Everyone likes to treat them…and now  there’s a new locally owned business in  Waldo with special treats for your dog!  Callie Mae’s Barkery and Bath opened in September at 7140 Wornall, offering doggy delights made by hand right in the shop. Owner Sarah Deters was the Corporate Executive Chef at Three Dog Bakery for 15 years when she decided to open her own place, along with her business partner Andy Wiltz (who owns several pet related services).  The focus at the store is using all natural ingredients–no artificial colors, refined sugars or preservatives; while adding in nutritional benefits with coconut oil, zucchini, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, apples, etc. Peek through the glass cases at the various offerings, and  you’ll see Sarah’s creativity on display:  best sellers like cheddar f... 11/20/2024

There are locally owned bars in the Brookside/Waldo area that have a chummy, neighborhood vibe– similar to the Cheers TV sitcom where “everybody knows your name". Perhaps you know the bartender or tend to run into a neighbor during the visit. I'm thinking of places like Charlie Hooper’s or The Brooksider; Walsh’s Corner Cocktails. For several months now, Brookside has a wine bar with that same atmosphere…tucked away on Oak St around the corner from the Crestwood Shops.Vita’s Place is owned by Brookside residents Ryan and Jenny Scaira; and is named after Ryan’s grandmother, an immigrant from Sicily who lived in Columbus Park. Vita was Ryan’s best friend, and as a kid, he practically grew up at her kitchen table, watching her cook and take care of family members and visitors. She inspired... 11/08/2024

Home values in Armour Hills dropped a bit compared to September 2023; they are holding steady for the year. Let's take a look at the specifics:   September 2024 September 2023 Median list price: $439,000 $457,500 Median sales price: $450,000 $478,750 Days on market: 2 2 No. of homes sold: 9 6 The median sales price dipped 6% compared to a year ago; a few more homes sold last month and you can see many buyers paying over the asking price. The highest closed price was $720,000 and the lowest was $305,000. Below are the year-to-date numbers:   Jan-Sept 2024 Jan-Sept 2023 Median list price: $435,000 $425,000 Median sales price: $447,000 $450,.000 Days on market: 2 2 No. of homes sold: 51 57 You can see the closed sales prices are very similar to last year at this time; and most Armour Hills... 11/04/2024

Waldo had a large jump in the median sales price last month compared to September 2023; likely because more of the higher priced houses in Waldo closed. Let's take a look at the details; I'm using single family home sales in the area of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th St for these stats:   September 2024 September 2023 Median list price: $324,950 $228,500 Median sales price: $310,000 $234,000 Days on market: 3 8 No. of homes sold: 27 18 The median sales price last month jumped 32% over last year; of the 27 homes that closed, six of them were over $400K--a higher price point for Waldo. The lowest closed price was $180,000 and the highest was $620,000. Below are the year-to-date numbers:   Jan-Sept 2024 Jan-Sept 2023 Median list price: $299,450 $289,900 Median sales price: $310,0... 10/28/2024

So we are a couple of days into October and just slipping in these August Waldo home sales stats--took a few days of vacation!! Anyway, several houses for sale in Waldo, with a wide range of prices--usually the ones that sit on the market for a while don't sell right away due to price and/or condition. Home values remain strong! Here are the numbers:   August 2024 August 2023 Median list price: $339,000 $360,000 Median sales price: $342,000 $375,000 Days on market: 4 3 No. of homes sold: 29 27 Prices dropped 7.5% compared to last August, yet many buyers still paying over asking price--last month by just under 1%. The lowest closed price was $113,750 and the highest was $540,000. Here are the year-to-date stats:   Jan-Aug 2024 Jan-Aug 2023 Median list price: $299,000 $295,000 Median sale... 10/01/2024

What is Hümanette??  You’ve seen the bright pink letters splashed across the windows of the building at 118 W 63rd St, formerly the home of Brookside Barkery & Bath.  It’s not a restaurant or bar or boutique; technically you could say it has aspects of all three of those things!  Hümanette is a space for kids to play while parents and caregivers socialize and work. It’s a unique concept that our neighborhood has been enthusiastically welcomed!I stopped by recently to talk with Jamie Hickey, Co-Founder and Head of Operations, about her new business. Jamie explained was inspired by the European way of raising children where “kids are more incorporated into adults’ lives.  We want everyone to feel welcome here, not just children, or people with children”.  Designed for youngsters from 0-6 ... 09/24/2024

Finally.....City Barrel Pizza + Patio has opened it's new location, straddling the unofficial boundary of Brookside and Waldo at 120 E Gregory, in the former Bier Station space. Well friends, it was worth the wait, because this place has the similar beloved vibe of Bier Station with a few extra amenities. You've probably noticed the large, brand new patio built right in front of the space, now featuring more shade, plenty of tables, swings that face street and outdoor games for the kids. Our neighborhood loves a good patio, and this is one of the best around--plus dogs are welcome! Inside the newly remodeled space, you'll see a few tomato red booths, the same long (full) bar with several City Barrel brew offerings, an upstairs room for private parties and and an expanded menu. Co owner ... 09/12/2024

There is a beautiful, large old brick building on Main St in Waldo you have probably driven by many times...perhaps you wondered, what is this place?  Surrounded by residential homes and across from a church, Kansas City Academy is an arts focused middle and high school, located at 7933 Main St.  KCA has a 40th birthday this year, and everyone is invited to celebrate with them.  I stopped by the school earlier this summer and spoke with Development Director Katie Wells to find out more about this unique school.KCA was started by a group of runs and lay persons when Loretto Academy in Westport closed.  The Loretto (now an event venue) was a girls only day/boarding school with a reputation for personalized educational instruction and religious and racial tolerance.  The original KCA found... 09/05/2024

Home prices in Brookside jumped up compared to July 2023; overall, prices have slipped. The number of homes changing owners remains fairly steady. Let's take a look at the details; these stats reflect single family home sales in the main Brookside zip code of 64113:   JULY 2024 JULY 2023 Median list price: $650,000 $535,000 Median sales price: $650,000 $570,000 Days on market: 2 2 No. of homes sold: 29 29 It's unusual that the median list price is exactly the same number as the median sales price; and consistently, most of homes that do go on the market sell fast. Compared to July 2023, prices jumped 14%! There were six million dollar plus homes that closed last month; the highest was $1,890,000 and the lowest sales price was $400,000. Here are the year to date stats:   Jan-July  2024 J... 08/22/2024

And another year has begun; it was quite a month we had, with weeks of frigid temps, frozen pipes, Restaurant week and football playoff games - congratulations again Chiefs! Last year finished strong for Brookside home values, up 15% from 2022. All indications point to another busy buying season with bidding wars for the priced right properties. Let's take a look at what happened last month; I'm tracking single family home sales in the main Brookside zip code of 64113:   JANUARY 2024 JANUARY 2023 Median list price: $437,500 $429,975 Median sales price: $445,000 $430,075 Days on market: 4 49 No. of homes sold: 16 16  Already prices are up around 4% compared to a year ago. Last month the lowest sales price was $312,000 and the highest was $1.195 million. Currently there are 12 homes for s... 02/26/2024

As we get closer to the busy Spring home buying market, I've been thinking about how I prepare my buyers BEFORE we start touring homes.  So many buyers, especially first timers, want to start touring homes first, and talk about logistics later. That is not the way to do it!  Educated buyers are better, more confident buyers--and that starts before stepping inside a home.  Here's a few of my best practices:*The "good" homes always sell quickly if they are priced correctly.  One of my pet peeves is having someone say to me "I'm looking for a really good deal--let me know if you see one."  Such a broad, subjective statement!  If you plan to buy an updated, well maintained home in a desirable, popular neighborhood--know there are many, many other buyers interested in the same thing!  It's v... 01/22/2024

Absolutely gorgeous French Provincial 2 story on Sunset Hill overlooking the Country Club Plaza. Host your own Plaza lighting party on your deck.Recently Featured on For the Love of Old Houses, Facebooks largest group of Old Home enthusiastsClick Here to View All Photos Own your own piece of history located on one of Kansas City’s most iconic streets. Meticulously restored and renovated to create the perfect blend of old and new. Move-in ready, with a feel of refined simplicity that makes the house feel warm and inviting. Short walks to both the Country Club Plaza and Loose Park; you can even gaze at Plaza holiday lights from your kitchen table. Generous room dimensions for a house of this size. Primary-bedroom barrel ceiling and similar use of arched design features throughout the hous... 11/09/2023

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