for the price of the wash.

One thing to note if you want to try Big Splash:  the never ending road construction along this part of Wornall can make it tricky to find the entrance to the business.  It’s been frustrating for the owners!  So be aware of the road blockage and work vehicles as you get closer to the location. Big Splash is located on the west side of Wornall, near McDonald’s.

Big Splash Car Wash  is a good alternative to the total self-service wash farther north on Wornall at 74th St, and less expensive than the full service Waterway on State Line Road.  Stop in and try it—support our locally owned Waldo businesses!

Armour Hills Home Sales Report-July 2018

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Interesting stats for the Armour Hills subdivision in Brookside–a slight dip in home values to report and several homes currently on the market.  That’s a change from previous months.  Let’s look at the numbers:

July 2018                                                              July 2017

Median list price:   $349,950                            Median list price:    $335,000

Median sales price: $348,450                           Median sales price:  $335,000

No. of homes sold:    9                                       No. of homes sold:      6

Days on market:      3                                         Days on  market:      5

The lowest closed sales price last month was $200K and the highest was $430,000, $10,000 over the list price.  Year-to-date stats below:

Jan-July 2018                                                     Jan-July 2017

Median list price:    $315,000                         Median list price:     $320,000

Median sales price:  $315,000                        Median sales price:  $322,500

No. of homes sold:    45                                   No. of homes sold:     59

Days on market:      5                                      Days on market:        7

Median home prices are down 2% compared to 2017, however this may be a one month blip.  Homes are still selling quickly in Armour Hills and there is less inventory than 2017.  Currently there are 13 active listings, at a median list price of $329,000 and 33 days on market.

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

 

Brookside Home Sales Report-July 2018

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Just over halfway through the year and home values continue to rise in Brookside.  As we get closer to the cold weather, fewer homes will be listed resulting in fewer sales. Here is the July 2018 sales report for Brookside, using the zip code of 64113:

July 2018                                                                          July 2017

Median list price:     $415,000                                     Median list price:    $394,975

Median sales price:   $415,000                                    Median sales price:   $392,500

No. of homes sold:       27                                            No. of homes sold:       26

Days on market:          23                                             Days on market:      10

The lowest sales price last month was $200,000.  The highest sold listing is located at 6505 State Line Road–the large Art Deco style home with the white exterior built in 1935.  Listed in 2015 for $3.3 million, it closed last month at $1.5 million. This home is on the National Register of Historic Places.  

Checking year-to-date figures:

Jan-July 2018                                                                    Jan-July 2017

Median list price:      $409,000                                 Median list price:       $384,900

Median sales price:     $397,000                               Median sales price:     $375,000

No. of homes sold:       169                                      No. of homes sold:      185

Days on market:            16                                       Days on market:          17

Compared to last year, median home prices are up 9%.  Fewer homes have sold, with about the same days on market.  Currently there are 60 houses on the market in Brookside, with a median  price of $507,475 and 56 days on market.  Nine of the homes are priced over $1 million; 30 total over $500,000.  The lowest listed price is $260,000 and the highest is $4.25 million.

(all statistics taken from Heartland MLS; deemed reliable but not guaranteed.)

 

 

Waldo’s Euston Hardware is Remodeling

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euston frontA longtime Kansas City local business, Euston Hardware store has been around since 1999. With four locations, including Prairie Village, Smithville, Red Bridge, and Waldo, owner Kevin Euston (son of founder Ken) has been providing the Kansas City area with hardware supplies for almost 20 years.  The Waldo store, at 126 W 75th St is currently undergoing a remodel…and still open for business while they are working on it. 

Euston says it’s important to “freshen up the inventory” after a while, as hardware changes and newer offerings become available.  The store recently updated  the exterior, and it has a stylish retro vibe now, thanks to the art deco style building that used to be an A&P market.  Inside, the store will feature taller and longer shelves, new lighting,  and over 5000 new items including more tools, a bigger fastener department, lawn items and cleaning supplies.  The check out area has moved as well, to the east side of the shop.  

I stop in the Waldo Euston store often–to get keys made or pick up my favorite hardwood floor cleaner and stain remover.  The staff is always friendly and asks “Can I help you find something?” when I walk in–very important as I certainly don’t know the location of over 5000 items!  Watch for a grand ‘reopening’ within the next few weeks after the project is complete.

Thank you for supporting locally owned Brookside/Waldo businesses!

 

 

Brookside Market Days Begin Saturday

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brookside-2018-market-daysFor the second year in a row, the Brookside Business Association is sponsoring Brookside Market Days, every Saturday in August…kicking off this Saturday Aug 4, 2018.

Start your day at the Brookside Farmers Market, then visit various shops for special events.  For example, the New Dime Store is featuring pop up shops, beginning with Betsy Roo handmade greeting cards and prints this Saturday, followed by Willett Studios (handmade earrings) and Gypsee KC (woodburning art) on successive weekends. COCO also has pop up events; Worlds Window is featuring Shibori dyeing, Charlie Hoopers will offer $1.50 hot dogs!

In addition, buy a $10 Brookside Market Days reusable totebag (available at the  market and New Dime Store) for extra discounts at places like Roasterie, Fiddly Fig, 5B & Co Candlemakers, Design in the City, Brookside Barkery and Worlds Window.

Live local!  Support Brookside businesses and participate in Brookside Market Days–every Saturday in August.  More details at www.brooksidekc.org.

Armour Hills Home Sales Report-June 2018

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Armour Hills, one of the largest subdivisions in Brookside, continues to be one of the most desirable locations for home buyers.  Again last month, median sales price was higher than list price.  Here are the stats:

June 2018                                                          June 2017

Median list price:     $315,000                      Median list price:    $294,500

Median sales price:   $322,500                    Median sales price: $306,000

No. of homes sold:     8                                 No. of homes sold:    17

Days on market:        6                                  Days on market:      34

And here are year-to-date figures:

Jan-June 2018                                              Jan-June 2017

Median list price:     $313,450                  Median list price:    $317,250

Median sales price:   $312,500                Median sales price:  $313,500

No. of homes sold:       36                         No. of homes sold:    54

Days on market:           6                           Days on market:        6

The lowest closed sales price so far this year is $180,000 and the highest is $475,500.  Median sales prices are less than 1% this year compared to last; however fewer homes have sold this year.  Overall, I think 2018 prices will beat 2017.  Currently there are ten active listings in Armour Hills, with a median price of $327,450 and 18 days on market.

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

Waldo Home Sales Report – June 2018

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Halfway through 2018 and Waldo home values are as sizzling hot as the outdoor temperatures!  Closed sales prices are regularly above asking price.  Let’s look at the numbers, using the Waldo street boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th St:

June 2018                                                June 2017

Median list price:     $200,000               Median list price:    $185,000

Median sales price:  $219,000               Median sales price:  $194,000

No. of homes sold:    31                         No. of homes sold:    45

Days on market:        35                          Days on market:      3

The main reason the days on market last month were so much longer was due to one house that sat for sale for over six months.  Most Waldo area homes sell in under seven days.   The lowest sales price in June 2018 was $35,500 and the highest was $405,920.  Below are year-to-date comparisons:

Jan-June 2018                                            Jan-June 2017

Median list price:      $197,000                Median list price:    $175,000                       

Median sales price:   $199,500                Median sales price:  $177,500

No. of homes sold:       180                     No. of homes sold:    205

Days on market:           15                        Days on market:     18

Fewer homes have sold this year due to a lack of inventory, and that’s pushing prices up–over 12% increase over last year.  Currently there are 29 single family homes for sale in Waldo, with a median price of $249,000 and 23 days on market. The lowest list price is $134,900 and the highest is $485,000.

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

 

 

Brookside East Welcomes New Businesses

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butch photo

 

 

The Brookside East area continues to grow,  with more businesses on the way! Developer Butch Rigby recently finished adding a second story on to 633 E 63rd St and has several new tenants lined up for the building:

New Strong and Counseling Services LLC  –  counseling

Wize Webz – advertising/web marketing office

Architexture Salon – hair salon

Vijay Home – home furnishings shop/design studio/showroom (Sept opening)

This building is already home to several thriving businesses, including BKS Artisan Ales, Can I Have A Bite?,  and Farm Dog Studios.

Rigby is also renovating additional buildings along E 63rd St,  and is now working on 701 and 751 E 63rd St.  The updates will feature a mid-century modern theme, with green and brown tones and rustic wood; new glass exterior and new plumbing and HVAC.  He’s hoping for more retail and restaurant space here along with office tenants, with a focus on locally owned businesses and entrepreneurs.

If you haven’t been on 63rd St east of Oak lately–take a trip!  Thanks to Butch Rigby, many new businesses and eateries to explore!

Brookside Home Sales Stats-June 2018

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We are halfway through the year and Brookside home sales continue to be very strong, especially in the under $500K price range.  Inventory is generally lower than last year.  Here is the single family home sales report for last month, and a YTD comparison for the main Brookside zip code of 64113:

June 2018                                                                               June 2017

Median list price:      $410,000                                Median list price:     $372,000

Median sales price:    $395,000                              Median sales price:  $367,500

No. of homes sold:        39                                        No. of homes sold:   40

Days on market:            19                                         Days on market:     20

The lowest closed sales price last month was $165,375 and the highest was $1.2 million. 

Below is year-to-date comparisons:

Jan-June 2018                                                                  Jan-June 2017

Median list price:      $399,900                                     Median list price:     $375,000

Median sales price:   $390,000                                   Median sales price:   $360,000

No. of homes sold:     141                                            No. of homes sold:      157

Days on market:         14                                               Days on market:          20

The lowest sales price so far in 2018 was $168,500 and the highest was $1.6 million.  Median home prices are up 8% compared to last year!  Will prices drop the second half of the year, when sales traditionally slow down?  Watch this space for the monthly numbers!

Currently there are 61 active single family home listings in Brookside, with half of those priced over $500K; nine listings over $1million.  Median price is $565,000 and 39 days on market.

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