Westside Row House Project Finds Willing Buyers at $495K

By Kevin Collison

A new row house project on the Westside that’s selling three-bedroom homes for $495,000 is finding willing buyers in one of greater downtown’s more popular neighborhoods.

“The biggest thing is the price, it’s under $500,000 and it’s on the Westside,” said Christina Boveri, who’s real estate firm is representing the developer.

The 1,663 square-foot houses include 3 1/2 baths and a two-car garage with alley access.

“The affordability and having a full-size garage is a big deal to a lot of people,” she said.

Lambie Homes of Overland Park is developing the seven row houses near 18th and Mercier. It’s a gentrifying neighborhood where humble bungalows from the early 1900s are being joined or replaced by contemporary-style, new houses for professionals.

One of the attractive features drawing buyers are two-car garages beneath each home.

In an effort to help longtime Westside residents remain in their homes, the city approved a tax abatement program earlier this year that buffers them from the rapidly increasing property values sparked by their new neighbors.

Jim Lambie said four of the seven row houses already have been sold. Two were purchased by owner-occupants and two to out-of-town investors who plan to charge monthly rents of $4,000.

“We’ve had good activity,” he said. “They’re modern homes and we were trying to get down in price.”

The new Westside row house project is one of a couple residential developments currently underway or planned for greater downtown aimed at buyers.

In Columbus Park, a developer is building three-bedroom townhomes that are expected to be priced in the mid-$600,000 range. And developers recently announced a townhome project in the East Crossroads although haven’t determined a price.

Boveri said there is a pent-up demand from people who want to own their residences in greater downtown vs being renters.

“I wish we had more land to build homes and condos, there’s a real need,” she said.