Waldo Home Sales Stats – May 2017

Posted on June 26, 2017 by Mary Hutchison

Home prices are up again in Waldo–a trend that has been consistent this year. There is a lot of demand and not enough inventory. These figures are for Waldo single family home sales, using the boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th:

May 2017

Number of homes sold: 42

Median list price: $189,900

Median sales price: $192,000

Average days on market: 13

May 2016

Number of homes sold: 48

Median list price: $168,700

Median sales price: $168,000

Average days on market: 10

The highest price sale in Waldo last month was $365,500 and the lowest was $84,900. Note the sales price was higher than list price–because many of the homes that closed were at or over the asking price.

Here are year-to-date comparisons:

Jan-May 2017

Number of homes sold: 165

Median list price: $175,000

Median sales price: $177,500

Average days on market: 26

Jan-May 2016

Number of homes sold: 152

Median list price: $165,500

Median sales price $164,475

Average days on market: 25

Year to date, Waldo home prices are up 7.9% over last year. Currently there are 14 active single family homes in Waldo, with a median list price of $175,000 and ten days on market.

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

Brookside/Waldo Farmers Markets Are Open for the Season

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Mary Hutchison

farmer

Summertime and fresh produce from the area farmers’ markets–just can’t beat the taste of freshly picked berries, tomatoes, herbs and veggies. Fortunately we have two farmers’ markets in the neighborhood so you can stock up twice a week!

The Brookside Farmers Market is open each Saturday at 63rd and Wornall Road. This market features local (less than 100 miles away) vendors that sell ‘organic and non-GMO food’. Besides fresh produce, you’ll find eggs, meat, herbs, flowers, baked goods and homemade items like soaps and crafts. Hours are 8am-1pm on Saturdays.

The Waldo Farmers Market is also open for the season at 303 W 79th St, just east of 79th and Wornall next to Habitat ReStore. Although smaller than the Brookside market, it offers a great selection of ‘local, certified organic and non-certified sustainably produced’ products, ranging from vegetables and herbs to snacks and ice cream. Offerings can change weekly. This market is open every Wednesday from 3-7pm–which is so convenient if you need inspiration for a quick weeknight dinner!

Remember to bring a bag to the market to tote your goodies back home, plus cash in small bills, and watch for pedestrians while parking. Thank you for supporting area farmers and merchants!

Pamper Your Body-Visit SKIN in Brookside

Posted on May 31, 2017 by Mary Hutchison

There is a new Brookside shop to check out—especially if you like to pamper yourself! SKIN opened last week at 6247 Brookside Blvd, on the same block as Foos and Shopgirls.

Owner Stephanie Simkins is a native of Kansas City, and started out as a nutritionist and wellnesss coach. She progressed into skin care, doing consultations for her clients. Eventually she started making her own products and selling them online. She had retail stores in San Francisco and on the Country Club Plaza; currently the Broookside shop is the flagship operation.

SKIN products are formulated in Overland Park and are ‘created with healing in mind’, according to Stephanie. Everything is made with organic ingredients and oils, with a specific healing component in mind. For example, there is the Seaberry Anti-Aging Face Cream and Apricot Berry Clay Face Mask. If you are planning a trip to the beach, try the After Sun Aloe and Coconut Body Lotion. Other items include soothing lip balms, soaps and bath products, make up lines and a special section for men’s grooming. There is also a large ‘lazy susan’ tray with samples of most products to try before you buy. Stephanie emphasizes that she operates a vegetarian, gluten free, certified green company, registered with EWG and PETA.

Like so many Brookside shops, Stephanie offers friendly, personal service to every customer who walks in. She encourages browsing and can tell you about all products displayed. In addition, she does special events at the store: yoga workshops, designer trunk shows and a once a month special promotion only offered to clients on her email list.

Stephanie chose Brookside as a location for this shop as she feels “it’s a good fit. There aren’t many walkable neighborhoods in Kansas City. “ Current hours are 11-5 Monday through Saturday and noon-5 on Sunday. She hopes to expand to evening hours as well.

SKIN products make great gifts—everyone appreciates special products that are locally made without chemicals, even the guys you know! Stop by SKIN, 6247 Brookside Blvd and find something for yourself—and a special someone!

It’s Bike to Waldo Week Through Saturday

Posted on May 18, 2017 by Mary Hutchison

Family Bicycles in Waldo

We’ve had some beautiful Spring days that are perfect for bike riding–this week you can celebrate bicycle-friendly Waldo during Bike to Waldo Week, now through Saturday May 20, 2017.

Bike to various Waldo businesses and receive special discounts on food, beverages and services. Participating retailers include Family Bicycles (of course!), One More Cup, KC Bier Co, Betty Raes, Crows Coffee and CoWork Waldo. If you post a photo with the hashtag #biketowaldo, you will be entered into a special $50 drawing!

More details at www.facebook.com/EverythingWaldo/. If you are in a vehicle driving around Waldo this week, please be extra considerate of bikers and give them a friendly wave! Thank you for supporting locally owned Waldo businesses!

Worlds Window Annual Benefit Event on Thursday

Posted on May 10, 2017 by Mary Hutchison

For the past month, Worlds Window in Brookside has been collecting new and gently used women’s clothing for their annual fundraiser to benefit Rose Brooks. It’s your opportunity to shop for ‘new’ clothes of all styles while supporting a local non-profit organization.

On Thursday May 11, 2017, stop into Worlds Window from 5-8pm. There is a $10 admission fee. Shop the donated clothes, neatly displayed on hangers, conveniently priced at $10 per item. In addition, Worlds Window will offer treats, special discounts on regular merchandise and special prizes during the shopping event.

Worlds Window is located in the heart of Brookside at 332 W 63rd St. Remember, other Brookside shops are open late on Thursdays as well! Thank you for supporting locally owned Brookside businesses and Rose Brooks!

What is “Uniting At Southwest”?

Posted on April 18, 2017 by Mary Hutchison

You’ve probably seen these yard signs popping up about Uniting at Southwest. What’s the story? A parent-led proposal is underway to reopen the unused Southwest High School as a project-based, public high school with a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) program by 2019.

At one time, Southwest was one of the most well regarded and respected high schools in the Kansas City public school system. The school closed in 2016, and KCPS has no plans to sell or lease it. Uniting at Southwest has the support of hundreds of local residents, former students and prospective SW school families who want to see the school reopened with this highly desirable type of curriculum. Parents have signed up over 1000 potential students via the Support Survey at the website.

The organizers behind Uniting at Southwest have funding behind them as well: several of Kansas City’s largest foundations, including Bloch and Stowers, have pledged support for the planning and renovations needed to reopen. They envision a neighborhood high school that would offer another school choice to nearby Brookside and Waldo residents, and be open to students living within the KCPS footprint. Other schools with the STEAM program have been very successful, and organizers cite High Tech High in San Diego and P-Tech in Brooklyn as models.

Local parent and enthusiastic supporter John Couture, owner of the Bier Station, says: “We have an opportunity to all come together–charter, parochial and district folks, to create something truly spectacular for our kids. It would be KC’s first project based high school. In addition to a rigorous education, these programs provide students with the skills they’ll need to thrive in the modern economy–things like innovation, collaboration and grit”.

The next steps for Uniting at Southwest include building even more city-wide community support, and then (hopefully) working with KC Public Schools to make the vision a reality. For more information on Uniting at Southwest, please visit their website. There is also a quick survey on the site that you can complete—they welcome your support and input whether you have children or not. You are also welcome to stop by Bier Station tomorrow night (4/19/2017) between 5-9pm, 120 E Gregory, to meet local supporters and learn more details.

As a local real estate agent and Brookside resident, I could write another blog entirely devoted to the importance of local schools on home values and for relocating families. Providing nearby, neighborhood K-12 public schools that are diverse and high quality will be a huge benefit for our area. Reopening Southwest as a STEAM school, operated as an autonomous program under the KCPS umbrella, would be extremely beneficial for Brookside and Waldo and Kansas City in general. Please visit the Uniting at Southwest website and share your comments!

Coco – A New Shop Now Open in Brookside

Posted on April 12, 2017 by Mary Hutchison

We have another unique, new shop in Brookside to check out! It’s called Coco, a women’s clothing store located at 6209 Oak. Coco is next to Itsy Bitsy Bums, and owned by the same person, Abby Flores. The grand opening was April 1.

Like so many locally owned Brookside businesses, Coco makes you feel welcome the moment you walk in. Abi Wagner, Manager, Enabler and Empowerment Queen (yes that is her official title!) –greets you with a big smile, ready to help you navigate around all the pretty and practical goodies on display. Abi is on the left in the photo, and Abby Flores is on the right.

Abi explained the store’s concept to me: “It’s minimalist but not basic. We have brands that fit all body types—from small to 3XL. And our prices are very reasonable. Most items fall in the $30-$50 price range”. Browsing the racks you’ll find tops, pants (including ‘magic denim’ Judy Blue jeans for $39), dresses, bralets, jewelry, purses and some gift items. The tag line for the store is “style, community and empowerment” and the clothes are selected so that the wearer will feel “amazing in your own skin, no matter what your body type” per Abby. To fulfill their commitment to the community, Abby and Abi host classes for women with options that include calligraphy, weaving, making your own bath bombs, and plans are in the works for a book club.

Owner Abby Flores has a masters in art history and worked in merchandising for the Target corporation. She has a keen visual eye as her shop is serene, color coordinated, comfortable and attractive. Although she opened Itsy Bitsy Buns in 2010, it was always her goal to have a women’s clothing store as well. And like the shop next door, this one is very customer focused and on trend with what buyers are looking for now.

Coco is open Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri and Saturdays from 11am – 7pm, just north on Oak at 63rd St. Stop in and browse sometime–you’ll probably find something you like!

Waldo Home Sales Stats – Feb 2017

Posted on March 31, 2017 by Mary Hutchison

Waldo continues to be one of the hottest neighborhoods for home sales! Every month I check the stats and prices keep rising…more units are selling. This is going to be a very strong spring/summer for home sellers in this area: Gregory to 85th; State Line to Gregory. As usual, buyers want to purchase updated, well maintained homes–those sell very fast, often for over asking price. Let’s look at activity for last month and year-to-date numbers as well.

February 2017

Median list price: $184,700

Median sale price: $180,000

Number of homes sold: 27

Days on market: 30

February 2016

Median list price: $171,450

Median sales price: $165,750

Number of homes sold: 16

Days on market: 34

Checking year-to-date comparison:

Jan-Feb 2017

Median list price: $169,800

Median sales price: $165,000

Number of homes sold: 53

Days on market: 33

Jan-Feb 2016

Median list price: $163,950

Median sales price: $163,950

Number of homes sold: 37

Days on market: 59

Prices are up almost 1% over last year; more homes are selling and sellers are getting very close to list price–not much bargaining room for buyers. Currently there are just 12 homes for sale in Waldo, with a median price of $138,700 and 69 days on market.

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

Brookside Home Sales Report-Feb 2017

Posted on March 27, 2017 by Mary Hutchison

Home sales typically start off slow every year..there isn’t much inventory, winter weather keeps people inside and motivated sellers are getting their houses primped and ready to list in the warmer months. Still, prices are up for those homes that are selling. Here is the February 2017 Brookside single family home sales report, using stats from zip code 64113:

February 2017

Median list price: $421,250

Median sales price: $402,000

Number of homes sold: 14

Days on market: 43

The lowest closed price was $205,000 and the highest was $1.225 million. Most of the homes sold were over $400K.

February 2016

Median list price: $409,000

Median sales price: $399,000

Number of homes sold: 15

Days on market: 89

Checking year-to-date figures:

Jan-Feb 2017

Median list price: $399,000

Median sales price: $393,461

Number of homes sold: 27

Days on market: 43

Jan-Feb 2016

Median list price: $389,950

Median sales price: $382,000

Number of homes sold: 23

Days on market: 57

So far, median prices are up 3% over last year and homes are selling faster. There is still very strong demand for Brookside homes, especially those priced between $250-$400K. Currently there are 28 single family homes for sale in Brookside, with a median list price of $797,500 and 60 days on market. Twenty one of these homes are priced over $500K; eight of those are over $1million. These stats show the demand is for homes priced under $500K–more expensive homes sit on the market longer.

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

New Ramen Bar Now Open in Waldo

Posted on March 22, 2017 by Mary Hutchison

boru

The much anticipated ramen bar, Boru, is now open in Waldo at 500 W75th St. I haven’t eaten there yet–but everyone I know wants to try it! I hear it’s very busy during typical lunch and dinner hours. Another hot spot for Brookside/Waldo diners!

A little background: Owners Andy Lock and Domhall Molloy also own the successful Summit Grill, just west of Boru. The culinary director, Po Wang, is a native of Taiwan.

Boru’s website offers menu details and a very helpful glossary for those folks not familiar with this type of cuisine. Featured options include steamed baos (buns stuffed with goodies); several salads (including cold noodle and crispy Brussel sprout ), ramen bowls with ‘add on’ options (egg, pork belly, tofu), plus a kids’ menu, full bar (with sake of course!) and happy hour specials. It all sounds delicious and so different from the usual Waldo bar food and restaurant spots.

Boru (it means bowl in Japanese) is open seven days a week at the corner of 75th and Washington– and accepts reservations through Open Table. Thank you for supporting our locally owned businesses!

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Category Archives: Waldo Community News