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.

KC Restaurant Week Jan 13-22, 2017

Posted on January 11, 2017 by Mary Hutchison

registerheader-h1 During the holidays, you can stuff yourself with tasty home cooked meals and special treats. Now it’s January…and time to eat more during KC Restaurant Week!

KC Restaurant Week is a benefit for three local organizations: Boys Grow, Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired and Cultivate Kansas City. Participating restaurants donate a portion of money collected from each meal to these groups. Each eatery offers a special lunch ($15) and dinner ($33) during the ten day event. This is the best way to try new restaurants in all parts of the metro area. Just scrolling through the website, looking at all the artfully plated food will stir up cravings!

Reservations are highly recommended through Open Table. This year, 143 restaurants are participating. I’ve listed the Brookside/Waldo restaurants below:

Avenues Bistro

Charlie Hooper’s Bar and Grille

Michael Forbes Bar and Grille

Waldo Pizza

The Well

Thank you for supporting locally owned businesses during KC Restaurant Week!

JFS Opens 2cd Location in Brookside East

Posted on January 4, 2017 by Mary Hutchison

Happy New Year and welcome 2017! What changes will the new year bring for our Brookside/Waldo neighborhood? Last year I wrote several posts about the emerging Brookside East corridor along E 63rd St. And the first blog of 2017 will to tell you about a non profit opening in this hip small business area. Jewish Family Services, or JFS, is expanding its services to Brookside East, scheduled to open January 17 at 425 E 63rd St.

JFS actually started as a support system for immigrants 115 years ago. You may be familiar with their main building at the Jewish Community Center in Overland Park, and they also started Menorah Hospital. They chose Brookside East as a second location to deliver better access to clients who live in this area and rely on bus transportation. This building also allows for a much larger food pantry and extra space for growth.

JFS is a non profit , United Way organization, funded by donations and grants. They offer several important services for the area: a food pantry, mental health counseling, chaplaincy, career services, emergency shelter referrals and assistance for older adults. Their mission is to support and strengthen lives throughout greater Kansas City regardless of faith, age, culture and lifestyle..so all are welcome. (They also welcome volunteers!)

A unique aspect of this new location will be the artwork. Over 52 works of art have been donated by Rita Blitt, who designed the memorial for the Hyatt Regency skywalk collapse. Rita will have several paintings and one sculpture in the building.

JFS-Brookside East will have regular business hours of 8am-5pm Monday through Friday; the emergency hotline number 816 333 1172. They are planning a Grand Opening for the community after the building is open and the staff is settled in.

Armour Hills Home Sales Report-Nov 2016

Posted on December 19, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

Even during the traditionally slower Fall home buying season…Armour Hills continues to be a hot area for homebuyers. Prices continue to rise compared to 2015. Let’s look at the numbers:

Nov 2016: Nov 2015:

Median list price: $260,000 Median list price: $274,950

Median sales price: $260,000 Median sales price: $276,000

Number of homes sold: 9 Number of homes sold: 4

Days on market: 35 Days on market: 70

Although median price was lower than last November, five of the homes sold at list price or over list price.

Checking year to date figures:

2016, Jan-Nov: 2015, Jan-Nov:

Median list price: $272,500 Median list price: $265,000

Median sales price: $272,500 Median sales price: $265,000

Number of homes sold: 80 Number of homes sold: 73

Days on market: 30 Days on market: 34

Prices are up, and more homes are selling. So far, the lowest sale in Armour Hills this year is $176,000 and the highest is $499,000. Next month I will report 2016 year end results as well as December stats.

Currently there are 4 homes for sale in Armour Hills, with a median list price of $280,000 and 77 days on market.

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

Waldo Home Sales Report-Nov 2016

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

Homebuyers continue to seek out Waldo as a place to put down roots! Sales continue to outpace last year and prices –rising. Here are the November 2016 stats for single family home sales in Waldo, using the boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th:

November 2016

Number of homes sold: 29

Median list price: $175,000

Median sales price: $172,000

Average days on market: 15

The lowest sales price last month was $86,000 and the highest was $345,000.

November 2015

Number of homes sold: 14

Median list price: $157,475

Median sales price: $162,500

Average days on market: 24

Twice as many homes sold this November compared to 2015; median sales price jumped up as well. Also, houses are going under contract faster.

Now let’s compare year-to-date:

Jan-Nov 2016

Number of homes sold: 373

Median list price: $167,500

Median sales price: $167,500

Average days on market: 22

Jan-Nov 2015

Number of homes sold: 335

Median list price: $160,000

Median sales price $162,000

Average days on market: 34

So far this year, 11% more homes have sold and prices are up 3.39%.

Currently in Waldo, there are 34 single family homes for sale at a median list price of $165,000 and 52 days on market.

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

Brookside Home Sales Report-Nov 2016

Posted on December 12, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

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

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

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 63^rd 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.

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

Posted on December 1, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

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??

market This 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

Posted on November 28, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

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!

Posted on November 23, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

Forget 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

Posted on November 21, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

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.)

Inside Brookside (And Waldo)

What's Happening In Brookside and Waldo (Kansas City, Missouri)

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