“I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies.”----Thomas Jefferson
SENIOR RETIREMENT CENTER – Creekside Retirement Center, a 180 senior community, will be opening in May 2009. The community will consist of 28 single-story units with one and two-bedroom apartments with garages, plus a community center, which will include a movie theatre, exercise facility, swimming pool and indoor spa. The location of this community will be close to U.S. Highway 190 and Cunningham Road in Killeen. It is planned for seniors with too much income for subsidized housing but insufficient income for high-end retirement communities. Rents are expected to be between $750 and $900 per month.
AREA GROWTH – The Fort Hood area is the 14th fastest growing metropolitan area in the nation according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Affordable housing and a good job market are big contributors to this growth. The area grew from 357,580 residents in 2006 to 370,008 in 2007. The Austin-Round Rock area is the 5th fastest growing metropolitan area and Palm Coast, Florida ranks number one.
HOME SALES & CONSTRUCTION – New and existing home sales were down 10.73% last year in Killeen, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove and Nolanville. There were 3,496 sales in 2006 as compared to 3,121 sales in 2007.
In Killeen, new home building permits dropped slightly from 1,286 in 2006, to 1,278 in 2007. The city did issue 189 new duplex permits last year, which was up from 102 in 2006.
Residential construction was down in Copperas Cove last year due largely to the weather. In 2006, the city saw 250 new single-family homes built, 38 duplexes and 22 four-plexes. In 2007, new homes built totaled 209 and there were 33 new duplexes and only 5 four-plexes constructed.
A/C CHECKS AND SERVICING – We are about to begin our annual servicing of air conditioning units for those owners that have requested this maintenance. The service includes checking the wiring, housing, and fan relay of the inside unit. The fan motor, housing, blower wheels, air filter, thermostat, plenum, attic ducts, evaporator coils, and drain lines are also checked. The outside unit coils, wiring, fan motor, blades, Freon level, and pressure are checked as well. The cost of this service is $89.00 plus tax and does not include parts should a repair be necessary. If you wish to have your property added to our list, please contact James or Candy in our maintenance department at 254-634-4105 or E-mail them at hrmaint@aol.com.
David Gerke
CO-Owner/Broker