The Local Guide · Fort Hood

Buying a Home Near Fort Hood

Orders in hand and a lot to figure out? Here is how to turn your next assignment into a place that truly feels like home.

By the Magnolia Realty Temple-Belton Team · Updated September 2026

Every set of orders comes with a hundred questions. Where should we live? Can our housing allowance cover a mortgage? Can we buy a house we have only seen on a screen? For service members headed to Fort Hood, the good news is that Central Texas has a wide range of homes within a reasonable drive of post, and buying here is often within reach.

Our office sits in downtown Belton, just down I-14 from Fort Hood, and our team includes a longtime military spouse who knows the PCS process firsthand. This guide walks through the towns around post, your 2026 housing allowance, VA loan basics, Texas benefits for veterans, and how to buy with confidence from wherever you are stationed now.

A quick note on the name: the post was called Fort Cavazos from 2023 to 2025 and was officially renamed Fort Hood in 2025. You will still see both names on older maps and websites.

Towns Around Fort Hood at a Glance

Most people who work on Fort Hood live in one of these communities. Drive times are approximate and depend on which gate you use and the time of day.

*Approximate drive to the nearest main access gate outside rush hour. **Based on active listings on our website in September 2026. Figures are rounded averages of asking prices, not sold prices, and they change every week.

Choosing Where to Live

The right town usually comes down to three things: how long you want your commute to be, what kind of home you want, and how much room you want around you.

• Killeen puts you closest to the main gates and has the most homes on the market, with one of the lowest average asking prices in the area. You will find everything from established neighborhoods to brand-new construction.
• Harker Heights sits just east of Killeen along I-14, with hillside neighborhoods, larger average home sizes and easy access to Stillhouse Hollow Lake.
• Copperas Cove sits on the west side of post, which can make for a quick drive to the western gates.
• Nolanville is a smaller town on I-14 between Harker Heights and Belton, a short drive from both post and Belton.
• Belton and Temple trade a longer drive for historic downtowns, lake access, and quick access to Baylor Scott & White and the Central Texas VA medical center in Temple. If one of you works in Temple and the other on post, this can be the balance point. Our Temple vs. Belton guide compares the two side by side.
• Salado offers larger lots, custom homes and a small-village feel for buyers who don't mind the longest drive.

Before you commit, drive your likely route at the time you would actually report for duty. A 20-minute drive at noon can look very different at 6:30 in the morning.

The best home near post is the one that makes your everyday life easier, from the morning drive to the evening porch light.

Your 2026 Housing Allowance at Fort Hood

Your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is set by your pay grade and whether you have dependents, and it is the same no matter which town you choose. Here are the 2026 monthly rates for the Fort Hood area for several common pay grades:

2026 rates for the Fort Hood military housing area. Look up your exact rate with the Defense Travel Management Office's BAH calculator.

Your mortgage payment does not have to match your BAH exactly, but it is a helpful starting point. When you compare homes, look at the full monthly cost: principal and interest, property taxes, homeowners insurance and any HOA dues. A VA-experienced lender can show you what that total looks like for your budget before you ever tour a home, and we're happy to connect you with lenders who close VA loans in this area regularly.

VA Loan Basics

For most eligible service members and veterans, a VA loan is the most powerful tool for buying a home. Here is what makes it different:

• No down payment required for eligible borrowers, subject to lender approval.
• No private mortgage insurance, even with zero down.
• A one-time VA funding fee that can be rolled into the loan. For a purchase with no down payment, it is 2.15% of the loan amount the first time you use your benefit and 3.3% for later uses. It drops to 1.5% with at least 5% down and 1.25% with at least 10% down.
• Some buyers pay no funding fee at all, including veterans who receive VA disability compensation, Purple Heart recipients on active duty, and eligible surviving spouses.
• Your benefit can be used again, which matters in a career built around moves.
• VA loans are assumable, which means a qualified buyer may be able to take over your loan and interest rate when you sell. That can be a real selling point down the road.

Your first step is getting your Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which your lender can usually request for you. VA loans are for homes you will live in, so plan to move in within a reasonable time after closing. If you are deployed, a spouse living in the home can generally satisfy that requirement. Your lender can walk you through the details for your situation.

Texas Benefits for Homeowners and Veterans

• Homestead exemption. Every Texas homeowner who lives in the home as a primary residence can file for a homestead exemption, which takes $140,000 off the home's value for school district taxes. Apply with the Bell County Appraisal District after you move in.
• Disabled veteran exemptions. Veterans with a service-connected disability rating can receive a partial property tax exemption based on their rating. Veterans rated 100% disabled, or with individual unemployability, can receive a full exemption on their homestead.
• Texas Veterans Land Board loans. Eligible Texas veterans may qualify for home, land and home improvement loans through the Veterans Land Board, with an additional rate reduction for veterans with a qualifying disability rating.

Exemption rules and amounts are set by the state and can change. Confirm current details with the Texas Comptroller, the Bell County Appraisal District and the Texas Veterans Land Board.

Buying From Across the Country

Many of our clients buy before they ever set foot in Central Texas. Here is how we make that feel less like a leap and more like a plan:

• Live video tours where we walk every room, open the closets, check the backyard and answer your questions in real time.
• Neighborhood drives on video, so you can see the streets, the nearby shopping and your route to post.
• Flexible closings. Depending on your lender and title company, many closing steps can be handled remotely or by mail. If someone will sign for you with a power of attorney, clear it with your lender and title company early.
• Timing around your report date, so you are not paying for a home and temporary lodging longer than you need to.

Your PCS Home-Buying Timeline

1. As soon as you have orders: Get your COE, talk to a VA-experienced lender and get pre-approved.
2. 60 to 90 days out: Narrow down your towns, set up saved searches and start video tours.
3. 30 to 60 days out: Make an offer, schedule the inspection and appraisal, and set up your homeowners insurance.
4. Closing and move-in: Coordinate your closing date with your household goods delivery and report date.
5. After you move in: File your homestead exemption and any veteran exemptions with the Bell County Appraisal District.

Thinking Ahead to Your Next Move

Military life means your next set of orders is always somewhere on the horizon. It helps to buy with that in mind. Homes with practical floor plans in well-kept neighborhoods tend to be easier to sell or rent later. Some owners keep their home as a rental when they PCS, while others sell. Either way, a local team that knows this market can help you plan both the purchase and the eventual exit.

If you already own a home near Fort Hood and have new orders, find out what your home is worth before you decide whether to sell or rent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy a home near Fort Hood before I arrive?

Yes. With pre-approval, live video tours and a local agent who can walk homes for you, many buyers go under contract before they arrive. Depending on your lender and title company, parts of the closing can also be handled remotely.

Is it Fort Hood or Fort Cavazos?

It is Fort Hood. The post was named Fort Cavazos from 2023 until 2025, when it was officially renamed Fort Hood.

What is the 2026 BAH at Fort Hood?

It depends on your pay grade and dependents. For example, the 2026 rate for an E-5 with dependents is $1,695 per month, and for an O-3 with dependents it is $2,340 per month. Use the Defense Travel Management Office's BAH calculator for your exact rate.

Do I need a down payment with a VA loan?

Eligible borrowers can often buy with no down payment, subject to lender approval. There is a one-time VA funding fee unless you qualify for an exemption, such as receiving VA disability compensation.

Which towns have the shortest drive to Fort Hood?

Killeen, Copperas Cove, Harker Heights and Nolanville are generally closest. Belton, Temple and Salado involve a longer drive but offer different home styles, price points and amenities.

Can I rent out my home when I PCS again?

Many military homeowners do. VA loans require you to live in the home when you buy it, but you can generally keep it as a rental after you move. Talk with your lender about your specific plans.