Features of a Starter Home
Just because you are a first-time buyer doesn’t mean you are looking for a “starter home”, but it’s still a useful lingo. I define starter home as a home that is close to or under the median price in the respective city, and at least a 3 bed, 2 bath and 2 car garage (3/2/2). While often not brand new, starter homes are often no older than twenty years old in the Fort Hood area due to the immense amount of new construction in our area. That is great for starter home buyers who can get plenty of home on a budget without dealing with some of the repair and maintenance issues of older homes.
Starter homes also make great rentals, which is a tremendous advantage when you move from the area or upgrade into a move-up home, because your home will be easy to rent and keep occupied.
Killeen
Hymesa Estates
Not just Hymesa Estates, but the surrounding Oak Valley, Chantz, Morning Glen, Heather Glen and Timber Ridge neighborhoods. Hymesa Estates is the largest, and a great area to find a simple but one of the best options for affordable living on Killeen’s Southeast side.
Conder Valley
And not just Conder Valley, but Winfield, Thunder Creek Estates and Sunflower Estates. This is a great area for folks interested in being close to Clear Creek and a quick dash onto post, the airport, or working at Metroplex Hospital.
Fox Creek
Just north of I-14, Fox Creek is an affordable little community in the very center of Killeen, and is convenient to everywhere and everything.
Saegert Ranch
A more recently built neighborhood on Killeen’s Southeast side, homes in Saegert might be at the higher end for first-time buyers, but often offer larger floor plans.
Lonesome Dove
Back on Killeen’s Southwest side just off the commercially expanding Stan Schlueter, this neighborhood is a great location for many Fort Hood home buyers. Most plans are single story and not too old.
James Way
On Stan Schlueter near the intersection with Fort Hood Street, James Way has older homes (for Killeen – still built in the 1980s and 1990s) but with great, simple floor plans and great resale or rentability.
Harker Heights
Skipcha Mountain Estates
There’s really only one major neighborhood to look for “starter” homes in Harker Heights, but it’s a big one. The largest neighborhood in the Fort Hood area, in fact. Skipcha offers a wide selection of homes, including some that would be better classified as “move-up” buyer. If you are looking for affordable and Harker Heights, Skipcha Mountain is your best bet.
Copperas Cove
House Creek North
A very recently built neighborhood but with great prices, House Creek North is located on the North side of Copperas Cove on the edge of town. It’s still convenient to Hwy 116 and the Turkey Run entrance to Fort Hood. It’s a great option for newer, spacious homes, especially two-story homes.
Tonkawa Village
Even newer is Tonkawa Village on the west side of Copperas Cove, also convenient to the new I-14 expansion for a quick trip to Killeen and the Fort Hood gates. The neighborhood features mostly single story homes.
Nolanville
Nolanridge
Nolanville is a growing area east of Harker Heights, with several move-up or high end neighborhoods. Nolanridge is a great affordable option to get what you need in a home, slightly closer to the Temple/Belton area than the rest of Killeen.