Category Archives: Brookside Community News

Brookside East Welcomes Fox Sports & Activity Center

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Another business has opened in Brookside East..this one focused on the children growing up in our neighborhood. Fox Sports & Activity Center has this goal: to engage and enhance kids’ minds, bodies and spirit through holistic training.

fox caroline

Caroline Fox, owner of Fox Sports & Activity Center

Owner Caroline Fox explains that holistic training is ‘the whole self’ – meaning her classes and camps focus not just on skills training, but also nutrition, health and wellness and the individual child. Here, it’s not about ‘winning’, but about developing the skills needed for the game and building self esteem. She and her staff offer sports – focused classes for kids up to age 11, teaching soccer, lacrosse, badminton, and volleyball. There are also enrichment activities for art, chess, bridge, painting and jewelry making and afternoon summer camps. Classes are  small, with a one to five adult-child ratio; additional classes are scheduled on request.

fox activeCaroline says she’s been an athlete since the age of four, and she played collegiate volleyball and softball. She taught student development classes for 15 years  before moving her family to Waldo to open the business. She is passionate about encouraging children to get involved with sports/fitness at an early age, as it’s been proven that when kids get regular exercise when young, they will continue to be active through their adult years.

Additional plans for the Center include Parents Night Out, Mom’s Day Out and other adult programs. And yes, Fox will host birthday parties with several different options and activities.

Fox Sports & Activity Center is located at 414 E 63rd St, phone is 816 895 8999. Another locally owned and operated business for the Brookside/Waldo area!

Armour Hills Home Stats-June 2016

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Armour Hills….one of the best subdivisions in Brookside!  Of course, I am a bit partial because I live in Armour Hills.  However, check out these home sales stats for June 2016–buyers are snapping up homes here in a hot market that favors sellers:  

June   2016:                                                          June  2015:

Median list price:      $279,000                       Median list price:        $285,000

Median sales price:  $281,000                        Median sales price:    $283,000

Number of homes sold:  11                             Number of homes sold: 11

Days on market:            3                                   Days on market:             5

Of the eleven homes that closed last month, seven sold at or above list price.

Checking year to date figures:

2016, Jan-June:                                                          2015, Jan-June:

Median list price:      $277,000                             Median list price:      $262,500                      

Median sales price:  $274,750                              Median sales price:  $263,500

Number of homes sold:  38                                   Number of homes sold: 46

Although fewer homes are selling…that is due to lack of inventory.  There is plenty of demand. You can see the median price is up yet again!   Currently there are five homes for sale in Armour Hills, with a median list price of $279,950 and  19 days on market.

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

Waldo Home Sales Report- June 2016

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Waldo continues to be a hot location for homebuyers!  When new listings pop on, they can be under contract within a few days.  This continues to be a strong year for home buying.    Here are the June 2016 stats for single family home sales in Waldo, using the boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th St:

June 2016:

Number of homes sold:    38

Median list price:              $179,400

Median sales price:          $174,000

Average days on market:    5

The lowest sales price was $65,500 and the highest was $348,500. Note the days on market–on average, new listings were under contract within five days of being listed for sale!

June 2015:

Number of homes sold:    47

Median list price:              $169,000

Median sales price:          $167,000

Average days on market:   34

Prices continue to rise, and the updated, well maintained homes are snatched up very shortly after going up for sale.

                                                           2016 / 2015:                                                                                     

Number of homes sold:                180 / 168                                  

Median list price:                 $166,750 / $160,000                         

Median sales price:             $167,250 / $157,250

Average days on market:              22 / 34

Year to date, more homes have sold in 2016, and at higher prices.  Traditionally, home sales slow down in the second half of the year…we will see if that happens this year.                               

Currently in Waldo, there are 36 single family homes for sale at a median list price of $136,200 and 20 days on market.

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

Brookside Home Sales Stats-June 2016

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Halfway through the year, and home prices continue their upward trend in Brookside. Low inventory and plenty of demand can create a bidding war for new listings priced under $400K.  Here are the single family home sales stats for Brookside (zip code 64113) for last month, and comparisons to last year:

June 2016:

Median list price:               $349,000

Median sales price:           $349,000

Average days on market:    42

Number of homes sold:       41

(Lowest sales price was $183,000; highest sales price was $2 million.)

It’s important to note that of the 41 homes that closed in June, 22 (just over half!) sold at or above list price.

June 2015:

Median list price:                $325,000

Median sales price:            $325,000

Average days on  market:    31

Number of homes sold:        56

Now let’s check year to date figures:

2016:    

Median list price:         $369,000

Median sales price:     $365,000

165 homes sold; average 41 days on market

2015:

Median list price:         $325,000

Median sales price:     $330,000

175 homes sold; average 41 days on market      

You can see that fewer homes are selling due to a lack of desirable inventory, especially at the $400K or below price point.  Sellers who price their homes at market value often find competing offers within the first couple of days of listing.  Traditionally, home sales start to decline in the second half of the year…we will see if that trend continues for the rest of 2016.  

Currently there are 48 active single family listings in the Brookside zip code of 64113; just twelve of those homes are priced at or below $400,000.  So, the median list price is high:  $664,500 and 65 days on market.

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

Waldo Farmers Market–Peak Season Produce Available Every Wed

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waldo peachesSince I wrote earlier this week about my visit to the Brookside Farmers Market last Saturday, I thought it was fair to visit the Waldo Farmers Market as well.  This is peak time for fresh, seasonal fruit and produce, and Brookside/Waldo residents are fortunate to have two markets to visit every week!

The Waldo Farmers Market is smaller, but offers similar vendors that grow USDA Certified organic produce.  I saw all the usual vegetables:  kale, lettuces, beans, garlic, tomatoes, potatoes, corn.  There were also fresh blackberries and beautiful, ripe peaches! Prices were similar to the Brookside Farmers Market.

waldo veganA few items available here that I didn’t see at the Brookside market:  Mean Vegan ice cream, all natural dog treats and home made soap. 

The Waldo Farmers Market is conveniently located at 303 W 79th St, next to Habitat ReStore, and is open every Wednesday from 3-7pm.

waldo dog treats

 

Brookside Farmers’ Market-Peaking Now!

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bside veggies

On Saturday I made a trip to the Brookside Farmers’ Market.  At the opening time of 8am, it was hot, sticky….and busy! 

Most of the booths offered fresh vegetables: lettuces, carrots, zucchini, tomatoes, squash blossoms, cucumbers, kale, herbs, flowers, etc.  It all looked delicious and so fresh!  The only fruit I saw was peaches and berries.  There was one booth selling bison, beef, pork and duck eggs. There was a non-stop line in the Ibis Bakery booth. 

bside organic sign

The Brookside Farmers’ Market features vendors that travel less than 100 miles and offer “organic and non-GMO food” (a description of those terms are explained on the website).  Buying organic pushes prices up (a pint of blackberries was $6; a small bunch of carrots priced at $3). When you purchase at the market, you are speaking with and buying from directly from the folks who grow and raise what they sell.  Despite the higher pricing, these folks aren’t making the big bucks–it takes so much time, dedication and grit to grow sustainably, and then figuring in the travel costs, plus the whims of Mother Nature’s weather patterns. But these people love what they do; they are driven by passion and commitment.  Often your sale will be made by a youngster helping out her folks or a multi-tasking parent with an infant slung around his chest.

This Saturday, July 16, 2016, the market will feature live music from 9am-1pm; vendors start selling at 8am.  This is peak time for fresh, locally grown produce so plan a stop to the Brookside Farmers’ Market soon!

bside herbs

 

Brookside Side Walk Sale This Weekend

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Like to shop in Brookside? Who doesn’t ??  So many unique, locally owned shops with great customer service!

side-walk-saleThis Thursday through Sunday, July 7-10, 2016 is the annual Brookside Side Walk Sale.  Stop by and check out the bargains at your favorite stores…and browse some new shops as well!  Many merchants are open until 8pm on Thursday evenings.  Make a day of it and enjoy a meal or snack while you are picking up some sale stuff.

Explore the Brookside Side Walk Sale this weekend…along 63rd St east and west of Brookside Blvd. Thank you for supporting our locally owned businesses!

 

Armour Hills May 2016 Home Sales Stats

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Armour Hills….one of the best subdivisions in Brookside!  Of course, I am a bit partial because I live in Armour Hills.  However, check out these home sales stats for May 2016–buyers are snapping up homes here in a hot market that favors sellers:

May   2016:                                                           May   2015:

Median list price:      $289,900                      Median list price:        $256,900

Median sales price:  $291,000                       Median sales price:    $262,000

Number of homes sold:  9                               Number of homes sold: 11

Days on market:            33                                  Days on market:             36

That’s correct, many of the homes sold for over the list price!  (one home sold for $8000 over asking price).  Out of the nine homes that sold last month, five sold over the list price, two right at asking price.

Checking year to date figures:

2016, Jan-May:                                                          2015, Jan-May:

Median list price:      $269,000                              Median list price:      $260,000

Median sales price:  $267,000                              Median sales price:  $262,000

Number of homes sold:  27                                   Number of homes sold: 35

Although fewer homes are selling…that is due to lack of inventory.  There is plenty of demand.  Currently there are 4 homes for sale in Armour Hills, with a median list price of $284,925 and seventeen days on market.

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

 

 

Brookside Home Sales Report – May 2016

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We are in the peak of Spring home buying season…demand is still very strong for  our Brookside neighborhood.  Here are the single family home sales stats for Brookside (zip code 64113) for last month, and comparisons to last year:

May 2016

Median list price:               $364,500

Median sales price:           $360,500

Average days on market:    43

Number of homes sold:       37

(Lowest sales price was $182,000; highest sales price was $1.275 million.)

May 2015:

Median list price:                $322,500

Median sales price:            $312,500

Average days on  market:     29

Number of homes sold:         46

Now let’s check year to date figures:

2016

Median list price:         $373,750

Median sales price:     $367,950

124 homes sold; average 41 days on market

2015

Median list price:         $325,000

Median sales price:     $319,250

118 homes sold; average 41 days on market        

Comparing the year to date median sales prices, Brookside homes are selling for 15% more than last year.  Wow.  Do keep in mind that the numbers can be skewered somewhat each month depending  if more lower priced homes sell (under $500K) or higher (over $500K and over $1,000,000).  Our zip code has a wide range of home prices, depending on size, location, updating.  However, the important point is that homes are gaining value, and buyers know that Brookside is a desirable place to live!    

Currently, there are 46 active single family home listings in the Brookside zip code of 64113.  The median list price is $687,000..because just seventeen of those homes are priced under $500K; ten are priced over $1 million. (All figures taken from Heartland MLS; deemed reliable but not guaranteed)

New Ice Cream Shop in Waldo – Betty Rae’s

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It’s ice cream season! And our neighborhood is buzzing about Waldo’s newest ice cream shop, Betty Rae’s Ice Cream. So far, business has exceeded owner David Friesen’s expectations. He is serving such a high quality product–you will probably be making several trips there this summer as well!

betty ice cream

Betty Rae’s Ice Cream offers fresh, cool treats, made with real flavors right in the shop!

Yep, it’s all homemade right here in the shop: all the sauces (fudge, peanut butter, marshmallow, etc); the cakes, brownies and cookies (David has an extensive baking background) ; the waffle cones and of course the ice cream itself. Twenty four delicious flavors, ranging from the usual vanilla bean to the more exotic lavender honey (a flavor David created with his wife). Friesen uses real flavors, not extracts or oils. For example — the lavender honey flavor starts with David using real flowers, steeped in hot cream. The root beer flavor uses the actual raw ingredients to create the root beer flavor. He is meticulous about quality control — and you can really taste the difference. He makes up to 7 batches of ice cream per day, five gallons each batch. Most of his 12-16 hour days are spent doing prep work preparing the ingredients — once in the special superfast machine, the product freezes in 5-10 minutes. There are a couple of non-dairy and vegan options available as well and coming this summer: cocktail size shakes with liquor!

betty owner

David Friesen, owner Betty Rae’s Ice Cream

This is David’s first small business, and I asked him what has surprised him most since he opened. He said “after all the years of planning, getting the place ready, developing the flavors and product–now that we are open, it all works properly!”. He is grateful for the strong response from the area: so many families and kids walking in the neighborhood, stopping in for treats. All of his hard work is paying off as business has been terrific so far.

Try Betty Rae’s Ice Cream soon–it’s located at 7140 Wornall. Hours are 11am-8pm, Sunday through Thursday; open until 10:00pm Friday and Saturday.