Armour Hills Home Sales Stats–October 2014

Posted on December 1, 2014 by Mary Hutchison

Home sales are slowing down in Armour Hills, and average sales prices are falling as well. This is reflective of the time of year–traditionally, fewer homes are sold in the latter part of the year. Let’s look at the statistics–below I am checking figures for the Armour Hills subdivision in Brookside, Kansas City MO:

In October 2014, six homes sold with a median sales price of $214,000 and 26 days on market. The median list price was $229,000 with 26 average days on market. The lowest sales price was $158,000 and the highest was $306,000.

In October 2013, nine homes sold with a median sales price of $258,950 and 32 days on market. The median list price was $259,950.

Although there wasn’t a significant change in the average days on market, the median sales price dropped 20%. Three homes sold in 2013 above $300K; in 2014, just one sold over that figure.

Now let’s compare year-to-date figures:

For the first ten months of 2014, 55 homes sold with a median price of $239,950 and 28 days on market.

For the first ten months of 2013, 71 homes sold with a median price of $255,000 and 24 days on the market.

Last year was a very strong year for Armour Hills home sales, and it looks like this year may see a dip in home values. There are still a significant number of buyers for our area–what is lacking right now is well priced, updated inventory. We have had several homes sell for over $350K in the past two years–higher than usual for the neighborhood. It wil be interesting to see how 2014 finishes overall compared to 2013 home sales.

Currently there are 16 homes for sale in Armour Hills, with a median list price of $269,900 and 47 days on market.

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

Waldo Holly Jolly Shopping Crawl- Sat Nov 29, 2014

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Mary Hutchison

Ready to get a jump on your holiday shopping? Waldo is ready for you! This Saturday November 29 is the Waldo Holly Jolly Shopping Crawl from 10am-2pm. Over 30 different participating merchants are offering discounts, freebies and holiday deals.

Here’s a short sample of the specials: $3 pints at 75th Street Brewery; 20% off at Garza’s Goodies; free appetizer at The Well; discount off salon products at Chop Tops Hair Company; free chair massage at The Healing Place….besides shopping for others, there are deals you can take advantage of for yourself as you cruise through the stores!

In addition, you can earn Waldo Bucks: Get a punch card at any participating store or restaurant, have the card stamped at three business for $10 in Waldo Bucks or five businesses for $10 Waldo bucks. A nice payback for supporting local Waldo merchants!

Details on all the specials are available at www.waldomo.com/holiday. Saturday is also Small Business Saturday nationwide…please support a small, locally owned business near you this weekend. Small businesses generally offer you the most eclectic selection of merchandise and the best customer service!

Brookside Home Sales Report-Oct 2014

Posted on November 20, 2014 by Mary Hutchison

Home sales in Brookside continue to slow down, as is usual this time of year. As we get into colder weather and the holiday season, buyers have other things on their minds. It’s very difficult to look at homes when darkness falls at 5pm! Here are the home sales stats for the Brookside zip of 64113 from October 2014:

In October 2014, 25 homes sold. Median list sales price was $340,000, and median sales price was $320,000 with an average of 41 days on market. The lowest priced home sold was $158,000 in Armour Hills and the highest was $615,000 in Romanelli Gardens.

In October 2013, 23 homes sold. The median list and sales price were the same: $279,000 and 35 days on market.

Virtually the same number of homes sold compared to a year ago, but the sales price was higher.

Looking at year to date figures:

From Jan – October 2014, 244 homes have sold at a median sales price of $307,000 and 37 days on market.

From Jan – October 2013, 271 homes sold at a median sales price of $298,000 and 46 days on market.

So far this year, the trend has been fewer homes sold and prices are up. There is still a lack of updated, well maintained homes in the $200-$225K price range in Brookside. It is encouraging that home values continue to rise, so we continue to make up equity lost during the housing crash during the recession.

Currently there are 81 single family homes for sale in the Brookside zip code of 64113 with a median list price of $384,950 and 80 days on market. Of the 81 homes for sale, 24 are priced over $500K and 9 are priced over $1 million. (All figures taken from Heartland MLS and deemed reliable but not guaranteed).

Welcome a New Salon in Brookside – Bona Terra

Posted on November 16, 2014 by Mary Hutchison

Bona Terra Salon, 414 E 63rd St

“Gotta get a haircut.” How you feel when that time comes? Do you prefer to stop by a chop shop and get in, get out? Or do you like to take the time to enjoy the experience, relax and enjoy a head massage, discuss new style options, pamper yourself a bit?

You may have noticed a new salon in Brookside called Bona Terra (the name means ‘good earth’ in Latin), located at 414 E 63rd St (in the old Blockbuster building). I stopped in recently and talked with Kate Aguilera about her new business. She is so enthusiastic and excited about having her own shop. You definitely feel a fresh, sophisticated yet comfortable vibe when you walk in the store: this is an Aveda ‘concept’ salon, meaning only Aveda products are used and sold here. In the lobby, you’ll find shampoos, conditioners, skin care items and some very cute holiday gift packages– all organic products in recycled packages. And a very friendly staff to help you!

Kate is a K State grad who worked for many years in the advertising and communications industry. Throughout her high school and college days, she styled hair and make-up for her friends. Growing up, her mother was a great influence: she was always very conscious of how she presented herself as a woman to the world–professional and fashion conscious. When Kate and her husband decided to move back to KC from Topeka, they wanted to live in Brookside and send their daughter to St Peter’s School. Her parents bought the building and Kate opened the salon as manager.

Kate Aguilera, Salon Manager

So what makes this shop different? Kate sets a high bar for her stylists: all must attend Aveda training classes, dress well, and maintain a superior level of customer service and knowledge. Every client has a consultation before the service, and after each haircut–a complimentary make-up touch up. You won’t find loud music and gossip in this salon–Kate wants you to have a total lifestyle experience, not just a haircut. She wants each customer to leave feeling refreshed and confident about the way they look. Prices are competitive with other salons in the area. Bona Terra offers nail and make up services as well, with other body treatments coming in the near future.

Stop in and check out Bona Terra at 414 E 63rd St. Welcome Kate and her staff to Brookside. Browse the Aveda products for gift ideas–or pick up a gift certificate for holiday gift-giving. Also, mark your calendar for their Grand Opening Celebration from noon-5 on December 7. Thankfully the eyesore of that vacant Blockbuster building is gone..and we have a new business in Brookside!

Brookside’s Holiday Season Opener Nov 13, 2104

Posted on November 12, 2014 by Mary Hutchison

Even though you may still be scheduling your Thanksgiving plans, it’s time for Brookside’s Holiday Season Opener–tomorrow, Nov 13, 2014 from 6-9pm at 63rd St and Brookside Blvd. It may be a bit chilly but the atmosphere will be warm and festive..plus you’ll enjoy complimentary coffee and hot chocolate from the Roasterie and Michael Forbes Grill!

Choirs from area schools will serenade shoppers and bring out the holiday spirit as you stroll through the shops, checking out special deals and admiring the special seasonal window displays. Bring any gently used winter coats or sweaters you may have and drop them off at World’s Window–they are collecting outwear for Rose Brooks Center–and you’ll get a 20% off coupon to use in the store.

For a complete list of store specials and other goodies being offered, click on this site: www.brooksidekc.org. Remember, locally owned businesses generally offer the best customer service and the most interesting, eclectic gift choices. Support Brookside merchants and start your shopping tomorrow evening. You may even find a little something for yourself!

Armour Hills September 2014 Homes Sales Stats

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Mary Hutchison

Some interesting home sales statistics to report for Armour Hills in Brookside today–I am blogging information for September 2014 and year to date figures. Although we are in the typically slower season for home sales (after the spring/summer rush)– some new listings are going under contract very quickly. Let’s look at the numbers:

In September 2014, six homes sold with a median sales price of $272,000 and 4 days on market. The median list price was $275,000. The difference between list and sales price was just a bit over 1%. Three of the six homes we under contract within a day or two of hitting the market. What does this mean? There are buyers who are ready to buy now, if the house is well priced and move-in ready. It’s obvious these buyers were ready to jump on any new listing that fit their criteria. (In addition, we had our highest Armour Hills sale so far this year, at an eye popping $474,000-cash!).

In September 2013, five homes sold with a median sales price of $258,000 and 4 days on market. The median list price was $ 272,000. Again, three of the five homes were under contract within a day of going up for sale.

Now let’s compare year-to-date figures:

For the first nine months of 2014, 49 homes sold with a median price of $243,000 and 28 days on market.

For the first nine months of 2013, 62 homes sold with a median price of $250,000 and 20 days on the market.

We see a slip in average sales price and fewer numbers of homes selling in YTD numbers.

Currently there are 18 homes for sale in Armour Hills, at a median price of $225,000. The lowest list price at $160,000 and the highest at $375,000.

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

Brookside Home Sales Stats – September 2014

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Mary Hutchison

Interesting statistics to report regarding Brookside home sales last month. Prices are down for the month and year to date compared to 2013. Here’s the breakdown, using single family home sales for zip code 64113:

In September 2014, 32 homes sold. Median sales price was $289,950 and 45 days on market. The lowest sales price was $164,950 and the highest was $2,727,420 (that’s the highest MLS recorded sale so for this year). Seven homes sold at $500K or higher, and there were two sales over $1million.

In September 2013, 27 homes sold. The median sales price was $346,000 and 55 days on market. The lowest sales price was $180,000 and the highest was $750,000.

Although a few more homes sold this September and we experienced lower days on market, overall average price was way down. A partial reason for the drop is that in Sept 2013, four homes sold for over asking price, and more expensive homes sold a year ago.

Looking at year to date figures:

From Jan-September 2014, 219 homes sold at a median sales price of $306,000 and 37 days on market.

From Jan- September 2013, 248 homes sold at a median sales price of $299,900 and 47 days on market.

You can see that fewer homes are selling this year because inventory is lower and the homes that aren’t selling have issues of some kind (not updated, overpriced, poor location, etc). Average prices are higher showing there is still a demand for homes in the area, and buyers are willing to pay more to get what they want.

Currently there are 90 single family homes for sale in the Brookside zip code of 64113 with a median list price of $399,950 and 83 days on market. Thirty of the 90 homes are priced over $500K, while ten of those homes are priced over $1million. There is a definite shortage of updated, move in ready homes in the Brookside/Waldo area priced between $200-$250K right now. As we move into the holiday season, there will be few listings on the market and buyers may decide to wait until next year to look at a fresh crop of homes for sale.

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

Dinosaur Show Coming to the Sprint Center

Posted on October 21, 2014 by Mary Hutchison

Is that a real dinosaur at St Elizabeth’s School??

Last week, St Elizabeth’s School in Waldo had a special visitor…from a dinosaur! OK, not a real one, but very life-like! The one pictured here is a “Baby T” replica.

The Walking with Dinosaurs show is coming to the Sprint Center next month. This multi-million dollar show features 20 life sized dinosaurs who walk and roar around the stage in a performance that takes you back to what ‘life’ was like millions of years ago. These creatures are endlessly fascinating–and to see them move like they did in the old days really sparks the imagination. Operated by master puppeteers, this is a elaborate multi-media event featuring video, large stage sets, the huge dinosaurs plus original music.

The live theatrical show originated in Australia, and has toured several cities in the US and UK to favorable reviews. The performance lasts about ninety minutes, and prices start at $19.50. This is the type of stage show our Sprint Arena was built for–it’s a visually spectacular experience. Details about dates and showtimes available at www.dinosaurlive.com. I think school age kids–and their parents–would have a great time at this event. It’s that sort of show that holds your attention while giving you a history lesson as well!

Saturday’s KC Marathon Shuts Down KCMO Traffic for Several Hours

Posted on October 16, 2014 by Mary Hutchison

Out of all the races that run through Kansas City MO, and most of them do, this is the one that shuts traffic down for several hours. The Kansas City Marathon happens Saturday Oct 18, starting downtown, continuing through the heart of the city south through 75th St in Waldo.

It is extremely difficult and time consuming to try and navigate through the race route. Police generally will not let vehicles through, and this causes auto back up for several blocks. Street closures begin at 7:30am and last until after 1pm.

Travelling along Main St, Wornall Road, Brookside Blvd and Ward Parkway will be virtually impossible during race hours. Don’t try to go west to Kansas as you won’t be able to cross any of these major north-south routes. This race should be moved to Sunday. So many businesses, restaurants and retail outlets loose thousands of dollars due to customers not being able to reach the destination. Having the race on Sunday would eliminate some of the losses. Or–move the race outside of the Kansas City MO limits.

More details at the race website: www.waddellandreedkansascitymarathon.org

Meyer Fest Happens This Weekend in Brookside

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Mary Hutchison

Our good neighbor St Peter’s Parish is hosting the first Meyer Fest this Saturday, Oct 9, 2014 on the parish grounds at 815 E Meyer Boulevard. Everyone is welcome!

On Saturday morning, enjoy a pancake breakfast from 8:30-10:30am, along with a Bike Parade and the KidSPOT carnival. Food trucks are also available from 10:30am-12:30pm. The festival then takes a break until the evening activities…

Starting at 6, there is the Indoor Wurst Party, featuring German food and a polka band. Outside, enjoy live music at the block party with The Elders, the Fritz Hutchison Band and The Zeros.

Although Meyer Fest is a fundraiser for the parish, another purpose for this event is to bring together the various and diverse residents we have in the area and build community for those not a part of the parish. So even if you are not a church member, you are welcome to join in the fun. Bring your family, neighbors and friends!

Learn more about pricing and details at MeyerFestKC. And a special thanks to The Roasterie, who is the festival’s main sponsor.

Inside Brookside (And Waldo)

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

Category Archives: Brookside Community News