Maria Morton

Speechless Sunday in Kansas City

Architecture in Leawood, KS

Leawood, KS is in the southern part of the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan area. This is an office building recently completed. It is 104,000 square feet in size and can be rented in increments of 5,000 sq. ft. @ $28.50/sq.ft.

From city center, travel south on State Line Rd, turn right on 112th St. as if you were going to Hallbrook Country Club. Take the first right instead of going straight. The building will be on your right.

Like many buildings in Leawood and Overland Park, this is new construction. In this instance the architect has incorporated hints of old classical styles into a contemporary piece of work. My favorite part of the building is the fountain. ^_^

Thanks for visiting!

See more interesting architecture at the Active Rain group Architecturally Interesting.

Along Grand Boulevard in Kansas City 7.28.2009

 

This is one of many buildings along Grand Boulevard in Kansas City which were built between the late 1800's and early 1900's. The architectural details make me want to jump out of my automobile and look closer every time I drive between the Plaza and Downtown KC. Builders just don't take the time to make beautiful buildings such as these in the 21st century.

They do build amazing structures like this:

The Sprint Center, on 14th & Grand, is often referred to as the big space ship. Built in 2005-2007, the arena seats almost 20,000 people. It is an excellent venue for concerts, basketball, and special events. You can have dinner at Raglan Road, across the street, and then enjoy an evening of music or basketball. Very cool.

The bus route goes right down Grand Blvd. so you can ride the bus allowing you to see all of the wonderful buildings and flags along the way. Downtown is north take the bus on the east side of the street; The Plaza and Brookside are south, take the bus on the west side of the street.

Bus Route (#58) along Grand Boulevard in Kansas City:

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Kansas City Real Estate Mid Year Report 2009

The number of sales seems to have increased each month this year although prices, in most cases, are within ~11% (+ or -) of 2002 levels.

The chart to the left depicts the number of overall sales per month in Heartland Multiple Listing Service (MLS).

(please ignore column1 & 2)

It appears that the number of sales have increased each month. While the number of homes being sold is increasing, the average sales prices have declined in most areas. So far this year, the average sales price is at $156,903. In 2008 the average sales price was at $173,445. Overall for the Heartland region, sales price is down 7.5% from last year and down 3.4% from 2003.

When considering the Kansas City Real Estate Market one needs to remember that Heartland MLS covers more than 5,000 square miles so there are a lot of areas, neighborhoods, and subdivisions to take into account.

If we look at Johnson County Kansas, for instance, we see that the average sales price is up 11.5% from the average sales price in 2002 but down 5.3% from the average sales price in 2008.

To the left is a chart depicting the number of New Listings, Pending Listings, and Sold Listings for each month thus far in 2009.

Big hike in new listings this June! Is that because many buyers think that this is a good time of year to sell their home? Or is it because banks are putting out their REO properties at certain times?

What about the increase in Pending sales? High end homes with far off closing dates? Or are we seeing the result of the new HVCC and TIL regulations?

Here's what Jackson County, Kansas City, Missouri looks like for the same time period:

New Listings seem to be on the rise on both sides of the State Line. In June of 2009, we had 19,672 Listings Total. In 2008, we had 26,480 Listings Total. In 2007, we had 28,788 Listings Total.

By Listings Total, I mean in ALL of Heartland MLS.

An overall picture is very helpful when determining how to price and market your home. When looking at the Kansas City Real Estate Midyear Report, please keep in mind that more specific analyses are needed prior to listing.

Zip Code 64113 in Kansas City, MO.

Zip Code 66208 on the Kansas side.

This Kansas City Real Estate Midyear Report is encouraging, just as Chairman Bernanke's comments and Lawrence Yun's mid year report for the nation are encouraging.

Homes priced below $300,000 are moving. We still have close to a 2 year inventory of $1 million + homes. Many first time buyers were able to take advantage of the $8,000. Tax Credit but not all will complete their purchase by the November 30 deadline this year. I'm seeing a larger number of serious buyers and reasonable sellers out there.

Have we hit bottom? No one can know for sure until after the fact but I would not be surprised if we saw a little dip before we see the slow, steady upward climb that we all want to see.

So should you buy or sell? That depends on your particular situation. Each individual is unique. Some sellers have done well in this market. Some buyers have done well. There are still investors buying, fixing up, and selling at a profit.

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If you are thinking of buying or selling your Kansas City home, I would be delighted to schedule a consultation with you to help you determine what can be done in your particular situation.

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Thanks for reading!

Spanish Architecture in Kansas City

The reason we have Spanish style architecture in Kansas City is because Jesse Clyde Nichols took a European vacation. Sounds simple enough.

In actuality, JC bought the land that is now the Country Club Plaza in the early 1900's. The main form of transportation was still horse and buggies and trains for cross country. Automobiles were owned by a few of the wealthier individuals but everyone did not have a car as they do today.

When JC shared his vision of an upscale shopping center with his friends, most of them told him he was crazy. Brush Creek was a watering hole for horses. Kansas City was the last civilized stop for travelers heading out west.

When I look at what this man envisioned and made happen, I am amazed at his foresight. He left enough room for roads so that all these years later, today's traffic is still accommodated.

There are wide sidewalks for pedestrians and two or three lanes going each way for cars. The buildings conform to the Spanish style of architecture yet each is unique and beautiful in it's own right.

As one walks the Plaza in Kansas City, one finds fountains, statues, and art in many forms to admire. Over the last two decades the chain stores have moved into the Plaza but even they cannnot diminish its' beauty.

Hats off to JC Nichols whose vision became a reality that we will all enjoy for many generations!

Active Rain members are invited to post photos, history and stories of your locale in the new group Architecturally Interesting.

Thanks for reading!