Armour Hills Home Sales Stats – November

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A quick blog post today regarding the home sales stats for the largest subdivision in Brookside–and my home turf.  November home sales statistics for Armour Hills:

Seven  homes sold in November, the lowest sales price was $146,000 and the highest was $385xxx.  The average sales price was $247,000 and average days on market:  84.

Currently there are 26 homes for sale in Armour Hills, the lowest price house is $159,900 and the highest is $369,950.  Average price is $242xxx with days on market at 107.

(Stats are taken from the Heartland MLS and are deemed reliable but not guaranteed)

This is the time of year when home sales typically slow down.  Buyers are busy with the holidays and homes just don’t show as well in the cold weather. If you are thinking of selling your home next year, NOW is the time to get it ready for the market.  Buyers will come out early  next year, wanting to take advantage of the tax credits before they expire at the end of April.

Thanks for reading my blog–you can contact me at mary.hutchison@prukc.com

Annual Brookside Tree Lighting Ceremony!

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Bundle up Brooksiders…for the annual Brookside Tree Lighting Ceremony this Thursday, December 3.  The festivities center around 63rd St and Brookside Plaza starting at 6pm.  The St Peter’s Children’s Choir will put everyone in a jolly mood singing Christmas carols…sleigh rides are available …. hear the Holiday Trombones and remember to bring a few cans of food for Harvesters.

Right now the temperture is forecast to be in the 30s–not too cold, just grab a hot beverage from the Roasterie on your way over.  It’s another neighborhood tradition here in Brookside–all are welcome, see you there!

 

Talking With Celina Tio of Julian

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Attention to detail.  That was my first impression as I waited to have a fast chat with Celina Tio.  I noticed her attractive wall display of tee shirts promoting the restaurant. She has men’s AND women’s sizes for sale!  We all know that a woman’s body in a man’s tee shirt doesn’t work. Celina knows it too and that why she has sizes in both styles.  And the price?  Just $15.  That’s noticing the small stuff.

This seems to be Celina’s guiding principle for her first owned and operated restaurant:  attention to detail regarding delicious food and offering meals at a reasonable price.  Looking at the menu, she’s priced well — actually lower than many dinner items offered at nearby Carmen’s Cafe or Avenues Bistro.  Julian is  open for Thanksgiving–offering all the standard items for a fixed price:  3 courses for $30, 4 for $34 with service over the noon hours or late afternoon.  I like that idea–the traditional foods served with a twist for the holiday, from an accomplished chef, for a special holiday.

Foodies know that Celina came from the American Restaurant, has a husband and small daughter, and has quite a bit of energy and determination to make this restaurant a success.  She chose Brookside as the location because it was ‘good timing, a good location, and the loyal neighbors like to keep their  money in the neighborhood’ by supporting local businesses.  She says the best and worst thing about having her own restaurant is the same thing:  she is compelled to do everything herself.  While we were chatting, she jumped up twice to answer the restaurant phone and take a ‘reservation’ (details on that process later).  Celina is so focused and pumped up — she is in the kitchen, on the floor with guests, bussing a table, tweeting on the Blackberry.   She has positioned Julian to be a place that won’t “break the (money) bank or the calorie bank”, serving fine food without the high price tag.  She’s also into comfort food, which shows on several menu items (Boulevard pale ale macaroni and cheese, crispy pork shoulder and  pasta with meat sauce) .  And that’s just the right trend for these recessionary times…you want to enjoy a nice meal out but can’t justify spending $100 on dinner.  

Julian is open seven days a week, currently just for dinner but Celina wants to open for lunch within the next few weeks.  On Sundays she serves the 3 for $30 dinner–which is just whatever she happens to be creating that day–and it’s served family style. Mondays are “American Classics” — lasagna, steak.  She’s now collaborating with her staff for the winter menu.    The restaurant doesn’t take reservations but will do ‘priority seating’–call in with the time you will arrive and you will get the first and best table available.  To keep up with Julian–get connected to her Facebook and Twitter accounts–she does all the social media herself.

One remark Celina made while we were talking keeps coming back to me.  I asked her, what do you know now that you wish someone would have told you when you started out as a chef?  She replied, “That all employees don’t have the same work ethic and morals as you do”.  When she was getting the restaurant ready to open, sometimes she would stop at McDonald’s (?!) and bring in breakfast for everyone.  As they were unwrapping the sandwiches, she noticed that so many of them weren’t stacked with care–the bun was slapped on the side, the insides were spilling out, etc.  One time she noticed a perfectly wrapped sandwich with the food inside properly put together and presented.  She said, “I was so happy to see that someone actually cared about putting the food together the right way”.  You can expect your meal at Julian to be not only properly presented, but also infused with a love of the art of preparing food.

A Visit to the Local Doctor

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For a while now I have wanted to ‘change’ doctors.  I’m healthy, no complaints, just have the usual yearly exams and tests recommended for a female my age.  But visiting a  large medical practice with several doctors in one office–left me feeling cold.  They seem to operate like a factory–no personality, just fill out the forms and get out within 15 minutes. When the test results come back, ‘someone’ from the office calls and leaves a message for you–just nominal info and no name or number to call back if you have questions. Since health care is such a hot topic now, I finally decided to change.

My friend Julie suggested I visit Dr Darren Killen at Brookside Family Medicine.  When I first called, the receptionist told me he ‘doesn’t do interviews’ but since I had a wellness visit paid for by my health insurance premiums, I made an appointment to see him.  I arrived on time today and will say, the receptionist is all business–very no-nonsense, again ‘here’s the form, fill out this and this and this’ .  No personality there, no ‘welcome, how  are you today?’.  After another person checked my weight and blood pressure, I waiting just a short time in the exam room for the doctor. 

In walks a slim, attractive man with a warm smile and easy manner.  He asked me several questions and entered the info on the desk computer.  He is the first doctor who ever asked me if I exercise regularly.  As we talked, I found out it’s just him in the office with two staff members and he wants to hire a nurse practitioner.  He takes appointments one or two weeks out–to leave enough free time for those patients who call in with emergencies or concerns that need to be seen right away.  (When I called my gynocologist a couple of weeks ago for an annual test, I was informed that the first available appointment was December 28.)  Although he has to send me off site for a blood test, he said he would call me with the results.  I said , YOU actually call the patient? He said yes, he prefers to do that because usually there are questions on the results.  He also told me if there is an emergency, he is the doctor who takes the call. That’s how he likes to run his practice.

Of course, I had to ask Dr Killen his views on ‘health care reform’.  The first thing he said was that the lobbys for the insurance companies control the process and until health care is a not-for-profit industry, there will be no real reform.  He also indicated that premiums for one particularly large health care company go up 5-10% each year, but reimbursement to the doctor has remained the same for five years.  If Dr Killen was with a large practice affiliated with a hospital–he would make a lot more money and be reimbursed for the true costs of his care.  But he doesn’t want to work in a factory-type medical practice.  Of course ‘family physicians’ like him are dwindling in numbers because they don’t make near the money specialists do–and the debt that med students graduate with can be paid off faster with a speciality practice.

Dr Killen treats patients of all ages and will refer you to a specialist if necessary.  After my visit with him, I learned he can take care of the two tests I had done annual with two other different doctors at larger practices.  He seemed genuinely interested in me as an individual  and likes what he does.  I hope he can keep doing it for years to come.  I’m happy to support Dr Killen–a local Brookside business and resident !  Check him out if you are thinking of changing doctors.

brooksidefamilymedicine.com

Comments welcome!  Thanks for reading my blog.

New Restaurants in Brookside-Julian and Mezzaluna

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Support local businesses…the money you spend locally tends to stay in the area and is ‘respent’ many times over.  Residents of Brookside and Waldo are known for their loyalty to local businesses.  ALthough there are a few national chain operations here (Baskin Robbins, Mr Goodcents, Tuesday Morning), waht gives our neighborhoods it’s character is the LACK of the same national restaurants and stores you see all over the suburbs in most Any City USA.

Armour Hills has a new restaurant with Mezzaluna at 120 East Gregory.  I stopped in yesterday, not for dining but to just check out the atmosphere and menu.  Unfortunately, I was not greeted warmly by the gentleman at the front who surely is one of the owners.  I asked to see a menu, and he wordlessly gave me a to go menu.  I asked about the upstairs room and he offered to escort me up there for a quick look.  Was hoping for some friendly conversatin initiated by him–after all, I’m a potential customer.  When I’m holding an openhouse and someone walks in, you can be sure I am greeting them with a smile and telling them a few specifics about the home.brookside rest 002

Inside there area comfortable booths and some tables, plus a small bar area.  The is a separate ‘to go’ pick up area–very convenient!  On the menu, lunch offers several variations on pizza, $7-8 each, with pasta items priced the same.  The three entrees are chicken, veal or eggplant parmigiana.  Salads are an extra charge.  Dinner entrees must be lovingly prepared–the menu tells you to allow 25 minutes for preparation of your meal.  Averaging $14-18 each, the entrees come with a potatoe and vegetable.  Pizza is also an option at night, priced at $14.  I fyou are planning a special event or have a large party, the upstairs dining area is elegant and comfortable.  It seats 28-40 persons. Mezzaluna is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. 

brookside rest 001Celebrated ex-American Restaurant chef Celine Tio has opened Julian at 6227 Brookside Plaza, in the former spot of Joe D’s. I have not dined here yet but hope to soon–Ms Tio promises good food that won’t break the budget–let’s see if she delivers on taste and portion size.  Sandwiches and entrees are on the menu, including lobster Shepard’s Pie, fish tacos, braised short ribs and mini desserts.  Cheesy grits and onion rings are a couple of the side dishes.  The decor is minimal:  there are placemats, not tablecloths, and the outdoor patio is a welcome option during good weather.  Right now Julian is open only for dinner; lunch and breakfast hours are planned. 

Thanks for reading my blog..have you dined at either restaurant?  Tell me about it with your comments!

 

 

Fall in Brookside – A Visual Posting

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A few pictures this week, of pretty Brookside newly dressed by Mother Nature’s fall colors.

This is the best  time of year to drive around the neighborhood..and the best time to show houses to prospective buyers.  So many people say autumn is their favorite season..this is why!

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Thanks for checking out my photos!  Visit my website:  www.maryhutchison.org

Support Local Businesses: The Sweet Guy

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First you need to know that The Sweet Guy isn’t just sweets…more on that later.  Second, this is one of those places where the staff will learn your name and greet you as you come in… so let’s learn a little about the background of this Waldo business and it’s happy, friendly owner.Brookside blog photos

The Sweet Guy opened on Broadway (just south of Waldo Pizza)  about seven months ago when owner Blake Matthews moved his business from Parkville to Waldo.  He’s a culinary school graduate and was a trauma nurse in his previous profession. (I’m sure he would share stories over coffee regarding that career choice.  Wonder what his views are on the health care debate?)   Business has dropped off a bit  in the past few weeks but Blake expects it to pick up as the weather gets colder and people start holiday shopping. There are two other coffee shops within a couple of blocks of The Sweet Guy…and here’s what makes his store different:

Everything is made on site. Blake is dedicated to quality control and fresh foods:  the gelato, the artisen chocolates, the lunch offerings, even the salad dressings are made at the store.  (note: this is what sold me–I so dislike a fresh salad with a dressing that came out of a plastic bottle.  It’s not that hard to make them fresh and it makes such a difference!) (And yes, I make my own dressings at home).  He’s got the best mocha in town, as he doesn’t use chocolate syrup out of a plastic bottle for the flavor–he uses the same premium chocolate that goes into his speciality chocolates.  You can choose from a white, dark or milk chocolate mocha latte.  Also, he uses Shatto milk.  Blake hopes to  start raising   chickens and growing vegetables on his ten acres in north KC to use at the store in his cooking–that’s dedication to a premium, tasty product.

 Blake serves lunch every day (except Monday–the store is closed) and once again, it’s fresh food prepared to order:  you can build your own salad (just like the Mixx concept) for a cheaper price; you can also build your own pasta dish, choosing from three sauces and various mix-ins (each $6.95).  There are sandwich options, including two vegetarian choices ( all under $10), served on toasted ciabatta. Are you hungry yet? I know, I know, you want to hear about the sweet stuff…

Oh yes the gelato is a decadent splurge, tastings are offered, and the best selling flavor is ‘wedding cake’. One small cup is a nice portion for two people. The breakfast pastries and cookies/brownies are a generous size, and the chocolates–averaging under $2/piece, well this delicacy should be savored slowly on the tougue.  Check out some of these options: dark chocolate peanut butter, cinnamon sesame, McBailey’s and honey lavender white chocolate. Oh yes, there are many more, made fresh at the store each day. 

The Sweet Guy has free wi-fi, plenty of seating and parking, and the staff is friendly.  Although the hot new Waldo spot is The Well just down the street, The Sweet Guy offers a fresh, healthy, inexpensive lunch option and a relaxing enviornment for conversation or a solo coffee break. 

Stop in The Sweet Guy the next time you are nearby. You’ll like whatever you try and …you’ll make a new friend. Website:  thesweetguy.com

Thanks for reading my blog…your comments are welcome~ Mary Hutchison  maryhutchison.org

Today’s Home Tour –Brookside and Waldo

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For today’s tour of open houses for Realtors, I concentrated ona couple of  homes that would be attractive to a first time buyer..we’ll start with those listings.  Time is running out to purchase and close prior to the deadline of November 30–so act now if you plan to buy!

200 E 43rd St

What a bargain!  This one bedroom, one bath condo near the KC Art Institute is move in ready for $109K.  HOA fees are just $156/month and include property insurance and water.  All appliances stay, including the washer/dryer; kitchen features granite countertops and stainless steel appliances.  It’s very charming with exposed brick and lots of light.  There is off street parking and a secured entrance.  For the price of  rent–you can own!

Touring

This Waldo home offers a lot of space for $185K. Three large bedrooms upstairs; living room, dining room, and a family room connected to the kitchen.  Two full baths and a one car garage. The basement has some built ins and could easily be  finished off for a rec room or office.  Bonus: a screened in porch AND a nice large deck in back!  Walk to the shops on Gregory or the Trolley Track Trail. This is a great location that will hold value.

Now for a couple of more expensive properties:

4350 Rockhill Rd        This condo was a nice surprise.  Located on Rockhill Road close to the Nelson Atkins Museum and the KC Art Institute, it is definitely a WOW when you walk in.   For $333,400 this 2cd floor unit has two bedrooms, two and a half baths, a large kitchen/hearth room, separate dining room, office / TV room and garage units in the back.  There are five buildings, and each building has just three condos–the space in each unit is at least 2100SF. The HOA fees are very reasonable at around $300/month.  I’ve seen a lot of condos and this one offers ALOT of space for the price, plus a central location.

6200 Oak

Finally this home at 6200 Oak is a 3 bedroom, 2 and a half bath house with a two car garage for $315,000.  There is an updated kitchen, office/TV room on first floor, a lovely shaded deck in back and larger bedrooms.  The second full bath is in the small, partially finished basement.  Oak is a busier street; however this home is close to the Brookside shops and is move in ready.  It sits on the corner so there is plenty of off-Oak street parking for guests.

Please note that the properties I am featuring today are not my listings, but they are available to be shown. If you would like more information on these homes or others, email me.  There is plenty for sale in the Brookside/Waldo area–and with the market at the bottom, coupled with low interest rates, this is the time to buy!

Why Buy Now In Waldo

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Sure, home prices are flat but that’s exactly why NOW is the time to buy in Waldo!  You can get a great deal on a Waldo home in a location that’s always popular…even more so now with all of the new businesses popping up near 75th and Wornall.  I hear it all the time as a realtor — “I want to be walking distance to shops and restaurants”.  Waldo offers that desireable amenity..and that’s precisely why it will be an area that always holds value for homeowners.

I think of Waldo as an excellent neighborhood for first time buyers because so many of the residents are in their 20s and 30s–a typical age for a first time buyer.  The homeowners generally are friendly and take the time to know their neighbors; they keep the homes neat and and attractive; and most important:  these are solidly built homes, often with stone basements, brick exteriors and charming architechtural details….every home is different, inside and out.

There are dozens of homes for sale in Waldo, and here are just three that I think offer a good value for the money–and remember, buyers are not paying list price these days:

7408 Walnut

This home on the 7400 block of Walnut is new to the market and shows very well–a 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath home with a one car garage, private drive for $178,900. Upstairs there is a walk in closet and expandable attic space, plus office space on the first floor.

 

 

7141 McGee

On the 7100 block of McGee, this home offers 3 bedrooms and two full baths, plus a one car garage for $185,000.  There is a relaxing screened porch and a back patio.

 

 

7620 Grand

On the 7600 block of Grand, this three bedroom 1.5 bath house has an attached one car garage, newer windows, roof, bath and kitchen for $180,000.

 

 

Now is the time to buy, when the US government is  paying you to do so–close by November 30 if you are a first time buyer and receive a $8000 tax refund/credit.  There is no guarantee this credit will be extended and it takes about 45-60 days to close on a purchase–so time is running out!  There are so many choices out there–every Waldo home is unique with it’s features, floor plan and exterior curb appeal.  Waldo is a great choice for first time homebuyers–contact me  if you would like to see these homes or for a tour of the neighborhood.

Also, don’t forget the Waldo Fall Festival this weekend:  Saturday Sept 19 from 10am-5pm at 75th and Wornall Road.  Saturday night it’s the Waldo Crawldo from 6pm-midnight with 14 particpating bars and restaurants! www.waldokc.org

For Brookside Bicyclists

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…and we know there are lots of people in the Brookside/Waldo area are who are enthusiastic bicyclists!  Plan to visit Berkley Park this Sunday(1-4pm) to watch the final leg of the Tour of Missouri Cycling Race.  These bicyclists have ridden over 600 miles and would appreciate a cheering crowd as they finish up the route.

This event is family friendly too–there will be food, drinks, beer, live music and entertainment for the kids.  Also, the Chiefs game will be broadcast on a big screen so you can keep an eye on the win (thinking positive here).   This is a free public event–you can bring your own picnic if you like.

Organizers of this event have made transportation easy–free shuttles are available from noon-5 from the Isle of Capri.  You can also park in the River Market area and walk over the Town of Kansas pedestrian bridge to the park…or bike to the site!

So put this event on your list of things to do this weekend..an easy way to have a fun day outdoors with friends and family.