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3 Things About Selling Your Home That Aren’t As Spooky As They Seem

Author: Admin_Nicole
Categories: Blog

Selling your house can seem pretty frightening, Brookside Real Estate has put together 3 things about selling your home that aren’t as spooky as they seem!

  1. Staging Your House

Cleaning, repairing, and staging your house is a common complaint among sellers. However, getting your home ready to showmeans decluttering and this is actually an opportunity to get a head start on the moving process. Once you’ve purged your unnecessary items – staging services are always included when you list with Brookside Real Estate Company!

  1. Criticism From Buyers

It can be hard to hear that the potential buyers don’t like the color of the hardwood floors you love or the accent wall in your dining room needs to be painted over. Buyers will inevitably point out what they don’t like about your house – and if you’ve been shopping for another home, you’ve likely made the same kind of observations. Everyone wants to put their own touches on a new home and it’s nothing personal!

  1. Saying Goodbye

It’s not always easy to leave a home that you’ve lived in for years and made priceless memories in. A good way to look at it is when you’re selling your current home, you’re making space to create new memories and more adventure!

If you’re considering selling your house, contact a neighborhood expert: One of the real estate pros at Brookside Real Estate Company. Call today at (816) 333-3330. Or, stop by our offices in the heart of the Brookside at 9 W. 63rd Street.

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Brookside Real Estate Partners With Bags of Fun KC!

Author: Admin_Atalie
Categories: Blog

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is nationally recognized every year in September. Increasing awareness of childhood cancer is extremely important to Brookside Real Estate Company and we’re excited to announce that we are partnering with Bags of Fun KC all month long!

Jim and Roberta Kraus delivering Bags of Fun to patients at Children’s Mercy

For every house sold during the month of September, Brookside Real Estate will donate to Bags of Fun KC to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of childhood cancer.

Before the pandemic hit, children undergoing cancer treatments would spend an average of 120 days in the hospital. Because of COVID-19 and the weakened immune systems that come with a cancer diagnosis, these kids are experiencing hospital stays and isolation for much longer than ever before. Bags of Fun KC delivers the power of play to children fighting cancer and other long term, life threatening illnesses.

Director, Louisa Weinrich explained, “A bag of fun is a backpack filled to the brim with 12-15 items picked specifically for each child’s needs, interests and treatment plan. Each bag of fun is filled with hours of distraction, educational items, as well as items that encourage socialization and items that bring comfort. Not only do bags of fun give the children something to focus on during their treatments, but they also give the families of these children the sense that someone else cares.”

Ready to buy or sell your home and make a difference in the lives of KC children fighting life threatening illnesses? Give Brookside Real Estate Company a call at (816) 333-3330.

To learn more about Bags of Fun KC or to make a direct donation, visit their website here.

 

 

 

 

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Welcome to the neighborhood, Westlake Ace Hardware!

Author: Admin_Atalie
Categories: Blog
Owner/Broker of Brookside Real Estate, Jim Kraus and Westlake Ace Hardware GM in Brookside, Amber Murfin.

New to 63rd Street – Brookside Real Estate Company wants to welcome Westlake Ace Hardware!

The perfect addition to the neighborhood and the first hardware store in Brookside since the 1980s, Westlake Ace Hardware is committed to providing reliable service, helpful advice and the top quality products so customers can get their projects right every time.  We recently spoke with the General Manager,  Amber to learn more about and Westlake’s newest location in our favorite neighborhood – Brookside!

Tell us a little bit about your background:

I’ve worked with Westlake Ace Hardware for about 13 years now. I actually started out in the inventory industry and I eventually worked my way up through the ranks there. I just fell in love with hardware and have managed a few different locations over the years. 

What made you want to come work at the new Brookside location?

This is the smallest store in the  company and it was a challenge for us to be able to figure out a way to take everything that we knew we needed to carry for the community, and put it into a very small space. That was the fun challenge here and I was up for the opportunity.

What makes this Brookside location different from the other Westlake Ace Hardware locations throughout Kansas City?

The preservation and the care that we’ve put into the building itself is definitely unique. This building (formerly Tuesday Morning) was built in 1940. The first thing that we did is we came in and tore out all the drop ceilings and exposed the raw beams. We put in brand new LED lighting, we even sand blasted the brick all the way around – and we were able to preserve a couple of the original windows.

What is your favorite part about working in Brookside?

I really love the sense of community here in Brookside and enjoy helping customers find the right products they need for any and all projects.

Westlake Ace Hardware offers traditional hardware products such as lawn and garden supplies, fasteners, tools, plumbing, electrical supplies, and convenient curbside pickup. The Brookside location features a Backyard BBQ department with grills and BBQ accessories from a variety of brands including Weber, Traeger, and Big Green Egg.

Next time you’re in the neighborhood or working on a new home improvement project,  stop by Westlake Ace Hardware at 104 W. 63rd Street! While you’re here,  pay a visit to your friends at Brookside Real Estate Company located at 9 W 63rd St – when the flag is up, we’re open!

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Coveted Countryside Tudor in the Heart of KC!

Author: Admin_Atalie
Categories: Blog

This unique home is located in the Countryside subdivision, one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Kansas City! You’ll be able to walk your kids to and from school, walk to the Country Club Plaza and Crestwood shops, even stroll through Loose Park and the Trolley Trail. Located at 41 W. 52nd Street, all of this is just steps away from the front door. A gorgeous home in the heart of KC that you don’t want to miss out on!

This craftsman features an abundance of natural woodwork that greets you right as you walk in the door. Both the living room and dining room have custom built in cabinets with beautiful beveled leaded glass! Every bathroom in the home is updated and the sellers also added a stunning 20×20 foot family room with an open kitchen – you won’t miss a Kansas City touchdown while making your game day snacks! The lovingly planned landscaping makes you feel like you’re walking in your own personal park!

Watch the virtual tour below:

Ready to see 41 W. 52nd Street for yourself? Contact Jim Kraus at 816-806-7653 or stop by our storefront office located at 9 W 63rd St – when the flag is up, we’re open!

Click here for more listing information.

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Treat A Sick Child To The Healing Power Of Play This Halloween Season

Author: Admin_Atalie
Categories: Blog

Before the pandemic hit, children undergoing cancer treatments would spend an average of 120 days in the hospital. Because of COVID-19 and the weakened immune systems that come with a cancer diagnosis, these kids are experiencing hospital stays and isolation for much longer than ever before. Because of social distancing guidelines, the traditional Halloween celebration of trick-or-treating is not safe for children fighting life threatening diseases. Thankfully, a local nonprofit foundation held near and dear to the hearts of everyone here at Brookside Real Estate Company is doing something about this.

Bags of Fun KC delivers the healing power of play to children fighting cancer and other long term, life threatening illnesses. Director, Louisa Weinrich explained, “A bag of fun is a backpack filled to the brim with 12-15 items picked specifically for each child’s needs, interests and treatment plan. Each bag of fun is filled with hours of distraction, educational items, as well as items that encourage socialization and items that bring comfort. Not only do bags of fun give the children something to focus on during their treatments, but they also give the families of these children the sense that someone else cares.”

Because of the pandemic and so many restrictions for celebrating Halloween, there are 125 additional children that will need a Bag of Fun. As such, we at Brookside Real Estate are continuing to raise awareness to ensure that every child in Kansas City fighting cancer receives a Bag of Fun this Halloween season. 

Brookside Real Estate has proudly been a local partner of Bags of Fun KC since their inception in 2011 and have had the pleasure of providing over 200 bags of fun to sick Kansas City children and their families. “All of us here are extremely passionate about helping bring a smile to the faces of these KC children who are being treated for long term, life threatening illnesses,” said Brookside Real Estate Owner and Broker, Jim Kraus, “The opportunity for Brookside Real Estate Company to partner with this organization means a lot to all of us, we enjoy the opportunity to help spread the word and we encourage Kansas City to treat a sick child to the healing power of play this Halloween season.” 

If you would like to find out how you can help Bags of Fun KC or sponsor a bag of fun for a child, you can do so by going to their website: www.bagsoffunkansascity.org

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BRKS Partners with Bags of Fun KC for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month!

Author: Admin_Atalie
Categories: Blog

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is nationally recognized every year in September. Increasing awareness of childhood cancer is extremely important to Brookside Real Estate Company and we’re excited to announce that we are partnering with Bags of Fun KC all month long!

For every house sold during the month of September, Brookside Real Estate will donate $100 to Bags of Fun KC to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of childhood cancer.

Bags of Fun KC delivers the power of play to children fighting cancer and other long term, life threatening illnesses. A bag of fun is a backpack filled to the brim with 12-15 items picked specifically for each child’s needs, interests and treatment plan. Each bag of fun is filled with hours of distraction, educational items, as well as items that bring comfort. Not only do bags of fun give the children something to focus on during their treatments, but they also give the families of these children the sense that someone else cares.

Director, Louisa Weinrich explained, “2020 has been an interesting year to say the least.  We have had to cancel all of our major fundraisers and try to reinvent ways to connect with our donors.  Our program is needed even more this year with hospital play rooms closed, no toy sharing, and no visitors allowed.  We need donations now more than ever to be able to continue bringing the power of play to children fighting cancer and other life threatening conditions.”

Ready to buy or sell your home and make a difference in the lives of KC children fighting life threatening illnesses? Give Brookside Real Estate Company a call at (816) 333-3330.

To learn more about Bags of Fun KC or to make a direct donation, visit their website here.

 

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Why Shopping Locally Matters

Author: Admin_Atalie
Categories: Blog

Small Business Saturday

Stepping through the front door of a local business can make you feel like a VIP – the barista calls you by name and sincerely asks about your day; the pet store owner knows your dog and all his antics; the local vendor at the farmer’s market checks up on your family.

In a world where busyness consumes our lives, a small business is a vision of growth, compassion, human connection, and intentional investment in the local community. Shopping locally isn’t just a trend, it truly creates an atmosphere of mutual support, creativity, and togetherness!

Why should you shop locally?

  1. For a Stronger Planet – Shopping locally is an ever-growing and popular concept in today’s world of accessibility when just about anything can be purchased from all around the world. When food is purchased from larger chains, those products travel quite a way. Small businesses promote a cleaner environment because the goods produced in your local community don’t have to travel as far, therefore saving on fuel consumption and reducing air pollution.
  2. For a Stronger You – Another benefit, especially with Brookside’s Farmers Market there is less distance between producer and buyer. The fresher the produce, the more nutritious it is! Shopping locally in a farmers’ market means you’re not only promoting environmental wellness, but your own health as well!
  3. For a Stronger Economy – Local businesses, like cafes and boutiques, hire neighbors and often purchase goods from local vendors. This creates an opportunity for employment within the community. Shopping locally also promotes innovation, creativity and diversity because vendors can provide according to their community’s needs and not with a generalized selection of cookie-cutter merchandise.
  4. For a Stronger Community – Local businesses are more likely to invest in the community whereas bigger corporations may donate to larger causes or worldwide aid but invest less in the local community. Shopping locally also increases the connection of neighbors and can develop a sense of community. Mr. Rogers would be proud.

Brookside offers a number of local shopping options from the Farmers Market to boutiques, cafes and one-of-a-kind specialty shops! Take the opportunity on November 30th national Small Business Saturday (or any Saturday!) to shop local and celebrate 100 years of local shopping in Brookside!

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5 Tips to Prepare Your Home for Fall

Author: Admin_Atalie
Categories: Blog

The leaves will be changing and the weather will be turning cooler before we know it! Fall is a great time to take care of a few things around the house before winter sets in. Even some of the smallest improvements around the house can make a big difference in your home’s condition and value over time. Take a look at Brookside Real Estate’s 5 tips to getting your home ready for fall:

  1. Remove dead branches from your trees. Dead branches create great spaces for insects to burrow and for disease to spread throughout the entire tree. It’s best to remove them as soon as possible. And when winter sets in and all the leaves are gone, it’s much harder to tell which branches are dead and which are still alive. While your trees still have leaves on them, call a reputable contractor to examine and remove dead branches before the weight of snow or ice brings them down.
  2. Clean your gutters. Tall trees are very common in Kansas City, especially in Brookside! Clogged gutters can cause damage to the exterior of your home and lead to a flooded basement. Before the leaves fall this year, clear your gutters of any leaves and acorns. Once your gutters are cleared, cover them with mesh guards to keep debris from returning.
  3. Check your smoke and CO detectors. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be installed on every level of your home. Daylight savings is the perfect time to test all of them! Set all of your clocks forward and replace the batteries in all of your detectors. Then test each detector in your home by pressing the test button. If you don’t have a smoke or CO detector on each floor, now is a great time to get them installed.
  4. Fall is for planting. Even though cold weather is lurking around the corner, fall is a great time to plant some gorgeous spring blooming flowers! The summer heat has passed and the short, bright days help your newly planted greeenery grow their roots. You will love seeing your plants blossoming when the weather warms up!
  5. Inspect your roof. There is nothing worse than trying to find the source of a leak on your roof while navigating through snow and ice. Before the weather turns, use binoculars and inspect your roof from top to bottom. Look for things like damaged or missing shingles. You’ll be glad to get it taken care of before it turns into a disaster.

 

There you have it – some great tips for preparing your home for fall! Most of these tips require a little bit of time but aren’t particularly costly. You will be surprised at how far a little sprucing up will go! Before you know it, your house will be in tip top shape and ready to endure Kansas City’s cold winter months!

If you are looking to buy or sell and would like some professional assistance, contact the team at Brookside Real Estate! We have over 30 years of experience in Kansas City and are experts in Brookside and other surrounding Kansas City neighborhoods. Give us a call at: (816) 333-3330, or stop by our storefront office at 9 W 63rd any time to chat. We can’t wait to hear from you!

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Mistakes Not to Make: Homebuyers Edition

Author: Admin_Atalie
Categories: Blog

*Click to View Featured Listing

Let’s face it, sometimes the home-buying process can be overwhelming and all you want is to make sure that you aren’t making any terrible mistakes. Brookside Real Estate understands; with that in mind we have put together a list of the most common errors people make when buying a home – and how to avoid them.

  1. Do not shop for a home without an agent.
    Since we are Real Estate Agents, this may sound a bit self-serving – but read along and you’ll see our point. First, remember as a Buyer with Brookside Real Estate Company: You don’t pay for the Realtor’s service!  The Realtor’s compensation comes from the seller. (And unlike some other local brokerages Brookside Real Estate Company charges no transaction fees to buyers.) Buyer’s Agents are solely there to make all your home-owning dreams come true, and guide you through what can be a complex legal process.Brookside Managing Broker Jim Kraus compares the process of home buying to a court case, “Just like you wouldn’t go into a court of law without proper representation, attempting to buy a home without proper professional representation from an experienced Realtor is risky.  And truly, it just makes good sense to use a Realtor to protect your personal interests when making what is generally the largest purchase of your life!”
  1. Don’t hold out for a more perfect house.
    Drive around, gather ideas of what you want, the neighborhoods you like, even make a Pinterest board – all of this is helpful. But do not shop for a home without a trusted Realtor.If you aren’t designing and building your house, then chances are there isn’t going to be one that’s perfect in every way. That’s why it is important to make a list of your “would be nice” features versus your “must haves” features. This helps keep priorities straight and may help you find the home that is truly a great match for your needs – and simplify the decision process.
  1. Don’t forget to budget for Closing Costs.
    Closing Costs are the third-party fees associated with the transactions process of buying your new home. These include appraisals, credit reports, underwriters, inspections, etc. Your Realtor will be able to give you a rough estimate of closing costs once the seller accepts your offer – but you can expect anywhere from 2% to 7% of the cost of the house for closing fees. While the sellers may sometimes contribute funds to cover some of these costs (fees), the majority will be paid by the buyer (and rolled into your total home loan). Brace yourself, and don’t forget to add Closing Costs into your budget.

So, there you have it – now you’re well on your way to avoiding the most common mistakes of the home-buying process. And, especially don’t forget Step #1: Find a great Real Estate Agent you can trust – one who’ll listen to your needs, be an expert on the neighborhood, and look out for your very best interests. Look no further than Brookside Real Estate! Give us a call at 816-333-3330, or stop in and say “Hello” at 9 W 63rd Street – located in the heart of Brookside.

More about Brookside Real Estate, watch our video:

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Moving into 2017 in Style!

Author: Admin_Michelle
Categories: Blog

Reflecting on the past year, we here at Brookside Real Estate are thankful for the success we’ve experienced in 2016.

Without a doubt, it wouldn’t be possible without our great clients! We are especially grateful for the many great neighbors in Brookside and surrounding areas we’ve come to know. After all, neighbors are what make communities great!

With the New Year upon us, we are excited to announce a few new changes that we know you’ll love! For one (as you already know if you are reading this on a handheld device), our brand new mobile-friendly website is now live with its updated and refreshed design! We encourage you to look around and check back often for new blogs, helpful tips, upcoming neighborhood events, and, as always, the newest property listings in our new, easy to use property search engine.

Equally as exciting, Brookside Real Estate Company reached the notable milestone of 30 years in business this year! Even though a lot has changed in the area over those 30 years, one thing that will stay the same is our commitment to the wonderful neighborhoods of Kansas City. After all, we live here too!

We are thrilled to welcome 2017 and continue to provide you with the same high level of personal service, commitment and dedication. We can’t wait for you to experience the new changes we have in store for 2017. Whether it’s looking around our new website or stopping by our retail office on 63rd St. just to say “Hi” – we love saying hello to old friends and making new ones! We welcome the New Year with open arms and look forward to developing relationships with more wonderful clients, the various lenders and title companies we support, and the 100’s of other real estate agents (too many to name!) that we work with day in and day out in the Kansas City community!

Until we see you again, we hope you and your family enjoyed a very Happy Holiday and have a safe and happy New Year!

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