Tag Archives: Brookside real estate

New Listing! 708 E Gregory, Kansas City MO

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All buyers are looking for ‘a good deal’ these days…and this house delivers!  Check out my new listing at 708 E Gregory, just east of Holmes.

708 E Gregory

This charming stone and stucco 2 story home offers three bedrooms and one and a half baths,a formal living room and dining room, an office nook off the living room and  a cozy breakfast room next to the kitchen.  The basement walls have been freshly painted with DryLock, there’s a newer roof and sump pump, plus half the basement is finished. The seller just installed a new electrical box and is providing a one year home warranty.

The backyard is partially fenced, and features a patio outside the back door.  There’s space for a second car next to the one car garage.

Lots of light fills this home, it’s close to Brookside, Waldo and UMKC.  Oh, and the price?  Just $149,000!

708 E Gregory, Kansas City MO 64131.  Contact me for a personal tour!  mary.hutchison@prukc.com

708 E Gregory

Join Me in Armour Hills–New Listing!

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I recently listed a cute house in Armour Hills at a great price…read on for details!  Perhaps you know someone who would like to be my neighbor?

228 W. 70th Terrace is a two story home with an attached garage, fenced yard, newer patio in back and a great location–close to the Trolley Track Trail, Waldo and Brookside shops, restaurants and services.  Beat the high gas prices by living here–just about everything you need is in walking distance, including bus service!

Inside, you’ll find a kitchen with new granite countertops, sink, backsplash, refrigerator and dishwasher. There’s a living room, dining room and a half bath, plus a large bonus room that can be an office or breakfast room.  Upstairs, three bedrooms and an updated  full bath.  The roof and windows are newer, walls are freshly painted, and there is a full basement.

The average price for a home in Armour Hills is over $200,000–this one is priced at $174,900!  Call or email me for  a tour–you can also drive by, I’ve got a flyer box in front.

Thanks for reading my blog!  mary.hutchison@prukc.com

Continuing “The Brookside Story”

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Why is Brookside such a desirable, classic neighborhood?  Read these sentences below, from LaDene Morton’s book, “The Brookside Story”:

To be a child in the neighborhoods around the Brookside Shops after 1950 would be akin to living around the corner from paradise.  On a Saturday afternoon, kids could ride their bikes into Brookside and fill their entire day with childhood adventures.

She goes on to talk about The Brookside (movie) Theater, the Velvet Freeze, Katz Drugs and the Brookside Record Shop..these places and many more could entertain kids for hours on a weekend afternoon.

Those specific spots are gone now, but children (and adults) can still ride their bikes to Brookside and spend the day exploring.  My daughters do–they shop at Beauty Express, Stuff, World’s Window, The Dime Store, Baskin Robbin’s.  During the warmer months, we’ll walk down with neighbors to The Roasterie for coffee and smoothies.  It’s this walkability and sense of a close, local community that keeps Brookside thriving.

At one point there was a proposed freeway through the Country Club District.  In 1959, Kansas City started to condemn the streetcar right-of-way to plan the highway–from 85th north to Westport.  This six lane, non access highway would have cut through the heart of the district, starting and Oak and continuing west past Wornall.  Homeowners in the area close to the Trolley line rebelled, citing the inevitable loss of value in their homes.  Outrage grew among the residents, who retained several lawyers and threatened litigation.  Eventually in 1965, a Jackson County court dismissed the case, citing the City could not condemn the line. What eventually happened was the construction of the Bruce R Watkins Drive (Missouri 71 Highway) to the east.

What a nightmare that would have been, a highway cutting into the heart of Brookside!  It hurts to even think about it.  Nothing would ever happen like that now–once again, the local shopowners and residents would rise up in protest.  I think there are similarities to this situation and  the proposed new Posinelli building on the Country Club Plaza.  Unfortunately, the Plaza is no longer under local ownership and the building will probably get built, despite the continuing protests from persons all over the world.

Thanks for reading my blog, your comments are welcome!  You can reach me at mary.hutchison@prukc.com

A Birthday in Brookside

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Recently my younger daughter turned 13.  As the kids get older, I remember more of my younger days–what I was doing, thinking, feeling at the ages my girls are now.  Siena and Erin are growing up in a neighborhood similar to my old neighborhood in St Louis–do you think that’s why I chose Brookside as my home?

Growing up in University City, the homes were older ,the  lots smaller, street corners sprinkled with locally owned stores.  My siblings and I walked to and from school.  We walked to the park–where we would just sit and talk, flirted with boys and hide in the bushes.  On weekends we would walk a mile or so to “the Loop” on Delmar, where we would buy (vinyl) records at Streetside, stop in the ‘head shop’  and have a lunch of french fries with a hot fudge sundae at Dairy Queen.  The Loop is still a thriving area in U City–the head shop, record store and DQ are long gone. Sometimes we would walk to Clayton and shop at Famous Barr–that building now an annex of Washington University. We felt safe, free, trusted by our parents–to be responsible and act properly in the shops as we were crusing the neighborhood.

Seems to be the same with my girls.  When school gets out early–Siena  and her friends meet in Brookside on 63rd Street.  They shop at Beauty Express, browse through Stuff, eat at Jalepeno’s and buy smoothies at the Roasterie Cafe. They meet up with the boys…although somehow my daughter never says the boys will be there.  They  walk to the park and hang out, sometimes they ride bikes.  Surely they are doing the same things I did at that age, in the same environment…with cell phones so they can check in.   The circle of life.

Yes I do worry somewhat about the kids getting hit by a car, not using the crosswalks, someone offering them drugs or cigarettes.  But at this age they must learn, on their own, to be aware and handle various situations alone–like I did.  I want them to be self-reliant and alert, watching for traffic, for suspicious persons — and act accordingly.  Our family loves the walkability of Brookside and that’s one aspect that makes this area so special. 

And when my girls are adults, searching for a home, where will they want to live?  I hope it’s in a neighborhood just like the one they grew up in.

Thanks for reading my blog–you can comment below or reach me via email at mary.hutchison@prukc.com

My Valentine to Brookside

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Why do I love living in Brookside…?  There are so many reasons..I’ll just start typing…

1. Character.  The character of the homes, so many different styles, so well made, still standing after 80+ years. This is not a cookie cutter neighborhood.

2.  Character Part II.  The character of the Brookside residents. Young and old, gay and whatever, single, married, retired, dogs and cats, various nationalities–you can encounter all of these characters on a single block.  Within a five mile span there are very wealthy folks and the singles on a budget. all mingle together. 

3.  Character Part III.  The character of the local shops and restaurants.  Here in Brookside, we have local residents selling goods and services to … local residents.  Julian, Stuff, The Well, Foos, The Roasterie, Bella Napoli, SRO Video, Eclectics, Blue Grotto, Waldo Pizza…these places are unique to the area and appreciate the support of the local nieghbors. 

4.  Walkability.  There are other communities that try to duplicate Brookside’s charm and walkability.  But we are (one of) the original(s).  The Trolley Track Trail winds through Brookside and Waldo–here you see friends and nieghbors out walkin’ the dog and the kids.  It’s a great path for a jog..or break out the bike.  Off the trail…stroll the sidewalks to the shops for a cocktail or coffee.  You will probably see someone you know.

5.  Affordability.  Those who can spend a half a million for a house can find it in Brookside.  Those who have much less can also find a home in the area.  Home prices have taken a little tumble but overall, remain steady.  Brookside will always be a desireable place to live because of ….

Character.  Thank you JC Nichols, who started it all.