brookside homes: I'm Calling To Say Thank You - 11/19/12 10:38 PM
Today I am going to call all of the buyers and sellers I worked with this year and say ‘thank you for your business’. Of course, I did thank them when the transaction was completed, but the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday inspired me to reach out again.A short greeting saying how much I enjoyed working with them and I’m grateful they chose me as their agent should brighten their day. I know I would feel good if someone took the time to call me and say ‘thanks for your business’. And I am sincere-I’ve met so many wonderful people this year through … (5 comments)

brookside homes: New Listing in Armour Hills, Brookside-Kansas City MO - 11/17/12 05:43 AM
I listed a home in Armour Hills yesterday--it's a bargain price in a terrific location!  This two story home features three bedrooms (third bedroom is non-conforming), one full and two half baths.  It has a private drive, new front porch and walkway, and low maintenance vinyl siding.  Inside, there are hardwood floors in all bedrooms, an updated full bath, new windows and fresh paint.  Plenty of closets and built-ins, too!
This home has been very well maintained by the owners. It's on a block of  friendly neighbors who host annual block party events in the spring and fall.  Plus, it's just one … (0 comments)

brookside homes: Armour Hills Gardens (Brookside) Home Sales Stats Oct 2012 - 11/11/12 01:50 AM
Armour Hills Gardens is another one of my favorite Brookside neighborhoods.  It's an affordable area for first time home buyers, with a three bedroom/two bath home averaging about $210-$230K.  Generally built in the 1930s-40s, many of these homes have attached garages, stone/brick exteriors, screened porches and flat lots.  The location is great--close to UMKC, the Country Club Plaza, Stowers Institute, Trolley Track Trail, Westport and Brookside/Waldo shops and restaurants.  Neighbors are friendly, and there are many children in the area who walk to nearby schools.
Let's check home sales stats for Armour Hills Gardens for 2012:
From January-October, 2012, 19 homes … (1 comments)

brookside homes: The Armour Fields Neighborhood in Brookside (Kansas City MO) - 11/03/12 11:36 AM
The Armour Fields neighborhood is part of the Brookside area in Kansas City, MO. The general boundaries are Wornall to Ward Parkway (east-west) and Meyer Blvd to W 67th St (north-south). These homes were generally built in the 1920s, and feature brick, stone and stucco exteriors with charming architectural details on the interior. This subdivision is laced with beautifully landscaped islands and markers, tall trees and wide streets. Armour Fields has an active homes association which features many neighborhood events each year: an Easter Egg hunt, annual garage sale, block parties, etc. The annual homeowner dues are about $100 per year, … (0 comments)

brookside homes: Armour Hills (Brookside, Kansas City MO) Sept 2012 Home Sales Stats - 10/15/12 05:24 AM
Hello neighbors! Good news to report about Armour Hills homes sales again. Prices and number of units sold continue to increase. Read the details below for Armour Hills home sales, September 2012:
In September 2012, 10 homes sold. The average list price was $209,365 and the average sales price was $203,460. Average days on market: 48. In September 2011, 4 homes sold. The average list price was $226,600 and the average sales price was $217,375. Average days on market: 89.
The average sales price for September 2012 is lower than what’s been trending this year, but last month there were two … (0 comments)

brookside homes: What's Up with the Stoplight Changes in Brookside? - 10/09/12 11:26 AM
OK, what’s up with the stoplight changes in Brookside?? Surely you’ve noticed–at several intersections where there was a working stoplight (Main and Meyer, Main and Gregory, Meyer and Oak), there are newly posted stop signs. I spoke with Wei Sun at the Kansas City MO Public Works department to find out what’s going on.
Mr Sun noted these are permanent changes to the intersections. Apparently these intersections do not meet the Dept of Transportation traffic safety guidelines to warrant a stop light (see more here: www.mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov – expect to spend some time translating this mumbo jumbo of government speak!). Based on … (2 comments)

brookside homes: The Stone House in Brookside - 10/04/12 12:02 AM
How many times have you seen this house in Brookside and wondered...what’s the story behind this stone house? Now that it’s for sale, I thought I would share a bit of history regarding this landmark home.Originally built in the 1920s, this house was the home and office of Dr Ozais. The Brookside shops were not yet developed when the house was under construction. The home itself is made of concrete and stone, and there are concrete floors under the hardwoods. A greenhouse in the back was used by Dr Ozais to grow medicinal herbs. Reportedly, this house cost $10,000 to build. … (2 comments)

brookside homes: Why I Always Recommend a Locally Based Mortgage Lender - 09/06/12 07:14 AM
Why do I always recommend using a local mortgage lender to my clients? Because it’s been my experience that the large, national lenders rarely close loans on time!It happened again last month. (I am not going to name the bank..but you’ve heard their name). When my buyer said he planned to use Bank X because he had accounts there and had used them before for a mortgage (years ago, pre-market crash), I warned him the deal may not close on time..and then explained why.“Jeff,” I said, “here’s what’s going to happen. Your local contact will provide excellent service. She will tell … (2 comments)

brookside homes: On Labor Day: Is Real Estate a Job or a Career? - 09/03/12 01:22 AM
It’s been a relaxing weekend for me so far...and it feels great! I did work with some out of town buyers relocating to Kansas City, and took the girls shopping. Tonight, we are having friends over for dinner, although it’s too hot and muggy to eat outside. I’d like to visit the pool one last time!  This is the last holiday weekend until..Thanksgiving, at least for most folks who don’t work for the government. 
 While relaxing on  Saturday night, I started watching a Chris Rock concert on HBO. I’m a fan of his humor. He’s very smart and sharp when it comes … (85 comments)

brookside homes: Three Fun Festivals in Kansas City over Labor Day Weekend! - 08/29/12 11:01 AM
It’s the weekend o’ festivals here in Kansas City! Three BIG ones over the Labor Day weekend, with an extra day off work so you can check out each one of them! Kansas City Irish FestivalYou can’t NOT have a good time at this one...the Irish are so friendly and always up for a great time! One of my clients, born in Ireland, met most of his friends in Kansas City by getting involved with the Irish Fest. Crown Center hosts this bash, August 31-September 2 at Crown Center Square. Several traditional Irish bands perform, there’s a huge Children’s Area, a … (0 comments)

brookside homes: Who's Taking the Mutt Mitts from Arbor Villa Park? - 08/27/12 07:43 AM
Heavy sigh as I begin this post...it's about the 'mutt mitts' (plastic bags for doggie waste) provided by the Armour Hills Homes Assn in Arbor Villa Park. At our board meeting last week, a resident stopped by wondering when the supply would be replenished. Board member Tiffany Moore did some investigation as to why the box is frequently empty.
A resident who lives near the park orders the mitts and stocks the dispenser. Armour Hills has been spending about $4500 per year on these plastic baggies. A shipment of 6400 mitts lasts...just 6 to 8 weeks. Yes, we have lots of … (1 comments)

brookside homes: What's Next for Hale Cook Elementary in Waldo? - 08/24/12 04:54 AM
As a real estate agent, I am often asked about the public school districts in the metro area. It’s no secret that many KCMO families move to Kansas when their kids reach school age. A recent study by the Kauffman Foundation estimates that less than 10% of the approximately 6000 elementary school aged children living in zip codes 64112, 64113 and 64114 attend a public school. But that’s what Friends of Hale Cook are trying to change. Located at 7302 Pennsylvania, this group is trying to re-open Hale Cook as a neighborhood school run by the KCMO district . So will … (0 comments)

brookside homes: Brookside - Armour Hills Home Sales Statistics July 2012 - 08/15/12 05:02 AM
Time for our monthly review of home sales in Armour Hills! Homes are selling quickly in our neighborhood. Let’s review the stats:In July 2012, 9 single family homes sold.  The average list price was $225,422 and the average sales price was $224,111.  Average days on market:  53.In July 2011, 5 single family homes sold.  The average list price was $226,460 and the average sales price was $224,470. Average days on market:  80.Almost twice as many homes sold this July, although the average sales price is virtually unchanged. Days on market is shorter, which is good news for sellers. Also, notice how … (0 comments)

brookside homes: Jackson County Reassessing Brookside Homes for Updated Tax Bills - 08/13/12 07:14 AM
Did you recently get a letter from the Jackson County Assessment Department? Yes, neighbors, it’s that time again...Jackson County is reassessing residential property for the 2013 tax bills. We recently got the letter at our house, so I called the assessor’s office to get more details about the process. Working north from south KC, their focus is now on the Brookside area. Staff from the assessment department will soon be inspecting and measuring the exterior of homes. Workers will NOT ask to enter your home; however, you will receive a door hanger asking you to call in more specific information. When … (0 comments)

brookside homes: She's My Realtor! - 06/20/12 01:50 AM
“She’s My Realtor!” That’s how two clients/friends have introduced me at parties over the past couple of weeks. I love to hear it! Not only is it an endorsement of my business and services, but it’s an instant conversation starter!Although being an agent can be so very stressful at times, working seven days a week, juggling several clients at once, trying to get through a difficult closing..it’s all worth it for the good friends I’ve made. Every year I look back at my new client list and see how many of them have joined my regular circle of friends. It’s one … (0 comments)

brookside homes: Brookside (Kansas City MO) Home Sales Statistics March 2012 - 04/30/12 02:04 AM
It’s the end of April...just now have time to post home sales statistics for Brookside, Kansas City MO! Yes, I’ve been very busy this spring! Thanks for your patience, let’s get to the numbers:Brookside zip code 64113In the month of March 2012, 20 homes sold. Average list price: $315,270. Average sales price: $302,685. Average days on market: 117.In the month of March 2011, 18 homes sold. Average list price: $322,783. Average sales price: $303,050. Average days on market: 184.These stats are great news! Average days on market is much lower this year, and more homes sold. Although the average price is … (0 comments)

brookside homes: If Anthony Bourdain Dined in Brookside... - 04/16/12 06:14 AM

So Anthony Bourdain’s excellent travel show, No Reservations, broadcasts an episode tonight that filmed in Kansas City last fall.  According to the article in today’s’ Kansas City Star, the visit focuses on many of our beloved barbecue joints.  It’s been done, Anthony!   We know how much you love Oklahoma Joe’s….you need to make a visit to Brookside for dining!  And if you did….here’s where I would take you….

First, a short stop at Waldo Pizza for an appetizer of their St Louis Style pizza.  OK, so maybe this pizza with provel cheese originated in St Louis, (and it’s in … (0 comments)

brookside homes: Praise for the Urban Pioneers - Springfield, in Jacksonville FL - 04/09/12 01:12 AM
Back from vacation and it’s funny…Brookside was very much on my mind while I was in Florida! My host moved from his beloved Brookside home to Jacksonville almost two years ago….and he moved into a neighborhood very much like Brookside, called Springfield. However, Springfield is an ‘up and coming’ area, as we real estate agents say. There are beautifully renovated homes sandwiched between abandoned houses and vacant lots. But anyone driving through can see and feel the potential…
Springfield is on the National Register of Historic Places, located just north of downtown Jacksonville. Once a wealthy suburb (similar to the Hyde … (0 comments)

brookside homes: "Are We Being Too Picky?" - 02/20/12 11:47 PM
After a few months of searching for a home, that’s what these first time homebuyers asked me.  I hesitated before answering, because I did think they had unrealistic expectations.  Still, I thought about the question and came up with a few points to emphasize to all buyers when they begin a home search. Hopefully, having this conversation before starting the search will prevent disappointment later if ‘the one’ isn’t found after several weeks of looking.
1.     Don’t set your expectations too high.  It is especially exciting for first time buyers to look at homes…and especially disappointing if they feel they aren’t … (2 comments)

brookside homes: Armour Hills Home Sales Report January 2012 (Brookside, Kansas City MO) - 02/20/12 12:03 AM
Hi neighbors! Here are Armour Hills home sales statistics for January 2012, followed by the stats from January 2011 for comparison. In January 2012, two homes sold. The lowest sales price was $210,000 and the highest sales price was $220,000. Average list price was $224,500; average sales price was $215,000. Average days on market: 43. In January 2011, one home sold. That home was listed at $145,000 and sold at $146,770. It was on the market for 158 days.. As of this writing, there are 17 homes for sale in Armour Hills, an average list price of $238,106 and an average … (0 comments)

 
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR, Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area (Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes)

Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR

Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

Kansas City, MO

More about me…

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes

Address: 7400 State Line Rd Suite 200, Prairie Village, KS , 66208

Office: (913) 981-2800

Mobile: (816) 510-1262

I love to write about my neighborhood, the Brookside area of Kansas City, where I live in the Armour Hills subdivision. I keep it short, simple, and to the point with articles about general real estate topics so you have current, useful information about real estate trends and news. Sometimes I write about local politics, new homes for sale, and of course, my clients! Thanks for reading! I welcome your feedback.


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