Considerations...
What Can You Afford?
One thing that a lender will look at is your Debt to Income Ratio. You read more about this in the loan section. In my opinion, if you are seriously thinking about buying, go to a lender and seek out a pre-qualification letter. You will want this when submitting an offer. It should be quick and free.
Current Market
As you probably know, it is a seller's market and with that comes a lower inventory. The basic laws of supply and demand apply to real estate too. Homes sell much faster and at a higher price. Being prepared, such as having your pre-qualification letter, can be the difference of submitting an offer and waiting to find out the home you wanted is under contract.
Location
Some folks like to live close to work and others as far away with a manageable drive. If you are PCSing to Fort Hood, review the cities below for some initial thoughts about where you might want to locate. Are you still unsure? Contact me and we can discuss options with a potential game plan.
Schools
If you have kids this probably matters to you. If you don't this may or may not be a concern. Go to the local schools tab. It will give you some basic information to get started and has links to their specific sites.
Travel Time
This includes time around PT, Cav time, normal work days, gate hours during a DONSA or Federal holiday, etc. To narrow things down, identify which cities you do or do not want to live in.
Environmental
It is important to know which commercial or industrial is in each area. Generally speaking, subdivisions are zoned well to avoid pollution from industrial but also consider noise pollution with commercial facilities. Consider which way the sun is shining when you head home or into work.
Expectation Management
Considering everything above, especially the current market, don't expect perfection for the price. As expected, new homes asking prices have increased as well. I can show you those too. If you are looking at a final home, consider a home in the area that you want with a good lot size and remodel to make that home yours. There are loans to accomplish that too. Buying land and having a new build could fit your needs.
PCSing To Fort Hood?
Copperas Cove
Originally founded in the 1870's as a small rural ranching and farming community. The name Copperas Cove was inspired by water from a nearby spring that had a mineral taste. Expansion of the railroad and construction of Fort Hood were the two major events that improved the economy here.
Copperas Cove is located to the West / South West of Fort Hood. There are a variety of less used access points to the base besides those off 190. Here you would live roughly 10-20 miles from the main gate. Looking here first might be a good idea if you work primarily on the Central to West side of Fort Hood.
Killeen
Once a small farming town transformed with the expansion of the railroad. It was named after Frank Killeen. He was the assistant general manager of the railroad. The second economic boom came with the establishment of Camp Hood in WWII and recommissioned of Fort Hood in 1950.
Killeen is located South / South East of Fort Hood. The closest access to the base is off 190 and South Fort Hood St. It is located directly outside several gates so you could live <1 - 15 miles from the base. Looking here first might be a good idea if you work primarily in the Central or East side of Fort Hood.
Harker Heights
This land use to be owned by two hog farmers; Pinckney Cox and Harley Kern. They started subdividing their land and began selling lots due to the expansion of Fort Hood. Following a petition, the city was established 24 Sep 1960 and Cox was elected Mayor. Kern died prior to this and the Harker in Harker Heights was a concatenation of Harley Kern's name as a tribute.
Harker Heights is situated between Killeen and Nolanville. It is about 15.6 square miles so living here wouldn't add too much more to your drive time than living in the furthest outskirts of Killeen.
Nolanville
In 1850, originally named Nolan Valley due to Nolan Creek, had a population of 46. In 1883, the town was renamed to Nolanville and was actually the previous name for Belton. While not as expansive growth with the establishment of Fort Hood they are now at a population of 4,259 as of the last census.
Nolanville is boarded by Harker Heights to the South and West. It is about 4.25 square miles so living here also wouldn't add too much more to your drive time than living in the furthest outskirts of Killeen.
Belton
Belton was first settled in 1850 and was named Nolanville. In 1851, the name was changed to Belton after being named the county seat of newly created Bell County named after Peter Bell; who was the Governor at the time. It is boarded by the Leon River, Belton Lake, Stillhouse Hollow Lake and is next to Temple.
Neighbor to Temple, depending on where you live, the drive to Fort Hood would not be too much shorter. It is located about 25 miles from Fort Hood's main gate.
Temple
Founded as a railroad town, it was named after one official named Bernard Moore Temple. Initially booming from the railroad, it is now mainly known with its goods distribution and reputation with their regional medical center.
Some Soldiers prefer to live further away from base when off. Temple is about 30 miles East of Fort Hood's main gate. If you enjoy traveling, Austin is located 65 miles to the South and Waco is 35 miles to the North; dependent on which part of the city you live.
Gatesville
Gatesville was established in 1854 on land donated by Richard Grant. The name was taken after Fort Gates. It is located Northwest of Fort Hood. Five of the eight women's state correctional facilities are in Gatesville.
If you are working at North Fort Hood (NFH), looking at properties up here first might be your initial move. Utilizing East or West Range Road is the easiest way to get between NFH and SFH. There are an occasional convoy.