We are right in the middle of the busy Spring home buying season in Brookside.  Sales are ahead of last year at this time.  Open house traffic is very strong–there are many buyers ready to purchase but not enough move in ready homes in the $200-$350 price range. This pushes prices up! Let’s look at the stats for March 2015 single family home sales in the Brookside zip code of 64113:

In March 2015, 23 homes sold in the Brookside area.  The median list price was $290,000 and the median sales price was $282,000.  Average days on market: 60.

In March 2014, 19 homes sold.  The median list price was $325,000 and the median sales price was $322,500.  Average days on  market:  89.

Checking year to date figures:

From January through March 2015, 45 homes sold with a median list price of $325,000 and median sales price of $322,500 and 81 days on market.

From January through March 2014, 43 homes sold. The median list price was $299,950 and median sales price was $295,000 and 49 days on market.

Although the median sales price this March was much lower than one year ago, overall year-to-date home prices are increasing compared to last year.  We have such a wide variety of pricing here that you get a better picture of the trends looking at YTD stats than monthly sales. So far in 2015, the lowest sales price was $170,000 and the highest was $1,075,000.  

Currently there are 70 single family homes for sale in Brookside (zip 64113) with a median price of  $495,000 and 31 days on market. The lowest list price is $159,900 and the highest is $4,450,000.

(All statistics taken from Heartland MLS and deemed reliable but not guaranteed).

Waldo Farmers Market

Today, Wednesday May 6, is the opening day for the 2015 season of the Waldo Farmers Market.  I remember when this market started five years ago–and it’s getting better every year!

Conveniently located at 303 W 79th St next to Habitat ReStore, this market offers plenty of free parking and shade during the hot summer months.  Here you will find fresh produce, meats, and eggs plus flowers, breads, jams, herbs, skincare items and delicious home made ice cream!  The fresh tastes you experience with these locally grown foods is worth the visit. Plus the vendors can vary week to week, so there is usually something new to try.  Hours are 3pm-7pm.

Also this Saturday May 9, Heirloom Bakery and Hearth opens at 401 E 63rd St (at Oak).  You may have enjoyed their baked goods (mmm…the salted oatmeal cookie!) at the Brookside Farmers Market–now  they will operate a location in the neighborhood. Hours this weekend are Saturday 7-4 and Sunday 8-3.  It’s great to have another locally owned business operating in Brookside!

If you have never been to the Brookside Art Annual…this is the weekend (May 1-3, 2015) to go!  The weather should be perfect.  Hours are Friday 5-9pm; Saturday 10am-9pm and Sunday 11am-5pm.  Booths are staged between 63rd St and Meyer Blvd around the tennis courts…and remember to leave your pets at home as the aisles are very crowded with humans and special art!

The main food area on 63rd St near Mr Goodcents is always crowded (the PortAPottys and tables are here) and offers goodies from Brookside Market, Avenues Bistro and usually Michael Forbes Grill (since this restaurant recently closed due to a fire, I’m not sure if they will operate the booth).  However, the less crowded area for food is the south area of the booths by Meyer Blvd.  Here is the Carmen’s Café stand, featuring their tasty chicken spedinis…and usually a refreshing alcoholic beverage of some sort.  I’m getting hungry just thinking about it!  Next door to Carmen’s is  Charlie Hooper’s booth.  So remember to check out this food spot if the other area has long lines. 

This is the 30th year for the Brookside Art Annual.  You can purchase a commemorative poster at the information booth inside the tent. Activities for the kids are available Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Wonderful Waldo…buyers are snapping up homes quickly in this area!  Let’s look at the home sale statistics for February 2015, using the boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory south to 85th St:

In February 2015, 23 homes sold.  The median list price was $149,000 and the median sales price was $141,000.  The highest priced home sold at $373,000 and the lowest at $18,000.

In February 2014, eight homes sold.  The median list price was $115,000 and the median sales price was $105,000. 

That is quite an increase–however, part of the surge is due to many more homes selling this year and at higher prices. 

Checking year to date figures:

In January/February 2015, 35 homes sold. The median list price was $131,950 and the median sales price was $135,000, with 41 days on  market.

In January/February 2014, 24 homes sold. The median list price was $119,000 and the median sales price was $115,000, with 87 days on market.

The median sales price was higher than the median list price because one home sold for $24,000 over the asking price!  It was a foreclosure and several offers pushed the price up.

Currently there are 44 homes for sale in this area of Waldo, with a median sales price of $136,000.

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

Brookside home sales continue to rise into this new year…prices are up compared to 2014.  Here are the stats for single family home sales in the main Brookside zip code of 64113, starting with February sales:

In February 2015, 13 homes sold in the Brookside area.  The median list price was $425,000 and the median sales price was $397,500.  Average days on market: 88.

In February 2014, 11 homes sold.  The median list price was $289,950 and the median sales price was $283,000.  Average days on  market:  28.

Strictly looking at the numbers, one could say home values jumped a whopping 40%, comparing the two months!  That is not the norm for our neighborhood, although prices are rising.  In February 2015, there were 9 sales over $350K; 4 of those sales were over $550K.  One year ago, just 4 sales were over the $390K price.  Because the majority of sales this year were over that $350K price, the median price jumped way up. Also, the more expensive homes take longer to sell (notice the 88 days on market for Feb 2015 vs 28 days on market for Feb 2014).  

Checking year to date figures:

In Jan/Feb 2015, 22 homes sold with a median list price and median sales price of $350,000 and 81 days on market.

In Jan/Feb 2014, 24 homes sold. The median list price was $289,950 and median sales price was $283,000 and 30 days on market.

Currently there are  66 single family homes for sale in Brookside (zip 64113) with a median list price of $425,000 and  50 days on market. Thirty five of these homes are priced over $400K, and eight are priced over $1,000,000.  There is still a shortage of updated, move-in ready homes in the $250-$350K price range in our area.

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

I am late in posting about Brookside home sales for the month of February 2015–it’s already April! Today we’ll examine stats for the Armour Hill subdivision; next week I will publish information on the Brookside zip code of 64113 and the Waldo area.  Armour Hills is the largest subdivision in Brookside, with just over 1000 homes.  

In February 2015, two homes sold with a median sales price of $232,000 and 48 days on market. The median list price was $242,500. 

In February 2014, three homes sold with a median sales price of $228,500 and 28 days on market.  The median list price was $239,500.

So far in 2015, six homes have sold with a median sales price of $232,000 and a median list price of $242,450 with 26 days on market.

For the first two months of 2014, seven homes had sold with a median sales price of $232,500 and a median list price of $239,500 with 14 days on market.

The difference in sales price amounts to a 1.5% increase compared to last February.  Year to date, compared to 2014, there is an insignificant difference in final sales price; however,  homes are sitting on the market longer before an offer is accepted. That is normal for the colder weather months, and for homes that may need some updating.

Right now we have 10 homes for sale in Armour Hills, with a median sales price of $260,000 and 29 days on market. (All stats taken from Heartland MLS; deemed reliable but not guaranteed)

A sure sign of Spring is the opening of the Brookside Farmers’ Market.  Although we are a few weeks away from the 2015 season, I wanted to blog about the special opportunity the Market provides for non food-related vendors.

Besides the booths that offer locally sourced (within 100 miles) produce, meats and baked goods, the Market has a community tent open to groups in the area.  In the past, organizations such as Powell Gardens and  the KC Food Circle have set up shop in the space, along with  furniture makers, composters, pet adoption services, cooking demos and other vendors.  BFM is actively looking for new community groups to display this year.  The space is free if there are no sales conducted in the tent.  Now is the time the board of the Brookside Farmers Market is taking applications for this space.  If you are interested, go to the website for details and the application.  It takes about two weeks to process the paperwork, and applications are always welcome.

The 2015 season of the Brookside Farmers Market opens April 18, and continues every Saturday through November 21, from 8am-1pm.