Should I fix up my house before selling?

Not every repair is worth the money. The key is knowing which fixes create buyer confidence and which ones you can skip without hurting your sale price. Stephen gives every seller a pre-inspection repair plan built around real return on investment, so you spend only where it pays off and avoid over-improving for the market.

How do you price a home correctly in this market?

Pricing is the single most important decision you make when selling. Too high and buyers skip you, days pile up, and you accept less with no leverage. Too low and you leave money behind. As a certified Home Pricing Expert, Stephen builds a full market analysis for every listing and positions your home where serious buyers compete rather than hesitate.

Can I sell my home while I'm stationed overseas or out of state?

Yes. Stephen has sold homes for military clients stationed in Japan, Germany, and across the country. As a certified Military Relocation Professional, he handles the full process remotely, including pricing, prep coordination, showings, negotiation, and closing, so you do not have to be physically present.

How long will it take to sell my home in Killeen?

A correctly priced and well-prepared home in Killeen and the Fort Hood market typically goes under contract within two to three weeks of listing. Homes that sit longer are usually overpriced at launch or lack a targeted marketing strategy. Stephen uses a structured launch with a Day-10 checkpoint to catch momentum issues early before they become a problem.

What is the difference between list price and what I actually walk away with?

A lot can happen between list price and closing table. Buyer concessions, repair credits, closing cost contributions, and weak contract terms can all reduce what you keep. Stephen focuses on your net proceeds, negotiating price, terms, credits, and contingencies together so the number that matters is the one on your final settlement statement.

Why should I hire Stephen Harris over another agent in Killeen?

Stephen has 400+ closings, $92 million in sales volume, 100+ five-star Google reviews, and 10 years of Central Texas experience. He gives you a straight answer, builds a real plan for your specific home, and stays reachable throughout the entire process.

New Construction in Killeen With a VA Loan: What to Know First

Can you buy a new-construction home in Killeen with a VA loan?

Yes — you can buy a brand-new home near Fort Hood with a VA loan, and most full-entitlement buyers do it with $0 down. But new construction adds steps a resale doesn’t: an “as-completed” appraisal, a VA final inspection, Minimum Property Requirements, the VA Escape Clause in your contract, and a builder warranty. The biggest trap is the builder upgrade deposit — that money is not protected by the Escape Clause and usually isn’t refundable. Know these rules before you sign the builder’s contract, not after.

By Stephen Harris | June 3, 2026

Killeen has a lot of new construction right now, and for good reason — builders have been busy, and VA buyers can get into a brand-new home with no down payment. If you’re stationed at Fort Hood and shopping new builds, that’s a real advantage. But a builder’s contract is not the same as a standard Texas resale contract, and your VA loan adds a few moving parts most first-time buyers don’t see coming.

Here’s the deal. Let me walk you through what’s actually different, so you sign the right paperwork with your eyes open.

The VA “as-completed” appraisal sets your number

On a resale, the appraiser values a home that already exists. On new construction, there’s nothing to walk through yet — so your lender orders an as-completed appraisal. The appraiser reviews the plans and specs and estimates what the finished home will be worth.

That appraised value sets the maximum the VA will let you borrow. If the home appraises at or above your contract price, you’re in good shape. If it comes in low, you’ve got a decision to make — and that’s where your contract protections matter.

When the home is finished, the VA requires a final inspection, typically by the same appraiser, to confirm it was built to the approved plans and still meets VA standards.

Minimum Property Requirements still apply

Even on a brand-new home, the VA holds the property to its Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) — the standards that keep VA buyers in homes that are safe, structurally sound, and sanitary. The home needs working systems, safe year-round access by road, adequate space to live, cook, and sleep, and proper sanitary facilities.

New builds usually clear MPRs without drama because everything is new and up to current code. But “usually” isn’t “always,” and the final inspection is a real step, not a rubber stamp.

The VA Escape Clause — your most important protection

This is the one to understand before you sign anything.

The VA Escape Clause must be included in the sales contract on every VA purchase, including new construction. It says that if the VA appraisal comes in below your contract price, you can walk away from the deal without penalty and get your earnest money back — you are not forced to pay the difference out of pocket.

That protection is powerful. But it has a sharp edge most new-construction buyers miss:

The Escape Clause covers your earnest money. It does not cover the deposits you put down with the builder for upgrades. Those upgrade deposits — the granite, the extended patio, the upgraded flooring you picked in the design center — are generally not refundable, and the builder is not required to give them back if the deal falls apart. That money can be at real risk, even when your earnest money is protected.

So before you fall in love with a design-center wish list, understand exactly which dollars are protected and which aren’t.

Earnest money vs. builder deposits — know the difference

The VA doesn’t require earnest money at all, but your contract will. In this market, earnest money commonly runs 1% to 3% of the purchase price, and it’s protected by your contingencies and the Escape Clause. If you want a deeper look at how that deposit works in Texas and who keeps it when a deal falls apart, here’s how earnest money works in a Texas contract.

Builder upgrade deposits are a separate animal. They’re paid to the builder, tracked separately, and usually nonrefundable. Treat them as a different category of risk and don’t overcommit before your financing and appraisal are solid.

The builder warranty matters more than the model home

A glossy model home tells you what the finishes look like. The warranty tells you what happens when something doesn’t work.

For VA new construction, the builder generally needs to provide a one-year builder’s warranty, and when local authorities don’t perform the required inspections, the home must carry a 10-year insured structural protection plan acceptable to HUD. Builders also have to meet licensing, insurance, and experience standards.

Ask for the warranty terms in writing and read them before closing. What’s covered in year one, what’s covered for ten years, and how you submit a claim are details you’ll care about long after the new-home smell fades.

Two more things VA buyers in Killeen should plan for

Buyer-agent commission. Since August 2024, the way buyer-agent compensation works has changed, and VA buyers can now pay their buyer’s agent directly at closing if needed. You can also negotiate for the seller or builder to cover it — and when they do, that payment doesn’t count against the VA’s 4% seller-concession cap. One catch: buyer-agent fees have to be paid in cash at closing and can’t be rolled into your loan. This is worth mapping out early so there are no surprises.

Builder “preferred lender” incentives. Many builders offer incentives — closing-cost credits, rate buydowns, upgrade allowances — if you use their in-house or preferred lender. Those incentives can be real money. Just compare the full picture: the rate, the fees, and the incentive together, against an outside VA lender. The cheapest headline rate isn’t always the best total deal, and the biggest incentive isn’t either. Run the numbers both ways.

How I help VA buyers navigate a new build

This is exactly the kind of decision I walk my clients through before they sign a builder contract. Success leaves clues — I’ve watched which builders honor their timelines, how their contracts are written, and where buyers get tripped up.

I’ll review the builder’s contract with you, make sure the VA Escape Clause is in place, flag which deposits are at risk, and help you weigh the builder’s lender incentive against the market. If you want to know what to watch for when an appraisal comes in low, that playbook applies here too. The goal is simple: you get into the right home, on the right terms, with full information — not a contract you didn’t fully read.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use a VA loan to buy new construction in Killeen?

Yes. You can purchase a completed or to-be-completed new-construction home near Fort Hood with a VA loan, and most full-entitlement buyers do it with no down payment. The process adds an as-completed appraisal, a VA final inspection, Minimum Property Requirements, and the VA Escape Clause to a standard purchase.

Does the VA Escape Clause protect my builder upgrade deposit?

No. The VA Escape Clause protects your earnest money if the appraisal comes in below the contract price, but it does not cover deposits you pay the builder for upgrades. Those upgrade deposits are generally nonrefundable, so understand that risk before committing to a long design-center wish list.

Is there a VA loan limit on new construction?

Buyers with full VA entitlement have no loan limit and can finance the full appraised value with $0 down. If your entitlement is reduced — for example, you have another active VA loan — county loan limits come into play, which for most areas in 2026 sit around $832,750. Your lender can confirm your specific entitlement.

Should I use the builder’s preferred lender?

Sometimes — but only after you compare. Builders often offer closing-cost credits or rate buydowns for using their lender, and those incentives can be worth thousands. Compare the rate, fees, and incentive as a package against an outside VA lender so you know which option actually leaves more in your pocket.

Does new construction meet VA Minimum Property Requirements?

Usually, because new homes are built to current code, but it isn’t automatic. A VA-approved appraiser still confirms the finished home is safe, structurally sound, and sanitary at the final inspection before your loan closes.

Your next move

A new build near Fort Hood with a VA loan can be a smart move — but the builder’s contract and the VA’s steps are where deals get won or lost. The buyers who come out ahead are the ones who understand the appraisal, the Escape Clause, the deposits at risk, and the warranty before they sign.

Book a free strategy call with Stephen Harris so we can map out your best move. He’ll review the builder’s contract, confirm your VA protections are in place, flag which deposits are at risk, and help you compare the builder’s lender incentive against the market — no pressure, no pitch, just the data so you can decide with full information. Book your call here.

This article is general information, not legal, tax, or lending advice. VA loan eligibility, entitlement, and terms depend on your situation — verify the specifics with your lender and the VA. Mention of VA programs does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any military branch.

About Stephen Harris
Stephen Harris is a Central Texas real estate broker who helps homeowners and buyers make confident decisions with a clear strategy and the numbers in front of them. He specializes in helping military families, first-time buyers, and sellers in Killeen, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove, Temple, Belton, and the Fort Hood area protect their money from offer to closing. Stephen is a Texas Associate Broker (#677386) with the Good Life Team at All City Real Estate, Ltd. Co.