New Patio Open at Bier Station

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

New Patio at Bier Station in Brookside

The new expanded patio is open at Bier Station!

I remember back in December 2012 when John Couture opened Bier Station in Armour Hills at 120 E Gregory . He was one of the pioneers of the specialty brew shop–and now there are almost too many to count in the KC area. Bier Station is Brookside’s “Cheers” bar…friendly staff who know who you are and love talking about the beer offerings they have for sale.

New Food Options at Bier Station

There are some other changes at Bier Station besides the patio: more food on the menu, including smoked wings, sliders, flatbreads, soups, and new sandwiches. John and his kitchen staff are currently testing new items such as seasonal salads and vegetables, and a few sweet treats. Whatever goes over well with the customers (they want feedback!) will make it to the menu.

Also coming soon is a new ordering app called “Meagan”, which will allow customers to order food and beer from their tables in the bar that will be delivered by bar staff.

More about the patio…it will feature a rain proof awning, electric heat lamps, more seating and more dog hooks. A perfect place for sipping a brew, noshing on tasty food and visiting with friends. Stop by and enjoy one of our warm spring evenings on the new Bier Station patio!

Brookside Art Annual- April 29-May 1, 2016

Posted on April 28, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

It’s time again for the Brookside Art Annual this weekend: April 29-May 1, 2016. This is the 31st year for the event!Hours :

Friday 5pm-9pm

Saturday 10am-9pm

Sunday 11am-5pm

Location is the heart of Brookside at 63rd St and Brookside Blvd. Free childrens’ activities Saturday and Sunday; there will be food booths and live music–remember to please leave pets at home!

Play With Clay at the KC Clay Guild

Posted on April 25, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

guild sign

You have probably driven by the KC Clay Guild in Waldo many times..it sits at the corner of 200 W 74th St at Wyandotte. . The long brick building may not catch your eye…but inside, there’s a buzz of activity going on as artists and amateurs create sculptured, colorful pieces out of dull gray clay blocks.

Josh Wood, VP at KC Clay Guild

I met with Vice President Josh Wood recently to find out more about the Guild. Wood says he ‘geeked out’ on ceramics in high school, then took a few classes in college and got hooked on the process. He’s been with the Guild nine years (plus has a full time job in Olathe) and is still actively creating ceramic works. He explained the KC Clay Guild was started by several local Kansas City potters in 1988. They wanted a studio to work in and have been at this location fifteen years. If you’ve ever been curious about playing around with clay–or just like to collect beautifully sculptured ceramic art — this is the place to be.

The KC Clay Guild is a non profit association with about 400 members. If you want to see what working with clay is like, Wood suggests attending a Communiversity class. Or you can check out one of their Family Fun Nights (Fridays and Saturdays) and experiment with the process. Membership fees are very reasonable, and you’ll meet all sorts of people here: professional potters, aspiring artists, hobbyists and even kids learning the process. All pieces are fired and glazed on site. They offer a variety of workshops and special events, plus summer camps for kids and there is a big fundraiser every October called Raku Night. This is a large street party where you can create a ceramic piece, have it fired and then glazed all at one time.

clay guild mobile

On April 30, 2016 the Clay Guild will host their first Spring Pottery Sale. Josh commented that there are always pieces for sale on site, and prices here are less than purchasing at an art fair. During the Spring sale there will be several artists displaying their work for sale — you may want to stop by and pick up something for yourself or as a gift!

The KC Clay Guild is open seven days a week—check out their website at www.kcclayguild.org for more information. And if you are looking for some unique clay art–stop by the sale on Saturday!

Armour Hills Home Sales Stats- March 2016

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

Plenty of buyers for Armour Hills homes this spring…not much inventory. Updated, well priced homes go under contract within hours of listing. Here are the home sales stats for Armour Hills in Brookside:

March 2016: March 2015:

Median list price: $234,975 Median list price: $269,975

Median sales price: $229,475 Median sales price: $261,250

Number of homes sold: 6 Number of homes sold: 12

Checking year to date figures:

2016 YTD:

Median list price: $249,500

Median sales price: $247,000

Number of homes sold: 11

From Jan-March 2015, the median sales price was $257,250 and 18 homes had sold. Although the stats are showing prices are lower than last year at the same time, don’t be dismayed. These numbers show the lower priced homes that were listed and sold in Armour Hills at this time. Prices will rise as homes continue to sell in the next several months. Also, there are fewer homes on the market for buyers to purchase, which is why less units are selling. Believe me, the demand is there for Armour Hills/Brookside homes priced at $300K or less. Currently there are ZERO homes for sale in Armour Hills as I write this blog….I’ve never seen that before.

If you would like more detailed information about the Brookside/Waldo home sales market, I’m here to help!

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

Brookside Home Sales Report – March 2016

Posted on April 18, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

If you know someone who wants to buy a house…you’ve probably heard phrases like “there are very few homes for sale” or “we have written three offers and got outbid every time” or “many homes are selling the first day on the market”. As an agent I can tell you….it’s all true! Not much inventory and so many buyers! Let’s check Brookside (zip code 64113) single family home sales for March 2016:

March 2016

Median list price: $389,500

Median sales price: $384,000

Average days on market: 30

Number of homes sold: 33

(Lowest sales price was $176,000; highest sales price was $1,055,000.)

March 2015:

Median list price: $425,000

Median sales price: $397,500

Average days on market: 88

Number of homes sold: 13

Now let’s check year to date figures:

Jan-March 2016:

Median list price: $389,725

Median sales price: $383,000

56 homes sold; average 34 days on market

Jan-March 2015:

Median list price: $325,000

Median sales price: $315,000

45 homes sold; average 81 days on market

The median price of a Brookside single family home has jumped 21% compared to 2015, same time frame. Homes are selling in less than half the time and more homes have sold. The demand is very strong, especially in the $200-$400K price range.

Currently, there are 35 active single family home listings in the Brookside zip code of 64113. The median list price is $720,000. Why so high? Twenty seven of the 35 listings are priced over $500K. The lower priced homes go under contract so fast, within a day-and most buyers want to purchase under the $500K price point.

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

Home for Sale in Brookside East!

Posted on April 8, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

Regular readers of this blog know I have been writing about Brookside East since last summer….there is so much new development along 63rd St east of Oak! This area is called Brookside East and my new listing is right around the corner at 603 E 62nd St!

Step inside this three bedroom, two full bath bungalow and you will be impressed! The living room features hardwood floors and a beautiful fireplace. Notice the open floor plan–the living room and kitchen lead into the dining room. All new windows on the first floor too!

The kitchen has been updated with newer cabinets, solid surface counters, tile floor and a pantry. Backyard and basement access are through the kitchen. Notice all the cabinets and counter space! Plus all appliances stay, including the washer/dryer.

Walking up to the second floor….you will say WOW! There is a loft area, perfect for an office nook. The seller just installed a brand new bath (including Jacuzzi tub) on this level as well. French doors lead into the large master bedroom with a sitting area and plenty of closet / storage space.

More features to note: updated electrical wiring, insulated walls on the second floor, exterior painted in 2013; some newer plumbing and a private drive with a one car garage. Privacy fence in the backyard with a shady patio! This home is an excellent value, priced at $224,900. Contact me or your real estate agent if you would like to tour this home.

Caffeine Crawl Next Month Includes Waldo Beverage Stops

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

You’ve heard of boozy pub crawls…today I want to mention the sixth annual Caffeine Crawl happening next month. This outing has become wildly popular in Kansas City, and it usually sells out well before the event date…so if you are looking for something different to do on the weekend, consider joining in!

The Caffeine Crawl is a guided tasting tour of various coffee, tea, chocolate and juice shops in KC, spread out over ten routes. Over fifteen different businesses are participating this year. Waldo hot spots Bier Station, McLain’s Bakery, One More Cup, Second Best Coffee and Unbakery and Juicery are on this year’s route. You do need a vehicle to get from location to location–(carpool and meet some new friends!) however one route is bike friendly.

This year’s Caffeine Crawl is April 15-17, 2016 and you can buy tickets online. Some routes are already sold out. It’s a fun, friendly way to visit some new beverage spots in the midtown/Brookside and Waldo area so if you are interested, check out the details soon!

Armour Hills Home Sales Report Feb 2016

Posted on March 21, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

Hello neighbors! Have you seen the For Sale signs popping up in Armour Hills as the weather gets warmer! Sales in Armour Hills are off to a strong start this year…let’s check the stats:

February 2016: February 2015:

Median list price: $249,500 Median list price: $268,725

Median sales price: $247,000 Median sales price: $260,000

Number of homes sold: 3 Number of homes sold: 2

Checking year to date figures:

2016: 2015:

Median list price: $249,950 Median list price: $248,502

Median sales price: $252,500 Median sales price: $243,000

Number of homes sold: 5 Number of homes sold: 6

Note that although one fewer home sold this year so far (due to low inventory), the median sales price was above asking price. That is because one house sold for $12,555 over the list price!

If you would like more detailed information about the Brookside/Waldo home sales market, I’m here to help!

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

New Traffic Signals Coming to Brookside

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

Looking west at Meyer and Wornall–new traffic signal coming soon!

Have you noticed the construction project underway at two key Brookside intersections? New traffic signals are being installed at Wornall and Meyer plus Wornall and 63rd St–the heart of Brookside and two of the busiest intersections in our neighborhood.

I stopped by today and spoke with one of the contractors about the scope of work. (Kansas City MO isn’t doing the job; the City has subcontracted the work.) The old traffic lights are coming out, and the new ones will have updated features: ‘talking’ signals for the deaf and lights suspended on ‘arms’ that hang over the intersections. New crosswalk lines will be painted as well.

If the weather cooperates, both intersections should be updated and work completed within a month. Your tax dollars at work…improving Brookside!

Example of an ‘arm’ traffic signal

New Townhomes & Apartments Planned for Brookside

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Mary Hutchison

New, updated housing in older, walkable neighborhoods…there is such a high demand for it. That’s why you see old houses torn down in Leawood and Prairie Village, replaced by multi-million dollar McMansions. Real estate…it’s all about location! But what if you don’t have a McMansion budget? Two new developments in Brookside East may be a good option for renters and homebuyers in our neighborhood.

John Hoffman, left and Lance Carlton of UCB Properties

John Hoffman and his son Lance Carlton own UCB Properties. You may have seen some of their hew housing along the 2700 block of Charlotte, or the townhomes going up at 27th and Campbell. They also built apartments at 2901 and 3630 Gillham. John and Lance have two projects in the works for Brookside East that should both be ready for occupancy later this year.

63 Brookside apartments planned for 63rd and Holmes

John says 63 Brookside is the first apartment complex built in Brookside in forty years. Located at 63rd and Holmes, it will be a three story building with 23 one and two bedroom units; rents ranging from $900-$1500. Each unit will have a balcony; pets are OK and tenants will have secured surface parking in the back. The exterior of the contemporary building will be made of brick and metal; interiors feature all electric appliances, quartz countertops and tiled baths, plus John is working with the KC Art Institute for some unique artwork in the common area and hallways. Pre-leasing should begin in March.

New Townhomes Planned for Brookside on 63rd East of Holmes

As of now, there is no official name for the townhomes project; perhaps 63 Oak Townhomes as these units are located directly east of Heirloom Bakery at 63rd and Oak. Each townhome will be three levels, with two bedrooms, three full baths, a ‘flex’ space on the lower level (that could be a third bedroom), a two car garage, and three private outdoor spaces (front patio, front deck off living room and back deck off the kitchen). The units will range from 1800-2000 SF and be priced in the low $400K price range with a to-be-determined monthly HOA fee. The exterior will feature a ‘modern, contemporary design’ according to John. They plan to break ground this spring and sell in the fall.

Newer home built on the 2700 block of Charlotte

John and Lance, both from the Brookside area, emphasize they don’t build ‘cookie cutter’ homes. They think hard about “the long term effect of what we do”. They use high quality construction materials and nicer interior finishes with high ceilings; the garages are not prominent and there are no front gutters. They want their buildings to blend in with the surrounding neighborhood and emphasize walkability for the residents…encouraging homeowners to get out and walk or bike to enjoy the unique shops and amenities found in Brookside.

Both of these developments are coming at the right time for the developing Brookside East area. Expect to see a lot of activity regarding new retail and services, plus the housing construction–happening along 63rd St east of Oak the next several months.

Inside Brookside (And Waldo)

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

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