Julia Williams

Editor-in-Chief

Northeast Realty — a family business — was founded in 1909 by Marcus and Paul Waltermire, the great grandfather and grandfather of its current owners, brothers Jim and Bill Lawless. 

This company originally operated out of a building at 105 Hardesty Ave., just across the street from its current location on St. John Avenue. However, as real estate agents themselves, after setting their sights on the corner of St. John and Hardesty, this family made the owners of what was once Harrison’s Drugstore an offer they couldn’t refuse. 

Northeast Realty, which specializes in Northeast neighborhood real estate, has assisted the Northeast community with its home ownership needs from 5400 St. John Ave. for over a century, Jim Lawless said in an interview, Wednesday.

While Lawless said Northeast Realty is licensed in Missouri and Kansas — occasionally selling in said neighboring areas — Lawless, along with his family members, specialize in properties located within Northeast Kansas City boundaries. 

“We show up,” Lawless said in reference to him and his brother, Bill. “All the people are really nice and we see a lot of improvements. It’s a good place for families.” 

Northeast, he said, is the same place where his family has lived all their lives. 

“You gotta live some place,” Lawless said. “It’s a good field, real estate has always been good.”

This business has continued through generations and Lawless said everyone in his family has worked for Northeast Realty at one time or another — including his niece, who now sells real estate out of Breckenridge, Colo. 

While each of Northeast’s six neighborhoods offer competing housing markets, he said no one neighborhood receives more traction over another. Instead, buying and selling depends on that particular year and its interest rates. Additionally, the time of year has an impact — including a previous popularity in home buying prior to a new school year. 

However, with new developments to this area, which include the Kansas City Current’s  waterfront Stadium and Arnold Development Group’s projected plans for the Hardesty Self Storage property, Lawless said there is a lot of positive vision.

“We try our best,” he said in an interview, Wednesday. “We’re right here on the corner, if you need anything, we’re certainly in reach.” 

For additional information on Northeast Realty or to get in contact with a real estate agent, visit: https://www.northeastrealtykc.com/ or call (816) 231-8442.