Home buyers continue to see Armour Hills as a desireable place to purchase a home...the trend continues of buyers paying more than the asking price to purchase in this Brookside neighborhood. Here are the home sales stats for June 2016:  July  2016:                                                          July  2015:   Median list price:      $254,500                            Median list price:        $274,900Median sales price:  $256,000                            Median sales price:    $270,025Number of homes sold:  8                                  Number of homes sold: 12Days on market:             5                                    Days on market:           42 Of the eight homes that closed last month, five sold at or above list price. One home sold for $25,000 over the asking... 08/15/2016

  Home prices in Brookside….up, up UP!  When will it stop?  It is still a sellers’ market, as it has been all year.  Take a look at these numbers, my friends, and the comparison to last year. You will understand why you keep hearing stories of bidding wars for homes in our neighborhood. Here are the single family home sales stats for Brookside (zip code 64113) for July 2016, and comparisons to last year: July  2016 Median list price:               $339,950Median sales price:           $345,000Average days on market:     28Number of homes sold:        26(Lowest sales price was $178,000; highest sales price was $3.246 million, the highest so far this year.) Note that the sales price was higher than the asking price.  Out of the 26 homes that closed, 14 sold at or over list price. Also, no... 08/12/2016

 Beautiful Romanelli Gardens!  Oh the charm of these homes!  Mostly built in the 1930s, many have the original crown moldings, eight panel doors, glass knobs, deco tile in bath, dressing tables and unique architechtural details on the front, creating attractive curb appeal.  Let's take a look at how sales are going this year in Romanelli Gardens: January - July 2016 A total of 16 homes have sold, with a median list price of $444,475 and median sales price of $432,500. January - July 2015 A total of 27 homes had sold, with a median list price of $405,900 and a median sales price of $400,000. That is quite a jump in home values--over 8% year to date! Inventory is down by almost half, pushing prices up. If you are thinking of selling your home in Romanelli Gardens home, contact me for a de... 08/09/2016

  Rockhill Gardens is one of my favorite subdivisions in Brookside..and buyers think so too!  The houses are selling so quickly there this year.As we head into Fall and a (usually) slower home buying period, I wanted to update you on the home sales stats for Rockhill Gardens this year:  January - July, 2016So far 23 homes have sold, with a median list price of $234,900 and median sales price of $237,000. Note that the sales price is higher than the list price!  Why?  Because 19 of the 23 homes sold at or over the asking price. Now let's look at 2015 figures: January - July 2015At this point, 34 homes had sold, with a median list price of $227,500 and median sales price of $222,200. Prices are going up because demand is high and inventory is low. If you are thinking of selling your Rockh... 08/08/2016

Another business has opened in Brookside East..this one focused on the children growing up in our neighborhood. Fox Sports & Activity Center has this goal: to engage and enhance kids' minds, bodies and spirit through holistic training. Owner Caroline Fox explains that holistic training is 'the whole self' - meaning her classes and camps focus on not just skill training, but also nutrition, health and wellness. Here, it's not about 'winning', but about developing the skills needed for the game and building self esteem. She and her staff offer sports focused classes for kids up to age 11, teaching soccer, lacrosse, badminton, and volleyball. There are also enrichment activities for art, chess, bridge, painting and jewelry making and afternoon summer camps. Classes are kept small, with a o... 07/30/2016

 Homes continue to sell fast in the Armour Hills subdivision of Brookside, Kansas City MO. Check out these home sales stats for June 2016--buyers are snapping up homes here in a hot market that favors sellers:  June   2016:                                                          June  2015:   Median list price:      $279,000                            Median list price:        $285,000Median sales price:  $281,000                            Median sales price:    $283,000Number of homes sold:  11                                 Number of homes sold: 11Days on market:            3                                    Days on market:             5 Of the eleven homes that closed last month, seven sold at or above list price. Checking year to date figures: 2016, Jan-June:                   ... 07/25/2016

Halfway through the year, and home prices continue their upward trend in Brookside. Low inventory and plenty of demand can create a bidding war for new listings priced under $400K.  Here are the single family home sales stats for Brookside (zip code 64113) for last month, and comparisons to last year: June 2016:Median list price:               $349,000Median sales price:           $349,000Average days on market:    42Number of homes sold:       41(Lowest sales price was $183,000; highest sales price was $2 million.) It’s important to note that of the 41 homes that closed in June, 22 (just over half!) sold at or above list price. June 2015:Median list price:                $325,000Median sales price:            $325,000Average days on  market:    31Number of homes sold:        56 Now let... 07/20/2016

  It's that time of year once again...for the annual Brookside Side Walk Sale!  It's happening this Thursday through Sunday, July 7-10, 2016 along 63rd St east and west of Brookside Blvd. Many of your favorite shops are participating (STUFF, 5B&Co Candlemakers, World's Window, The New Dime Store) and if you need a break...stop for a snack or meal at Avenues Bistro, Foo's Frozen Custard, Michael Forbes Grill or another eatery.  Some shops are open until 8pm on Thursday night so you can begin your bargain hunting early! Thank you for supporting our locally owned shops and restaurants in Brookside.  07/06/2016

Waldo continues to be a hot location for homebuyers--prices are up and are selling quickly!   Here are the May 2016 stats for single family home sales in Waldo, using the boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th St: May 2016: Number of homes sold:    47Median list price:              $167,500Median sales price:          $167,500Average days on market:    9 The lowest sales price was $55,207 and the highest was $395,000. May 2016: Number of homes sold:     36Median list price:              $180,000Median sales price:          $179,000Average days on market:   38 A few more homes sold this May over last year, and the median sales price is a bit less. However, year to date figures are showing prices are rising compared to 2015:                                                 ... 06/29/2016

Armour Hills….one of the best subdivisions in Brookside!  Of course, I am a bit partial because I live in Armour Hills.  However, check out these home sales stats for May 2016--buyers are snapping up homes here in a hot market that favors sellers:  May   2016:                                                           May   2015:   Median list price:      $289,900                              Median list price:        $256,900Median sales price:  $291,000                              Median sales price:    $262,000Number of homes sold:  9                                     Number of homes sold: 11Days on market:            33                                    Days on market:             36 That’s correct, many of the homes sold for over the list price!  (one home sold for $8000 over as... 06/22/2016

 Brookside...a sizzlin' hot neighborhood for home buyers this year!  Prices are up, demand is high.  Here are the single family home sales stats for Brookside (zip code 64113) for last month, and comparisons to last year: May 2016 Median list price:               $364,500Median sales price:           $360,500Average days on market:    43Number of homes sold:       37(Lowest sales price was $182,000; highest sales price was $1.275 million.) May 2015 Median list price:                $322,500Median sales price:            $312,500Average days on  market:     29Number of homes sold:         46 Now let’s check year to date figures: 2016     Median list price:         $373,750Median sales price:     $367,950124 homes sold; average 41 days on market 2015 Median list price:         $325,000Med... 06/17/2016

 It's time for that wild annual event, the Waldo Crawldo! It's tomorrow, Saturday June 11, 2016 in the heart of Waldo from 8pm-midnight. This year's theme is Superheroes and Villains--so do dress up! Prizes will be awarded in various categories. Of course there are drink specials at each spot--ten bars are participating, including Lew's Bar and Grill, Quinton's Waldo Bar, Tanner's Bar and Grill and the Waldo Pizza Tap Room. Thank you, locally owned businesses, for hosting this event!Please drink responsibly and remember, bars are within walking distance! Tickets in advance are less than at the door...here's the info page: www.waldocrawldo.com 06/09/2016

I don't usually write about my experience at a new restaurant...I'm not a foodie, I am a very picky eater!!(and picky about service too).   However, the meal my husband and I had at Plate last week was so absolutely delicious --just have to write about it.As you may have heard, Plate opened several months ago at 6201 Oak St in Brookside. It's difficult to get a reservation--they don't subscribe to Open Table.  You have to call,  leave a message, and hopefully get confirmed for the date and time you want.  We got lucky--there was a cancellation for 2 at 6pm on Saturday night.The atmosphere is cozy, comfortable, and  a little noisy when the place is full.  We were seated at the table closest to the kitchen--watching every dish that left the counter.  Our waiter, Morgan, was efficient, sin... 06/07/2016

Brookside homes continue to sell quickly this spring, and the Armour Hills subdivision is no exception. New listings go under contract almost immediately.  Here are the April 2016 home sales stats for Armour Hills:April   2016:                                                            April  2015:   Median list price:      $319,900                              Median list price:       $270,000Median sales price:  $319,900                              Median sales price:    $267,250Number of homes sold:  7                                     Number of homes sold:  6Days on market:             4                                     Days on market:             24 You can see the big jump in median price:  five of the seven homes sold last month were at or above the list price.  Checking ye... 05/26/2016

As we hit the peak of the home buying season...prices still rising due to lack of inventory.  Waldo is HOT as a location for those wanting to quit renting and start earning some equity!  Here are the April 2016 stats for single family home sales in Waldo, using the boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th St: April  2016: Number of homes sold:    27Median list price:              $169,000Median sales price:          $159,000Average days on market:    7 The lowest sales price was $112,500 and the highest was $320,000. April  2015: Number of homes sold:     23Median list price:              $165,000Median sales price:          $165,000Average days on market:   10 A few more homes sold this month, and the median sales price is a bit less. Check out  the median days on market:... 05/24/2016

We are in the peak of Spring home buying season...and I’m here to report demand is still very strong for our Brookside neighborhood.  Still not enough inventory for sale, especially in the $500K and less price catagory.  Here are the single family home sales stats for Brookside (zip code 64113) for last month, and comparisons to last year: April 2016: Median list price:               $375,000Median sales price:           $371,500Average days on market:    41Number of homes sold:       30(Lowest sales price was $215,000;; highest sales price was $1.1 million.) April 2015: Median list price:                $389,900Median sales price:            $380,000Average days on  market:    31Number of homes sold:        27 Now let’s check year to date figures: 2016:     Median list price:         $... 05/18/2016

The new expanded patio is open at Bier Station!I remember back in December 2012 when John Couture opened Bier Station in Armour Hills at 120 E Gregory . He was one of the pioneers of the specialty brew shop--and now there are almost too many to count in the KC area. Bier Station is Brookside's "Cheers" bar...friendly staff who know who you are and love talking about the beer offerings they have for sale.  There are some other changes at Bier Station besides the patio: more food on the menu, including smoked wings, sliders, flatbreads, soups, and new sandwiches. John and his kitchen staff are currently testing new items such as seasonal salads and vegetables, and a few sweet treats. Whatever goes over well with the customers (they want feedback!) will make it to the menu.Also coming soon... 05/12/2016

It’s definitely a seller’s market in Waldo!  Prices are up from 2015 and sellers are getting very close to asking price for their homes.  Here are the sales stats for single family home sales in Waldo, using the boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th St: March 2016: Number of homes sold:    33Median list price:              $139,900Median sales price:          $139,900Average days on market:  44 The lowest sales price was $35,000 and the highest was $349,900. March  2015: Number of homes sold:     27Median list price:              $135,000Median sales price:          $135,000Average days on market:   26 More homes are selling, at a higher price.  Checking Jan - March figures: 2016 / 2015:                                                                                    ... 05/03/2016

It's time for the Brookside Art Annual once again..April 29-May 1, 2016.  Location is the heart of Brookside at 63rd St and Brookside Blvd.  Remember to leave pets at home! 04/28/2016

You have probably driven by the KC Clay Guild in Waldo many times..it sits at the corner of 200 W 74th St at Wyandotte. .  The long brick building may not catch your eye...but inside, there’s a buzz of activity going on as artists and amateurs create sculptured, colorful pieces out of dull gray clay blocks.  I met with Vice President Josh Wood recently to find out more about the Guild. Wood says he ‘geeked out’ on ceramics in high school, then took a few classes in college and got hooked on the process.  He’s been with the Guild nine years (plus has a full time job in Olathe) and is still actively creating ceramic works.  He explained the KC Clay Guild was started by several local Kansas City potters in 1988.  They wanted a studio to work in  and have been at this location fifteen years... 04/26/2016