The peak spring and summer buying season is over, and as we get closer to the holidays, there will be fewer listings that pop on the market.  For Brookside, (using zip code 64113) last month's stats were similar to a year ago--with higher median price.  Let's break it down: Aug 2019                                                               August 2018Median list price:     $385,000                           Median list price:     $354,500Median sales price:    $380,000                         Median sales price:    $338,750No. of homes sold:       26                                    No. of homes sold:      28Days on market:          26                                    Days on market:       22 The lowest closed sales price last month was $275,000 and the highest was $973,000.  No... 09/23/2019

  There's another new locally owned business to tell you about in this week’s blog…EB and Company, an ‘inspired accessories’ shop now open at 326. W 63rd St, between Wornall and Brookside Blvd. Owner Emily Bordner has always had an entrepreneurial spirit---inheriting it from her parents.  She had a regular corporate job at Hallmark as a merchandising designer, and started a side business making leather handbags.  She expanded into online sales and pop up shops—then decided to open her own retail place here.   She chose this location in part because she knows a handful of shop owners who love being in Brookside, and she worked at Bella Napoli while in college.    “Brookside has a long tradition of supporting locally owned businesses.  It’s really cool to be the new kid on the block, sand... 09/11/2019

Reading this blog may seem like the Groundhog's Day movie...same news about Waldo home values increasing!  Let's take a look at the numbers: July 2019                                                              July 2018Median list price:     $239,000                        Median list price:    $215,000Median sales price:   $243,000                       Median sales price:  $210,000No. of homes sold:     34                                  No. of homes sold:      43Days on market:      3                                       Days on market:         8 Most of the homes that closed last month sold at or over list price, at a substantial increase over last July.  Fewer homes sold, and were available, so that pushes prices up and note--listings went under contract in an average of 3 days... 08/29/2019

My neighborhood of Armour Hills continues to be one of the most desirable Brookside neighborhoods--just this year we have two new families just on my block! Home values continue to rise.  Let's take a look at the numbers: July 2019                                                        July 2018Median list price:     $339,000                   Median list price:     $349,950Median sales price:    $340,000                Median sales price:    $348,450Number of homes sold:    12                     Number of homes sold:    9Days on market:     12                                 Days on market:             3 Homes sat on the market for a few days longer, and overall, sold for less than last year...but....the key is year-to-date figures, see below: Jan-July 2019                            ... 08/26/2019

As we check the numbers for Brookside home sales this year, an interesting fact to note:  more homes are selling this year but at lower prices.  This seems off.  Let's take a closer look at the statistics for single family home sales in Brookside, using the zip code of 64113: July 2019                                                                   July 2018Median list price:     $377,500                              Median list price:     $420,000Median sales price:    $370,000                            Median sales price:   $423,500No. of homes sold:      36                                        No. of homes sold:       29Days on market:         20                                        Days on market:          21 A few more homes sold last month compared to a year ago, for an ove... 08/19/2019

Did you know there is a women’s consignment shop in Brookside??  I didn’t!  It’s fairly new, having opened in April.  Remix  is a welcome addition for female shoppers who appreciate a bargain—and want to ‘recyle’ their stylish clothes. Owner Catherine O’Sullivan moved here from Boston ten years ago.  She has a background in fundraising, having worked for the KC Symphony and UMKC.  But, she says, “I always had the small business bug in me”.  She did a lot of shopping in consignment stores in Boston and decided to open her own shop here.     REMIX  focuses on women’s fashion, ranging in sizes 00 through 18.  She also sells  handbags, shoes, jewelry, jeans and work out clothes.  Typically her items are priced at the industry standard of 75% off retail.  After 30 days on the rack, the price... 08/07/2019

What an interesting challenge this is!  To write about the changes in my personal and professional life over the past ten years.  Perhaps we should have a challenge regarding what to expect in the next ten years?!?  OK, here we go: *In 2009, I was trying to get through the recession.  The housing market had crashed, so many people I knew were out of work and it was a dark time. Fortunately, when I started in real estate in 2003, we knew we could survive on my husband's income if the new career was a flop.  So in 2009, our income took a hit but I was determinted to see it through.*As the market slowly started to improve, I decided to leave the small four person team I was on and strike out on my own. I loved being on the team and working with the three ladies--but I realized I wanted to ... 07/23/2019

As a Brookside neighborhood (Armour Hills is one of the larger subdivisions in the area), buyers are still snapping up homes quickly--yet the market does appear to be slowing down..probably usual mid July slump as so many people head out of town on vacation. Here are the stats for June home sales in Armour Hills: June 2019                                                                    June 2018Median list price:     $329,000                                 Median list price:     $315,000Median sales price   $329,000                                Median sales price:    $322,500No. of homes sold:        9                                          No. of homes sold:      8Days on market:          24                                           Days on market:        6 Last month, the aver... 07/18/2019

We are halfway through the year...how are Brookside home sales holding up compared to last year?  Sales are still strong and prices up.  Read on for details...I am using the main Brookside zip code of 64113 (State Line to Oak; 55th to Gregory) for these stats. June 2019                                                           June 2018Median list price:      $369,000                       Median list price:     $412,500Median sales price:   $370,000                       Median sales price:  $397,000No. of homes sold:       31                                 No. of homes sold:     40Days on market:           11                               Days on market:           16 Median sales price was down almost 7% compared to last year...however, in June 2018 there were three million dollar sa... 07/14/2019

I remember a time not that long ago when I would show homebuyers in Waldo a pretty nice, small 3 bedroom, one and a half bath home in Waldo for under $200K near 75th and Wornall. Not anymore--buyers are having to go farther south and/or east, plan fix up projects or get less square feet for that price.  Waldo home values continue to rise at a fast pace. Here are the stats, using the boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th St: May 2019                                                                  May 2018Median list price:     $229,950                               Median list price:      $224,700Median sales price:    $227,500                            Median sales price:    $227,000No. of homes sold:       40                                       No. of homes sold:  ... 06/24/2019

Just Listed!  Rockhill Manor 2 Story 436 E 80th St Kansas City MO 64131        Spacious Waldo 2 story with rare 2 car attached garage nestled on gorgeous tree-lined street. Inviting living room with hardwood floors and fireplace. Updated kitchen includes eat in area and stainless appliances (fridge stays) plus a formal dining room. Tiled sunroom walks out to deck. Large, treed, fenced, backyard. Large master suite with 2 closets, hardwood floors and en-suite bath. Incredible Waldo location close to everything - dining, nightlife, highways, public transportation and shopping!       For more information, please visit:  436 E 80th St Kansas City MO 64131   With questions or to schedule a tour of this home, please contact:    Carrie Cowan Holder RE/MAX Premier Realty (816)308-8833 mobile (9... 06/20/2019

More homes are selling in Brookside this year, and at higher prices.  Our neighborhood is still a very strong attraction for homebuyers!  Here are the May sales stats for single family homes in the primary Brookside zip code  of 64113: May 2019                                                                       May 2018Median list price:       $424,900                                 Median list price:      $370,000Median sales price:    $422,450                                Median sales price:     $375,000No. of homes sold:          40                                       No. of homes sold:          30Days on market:             22                                        Days on market:               9 The highest closed price house last month was $1.375 million and the lowest was ... 06/18/2019

Where’s Waldo…Farmers Market? The neighborhood missed you last year!Fortunately the Waldo Farmers Market is back for the 2019 season in a newlocation, opening this Wednesday June 5, 2019 at 3pm.I recently talked with Tom Richardson, the new Market Manager (a volunteerposition, thank you Tom!) about what to expect this year. Tom reports manyvendors will be returning this season (Pink Pony Farms, GF+1, Seven Swans Creperie among others) and hopes to have new products and food offerings join the market. What you see at Waldo Farmers Market is grown within 100-150miles of our city and meets KCMO health department requirements. All vendorscomplete an application (still time to apply for space!); food trucks are alsowelcome. For opening night, a few special events are planned: the first 15peo... 06/02/2019

We are in the middle of the peak Spring home buying season...yet sales are down in Waldo.  Prices are up, though.  Is the slowdown a lack of inventory, lack of demand or is Waldo following the national trend of fewer home sales?  Time will tell. Here are the stats for single family  home sales in Waldo, using the boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th St: April 2019                                                            April 2018Median list price:        $239,000                      Median list price:      $209,975Median sales price:    $220,000                      Median sales price:    $212,500No. of homes sold:      31                                  No. of homes sold:       44Days on market:         9                                      Days on market:      ... 05/20/2019

Armour Hills continues it's upward climb in home values again last month, with values way up YTD.  Let's take a look at the numbers in this large Brookside subdivision of just under 1000 homes: April 2019                                                             April 2018Median list price:      $358,700                          Median list price:      $318,500Median sales price:    $366,250                        Median sales price:    $339,500No. of homes sold:        10                                  No. of homes sold:            8Days on market:             2                                   Days on market:               6Nine out of the ten homes that closed last month sold at or above list price.  And here are the year-to-date figures: Jan-April 2019                          ... 05/16/2019

Home sales and values continue to surge in Brookside during the traditional strong spring home buying season.  Here are the stats for single family home sales last month in Brookside, using the zip code of 64113: April 2019                                                               April 2018Median list price:     $425,000                              Median list price:     $389,450Median sales price:    $420,000                            Median sales price:   $388,500No. of homes sold:       31                                      No. of homes sold:       22Days on market:          9                                        Days on market:           5 The lowest closed sales price last month was $241,000 and the highest was $1.6 million. Three homes sold in April over the $1 million ... 05/13/2019

It's the first weekend of May...and that means it's time for the Brookside Art Annual, happening this weekend (May 3-5, 2019) in Brookside!   Centered around 63rd St and Brookside Blvd, this event features traditional and unusual art from makers around the country.  You'll see everything from pottery to photography; scrap sculpture to clothing; jewelry to watercolor paintings.  Hours are 5-9pm Friday, 10am-9pm Saturday and 11am-5pm on Sunday.  Saturday and Sunday afternoon feature activities for the kids; during all art fair hours, enjoy food and drink from several Brookside eateries.Be extra careful if you are driving to the event; best to park a few blocks away and walk to the Art Annual.  And remember to please leave pets at home.   05/01/2019

Up, up, up--Waldo housing values continue to climb as first time buyers (and investors) continue to snap up moderately priced homes in this hot neighborhood.  Here are the single family home sales for March and YTD figures, using the Waldo street boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th St: March 2019                                                                 March 2018Median list price:     $234,900                                  Median list price:       $200,000Median sales price:  $234,900                                  Median sales price:    $206,250No. of homes sold:      29                                          No. of homes sold:       32Days on market:          17                                           Days on market:          3Sellers control the pri... 04/24/2019

Spring is finally here!  You have probably noticed more and more 'for sale' signs popping up in your neighborhood.  More homes should close every month for the next 3=6 months; but checking the stats, Brookside home values are behind in 2019.  Let's look at the numbers, using the main Brookside zip code of 64113:March 2019                                                     March 2018Median list price:     $399,950                      Median list price:    $429,000Median sales price:  $380,000                     Median sales price:  394,000No. of homes sold:      29                              No. of homes sold:      23Days on market:          68                              Days on market:         14The lowest closed price last month was $241,000 and the highest was $1.1 million.  M... 04/15/2019

Spring is officially here and I think we are in for another strong homebuying season!  The first couple of months this year have been slow, probably due to the heavy snow and frigid cold weather of January and February.  Now it's such a pleasure to hear birds chirping in the morning!  Here are the single family home sales stats for Waldo: Feb 2019                                                                Feb 2018Median list price:       $230,000                         Median list price:    $149,950Median sales price:    $231,500                        Median sales price:    $160,000No. of homes sold:       10                                    No. of homes sold:      27Days on market:           41                                   Days on market:          24 You'll notice the huge... 03/21/2019