Brookside Area Home Sales Statistics 2011

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Hello fellow Brooksiders:

For today’s blog, I am comparing home sales statistics for the first six months of 2011 with the first six months of 2010 in two of the larger area subdivsions:

RockhillGardens: 

2010:  18 homes sold.  Lowest sales price was $65,000; highest sales price was $251,250.  Average sales price was $177,151 with an average of 103 days on market. 

2011:  12 homes sold.  Lowest sales price was $65,000; highest sales price was $256,000. Average sales price was $179,343 with an average of 118 days on market. 

Armour Hills:

 2010:  27 homes sold.  Lowest sales price was $90,000; highest sales price was $326,000.  Average sales price was $213,308 with an average of 94 days on market.

 2011:  25 homes sold.  Lowest sales price was $98,000; highest sales price was $272,000.  Average sales price was $207,287 with an average of 148 days on market. 

Keep in mind that in the first six months of 2010, buyers were taking advantage of the $8000 tax credit that was not available in 2011–that is one reason for the slower sales and longer days on market.  The increase of foreclosed homes has a big effect on bringing the average sales price down.  All information taken from Heartland MLS–deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

If you would like home sales stats for your subdivision–send me an email with your address and I’ll do the research for you!

Armour Hills Freedom Parade, July 4 2011

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Great turnout today for the annual Armour Hills Freedom Parade this morning!  The weather was hot, but not humid–I think that brought out more families.  We had prizes in several catagories:  Best Costume, Best Bicycle, Most Patriotic, Youngest Patriot and more.  Thanks to Schwann’s for donating ice cream and to the neighbors who brought cookies, and it’s always nice to see our City Council rep Jan Marcusson at our events.

Our next neighborhood get together is in September for the Ice Cream Social in Arbor Villa Park.

Waldo Farmer’s Market — More than Fresh Produce

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I checked out the Waldo Farmer’s Market yesterday for the first time–and I’ll be back!  It’s small, five or six stands, but already very popular with area residents.  It’s located in the shady grassy area next to the Habitat ReStore on 79th St just east off Wornall.  Every Wednesday, 3-7pm–stop by and you can sign up for a weekly email of what will be for sale that week.

This week’s produce included plenty of cabbage, garlic, leeks, kale, squash, some blueberries, potatoes, fresh herbs and peppers.  I was looking for big ripe tomatoes–too early I think.  Farm to Market had a booth full of fresh breads, another booth offered body care products and…my favorite….Fresher than Fresh snow cones!

This trailer is always at First Fridays with long lines of customers–here there was no line and an eclectic menu of the  fresh fruit flavored pairings with a twist.  I love the pineapple serrano; yesterday there was a new flavor of blood orange. It’s worth a stop just for the snow cone, even if you don’t need produce!

Remember to stop into  Habitat ReStore after your market shopping.  Or, bring something to ReStore to donate the next time you visit the Waldo Farmer’s Market.

How Cute is this Waldo House??

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While out on tour yesterday, I stopped by this house in the Broadland subdivision near 79th Street.  There are so many smaller houses in this area, many need some TLC.  When I toured this home, I thought:  this is an excellent example of how paint, tile and decor can really change the look of a smaller home.

Waldo home for sale

Waldo home for sale

This two bedroom, one bath home has great curb appeal. A small front porch, newer concrete drive and patio in the back.  Inside, you’ll see bright colors, a newer kitchen and a clean, fresh finish to the decor.  It’s a small home yet very inviting and open.  At $117,500–your house payment would be about as much as an average rent payment!

Waldo home for sale

Buyers–see what’s possible here  when you buy a home that needs a bit of decor.  Do most of the work yourself by fixing up with color, inexpensive white cabinets, newer appliances and contemporary decorating, and you’ve have more return for the money when it’s time to sell.

This house will sell fast!Waldo home for sale

Highlights from Armour Hills Homes Assn Meeting June 21, 2011

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Fellow Armour Hills residents, here’s a brief recap of some of the issues discussed at the Armour Hills Homes Assn board meeting earlier this week:

*KCATA has planned a beautification project for the park and ride lot on the south side of Gregory just east of Wornall.  An additional “WALDO” monument sign will be erected at the site.  KCATA would like to improve the appearance of the seldom used park and ride lot on the north end of Gregory–estimated cost is $50,000-$60,000.  No plans or funds in place right now for this area.

*Gunnar Hand, board member, will be applying for PIAC (Public Community Advisory Committee) grants on behalf of Armour Hills.  If awarded, we would like to use the grant money for  Arbor Villa park improvements and tree maintenance. Applications are due in August, and the grants are awarded in February.

*The board approved funds for another black iron bench to be installed in Arbor Villa Park.  This bench will be the memorial to long time park supporter Pete Egan, who died earlier this year.  There will be a memorial plaque on the bench.  We hope to have it installed by September for the ice cream social.

*Plans are underway for the annual Freedom Parade July 4.  Festivities start at 9am; the parade begins at 10am near Gregory and 70th Terrace. Prizes will be awarded in several categories–see the recent edition of the Clarion for more info.

The next board meeting is July 19, 7pm –all residents are welcome!

Waldo Crawldo June 25, 2011

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Affordable fun and a great way to  meet your neighbors…plan on attending the 8th annual Waldo Crawldo on Saturday June 25!  Fourteen locations are participating, along and just off  Wornall Road from approximately 75th-85th St.  There  will be a bus available  but easy to walk from spot to spot.  The Well, Waldo Pizza, Tasso’s and Swagger are just a few of the businesses that will offer specials for the night.

And you can conveniently get your tickets on line!  Just $7 on line, $5 if you stop by one of the participating businesses and $10 the night of the event. More information at  waldokc.org

New Art Sculpture in Brookside

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Surely it’s caught your eye…as you drive through the intersection 63rd and Brookside Blvd.  There on the southeast corner is a new 12″ art sculpture titled “Inspired Child”. It’s a collaboration between students at Border Star school, ceramist Paul Storms, art teacher Lee Anne Snozak and the Leopold Gallery.

Installed in May 2010, it’s a tall and striking piece of work, made of stoneware, stainless steel and cast glass.  It’s bright, colorful, adorned in parts with beads and waves a bit with the wind.  This piece joins other outdoor sculptural art in Brookside, noticeably the tall metal wind catchers in front of the Roasterie and along the 63rd St shops between Wornall and Brookside Blvd.

Thanks to the artists and Border Star for adding this piece of art to the heart of Brookside!

Brookside Shred Event Saturday-Habitiat ReStore Sale

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Free shred event fellow Brooksiders!

This Saturday June 11 , there will be an industrial shred truck parked at Meyer and Brookside Blvd by the tennis courts.  Bring the docs you want to shred–it’s free from 8am-12pm.

Also on Saturday, Habitat ReStore is celebrating it’s 11th anniversary–25% off everything in the store.  Hours are 9am-4pm, 303 W 79 St.

 

Art Installation in Armour Hills

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While taking a walk last night with my daughter, we rambled over to W 66th St to check out a temporary art installation on the front yard.  The home is owned by the Bittermans, who operate The Reading Reptile on 63rd St in Brookside.  Have never seen anything like this in Armour Hills–it’s worth a look!

Art installation 14 W 66th St

Called “Exploring Point of Interest homo vulgaris”, this wooden stand has many features along with lots of information.  There’s a large plaque in the middle, with pop out wooden squares on one side and a listening post on the other.  A small map of the Country Club District is reprinted, along  with information on JC Nichols and his residential development.  The listening post has headphones; slip them on and hear recorded conversation from inside the home about the pros and cons of eating meat; a piano practice; a Royals game.  There are other points of interest around the art piece and a four-color brochure with additional explanations.  I’m not sure what the point of the work is– a portion of the description from the brochure reads: ‘an existential overlook situated along a cognitive horizon line between the natural and the built environment.‘  It seems to be a comment on how humans live within the natural environment. Even if you don’t understand the entire point of the piece, it’s interesting enough to stop by and check it out, spark some conversation with the kids while walking the dog or pushing a stroller.

Details:  14 W 66th St, Kansas City MO.  Hours are Mon-Sat 9am-dusk, closed on Sundays, holidays and rainy days.  Available for public viewing until July 30.

Thanks to the Bittermans for enriching our Brookside subdivision with art!