Here we go, Brookside neighbors….a recap of 2015 home sales for our area.  The good news is home values are way up.  The bad news...not much inventory for buyers to choose from! This is especially critical in the $225-325K price range.  Higher prices bring equity to long term residents and show buyers they are investing in a good location. So check out the details below... I am reporting closed single family home sales for the Brookside zip code of 64113:   In 2015:* 342 homes sold. * The median list price was $337,750; the median sales price was $309,475. * Average days on market:  39.  *Seven homes sold for over $1million. Highest sales price was a $1.8 million home on       West Meyer Blvd.  *53 homes sold for over $500K.  In 2014:*289 homes sold.*The median list price was $307,000;... 01/18/2016

Finally, Waldo and Brookside has its own blow dry bar!  The Flatiron District Blow Dry Bar opened in a few months ago at 7108 Wornall. Never heard of a blow dry bar?  They are different from a traditional hair salon..read on for details!   Blow dry bars are very popular on the east and west coasts. It's a throwback to the traditional  'beauty shop' in the 1950s and 60s when women would come in once a week, get their hair 'done',  chat with friends and neighbors and pamper themselves for an hour or so.  The Flatiron Blow Dry Bar has the same goal, but with an updated, contemporary vibe. Here you can get a wash, blow dry and style that will last several days,  says owner Jayme Brassell. No more washing and styling every single day!  The stylists use all organic shampoos and conditioners, ... 01/13/2016

January...for me, the most boring month of the year! However I do look forward to KC Restaurant Week!  Beginning January 15 through 24, 2016--restaurants all over the metro area are offering special menus for lunch ($15) and dinner ($33) with a portion of the proceeds going to various local charities and foundations.  Reservations fill up fast!!! You can make a reservation directly from the website.  Note that most of the restaurants participating are locally owned and operated. This is the perfect time to try out that new place you’ve heard about..or check out an eaterie outside your usual dining radius.  Below is a list of the Brookside/Waldo restaurants that are offering special menus: 75th St Brewery, 520 W 75th StAixois, 251 E 55th StAvenues Bistro, 338 W 63rd StCharlie Hooper’s, 1... 01/06/2016

It’s almost the end of 2015...time for one more blog reporting home sales for Waldo.  Higher sales prices and more units sold...that’s what’s been happening all year in Wonderful Waldo. Let’s check the specific single family home sales in the area of State Line to Holmes, and Gregory to 85th St:In November 2015, 14 homes sold. The median list price was $147,500 and the median sales price was $150,500 with 34 days on market.  The lowest closed sales price was $68,000 and the highest was $285,000. In November 2014, 25 homes sold. The median list price was $125,000 and the median sales price was $140,000 with 49 days on  market.   Note the sold price was a little higher than list price.  Sellers are getting very close to their asking price; and buyers could be adding closing costs to the p... 12/29/2015

Time to take a break from holiday preparations and post Brookside home sales stats for last month.  Prices continue their upward trend!  Next month I will publish 2015 stats with comparisons to the last few years post housing crash.  For now, here are the  the single family home sales for November 2015 in the Brookside zip code of 64113:In November 2015, 13 homes sold.  The median list price was $315,000 and the median sales price was $312,500.  Average days on market: 39. The lowest sales price was $212,500 and the highest was $1.35 million at 59th St and Ward Parkway. In November 2014, 23 homes sold.  The median list price was $359,950 and the median sales price was $325,000.  Average days on  market: 48.  Fewer homes sold this November by about half, and the median price was down--ho... 12/20/2015

Good morning neighbors!  Are you in the thick of holiday hoopla?  Just imagine moving during this hectic season!  We had a few homes close last month in Armour Hills, and prices continue to rise.  Here are the details for  single family home sales In Armour Hills in November 2015: In November 2015, four  homes sold with a median list price of $274,950 and a sales price of $276,000 with 70 days on market.    Interestingly, three of the four homes sold were located on East Winthrope. In November 2014, six  homes sold with a median list price of $264,950 and a median sales price of $259,500 with 67 days on the market.   You will notice that the median sales price was higher than the list price--that is because one of the homes probably had closing costs added to the list price.  The other ... 12/16/2015

   It's holiday time in Brookside! This photo ... well, it's not a professional shot of course! And for those of you not familiar with my neighborhood, it may look pretty ordinary. However, this block is special to residents of Brookside as it is the center of our shopping district. Every year, lights outline the Tudor -inspired roofs over the shops.  The majority of the stores in Brookside are locally owned and operated. There are unique shops like Stuff, World's Window and The Reading Reptile. You can also find essential services like a barbershop, post office, grocery, dry cleaners, bank, pharmacy and several restaurants--all within a three block area. Surrounding the retail district are older homes of all sizes and styles--most built in the 1920s, when the community was developed by... 12/09/2015

Have a beer. Shop for unique holiday gifts. Enjoy tasty German Food. You call do all of those activities this weekend (Dec 4 and 5, 2015) at the annual Kristkindl Markt at Brookside’s Country Club Congregational United Church of Christ, 205 W 65th St.  This German food and beer festival is a tradition in Armour Hills, and all are welcome.  Large tents are set up, filled with chairs and tables to dine on several kinds of German food and beer.  And if you need to stretch your legs after filling your tummy…walk around the vendor booths, selling all kinds of homemade décor, crafts and gifts.  Kids always love the gingerbread house making area—with donations going to Operation Breakthrough.  Live music keeps the atmosphere festive! If you plan to visit the Kristkindl Markt, remember the narr... 12/01/2015

We had a few new neighbors move into Armour Hills last month...welcome!  Sales are slowing down as we head into the holiday months.  Here are details for  single family home sales In Armour Hills as of last month: In October  2015, four  homes sold with a median list price of $244,475 and a sales price of $243,000 with 23 days on market.     In October 2014, six  homes sold with a median list price of $231,950 and a median sales price of $219,750 with 30 days on the market.   Prices are up compared to last October, and sellers are getting very close to the list price for their homes.   Checking year-to-date figures: From January through October 2015, 69 homes have sold with a median list price of $265,000 and a median sales price of $265,000 with 32 days on market.   From January throug... 11/19/2015

 Brookside home sales continue to outpace last year!  Prices are up, and the higher bracket ($500K+) homes are selling well.  Let’s look at the numbers..here are the single family home sales for October 2015 in the Brookside zip code of 64113:In October  2015, 27 homes sold.  The median list price was $397,950 and the median sales price was $383,500.  Average days on market: 54. The lowest sales price was $203,500 and the highest was a cash sale at $1.145 million.   In October 2014, 25 homes sold.  The median list price was $340,000 and the median sales price was $320,000.  Average days on  market: 41.  A couple of more homes sold as compared to a year ago, and the median price was much higher because eleven of the 27 sales were closed over $400,000.  Checking year to date figures: From... 11/17/2015

When it comes to buying a house there are a few things you need to know as you begin the mortgage process, and getting Kansas City Mortgage Pre-approval is one of them.  The first step you need to take is to find a good lender.  This is actually much easier than you think; You shoud look for someone who is local and preferably nearby that way they can stay in good contact and communicate with you easily.  The second step is where I'd like to focus today - that's on the pre-approval process.  Getting pre-approved is actually pretty easy.  You can do it one of two ways: you can click here, and do it online or you can call us at (816) 268-4025  and speak with a member of our team and do it over the phone.  The whole pre-approval process takes about 10 minutes to do over the phone and if yo... 11/05/2015

The Copeland Mortgage Team, was started over 10 years ago with the hope that we would become the best company for you to purchase your home with a Kansas City Mortgage Loan.  we're here to make sure you get a great deal on your next home purchase, and to make sure that you understand the entire process of getting a mortgage.Many people read our blog thinking that we're going to get into the numbers and programs about their mortgage and the truth is that, those things vary so widly from person to person depending on the circumstances surrounding their home purchase that we find it easier to talk about what makes us the best mortgage team in our area -it's just that our team.We know that getting a mortgage can seem like torture, but when you contact we'll not only make sure that you can a... 11/04/2015

So if you didn't know I've got my own media guy Jeff, and sometimes marketing mortgages is not the most glamorous job, so he's decided to document his adventures and you get to take part by watching them...Hope you enjoy this footage from KC's celebration of The KC Royals WOrld Championship celebration attended by an estimated 800,000 people!  We hope you enjoy and get a laugh out this today! and feel free to tune into our youtube channel where Jeff will be uploading more of his Misadventures in mortgage marketing!  11/04/2015

So if you didn't know I've got my own media guy Jeff, and sometimes marketing mortgages is not the most glamorous job, so he's decided to document his adventures and you get to take part by watching them...Hope you enjoy this footage from KC's celebration of The KC Royals WOrld Championship celebration attended by an estimated 800,000 people!  We hope you enjoy and get a laugh out this today! and feel free to tune into our youtube channel where Jeff will be uploading more of his Misadventures in mortgage marketing! 11/04/2015

 Hello neighbors...time to report on September 2015 home sales in our Armour Hills subdivision in Brookside.  Sales are slowing down as we move to the holiday season...and hopefully a WORLD SERIES WIN!!  Here are details for  single family home sales In Armour Hills as of last month: In September  2015, three  homes sold with a median list price of $269,500 and a sales price of $265,000 with 88 days on market.     In September 2014, six  homes sold with a median list price of $275,000 and a  median sales price of $272,700 and eleven days on the market.   The 88 days on market is much longer than we’ve been trending this year.  That’s because the three houses that sold last month had all been on the market for almost ninety days  before going under contract--the sales prices were also dr... 10/27/2015

Royals mania continues here in Kansas City-- must see TV has cut into my work and blogging time!  It’s all worth it though to again experience the excitement of the playoffs.  Have you noticed--so many more homes in the area displaying Royals support paraphernalia!  Okay, down to business….here are the single family home sales for last month in the Brookside zip code of 64113:In September 2015, 22 homes sold.  The median list price was $375,000 and the median sales price was $362,500.  Average days on market: 34. Two homes sold over the $500K mark.  The lowest sales price was $224,500 and the highest was $650K. In September 2014, 32 homes sold.  The median list price was $302,000 and the median sales price was $289,975.  Average days on  market: 45. The lowest sales price was $164,950 a... 10/22/2015

How will Brookside/Waldo residents maneuver around marathon race runners on Saturday Oct 17? It will be very difficult. The race begins downtown, and traffic will be pretty much stopped from 47th St on the Plaza through 75th Street from 8am through 2pm.  Here is some information you should know to plan ahead:*Police will slowly open up the streets to traffic once the last runners pass through a particular area. For example, as runners leave the downtown/midtown area heading towards Plaza/Brookside/Waldo, those streets will open to traffic. Most of our area will close off at 8am and not open up until after 1pm.*If you live east of Brookside Boulevard, get to Oak or Troost to travel south. (If you go north, you won't make it past the UMKC area until after 1:30 or 2pm).  DO NOT try to driv... 10/16/2015

Every day it seems the the military is on the news in some capacity, and every time we see it, we're so thank for for what our active duty military folks are doing and for our military veterans for what they've done.  We are often confounded by trying to figure out how to say thank you to these folks, so we decided about 10 years ago the best thing we could do would be to offer you a website along with the best service and the best VA Loans for Kansas City Military and they're available to all our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserves military members.  You've protected our country so we can continue to do business and we're thankful for that and want to say thank you by offering you the best home loan product out there for veterans (and active duty Un... 10/15/2015

 The home buying season is winding down now as we head into the cooler weather. However, Waldo homes have continued to sell well, and quickly, through the month of August.  Here are the home sales stats for Waldo in Kansas City MO, using the boundaries of  State Line to Holmes, and Gregory to 85th: In August  2015, 23 homes sold with a median list price of $124,950 and a median sales price of $125,000 and 29 days on market.  The lowest closed sales price was $45,000 and the highest was $255,000. In  August  2014, 21 homes sold with a median list price of $175,000 and a median sales price of $169,900 with 42 days on  market.   As you can see, the sales price was a smidge higher than the list price--that could mean a few homes sold for over asking price, or closing costs were added to the... 10/14/2015

Every day it seems the the military is on the news in some capacity, and every time we see it, we're so thank for for what our active duty military folks are doing and for our military veterans for what they've done.  We are often confounded by trying to figure out how to say thank you to these folks, so we decided about 10 years ago the best thing we could do would be to offer the best website, the best service and the best Kansas City Veteran Loans to all our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserves military members. You've protected our country so we can continue to do business and we're thankful for that and want to say thank you by offering you the best home loan product out there for veterans (and active duty United States military members)! Thanks f... 10/13/2015