Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR Brookside, Waldo, Prairie Village

Hello neighbors, here is the monthly home sales report for Armour Hills in Brookside, Kansas City MO. We have some good news in that average sales prices are up from last year!

In November 2011, five homes sold. Average list price was $260,680 and average sales price was $249,200. Average days on market: 138.

In November 2010, four homes sold. Average list price was $180,238 and average sales price was $163,600. Average days on market: 73.

These lower average prices reflect sales in the lower priced home catagory of Armour Hills. Average price for this subdivision has been running between $210-$225K, so several higher priced homes sold in November.

Let’s look at year to date figures:

From Jan-Nov 2011, 53 homes sold. Average list price was $224,752, and average sales prprice was $216,273. Average days on market: 121.

From Jan-Nov 2010, 49 homes sold. Average list price was $216,024, and average sales price was $211,132. Average days on market: 82.

The longer days on market drag prices down as sellers try to catch up with the market. Foreclosures and short sales also play a factor in lower average prices. Number of units is fairly steady--we just need more buyers to even out the market demand. Maybe next year?

(All information taken from Heartland MLS, deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Want home sales stats for your area? Email me!)

Last week I took three lovely ladies to visit an independent living facility for seniors, The Grand Court of Kansas City. This is a wonderful, warm and friendly home environment, with excellent food, roomy apartments, a dedicated staff and welcoming neighbors. Winter is near and I know these women do not want to spend several months stuck in their homes. They know—it’s time to give up the house and move.

Still, they stay put. They feel that just the thought of starting the process of planning a move is too overwhelming: cleaning out the house, getting rid of ‘stuff’, deciding what to move to the new place…they don’t feel they can do it alone. Yet they are reluctant to even look into the services of others who can help them plan a smooth transition.

Yet every senior that I have worked with who has moved has told me “I wish I would have done this sooner”. Inevitably, after settling in, they are happier to be more social and around other active seniors; they are so glad all the home maintenance is over for good; they love not having to worry about preparing meals; and they feel so much more secure in their new home. They go out often, they meet many new friends, they feel more ‘alive’ ! They feel so much more free and relaxed. It’s like a whole new life for them.

Moving to a new home is a stressful situation for anyone, at any age. But when it’s time to make that move, having control over the decision is so much better than being forced to make a move. When you decide to put the wheels in motion to give up the house and transition to a maintenance free lifestyle, you are empowered and in control of your future.

As a senior, if it’s time to start looking at other housing options…start the process now. It may take several months to research options, find a community that fits you, figure out financing, and start making plans. Remember, there are people that will help you with your commitment and help you make it happen! But make that decision on your own…take control of your future before someone, or something, does it for you.

If you are a senior considering a move, or have a senior family member who needs to make transition plans, contact me. As an SRES, Seniors Real Estate Specialist, this is one of my speciality areas. We can meet for a casual conversation and I'll provide you with the information you need as you consider the next steps.

Fellow Brooksiders, here are home sales statistics for November, 2011 for the zip code of 64113 in Kansas City MO-- the main zip code of the Brookside area. Overall, the news is good when compared to the same period in 2010!

There were 21 closed homes sales in November 2011. Average list price was $389,988 and average sales price was $349,816. Average days on market: 177. Interesting to note the lowest list price was $140,000 and the highest list price was $1,350,000. That shows you the very wide range of home prices in this zip code.

During the same period in 2010, 15 homes sold. Average list price was $341,897 and average sales price was $311,980. Average days on market: 164.

Average list and sales price was way up in November, 2011--more expensive homes selling,d, boosting the average price, although the days on market were a bit longer.

This monthly report follows the trend for the year:

From Jan-Nov, 2011, 193 homes sold, with an average list price of $328,604. Average sales price was $309,732; average days on market: 193.

From Jan-Nov, 2010, 189 homes sold, with an average list price of $318,688 and average sales price of $304,125; average days on market: 118.

It’s taking longer for homes to sell in 64113, but prices are up compared to last year. This could be a reflection of a somewhat better economy, more buyers feeling confident and taking advantage of the low interest rates and better product in inventory. These numbers are welcome news for sellers and buyers! (All information taken from Heartland MLS; deemed reliable but not guaranteed).

If you would like home sales stats for your neighborhood, email me with the information...I’m happy to help!

A couple of days ago the New York Times ran an editorial titled "The Death of the Fringe Suburb". You can read it (link below) for a few days; I am not shortening the link so if it doesn't connect you can search for it on the New York Times website:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/26/opinion/the-death-of-the-fringe-suburb.html?emc=eta1

The author, Christopher Bleinberger, makes several points that are relevant to our local housing market in the metro area and specifically Brookside. Much of the housing boom in the late 90s through 2006 was high-end housing in outer ring suburbs (think of all the development near 159th and Metcalf, Platte County, western Shawnee). Since the crash, much of this housing is sitting empty--as the middle class lost jobs and gas prices outpace inflation, buyers (what few there are now) re-thought buying a home 20-30 miles from city amenities and office locations.

And who is today's buyer? The National Association of Realtors says one half of the total population now are baby boomers (born between 1946 - 1964) and Millenials (born between 1979 - 1996). These buyers want urban downtown areas and suburban town centers (places like Prairie Village, Brookside, the Plaza area, Leawood). They want to walk to shops and restaurants, bike ride to amenities, use public transportation and not spend lots of time in the car. Mr. Bleinberger stresses that governments must give money to what's known as 'alternative transportation' - buses, light rail, bike lanes--rather than only funding freeways and outer roads to nowhere.

I see this buying pattern with my own clients. I am working with Millenials and Boomers, and both want the same thing: updated homes in a neighborhood within a 15 minute drive of the office and walking distance of a grocery store, coffee shop, parks and other everyday city amenities. They do not want the cookie cutter homes of the far-flung suburbs, which are generally built with cheaper materials than older homes.

That brings us to Brookside...and why this area (as well as Leawood, Plaza, Prairie Village, etc) will always be a desirable place to live. For those homeowners who keep their properties updated and well-maintained, there will always be buyers waiting to make an offer. Since 1920, homeowners have valued a Brookside address...and they will continue to do so for the next hundred years. What will the fringe suburbs look like 10 to 50 years from now??

News for Prairie Village residents! SPIN Pizza is coming to Corinth Square! This is very exciting, as there is no true pizza joint in this area. SPIN will take over the old CVS Pharmacy space and plans to open late next year. SPIN is a locally owned and operated restaurant, and joins several other locally owned shops and eateries in Corinth Square. It’s always good karma to support your neighbors as they bring new businesses to the area. Thanks, SPIN, for coming to PV!

Another bit of information to pass along…the PV Police Department reminds you to protect yourself from car theft –especially during the busy holiday season, where thieves can target lots of vehicles parked near a party location or home. Car thefts have increased in PV over the past several months. So remember to:

· Park your car in a garage, if you have one.

· Make sure there are plenty of lights illuminating the exterior of your home and the garage/driveway area.

· Do not leave any valuables in your vehicle! Ipods, GPS systems, laptops, cellphones—anything a thief can see while peering into the windows is a target. And it only take a minute or two to complete a ‘smash and grab’ burglary.

Have a safe and happy holiday!