Tag Archives: waldo homes for sale

Track Crime in Brookside/Waldo Via These Websites

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Seems like there has been an uptick in crime lately in the Brookside area–break-ins and thefts more often and during daylight hours. A regular blog reader sent me a couple of crime websites to check out, and this inspired me to write a blog post about them. It’s  discouraging to hear about frequent burglaries, assaults, thefts and armed robberies so close to home…it will never totally go away but you can be more aware of what’s happening around your house.

burglary-two-20097157Being a real estate agent, I often hear this phrase: “I want a safe neighborhood”. My reply is there is crime everywhere, and it’s best to check with the local police department for details. However if you want specific information on crime stats (and registered sex offenders) for Kansas City MO, check crimereports.com. KCPD reports incidents to this site, and you can sign up for weekly email recaps of what’s been happening in your area, block by block. I checked stats for January 2014 in the Brookside zone between 55th St. to Gregory, State Line to Holmes and there were 35 different types of theft crimes (breaking and entering, robbery, vehicle theft) and one sexual assault (described as a forcible rape). For the Waldo area (State Line to Holmes, Gregory to 85th), I counted 29 theft incidents and one sexual assault. To me, this indicates the police are kept pretty busy just in these two areas of Kansas City. Crime is more frequent farther east. Regarding home burglaries, KCPD does offer a free program that sends an officer to your home for a safety check, walking through the property with you and making suggestions on how to deter criminals from choosing your house for a burglary. I’ve had this done and it was very helpful–there are many preventative measures you can take  that are pretty inexpensive.

Another website, spotcrime.com, also posts detailed crime information. The site is a ‘crime data aggregator’ pulling data from police, news reports and other sources. I didn’t  find spotcrime.com as easy to read or navigate as crimereports.com. You can also get email alerts from this site.

There is one more site I want to mention called nextdoor.com. I just signed up to start using it today, so haven’t had a chance to monitor it on a regular basis. Nextdoor.com is a “private social network for your neighborhood”: you can post details about events, yard sales, lost pets, crime, for sale items, handyman inquiries, etc. I can see the benefit if more people join and share information. There are just ten Brookside area homes associations listed, and I’d like to see more added to the list to cover as much of the Brookside area as possible. This site would being especially useful as a quick email alert to notify neighbors of a crime occurrence or suspicious person in your immediate area.

Knowing your neighbors personally and having a block captain is one of the most effective ways to be aware of what’s happening on your street. Always be aware of your surroundings, especially in the dark when getting in and out of your car, going through your backyard or near your garage. And thanks Kelly for recommending these websites to share with my readers!

Waldo Home Prices Rise in 2013

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As promised, this year I will begin reporting home sales stats for the Waldo area in the blog.  The geographical area I’m tracking is: 89th St to the south, Gregory to the north, State Line to the west and Holmes to the east–these are the boundaries defined by the Waldo Business Association.  Prices are up in Waldo for the 2013 year–let’s look at the numbers.

In 2013, 386 single family homes sold.  The median price was $133,000 and 79 days on market.

In 2012, 335 single family homes sold.  The median price was $121,500 and 110 days on market.

Overall, prices rose by 9.46% and days on market dropped by one month!  Currently, there are 83 active homes for sale in Waldo, with a median price of $125,000 and 107 days on market.  The lowest price home is $58,900 and the highest is $289,500.

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

Brookside Area Home for Sale

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First time buyers often want a home with ‘good bones’ as the saying goes:  newer HVAC, roof, windows, as those items are expensive to replace.  I have a listing in the Brookside area with ‘good bones’ — lots of space for the price, just needs a new owner to add decor!

Brookside Area Home for Sale

Brookside Area Home for Sale

This home has new windows, new HVAC, new hot water heater, new 100 amp electrical service and new bracing on the basement walls.  It’s a Tudor style home, with a living room, dining room, enclosed side porch, kitchen and cozy breakfast room, plus a bedroom and full bath on the first floor.  The second floor has two bedrooms, another full bath and  a large dormer for storage. There is a private driveway and fenced backyard. Built in 1935, it has many charming details: crown molding, fireplace, brick exterior, built-ins…and all appliances stay!

Conveniently located near a bus route, this home is within a couple of miles of UMKC, the Country Club Plaza, Stowers Institute, and the Brookside/Waldo shops and restaurants.

It’s a great deal priced at $119,000.  If you are currently renting, your payment could be lower than your monthly rent!  The address is 715 E 72nd St, just east of Holmes.

For more information on this home, contact me.  It will be a fine house for the next owner.

Want $5 To Spend in Waldo?

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I know you like to spend your hard earned money supporting Waldo (and Brookside) businesses!  The Waldo Area Business Association has a  promotion through August 31, called the “Waldo Summer Passport”…and they make it very easy to earn $5 to spend in Waldo!

Waldo Passport

Waldo Passport

Here’s how it works:  Pick up a ‘passport’ at any of the participating businesses.  Get it stamped at ten Waldo businesses.  Turn in the completed passport at the Becky Beck Agency or Family Bicycles.  You’ll get $5 in Waldo Bucks and be entered into a drawing for $100 Waldo Bucks.  Pretty easy..and there’s no purchase necessary.  But hey, how often do you stop at Euston’s Waldo Hardware or The Well or Coffee Girls  or Waldo Pizza in a month?? Just keep the passport in your pocket for reference and in no time you’ll have the ten stamps..and a free $5!

Here’s a list of the participating businesses.  Thank you for supporting Waldo!

Almar Printing, 7735 Wornall Rd  – Center of Life Chiropractic, 336 W 75th St  – Coffee Girls, 7440 Washington St  – Cottman Transmission, 8401 Wornall Rd  – Euston’s Waldo Hardware, 126 W 75th St.  – Family Bicycles, 7410 Wornall Rd  – Jerry Singer Automotive, 311 W 74th St. – Kansas City Veterinary Care, 7240 Wornall Rd –  Lew’s, 7539 Wornall Rd  – One More Cup, 7408 Wornall Rd –  Pampered Paws Grooming Salon, 7719 Wornall Rd  – Papparico’s Mexican Restaurant and Catering, 8314 Wornall Rd  – Patricks Bar and No Grill, 8251 Wornall Rd –  Pistachios Monograms & Gifts, 205 E Gregory Blvd  – Planet Sub, 115 W 75th St  – Studio 213, 213 E Gregory Blvd –  Swyden Cleaners, 329 E Gregory Blvd  – The Well, 7421 Wornall Rd –  Waldo Grain, 7801 Wornall Rd  – Waldo Pizza, 7433 Broadway St  – Walgreens, 7500 Wornall Rd.  Here’s the website for more info:  www.waldokc.org

Waldo’s Most Unique Coffee Shop

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“It’s our love letter to the neighborhood”

One More Cup in Waldo

One More Cup in Waldo

Do I really need to write any more in this blog about One More Cup?  That sentence, from the website, says it all.  I recently visited with Stacy Neff, who co-owns One More Cup with her husband Jeremy.  You are about to read why this coffee shop stands out from all the others in the Brookside/Waldo area.

One More Cup has an interesting backstory.  In 2008, the Neffs decided to buy the building, which was a Mexican restaurant at one point and, for a short while, a coffee shop.  They had the financing in order and started working on the interior.  In the fall, the stock market crashed, the recession slammed the economy and the consumers were in a panic, cutting back on spending.  One More Cup opened in February 2009.  It was a rough start but they’ve seen steady growth every year since, and they attribute their success to strong support from the neighborhood.

Outside Patio at One More Cup

Outside Patio at One More Cup

When you walk into One More Cup, it doesn’t feel like a typical coffee shop (like a Starbucks, Roasterie, LatteLand).  It’s smaller and more eclectic–almost like stepping into  an art friend’s living room.  That’s because Stacy graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute and decorated the interior herself on a budget.  All the essentials are here: comfortable chairs, wi-fi, local artwork, home baked goodies. Outside, behind the shop, there is a shady patio with plenty of seating. They serve only organic, fair trade coffee, Shatto milk products and the fresh pastries and sandwiches made nearby.  They also offer gluten-free and dairy-free foods. Stacy herself bakes treats to serve using the on site ovens and prep area.  

I think these two features of One More Cup really make it special:  their employees are paid better than many other places and the Neffs offer health insurance for their full timers.  Those two management policies alone make it worth your while to support the shop. They also compost / recycle 95% of the waste created.  Stacy explained that’s what they do at home, teaching their kids good environmental habits, and they feel the shop is an extension of their home and what they believe in.  And their prices are reasonable!

The whole vibe of One More Cup can be described in this quote from Stacy:  “We want to be a happy spot in someone’s day”.  You can feel the warmth and friendliness when you walk in.  And it all starts from the owners.  Thanks, Stacy and Jeremy, for bringing your unique coffee shop to Waldo!

Stacy Neff

Stacy Neff

Good Mexican Food–Chelly’s Cafe in Waldo

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Just as I  started to fix dinner on a recent Friday night, our neighbor calls.  “Let’s go out for Mexican food!” he says.  I picture a  frosty margarita, a night off from cooking and immediately agree!  So we head over to Chelly’s’ Cafe in Waldo.

Chelly's Café in Waldo

Chelly’s Café in Waldo

Chelly’s is one of those restaurants I’ve passed many times, but haven’t  tried.  All these years I’ve been living in Brookside–and have never stopped at  this nice little neighborhood dining spot!  It’s a family owned restaurant, located in strip mall on 85th St just east of Wornall Road . Open for about  eleven years, it’s the kind of place that gives you a lot of food for the  price, with quick service..  I started off with a  margarita in a large bowl glass that was just $5.  It felt like two drinks for the price of one.

For dinner, I ordered the Steak Tacos ($8.50).  They came in doubled shell corn tortillas, dressed with onion (raw, wish it had been grilled) and cilantro.  On the side was fresh lettuce,  a scoop of guacamole, rice, black beans and a lime wedge.  I ate two tacos and had enough left over for lunch the next day.  Very tasty.  I don’t remember what the rest of our group ordered, probably because we were all talking, but everyone liked their food.  Chelly’s has all of the usual selections you would expect in a Mexican restaurant, plus a hamburger and grilled chicken sandwich option .  I also like the fact  you can order  many items a la carte. We enjoyed the fresh chips and salsa brought to the table soon after being seated.  Service was friendly and quick–and the restaurant was very busy.  A lovely woman sang songs in Spanish from the front of the room, but it didn’t look like too many folks were paying attention.  

Chelly’s is open seven days a week, and serves breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. The breakfast nachos and breakfast burrito are especially popular .

I’m looking forward to going back to Chelly’s soon–I want to try their fajitas.  Thank you for supporting our locally owned  Brookside/Waldo businesses!

Home for Sale in Waldo–Oh So Cute and Move In Ready!

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7734 Oak in Waldo

7734 Oak in Waldo

I sell homes in all sorts of price ranges…and this new listing at 7734 Oak in Waldo is a real value for the price.  At $115,000–you can own this home and built equity in stead of paying someone else’s house payment through renting!

Located in the heart of Waldo, the home has been very well maintained.  It’s a 1.5 story floor plan, with two bedrooms and a full bath on the first floor; and a bedroom, plus a bonus room and half bath on the second level.  Both baths are updated; fresh colors throughout the interior.

Note the large living room and separate dining area just off the kitchen.  Classic white cabinets and plenty of counter space make cooking a pleasure here!  The laundry area is conveniently located on the main level.

Living room area

Living room area

There’s a spacious deck in the backyard, which is surrounded by a privacy fence.  Other features you will appreciate:  thermal windows, newer furnace and heat pump; gutter guards, lots of closet space; new carpet throughout the home; security system and private driveway.

Desireable location close to Ward Parkway Shopping Center, Brookside, the Trolley Track Trail and on a bus route.

This home is ideal for a first time buyer or someone who wants one level living.  Contact me if you know someone looking for an updated Waldo home at an affordable price!

Kitchen

Kitchen

Back Deck

Back Deck

New FHA Loan Requirements Begin April 1, 2013

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As a real estate agent,  today’s blog relates to Brookside/Waldo home buyers who plan to use FHA financing.  Many buyers  often use FHA loans to finance their purchases.  Two reasons why: FHA requires the least amount for a down payment:  3.5% of the purchase price of the home, vs 5% for a conventional loan; and it’s easier to get pre-approved for a loan if your credit score  is less than what a conventional loan requires.  However, starting April 1, 2013, the MIP fee (“‘mortgage insurance premium”) associated with an FHA loan is going up so buyers will be paying more to finance a home purchase using this method.  Here are the details:

Currently the MIP fee is 1.25% of the loan amount, and this fee is dropped once 22% equity is gained and the homeowners have paid 5 years on the loan.   After April 1, the fee will be 1.35% and  this fee is permanent. For example, a $200,000 loan amount today would have a $208 per month MIP fee.  These changes mean that after April 1, the fee will be $225 per month, for the life of the loan.

This is a big change for buyers.  It means increased monthly payments , regardless of how much equity is earned during ownership.  A homeowner can refinance at some point to drop the  MIP fee, but this is still a major change for buyers who want to use FHA financing.

Why the increase? FHA is paying millions  more regarding loans that have defaulted due to the housing crash.  By law, the agency must maintain a certain level of funds–and the balance sheet is way  short of what’s needed.  So –guess who gets to make up the shortfall  because the  agency didn’t follow their own guidelines?  Homebuyers, mostly first time buyers, just trying to get their piece of the American Dream by purchasing a home.  (Yes, I had to make a personal comment here!)

If you are planning a spring home purchase using an FHA loan, contact your lender now for specifics on what this change means for your particular situation. You may want to get under contract before April 1, 2013 if possible to avoid these new fees.   

Reflecting Back on 2012 Clients–Grateful for New Friends!

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Although we’re just into 2013, I want to take a few minutes to look  back at 2012 from a business point of view.  I’m proud to say that 2012 was my most successful year in real estate so far!  I attribute that to my hard work and love of the job, a somewhat better economy, and motivated, educated clients who understand the current market we’re in.

As I look back on last year’s business, one of my favorite things to do is think about all the new fun friends I’ve made as a result of helping them buy or sell a home.  Through many shared conversations about topics other than the business at hand, friendships have formed and will last long after the deal is done.  It is by far the best benefit of being a real estate agent! 

Pictured below are a few of the homes I’ve sold with a little bit of information about the owners, and what I appreciate about each of them:

Dave and Anna's Armour Hills Gardens home

Dave and Anna’s Armour Hills Gardens home

Dave and Anna bought their first home in Armour Hills Gardens almost a year ago.  I knew when I saw this home pop on the market that it was a house they would like.  Anna appreciates modern, clean design and it shows in her decorating.  Dave is a musician on the side, and the finished basement is perfect for his hobby.

Carrie and Matt's Brookside home

Carrie and Matt’s Brookside home

Matt and Carrie found me through the internet.  They moved here with their 3 year old daughter from Detroit.  They were not very familiar with Kansas City and fell in love with Brookside.  Their larger home is perfect for visiting family and they love walking to Brookside shops and restaurants.  Carrie and Matt are especially appreciative of their new friendly neighbors!

Matt and Leila's Waldo home

Matt and Leila’s Waldo home

Have you heard about the trend toward smaller homes?  Matt and Leila bought this smaller home in Waldo because of the lower price, energy-saving features and walking distance to Waldo services.  Matt recently finished an energy audit of his home and is installing even more upgrades to lower his monthly utility bills.

Lisa and Keith's Leawood home

Lisa and Keith’s Leawood home

Lisa and Keith almost bought the wrong house.  We searched for a long time and thought we had found ‘the one’ — but after careful consideration, they decided against it.  I’m glad–I had a gut feeling it wasn’t the right house for them.  Then this beautiful Leawood home came on the market and they snapped it up.  It’s a house they plan to live in for many, many years, and a perfect house for raising a family.

Jim and Kelly's home on Central

Jim and Kelly’s home on Central

Jim and Kelly have lived in the Middle East, and I enjoy hearing stories about their world travels.  Now they’ve settled in Kansas City as Jim accepted a job teaching at Rockhurst University and Kelly sells medical equipment.  Jim bikes to work or takes his scooter.  Kelly is taking full advantage of that welcoming front porch with warm, inviting decor!

Jeff and Diann's home in Overland Park

Jeff and Diann’s home in Overland Park

I had kept in touch with Jeff and Diann for about two years before they finally made the move to Kansas City from Wichita.  They bought a patio home in Overland Park close to the Town Center shopping area. Diann has done a fantastic job remodelling the kitchen/hearth room–I should write a blog on that transformation alone!  Jeff was transferred to the local office of his law firm, and both are enjoying being closer to family in the area.  Diann and I never seem to run out of things to talk about when we meet for lunch.

This blog would be way too long for me to list all of the other people I worked with in 2012.  Charlie and Pim, Chris and Erin,  Jeff and Michelle, Peter and Allison, Adam and Liana, Brandi and Anthony and so many  more–all wonderful folks that I loved working with and look forward to staying in touch with as the years go on. And who are the new friends I’ll be blogging about in 2014 at this time?  I’m looking forward to meeting you soon!

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Enters KC Market

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Regular readers of this blog know I am a real estate agent and one of my specialty markets is the Brookside/Waldo area.  My former company, Prudential Kansas City Real Estate, changed last week to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes (yep, that’s a mouthful!). Soon you will start seeing Better Homes and Gardens signs in homes for sale around the metro area.

Why the change?  Last year, the national Prudential company sold off the real estate division. Eventually, all Prudential Real Estate franchises will change names.  We are still locally owned and operated, and our owners wanted to brand with a franchise that wasn’t already in the marketplace.  They feel BHG Real Estate, very successful in other US cities, has the tech tools and marketing support to make our local company even more successful.

So basically, this is a branding change for us.  It will take many months for the metro area to become familiar with the name, logo, and new marketing features.  Just know we still have the same professional, dedicated agents, the same owners, the same office locations and phone numbers. 

Now I have to get back to work updating my online profile and marketing materials.  If you would like to check out the national Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate website, click here.  My new business email address is:  mary.hutchison@kansascityhomes.com

Thank you to all of my customers and clients for their loyal support during this change!