Wonderful Waldo finished the year strong in terms of rising home values...and I will report on those stats in the latter part of the blog.  First, let's examine the figures (single family homes)  for December 2017 with comparisons to last year.  I'm using the boundaries of Gregory to 85th St, State Line to Holmes:December 2017                                                     December 2016Median list price:       $164,950                          Median list price:    $179,900Median sales price:     $161,500                         Median sales price: $179,000No. of homes sold:      32                                     No. of homes sold:    17Days on market:          37                                     Days on market:       21Although the median price dropped compared to 2016, mo... 01/18/2018

So how much have home values changed in Brookside since 2016? In the past five years?  I'll give you the answers in this blog...but take a guess before reading if you like! Here's a hint:  they have increased, not decreased!  First, we'll start with December 2017 numbers; all figures based on the main Brookside zip code of 64113:December 2017                                                                         December 2016Median list price:     $439,000                                                 Median list price:    $335,000Median sales price:  $442,000                                                Median sales price:  $329,248No. of homes sold:     27                                                           No. of homes sold:    20Days on market:         29                 ... 01/15/2018

Brookside will welcome two new restaurants shortly...Brookside Barrio and Brookside Poultry Company are preparing to open within the next few weeks.  Similar to building a brand new house--one can aim for a firm opening date but usually it's a fluid process, as various vendors and contractors plus new staff have to come together at just the right time before the doors open.   Often a new spot is jammed with curious foodies the first few weeks, so it can be a challenge getting the service and food in sync while everyone is talking about 'the new place to eat' in our neighborhood.  If you are one of the first to try one of these new places, please be patient with the dining experience!  Brookside Poultry Company is  Brookside resident Charles d'Ablaing's first restaurant, having worked at... 01/11/2018

The January doldrums are here...to me, this can be the most boring month of the year.  The weather is cold and gloomy, no special events, not much on the market to sell.  However, there is Restaurant Week to look forward to! Kansas City Restaurant Week is a benefit for the Kansas City Community Garden organization. Participating restaurants donate a portion of the profits to this group that helps grow food in low income neighborhoods via vacant lots and common grounds.  You can enjoy specially priced menus ($15 for lunch and $33 for dinner) at many eateries around the city. A full list of restaurants and menus are available at the website. Some of the popular, locally owned dining spots include Aixois, Room 39, Gram and Dun, Jack Stack BBQ, and Red Door Grill. Many spots fill up fast so... 01/08/2018

Like it's neighbor Brookside, Waldo homes continue to increase in value as the year comes to a close.  Homes are not staying on the market very long, and sellers are getting very close to asking price.  Here are the November 2017 single family home sales stats for Waldo, using the street boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th St:November 2017Median list price:      $179,900Median sales price:   $177,000No. of homes sold:        33Days on market:            6The lowest sales price was $61,000 and the highest was $409,900.November 2016Median list price:     $175,000Median sales price:  $172,000No. of homes sold:      29Days on market:        15Here are the year-to-date figures:Jan-Nov 2017Median list price:     $179,900Median sales price:  $180,000No. of homes sold:      3... 12/19/2017

SUNDAY OPEN HOUSE 17 DECEMBER 2017 SINGLE FAMILY HOMES:5044 Summit Street Kansas City, 64112 IN SUNSET HILL OPEN 1 PM - 4 PM LISTED AT $1,699,900.                3 BEDROOMS 3 AND 1/2 BATH REP: SUSAN FLEMING1220 W 64TH STREET KANSAS CITY, 64113 IN MEYER CIRCLE OPEN 1 PM - 3 PM LISTED AT $1,475,000. BEDROOMS: 4, BATH: 4 AND 1/2 REP: CONNIE CURRAN835 W 53RD TERRACE 64112 IN SUNSET HILL OPEN 1 PM - 3 PM LISTED AT $973,500. BEDROOMS: 4, BATH: 3 AND 1/2 REP: SUSAN FATE3633 LOCUST STREET 64109 IN KENWOOD OPEN 1 PM - 3 PM LISTED AT $599,000. BEDROOMS: 5, BATH 3 AND 1/2 REP: COULTER / EGAN 1004 W 69TH TERRACE 64113 IN ROMANELLI GARDENS OPEN 1 PM - 4 PM. LISTED AT $519,000. BEDROOMS: 3, BATH 2 AND 1/2 REP: ELIZABETH SADY7217 MADISON AVENUE 64114 IN WARD PARK OPEN 1 PM - 3 PM LISTED AT $305,000. B... 12/16/2017

Home sales have slowed in Brookside, as they traditionally do this time of year. Very few sellers list their homes during the holiday season and through the cold months early in the year. Here are the November 2017 single family home sales stats for Brookside, using zip code 64113:November 2017Median list price:     $409,000Median sales price:  $405,000No. of homes sold:        17Days on market:            26November 2016Median list price:      $350,000Median sales price:   $349,000No. of homes sold:        25Days on market:            35Technically, home prices were up 15% over last November, however there were two $1,000,000+ sales last month.  The higher dollar sales push the median price.  Let's look at the year-to-date figures:Jan-Nov 2017Median list price:     $385,000Median sales... 12/14/2017

Just like the song says, "It's the most wonderful time of the year!"  I like the holiday season for all of the usual reasons:  the festive decor, the parties, the special foods, family visits and spirit of giving to others. Plus, business usually slows down for a couple of weeks!  My favorite holiday memory is one that I get to relive every year:  our block of neigbhors in the Brookside subdivision of Armour Hills displays lit luminaries along the sidewalk and walkways every Christmas Eve.  The picture I am displaying don't really do it justice--however, every resident along our curved street has bags, anchored by sand, with candles inside, lining the sidewalk and walkway to their front door.  At dusk on Christmas Eve, the candles are lit--and they burn till 3 or 4am.  We make sure no c... 12/14/2017

Armour Hills in Brookside continues to be a desirable destination for home buyers--that is one reason prices continue to rise.  Looking at the year to date stats for this neighborhood shows a large increase in values compared to 2016.  It will be interesting to see what the final 2017 numbers show.  First -- here's the November figures:November 2017Median list price:     $346,000Median sales price:  $341,250No. of homes sold:       4Days on market:         27November 2016Median list price:     $260,000Median sales price:  $260,000No. of homes sold:     9Days on market:       35Fewer homes sold last month, however the ones that did close were higher priced than a year ago.  The lowest sales price in November 2017 was $202,000 and the highest was $405,000.  Checking year to date figures:J... 12/11/2017

 It is unfortunate that Shopgirls' lease negotiations fell through with landlord First Washington Realty (the out of town company that owns a large chunk of real estate along 63rd St just east of Wornall).  According to the Kansas City Star, owner Katy Hamilton wanted to remain in her longtime location at 6245 Brookside Plaza, near Foos and 5B Candle, but First Washington would not allow her to stay past the lease expiration date of Nov. 30.  Shopgirls has been in business over ten years, known for it's wide variety of women's clothing and accessories that one can't find in a typical big box department store.  And of course, the personal service was warm, sincere and friendly.  Fortunately, local Brookside landlord Joe Zwillenberg offered Katy a pop up space to serve her customers durin... 12/07/2017

This is the 25th year for the annual Kristkindl Markt at the Country Club Congregational United Church of Christ in Brookside at 205 W 65th St.  Everyone is welcome!  If you've never been to this event--you are in for a good time.  Authentic German food is available for purchase, plus (of course) there is a biergarten!  Local vendors host several craft and gift booths, and the live music and caroling will get you in the holiday spirit. One of the more popular activities is the make-your-own gingerbread house for the little ones, with proceeds going to Operation Breakthrough. The church is located in surrounded by homes and narrow streets, so please plan accordingly--walk there accessing the Trolley Track Trail or MAX bus; or plan to park a few blocks away.  Hours are Friday Dec 1, 2017 ... 11/30/2017

Does the thought of holiday shopping leave you totally stressed?  This year, avoid the huge mall crowds, big box stores and traffic and shop local in Brookside and Waldo!  This Saturday, Nov 25, 2017, is the Waldo Small Business Saturday Crawl from 10am-4pm.  There is the opportunity to earn free Waldo Bucks while shopping: visit ten stores, get your passport stamped, spend at least $50 and get $10 in Waldo Bucks to spend later.  This is a great deal, as it's easy to spend $50 picking up gifts for others then treating yourself to food and drink at the end of the day!  Here are a few of the participating businesses:  Bier Station, COCO Brookside, Eclectics, Family Bicycles, Waldo Pizza, Mike's Wine and Spirits, Hawthorne and Ivy.  More details at www.waldokc.org Enjoy shopping this year ... 11/24/2017

Waldo home sales are keeping pace with  last year--however prices are up compared to 2016.  Here are the October 2017  single family home sales for Waldo, using the boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th St:October 2017Median list price:       $199,950Median sales price:    $195,000No. of homes sold:         27Days on market:             6October 2016Median list price:       $160,000Median sales price:    $167,000No. of homes sold:         27Days on market:             17The same number of homes sold, however for a much higher price and fewer days on market.  Here are the year-to-date figures:Jan-Oct 2017Median list price:      $179,000Median sales price:   $180,000No. of homes sold:        336Days on market:             12Jan-Oct 2016Median list price:       $165,000Med... 11/20/2017

Armour Hills has been one of the hottest location for Brookside homebuyers this year--most homes go under contract within a day or so.  And prices are up!  Here are the October 2017 stats, with comparisons to last year and YTD figures.October 2017Median list price:     $329,250Median sales price:  $327,250No. of homes sold:       8Days on market:          47The highest closed sales price was $446,500 and the lowest was $235,000.October 2016Median list price:     $289,475Median sales price:  $294,499No. of homes sold:      12Days on  market:         27Below are year-to-date stats:Jan-Oct 2017Median list price:      $314,750Median sales price:   $313,250No. of homes sold:      84Days on market:          9Jan-Oct 2016Median list price:       $275,000Median sales price:    $274,500No. of ho... 11/16/2017

 As we move towards the end of the year, home sales slow down, and this year is no exception.  However, prices continue to rise compared to last year.  Here is the October single family home sales report for Brookside, using zip code 64113: October 2017Median list price:      $399,000Median sales price:   $395,000No. of homes sold:        25Days on market:            32 The lowest closed price last month was $235,000 and the highest was $646,850. October 2016Median list price:       $329,975Median sales price:    $324,975No. of homes sold:        30Days on  market:           21 Fewer homes sold last month over a year ago;  that's probably due to a lack of inventory, but prices were higher. Here are the year-to-date stats: Jan-Oct 2017Median list price:     $382,447Median sales price:   ... 11/13/2017

 Brookside/Waldo neighbors, you have noticed the road construction along Wornall...four lanes are now down to two lanes, one each for north and south traffic. Personally I avoid using Wornall between Gregory and 85th Street--it is usually very congested with heavy traffic, and the roadwork makes it worse. I called Kansas City MO and found out that the gas lines are being replaced in this area, roughly between 79th St and 83rd Terrace.  The work will be going on for at least the  next thirty days. So..if you must travel along this part of Wornall Road, please be prepared for delays and workers in the street.  Alternate routes include Main and Oak Streets or Ward Parkway and State Line.  11/08/2017

I'm going to start this challenge by saying this :  every day when I wake up, I lay in  bed for a few minutes, listening to my local NPR station and express gratidute for another day.  At the end of the day I reflect what happened--to me personally (could be visiting with a friend, making a new recipe, finishing a project, meeting a new prospect) and other news that wasn't so good (yet another mass shooting, fatal car accident, contract fell through).  All of it is important in some way, all of it shapes my personality and outlook.  I am grateful for every day, no matter what happens. Showing my clients I am thankful for them can take on many different forms.  I try to do little things that are a bit unique and fit with the client's personality.  I do send birthday cards and always writ... 11/01/2017

Armour Hills in Brookside has been one of the hottest neighborhoods for buyers this year--prices are up and homes sell fast.  Here is  the September 2017 home sales report, with comparisons to last year: September 2017Median List Price:     $311,225Median Sales Price:   $313,250No. of Homes Sold:      6Days on Market:           3 September 2016Median List Price:     $244,950Median Sales Price:   $247,500No. of Homes Sold:      6Days on Market:          39 The lowest closed price last month was $195,000 and the highest was $415,000--$16K over the asking price of $399,000.Checking year-to-date comparisons: January - September 2017Median List Price:     $314,750Median Sales Price:   $313,250No. of Homes Sold:       76Days on Market:            7 January - September 2016Median List Price:  ... 10/18/2017

Waldo continues to be a desireable location for first time homebuyers in Kansas City--once again, prices are up and beating the list price.  Here are the September 2017 single family home sales stats for Waldo, using the boundaries of Gregory to 85th St; Holmes to State Line Road: September 2017Median List Price:     $175,000Median Sales Price:   $187,000No. of Homes Sold:        29Days on Market:             10 September 2016Median List Price:     $164,450Median Sales Price:   $161,000No. of Homes Sold:      38Days on Market:          30 Out of the 29 homes that sold, nine of the properties closed at or above list price. One $119K home sold for $139K!  The lowest sales price was $37,500 and the highest was $317,500. Checking year-to-date figures: January-September 2017Median List Price... 10/16/2017

It's been the same story in Brookside all year....strong sales in the $300-$400 price range and not enough inventory is pushing prices up.  Here is the September 2017 single family home sales report for Brookside, with comparisons to last year:September 2017Median List Price:     $349,000Median Sales Price:   $333,000No. of Homes Sold:        17Days on Market:             8 September 2016Median List Price:     $380,000Median Sales Price:   $375,000No. of Homes Sold:       29Days on Market:            44 The lowest closed sales price last month was $195,000 and the highest was $520,000.  In September 2016, more homes closed over $500K, including a $1.2 million sale so that's why overall sold prices were higher last year.Checking year-to-date stats: January-September 2017Median List Price... 10/11/2017