At Home in Brookside, Kansas City

Pick of the Week – Custom 60′s Contemporary near Loose Park

Sarah — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:11:19 +0000

I have loved this house for so long. I drive by it every day on my way to work, and I just about drove into the pond at Loose Park when I spotted the for sale sign in the yard on Tuesday. I had an opportunity to tour the inside this week, and the interior definitely lived up to my expectations. You enter into an open living area with walls of windows and beautiful views of a courtyard and Loose Park in the distance. The vantage point allows you to see the water of the pond – a very pretty sight. The agent didn’t mention this, but I was curious if it was built with passive solar construction to maximize the benefits of the sun. It seems like it very well could be by the orientation, the overhangs and shading, the thermal mass (brick), but I have no knowledge of this to be factual – just a hunch. I love the contemporary design, the walls of windows, the natural materials. It is a very special property.

The home is listed with Susan Palmer of Reece and Nichols. It is located on the northeast corner of 52nd and Wornall. South of Plaza facing Loose Park.

Local July Home Sales Dip

Sarah — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:04:34 +0000

This week it has been hard to avoid the negative news about real estate. CNN.com reports that national sales of single-family homes sank 27.1% in July compared to the prior month, while condominium and co-op sales tanked 28.1%, and new home sales dropped 12.4%. This got me wondering if the numbers were similar in the areas in which I work such as Brookside, Prairie Village, Leawood, Roeland Park, etc.

I have taken several sample areas and compared June 2010 with July 2010 sales rates. It would seem that these areas are also being hit very hard by the economic downturn and the expiration of the pesky federal home buyer tax credit. The bright spot is my neighborhood of Brookside, hooray!

Kansas City MLS area from downtown south to about 75th: Sales Dropped 30% from June to July.
Northeast Johnson County (east of I-35, north of 75th St): Sales dropped 44% from June to July.
Brookside (sample zip code 64113): Sales remained almost constant with 25 in June, to 22 in July. The percentage drop calculates to 12%, but this is negligible.
Prairie Village: Sales rates dropped 48% from June to July.

*Keep in mind, this is just the number of sales, NOT prices. Figures compiled from local MLS system – these numbers are deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

On a more positive note, we just rescued a dog this week. Isn't she awesome!

Pick of the Week – Prairie Village Townhome

Sarah — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 23:27:01 +0000

I was hired to photograph this Prairie Village townhome today, and I just had to come home and write about it. I was impressed with the location, layout, quality construction, and size. It definitely qualifies as a pick of the week, not only for these qualities, but because it is priced to sell at $224,900. Aside from a few little cosmetic tweaks, I can’t find a thing wrong with it. Plus, it is maintenance provided, so for those of you who would rather not spend all your free time working on your yard, this is for you.

3 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath, full basement, fenced patio, and a 2-car attached garage
4004 W 79 Street Prairie Village, 66208
Located west of Mission Road off 79th Street. Midway between the Prairie Village Shops and Corinth Square. Very convenient…

This Week’s Real Estate News

Sarah — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:48:40 +0000

Are you selling your home? Have you had to drop your price? It has been a very common occurrence and it sure seems like only the very best homes are selling – but not at a premium – they are selling for average to below-average prices. It is a tough, hot, humid, competitive market out there this summer, so in order to attract attention from buyers, you have to work very hard to get your property ready. Preparation, staging and style will give you that competitive advantage, but you still must price the home very competitively which can be a hard thing to swallow after pouring money, sweat and time into preparing your home for sale. Below are links to a few interesting local news stories.

Cool Find – Affordable, Cheerful Retro Gliders

Sarah — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 20:39:19 +0000

As I was wondering through Lowe’s yesterday shopping for a decoy Owl to deter squirrels from eating my fresh and juicy tomatoes, I saw a cool retro glider. What a surprise to see such bright and cheerful retro outdoor furniture in the Lowe’s showroom. As I recall, the price was quite affordable too. Sometimes the original refurbished chairs can be quite costly and elusive, so it was a pleasure to see this affordable and accessible design.

Dogs, Cats, and Real Estate – 10 Tips for Pet Owners While Selling Their Home

Sarah — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:13:22 +0000

My beloved boxer dog, Chester, died on Monday after a short battle with lymphoma. He was only five years old and such a great companion. He was my little buddy and I will miss him dearly. As a tribute to Chester, I have decided to write an entry on pets and real estate. Pets can be your best friend, but they are no friend to real estate. Here are some tips to consider if you are selling a home as a pet owner.

You home should appear to be pet-free to any potential buyer.
Place all pet-related items out of sight including toys, beds, and water and food bowls.
For heaven sakes, clean up the dog poop in the yard! How do you think the buyer will feel about your home if they step in doggie doo?
Ask your realtor or friends if you have a pet odor and tell them to be honest with you. Many times we become immune to the way our home smells. You might need to throw away pet beds or have the carpets cleaned.
Clean that litter box every day. Nothing is worse that that dreaded cat smell.
Remove dogs from the property during showings. Some people are turned off by pets altogether, and some are just plain scared of them. Even if they are placed in a cage, people can become uneasy. Alternatively, these situations can make your pet nervous and scared, and that isn’t very nice either.
Remove cats or place them in a crate. I realize that cats do not like to be moved or handled, but cats can ruin a showing. Many people are allergic to cats, they are worried about cat smells, and they just don’t want to live where a cat has been. Also, the buyers and the agents showing your home do not need to be hassled with a cat trying to escape. The cat may very well be allowed outside, but how do they know that? It isn’t nice, and more importantly it distracts from the showing if the buyers have to be worried about wrangling a cat.
Repair any yard damage caused by your dog. Dogs can be hard on backyards. Be sure you take inventory and decide if you might need to do some seeding or landscaping.
Remove the dog house in the yard. Nobody wants to see this, and really – how often does your dog even use it?
Clean at dog’s-eye-level. Does your dog press their wet nose against the glass? Do they scratch the door when they want to go out? These things will not go unnoticed by a buyer.

One of My Favorite Brookside Homes is for Sale

Sarah — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:13:38 +0000

The listing states, “A home of uncommon presence and taste”, and this is no lie. This home is situated on a corner lot, with the home placed at an angle so that the front door faces the corner. It creates an old-fashioned stately feel to the house, especially when combined with the beautiful brick, limestone trim, and charming architectural details at every turn. There is an eagle above the door, the house number is etched onto the mail slot on the house next to the front door, and even the door handle and peephole cover looks to be made of a carved metal (bronze I think). The interior has just as many splendid surprises such as lavender porcelain fixtures in the hall bath, leaded stained glass, archways, stunning stained woodwork, built-in elements, and old English/Tudor style light fixtures. I would categorize this home in the Tudor Revival architectural style, but the squared off portion in the front reminds me of an old English castle and I think it might be more reminiscent of the Romanesque style.

I regularly walk by the home on my walks, and have admired it for years. This home was a joy to tour, and it reminds me of why I love my job.

This home is listed for sale in MLS with Reece and Nichols, Cindy Thompson. Currently priced at $335,000. 202 E. 68th Street, Kansas City, MO 64131 (VIEW LISTING & PHOTOS).

Homes of the Silver Screen Actresses

Sarah — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:13:38 +0000

Bon Bon Atelier referenced an interesting pictorial today on their blog. The article from Architectural Digest gives a brief glimpse of 10 old Hollywood actresses inside their homes. Thanks, Bon Bon girls – I am loving the inspiring slideshows on the Architectural Digest Homes and Spaces section of the website.

Pick of the Week in Roeland Park

Sarah — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:37:25 +0000

My pick of the week is usually a home in the close-in area of town, and it is either a) a great buy, b) an architecturally impressive home, or c) well-priced and in good condition.This particular home falls into the third category – well-priced and in good condition.

Listed at $158,000, this cute home is an affordable option for close-in Johnson County. The decor inside is modern with a Crate and Barrel feel, but it also offers original charm such as hardwoods and moldings. It is situated on a pretty street with a desirable level lot. Level lots are one of those surprising features that tends to play a big role in the decision making process – you wouldn’t believe how many buyers pass on a house because is doesn’t have a flat lot and level driveway! Moving inside, the interior is updated with great colors and an impressive kitchen with granite counters. There is a happy and bright bonus family room at the rear of the house which opens up to the backyard where you find an awesome new deck with built-in seating, wood fence, and large, flat yard. Here are some pics:

Home Sales Decline Following the End of the Tax Credit Stimulus

Sarah — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 22:28:53 +0000

If you couldn’t remember, you could tell exactly when the Federal Home Buyer Tax Credit ended by looking at this chart – April 30, 2010. Beginning in May we see a steep decline in the number of homes that went under contract. I predict that the number of buyers begins to increase as the summer wears on and interest rates keep falling, though I do not think it will be a substantial change. *I created this chart for a specific client in a sample area of KC by gathering numbers and sale info from the local MLS. The information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.