Tag Archives: Mary Hutchison

Brookside St Pat’s Parade on Saturday

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brookside st patsThis Saturday, March 10, 2018 is the 38th Annual Brookside St. Patrick’s Warm-Up Parade!  Even if you are not Irish, join your neighbors and friends for this family friendly event, starting at 2pm.

The parade route is:

Starting from 65th St and Wornall Rd, north on Wornall to 63rd St; east on 63rd St to Main; south on Main St to Meyer; west on Meyer ending at Brookside Plaza.

Please arrive early!  If you are driving, park several blocks from the route and note that residential streets will be very congested.  Street closures will begin early afternoon.  Watch for pedestrians, strollers, lots of kids running around and huge, colorful floats!  Expect traffic delays and street closures in this area through late afternoon.

Be sure to stop in for lunch or refreshments at the nearby Brookside businesses–and check out some of the new shops in the area:  Skin, Lady Bye and Design in the City.

 

Waldo Home Sales Stats-Jan 2018

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Waldo homes did not last long when put up for sale last year–they generally went under contract in less than two weeks and median prices were up 5.6% over 2016. I think demand for Waldo homes will continue to be strong in 2018.  Below is the first report of home sales for this year, using the geographic area of Gregory to 85th St and State Line to Holmes:

 

January 2018                                                                     January 2017

Median list price:     $164,450                                       Median list price:      $159,950

Median sales price:    $160,750                                     Median sales price:  $159,000

No. of homes sold:        18                                              No. of homes sold:       27

Days on market:            24                                              Day on market:            36

The lowest closed sales price last month was $58,500 and the highest was $295,000. 

Currently there are just 12 single family homes for sale in Waldo, with a median list price of $227,500 and ten days on market. The lowest priced home is $70,000 and the highest is $399,900.

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

Armour Hills Home Sales Stats-Jan 2018

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As I write this blog, I am looking ahead wondering if Armour Hills will again be one of the most desirable neighborhoods for buyers in 2018. Last year the average days on market for a new listing in Armour Hills was just 7, and median home prices increased 14.9% over 2016. Those numbers say a lot about how strong this neighborhood is.

Let’s take a look at the stats for last month:

January 2018                                                                  January 2017

Median list price:     $289,975                                      Median list price:      $329,475

Median sales price:  $284,500                                      Median sales price:   $327,500

Days on market:            5                                                Days on market:            18

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

Although the median home sales price was much lower than 2017, that reflects the fact  lower prices homes sold last month.  Still, three of the four homes that sold were at or above list price. The highest sales price was $340,000 and the lowest was $185,000.  I believe Armour Hills will again be a strong destination for home buyers this year.

Currently there are five active listings in Armour Hills, with a median price of $345,000 and 71 days on market.  

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

Waldo Week Begins Tomorrow 2/24/18

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waldo week

Now in it’s third year, celebrate our wonderful neighborhood of Waldo with special discounts at many participating business!  Over 21 spots are offering some great deals February 24-March 2, 2018.  Here are a few examples:

25% off store wide at Coco Brookside

25% off dinner entrees at Boru Ramen Bar and Summit Grill

25% off Irish sweaters at Sheehan’s Irish Imports 

Other merchants with discounts include Family Bicycles, Neighborhood Cafe, The Well, Governor Stumpy’s, Avery’s Hair Design and Centered Spirit.  Also, be sure to stop by Eclectics at 7015 Oak St–they are re-opening Saturday Feb 24 with a new look and displays! 

Remember to mention Waldo Week when you stop in.  Find a complete list of participating Waldo businesses at www.waldokc.org.  Thank you for supporting locally owned businesses in Waldo!

 

Home For Sale in Brookside East

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Know anyone looking for a Brookside home?  This new listing of mine could be the one!

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This house features a bungalow floor plan, with two bedrooms on the main level and a spacious master suite on the second floor.  It’s updated and move in ready:  refinished hardwood floors, fresh interior paint featuring a formal living and dining room, plus cozy side screened porch.  All windows have been replaced as well!

 

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Check out this kitchen–newer cabinets, backsplash, solid surface counters and Hansgrohe faucet over the sink.  The back door leads to a yard with deck and one car garage.  

 

 

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You will love this huge master suite on the second floor!   Newer windows fill the bedroom with lots of natural light. The full bath offers a dual vanity, easy to clean Onyx shower, jetted tub and walk in closet!!!  

 

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Other improvements include a new roof, new sewer line, updated electrical work, radon system installed and refinished hardwoods.  Very desirable location near UMKC and a few blocks from the growing Brookside East area featuring several shops, restaurants, bakery and services.  Offered at $245,000.  This house has the charm and updates a Brookside buyer wants!  

Contact me for more information. Come home to Brookside!

 

Brookside Home Sales Stats-Jan 2018

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It’s the beginning of a new year and home buyers are out, ready to see fresh inventory in the housing market.  2017 was a strong year for Brookside home sales–median prices were up 10.2% over 2016.  Let’s see what the market did last month–I’m using the Brookside zip code of 64113 to check single family home sales.

January 2018                                                                     January 2017

Median list price:     $429,450                                       Median list price:     $395,000

Median sales price:  $416,250                                       Median sales price:  $388,500

Days on market:            37                                               Days on market:             36

No. of homes sold:        17                                               No. of homes sold:         13

 

The 2018 median sales price was far ahead of 2017; however more expensive homes sold last month–highest sale was $1.6 million and lowest was $185,000.

Because January is the first month of the year to track stats, there are no YTD comparisons yet…those figures will be reported next month.

Currently there are 25 active listings in Brookside, with a median price of $615,000 and 55 days on market. Note that only five homes are priced under $350K–the sweet spot for most Brookside homebuyers.  Six homes are priced over $1 million.

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

Crosswalk Changes Planned for Brookside Shops Area

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Fortunately we have many crosswalks in Brookside and most drivers are respectful of the pedestrians and runners we have on the streets and sidewalks.  However, you should know about the  changes planned for one of the most popular areas: the crosswalk on 63rd St between Michael Forbes Grill and Panera Bread.

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This crosswalk will be eliminated within the next few months.

The plan is to eliminate the crosswalk at this intersection and improve the crosswalk to the  west that  connects the two parking lots (behind Midwest Bank on the north and the future Starbucks location on the south) across 63rd St.  A pedestrian signal will also be installed  with a flashing red stop for the traffic.  This west crosswalk isn’t very far from the stoplight at 63rd and Brookside Blvd.  So when the updated crosswalk work is complete, it sounds like there will be a second light signal, (the new pedestrian one), also stopping vehicles  less than a block away from the 63rd and Brookside stoplight.  It will be interesting to see how that works out from a traffic perspective.  I’m sure there will continue to be many people crossing 63rd St between Michael Forbes and Panera, even if the crosswalk there is eliminated.  If the changes keep the cars, trucks and buses moving at a slower pace–it’s well worth it.

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Another view of the crosswalk scheduled to be removed on 63rd between Michael Forbes and Panera Bread.

 

This project was planned to be done before the St Pat’s Day parade but as with most City projects, will be delayed and hopefully completed before the Brookside Art Annual in May.

As a side note, Starbucks plans to open by the Art Annual.

New Shop in Brookside-Lady Bye for Women

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“Would Kate Middleton wear it?”  That’s part of the criteria owner Abby Flores has when choosing clothes for her new Brookside shop, Lady Bye.    Located in the former Shopgirls space at 6245 Brookside Plaza (near Foos and 5B Candles), Lady Bye  opened last week and the buzz is spreading.  When I stopped by, two ladies from my office were browsing in the store!

abbyAs Abby explained Lady Bye offers clothes with a classic, “east coast” feel, inspired by the elegance and beauty of style icons like Princess Diana, Jackie Kennedy and…Kate Middleton.  Inside this cozy shop you’ll see jackets, sweaters, dresses, tops, and a few jeans–mostly casual and business attire that feels current, sophisticated yet comfortable and approachable.  A couple of Abby’s favorite clothing lines, Mod Ref and All Row are featured, which she feels offers great quality for the price.  Sizes range from petite to 3X, depending on the manufacturer, and she will do personal shopping for time pressed clients.  The medium sales price is $69.

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In addition to the clothes, Lady Bye offers some accessories:  a few purses, shoes, candles, jewelry and perfume.  And of course friendly, personal service is extended to all customers.

Abby also owns Coco, another clothing shop (temporarily relocated to 407 W Gregory next to Classic Cookie), which has a more casual, ‘west coast’ feel.  She is thrilled to be back in Brookside — neighbors are so supportive as well as fellow Brookside business owners. 

If you haven’t been to Lady Bye–stop in soon!  Hours are 11-7pm Mon-Sat and 12-5 on Sunday, 6245 Brookside Plaza. Their grand opening is this Saturday Feb 10, 2018 with an official ribbon cutting at 10:30am.  

Bier Station Hosts Youth 4 Change Fundraiser Saturday

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Not only does John Couture of Bier Station run a friendly, neighborhood craft beer bar (with tasty food!)–his establishment is very involved in social issues and non-profit organizations in Kansas City.  

This Saturday February 10, 2018 Bier Station (120 E Gregory) is hosting a fundraiser for Youth 4 Change, part of the Restart organization.  ReStart works towards ending homelessness in our area, and Youth 4 Change is dedicated specifically to youth homelessness.  From 2-7pm, proceeds from the sale of Walnut River Beers will be donated to Youth 4 Change.

A silent auction is also scheduled on Saturday, with  gift baskets from Brookside and Waldo businesses.  If you would like to donate an item or gift card for the basket, contact John at Bier Station.  Thank you for supporting our locally owned businesses, especially those that give back so much to non profit groups that help KC residents!

Armour Hills 2017 Home Sales Recap

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In one of my blog posts last year, I stated that Armour Hills could be the hottest Brookside neighborhood, based on home buyer demand and prices.  I think the year end stats back up that claim!  First let’s take a look at December home sales stats for the Armour Hills subdivision:

December 2017                                                             December 2016

Median list price:       $269,950                                   Median list price:      $277,500

Median sales price:    $279,000                                  Median sales price:   $281,500

No. of homes sold:         4                                            No. of homes sold:        8

Days on market:             3                                             Days on market:           42

In both months, the median sales price exceeded the list price!  Also of note–homes went under contract within just a few days in 2017.  Below are year end comparisons:

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