It's time once again for the St Patrick's Warm Up Parade in Brookside--2019 marks the 39th year!  The parade itself starts at 2pm; the route will be closed prior to start time.   This parade is a family friendly event--many parade watchers set up chairs along the streets and kids sit on the curb, waiting for tossed candy from the participants.  Some of my favorite displays are the zippy little cars, Irish dancers and bagpipe players.  The route starts at 65th and Wornall; continues north on Wornall to 63rd St; then east on 63rd to Main St; south on Main to Meyer and then west on Meyer to Brookside Road.  Streets will be very crowded with parked cars, kids, pedestrians, etc!  Please plan on walking to Brookside to watch or if you must drive, park several blocks away. Wondering how the Br... 03/14/2019

 There’s a new burger joint in town…yum, doesn’t that look tasty?? It’s called Burger State, located just south of of 89th and Wornall at 8920 Wornall (formerly a barbecue place).  Burger State opened last month, and has already become a neighborhood favorite with nearby residents. Owner Raymond Reyes grew up in Brookside, near St Peter’s School, and has been in the restaurant business for quite a while—as a manager and consultant, opening and running local spots.  Over the years, he noticed a few things:  quality food, no matter what type, always sold well and when guests complained, it was mostly about service, not the food.  So when he decided to open his own place, he wanted a simple, basic menu with fresh, high quality ingredients and easy, fast service.  That’s exactly what he del... 03/01/2019

You've heard of the dog days of summer...to me, this time of year is the worst!  No holidays, lots of long gray days and recently, almost constant ice, slush and snow.  (Although, I do enjoy a soft, several inches snowfall !)  When it's chilly and dark, It's easy to spend all your freetime inside, under the blanket on the sofa watching Netflix and ordering in.  But if you are itching to get out and try something new...I've listed a few suggestions in this blog.  Invite some friends to meet up and try something different!  Explore someplace in Brookside and Waldo you've never been before and treat yo' self to kick off the winter blahs! Bier Station   120 E GregoryMusic trivia on Monday nights, live tunes on Wednesdays.  Beer and food served.Centered Spirit, 8131 Wornall / Hollyday Spa, 1... 02/26/2019

Sold listings for Brookside last month were down compared to one year ago-- it could be due to the unusually cold and snowy winter we've had..or the lack of desirable inventory.  Here's the stats, based on the main Brookside zip code of 64113: January 2019                                                                    January 2018Median list price:      $350,000                                   Median list price:     $399,900Median sales price:   $339,000                                   Median sales price:    $376,000No. of homes sold:        10                                          No. of homes sold:      17Days on market :           81                                          Days on market:        41 The highest closed sale last month was $877,500; in January 2018 is was $1... 02/19/2019

 With most transactions, there is usually something I love about it...because I love doing this job! Every so often, I'll have a situation where I voluntarily take on some extra work that I know will benefit the client. Usually it's the seller.  If my sellers are in a difficult emotional situation, or compromised financially, I will do a few extra things for them that I think will help sell the property at my own expense.  I'm sure many agents do the same.I listed a house last year for a couple that had four children--the wife had just had baby #4, and of course the house that was the ideal fit for them came on the market 3 days after she gave birth!  So they bought it, moved in, and then I put their house on the market.  Her husband travels often, all the kids are under the age of 6 an... 02/10/2019

As I reported last month, Waldo home prices are on the rise. And the planned Wornall Road Improvement Project will enhance the streetscape, beauty and walkability of Waldo even more, making the area even more appealing to homebuyers.Last week I stopped by the Open House Public Meeting (at Hale Cook Elementary) to get more details on the project. Paid for with your tax dollars, this project focuses on Wornall Road from 74th to 79th St. Key improvements will be made at the heavily traveled and congested intersection of 75th and Wornall.  They include:*enhanced “artistic” crosswalks*new curbs and sidewalks with accent pavers*new streetlights and traffic signals*a ‘gathering space’, planters, benches and litter receptacles.This entire intersection will be reworked to be more accessible to p... 02/05/2019

Waldo continues to be a hot neighborhood for buyers...for the second year in a row, sales prices were higher than list price.  Let's take a look at the December stats first, single family homes in Waldo using the boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th St: December 2018                                                         December 2017Median list price:     $220,000                            Median list price:    $164,900Median sales price:    $220,220                          Median sales price:  $160,000No. of homes sold:      15                                     No. of homes sold:     31Days on market:        21                                       Days on market:     38The lowest sale was $145,000 and the highest was $246,000.  Fewer homes went under contract t... 01/25/2019

I'm posting this blog a bit later than usual..just returned from a mid January vacation so I'm behind on the blogging!  After the buying frenzy that kicked off 2018, at the end of the year the stats were similar to 2017 home sales...however, prices did rise. First we will look at December stats, then YTD comparisons.  I am checking the main Brookside zip code of 64113: Dec 2018                                                                        Dec 2017Median list price:     $457,475                                 Medium list price:     $439,000Median sales price:   $437,000                               Medium sales price:    $442,000No. of homes sold:      20                                         No. of homes sold:         27Days on market:          37                           ... 01/23/2019

If you've never been to the Sulgrave-Regency Condos in Kansas City, today's your lucky day! Six units will be open on the Regency House side from 2-4:30 today. Ranging in price from $175,000 - $649,000, 1 bedroom 1 bath to 3 bedroom 2 bath, there is a unit for everyone. The Sulgrave Regency features what some would say are the best amenities in town. The seasonal, heated pool is situated on a half acre terrace 4 stories above street level (so private). The Fitness Center has every machine you need to stay in shape. Men's and women's locker rooms include Steam, Sauna, and Massage Therapy room.  Entertaining for special occasions is easily done with a 2,000 square foot Club Room, a fully equipped Chef's kitchen, and a luxurious Theater equipped with leather recliners, DVD, VHS, Satellite,... 01/20/2019

 "Where should we eat tonight?"  How often do you hear this questions  It's easy to fall back to those familiar locations close to home, with food and service you know. Break out of the rut!  Kansas City Restaurant Week is almost here! KC Restaurant Week (January 11-20, 2019) is a citywide event, when area dining spots offer specially priced meals for lunch and dinner...and a portion of the proceeds benefit local non profit foundations.  This year, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kansas City is the "Community Beneficiary", along with three "destination beneficiaries".  Stop in for lunch ($15) or dinner ($33) at a participating restaurant and you'll get a great meal, at a discount, while helping out those local organizations.What I like about RW is that you can scroll through the restau... 01/07/2019

Welcome to 2019!  I hope you are having a relaxing and healthy holiday season. Since this is the first blog of the year, I'm going to recap some 2018 highlights for the Brookside/Waldo area.  It was a successful twelve months for our neighborhood! Many new businesses opened, and most of them are locally owned and operated. In the heart of Brookside along 63rd St, Sweet and Simple is a new edible cookie dough treat shop,  and LadyBye offers reasonably priced women’s  clothes and accessories for those interested in classic style.  Brookside Barrio and Brookside Poultry Company are two new popular eateries.    Brookside East continues to attract local  entrepreneurs, with the opening of Flying Horse Taproom, Chanee Vijay textiles, BKS Artisan Ales and Architexture Salon.  Plate plans to re... 01/01/2019

Waldo has such a large range of home pricing...I think that's one reason it continues to be a popular location for buyers.  Prices are way up compared to last year. Here are the single family home sales stats for Waldo last month, using the boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th St. November 2018                                            November 2017Median list price:      $212,500                   Median list price:     $174,950Median sales price:   $208,250                  Median sales price:   $176,500No. of homes sold:       26                            No. of homes sold:      32Days on market:         38                             Days on market:        6 The lowest closed sale last month was $128,300 and the highest was $385,000.  Now let's look at YTD compar... 12/20/2018

Armour Hills homes sales are steady...and so are prices, looking at year-to-year comparison.  First up--here are November 2018 stats for the Armour Hills subdivision of Brookside: November  2018                                                 November 2017Median list price:      $304,475                        Median list price:     $346,000Median sales price:    $309,100                       Median sales price:    $341,250No. of homes sold:        4                                  No. of homes sold:        4Days on market:           7                                   Days on market:          27 Although the sales prices were way down from last November, not to worry--more expensive homes sold a year ago and three of the four homes that closed were at or over list price.  Take a look... 12/18/2018

Homebuyers are hibernating during the holiday season! It's the traditional slow period--now through January.  However, home values are up in Brookside compared to last year. Here are the stats for single family home sales in the Brookside zip code of 64113 for last month:Nov 2018                                                             Nov 2017Medium list price:     $418,000                       Medium list price:     $409,000Medium sales price:   $415,000                      Medium sales price:  $405,000No. of homes sold:      15                                 No. of homes sold:      17Days on market:       17                                    Days on market:         26The number of homes closed was about the same, and homes went under contract faster. The lowest sales price was... 12/12/2018

Get into the holiday spirit this weekend...with a German influence!  The annual Kristkindl Markt is happening Dec 7 and 8, 2018 at the Kansas City United Church of Christ in Armour Hills. This event is pretty much like stepping into a little German village...there's a Biergarten, authentic German food, live music, vendors selling homemade crafts and of course--the gingerbread house making for kids.  Hours are Friday 5-9pm and Saturday 10-7pm at 205 W 65th St at Brookside Road. The church is located in a residential area, so streets are narrow and there is no parking lot.  Please be aware and park a few blocks away, plan on walking to the site and watch for pedestrians!  12/06/2018

So this year is the first year my husband and I put up the tree and decor with no kids around...my older daughter moved to Birmingham UK with her new husband a few months ago and the younger daughter is in Springfield MO.  We got the job done--and along the way, decided to get rid of some older ornaments and decor no longer needed...we know the kids don't want our old stuff!  But one thing we will never toss is our Christmas Memories book.  I ordered this from Land's End when our first child was 2.  This was way before camera phones and computers.  Every year I would write in a few memories and add a photo of the family.  This first book was started in  1996 and went through 2016..then we started a second one. Sometimes the girls would scribble in a few sentences but usually it was Mom ... 12/05/2018

Have you noticed the new outdoor wall mural in Brookside?? It perfectly reflects the friendly, welcoming spirit of our community.   First Washington Realty, the company that owns the commercial real estate on the north side of 63rd St between Wornall and Brookside Blvd, commissioned the work by Ruthie Ozonoff.  The mural was created is in conjunction with the 100 year anniversary of our neighborhood shops. Ruthie is from Kansas City and grew up in Brookside.  When she was ten years old, her family moved to Lawrence to be closer to family.  Ruthie went to KU, studying illustration and animation.  She created a few murals in the Kansas City area that you may have seen:  the “Kansas City I’m So In Love” mural at 2010 McGee and the “Where Kansas City Plays” mural, commissioned by KC Parks a... 12/04/2018

Home prices in Waldo continue their upward trend...I think they will surpass Brookside in terms of percentage rise in 2018.  We'll see! For now, here are the October single family home sales stats for Waldo, using the boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th St: October 2018                                                           October 2017Median list price:       $225,000                             Median list price:      $199,450Median sales price:     $221,125                           Median sales price:    $195,000No. of homes sold:      29                                       No. of homes sold:       22Days on market:          20                                      Days on market:           5The lowest sales price last month was $134,000 and the highest sale w... 11/29/2018

As we head into the holiday season, home sales traditionally slow down. There are few new listings and buyers are occupied with other activities.  It's more of a challenge to move in the winter months!  Here are the 2018 October single family home sales stats for Brookside, using the zip code of 64113: October 2018                                                              October 2017Median list price:     $429,500                                 Median list price:     $399,000Median sales price:   $430,000                               Median sales price:    $395,000No. of homes sold:        24                                       No. of homes sold:     25Days on  market:        3                                            Days on market:      32 Virtually the same number of homes ... 11/26/2018

As we head into the holiday season, home sales traditionally slow down. There are few new listings and buyers are occupied with other activities.  It's more of a challenge to move in the winter months!  Here are the 2018 October single family home sales stats for Brookside, using the zip code of 64113: October 2018                                                                 October 2017Median list price:     $429,500                                   Median list price:     $399,000Median sales price:   $430,000                                 Median sales price:    $395,000No. of homes sold:        24                                         No. of homes sold:     25Days on  market:       3                                                Days on market:      32Virtually the same numbe... 11/21/2018