Interest rates are rising for homebuyers and home prices are still rising..at least in they are in Waldo! Demand continues to be high for this area, which I designate as Gregory to 85th St; State Line to Holmes. Let's take a look at the numbers:   September 2022 September 2021 Median list price: $289,000 $225,000 Median sales price: $295,000 $237,500 No. homes sold:       29     32 Days on market:       5      7 Most buyers paid at or over the listed sales price by about 2%; prices were up 24% compared to September 2021. The lowest closed price was $133,000 and the highest was $417,000. Here are the year-to-date numbers:   Jan-Sept 2022 Jan-Sept 2021 Median list price: $263,000 $250,000 Median sales price: $278,000 $263,500 No. homes sold:      237     295 Days on market:       3       ... 10/25/2022

Neighbors, in this month's report, we see the affect rising interest rates are having in our area: median sold prices are lower and some homes stay on the market longer. However, for the year, home values have risen in Brookside! Let's take a look at the specific numbers; I'm pulling these stats based on sales in the main Brookside zip code of 64113:   September 2022 September 2021 Median list price: $439,900 $484,900 Median sales price: $437,900 $480,000 Days on market:       19      4 No. homes sold:       25     25 The lowest closed price last month was $315,000 and the highest was $1.7 million. We had two million dollar+ sales last month. Median sales price was just under list price; compared to the same period last year, prices fell 8.7%. Here are the year-to-date numbers:   Jan-Se... 10/25/2022

We have some interesting home sales stats for this month's Brookside home sales report--a big increase in price compared to last year, but fewer homes sold. Let's take a look at the specifics; I am using the main Brookside zip code of 64113 for this info, single family homes:    July 2022 July 2021 Median list price: $540,000 $434,500 Median sales price: $530,000 $460,000 Days on market:      3        3 No. homes sold:     35       28  Home values rose 15% compared to July 2021, yet many buyers ended up paying just under the list price last month--whereas last July, when interest rates were much lower, buyers were paying over asking price. Homes are still going under contract quickly--within a few days. Last month, four homes closed over $1,000,000; the highest closed sale was $1.7 mill... 08/16/2022

Halfway through the year for Waldo home sales and the stats are showing a bit of a slowdown to what we've been experiencing for the past several months: buyers are still paying over the asking price, and newly listed homes going under contract within 48 hours. Yet the number of units sold -- big drop. Here are the details for single family homes in Waldo; I use the street boundaries of Gregory to 85th St and State Line to Holmes:    June 2022 June 2021 Median list price: $240,000 $255,000 Median sales price: $250,000 $270,000 No. of homes sold:    27    49 Days on market:     2     2  There was a 7.4% drop in median sales price compared to June 2021 and fewer homes sold. Part of the reason for this could be the interest rate hikes that started this Spring--that can have an affect on buy... 07/26/2022

Here we are at the halfway point of home sales this year...and my, how the market has changed since January! Primarily regarding the higher interest rate. There is still quite a bit of demand though, and prices are still rising. Let's take a look at last month's stats first for Brookside, using the primary zip code of 64113:   June 2022 June 2021 Median list price: $459,950 $482,000 Median sales price: $485,000 $500,000 No. of homes sold:     26   38 Days on market:     2 2 The highest sale last month (and so far for 2022) was $2.85 million, which was $101K over the list price! The lowest closed price was $340,000. Final sales prices were about 3% below last June. Here's a look at year-to-date numbers:   January-June 2022 January-June 2021  Median list price: $489,250 $470,250 Median sa... 07/21/2022

I almost titled this blog Why You Shouldn't Rely on Comps to Price Your House...and any agent reading my words knows what I'm talking about.  Comparable sales that closed  in January through May  may not be relevant in this fast changing market. Often, sellers don't understand why...so let me explain.Yesterday I was visiting a past client who wants to sell their home in September.  It's a beautiful home in a very desirable area, excellent school district and well maintained.  Mr Seller announced:  "I want to list it at $600K!  Two neighbors got that price so that's what we are expecting."  Checking the subdivision comps, there are indeed two $600K sold properties.  Both listed in February, closed in April,  were listed around $525K and  had bidding wars.  A median sales price for the ne... 07/19/2022

With interest rates on the rise, will the hot Waldo housing market slow down? Personally, I don't think so. There may be fewer multiple offers and perhaps price reductions, but there is still so much demand for houses in Waldo, especially priced under $300K. Here are the stats for May, using sales in the street boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th St, single family properties.   May 2022 May 2021 Median list price: $297,000 $265,000 Median sales price: $318,000 $278,000 No. homes sold: 26 32 Days on market: 2 2 Buyers paid almost 7% over asking price last month with their offers; and compared to a year ago, values are up a whopping 14%! Below are the year-to-date numbers:   Jan-May 2022 Jan-May 2021 Median list price: $250,000 $264,500 Median sales price: $278,000 $264... 06/28/2022

May is one of the busiest months for home sales--and although Brookside had fewer closed transactions last month, prices are still way up. Here are the stats for single family home sales in Brookside, using the main Brookside zip code of 64113:   May 2022 May 2021 Median list price: $462,500 $509,000 Median sales price: $487,400 $530,000 No. homes sold:     36    47 Days on market:      2     2 Although overall, home values were down compared to May 2021, buyers still paid about 5% over asking price. The lowest closed sale last month was $360K and the highest was $1,575K ($75,000 over list price!). Here are the year-to-date numbers:   Jan-May 2022 Jan-May 2021 Median list price: $489,000 $450,000 Median sales price: $515,000 $464,000 No. homes sold:      121     130  Days on market:    ... 06/23/2022

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Oh what a year it was!  Far too many deaths due to the pandemic.  After reviewing where most of my new business originated last year--I realized it was due to COVID 19.To be clear, I would have much preferred  that the world lived through 2020 without the virus.  When our city shut down in mid March, I thought my business would shut down too.  The week before I had sold two homes to out of towners moving to Kansas City for jobs. I feared the deals would fall through.   When transportation between states was shaky, one of my pending contracts threatened to cancel, citing the risk of getting infected during the move.  Everything seemed to stop, while agents wondered if real estate would be classified as an "essential business". Three sellers decided to stay put instead of list their homes... 02/10/2021

You’ve probably heard that many of us are craving good old comfort food these days, as we change our patterns and habits due to the pandemic.  Little things you can look forward to—like trying a new eatery—can lift your spirits and provide a happy diversion to your day.  And especially as the cooler weather sets in, indulging in comfort food is a treat for yourself! Make plans to stop in and try Strip’s Chicken, a food truck parked at the southwest corner of 85th and Wornall, next to the Price Chopper. Owner Todd Johnson opened the original location of Strip’s four years ago at 1110 Sante Fe in Olathe.  Based on the success of that place, he started looking for another spot in Waldo.  Right now he’s operating out of the food truck; eventually he’ll open as a restaurant in the adjacent f... 10/01/2020

I am a little late in posting these stats...when every day is (almost) the same, my schedule isn't as rigid!  It's the same story in Waldo--lots of demand, not much inventory, buyers going over asking price to secure properties.  Here are the numbers: July 2020                                                                                              July 2019Median list price:      $199,950                                                         $234,000Median sales price:    $214,000                                                        $241,000No. of homes sold:         46                                                                      37Days on market:              2                                                                        3 Although the sales price is lower th... 09/08/2020

Demand for single family homes in the Waldo area is not slowing down...even with a pandemic going on! Prices keep rising; buyers often pay over list price for homes. Here are the stats for June, using the closed sales in the street boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th St:   June 2020 June 2019 Median list price: $230,000 $217,500 Median sales price: $244,000 $215,000 No. of homes sold: 43 40 Days on market: 2 7   Buyers are paying over list price; an average of 6% ! And as you can see, most homes are going under contract within 48 hours of hitting the market. WOW. Let's see what the year-to-date trend is:   Jan-June 2020 Jan-June 2019 Median list price: $222,500 $222,500 Median sales price: $228,200 $219,500 No. of homes sold: 167 176 Days on market: 5 10   YTD, Waldo ... 08/27/2020

Here in the dog days of summer...the selling and buying market is still very strong in Brookside!  Usually from mid August to mid September, there is a slow down as people take last minute vacations, get kids back in school, have a long Labor Day weekend.  But this year, new listings in the moderate price range are being snapped up almost immediately!  Here are the sales stats for single family homes in Brookside, using the zip code of 64113: July 2020                                                                                  July 2019Median list price:    $425,000                                                 $377,500Media sales price:     $425,000                                               $370,000No. of homes sold:       33                                                  ... 08/25/2020

Halfway through the year!  How are Brookside home sales doing? Well, with interest rates continuing to fall, it's very competative for buyers right now.  Well maintained, well priced updated homes sell  quickly.  Values are up compared to June 2019; year-to-date numbers are lower.  I'm checking the stats for the main Brookside zip code of 64113, single family homes: June 2020                                                                 June 2019Median list price:    $424,900                                  $369,000Median sales price:  $420,000                                 $370,000No. of homes sold:       27                                            31Days on market:           8                                              11Prices were up over 13% compared to last June, and in a... 08/15/2020

Brookside is a widely-known group of communities in Kansas City, Missouri and is regularly chosen as the best neighborhood in the region. It is home to some of the best museums, historic residences, shops, and dining places in the metro area.The Country Club District, where Brookside is located, is comprised of historic and affluent residential communities. It was conceived and designed by J.C. Nichols, a noted real estate developer. Made up of adjoining neighborhoods, featuring mostly of single-family English tudor, bungalow, colonial, shirtwaist and other style homes, the district was built in stages between 1906 and 1950. It is the largest master-planned community built by a developer in the United States. The Country Club District is home to the Country Club Plaza, the country’s fir... 07/09/2020

  During these warm, humid summer nights, it’s just too hot to cook.  It’s easy to make a light meal of cheese, fresh bread, salami and wine..does that sound tasty?   One of our new neighborhood shops is ready to help—Geo’s Cheese has opened at 221 E Gregory Blvd!  Owner Spencer Woodard is a wholesaler by trade, owning Geo’s Foods.  He’s been in the cheese business for fifteen years, was born and raise in Kansas City, and lives in Waldo.  Spencer says he’s always wanted to open a gourmet cheese place in Kansas City, and after looking at a few other locations, decided on this spot at the corner of McGee and Gregory.  “The word ‘cheese’ draws so many people” he explained.  “ I always thought Kansas City needed a cheese shop.  We love the neighborhood and being here, everyone is so support... 06/19/2020

Three months into the pandemic and home sales in Brookside and Waldo are strong...for those updated homes priced under $400K.  Still, values have slipped since last year.  Let's take a look at the specific numbers, using the main Brookside zip code of 64113: May 2020                                                                May 2019Median list price:     $368,000                              $424,900Median sales price:   $371,500                             $422,500No. of homes sold:      32                                           40Days on market:          4                                             22 Several of the homes that closed last month were at or above list price; five homes priced over $500K sold quickly.  Still, prices were a little lower and fewer homes sold--prob... 06/16/2020

I am SO glad to be back writing a blog about a new business in the Brookside/Waldo area!   There is another bike shop option in our neighborhood--offering electric bikes! Pedego Kansas City opened in mid March, in the space of the former Family Bicycles at 7335 Broadway.  This is the second dealership for local Brookside resident Dan Cain, who has another store in Columbia MO along the Katy Trail.   Pedego is the number one brand of electric bikes in America, according to Navigant Research.   When I stopped by the store recently, Dan explained that each bike is ordered, assembled and delivered to specifically fit its owner.  There are several designs:  cruisers, commuters, folding latch, fat tire, mountain and tandem--each style built to perform on a specific terrain. The shop also carr... 06/04/2020

Waldo home prices have been rising fast--will the pandemic slow down the market?  Prices in the Brookside/Waldo area have taken a dip, but I still see strong demand for homes in these areas.  Let's take a look at the numbers for Waldo, using the boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th:April 2020                                                       April 2019Median list price:     $197,500                       $227,000Median sales price:    $208,000                    $217,750No. of homes sold:       26                                  32Days on market:           5                                    9 Home prices down about 4.5% compared to April of last year. However, note that sellers were getting over list price for their properties.  This may be due to bidding wars a... 06/01/2020