Author Archives: Mary Hutchison

Unknown's avatar

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.

Bcycle comes to Kansas City

Posted on by
Reply

Every day it seems I see more and more bicycles on the road, especially on the weekends.  The cooler fall weather may have something to do with more riders coming out.  Travelling in the downtown area, though, I think Kansas City BCycle has something to do with increasing riders on the streets.

Bcycle Station

Bcycle Station

Introduced earlier this year, Kansas City BCycle is a non-profit organization (locations in other cities as well) that promotes bike riding by offering bikes for anyone to ride at various locations in the city.  Currently there are twelve stations in KC, located in the River Market going south to Crown Center (nothing in Brookside or Waldo yet).  You do have to be a member to use a bike, and it’s easy to sign up for one of the four types of membership on the website.  Memberships range from 24 hours ($7) to an annual pass ($65).  Corporate memberships are available too.

Bcycle instructions

Bcycle instructions

It’s very easy to take a bike from one of the stations–once you have registered, you swipe, grab the  bike and go.  The first 30 minutes of usage is free–after that, a $2 per half hour fee applies.  I think it would be more convenient if the first 60 minutes were free as 30 minutes just seems too short to get anything done–and what if you want to stop, chat, grab a beverage, do some shopping (each bike has a basket)?  Still, this is a great service for downtown workers and tourists as well.  There is a special discount card for members, redeemable at various downtown businesses.  And special thanks to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City for partnering with Bcycle to bring the service to Kansas City.

Hopefully Kansas City Bcycle will be so successful that more stations will be added.  Until then, it’s a pleasant, eco-friendly way to explore downtown, RIver Market and the Crown Center area.  Remember to bring a bike lock!

Brookside Home Sales Continue Upward Trend

Posted on by
Reply

Housing sales continue to be strong in Brookside!  This is positive trend that we have experienced all year. Here are the home sales statistics for August  2012, plus year-to-date figures.  I am using the main Brookside zip code of 64113 for this report on single family home sales:
In  August  2012, 31 homes sold.  The average list price was $375,358 and the average sales price was $357,238. Average days on market:  95.

In August  2011, 21  homes sold.  The average list price was $304,262 and the average sales price was $295,040.  Average days on market:  78.

These stats show the housing market in Brookside continues to outperform last year.  More units are selling this year, and at higher prices.  There was a huge jump in average price over last year –28%–for the month of August!  Some of the increase can be attributed to more higher priced homes selling this year.

Year to date, 200 homes have sold in zip code 64113,  at an average sales price of $321,320, with 109 average days on market.  From January-August  2011, 142 homes sold at an average price of $304,125 and 130 days on market.

These year to date figures reflect the same monthly trends we’ve seen:  more homes sold at a higher price, with less days on market before going under contract.

Typically, home sales are slower in the last four months of the year.  We’ll see if Brookside continues to outperform 2011 sales as we head into the cooler months. There are fewer listings coming on the market, so buyers will have less to choose from, and the attractive, updated homes should sell even quicker.

Interested in home prices and sales trends in your area?  Email me for the information!

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

This Weekend in Kansas City: Plaza Art Fair and Waldo Fall Festival

Posted on by
Reply

It’s here…one of the MOST FUN weekends to live in Kansas City!  Everyone likes a vibrant, entertaining outdoor festival, and this weekend offers two events to enjoy:

Plaza Art Fair 2012

The 81st Annual Plaza Art Fair is happening Friday (5pm-10pm), Saturday (10am-10pm) and Sunday (11am-5pm) on the Country Club Plaza.  Walk along the streets offering  240 artists’ booths,  three different music stages and a kids art workshop sponsored by the Kansas City Art Institute.  One of my favorite parts of the fair is snacking my way through the food booths–delicious street food of all types from local and national restaurants. The Plaza Art Fair is also ideal for people watching–you’re bound to bump into someone you know here. And be sure to check out local band She’s A Keeper, performing at 2:30pm Sunday at the INK stage, near Plaza III Steakhouse.  She’s A Keeper plays  catchy, melodic songs featuring Brookside resident Colin Nelson.

The Waldo Fall Festival is a smaller gathering but just as much of a good time.  Very family oriented, the Waldo event offers a dog show, a family bike ride, local business vendor booths and Mr Stinky Feet Jim

Waldo Fall Festival

Cosgrove performing on stage.  There will be food, giveaways and kids’ activities too.  The Waldo Fall Festival is Saturday from 10am-5pm at the corner of 75th and Wornall.

With warm and sunny weather forecast for the weekend, both of these festivals will be packed with people.  Join  your friends and neighbors this weekend for the Plaza Art Fair and Waldo Fall Festival!

Armour Hills Homes Assn Meeting Sept 2012 Recap

Posted on by
Reply

Here’s a brief recap of the Armour Hills homes association meeting last night.  You can always check out our Facebook page and website for the more updates!

*The tree trimming project (for younger trees in easements) will begin in late fall when all leaves are fallen.  Our vendor will start with trees on the north side of our boundary and work south.  After this project is done, we’ll work with the city on a plan to trim the older, taller trees in the neighborhood.  PIAC funds have been approved for this project!

*Residents should watch for a survey that will come out in the next Clarion (due in October) and be sent to our email list.  The board really wants your feedback on a few issues as we plan for future projects in Armour Hills.

*The Ice Cream Social was a big success, and the board will consider having this event on Sunday (instead of Friday) from now on.

*New landscaping has been approved for parts of the Trolly Track Trail that runs through Armour Hills.  Tiffany Moore is working with the ATA on this project.

*Remember our Annual Meeting is November 15–more details about the agenda will be published in next month’s Clarion.

This is just a brief recap of some of the issues we discussed.  All residents are welcome to our meetings–the next one is October 16, 7pm at Country Club Congregational Church.

Armour Hills Home Sales Stats Aug 2012

Posted on by
Reply

Hello neighbors!  Didn’t it feel good to pull out a sweater or jacket this morning on the way out the door?  You can smell Fall blowing into Brookside!  And we are going into one of the prettiest time of years to walk our neighborhood.  The drought may negatively affect autumn tree colors this year..we will see soon.  Now, let’s check home sales statistics for last month:

In  August  2012, 8 homes sold.  The average list price was $245,925 and the average sales price was $234,809. Average days on market:  48.

In August  2011, 10  homes sold.  The average list price was $223,425 and the average sales price was $214,835.  Average days on market:  91.

WOW!  Average days on market was almost half of the 2011 figure, and average price was up almost 9%!

Year to date, 52 homes have sold in Armour Hills, at an average sales price of $222,622 and  83 average days on market.  From January-August  2011, 40 homes sold at an average price of $211,322 and 125 days on market.

HIgher prices and less days on market is good news for sellers–and for buyers.  Why?  Sellers are starting to recoup some of the equity lost during the housing crash and homes aren’t sitting on the market as long. Buyers can feel confident they are buying in a desirable neighborhood with rising home values.

Interested in home prices and sales trends in your Brookside area?  Email me and I’ll provide  the information!
(All statistics taken from Heartland MLS; deemed reliable but not guaranteed)

This Weekend: Caffeine Crawl and Waldo Crawldo

Posted on by
Reply

Here’s an event I was not aware of in Kansas City:  The Caffeine Crawl.  I saw a postcard for it when I stopped by The Roasterie a week or so ago.  And it’s just what it sounds like:  a bus tour of local coffee shops tasting various coffees. Mmmm…sounds like fun!

Caffeine Crawl Kansas City 2012

Kansas City has a good number of locally-owned coffee shops and roasters.  The 2012 KC Caffeine Crawl runs over two days this weekend, and covers 14 different venues.  Not only do the stops include the obvious spots, like The Roasterie, LatteLand and the Broadway Cafe, but also places I’m not familiar with:  Revo Cup Coffee Roasters in Overland Park and Oddly Correct Coffee Roasters on Main in midtown. (I’m making a visit to the Oddly Correct coffee shop just because the name sounds so inviting!).   The Caffeine Crawl is sold out, but anyone is welcome to the free after party Sept 15  at About the Coffee, 3185 Terrace.  This is a family friendly event featuring the ‘baristalympics’ and an organic BBQ food truck (with vegetarian options!).  The Caffeine Crawl happens in a few other cities as well, watch the website for details on the 2013 Kansas City event.

Another event happening this weekend is the 8th annual Waldo Crawldo to benefit the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.  Starting at 6pm, all seven venues participating are within walking distance of 75th and Wornall.  A great way to check out several different bars, meet new friends and not have to worry about driving from place to place.  There are prizes and drink specials, too!  Order your tickets on line, just $5 in advance–visit www.waldocrawldo.com to order.  (For some reason the link isn’t working, so I am printing the website address for reference).

Why I Recommend Using a Local Mortgage Lender

Posted on by
1

Regular readers of this blog will know that I champion local businesses, especially those in the Brookside/Waldo area.  Recently I had a client who decided to use a large, national lender for his mortgage loan to purchase an Armour Hills home.  I advised him that it would probably not close on time and recommended he contact Michael Kauffman at the Brookside Bank Midwest location.  He did contact Michael, but decided to use Bank X (I won’t name the bank, but you would know it!) because of a previous transaction with them.

“Jeff,” I said, “here’s what’s going to happen.  Your local contact will provide excellent service.  She will tell you that everything is going well.  She will say all of your paperwork is submitted and the loan should go through, no problems.  Then, a few days before closing, your local contact will get a message from a processor in some other city, requiring you to submit more paperwork and demanding other conditions be met before underwriting approves the loan.  You will have to scramble to meet the requirements,  and it will cause you, and the seller, a lot of stress.  And your closing will be delayed.”

And that is exactly what happened. Two days before closing, the lender demanded repairs be made to the property, even though no repairs were negotiated (we negotiated a price reduction).  The lender had the inspection well over three weeks prior to closing to review it–the required repair list was sent two days before closing.  Why?  Because I think the  out-of-town processors don’t even review the file until 48 hours before closing, and then raise the red flag.

My buyer was very upset.  We had to drop everything and get repair bids, schedule contractors and submit receipts.  Which we did. But yet..the closing was STILL delayed by five days!  My buyer had to pay additional rent and the seller (who, fortunately, had moved out and was not purchasing another home), generously let my buyer move in prior to close.  Of course, when Jeff found out about the delay, he called Michael to see if he could switch the loan to Bank Midwest–but it was too late.

Next chapter in this story….poor customer service follow-up!  My buyer wrote a long letter to his Bank X contact, outlining step by step the problems caused by the delay.  He politely asked for a lender credit on the HUD to reimburse him for the rent money he had to pay.  Bank X refused, saying “it would set a precedent “ for other customers who experience similar problems.  Sadly, the local lender contact didn’t even go to bat for her client, pushing for some sort of compensation with her manager.  And I know  Bank X has given lender credit before in other delayed deals. ( I’ve heard plenty of stories about that from my fellow agents.)  There’s the  true reflection of how  much they ‘care’ about their customers. The letter was ignored.  Not even a written response back to the buyer.

So, lesson learned once again, about the benefits of spending your money with  locally owned businesses.  Most of the time you will get better service and keep your  money in the community.  Buy local!

Career Musings on Labor Day

Posted on by
Reply

It’s been a relaxing weekend for me so far…and it feels great!  I did work with some out of town buyers relocating to Kansas City, and took the girls shopping.   Tonight, we are having friends over for dinner, although it’s too hot and muggy to eat outside.  I’d like to visit the pool one last time.  This is the last holiday weekend until..Thanksgiving, at least for most folks who  don’t work for the government.

Feeling a bit lazy Saturday night, I started watching a Chris Rock concert on HBO.  I’m  a  fan of his humor. He’s very smart and sharp when it comes to composing his comedy bits  Like all good comics, he bases his humor on what he sees and feels about everyday life. At one point in the show, he started riffing about the difference between a job and a career.

Chris Rock

He started out by admitting he stupidly dropped out of high school  He got a job in the back of a fast food seafood restaurant, scraping shrimp off plates.  For hours and hours, he scraped, scraped, scraped those plates. And that job was the best he could do with his level of education at the time. He hated it.

Then, Chris started talking about his career.  As a comic, he works a lot, constantly coming up  with new material, searching for inspiration on new bits to develop, working in movies and as a stand-up comic.  Because he loves what he does for a living, he emphasized  this is his career, not only a job.  WIth a career, you are focused, determined, motivated to do better.  A job is just a way to earn a paycheck, and you can’t wait until your shift is over.

Inspired by Chris, I was thinking of my career as a real estate agent on this Labor Day.  In the beginning, it felt like just a job, but  without a regular paycheck.  I had to educate myself on various neighborhoods, contract documents, financing, attend inspections, learn how to market myself and my services. It was tedious, time consuming, and very little income. But I liked what I was doing, so I  worked long hours on my own little ‘start up’ business.  There were days in the beginning when I had nothing I had to do that day for my job, but I worked anyway.  There was so much to learn, and so I forced myself to soak up as much as I could about being a professional, knowledgeable agent–even though it would have been easier to just blow off the day and watch movies on the sofa. Eventually, I turned the job into a career.  When did that happen?   When I really started to enjoy what I was doing, when I felt this was a service I could provide to people and be proud of it. When I started learning from the mistakes, when I realized I was in control of the business.  When I felt a sense of accomplishment and appreciation from my clients.  When I had to work three days straight with one client but enjoyed their company so much, it was a bubbly mixture of work and interesting  conversations.

Now I still work long hours and am constantly trying to improve myself as an agent.  Keeping up with technology, new rules and regulations, recognizing the shifting needs of buyers and consoling sellers who can’t get what they want for their house–these challenges are ever present.   But like Chris, I really like what I do and have developed  my career.  Thankfully, it will never be just a job to me.

Where are the Mutt Mitts in Arbor Villa Park?

Posted on by
1

Heavy sigh as I begin this post…it’s about the ‘mutt mitts’ (plastic bags for doggie waste) provided by the Armour Hills Homes Assn in Arbor Villa Park. At our board meeting last week, a resident stopped by wondering when the supply would be replenished.  Board member Tiffany Moore did some investigation as to why the box is frequently empty.

A resident who lives near the park orders the mitts and stocks  the dispenser.   Armour Hills has been spending about $4500 per year on these plastic baggies. A shipment of 6400 mitts lasts…just 6 to 8 weeks.   Yes, we have lots of dog lovers in Armour Hills, and I’m sure residents of other neighborhoods use our mitts when walking their pets.  But I doubt that every person walking by is taking just one mitt…it’s obvious some folks are taking hundreds of  mitts for their personal ‘stash’.

What to do?  This is an issue the board will have  to discuss.  We want to provide this service  for our residents, and the occasional non-Armour Hills homeowner is welcome to take one if necessary.  But it’s hard to justify a $4500 annual expense when it’s obvious some people are just helping themselves to as many mitts as they can take with them. There are approximately 1200 homes in our subdivision–if every single homeowner had a dog that was walked twice each day, there’s no way 6400 mitts could be used in eight weeks’ time!

I don’t have a dog.  But if I did, I would appreciate having the convenience of a mutt mitt dispenser in the park when needed.  I hope  this service does not have to be discontinued because of a few selfish people who are stealing the supply.  However, Armour Hills residents should not subsidize the cost of doggie waste bags for those who feel entitled to abuse the service.

What’s Next for Hale Cook Elementary?

Posted on by
Reply

As a real estate agent, I am often asked about the public school districts in the metro area.  It’s no secret that many KCMO families move to Kansas or another neighboring Missouri school district when their kids reach school age.  A recent study by the Kauffman Foundation estimates that less than 10% of the approximately 6000 elementary school aged children living in zip codes 64112, 64113 and 64114 attend a public school. But that’s what Friends of Hale Cook are trying to change. Located at 7302 Pennsylvania, this non-profit group is trying to re-open Hale Cook as a  neighborhood school managed  by  the KCMO district .

So will the school be ready for the 2013-2014 school year?  Too early to say.  Kansas City School Superintendent Steven Green and Mayor Sly James are supportive,  and the  next step is the feasibility study which will be taken to the school board in the fall. Friends of Hale Cook welcome all area residents to take the study–and it’s easy to do.  Just go to the Hale Cook website  and click on the link.  It took me less than five minutes to complete.

Although operated by the KCMO school district, Hale Cook  will feature focused  and  constant parent involvement with volunteers in every classroom. The  advisory board will push to partner with the hiring of the principal and teachers.  Even though the school is still  in the  planning stages,  many teachers who live in the area have contacted the Hale Cook volunteers, expressing  interest in working at the school.

In the meantime, Friends of Hale Cook are maintaining a very visible profile in the community.  Yard signs are visible,  there are regular meetings and events open to the public, and the group has a grant from the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce to grow food on the school grounds for the needy–drive by and see the garden!

Friends of Hale Cook is the best example of a group of parents committed to changing the reputation of the KCMO school district by bringing back this community school. It’s a true grassroots movement. So how will the school district respond? Will they support Hale Cook, cooperate with parents, push through entrenched bureaucracy to get the school open? This will be a test.  The KCMO school board is always talking, talking, talking about ‘getting the community and business leaders involved’ to improve the schools.  Here’s the  opportunity to see if they mean what they say.  Prove it, KCMO school board, by supporting Hale Cook. Embrace the  advisory board, partner with the parents and volunteers. And please voice your opinion by taking part in the survey.