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Kansas City, MO Real Estate News

By Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR, Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area
(Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes)
Here we are at the beginning of October...and I’m just finding time to post the August homes sales stats for Armour Hills!  Let’s get right to the numbers:   In August 2014, two homes sold with a median sales price of $227,000 and 4 days on market.  Both homes sold within a couple of days of being listed.  Why? Because they were priced right and updated--totally ready for new owners. In August 2013,eight  homes sold with a median sales price of $246,750 and 52 days on market.  The highest sales price that month was $282,000.   That’s a pretty large drop for number of homes sold in one month.  Usually, sales do slow down in the second half of the year.  There are plenty of homes for sale in Armour Hills--the issue is that buyers are very picky and will wait for what they really want to ...
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By Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR, Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area
(Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes)
Who knows how many of these mellow autumn evenings we have left?  Take a night off from cooking and enjoy the Brookside Wine Walk this Thursday Oct 2, 2014. The event is a benefit for Operation Breakthrough.  Festivities begin at 63rd and Brookside Blvd at 5pm.   Ticket prices are very reasonable--$5 in advance (by 3pm day of event) or $10 that evening.  Your ticket gets you $3 wine (red or white) from the participating restaurants and food specials.  There's a drawing for gift certificates, and some shops will be open late with discount pricing.  You are sure to bump into friends and neighbors while you stroll along the streets, nibbling at special featured foods and sipping wine.    You can purchase tickets at these Brookside restaurants: Avenues, Charlie Hoopers, Carmen's Cafe, Jalap...
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By Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR, Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area
(Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes)
Brookside sales continue to slowly ease down as we head towards the end of the year.  The usual pattern is as follows:  strong sales in the spring and summer months, then fewer closings as the weather turns cooler.  Here are the August single family home sales numbers for the Brookside area, using zip code 64113: In August 2014, 23 homes sold.  Median sales price was $261,000 and 28 days on  market.  The lowest sales price was $222,250 and the highest was $355,000.     In August 2013, 34 homes sold.  The  median sales price was $279,900 and 87 days on market.  The lowest sales price was $173,000 and the highest was $1.525 million.   Why the drastic drop in median sales price? One explaination would  include the fact that the highest price sale this August was well under $1million, as co...
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By Maria Morton, Kansas City Real Estate 816-560-3758
(Platinum Realty)
This is a question heard from buyers quite frequently. They'd like to live in Brookside but are not sure if their budget can accomodate the home they want.  This graph may help buyers get a better understanding of what is available in the area:     These are the numbers of Brookside homes sold between January 1 and today (20 September 2014) by price range.         .  As you can see, homes priced in the $200-400,000 range (purple and orange on the chart) take up the largest share followed by the $400-650,000 price range (dark red on the chart). Homes priced over $650,000 fall into the luxury category in the Kansas City area. In Brookside, most homes in that price range are going to be closer to Loose Park, Ward Parkway, or Morningside. Homes priced under $200,000 in the Brookside area ar...
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By Maria Morton, Kansas City Real Estate 816-560-3758
(Platinum Realty)
The following Brookside homes are being held Open this Sunday: 305 E 67th Street  $210,000  1:00-3:00 PM   30 E 70th Terrace $219,500 1:30-3:30 PM 219 W 68th Terrace $259,000 2 - 4 PM 6634 Main Street $294,995 1 - 3 PM 28 E Dartmouth Rd $299,500 12 - 2 PM 110 W 66th Terrace $309,000 2 - 4 PM 600 W 59th Street $360,000 1 - 3 PM 643 W 59th Street $365,000 1 - 3 PM 620 W 70th Terrace $379,000 1 - 4 PM 634 W 62nd Street $390,000 1 - 4 PM 5744 Grand Avenue $495,000 2 - 4 PM 115 Morningside Drive $599,000 12 - 2 PM 1215 W 63rd Street $604,500 2 - 4 PM 6020 Ward Parkway $628,888 3 - 5 PM 622 W Meyer Boulevard $650,000 1 - 3 PM 815 Huntington Road $675,000 1 - 3 PM 1236 W 63rd Street $688,500 12 - 3 PM 1030 W 59th Terrace $748,000 2 - 4 PM 1012 W 61st Terrace $1,295,000 2 - 4 PM             ___...
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By Darren Copeland, Darren Copeland
(Leader One Financial)
When you've finally made the decision to move your family from the renting lifestyle and you're ready to Get a Home Mortgage in Kansas City and that is an exciting thing.  There's plenty of stuff to do once you've made this decision to get started down the road to home ownership and it reminds me of one of the most famous lines in one of my favorite movies. "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."  A lot of folks out there want to paint a picture that getting a home loan is a difficult process and that it's stressful, but the truth is that the entire process really isn't that bad.  There are a few things you need to know when you want to Get a Home Mortgage in Kansas City.  1. Pre-approval starts the process. When it comes to buying...
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By Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR, Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area
(Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes)
  A quick reminder that the 22cd Annual Waldo Fall Festival is this Saturday, Sept 20 from 10am-5pm at 75th and Wornall Road in wonderful Waldo!   This popular neighborhood event offers something for all ages: Food trucks, live music, dance performances, merchant booths, rock climbing wall, scavenger hunt, KC Zoo Zoomobile, rides and so much more.   Parking will be tight so I suggest you walk over or...use one of the Park and Ride lots and stroll down the Trolley Track Trail to the festival.   Come out and see your friends and neighbors on Saturday in Waldo!  
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By Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR, Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area
(Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes)
  In Brookside...today (9/15/2014) is the first day of the Wornall Road closure from 58th St south to Huntington, in conjunction with the sewer and stormwater pipe installation.  You’ve probably noticed the huge digging equipment along the sides of the road lately.  Supposedly this section of Wornall will reopen on Tuesday Sept 23, 2014 if all work is completed.   Note the Plaza Art Fair is this weekend, so there will be hundreds of cars trying to access the Fair by travelling along Wornall Road--then trying to find alternate routes  through the residential streets due to the street closure.     Also on Sunday Sept 21, Wayside Waifs is hosting the annual Strutt with Your Mutt event in Brookside.  Parts of Brookside Boulevard and Oak St (north of 63rd) will be closed Sunday morning for ...
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By Maria Morton, Kansas City Real Estate 816-560-3758
(Platinum Realty)
The following homes will be held Open to the public this Sunday 9/14/2014: 305 E 67th Street Armour Hills 202 $210,000 Single OH 09/14/2014 1:00-3:00 PM 219 W 68th Terrace Armour Hills 202 $259,000 Single OH 09/14/2014 2:00-4:00 PM 28 E Dartmouth Road Armour Hills 202 $299,500 Single OH 09/14/2014 12:00-2:00 PM 620 W 70 Terrace Romanelli Gardens 202 $379,000 Single OH 09/14/2014 1:00-3:00 PM 647 Romany Road Romanelli Gardens 202 $464,950 Single OH 09/14/2014 2:00-4:00 PM 659 W 70 Street Romanelli Gardens 202 $475,000 Single OH 09/14/2014 2:00-4:00 PM 6109 Morningside Drive Morningside Park 202 $499,950 Single OH 09/14/2014 2:00-4:00 PM 115 Morningside Drive Morningside Park 202 $599,000 Single OH 09/14/2014 12:00-2:00 PM 815 W 57th Street Country Club Ridge 202 $599,950 Single OH 09/14/...
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By Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR, Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area
(Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes)
  My daughter used to work at Cosentino's Brookside Market as a ‘utility clerk’ (she bagged groceries).  During lunch and dinner hours, she would watch busy. single professionals and parents with kids rush in, grab food from the prepared food section and dash out.  Let’s be frank: it’s a daily, often boring chore to plan and prepare fresh and healthy meals for one yourself or  a family of five, even if you enjoy cooking.  When my family is scattered and it’s just me at 6pm--I’m fine with eating a bowl of cereal or steaming some edamame to munch on with a side of grapes.   There’s a new Waldo ‘grab and go’ spot that’s a good alternative to the usual grocery store salad bar or pizza delivery.  Called Can I Have  A Bite?, owner Kathy Hale is preparing fresh food daily for your convenience ...
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By Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR, Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area
(Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes)
What is CASA?  It stands for 'court appointed child advocate'.  The Jackson County CASA serves over 1000 abused and neglected children who are under court protection.  Please help them have a day of joyous fun at the Carnival for CASA on Saturday September 13, 2014.   What is the cost?  Just $25 will provide a child lunch, followed by hours of activities at Paradise Park in Lees Summit, MO.  They will have access to all the usual rides: bumper cars, go-carts, mini golf and the rock wall.  In addition, there's live entertainment, face painters, bounce houses, treats and the Royal's mascot Sluggerrr will even stop by!   Please consider sponsoring  a child (or two, or more!)  to attend this event--the cost is small compared to the benefit for the kids and CASA volunteers.  For more informa...
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By Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR, Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area
(Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes)
The Labor Day weekend traditionally kicks off a month of larger annual events in Kansas City.  So if you are weary of spending the weekend cooling off at the pool or chilling inside a movie theatre--read on for some good alternatives happening over the next several weeks:   KC Irish Fest, Aug 29-31 at Crown Center.  This party has grown so large injust twelve years, and that is a direct result of the local Irish community and volunteers who have made this event one of KC’s best outdoor events.  Seven stages of entertainment, lots of children’s activities, a costume contest, Irish Fest Bingo and lots more.  I suggest taking the Max bus to avoid parking hassles.  Buy advance tickets online or at Hy-Vee.   Santa Cali Gon Days, Aug 29-Sept 1 at Independence Square.  This festival is in it’...
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By Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR, Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area
(Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes)
I’ve wanted to stop by this new pizza shop in Waldo, Pizza Manifesto, as it has been open for a few months.   Finally ate there last week,  along with my daughter and another (college aged) friend.  It was  Wednesday night, we arrived just after 6:30pm and we were the only people there during our stay..felt rather odd.  There was one guy working behind the counter.  I expected to be busy during the dinner hour; perhaps it was just an off night!   Pizza Manifesto is Neapolitan style pizza--very different from a more traditional slice like you would find at Waldo Pizza  across the street.  The menu boasts “quality Naples-milled flour” and only water, yeast and sea salt are added to create the thin, chewy crust.  Ordering your pie is similar to the Chipotle concept:  you pick a base sauce...
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By Darren Copeland, Darren Copeland
(Leader One Financial)
We talk to people all the time that are beginning their home buying process and they all typically start with the same question: When is the the Time to buy a Home in Kansas City?  We've answered this question so many times that we thought it was high time to write a blog about how you go about deciding to purchase a home in KCMO.  Below we've listed some of the conditions you might consider when deciding When is the Time to Buy a Home in Kansas City. 1. Downpayment Time One of things that people tend to forget about when they are buying a home is that there is a lot of money changing hands, and it's not always in the closing costs, appraisals, inspections and so on and so forth, but of those 'fees that people forget about.' Your downpayment has the biggest effect on your mortgage. Why?...
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  Hi folks, Scott Parman, here again with this weekends events in KC.   Let’s start with a big weekend in Parkville...lots to do!  Parkville Days is one of the biggest festivals in the Northland every year.  Starting tonight, there will be a carnival for the kids, Friday and saturday have live music on the main stage in English Landing Park, there’s a 5K Saturday morning, Civil war reenactments, and tons of local vendors and displays all weekend!  Check out parkvillmo.org for all the info!   Also in parkville this weekend, if you like to have a great time on your motorcycle for a good cause, get up to Frank James Saloon on Sunday for the 86 Cancer Poker Run.  Get all the info at www.agelinthesky.org.  I believe the route is going to take you out to Weston, over through Kearney and Liber...
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By Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR, Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area
(Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes)
Now that we are into the second half of the year, home sales will slow down..as is the usual pattern.  Most sellers place their home on the market in the spring as homes show much better during the warmer months.  If you are looking for a home now, you may notice there isn't as much prime inventory in the Brookside area (unless you are looking at homes priced over $500K).  We’ve had a shortage of nice, move in ready homes all year.  Let’s look at the specific numbers..these are single family home sales from July 2014 in the Brookside zip code of 64113: In July 2014, 32 homes sold.  Median sales price was $320,000 and 76 days on  market.  The lowest sales price was $166,000 and the highest was $707,500.     In July 2013,  36 homes sold.  The  median sales price was $335,000 and 65 days o...
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By Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR, Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area
(Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes)
Although we are into the month of August, I am reporting June home sales stats for Waldo now...as the July figures won’t be ready for another week or so.  Sales in Waldo were slower compared to the same month one year ago.  The  geographic area I’m using for Waldo is: State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th St.   In June 2014, 29 homes sold with a median price of $138,000 and 88 days on market.  The lowest home sale was $85,000 and the highest was $347,500.   In June 2013, 40 homes sold with a median price of $183,500 and 57 days on market.     Average sales price was done from one year ago and houses sat on the market longer before an offer was confirmed. The big drop in average sales price is due to more expensive homes selling in the area the prior year.   Here are the year-to-date ...
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( Credit Score Boost - USA Credit Solutions)
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By Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR, Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area
(Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes)
  The first half of the busy home buying season is over...sales will start to slow down in the next six months. June 2013 sales show a slowdown from May.  Let’s look at the numbers...I am comparing single family homes for the main Brookside zip code of 64113:   In June 2014, 28 homes sold.  Median sales price was $286,000 and 37 days on  market.  The lowest sales price was $157,999 and the highest was $556.000.     In June 2013, 38 homes sold.  The  median sales price was $300,000 and 45 days on market.   The lowest sales price was $150,000 and the highest was $545,000.   Not much change from a year ago--the average sales price dropped some, but  days on market was less.   Checking year to date figures:   From Jan-June 2014, 131 homes sold at a median sales price of $296,000 and 74 days...
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By Darren Copeland, Darren Copeland
(Leader One Financial)
The mortgage business is one that will swallow you up if you're not careful.  Will there are a lot of great things about it, the one thing that frustrates me more than anything else is when they are given advice and they don't take it.  It makes me want to scream: Listen to the Local Lender!  Many people get taken in by these large national internet lenders offering a lower rates but in the end they don't really see the savings that they think they are getting.  I believe that a lot of this comes from not having someone to sit down with and discuss their options. If you read any sort of communications or leadership journals everyone of them will hands down agree that email is not the most effective way to communicate important information, but with all of our interconnectivity, and cons...
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