Tag Archives: Mary Hutchison

Waldo Home Sales Report-Nov 2015

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It’s almost the end of 2015…time for one more blog reporting home sales for Waldo.  Higher sales prices and more units sold…that’s what’s been happening all year in Wonderful Waldo. Let’s check the specific single family home sales in the area of State Line to Holmes, and Gregory to 85th St:

In November 2015, 14 homes sold. The median list price was $147,500 and the median sales price was $150,500 with 34 days on market.  The lowest closed sales price was $68,000 and the highest was $285,000.

In November 2014, 25 homes sold. The median list price was $125,000 and the median sales price was $140,000 with 49 days on  market.  

Note the sold price was a little higher than list price.  Sellers are getting very close to their asking price; and buyers could be adding closing costs to the price of the home.  

Checking year to date figures:

From January through November 2015, 374 homes have sold with a median list price of $154,950 and a median sales price of $152,000 with 34 days on market.

From January through November 2014, 343 homes had sold with a median list price of $145,000 and a median sales price of $142,000 and 49 days on market.

We’ve already surpassed number of units sold over last year, and prices are trending higher.

Currently, there are 52 active listings in Waldo, with an average sales price of $123,450 and 71 days on market.  Next month I will report total 2015 sales for Waldo…it has been a good year!

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

Armour Hills Home Sales Stats – Nov 2015

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Good morning neighbors!  Are you in the thick of holiday hoopla?  Just imagine moving during this hectic season!  We had a few homes close last month in Armour Hills, and prices continue to rise.  Here are the details for  single family home sales In Armour Hills in November 2015:

In November 2015, four  homes sold with a median list price of $274,950 and a sales price of $276,000 with 70 days on market.    Interestingly, three of the four homes sold were on East Winthrope.

In November 2014, six  homes sold with a median list price of $264,950 and a median sales price of $259,500 with 67 days on the market.

You will notice that the median sales price was higher than the list price–that is because one of the homes probably had closing costs added to the list price.  The other homes sold very close to list price.

Checking year-to-date figures:

From January through November 2015, 73 homes have sold with a median list and sales price of $265,000 with 34 days on market.

From January through November 2014, 61 homes sold with a median list and sales price of $239,950 and sales price of $239,950 with 31 days on market.

It is unusual to have the list and sales price be the same figure.  However, buyers are paying top dollar to move into Armour Hills..when the property is priced correctly.

So far this year median sales prices are up over 10% compared to 2014 for Armour Hills.  Next month I will have the usual December figures as well as a year to date comparison for the past few years.  Currently there are 5 homes for sale, with a median list price of $249,500 and 88 days on market.

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

New Pizza Joint Open in Waldo

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Last week I stopped by the new Pizzeria Locale to check it out…then discovered this place has been open since late July! Have you tried it yet? Waldo’s newest pizza place is part of the Chipotle restaurant family and located right next door to the Waldo Chipotle location at 505 W 75th St.

pizza crew

Bridget Waliser (in red cap) and crew in front of the Pizzeria Locale oven and prosciutto slicer

Step inside and you will be greeted with a warm ‘hello and welcome!’ from a staff member. Everyone is friendly and patient as you figure out the menu. This eatery is another ‘fast casual’ restaurant, with an emphasis on very fresh ingredients and quick service. Each order is custom made and ready to serve in less than 5 minutes once ordered.  The Neapolitan-style pizza has a very thin, blistered crust, with crumbled, fresh mozzarella and a large variety of topping options:  capers, mushrooms, olives, peppers, pepperoni, sausage, basil, onions, etc. (Within a week, this location will begin serving four cheese and Hawaiian pizzas due to customer demand). You can order a ‘classic’ pizza with the toppings pre-determined ($5.75-$8.25) , or ‘build your own’ pie, starting with the crust (gluten-free available) and adding the sauce and toppings you prefer. The super-hot oven cooks each pie in just two minutes! So far, the Diavola and Supreme versions are the most popular with customers.

 

Four different types of salads are available, along with freshly sliced prosciutto and pork meatballs. Wine and local beers are served, along with bottled, cold Alchemy coffee from Lawrence KS. There is one specialty dessert available, a Budino, which is double shotglass sized portion of butterscotch pudding with a chocolate ganache and caramel topped with a layer of whipped cream. It’s the perfect sweet bite to end your meal — for just $1.50.

Manager Bridget Waliser says business has been brisk, with most diners stopping by in the evening. Seating is somewhat limited (although there are outdoor tables available during the warmer months), and it’s very easy to get all of their food ‘to go’. There is real value here too: a four slice 10″ pie with salad and drinks could feed two for lunch for under $18 including tax!  Plus the food tastes good and fresh!

Pizzeria Locale is open every day from 11am-10pm in the heart of Waldo at 505 W. 75th St.

 

Armour Hills Home Sales Report Oct 2015

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Autumn is the prettiest season in Armour Hills…soon all the colorful  leaves will be gone, and we’ll see naked sticks outlining the sky. I  also think the trees look the brightest when the skies are a dull gray color. We have a few new households arrive in our neighborhood last month…welcome!    Here are details for  single family home sales In Armour Hills as of last month:

In October  2015, four  homes sold with a median list price of $244,475 and a sales price of $243,000 with 23 days on market.    

In October 2014, six  homes sold with a median list price of $231,950 and a median sales price of $219,750 with 30 days on the market.  

Prices are up compared to last October, and sellers are getting very close to the list price for their homes.  

Checking year-to-date figures:

From January through October 2015, 69 homes have sold with a median list price of $265,000 and a median sales price of $265,000 with 32 days on market.  

From January through October 2014, 55 homes sold with a median list price of $239,950 and sales price of $239,950 with 28 days on market.

Did you notice the median list price and sales price are the same figure for both?? Buyers are paying top dollar to move into Armour Hills..when the property is priced correctly.    

As you can see, we are still way ahead as far as number of homes sold and median sales price compared to 2014.  Currently there are five homes for sale, with a median list price of $229,000  and 97 days on market.  

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

Brookside Betty’s Celebrates One Year Anniversary

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Brookside Betty’s, the retro style dress shop at 6215 Oak is celebrating it’s one year anniversary this week with a themed event: Enchantment Under the Sea. Never heard of Brookside Betty’s? Well, here’s a bit of background on this cute, locally owned shop at the bustling corner of 63rd and Oak.  If you like comfortable, mid century modern type dresses–this is the shop for you! 

Jacqui Brewer, owner of Brookside Betty's

Jacqui Brewer, owner of Brookside Betty’s

Owner Jacqui  Brewer was a world history and government teacher at St Teresa’s Academy. Working in retail throughout her student years, she kept thinking about the need for a dress shop in the neighborhood. Every day she would drive along Oak St towards STA and noticed the vacant store front. Every day she thought about opening the dress shop. Finally, she decided to quit her teaching job and made plans to have her own store.   dress twoThe front door greets you with a sign: Come in, it’s not as expensive as it looks. And that’s true! Most of dresses, made in the US and Europe, are priced between $55-$150. There are a variety of fabrics, prints and solids in the style of the 1940s through the 1960s, plus a few ‘little girl’ dresses. Jacqui will work with special orders for unique events and weddings.  You’ll also find really fun accessories here: some jewelry, unique luggage tags, coin purses, and a retro inspired laptop bag that can double as a handy make up tote!

accessoriesHaving been in business a year now, Jacqui decided to celebrate her success with the Enchantment Under the Sea dance. Current customers, as well as perspective shoppers, are welcome to come by and join in the festivities.  The event begins at 7:30pm Saturday May 30. Regular store hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11am-6pm and Saturdays noon-5.  The warm spring weather we have is perfect for dress shopping–stop in Brookside Betty’s and slip into something stylish and comfortable you’ll wear through the fall months! dress one

New Businesses Coming to Brookside/Waldo

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A brief blog today with information on two new businesses coming to Brookside and Waldo….

Future Site of BKS Nails

Future Site of BKS Nails

The former James Hallmark shop at 6245 Brookside Blvd, vacant for over two years now, will soon house BKS Nails, a salon offering manicures, pedicures and waxing services.  Owners of this shop also own and operate Plaza Nails (on the Country Club Plaza) and Oak Nails (across from the UMKC admin building).  Look for this shop to open next month.

Do you remember PIzza Manifesto? That short-lived pizza joint opened last year next to the Chipotle at 75th and Washington, just west of Wornall.  It was recently announced that Pizzeria Locale will be going into that space at 505 W 75th St.  This ‘fast casual’ restaurant will offer built your own 11” Neapolitan-style pizzas, along with a few salads and sides options. Pizzeria Locale started in with locations in Denver and Boulder, then formed a partnership with Chipotle.  The KC location will be the first outside of Colorado.

No word yet on an official opening date for the eagerly awaited Heirloom Bakery and Hearth at the corner of 63rd St and Oak…

Waldo Home Prices Rise – Jan 2015

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Although the cold winter weather that won’t seem to leave… house hunters are out,  snatching up homes in the Waldo area.  In 2014, Waldo home prices rose 2.89%–to a median sales price of $144,000 with 46 days on market, and 330 homes changed ownership.  Let’s look at the January 2015 home sales stats for Waldo–I am using the street boundaries of State Line east  to Holmes, and Gregory south to 85th St:

In January 2015, 15 homes sold with a median list price of $147,500 and a median sales price of $151,000 with 46 days on market.  

In January 2014, 15 homes sold with a median list price of $132,500 and a median sales price of $129,500 with 87 days on  market.  

Why was the sales price higher than the list price ?   A few reasons:  there could have been multiple offers on the property; the buyer may have financed some closing costs into the loan by adding to the list price; or some other type of  negotiation regarding repairs following inspections.  The takeaway here is that buyers are willing to pay the initial list price–or very close to it–for the best homes that come on the market. Comparing the numbers, home values up 11% over last year.

Overall, Waldo homes sales are off to a strong start in 2015!  Currently there are 29 single family homes for sale in Waldo (the boundaries I described above) with a median list price of $144,900 and 41 days on market.

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

Armour Hills Home Sales Stats – Jan 2015

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How many new neighbors will we have in Armour Hills in 2015?  Seventy homes changed owners last year.   Let’s see how many properties closed last month in Armour Hills, and check the pricing.  Buyers are actively looking for homes to purchase and open house traffic is strong–yet  there is  a lack of good inventory.

In January 2015, four homes sold with a median sales price of $210,000 and 23 days on market. The median list price was $210,000. Three of the four homes sold were at list price, the fourth was just $500 under list.

In January 2014, four homes sold with a median sales price of $232,500 and 10 days on market.  The median list price was $235,000.

I am not concerned about the drop in median sales price from one year ago–notice the homes that sold were at full price.  January is traditionally a slow month for purchases. However, there is a strong demand for homes–proven by the fact that the units  sold last month were at asking price!

Right now we have  8 homes for sale in Armour Hills, with a median list price of $265,000 and 32 days on market.  The lowest list price is $210K and the highest is $319,950.

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

 

 

 

New Brookside Senior Housing – Already Sold Out!

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Brookside Senior Residence apartment kitchen

Brookside Senior Residence apartment kitchen

I visited the Brookside Senior Residences at Rockhill Greens recently–what a nice place for seniors to live!  I was excited when I read about this project several years ago, as there is a huge demand for moderately priced senior housing in our neighborhood. Located at 6700 Troost, this building offers 37 one bedroom ($485/month) and 9 two bedroom ($575/month) apartments with complete kitchens, including the appliances.  Residents must be 55 years of age or older, and meet income restrictions (one person, $29,081; two persons $35,520).  The apartments are wheelchair accessible.  Each floor offers laundry facilities, and residents can enjoy the outdoor patio, multi-purpose room, media room and exercise room.  This is a non smoking building, no pets and the 46  parking spaces are not assigned.

Ella McDaniel, Property Manager at Brookside Senior Residences

Ella McDaniel, Property Manager at Brookside Senior Residences

Ella McDaniel used to be with the KCMO Housing Authority, and is now the on site Property Manager at Brookside Senior Residences.  “I love it here!” she says, “I love my residents and I’ve always enjoyed working with older adults.  The average age here is 70, and most everyone is very active.”  Ella explained that all of the residents moved here from homes in the immediate area–they didn’t want the maintenance of a home any longer.  They are forming new friendships, check in on each other and enjoy their new surroundings.  Ella is working on establishing partnerships with the nearby YMCA, Share a Fare and other services for her tenants.

Multi-purpose room--not yet decorated!

Multi-purpose room–not yet decorated!

Brookside Senior Residences opened in mid December and currently has no vacancies–they do have a waiting list of 57 people!  The owners are planning a phase two nearby. I don’t know of any other age-restricted apartment buildings specificially for seniors in the Brookside/Waldo area.  There are several independent living facilities, like Armour Oaks or Kingswood, but those places have higher monthly fees, extensive meal service and more amenities.  For those with a more limited monthly income–apartments like Brookside Senior Residences will always be in demand as the population ages. For more information, contact Ella McDaniel at 816 361 0313. (They do not have a website at this time).

Waldo Home Values Rise in 2014

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Wonderful Waldo!  Overall, home prices rose in this area last year.   Waldo has always been a popular place to live, and I think even more so lately as we’ve had so many locally owned  new businesses move into Waldo.  Let’s look at single family home sales for Waldo, comparing 2013 to 2014; and we’ll start with stats for December.  The boundaries I’m using are State Line east to Holmes, and Gregory south to 85th St.

In December  2014, 23 homes sold with a median sales price of $170,000 and 30 days on market.  

In December 2013, 28 homes sold with a median sales price of $148,000 and 39 days on market.  

Comparing these two months, prices were way up in December 2014 compared to the previous year.  Now we will compare 2014 to 2014 single family home sales:

In 2014, 330 homes have sold with a median price of $144,000 and 46 days on market.  The lowest home sales price was $23,000 and the highest was $430,000.

In 2013, 332 homes sold with a median price of $139,500 and 50 days on market. The lowest home sales price was $15,000 and the highest was $372,000.

So, average sales prices in Waldo rose 2.89% in 2014, with about the same number of homes selling in six weeks’ time.  Waldo homeowners continue to gain equity lost during the recession, and there is a wide range of prices for homebuyers interested in this area.

Currently there are 36 active  single family listings  Waldo area, with a median list price of $136,000 and 78 days on market.

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