Tis The Season-Brookside Open for Holiday Shopping!

The Brookside Holiday Season Opener is tonight! Get in the spirit browsing through the shops and check out the special deals! The Holiday Trombones will play from 5:30-6:30 at the Bank Midwest Plaza (at 63rd and Brookside), and the tree will be lit at 6pm.

The Holiday Season Opener is going on all weekend — please support our local businesses for your gift giving needs. Our unique shops and restaurants make Brookside so special!

Waldo Home Sales Report – Sept 2022

Interest rates are rising for homebuyers and home prices are still rising..at least in they are in Waldo! Demand continues to be high for this area, which I designate as Gregory to 85th St; State Line to Holmes. Let’s take a look at the numbers:

September 2022September 2021
Median list price:$289,000$225,000
Median sales price:$295,000$237,500
Days on market: 5 7
No. of homes sold: 29 32

Most buyers paid at or over the listed sales price by about 2%; prices were up 24% compared to September 2021. The lowest closed price was $133,000 and the highest was $417,000. Here are the year-to-date numbers:

Jan-Sept 2022Jan-Sept 2021
Median list price:$263,000$250,000
Median sales price:$278,000$263,500
Days on market: 3 2
No. of homes sold: 237 295

Although fewer homes have sold this year, by 19% so far, home values are up 5.5% and most buyers pay over asking price. Currently there are 18 single family homes listed in Waldo, with a median price of $275,000 and 18 days on market.

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

Brookside Home Sales Report – September 2022

Neighbors, in this month’s report, we see the affect rising interest rates are having in our area: median sold prices are lower and some homes stay on the market longer. However, for the year, home values have risen in Brookside! Let’s take a look at the specific numbers; I’m pulling these stats based on sales in the main Brookside zip code of 64113:

September 2022September 2021
Median list price:$439,900$484,900
Median sales price:$437,900$480,000
No. homes sold: 25 25
Days on market: 19 4

The lowest closed price last month was $315,000 and the highest was $1.7 million. We had two million dollar+ sales last month. Median sales price was just under list price; compared to the same period last year, prices fell 8.7%. Here are the year-to-date numbers:

Jan-Sept 2022Jan-Sept 2021
Median list price:$489,700$475,000
Median sales price:$500,000$482,763
No. homes sold: 236 252
Days on market: 3 3

So far this year, prices are up 3.5% over 2021, and although fewer homes have closed, sales prices are ahead of last year. Currently there are 30 single family homes for sale in Brookside, with a median list price of $512,450 and 27 days on market.

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

Waldo Home Sales Report – August 2022

You’ve heard the housing market is slowing down…when actually, it’s just falling back into a more normal pattern. It’s not quite as crazy as it was the first few months of the year, but buyers are still out there ready to purchase! Here are the stats for single family home sales in Waldo, using the boundaries of Gregory to 85th St; State Line to Holmes:

August 2022August 2021
Median list price:$235,000$267,000
Median sales price:$237,000$271,500
Days on market: 4 2
No. of homes sold: 24 38

The drop from the August 2021 closed price to August 2022 was 14% Fewer homes sold last month, and it took a bit longer for those to go under contract. The lowest sold price last month was $95,000 and the highest was $455,000. Here are the year-to-date stats:

Jan-Aug 2022Jan-Aug 2021
Median list price:$249,925$252,500
Median sales price:$267,250$265,000
Days on market: 3 2
No. of homes sold:194 258

Year to date, 24% fewer homes have sold in the Waldo area; the median sales price is comparable to 2021 and overall, buyers still paying more than list price for homes. The market is slowing down but there are still buyers! Currently there are 18 single family homes for sale in Waldo, ranging in price from $124,500-$450K and 20 days on market.

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

Updated Brookside Bungalow for Sale-Close to Streetcar/Whole Foods

This house is a rare find….a four bedroom bungalow, just over 2000 SF and move in ready! As you can see, very attractive curb appeal!

5618 Cherry St, Kansas City MO FOR SALE

Step inside to the first floor, featuring hardwood floors, living room with fireplace, spacious dining room, two bedrooms and full bath.

Living Room with Fireplace
Dining Room

The kitchen…is spectacular! Recently renovated, sellers have added all new appliances, marble backsplash, quartz counters, custom hood over gas stove and a separate beverage fridge.

Newly Remodeled Kitchen, with Plenty of Countertops and Cabinets

Surrounded by windows, the breakfast nook is full of natural light and leads to a large deck overlooking the back yard.

So much space in this upstairs primary suite! Vaulted ceilings, a walk in closet with laundry, and bathroom with shower and tub. The smaller bedroom on the second floor could be used as office space.

Plenty of grassy area in the fenced backyard for pets or garden; easy access to the lower level garage too!

5618 Cherry St…just a few blocks from Whole Foods, the future streetcar stop; close to Brookside, Crestwood Shops, Loose Park and the Trolley Track Trail! Offered at $419,000. Contact me for more information-Mary Hutchison, Better Homes and Gardens-Kansas City Homes.

Another Friendly Local Business Open in Waldo-Front Range Coffeehouse

Welcome Neighbors!  That’s the greeting on the door of the new Front Range Coffeehouse and Provisions shop at 400 E Gregory (NE corner of Gregory and Oak).  This isn’t your usual coffee shop; there is so much more here to explore, brought to you by the same folks who created Made in KC.

Keith Bradley and Tyler Enders

Partners Tyler Enders and Keith Bradley explained the mission of the café/store:  “It’s kind of like a modern, eclectic bodega” with all kinds of specialty food items and fun stuff available to purchase.  Every merchandise shelf offers something you’ll need or want: puzzles, t-shirts, candles, soaps, snacks, BBQ rubs, bags, cups and glasses…there’s over fifty different brands in this space! Tyler explained he wants to add seasonal items too, like garden tools, snow shovels and random, useful “stuff” that he thinks would be useful for area residents.   (Suggestions welcome!)  There’s a strong emphasis on a wide variety of local and regional products. You’ll see more than one kind of granola and coffee for sale.  “There are so many people in KC who do coffee well; we will bring in different vendors and showcase them for a while, to give new businesses much needed exposure.” 

Keith and Tyler, along with another partner, started Made in KC to promote small, locally owned businesses who have interesting and unique things to sell but lack the marketing skills and  retail space.  They started with a 15 vendor pop up shop in Prairiefire that “exceeded our expectations” and grew from there.  Eventually, they wanted to open a coffee café.  You may be familiar with the first Front Range spot in Fairway or the Outta the Blue Café (with a beach theme) at Park Place in Leawood.  Front Range has a warm, Colorado  cabin feel, inspired by Keith and Tyler’s annual trips to the mountain state.  Notice the framed painting of a Colorado landscape by Tyler’s great  grandma and Keith’s grandfather made the checkerboard table. They are both longtime Brookside residents, and their love of the neighborhood made them choose this location; they actually bought the entire, 100+ year old building!  “We want people to feel like they can come in and camp out for a while—enjoy a beverage, play a board game, chat with friends and pick up a few fun items to take home” Tyler says.  They offer a full line of expresso drinks and teas, pastries, some bottled juices and cold/vegan/gluten free food items plus donuts on the weekends.  Coming soon:  beer, wine, cocktails, and ice cream!  There is something for everyone,  of all ages.

Stop in and relax in your new neighborhood hang out—Front Range Coffeehouse and Provisions at Gregory and Oak.  Current hours are 7am-5pm seven days a week; this summer they will stay open later and a Grand Opening is planned for next month.

Armour Hills Home Sales Report-October 2021

Hi neighbors!  One more post about October Brookside home sales stats before we move into December. Just like the rest of Brookside, Armour Hills home values took a dip last month compared to a year ago; however overall, prices are up!  Let’s take a look at the numbers:

October 2021                                         October 2020

Median list price:     $380,000                $407,000

Median sales price:  $370,000               $426,250

No. of homes sold:    5                              6

Days on market:         13                           2

Although the median sales price last month was 15% less than October 2020, sales were steady and the highest recorded price-$461,000-was $61K over asking price! Yes, I double checked that number!   Below are the year-to-date numbers:

Jan-Oct 2021                                         Jan-Oct 2020

Median list price:     $372,400                $349,000

Median sales price:  $382,500               $345,000

No. of homes sold:     58                           79

Days on market:          2                             5

The majority of buyers are paying at or over asking price, and homes are going under contract within two days of listing.  So far this year, prices are up just about 10% over last year. Currently there are four active listings in Armour Hills, with a median list price of $452,450 and 42 days on market.

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

Brookside Shops Kick Off the Holiday Season This Weekend!

The world keeps turning and it’s time once again to kick off the holiday season in Brookside! Starting today, Nov 11 and running through Sunday Nov 14, 2021, you can take advantage of special sales, food and drink discounts and other merriment during the Brookside Holiday Season Opener.

Get into the holiday spirit with the Holiday Trombones performance tonight from 5:30-6:30pm at the Bank Midwest Plaza, 6246 Brookside . The tree lighting is at 6pm. Then, take a leisurely stroll through the Brookside shops, enjoying the decorative festive window displays and special deals. Stop at one of our many restaurants to rest and refuel with a bite to eat and a beverage. You’re sure to enjoy all the beauitiful holiday window displays Brookside is known for! The shops will be open until 7–deals continue throughout the weekend.

Remember to bring a mask and THANK YOU for supporting our locally owned Brookside/Waldo businesses!

Brookside Trick or Treat Street Is Back!

A long standing Brookside tradition is back on Sunday…Brookside Trick or Treat Street! Last year’s event was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Families and kids are welcome to stroll 63rd St between Wornall and Main on Sunday Oct 31 from 3-5pm, stopping at the shops and services for treats. Please note, there will be hundreds of extra pedestrians in this area so avoid driving/crossing the route if possible.

This is a fun event for people watching too if you want to join in the fun! Face masks are encouraged.

Thank you for supporting our local Brookside merchants!

Waldo Home Sales Report-August 2021

Nothing really new regarding this report…Waldo prices continue to rise, and homes go under contract very quickly. Perhaps as we get into the fall/holiday season, prices will ‘normalize’ somewhat and bidding wars will subside. For these numbers, I’m using Waldo street boundaries of State Line to Holmes, Gregory to 85th St.

Jan-Aug 2021                                                                            Jan-Aug 2020

Median list price:             $250,000                                           $220,000

Median sales price:         $265,000                                           $226,000

Days on market:              2                                                          4

No. homes sold:               257                                                     240

Last month, most homes went under contract within two days and prices up 9.6% compared to August 2020. The lowest closed price was $100,000 and the highest was $500,000.

Here are the year-to-date numbers:

Jan-Aug 2021                                                                            Jan-Aug 2020

Median list price:             $250,000                                           $220,000

Median sales price:         $265,000                                           $226,000

Days on market:              2                                                          4

No. homes sold:               257                                                     240

Compared to last year at this time, home values are up 17% ! More homes are selling, for more money and in less time. Currently there are 20 homes listed, with a median price of $249,950 and 23 days on market. Prices range from $97,000 to $417,000.

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