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 2016

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As we come to a close on a very active real estate market for Brookside…prices are continuing to rise as demand is still strong, particularly in the $400K and less price range.   Here is the single family home sales report for Brookside (zip code 64113) for November  2016, and comparisons to last year:

November 2016

Median list price:               $350,000

Median sales price:           $349,000

Average days on market:     35

Number of homes sold:        25

(Lowest sales price was $202,000; highest sales price was $750,000).

You can see that sellers are getting virtually the asking price during contract negotiations.  Thirteen of the homes that closed last month were at or above asking price.

November 2015

Median list price:                $315,000

Median sales price:            $312,000

Average days on  market:      39

Number of homes sold:          19

Compared to November 2015, prices are up 11.68%. Part of that increase is due to lack of inventory–very often sellers will have multiple offers on  homes that are updated and  well maintained.

Now let’s check year to date figures:

2016, January to November

Median list price:         $357,700

Median sales price:     $352,500

303 homes sold; average 35 days on market.

2015, January to November

Median list price:         $330,000

Median sales price:     $325,000

315 homes sold; average 39 days on market      

Home prices in Brookside are up 8.46% YTD.  

Currently there are 37 active single family listings in the Brookside zip code of 64113. Just seven of those homes are priced at $400K or less.  Ten homes are listed at $998,000 through $2,400,000.  

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

BKS Artisan Ales Plans Early 2017 Opening in Brookside East

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You’ve heard the rumors….here’s what we know so far about yet another locally owned business coming to Brookside East. It’s  BKS Artisan Ales. I recently spoke with  Brian Rooney about his plans.

Brian has been a home brewer for several years. He’s won awards for his beer in a few competitions and decided to “take the hobby a little bit further” by opening to the public. He wanted to stay in his neighborhood of Brookside, and rented space from Butch Rigby at 633 E 63rd St.  (This building is also home for Farm Dog Studios, Amina Marie Millinery and Golden and Pine).   Brian owns the business along with his wife Mary and a few silent investors.

This brewery will be different than many of the craft brew places that have opened up the past few years. Brian explained BKS Artisan Ales will be open from noon – 5 on Saturdays, with a possible expansion to Sundays after getting established in the space. There will be eight taps and his bottled beer for sale. No food service—however, visitors are welcome to bring in their own eats to enjoy while sampling the beers.

One of the reasons Brian decided to open his own place was to offer some interesting brews you can’t find elsewhere. He will not brew the same beers over and over—what’s offered will be constantly changing. He has a passion for brewing, and explained he’s not “money driven” with this new business—he’s doing it to give people “a different experience” . There will be two sides to the space: the beer production side and the tasting room with approximately fifty seats.

bks

The space build-out is on track to be completed by this month.  Outside, there’s progress:  the patio was recently poured and a garage door with awning and fencing has been installed.  BKS Artisan Ales plans to open in February or March of next year.  

Of course, once the business is open and running….I’ll let you know through the blog.  Brookside East is the hot new area for businesses in our neighborhood–special thanks to Butch Rigby for making it happen and encouraging entrepreneurship in Brookside!

 

Annual Kristkindl Markt in Brookside This Weekend

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Don’t you enjoy all the annual holiday themed events that happen each year?  These are the friendly and festive happenings that never get tiresome:  driving past the Plaza and Crown Center light displays; seeing Santa at the mall; picking out a tree and stopping for hot chocolate on the way home. Am I getting too nostalgic??

marketThis weekend, Dec 2 and 3, 2016 is the 34th annual Kristkindl Markt at the Country Club Congregational Church in Armour Hills, 205 W 65th St.  This is a free, family centered event that draws big crowds to the neighborhood.  There’s a Biergarten with German food and live music; homemade cookies for sale, the ever-popular Gingerbread House making for kids and several vendors selling crafts and gifts. 

Hours are 5-9pm Friday and 10-7pm on Saturday.  The narrow streets around the church will be crowded with cars, pedestrians and traffic–best to park several blocks away and walk to the church.  Another Brookside holiday tradition–all are welcome!

Waldo Home Sales Stats-Oct 2016

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Wonderful Waldo continues to be sizzling hot for home buyers!  Once again, median sales price is over list price for October 2016.   Let’s look at the numbers for this area-  Gregory to 85th St; Holmes to State Line Road:

October 2016

24 homes sold; median list price was $159,925 and median sales price was $163,500 with 17 days on market.  The lowest priced home sale was $93,000 and the highest was $275,000.

Sixteen homes sold at or above list price.

October 2015

31 homes sold; median list price was $144,900 and median sales price was $139,000 with 38 days on market. 

Checking year to date figures:

January – October 2016

333 homes have sold; median list price is $159,900 and median sales price is $160,000 with 22 days on  market.

January – October 2015

309 homes sold;  median list price was $155,000 and median sales price was $152,500 with 34 days on market.

Prices are up year to date 4.9% and homes are selling faster this year! Currently there are 39 homes for sale in Waldo with a median list price of $169,900 and 39 days on  market. Price range is $74,900 to $499,000.

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

Shop Brookside/Waldo on Small Business Saturday!

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small-business-saturday-2016-bannerForget shopping on Black Friday in a crowded mall with indifferent store staffers…..come to Brookside/Waldo and shop locally owned businesses!  Your money stays in the community…and you will find unique gifts for everyone !

And if you are headed into Brookside…be sure to make time to explore the new shops in Brookside East:  HAMILTON, Season + Square, Golden and Pine, Farm Dog Studios.

Local restaurants and cafes will be ready for you with nourishment and beverages when you need a break!

Finally, on Small Business Saturday, American Express card holders can take advantage of special offers.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and thank you for supporting our locally owned Brookside/Waldo businesses!

Armour Hills Home Sales Stats – Oct 2016

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Is Armour Hills the hot neighborhood for Brookside buyers this year?  Seems that way, as once again the median sales price is over the list price!  Because I live in Armour Hills, I can tell you buyers are very attracted to the area because of the central location to the Brookside shops, convenient Metro bus service, the revitalized park in the center of the ‘hood, easy access to the Trolley Track Trail  and the wide range of prices.  Here are the numbers:

October 2016

Ten homes sold. Median list price was $294,974. Median sales price was $304,999, with 34 days on market. Seven of the ten homes sold at or above asking price, with one home closing at $25,500 over the list price.

October 2015

Five homes sold. Median list and sales  price was $249,000 with 8 days on market.

Comparing year-to-date:

January-October 2016

71 homes sold, median list price $275,000 and median sales price $274,500 with 29 days on market.

January-October 2015

69 homes sold, median list and sales price was $265,000 with 32 days on market.

Median sales prices are up 3.5% over 2015.  Right now there are four homes for sale in Armour Hills, with a median list price of $309,975 and 49 days on  market. Price range is $208,888-$464,900.

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

Brookside Home Sales Stats – Oct 2016

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Hello neighbors!  Time to check Brookside home sales stats for October 2016.  As has been the situation all year, prices are above 2015.  Let’s check the numbers–for the Brookside zip code of 64113:

October 2016

Median List Price:     $340,000

Median Sales Price:   $332,475

Twenty eight homes sold; the highest sales price was $1 million and the lowest was $190,000. Median days on market:  27

October 2015

Median List Price:    $398,725

Median Sales Price    $386,500

Twenty eight homes sold.  Median sales price for Oct 2015 was higher because more of the $500K plus homes sold during the month last year.

Jan-Oct 2016 – 278 homes sold

Median List Price:     $358,350

Median Sales Price:  $353,500

Jan-Oct 2015 – 296 homes sold

Median List Price:     $331,250

Median Sales Price:   $325,000

Prices are up for the year–over 8%.  Fewer homes have sold, however there is still strong demand — that is one reason prices are rising.  Currently there are 37 active single family home listings in the Brookside zip code of 64113. Median list price is $720,000.  Twenty two of the homes for sale are priced over $500K; ten of those are over $1 million.

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

 

 

HAMILTON (the shop!) Now Open in Brookside East

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Yet another new boutique has opened in Brookside East…just in time for holiday shopping!

hamilton-store

 

Katy Hamilton, owner of Shopgirls at 6245 Brookside Plaza , opened HAMILTON last month at 6215 Oak Street, just south of Plate and Season + Square. It’s a cozy and welcoming space, perfect for browsing and checking out items you’ll want to buy for yourself and others.

hamilton-katy

 

The tagline “neighborhood style for all” reflects Katy’s products: she features men’s and women’s clothes from local designers, Charlie Hustle tee shirts, locally made jewelry (including unique necklaces with letter charms from the KC Star printing presses), Kansas City skyline socks, candles with surprising scents and other uncommon items. At stores like this, it’s always interesting to see how the owner has made the space unique: Katy used discarded pallets from Sutherlands to build the dressing rooms, hung stain glass windows from her first Brookside home and is replacing a section of missing hardwood floor with pennies. It’s a very unique, stylish, and comfortable shop.

hamilton-dressingBesides selling these products, Katy is giving back to the Brookside neighborhood she loves so much by hosting special events for the public. Her boyfriend Adam Galblum is a jazz musician with the band Hot Club KC, so she’s planning micro-concerts, DIY workshops on how to make jewelry and spa items plus special Thursday evening local maker trunk shows.   Later on, Katy wants to debut her own exclusive clothing line.

Stop in and welcome HAMILTON to Brookside! Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10am-6pm at 6125 Oak St. Follow the shop on social media to keep up with special events: Facebook/hamiltonkcmo; Twitter/hamiltonkcmo and Instagram/hamilton.kcmo.

Brookside Holiday Season Kicks Off Tonight

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Brookside is ready to welcome all shoppers with the annual Brookside Holiday Season Opener tonight, Nov. 10 from 5-8pm.  Especially with the mild evening temperatures–this is a good time to get out and do some early shopping while supporting locally owned businesses!

Many Brookside merchants will be open tonight until 8pm. Several restaurants have food and drink specials; shops have special deals.  Worlds Window is collecting new and gently used coats, partnering with Rose Brooks Center.  As you stroll from shop to store, enjoy live music outside and sip free coffee and cocoa!

This event is for all ages, too.  The kids have fun at the special photo spots throughout the area.  

If you can’t make it tonight–the festive atmosphere and specials continue throughout the weekend.  The Brookside shops are located on W 63rd St, just east of Wornall Road.

Shop local in Brookside! 

 

Thoughts On Election Day

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Today is one of those days I will always remember…similar to the birth of my two girls; when I found out my best friend had AIDS; my husband proposing; 9/11; seeing U2 at the Uptown Theater.  A significant day no matter what the outcome.

I’m thinking today of my grandfather, Angelo Ferrante.  He immigrated from Sicily when he was twelve years old.  I remember large family dinners in the basement of his house in St Louis–kids running around, adults smoking,  women preparing the food.  We would sit down (of course I was at ‘the kids table’) to large bowls of pasta with meatballs and pork neckbones, fresh Italian bread, Schlitz beer, watermelon.  After everyone was seated, Grandpa was at the head of the table.  We would say prayers.  He then stood up, banged his fist on the table and said “God Bless America!”.  Then we would eat.

Because of my grandfather’s deep love of the USA, the stories he told of being so poor “back  in the old country” and the way he never complained about working long hours as a barber–all of  his grandkids grew up with  a strong appreciation for being born in the USA.  I feel so fortunate, so lucky to be an American. Growing up around these Italian immigrant relatives,  seeing  their strong work ethic –it’s seared into my soul what the American Dream means and why so many others want to live here.

So especially today, I am very, very grateful to be a US citizen and have all the privileges of living in a democracy.