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

Chip & JoJo eat your hearts out, this Modern Farmhouse is to die for. It is truly country living in the city. See All Photos for 3030 S Sterling HereEvery inch of this house has been renovated, high end kitchen with gorgeous stained shaker cabinets, granite tops, tumbled marble backsplash and Black stainless appliances, original hardwood floors finished to perfection, new windows, fresh paint throughout, 3 remodeled bathrooms including the incredible glass enclosed shower in the master, enclosed sleeping porch, the newly finished basement adds a 4th bedroom and 3rd full bath, laundry hook ups on both floors, outside the .92 acres is complimented with a circle drive with tons of offstreet parking, the original Milk House with loft and root cellar would make an amazing she-shed, 2 car det... 11/12/2023

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

Are you looking for a home in Kansas City Missouri that can also serve as your work headquarters? Do you need an oversized garage with 10 feet doors and 220 power?Maybe you just want a really cool house, especially if you are on a budget.Check out 9525 Wallace Kansas City, MOClick Here to See Virtual Tour and more.......Love what you see?Call 913-523-6427 to schedule a private showing! 04/20/2022

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