Tag Archives: brookside real estate agent

Brookside’s Shop Beautiful Has Closed

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shopIt’s been a longtime Brookside shop, since 1936!  And now it’s closed.  I always admired their beautiful, eye catching window displays at 320 W 63rd St.  Shop Beautiful sold their inventory and shut the doors last week.

 Shop Beautiful is a family run small business–and this store was small, just around 800 square feet.  The service was  friendly, and browsing the jewelry, handbags, scarves, candles, artwork and other unique gifts for sale was always fun.  Like many Brookside shops, they offered free gift wrap!

Now Brookside and Waldo residents can travel to their larger store in Overland Park at 5001 W 119th St in Hawthorne Plaza.  Same helpful service and complimentary gift wrap; same selection of interesting and eye catching merch–but more of it, because the OP store is much larger.

Hopefully another locally owned shop will move into the former 63rd St location…and stay at least 83 years!

Brookside Home Sales Stats-2018 Recap

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I’m posting this blog a bit later than usual..just returned from a mid January vacation so I’m behind on the blogging!  After the buying frenzy that kicked off 2018, at the end of the year the stats were similar to 2017 home sales…however, prices did rise. First we will look at December stats, then YTD comparisons.  I am checking the main Brookside zip code of 64113:

Dec 2018                                                                        Dec 2017

Median list price:     $457,475                                 Medium list price:     $439,000

Median sales price:   $437,000                               Medium sales price:    $442,000

No. of homes sold:      20                                         No. of homes sold:         27

Days on market:          37                                         Days on market:           29

Several more expensive homes closed last month, including five over $500K and one of those was a $1.75 million home.  Below is the 2018/2017 comparison:

2018                                                                                    2017

Median list price:      $407,000                                     Median list price:      $395,000

Median sales price:   $398,000                                     Median sales price:   $387,250

No. of homes sold:        282                                          No. of homes sold:     296

Days on market:           18                                             Days on market:         20

The number of homes sold dropped slightly, but the days on market was virtually the same. Overall, prices were up 2.7% for the year.  Interesting, though, is the number of homes that sold over the asking price:  69 houses closed over list price, sometimes by as much as $25K!  The majority of these homes were in the under $400K price point.  The demand is for updated, well maintained homes at $350K or less.  Later this week I will post Waldo home stats–which I think will show a larger increase in home values compared to Brookside.

Currently there are 41 single family homes listed in Brookside, with a median price of $430,000 and 92 days on market.  

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

2018: It Was A Good Year for Brookside/Waldo

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Welcome to 2019!  I hope you are having a relaxing and healthy holiday season. Since this is the first blog of the year, I’m going to recap some 2018 highlights for the Brookside/Waldo area.  It was a successful twelve months for our neighborhood!

Brookside muralMany new businesses opened, and most of them are locally owned and operated. In the heart of Brookside along 63rd St, Sweet and Simple is a new edible cookie dough treat shop,  and LadyBye offers reasonably priced women’s  clothes and accessories for those interested in classic style.  Brookside Barrio and Brookside Poultry Company are two new popular eateries.    Brookside East continues to attract local  entrepreneurs, with the opening of Flying Horse Taproom, Chanee Vijay textiles, BKS Artisan Ales and Architexture Salon.  Plate plans to reopen in April at 701 E 63rd St.    Brookside also got an additional stoplight/crosswalk on 63rd by the new Starbucks, and everyone loves the new large wall mural celebrating Brookside on the north side of the CVS building.   Unfortunately, we had a couple of store closings:  Sheehan’s Irish Imports on Gregory *due to owner retiring) and Shop Beautiful will close this month as the owners focus on the Overland Park location.

There were several changes in the Waldo area as well:  Euston Hardware remodeled; Dodson’s Bar and Commons opened on Wornall just north of 75th St and Classic Cookie opened for evening dining with an Italian themed menu.  The never ending road construction along Wornall is at a temporary halt but not for long…expansive (and much needed changes) are planned for the 75th and Wornall intersection to make it more pedestrian friendly.  Next year will also see the renovation of the “Wornall Village” shopping area at the northwest corner of 85th and Wornall, starting with a revamped Price Chopper.

frontA wonderful community asset opened in 2018:  HJ’s Youth and Community Center, across from St Andrew’s church.  This space is used for community events, private receptions, classes, meetings and hosts a  small coffee shop open to everyone.  It also features a large lawn on the east side for outdoor movie nights, plus a doggie and human water station!

And what about home values?  That’s an interesting story as well.  Waldo is beating out Brookside in terms of rising home prices:  as of the end of November, Waldo home values were up 15% and Brookside saw a 3% increase.  I will report on twelve month figures later in the month when the stats are ready.  Brookside and Waldo are still very desirable locations for homebuyers.

I’m not going to make any firm predictions about this year…but I will say…. Brookside is celebrating it’s 100 year anniversary as a shopping/services/residential neighborhood.  I think both Brookside and Waldo will continue to attract local businesses and  homebuyers of all ages as we head into century 2!

Armour Hills Home Sales Stats-Nov 2018

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Armour Hills homes sales are steady…and so are prices, looking at year-to-year comparison.  First up–here are November 2018 stats for the Armour Hills subdivision of Brookside:

November  2018                                                          November 2017

Median list price:     $304,475                                    Median list price:     $346,000

Median sales price:    $309,100                                  Median sales price:    $341,250

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

Days on market:           7                                              Days on market:     27

Although the sales prices were way down from last November, not to worry–more expensive homes sold a year ago and three of the four homes that closed were at or over list price.  Take a look at the overall YTD numbers below:

Jan-Nov 2018                                                       Jan-Nov 2017

Median list price:     $315,000                         Median list price:     $315,000

Median sales price:  $315,000                         Median sales price:  $314,000

No. of homes sold:     76                                   No. of homes sold:     89

Days on market:        9                                        Days on market:       9

The numbers are remarkably the same from one year ago, except that homes have been going under contract faster this year.  Currently there are eleven homes for sale in Armour Hills, with a median list price of $374,999 and 78 days on market. Prices range from $287,500 to $525,000.

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

Brookside Home Sales Stats-Nov 2018

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Homebuyers are hibernating during the holiday season! It’s the traditional slow period–now through January.  However, home values are up in Brookside compared to last year. Here are the stats for single family home sales in the Brookside zip code of 64113 for last month:

Nov 2018                                                             Nov 2017

Medium list price:     $418,000                       Medium list price:     $409,000

Medium sales price:   $415,000                      Medium sales price:  $405,000

No. of homes sold:      15                                No. of homes sold:      17

Days on market:       17                                   Days on market:         26

The number of homes closed was about the same, and homes went under contract faster. The lowest sales price was $257,000 and the highest was $1.57 million.

Here are YTD figures:

Jan-Nov 2018                                                    Jan-Nov 2017

Median list price:     $402,500                     Median list price:     $389,500

Median sales price:   $396,000                    Median sales price:    $383,800

No. of homes sold:     260                            No. of homes sold:     269

Days on  market:       15                               Days on market:       19

Prices are up just over 3%  year-to-date.  Currently there are 48 active listings in Brookside, with a median list price of $422,500 and 70 days on market.  Over half of the homes for sale are priced over $400,000.

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

 

New Wall Mural in Brookside!

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Brookside mural

Have you noticed the new outdoor wall mural in Brookside??  It perfectly captures the friendly, welcoming spirit of our neighborhood.

First Washington Realty, the company that owns the commercial real estate on the north side of 63rd St between Wornall and Brookside Blvd, commissioned the work by Ruthie Ozonoff.  The mural was created is in conjunction with the 100 year anniversary of our neighborhood shops.  The postcard format is ideal for photos, and I especially like the Brookside gas lamp as the ‘stamp’ in the upper right corner–one of Brookside’s most distinctive features. 

Ruthie is from Kansas City and grew up in Brookside.  When she was ten years old, her family moved to Lawrence to be closer to family.  Ruthie went to KU, studying illustration and animation.  She created a few murals in the Kansas City area that you may have seen:  the “Kansas City I’m So In Love” mural at 2010 McGee and the “Where Kansas City Plays” mural, commissioned by KC Parks and Rec, in the West Bottoms.  First Washington saw her work on Etsy and contacted her about the Brookside piece. It was Ruthie’s idea to use a postcard template. 

ruthie ozonoff

Ruthie Ozonoff

Ruthie started painting at the beginning of November, and it took about two weeks to complete the project—delayed mostly by weather.  It’s located on the north facing wall, north of  CVS (6244 Brookside Blvd) —right by the alley that goes behind the shops.  You can easily see the mural driving south on Brookside Blvd just before 63rd St.  “Doing this mural was  an honor.  Growing up, I wanted to make people happy with my artwork—and it feels great to give back to my historic hometown community.”

You can find Ruthie’s work on her Facebook and Etsy pages, or check it out on Instagram-@designedbyruthie.  She’s currently living in Colorado, working as a freelance designer and a personal trainer/coach.  She says “After sitting at the computer for several hours working on illustrations and graphic design, I like to go to the gym and work out; shake off the pent up energy!”

The next time you are stopping in near the shops–perhaps for a Roasterie coffee or to pick up a few holiday gifts–look for the mural.  And thanks to First Washington Realty for bringing this artwork to Brookside for all to enjoy!

Armour Hills Home Sales Stats-Oct 2018

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Home sales are slowing down, yet Armour Hills listings continue to go under contract quickly.  Although last month, the lower priced homes sold in AH. Here are the stats for single family homes in the Armour Hills subdivision of Brookside, Kansas City MO:

October 2018                                                   October 2017

Median list price:   $309,000                         Median list price:     $359,500              

Median sales price:    $296,500                     Median sales price:    $359,500

No. of homes sold:      11                                No. of homes sold:     7

Days on market:         3                                   Days on market:      42

The lowest priced home last month closed at $237,500, several thousand over the list price of $215,000. The highest sale was $413,500.

Here are year-to-date figures:

Jan-Oct 2018                                                      Jan-Oct 2017

Median list price:     $315,000                        Median list price:     $314,750

Median sales price:   $315,000                       Median sales price:   $313,250

No. of homes sold:     72                                  No. of homes sold:     82

Days on market:        9                                     Days on market:      9

Year to date, home prices have barely budged in Armour Hills however…this may be a fluke with October figures, because prices have been on the rise.  Will have to wait and see how things shake out for the year. 

Currently there are ten active listings with a median list price of $386,200 and 73 days on market.  The highest priced home for sale is $525K–unusually high for our subdivision.  Will see if it sells for that much!

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

 

 

Holiday Shopping Season Kicks Off Tonight in Brookside

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Brookside holiday opener

Today is  the Annual Holiday Season Opener to kick off the shopping season in Brookside!  Starting at 5pm stroll through the Brookside shops and check out the special deals and discounts.

Be sure to stop by and check out the live music and  local schools’ children’s choirs getting you in the holiday spirit–from 6:30-7:30pm at the small park west of Starbucks on 63rd St.  There will be giveaways as well, plus refreshments from The Roasterie, Price Chopper and Michael Forbes.

Thank you for supporting our locally owned Brookside businesses during the holiday shopping season!  This event extends through Sunday!

Armour Hills Home Sales Report-Sept 2018

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Armour Hills has been one of the hottest Brookside neighborhoods for buyers this year–few bidding wars.  We are into the traditional slower season now, and the stats reflect that.  Still, the numbers are pretty consistent comparing year to year:

September 2018                                                       September 2017

Median list price:      $307,497                              Median list price:   $311,225

Median sales price:   $300,000                              Median sales price:   $313,250

No. of homes sold:     6                                           No. of homes sold:  6

Days on market:       22                                           Days on market:  3

The same number of homes sold, however this year the overall prices are lower and days on market longer.  Checking year-to-date figures:

Jan-Sept 2018                                                        Jan-Sept 2017

Median list price:      $315,000                          Median list price:     $314,500

Median sales price:   $315,000                          Median sales price:  $312,500

No. of homes sold:       61                                   No. of homes sold:    77

Days on market:        10                                      Days on market:       7

The lowest closed sales price so far this year is $180,000 and the highest is $475,500. Currently there are 14 homes for sale in Armour Hills, with an average sales price is $322,500 and 55 days on market.

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

Landmark Brookside Home for Sale!

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main frontHow many times have you driven by this home and admired the curb appeal…that wrap around porch!!! Was it while walking by during the Brookside Art Fair or marching in the St Pat’s Day Warm Up Parade?  It’s just as beautiful on the inside!

main entry steps

 

Look at the stunning original woodwork!  Beautiful crown molding, wood columns, several built-ins and hardwood floors.  The living room features a fireplace and wide stairway to the second floor.

main dr

 

 

More built ins here in the dining room, with a large bay window–note the easy flow from the living room area and newer windows throughout the house (except for living room and basement.)

main kit

 

In the kitchen…plenty of counter space and a chef’s Thermador stove!  The original built-in spice cabinet is here too.  Adjoining the kitchen is a sunny breakfast room, laundry/mud room and half bath.

main mbr

 

 

On the second floor–all bedrooms are large with spacious closets.  The master bedroom has a master bath, plus a hall bath for the other two bedrooms.

main garage

 

 

Outside–a fully fenced yard and two car garage!  Enjoy all of Brookside’s amenities just a few steps away:  the Trolley Track Trail, several shops and restaurants, services and tennis courts, plus metro bus service. 

 

 

You can live the Brookside lifestyle in this 1920s home…move in ready for new owners that will love it as much as the current sellers do!  The home is located at 6342 Main St, on the NW corner of Main and Meyer.  Three bedrdooms, two and a half baths, two car garage.  Offered at $430,000. Contact me for more information!