Killeen Fort Hood Real Estate

head_left_image

Jerry Wright Homes - Energy Efficiency and Energy Star Homes

Jjerry wright homeserry Wright Homes has recently become an Energy Star Builder Partner and has several energy efficient new homes under construction in Killeen and Copperas Cove Texas, serving our Fort Hood military relocation buyers very well! 

Preparing for the future and the possibility of rising energy costs, Jerry Wright has developed these beautiful homes which will use less energy, have lower energy costs to the owner, and have less impact on the environment, as well as featuring granite counter tops, high ceilings, ceramic tile and many more upgrades started at $137,250.

Jerry WRight HomesTo be certified as an Energy Star Home, a new home must have effective insulation, high performance windows, tight construction and ductwork, efficient heating and cooling systems, AND be tested and inspected during construction by a certified third party inspector.  Jerry Wright Homes are inspected by Steve Rinehart, Real Estate Inspector from Harker Heights, TX.  You can read more about the required independent inspections and testing that assures your new Jerry Wright Home is an energy efficient Energy Star Home by following this link to Energy Star.gov. 

 

 Jerry Wright Homes

Pro-Consumer GFE/HUD Rules Coming In January of 2010!

The upcoming consumer friendly changes in the Good Faith Estimate form and the HUD Settlement Statement will be in effect 1 JAN 10.  This is a nation wide change.   Gabrielle Rhind has written a very informative blog outlining the new rules:

Via Gabrielle (Kamahele) Rhind, Associate Broker (Tierra Antigua Realty, Tucson AZ Real Estate):

Many buyers have seen last minute mortgage-settlement cost shocks and mystery junk-fee charges that pop up last minute or the "good-faith estimates" from lenders saying that closing costs would be about $2,000, but doubled to $4000 on the final settlement sheet.  Worse - the Buyer had to come up with the extra money to cover the surprise costs or the sale or refinance just isn't going to happen. 

But drastic changes are coming. On January 1, new federal rules adopted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development will implement pro-consumer real estate and mortgage transactions across the country.  The bottom line? Lenders who lowball fees - and/or "surprise" Buyers at the last minute with extra fees, will have to pay these fees - instead of the consumer.

Also, loan charges and settlement fees will be clearly stated on a revised, consumer-friendly version of the good-faith estimates (GFE).  Lenders must provide this GFE to the borrower within three days of their mortgage applications.

Charges must fall into three categories on the form:

• Fees that cannot increase from upfront estimates to final closing. These include lender's or broker's origination fee, processing and underwriting charges, (a huge source of junk fees),  lender's or broker's loan discount "points", and local transfer taxes.

Fee estimates that can, may increase by as much as 10 percent from upfront estimates if they are on a lender approved list.  Common charges here include appraisals; lender's title insurance and settlement services where the borrower chooses a firm on a list approved by the lender; owner's title insurance when the borrower chooses a company on the lender's approved list; and recordation charges by local governments.  Keep in mind, these are combined fees of charges that cannot increase more by more than 10%. Total.

Fees that can increase without limit, due to factors beyond the lender's control and come from non-lender approved lists.  These include lender-required services where the borrowers choose a title insurance, escrow or other settlement company that is not on the lender's list; the cost of homeowners' hazard insurance; daily interest charges on the loan; and the amount of the initial deposit by the borrower into an escrow account.

Other benefits to the new rules:

The new good-faith estimate encourages loan applicants to shop and compare lenders. The form includes space for comparing up to four competing lenders' GFEs on interest rates, rate locks, prepayment penalties or balloon payments, among other factors. The cost estimates you receive from each competitor are required to remain available for 10 business days. Interest rates can change unless locked by the lender and borrower.

The new GFE rules include  an updated standard closing-cost statement, also known as the "HUD-1."  The revised HUD-1 is programmed into the GFEs allowing consumers to directly compare, line by line, what they were told upfront by a lender to the actual close costs.

The new rules requires disclosure of fee splits between the insurance underwriter - the company actually insuring the title - and the title agent, who is often the settlement agent. Consumers may be stunned to learn that in some markets, 80 percent to 90 percent or more of the premium they pay at closing actually goes to the title agent - and not the insurance itself.

Source: Class on the new rules and HUD and Dept of Urban Development website.

 

Gabrielle (Kamahele) Rhind - 2009. If you want to reprint parts of this - just email me for my permission rhindohana@msn.com or TucsonsRealEstate@gmail.com. Buying or selling Tucson real estate, Mt Lemmon, Tucson bank-owned homes, Tucson rental homes, or Tucson lease option homes? Visit www.BuyMyTucsonHome.com

   

               

Don't Have Kids? Why Schools are Still Important to You!

#4 of 7 Things  To Do Before Buying Fort Hood Real Estate

BooksBefore you buy Fort Hood real estate in any area, take time to check into the performance ratings of the schools that serve the area you are considering, whether you are targeting Killeen, Copperas Cove or Harker Heights.  Even though you don't have children in school, the next buyer might!   A great home in a so-so school zone will take longer to sell, so plan ahead and buy a home in a great performing school zone.  

Planning ahead for RESALE time will make your Fort Hood real estate resale experience much more enjoyable!

The Texas Education Agency has posted online all the performance data for every school in the state, right down to the campus level.  Once you get to the TEA website, click on Testing and Accountability.   Then click on 2008-2009 School Report Cards.  From there you can enter the school district you want to check.. Copperas Cove or Killeen.  Harker Heights is part of the Killeen School District.  If you live on the west side of Copperas Cove, your school district might be Lampasas.

You'll see all the information about each school campus so you can determine if the home you want to buy is in a school zone that will be attractive to buyers who might be looking to buy your home in a few years.

Of course, performace results can change over the years.   A great school today might just be an acceptable school in the future.   Test scores are affected by many different factors.  But this is the best system we can check at the moment, so take some time and look into how different campuses are performing before you buy a house for sale at Fort Hood.

New Home Fort Hood Copperas Cove Killeen - Jerry Wright Homes

JerryWrightHomes.com - The Retreat Plan
Main Photo
Location: House Creek North
Just complete and ready for move in, this beautiful Jerry Wright Home features granite countertops, marble garden tub, tiled showers, full yard grass, automatic lawn sprinkler system, privacy fencing. Home is configured as four bedrooms, two baths, separate large master suite with private den/retreat. Great Copperas Cove schools and a short commute to Fort Hood. Builder pays your closing costs and provides a one year builder warranty and a 2/10 structural warranty. Call any realtor today to see this gorgeous new home ready now in House Creek North. Visit www.JerryWrightHomes.com to see floorplans and more information about these gorgeous new homes now under construction in Killeen, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove, Fort Hood, TX.
Information
Pricing
Price: $156,300.00
Property Location
1805 Jesse Drive
Copperas Cove, TX 76522
View Map
Features
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 2
Year Built: 2009
Subdivision: House Creek
Garage Size: 2
School District: Copperas Cove
Square Footage: 1840
Agent Name: Mary Ann Daniell
Broker: Coldwell Banker United, Realtors
MLS #: 153144
Source of SF: Builder Plan
Attributes
Appliances
Range/Oven
Dishwasher
Sink Disposal
Microwave
Smooth top range
Self cleaning oven
Interior Amenities
High Ceiling
Granite
Garden Tub
Tile Shower
Maytag Appliances
French Doors
Pantry
Breakfast Bar
Ceiling Fans
Exterior Amenities
Patio
Grass Lawn
Wood Privacy Fencing
Lawn Sprinkler System
Photo Gallery
All information in this site is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and is subject to change

Killeen Copperas Cove Fort Hood Crime Statistics

Killeen Fort Hood  Copperas Cove Crime Statistics

#3 of 7 Things You Should Do Before Buying Fort Hood Real Estate

Neighborhood Crime WatchChecking out the crime statistics for Killeen, Copperas Cove and Harker Heights TX is one of the most important calls you need to make before you buy a home at Fort Hood.  The Killeen, Copperas Cove, Harker Heights area is dotted with many very different neighborhoods.  Riding around and looking at all the different areas  might give you an idea of where you want to live, but go a step further and call the local police department.   They will be happy to give you the crime statistics for your target neighborhood.  

Don't depend on a realtor, friend or work colleague who says "Oh, that area is FINE!"   Make sure YOU check the crime statistics and that you feel confident that your neighborhood meets your expectations.

 

Killeen Police Department
 254-501-8830

Copperas Cove Police Department
 254-547-4272

Harker Heights Police Department 
 254-953-5400