Romanelli West 4 Bdrm House for Sale

Posted on May 7, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

It can be a challenge to find a true four bedroom home in Brookside…however my new listing fits that criteria! Another bonus to this house–two master suites!

Jeremy front

There are several special features to this home. Start with the floor to ceiling windows in the open living room and dining room–overlooking the patio and landscaped yard. These rooms are filled with natural light! There is a bonus flex room just off the dining room that also leads to the yard.

jeremy lr

The spacious kitchen has classic white cabinets, a pantry, gas cooktop and eat in area. Just off the kitchen is the laundry area, second master suite with full bath and office with built in desk and cabinets.

jeremy kitchen

Another feature of this house is the size of the bedrooms–large! There are three full baths total, and the master bath has the charming, original built-in dressing area.

jeremy master bedroom

Note the stone patio with plenty of space for entertaining–there is a large fenced yard as well.

jeremy patio

Drive by and check it out if you are looking for a Brookside home! 1241 W 67th St, offered at $465,000. Contact me at mary.hutchison@kansascityhomes.com if you would like a tour.

2018 Brookside Art Fair This Weekend-May 4-6!

Posted on May 3, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

I always felt like the Brookside Art Annual really starts off the summer season of festive outdoor events, even though technically it’s still Spring! This is the 33rd year for the art fair. Here are the details:

Hours are Fri 5-9pm; Sat 10am-9pm; Sun 11am-5pm. Free activities for kids on Saturday and Sunday; music in the evening, and local Brookside businesses (Carmen’s Cafe, Charlie Hooper’s, Avenue Bistro, Sweet and Simple) will have food booths for noshing and drink. Please do not bring pets!

The Art Annual is set up between 63rd St and Meyer Blvd, just east of the tennis courts. Watch for extra pedestrians, strollers and children in the area this weekend. It is easiest to park a few blocks away and walk to the tents. Be sure to stop in one of Brookside’s many shops/restaurants/services while you are in the neighborhood! We appreciate our local business owners and the Brookside Business Assn that coordinates this popular event every year.

Armour Hills Home Sales Report-March 2018

Posted on May 1, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

Home prices in Armour Hills are lower than what they were last year at this time–could the demand for this desirable Brookside neighborhood be slowing down? I don’t think so–it’s too early in the year to make a definitive judgement. Here are the stats, with YTD comparison as well:

March 2018 March 2017

Median list price: $269,500 Median list price: $325,000

Median sales price: $265,000 Median sales price: $325,000

No. of homes sold: 4 No. of homes sold: 5

Days on market: 33 Days on market: 6

You can see the median sales price is much lower than last year. One of the reasons the days on market is longer is one particular home in Armour Hills that has been for sale several weeks now.

Here are year-to-date figures:

Jan-March 2018 Jan-March 2017

Median list price: $279,950 Median list price: $320,000

Median sales price: $275,000 Median sales price: $318,500

No. of homes sold: 13 No. of homes sold: 12

Days on market: 7 Days on market: 22

Currently there are 5 active listings in Armour Hills, with a median price of $457,000 and 41 days on market.

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

Waldo Home Sales Stats-March 2018

Posted on April 30, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

The Waldo area has home prices ranging from under $100K for a real fixer-upper to updated remodeled homes over $400K. That wide range of housing prices is one of the most desirable aspects to living in Waldo–along with many locally owned shops, services, restaurants and bars. Prices continue to rise in Waldo–take a look at these stats from last month:

March 2018 March 2017

Median list price: $200,000 Median list price: $175,000

Median sales price: $217,700 Median sales price: $172,700

No. of homes sold: 28 No. of homes sold: 36

Days on market: 3 Days on market: 40

Sold prices in March 2018 reflected an 8.75% over the list price! WOW. Lots of demand, not much inventory, pushing prices up. Also, note homes went under contract in three days! Here are the year-to-date statistics:

Jan-March 2018 Jan-March 2017

Median list price: $170,000 Median list price: $172,900

Median sales price: $171,500 Median sales price: $170,400

No. of homes sold: 72 No. of homes sold: 89

Days on market: 15 Days on market: 33

Fewer homes have sold in the first quarter of 2018, and that’s because of a lack of inventory–the buyers are there, ready to write offers. Home values are up, and houses going under contract very fast. I don’t expect a slowdown over the next few months.

Currently there are 17 active single family listings in Waldo, with a median list price of $239,000 and 17 days on market. Lowest price is $64,500 and highest is $385,000 (!).

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

New Community Space Opens in Brookside

Posted on April 26, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

If your Brookside/Waldo home has a front porch—you know how relaxing and welcoming the space can be. For those of us without that amenity, please enjoy the new front porch at HJ’s Youth and Community Center, 6425 Wornall. The sleek new building joins the campus of St Andrew’s Episcopal Church at Meyer and Wornall. HJ’s gathering place is open to all area residents, not just members of the church.

Father John Spicer, Rector, at St Andrew’s, has been watching the construction go on the past several months. He’s so excited about the new space, and eager to show it off to the Brookside/Waldo residents. As he explained to me, “We want this building to be a place of intersection between the church and the community.” St Andrew’s Youth Ministry will meet here, along with Boy Scout Troup 16 (here for more than 90 years!). Other groups are welcome: community meetings, business associations, classes for couples and parenting, financial seminars. Special events like wedding receptions, anniversary and birthday parties can be hosted in the space; there is a catering prep space/kitchen (alcohol permitted) and there will be a staffed coffee/snack bar with a special Roasterie Blend coffee named for the church. So if you are weary of working from home, or need a break while walking the trail, stop in the lobby of HJ’s, grab a beverage and relax on the patio!

front

A lot of dedicated, design conscious thought went into the appearance and amenities of the outside of the building so as to engage the neighborhood residents and passers-by. On the east side, there is a fire pit on a patio (pictured at left) and a water station. A bike repair area will soon be installed for those who use the Trolley Track Trail. Father John hopes to host summer movie nights on the building’s east wall. The front porch will have Adirondack chairs and a bike rack. And notice the large steel WELCOME sign on the west and south side of the building!

HJ’s Youth and Community Center will host an Open House for the neighborhood this Saturday, April 28 from 1-3pm. Please stop by and see this beautiful space that everyone is welcome to use and enjoy. Oh—and if you are wondering about the pumpkin and Christmas tree sales, they will still take place here! For more information, call the church at 816 523 1602. Online space reservations will soon be available at www.hjsbrookside.org

welcome

World’s Window Hosting Annual Clothing Drive

Posted on April 23, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

worlds window Our locally owned Brookside/Waldo shops are so generous in giving back to our community. They donate gift cards to school fundraisers, host fundraising events for local organizations and really go beyond the usual grind of being an independent shop to actively helping others who need it.

World’s Window in Brookside is hosting it’s annual “Flipping Favorites” clothing drive for Rose Brooks Center, now through early May. Rose Brooks Center is an emergency shelter for women and children escaping violence and abuse. World’s Window hosts this event twice a year.

Here’s how it works: bring in new or gently used women’s clothing, clean and on hangars to the shop at 332 W 63rd St. (L and XL sizes are in great demand). In return for your contribution, you will receive a gift certificate to use at the “Flipping Favorites Sock Hop Party” on May 10, where you can shop the donated clothes. Whatever doesn’t sell is donated to Rose Brooks Center.

So clean out your closet and get those gently worn or new clothes to World’s Window in the next two weeks! Hours at the shop are Mon-Sat 10-6, Thursdays till 7, and Sunday 12-5pm.

Thank you for supporting this very important non profit organization…and our locally owned World’s Window!

Brookside Home Sales Report-March 2018

Posted on April 19, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

The busy spring home buying season is here and buyers are hungry for fresh listings, especially those priced at $350K or less. Let’s take a look at the Brookside home sales report for March 2018, using the main Brookside zip code of 64113:

March 2018 March 2017

Median list price: $429,000 Median list price: $395,000

Median sales price: $394,000 Median sales price: $395,000

No. of homes sold: 23 No. of homes sold: 23

Days on market: 14 Days on market: 34

Notice the median sales price is virtually the same as a year ago, and number of homes sold is the same. Homes this year went under contract in a shorter amount of time–just two weeks. The lowest sales price last month was $255,000 and the highest was $1.1 million.

Year to date figures below:

Jan-March 2018 Jan-March 2017

Median list price: $387,450 Median list price: $397,000

Median sales price: $373,000 Median sales price: $394,000

No. of homes sold: 52 No. of homes sold: 50

Days on market: 25 Days on market: 37

Although the median sales price is lower YTD this year compared to last, I don’t think that signals an overall slump in sales prices. We have such a wide range of prices in Brookside–I think the lower median number reflects more ‘lower’ priced homes selling, and that’s where the demand is (not for $500K and over). Also, note the trend of more homes closing and going under contract in a shorter amount of time compared to 2017 YTD.

Currently there are 33 active listings in zip code 64113. The median list price is $529,950 and 33 days on market. Prices range from $$249,000 up to $2.89 million. Sixteen homes are priced over $500K.

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

Bella Napoli Changes It’s Coffee Bar

Posted on April 16, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

You may have heard Bella Napoli is ‘closing’ it’s coffee bar. Not true! It’s the concept and hours that are changing!

Starting today, Monday April 16, the coffee bar will open at 10am, along with the deli and market. You can get coffee (or expresso, latte, etc) but no pastries or drinks with syrup. Owner Jake Imperiale says he’s changing the concept to “do it the Italian way” –meaning no coffee ‘to go’. Come in, order your beverage; it will be served on china and then you can sit down at a table and take the time to really enjoy your beverage. (And if you’ve ever been to Italy, you know that is the true Italian way to have a coffee. Linger and appreciate your drink, take the time to chat with your companion or sit and contemplate the day.)

Bella Napoli has been a Brookside fixture since April 2001. It’s here you will find fresh Italian deli meats, cheeses and sandwiches, along with imported wines, olive oil, vinegar, pastas, olives and other treats. Lunch and dinner are also offered, in a cozy, comfortable, space. There are plenty of places to get a ‘grab and go’ coffee in Brookside–now when you want to relax and savor the real Italian experience, come to Bella Napoli. New hours are 10am-9pm Monday though Thursday; Friday and Saturday 10am-10pm; closed on Sunday.

Thank you for supporting locally owned Brookside/Waldo businesses!

Brookside Farmers’ Market Opens Saturday

Posted on April 12, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

farmer Another sign of Spring! The Brookside Farmers’ Market opens this weekend, Saturday April 14, 2018 for the season. Location is the same: southeast corner of 63rd and Wornall, at Border Star elementary school.

There are many farmers’ markets in the metro area; what makes this one a bit different is that all vendors live within 100 miles of the market and the goods they sell are “organic and sustainable”. Besides fresh herbs, vegetables and flowers, there are various meats for sale, baked goods, snacks, and some vegan/gluten free items. The market accepts KS Vision and MO SNAP forms of payment. It’s helpful if you bring your own bag to the market!

With the crazy weather we’ve had, there may not be an abundance of fresh produce on opening day. However, there is always something tasty to purchase!

Thank you for supporting our local Brookside Farmers’ Market. Hours are 8am-1pm every Saturday through October.

Major Construction Work Planned for 75th and Wornall Area

Posted on April 9, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

Wonderful Waldo!

Wornall Road in the heart of Waldo seems to be a never ending construction site, and will continue that way for the next few years. Here’s a summary of what’s going on:

*This week, contractors will start drilling around 75th and Wornall. The work is related to the bigger (and much needed) 75th/Wornall improvement project. There will be lane closures on both sides of Wornall from approximately 74th to 79th St area for several days.

*The 75th/Wornall improvement project involves a redesign of the parking lot in front of Waldo Pizza; creating a new Trolley Track extension (dedicated path) outside that lot; updated sidewalks, crosswalks and lighting; plus installation of islands to slow down traffic at that congested intersection. Major work on this project is slated to start early next year and finish in late 2020.

*The “sewer separation project” is underway along W 77th and W 85th, Grand and Summit Streets, bringing new storm and sanitary lines underground and some sewer line rehab. This project is ongoing through 2019.

*The “Smart Sewer Project” involves water main line replacement along 75th St from Holmes to State Line, beginning in mid 2019 through 2020.

Our tax dollars at work! Yes, it is challenging to drive, bike or walk around road closures in these areas however, all of this work is so necessary. I’m especially excited about the 75th/Wornall improvements as that is such a congested intersection. It is the ‘front door’ of Waldo! After the project is completed, the area will look much more inviting to pedestrians and help traffic flow better.

Please be courteous and aware of construction workers in the area as they work to make our neighborhood better for all! Have a positive attitude, focusing on the outcome rather than the temporary inconvenience.

To keep up on details of these projects, check this webpage for updates: www.kcmo.gov/publicworks/wornall.

Inside Brookside (And Waldo)

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