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 Report-Nov 2017

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Home sales have slowed in Brookside, as they traditionally do this time of year. Very few sellers list their homes during the holiday season and through the cold months early in the year. Here are the November 2017 single family home sales stats for Brookside, using zip code 64113:

November 2017

Median list price:     $409,000

Median sales price:  $405,000

No. of homes sold:        17

Days on market:            26

November 2016

Median list price:      $350,000

Median sales price:   $349,000

No. of homes sold:        25

Days on market:            35

Technically, home prices were up 15% over last November, however there were two $1,000,000+ sales last month.  The higher dollar sales push the median price.  Let’s look at the year-to-date figures:

Jan-Nov 2017

Median list price:     $385,000

Median sales price:  $380,000

No. of homes sold:     269

Days on market:          19

Jan-Nov 2016

Median list price:     $350,000

Median sales price:  $350,000

No. of homes sold:       307

Days on market:           34

Year-to-date, home values in Brookside are up just over 8%.  Note that homes are selling faster, and sellers are getting very close to list price.  Currently there are 28 active listings in Brookside with a median price of $525,000.  Seventeen of the homes are priced over $500K.

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

Armour Hills Nov 2017 Home Sales Stats

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Armour Hills in Brookside continues to be a desirable destination for home buyers–that is one reason prices continue to rise.  Looking at the year to date stats for this neighborhood shows a large increase in values compared to 2016.  It will be interesting to see what the final 2017 numbers show.  First — here’s the November figures:

November 2017

Median list price:     $346,000

Median sales price:  $341,250

No. of homes sold:       4

Days on market:         27

November 2016

Median list price:     $260,000

Median sales price:  $260,000

No. of homes sold:     9

Days on market:       35

Fewer homes sold last month, however the ones that did close were higher priced than a year ago.  The lowest sales price in November 2017 was $202,000 and the highest was $405,000.  Checking year to date figures:

Jan-Nov 2017

Median list price:     $317,250

Median sales price:  $314,250

No. of homes sold:      88

Days on market:          9

Jan-Nov 2016

Median list price:     $275,000

Median sales price:  $274,500

No. of homes sold:      82

Days on market:         27

Home prices in Armour Hills are up over 14% year to date!  Currently there are 6 active listings, with a median price of $310,950 and 46 days on market.

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

Shopgirls Now a Pop Up for Holiday Season Shopping

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shopgirls

I was saddened to hear that Shopgirls‘ lease negotiations fell through with landlord First Washington Realty (the out of town company that owns a large chunk of real estate along 63rd St just east of Wornall).  According to the Kansas City Star, owner Katy Hamilton wanted to remain in her longtime location at 6245 Brookside Plaza, near Foos and 5B Candle, but First Washington would not allow her to stay past the lease expiration date of Nov. 30.  Shopgirls has been in business over ten years, and is known for it’s wide variety of women’s clothing and accessories that one can’t find in a typical big box department store.  And of course, the personal service was warm, sincere and friendly.

Fortunately, local Brookside landlord Joe Zwillenberg offered Katy a pop up space to serve her customers during the busy holiday shopping season.  Starting today (12/7/17), find Shopgirls at 6304 Brookside Plaza, right above Mr Goodcents.  Hours through December are Thursdays 4-8pm, and 2-8pm Friday and Saturday.

hamilton

 

You can also find unique gift items and accessories at Katy’s other Brookside shop, Hamilton, at 6215 Oak.

Thank you for shopping locally owned Brookside and Waldo businesses!

Eat Ice Cream, Support a Local Non- Profit!

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You may not think often of enjoying a cold, tasty ice cream treat this time of year — but now you should!

betty raeWaldo’s popular ice cream shop Betty Rae’s is donating 100% of sales every Tuesday this month to a local non profit organization. Today,  December 5, the charity is Restart. Next week, December 12 is Cultivate KC and the following week, December 19 is Operation Breakthrough.  Stop in and try one of their seasonal flavors, like eggnog, apple crisp or maple walnut…or buy a gift card as a holiday gift/stocking stuffer!

Hours through December 23 are Sunday-Thursday 11am-9pm; Friday and Saturday, 11am-10pm.  Betty Rae’s is located at 7140 Wornall Road.

Thank you for supporting locally owned Waldo and Brookside businesses!

Holiday German Festival and Market This Weekend in Brookside

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kris market

 

This is the 25th year for the annual Kristkindl Markt at the Country Club Congregational United Church of Christ in Brookside at 205 W 65th St.  Everyone is welcome!

If you’ve never been to this event–you are in for a good time.  Authentic German food is available for purchase, plus (of course) there is a biergarten!  Local vendors host several craft and gift booths, and the live music and caroling will get you in the holiday spirit. One of the more popular activities is the make-your-own gingerbread house for the little ones, with proceeds going to Operation Breakthrough.

The church is located in surrounded by homes and narrow streets, so please plan accordingly–walk there accessing the Trolley Track Trail or MAX bus; or plan to park a few blocks away.  Hours are Friday Dec 1, 2017 5-9pm and Saturday Dec 2 10am-7pm.

Waldo Small Business Saturday Crawl-Tomorrow!

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Why fight the big box/mall crowds on Black Friday when you can leisurely shop local on Saturday??

waldo

This Saturday, November 25, 2017 is Small Business Saturday–shoppers are encouraged to go out and buy holiday gifts from locally owned businesses.  Usually the selection is more unique, staff is friendly and the stores aren’t so crowded with frantic bargain seekers. 

Waldo is hosting the Small Business Saturday Crawl from 10am-4pm this Saturday. Visit at least ten businesses, spend $50 and receive $10 in Waldo Bucks to spend later.  Details on this promotion are at www.waldokc.org.  A few of the participating businesses include Bier Station, Eclectics, Hawthorne and Ivy, Mikes Wine and Spirits, Waldo Pizza, COCO Brookside and Family Bicycles.  You can see how easy it would be to spend a total of $50 in one day at these and other Waldo shopping spots.

Support your neighbors and local economy by participating in Small Business Saturday–or whenever you plan your holiday gift buying trips!

 

Waldo Home Sales Stats-Oct 2017

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Sales of Waldo homes have been steady all year, similar to 2016 with one exception–prices are up!  Here are the October 2017 single family home sales stats for Waldo, using the street boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th St:

October 2017

Median list price:      $199,450

Median sales price:   $195,000

No. of homes sold:        27

Days on market:            6

October 2016

Median list price:       $160,000

Median sales price:    $167,000

No. of homes sold:       27

Days on market:           17

The lowest closed sales price last month was $85,500 and the highest was $288,500.  Now let’s check year-to-date figures:

Jan-Oct 2017

Median list price:      $179,500

Median sales price:   $180,000

No. of homes sold:       336

Days on market:            12

Jan-Oct 2016

Median list price:        $165,000

Median sales price:     $167,000

No. of homes sold:         335

Days on market:             23

As you can see, in general, sellers are getting at or over  list price as the final sales price and home values are up over 7% compared to last year at this time. Currently there are 25 active single family homes for sale in Waldo, with a median list price of $173,000 and 21 days on market.

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

Armour Hills Home Sales Report-Oct 2017

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The Armour Hills subdivision in Brookside has been one of the hottest locations for home buyers this year–the rising prices reflect that demand.  Here are the October 2017 home sales stats for Armour Hills, with a comparison to last year:

October 2017

Median list price:       $329,250

Median sales price:    $327,250

No. of homes sold:       8

Days on market:          47

The lowest closed sales price was $235,000 and the highest was $446,500.  

October 2016

Median list price:       $289,475

Median sales price:    $294,499

No. of homes sold:        12

Days on market:            27

Checking year-to-date figures:

Jan-Oct 2017

Median list price:       $314,750

Median sales price:    $313,250

No. of homes sold:        84

Days on market:            9

Jan-Oct 2016

Median list price:        $275,000

Median sales price:     $274,500

No. of homes sold:        72

Days on market:            25

Note that this year, sellers are getting 99% of their asking price, and prices are up 19% over 2016.  Currently there are seven homes listed in Armour Hills, with a median price of $307,000.  Two of the homes are  over $500K– that’s rare high asking price for our neighborhood.  

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

Brookside Home Sales Stats-Oct 2017

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As we wind down toward the end of the year, home sales typically slow down.  Brookside home prices continue to beat 2016–it will be interesting to see exactly how much for the year  when I post final 2017 stats in January.  For now, here is the October 2017 single family home sales report for the Brookside zip code of 64113:

October 2017

Median list price:     $399,000

Median sales price:  $395,000

No. of homes sold:       25

Days on market:           32

The lowest closed sales price was $235,000 and the highest was $646,850.

October 2016

Median list price:      $329,975

Median sales price:   $324,975

No. of homes sold:       30

Days on market:           21

Year to date figures:

Jan-Oct 2017

Median list price:        $382,447

Median sales price:     $373,750

No. of homes sold:        256

Days on market:             18

Jan-Oct 2016

Median list price:       $352,500

Median sales price:    $350,000

No. of homes sold:        282

Days on  market:            34

Year-to-date, Brookside home prices are up 6.5% over 2016 and homes are selling faster.  Currently there are 38 active listings, with a median list price of $557,000 and 56 days on market.  Note that over half – 20 homes-are priced over $500,000 with seven of those at $1 million or higher.  

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

Road Construction Along Wornall in Waldo

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Wornall Road is one of the most traveled street in the Brookside/Waldo area.  I avoid driving on Wornall south of Gregory through 85th St–the road is very narrow and usually always congested.

Wornall one

You’ve probably noticed that Wornall is now down to two lanes, roughly  between 79th and 83rd Terrace with some sort of construction going on.

I called KCMO to find out what was going on.  The City has contracted with Infra Source to replace the gas lines.  Expect this area of Wornall to have  just two lanes for at least the next thirty days while the company completes it’s work.

Alternate routes include Main St, Ward Parkway, Oak and State Line.  

If you must drive along Wornall during the construction, please be considerate of the road workers, other drivers and allow for extra time.  It is an inconvenience but not worth a case of road rage!