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

Welcome Spring! Finally, a week of warmer days to enjoy! Here's the Brookside single family home sales report for last month, pulling stats from the 64113 zip code.  We are into the busy home buying and selling season! Feb 2019                                                                  Feb 2018Median list price:     $374,999                             Median list price:      $349,950Median sales price:  $355,000                             Median sales price:   $327,000No. of homes sold:       13                                      No. of homes sold:        11Days on market:           76                                      Days on market:            9 Fun fact: highest sales price was $1.925 million last month! That's one reason for the higher median price.  Here are YTD figure... 03/18/2019

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