Upcoming Fall Events in Brookside

Today’s blog is a quick reminder of some upcoming events in Brookside — make note in your calendar!

*Monthly networking event is this Wednesday, Oct 24 from 8-9am at St Elizabeth’s Church, 2 E 75th St.  Beverages provided–come network with local businesses and residents.

*Annual Brookside Trick or Treat Street, Oct 31 from 4-6pm along 63rd St between Wornall and Main.   Hundreds of kids will be walking along these blocks–be extra careful when travelling through the area.

Watch for trick or treaters in Brookside!

*E Waste Recycling, Saturday Nov 2 from 9am-1pm at the UMKC parking lot, 51st and Oak.  Drop off your electronic waste (computers, TVs, VCRs, cellphones, microwave, etc) for recycling.

Need more information on Brookside?  Email me!

 

Brookside Home Sales Report September 2012

WOW, the figures I have to report this month for housing sales in Brookside are pretty amazing!  More homes are selling, and at higher prices.  Buyers believe in the value of  a Brookside address…that is obvious from the increased prices and all the renovations and room additions you see while cruising through the neighborhood blocks.
Here are the home sales statistics for September 2012, plus year-to-date figures.  I am using the main Brookside zip code of 64113 for this report on single family home sales: Continue reading

Armour Home Sales Up Again in September

Hello neighbors!  Good news to report about Armour Hills homes sales again. Prices and number of units sold continue to increase.  Read the details below for Armour Hills home sales, September 2012:

In  September 2012, 10 homes sold.  The average list price was $209,365 and the average sales price was $203,460. Average days on market:  48.

In September 2011, 4  homes sold.  The average list price was $226,600 and the average sales price was $217,375.  Average days on market:  89.

The average sales price for September 2012 is lower than what’s been trending this year, but last month  there were two sales below $100K, which is very low for our area.  These sales brought the average price down.  Still, comparing to 2011, more homes sold and less time on market!

Year to date, 62 homes have sold in Armour Hills, at an average sales price of $219,531 and  77  days on market.  From January-August  2011, 44 homes sold at an average price of $211,872 and 125 days on market.  We are experiencing lower days on market and an average price over $7000 higher than last year!

Interested in home prices and sales trends in your area?  Email me and I’ll provide  the information.  In a few days I will post home sales stats for the Brookside zip code of 64113–also showing higher sales prices.

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

What’s With the Stoplight Changes in Brookside?

OK, what’s up with the stoplight changes in Brookside??  Surely you’ve noticed–at several intersections where there was a working stoplight (Main and Meyer, Main and Gregory, Meyer and Oak),  there are newly posted stop signs.  I spoke with Wei Sun at the Kansas City MO Public Works department to find out what’s going on.

New stop sign at Main and Meyer, Brookside

Mr Sun noted  these are permanent changes to the intersections.
Apparently these intersections do not meet the Dept of Transportation traffic safety guidelines to warrant a stop light  (see more here:  www.mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov — expect to spend some time translating this mumbo jumbo of government speak!).   Based on traffic patterns, the fed says  KCMO should have stop signs in these areas instead of stop lights. Continue reading

The Stone House at 63rd and Brookside

The Stone House

The Stone House in Brookside

How many times have you seen this house in Brookside and wondered…what’s the story behind this stone house?  Now that it’s for sale, I thought I would share a bit of history regarding this landmark home. Continue reading

Bcycle comes to Kansas City

Every day it seems I see more and more bicycles on the road, especially on the weekends.  The cooler fall weather may have something to do with more riders coming out.  Travelling in the downtown area, though, I think Kansas City BCycle has something to do with increasing riders on the streets.

Bcycle Station

Bcycle Station

Introduced earlier this year, Kansas City BCycle is a non-profit organization (locations in other cities as well) that promotes bike riding by offering bikes for anyone to ride at various locations in the city.  Currently there are twelve stations in KC, located in the River Market going south to Crown Center (nothing in Brookside or Waldo yet).  You do have to be a member to use a bike, and it’s easy to sign up for one of the four types of membership on the website.  Memberships range from 24 hours ($7) to an annual pass ($65).  Corporate memberships are available too.

Bcycle instructions

Bcycle instructions

It’s very easy to take a bike from one of the stations–once you have registered, you swipe, grab the  bike and go.  The first 30 minutes of usage is free–after that, a $2 per half hour fee applies.  I think it would be more convenient if the first 60 minutes were free as 30 minutes just seems too short to get anything done–and what if you want to stop, chat, grab a beverage, do some shopping (each bike has a basket)?  Still, this is a great service for downtown workers and tourists as well.  There is a special discount card for members, redeemable at various downtown businesses.  And special thanks to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City for partnering with Bcycle to bring the service to Kansas City.

Hopefully Kansas City Bcycle will be so successful that more stations will be added.  Until then, it’s a pleasant, eco-friendly way to explore downtown, RIver Market and the Crown Center area.  Remember to bring a bike lock!

Brookside Home Sales Continue Upward Trend

Housing sales continue to be strong in Brookside!  This is positive trend that we have experienced all year. Here are the home sales statistics for August  2012, plus year-to-date figures.  I am using the main Brookside zip code of 64113 for this report on single family home sales:
In  August  2012, 31 homes sold.  The average list price was $375,358 and the average sales price was $357,238. Average days on market:  95.

In August  2011, 21  homes sold.  The average list price was $304,262 and the average sales price was $295,040.  Average days on market:  78.

These stats show the housing market in Brookside continues to outperform last year.  More units are selling this year, and at higher prices.  There was a huge jump in average price over last year –28%–for the month of August!  Some of the increase can be attributed to more higher priced homes selling this year.

Year to date, 200 homes have sold in zip code 64113,  at an average sales price of $321,320, with 109 average days on market.  From January-August  2011, 142 homes sold at an average price of $304,125 and 130 days on market.

These year to date figures reflect the same monthly trends we’ve seen:  more homes sold at a higher price, with less days on market before going under contract.

Typically, home sales are slower in the last four months of the year.  We’ll see if Brookside continues to outperform 2011 sales as we head into the cooler months. There are fewer listings coming on the market, so buyers will have less to choose from, and the attractive, updated homes should sell even quicker.

Interested in home prices and sales trends in your area?  Email me for the information!

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

This Weekend in Kansas City: Plaza Art Fair and Waldo Fall Festival

It’s here…one of the MOST FUN weekends to live in Kansas City!  Everyone likes a vibrant, entertaining outdoor festival, and this weekend offers two events to enjoy:

Plaza Art Fair 2012

The 81st Annual Plaza Art Fair is happening Friday (5pm-10pm), Saturday (10am-10pm) and Sunday (11am-5pm) on the Country Club Plaza.  Walk along the streets offering  240 artists’ booths,  three different music stages and a kids art workshop sponsored by the Kansas City Art Institute.  One of my favorite parts of the fair is snacking my way through the food booths–delicious street food of all types from local and national restaurants. The Plaza Art Fair is also ideal for people watching–you’re bound to bump into someone you know here. And be sure to check out local band She’s A Keeper, performing at 2:30pm Sunday at the INK stage, near Plaza III Steakhouse.  She’s A Keeper plays  catchy, melodic songs featuring Brookside resident Colin Nelson.

The Waldo Fall Festival is a smaller gathering but just as much of a good time.  Very family oriented, the Waldo event offers a dog show, a family bike ride, local business vendor booths and Mr Stinky Feet Jim

Waldo Fall Festival

Cosgrove performing on stage.  There will be food, giveaways and kids’ activities too.  The Waldo Fall Festival is Saturday from 10am-5pm at the corner of 75th and Wornall.

With warm and sunny weather forecast for the weekend, both of these festivals will be packed with people.  Join  your friends and neighbors this weekend for the Plaza Art Fair and Waldo Fall Festival!

Armour Hills Homes Assn Meeting Sept 2012 Recap

Here’s a brief recap of the Armour Hills homes association meeting last night.  You can always check out our Facebook page and website for the more updates!

*The tree trimming project (for younger trees in easements) will begin in late fall when all leaves are fallen.  Our vendor will start with trees on the north side of our boundary and work south.  After this project is done, we’ll work with the city on a plan to trim the older, taller trees in the neighborhood.  PIAC funds have been approved for this project!

*Residents should watch for a survey that will come out in the next Clarion (due in October) and be sent to our email list.  The board really wants your feedback on a few issues as we plan for future projects in Armour Hills.

*The Ice Cream Social was a big success, and the board will consider having this event on Sunday (instead of Friday) from now on.

*New landscaping has been approved for parts of the Trolly Track Trail that runs through Armour Hills.  Tiffany Moore is working with the ATA on this project.

*Remember our Annual Meeting is November 15–more details about the agenda will be published in next month’s Clarion.

This is just a brief recap of some of the issues we discussed.  All residents are welcome to our meetings–the next one is October 16, 7pm at Country Club Congregational Church.

Armour Hills Home Sales Stats Aug 2012

Hello neighbors!  Didn’t it feel good to pull out a sweater or jacket this morning on the way out the door?  You can smell Fall blowing into Brookside!  And we are going into one of the prettiest time of years to walk our neighborhood.  The drought may negatively affect autumn tree colors this year..we will see soon.  Now, let’s check home sales statistics for last month:

In  August  2012, 8 homes sold.  The average list price was $245,925 and the average sales price was $234,809. Average days on market:  48.

In August  2011, 10  homes sold.  The average list price was $223,425 and the average sales price was $214,835.  Average days on market:  91.

WOW!  Average days on market was almost half of the 2011 figure, and average price was up almost 9%!

Year to date, 52 homes have sold in Armour Hills, at an average sales price of $222,622 and  83 average days on market.  From January-August  2011, 40 homes sold at an average price of $211,322 and 125 days on market.

HIgher prices and less days on market is good news for sellers–and for buyers.  Why?  Sellers are starting to recoup some of the equity lost during the housing crash and homes aren’t sitting on the market as long. Buyers can feel confident they are buying in a desirable neighborhood with rising home values.

Interested in home prices and sales trends in your Brookside area?  Email me and I’ll provide  the information!
(All statistics taken from Heartland MLS; deemed reliable but not guaranteed)