We are in the dog days of summer, my friends, and I’m still busy helping buyers and sellers with residential real estate! Usually, mid August to mid September is a slow period, with late summer vacations, back to school preparations, the Labor Day holiday. But this is not a normal year and so many homes in our area continue to go under contract within a few days of listing. Here’s the stats for July 2020 for single family homes in Brookside, and a year-to-date comparison:
| July 2020 | July 2019 |
| Median list price: $425,000 | $377,500 |
| Median sales price: $425,000 | $370,000 |
| No. of homes sold: 33 | 36 |
| Days on market: 5 | 20 |
Last month, a buyer paid over asking price for a $1million+ home! Usually the more expensive properties sit for several weeks; this one went for $115K over asking price! As you can see, sellers were getting at or above asking price for their homes.
And here’s where we are YTD:
| Jan-July 2020 | Jan-July 2019 |
| Median list price: $387,475 | $389,950 |
| Median sales price: $393,750 | $382,500 |
| No. of homes sold: 152 | 190 |
| Days on market: 8 | 24 |
Although fewer homes have sold so far this year (partly due to the pandemic, I’m sure–sellers deciding not to move); homes are selling faster and running about 1.6% over list price compared to last July. We’ve had two $1million+ homes close this year, and overall, prices are up almost 3%.
Currently there are 22 homes for sale in Brookside, with an average list price of $974,000 and 65 days on market. That average price is so high because half of the homes for sale are priced at over one million dollars.
(All stats taken from Heartland MLS; deemed reliable but not guaranteed.)
So here’s how it works: bring in your jar, bucket, bottle, whatever (you can also purchase them at the store or take from the donated containers basket) and browse the shop, filling up on what you need: there are cleansers for your face/ body, laundry, and home. Weigh the contents on the scale and pay by the ounce—you can purchase as little as one ounce of product just to give it a trial run at home, or stock up large jugs to last several months. All soaps have no artificial scents and many are allergen free. There is also a “house brand” line of products that are mixed in Springfield. Annie and Adam also carry several essential oils if you do want to scent the soaps you buy. Both are very customer service oriented and will walk you through the options as to what would work best for your specific cleaning needs. This shop is perfect for your own personal shopping or to purchase special, unique scented gifts for friends and family. And of course, it’s very environmentally friendly!
Anne says ” We firmly believe that what we are doing is making a difference. We just want to be a utility for those who are already trying to make less impact on the planet. In less than two years our three shops together have kept over 30,000 containers out of the landfills, waterways, and even recycling centers.”
First, a little background on the house: Richard Wornall purchased the 500 acres of farmland in 1843, stretching from State Line to Main St and 59th to 67th Streets, taking out a loan of $2500. (These days that amount isn’t even a down payment on a Brookside home!) He and his family first lived in a cabin on the homestead until the house was built. They farmed the land, selling grain and animals in Westport. Eventually, Richard and Judith’s sons, John and Thomas, inherited the property. Soldiers took over the house during the Civil War and used it as a field hospital as the Battle of Westport was taking place nearby (in present day Loose Park). Pieces of land were sold off through the years, and finally, John Wornall’s third wife, Roma, sold the remaining 150 acres to JC Nichols. In 1963, the property was purchased by the Jackson County Historical Society and is now a free standing, non profit entity in conjunction with the Alexander Majors House at 8201 State Line Road.
Inside Brookside (And Waldo) 