Plenty of buyers for Armour Hills homes this spring...not much inventory.  Updated, well priced homes go under contract within hours of listing.  Here are the home sales stats for Armour Hills in Brookside: March  2016:                                                         March 2015:   Median list price:      $234,975                               Median list price:     $269,975Median sales price:  $229,475                              Median sales price:  $261,250Number of homes sold:  6                                     Number of homes sold:  12 Checking year to date figures: 2016 YTD:                                                                      2015, Jan-March: Median list price:      $249,500                              Median list price:      $260,000                 ... 04/22/2016

  If you know someone who wants to buy a  house...you’ve probably heard phrases like “there are very few homes for sale” or “we have written three offers and got outbid every time” or “many homes are selling the first day on the market”..  As an agent I can tell you….it’s all true!  There is very little inventory and so many buyers!   Let’s check Brookside (zip code 64113) single family home sales for March 2016:  March 2016: Median list price:               $389,500Median sales price:           $384,000Average days on market:    30Number of homes sold:       33(Lowest sales price was $176,000; highest sales price was $1,055,000.) March 2015: Median list price:                $425,000Median sales price:            $397,500Average days on  market:    88Number of homes sold:        13 Now... 04/18/2016

  It's Monday...let's talk about the weekend!  Get ready for the opening of the Brookside Farmers' Market on Saturday!  At 8am, local vendors and farmers will be ready to sell the latest goodies from their gardens and farms. Besides fruit, vegetables and herbs, you'll also find a variety of other items: for example cage free eggs, handmade soaps, freshly baked breads and treats plus organic meats.  The Brookside Farmers' Market is family friendly and accepts SNAP dollars. Bring the kids and a couple of bags to carry your goodies back home! The Market is located at 63rd St and Wornall in the heart of Brookside. 04/11/2016

107 E. 80th Terrace, Kansas City, Missouri Get Directions Click Here OPEN HOUSE April 03, Sunday 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Description Photos Maps & Local Schools Print Brochure $ Click for current price 3 BEDROOMS | 1 (1 full ) BATHROOMS | 940 SQUARE FEET Newly remodeled 3 bedroom home located in the historic Waldo neighborhood.  This home offers a new driveway, new roof and gutters, all new lighting, new wood kitchen floors, all new bathroom, new stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, new doors, new garage door as well as a fresh coat of paint.  Bring your buyers, this one won't last long! Follow This Home! Search All Homes For Sale Homes Close to Where You Work Avoid Foreclosure Free Home Values Presented By: David Dougherty Real Estate Professional Keller Williams Realty Partners 913-6... 04/01/2016

Wonderful Waldo!  A popular area for homebuyers...and prices are on the upswing early in the year.  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: February 2016: Number of homes sold:   16Median list price:              $171,450Median sales price:          $165,750Average days on market:  34 The lowest sales price was $66,100 and the highest was $340,000 (which was $10,050 over the asking price!) February 2015: Number of homes sold:   24Median list price:              $154,500Median sales price:          $148,500Average days on market:   40 Fewer homes sold this year so far….due to a lack of good inventory, because demand is very strong. Notice how prices are higher than last year. Checking year to dat... 03/28/2016

You've heard of  boozy pub crawls...today I want to mention the sixth annual Caffeine Crawl happening next month. This outing has become wildly popular in Kansas City, and it usually sells out well before the event date...so if you are looking for something different to do on the weekend, consider joining in! The Caffeine Crawl is a guided tasting tour of various coffee, tea, chocolate and juice shops in KC--over fifteen different spots are participating this year. Waldo hot spots Bier Station, McLain's Bakery, One More Cup, Second Best Coffee and Unbakery and Juicery are on this year's route. You do need a vehicle to get from location to location--(carpool and meet some new friends!) however one route is bike friendly.This year's Caffeine Crawl is April 15-17, 2016 and you can buy tick... 03/25/2016

Hello neighbors!  Have you seen the For Sale signs popping up in Armour Hills as the weather gets warmer!  Sales in Armour Hills are off to a strong start this year...let’s check the stats: February 2016:                                                      February 2015: Median list price:      $249,500                               Median list price:     $268,725Median sales price:   $247,000                             Median sales price:  $260,000Number of homes sold:  3                                     Number of homes sold:  2 Checking year to date figures: 2016:                                                                      2015: Median list price:    $249,950                                 Median list price:      $248,502                         Median sales price:  $25... 03/21/2016

I'm very excited to tell you about a brand new business opening in the growing Brookside East neighborhood...Golden and Pine. This is a handmade home and garden goods store, having it’s Grand Opening this Saturday March 19, 2016 from 1-5pm at 633 E 63rd St.    Owner Stephanie Agne was a dietician for several years yet home decor was her passion.  She loved working at a home store boutique in Maine, and when she and her husband moved back to Kansas City she decided to open her own place.  After looking at various KC locations, she decided on Brookside East.  Stephanie wanted a place with ‘good light’ and was excited about what was happening in the area.  She found Butch Rigby’s vision ‘inspiring’ and signed a lease in one of his recently purchased buildings.        Golden and Pine has a ... 03/18/2016

What a beautiful day as I write this blog! The trees are flowering all over Brookside--hope we don’t get a cold snap..we are now used to 60 and 70 degree days! Checking Brookside home sales for February 2016, I am writing up the stats in a different format this time--thought it would be easier to read.  Take a look: February 2016 Median list price:               $409,000Median sales price:           $399,000Average days on market:    89Number of homes sold:       15(lowest sales price was $213,000; highest sales price was $822,000) February 2015: Median list price:                $422,000Median sales price:            $397,500Average days on  market:    88Number of homes sold:        13 (Note the number of homes sold and median sales price are very similar to 2015.) Now let’s check year... 03/15/2016

 After 29 years leading the Southtown Council organization, Marti Lee retired last year.  A new executive director, Sean Ackerson, joined Southtown Council earlier this year. He has an extensive planning and economic development background, most recently working for the City of Parkville. A graduate of Oklahoma State University, Sean and his family live in Rockhill Gardens. I stopped by his office recently and we chatted about what the Southtown Council is working on. Do you have any goals you want to accomplish this year?The Southtown Council overseas seven organizations: the Southtown Council, the Southtown Council Foundation, the Brookside Business Assn and it's CID; the Waldo Business Assn and it's CID and the Troost Ave CID. My goals are to continue doing what we do well and evalua... 03/07/2016

 Yes it's Waldo Week in Kansas City!  You are going to spend money this week on food,  services, coffee, etc--why not spend it in Waldo? Waldo Week is happening through Friday March 4, and some merchants are offering a 25% discount in their stores and restaurants. Some of the businesses participating include Waldo Pizza, Euston's Waldo Hardware, One More Cup, Family Bicycles, and 75th Street Brewery.  Please support our small local business owners and take advantage of Waldo Week through Friday. Small local businesses typically offer the friendliest service, they employ our neighbors and give Waldo it's unique urban vibe. Keep your dollars in our nieghborhood! 02/29/2016

Home sales typically start off slow every year..that’s what is happening in Brookside as we kick off housing market reports for 2016.  Why are sales sluggish?  I’ll provide some answers after reporting Brookside home sales (using zip code 64113) for January 2016:  In January 2016, eight homes sold.  The median list price was $369,500 and the median sales price was $367,500.  Average days on market:  25.  The highest sales was $441,500 and the lowest was $262,500. In January 2015, nine homes sold. The median list price was $325,000 and the median sales price was $315,000.  Average days on market:  24. Stats were about the same as a year ago, as in number of homes sold and days on market. You’ll notice that median sales price jumped up. (Brookside home prices rose 11% from 2014 to 2015.) ... 02/16/2016

Here is yet blog about a new business in the thriving Brookside East area!  Unbakery and Juicery  opened the last week of January at 634 E 63rd St. Not even one month old and the owner needs more space for her business! Nestled between the Brookside Gardens event space and the new apartment complex under construction (63 Brookside), Unbakery and Juicery is owned and operated by Robin Krause, who spent twelve years as owner of The Filling Station. Walking into this place makes you feel healthier: everything is made on site, and all of the juices and tonics have medicinal properties, incorporating natural ingredients such as coconut oil, aloe, ginger, active charcoal and chlorella. To avoid waste, Robin takes the pulp from the fruit and veggies to make raw desserts, such as apple tarts an... 02/10/2016

Just in time for warm weather walks...we are getting new traffic signals at two key Brookside intersections!  I stopped by today and talked with one of the contractors to get the scoop: Along Wornall at Meyer and at 63rd St, the traffic signals are being replaced with 'arm' signals.  This type of signal hangs horizontally halfway across the intersection for a more clear view of the light.  The signals will also talk and beep, so those who are deaf or blind will be able to cross safely.  We will also get freshly painted crosswalks. If the weather holds out, the new signals should be installed and operating within 30 days.  Your tax dollars at work here in Brookside! 02/04/2016

You've looked at the comparable sales...you've consulted with your agent to set a fair and marketable price for your home.  However, it's been on the market for several weeks now. What's wrong? There is no one definitive  answer as to why your house isn't selling. It could be a in a poor location; it could need updating; it may not show well (lots of personal items and clutter). Most often, the price is too high. Here are are three signs you should lower the price of your home: 1.  Many showings, no offers.  Sure, buyers are picky! But if you've had several showings, favorable feedback and no offers...buyers just don't see the value in the price compared to the product. 2.  Upgrades are needed.  I see this often in homes of seniors who have relocated to assisted living. The carpet is ol... 01/28/2016

There is a huge demand for new, updating housing in the Brookside area.  Two new developments in Brookside East will cater to renters (apartments) and homeowners (townhomes).  Both are in an excellent location, within easy walking distance to the Brookside shops, bus line, various services and the Trolley Track Trail.  I recently sat down with the deveopers who told me all about their plans.    John Hoffman and his son Lance Carlton own UCB Properties.  You may have seen some of their hew housing along the 2700 block of Charlotte, or the townhomes going up at 27th and Campbell They also  built apartments at 2901 and 3630 Gillham.  John and Lance have two projects in the works for Brookside East that should both be ready for occupancy later this year.   John says 63 Brookside is the firs... 01/28/2016

Rockhill Gardens is one of my favorite subdivisions in the Brookside/Waldo area of Kansas City.  The homes were built with so much 1930s character and detail...brick, stone and stucco exteriors; peaked roofs; crown molding; flat lots and wide streets.  Buyers can get a lot of house for the money compared to other homes west of Oak St--which is one reason this area is so popular for first time homeowners.Sales were strong in Rockhill Gardens last year--let's take a look at the numbers:In 2015:*54 homes sold.*The median list price was $230,000.*The median sales price was $229,725.*Average days on market was 45. In 2014:*36 homes sold.*The median list price was $209,900.*The median sales price was $199,400.*Average days on market was 39. With this year to year comparison, we see a 50% incr... 01/27/2016

  Bright news during these drab winter days for Waldo homeowners:  prices were up in 2015!  Buyers are discovering what we already know about Waldo:  the convenient location, friendly neighbors and many locally owned restaurants and services attract homeowners to the area! Let’s look at the specific home sales stats for 2015, using the street boundaries of State Line to Holmes; Gregory to 85th St: : In 2015:*351 single family homes sold*The median list price was $160,000.*The median sales price was $162,000.*Average days on market was 34.*The lowest sales price was $18,000; the highest was $495,000. Why was the sales price higher than the list price?  There are a couple of reasons: there could have been multiple offers on the property, pushing the price up or some of the closing costs w... 01/25/2016

8824 Summit Street, Kansas City, Missouri Get Directions Click Here OPEN HOUSE January 24, Sunday 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Description Photos Maps & Local Schools Print Brochure $ Click for current price 3 BEDROOMS | 2 (1 full, 1 half ) BATHROOMS | 1286 SQUARE FEET This newly remodeled 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath ranch home located at 8824 Summit Street in Kansa City Missouri is located in the historic Waldo neighborhood just north of 89th street between Wornall and Ward Parkway.  The home is convenient to stores, parks and highway access including just blocks from the Ward Parkway Mall, Brookside, the Plaza and downtown Kansas City.    As you approach the home, you will notice the newly completed extended 2 car driveway, new roof, updated windows and siding.   When you walk in the home, you will n... 01/23/2016

    As I was reporting monthly stats on  Armour Hills homes throughout last year, I knew the trend was rising prices.  We’ve had a big increase in our home values--that’s good news for both sellers and buyers!  Let’s take a look at the specific numbers:   In 2015:*79 homes sold*Median list price:  $269,500*Median sales price: $265,000*Average days on market: 34 The highest sales price in Armour Hills was $461,000; the lowest was $139,000.  In 2014:*70 homes sold*Median list price:  $239,950*Median sales price: $236,500*Averages days on market: 32 The highest sales price in Armour Hills that year was $474,000; the lowest was $125,000. A few more homes sold in 2015 than 2014, and the median sales price jumped 12%!   It’s good news for both buyers and sellers because...buyers want to purch... 01/21/2016