r u o Y o t d d A
HOME LIGHTING TO HOLIDAY WISH LIST Spending more time at home working, learning and simply living? The holiday season is the perfect opportunity to gift your household with lighting that enhances the feel and function of your spaces.
By upgrading home lighting during the holidays, you can affordably gift your family beautiful, functional spaces.
To take advantage of the best deals of the season, create your “lighting wish-list” in advance of Cyber Monday. Manufacturers such as Progress Lighting are making it easy to plan ahead . As you seek inspiration, consider these designs, which align with the latest home decor trends: • Bath & Vanity: Create a serene bathroom oasis capturing the old and the new. Featuring a clean, precise design, the Hansford Collection’s four-light bath and vanity bracket with an Antique Bronze finish lends itself to farmhouse, coastal or industrial interiors. For a modern, yet timeless look, consider the Carisa Collection’s three-light Vintage Gold Bath light. Its metallic finish supports glossy white glass globes. • Ceiling Fans: Add expansive design to great rooms, living rooms and bedrooms with statement-making ceiling fans. The Springer Collection 60-inch 12-Blade Distressed Walnut Coastal Windmill fan, inspired by the form and function of a windmill, has an architectural bronze finish ideal for farmhouse, industrial and transitional interior settings. For sophisticated, modern design, consider the Glandon Collection 60-inch fan, which has full-range dimming and reversible blades in driftwood and walnut. • Chandeliers: Complement rustic and modern farmhouse home décor in hallways, foyers and great rooms, as well as
urban industrial and coastal interior settings, with the four-light linear chandelier of the Gulliver Collection. Its three circular bands wrap together for an open design. Dual-toned frame color combinations of graphite feature weathered gray accents. Or, create a soft, muted glow with the four-light black chandelier in the Durrell Collection. Inside the sailcloth linen shade nestle light bases on gently curved arms coated in a beautiful finish. Demand attention with the Lassiter Five-Light Brushed Nickel Chandelier. Square tubing with clean angles and striking vintage light sockets blend the modern with traditional.
Demand attention with the Lassiter Five-Light Brushed Nickel Chandelier.
Delicate details in a graphite finish create a statement-making focal piece...
• Outdoor: Enhance modern and transitional style settings outdoors with the minimalist, yet exciting design of the Square Wall Lantern. The crisscross design of the Hollingsworth Collection Wall Lantern surrounds clear seeded glass, emulating popular farmhouse décor and when paired with vintage or traditional bulbs, enhances a variety of transitional exteriors. • Pendants: The concentric rings of Equinox pendants pivot for an otherworldly feel inspired by astronomy, whereas Penn, a onelight large pendant with a clear glass sphere in a natural brass finish, embraces a modern take on vintage electric design.
• Close-to-Ceiling: A new category of vintage modern fixtures takes center stage with this convertible fixture in the Debut Collection. Delicate details in a graphite finish create a statement-making focal piece for a variety of interiors -- whether mounted flush to the ceiling or chain-hung -- for a fitting stage to feature nostalgic, vintage lamps. For rustic flair, consider a close-to-ceiling fixture in the Durrell Collection featuring a round open-cage frame coated in a farmhouse-style matte black finish.
• Controls: Experience the convenience of touchless lighting with voice control through Siri, Amazon Alexa, or the Google Assistant using the iDevices Smart Lighting Controls. Manage home lighting from anywhere and set dynamic scenes via the connected app. By upgrading home lighting during the holidays, you can affordably gift your family beautiful, functional spaces.
Ensuring Your Home Heating Equipment Operates Efficiently All Season Consider the age of your unit and think about updating older equipment for long-term savings.
Want a snafu-free season of home heating? Better installation and quality service mean a longer life for your heating and cooling equipment, as well as increased energy efficiency and reduced energy bills. Not only that, regular service checks may actually detect problems before you notice them, and catching them in time may extend your unit’s life. So, what should you know before hiring an HVAC professional for your installation, repair or maintenance check? Here are a few things to keep in mind:
they are better qualified. You should read company reviews as well as ask the contractor if they have technicians certified by North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE-certified technicians have demonstrated their knowledge of today’s increasingly sophisticated heating and cooling systems by passing a nationally recognized test developed and supported by all segments of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning industry. • Ask for credentials: Make sure that the contractor has all the necessary permits to do the job. Find out whether they have experience with the maintenance, repair, or replacement of your existing system in order to prevent future misunderstandings or technical problems. • Ask for guidance: In the long run, knowing how to service the system yourself will save you a considerable amount of money, making a good contractor one who will be there to guide you through the maintenance process. • Hire carefully: Be careful of the lowest bidder. Contractors who are charging more may be doing so because
Make sure that the contractor has all the necessary permits to do the job.
Ensuring Your Home Heating Equipment Operates Efficiently All Season Contractors who are charging more may be doing so because they are better qualified.
To find a NATE-certified technician in your area, visit Natex.org. • Take precautions: With a few precautions, you can safely hire an HVAC technician and have home repair work done during the COVID-19 pandemic. Just be sure to ask the
contractor about their safety protocols. For example, do they do video conferencing for estimates? Do their techs wear masks, gloves and shoe covers on the job? Are they practicing social distancing?
In the long run, knowing how to service the system yourself will save you a considerable amount of money • Make smart upgrades: Newer units, especially those with ENERGY STAR labels,
operate more efficiently, reduce your energy bill, increase your comfort and even help protect the environment. You may not realize the amount of money you waste with a unit that is less efficient by today’s standards, even if your heating or cooling system is properly maintained. Consider the age of your unit and think about updating older equipment for long-term savings. • DIY these tasks: While a qualified professional is a good choice for complicated maintenance tasks, there are a few things you can do to optimize your system’s efficiency on you own. This includes changing your air filters at least twice in the season or as directed by the manufacturer. You should also inspect your furnace area as well as all vents and returns to ensure they are free of obstructions. For smooth, efficient operation of your home heating equipment and a more comfortable winter, be sure any service rendered is carried out by qualified professionals. (State Point)
(254) 526-5117
www.jwchomesales.com
3800 S W.S. Young Dr Ste 101 • Killeen, TX Jim Wright, Broker • TX Lic # 277160
HOMES FOR SALE
$115,000
UNDER CONTRACT!
3 Bedrooms • 2 Baths
3 Bedrooms • 2 Baths
1,431 sq.ft. Very Clean, Good Starter Home in Bridgewood Estates
CALL JESSE at (254) 466-1313
FOR SALE: $140,000
MLS #425816
COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES
4100 MESA DRIVE
•2,100 sq. ft. •$1.00 Monthly/ sq. ft. •Located off busy Stan Schlueter Loop
CALL JIM WRIGHT at (254) 526-5117 FOR LEASE
1,365 sq.ft. 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, 1 half-bath downstairs. Freshly painted, new carpet, laminate wood flooring, new lighting, upgrade bathrooms, large backyard close to shopping, restaurants, and a movie theater.
1914 E. VETERANS MEMORIAL BLVD
•Building Size - 3,246 sq. ft. •Great Condition, good parking next door to McDonald’s at the corner of W.S. Young and Hwy 190
CALL JIM WRIGHT at (254) 526-5117 FOR SALE
1300 VETERANS MEMORIAL BLVD •$3,000 Monthly •Large free-standing building with multiple bathrooms and large media rooms •Good paved off street parking
4003 W. STAN SCHLUETER LOOP
CALL JIM WRIGHT at (254) 526-5117 FOR NNN LEASE
rented. Make your offer and look at the property during the option period. Call for questions.
MLS #425952
CALL JIM at (254) 289-3145 FOR SALE: $59,900 MLS #418295
www.texasccim.com
2904 SOUTH TRIMMIER
•Located on West Stan Schlueter Loop in the middle of the growth corridor •Priced below market at base rent of $1.30 per sq. ft.
3 Bedrooms • 1 Baths 955 sq.ft. Cute little 3 bedroom 1 bath home stays
CALL JACQUELINE at (254) 466-1313
FOR SALE: $150,000
•Small business center with 1,000 and 2,000 sq. ft. offices priced below market. •Modified Gross Lease •Located near shopping and schools
CALL JIM WRIGHT at (254) 526-5117 FOR LEASE
913 EVERGREEN, KILLEEN
1504 GREY FOX TRAIL, KILLEEN
6108 GRIFFITH LOOP, KILLEEN
CALL JIM WRIGHT at (254) 526-5117 FOR NNN LEASE
2301 CENTRAL TEXAS EXPRESSWAY
•Three suites 101-A-1,539 s.f; 104-2020 s.f.; and 106-7,000 s.f. all priced at $1.00 to $1.10 psf. • Suite 106 is a restaurant with vent-a-hoods, grease trap, etc.
CALL JIM WRIGHT at (254) 526-5117 FOR NNN LEASE
4008 STAN SCHLUETER LOOP
2025 MEMORY LANE
•2,200 sq. ft. •$1.45 Monthly/sq.ft. •Located off busy Stan Schlueter Loop
•Formerly a medical office, but will make a great general office space •Building Size - 12,000 sq. ft.
CALL JIM WRIGHT at (254) 526-5117 FOR NNN LEASE
CALL JIM WRIGHT at (254) 526-5117 FOR NNN LEASE
903 N. MAIN STREET
4006 E STAN SCHLUETER LOOP
•Sales Price $359,000 •Good Steady Cash Flow •Multi-tenant property
CALL JIM WRIGHT at (254) 526-5117 FOR SALE
•11,000 sq. ft. •Large open-building can be used as retail, office, call center, or other •Total Rent $11,684 •Single Tenant
CALL JIM WRIGHT at (254) 526-5117 FOR NNN LEASE
2703 E. STAN SCHUETER LOOP
440 E CENTRAL TEXAS EXPY
•NEW 1,145 sq. ft. office building •Stan Schlueter Loop •$1.45 per sq. ft.
•Office and Retail Offices Available •Excellent paved off street parking on all four sides of the building •Great location with good visibility and access from Central Texas Expy.
CALL JIM WRIGHT at (254) 526-5117 FOR NNN LEASE
CALL JIM WRIGHT at (254) 526-5117 FOR NNN LEASE
CALL FOR AVAILABILITY
2207 Barry, Killeen 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Pets Allowed $1,025 Rent, $1,025 Deposit CALL FOR AVAILABILITY
2408 Wisteria, Killeen 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Small Pets Only $1,150 Rent, $1,150 Deposit CALL FOR AVAILABILITY
4206 Frigate, Killeen 4 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Pets Allowed $1,150 Rent, $1,150 Deposit CALL FOR AVAILABILITY
4004 Sand Dollar, Killeen 4 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Pets Allowed $1,050 Rent, $1,050 Deposit
CALL FOR AVAILABILITY
703 Dianne, Copperas Cove 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms,Small Pets Only $1,100 Rent, $1,100 Deposit CALL FOR AVAILABILITY
4102 Hondo, Killeen 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Pets Allowed $1,150 Rent, $1,150 Deposit CALL FOR AVAILABILITY
3719 Water Oak, Killeen 4 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Pets Allowed $1,250 Rent, $1,250 Deposit CALL FOR AVAILABILITY
4303 Elms Run UNIT A, Killeen 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Small Pets Only $925 Rent, $925 Deposit
CALL FOR AVAILABILITY
1305 Chips Unit B, Killeen 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, No Pets Allowed $950 Rent, $950 Deposit CALL FOR AVAILABILITY
1801 Southbend, Salado 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Pets Allowed $1,100 Rent, $1,100 Deposit CALL FOR AVAILABILITY
3808 Peaks, Killeen 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Pets Allowed $950 Rent, $950 Deposit CALL FOR AVAILABILITY
3306 Lineage Unit B, Killeen 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, No Pets Allowed $1,025 Rent, $1,025 Deposit
CALL FOR AVAILABILITY
2302 Sherman, Killeen 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Pets Allowed $995 Rent, $995 Deposit CALL FOR AVAILABILITY
5112 Parkwood, Killeen 4 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Pets Allowed $1,100 Rent, $1,100 Deposit CALL FOR AVAILABILITY
2210 Maedell, Killeen 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Approved Pets Only $1,150 Rent, $1,150 Deposit CALL FOR AVAILABILITY
4903 Pepper Mill Hollow, Killeen 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, No Pets Allowed $1,100 Rent, $1,100 Deposit
The VILLAGE at Clear Creek Luxury Apartments Situated in an ideal location, the VILLAGE at Clear Creek, is conveniently located near business, retail, residential, Metroplex Hospital, Central Texas College, and Fort Hood. Wherever you need to be, this location covers it all! 2 Bedroom/2 Bathroom • Living Room Pre-Wired for Slim Line TV • Basic Cable and Internet Package Included • Covered Balconies • 1 Car Garage with Opener Available • Vinyl Plank Floors • Washer and Dryer Connections • Ceiling Fans in Bedrooms
2710 Clear Creek Rd., Killeen, TX
CALL FOR AVAILABILITY Jim Wright
(866)
686-5266
Owner/Broker TX Lic #277160
www.jwcrentals.com
JWC has a “first come, first serve” policy with Rental Properties. JWC will not hold a property. Prices and property availability are subject to change.
How
Military Families Can Navigate
Home Buying in Uncertain Times Like many Americans, the recent pandemic may have you thinking a lot about your current living space and about buying a home. If you’re a military service member, veteran or family member, both new and triedand-true tools and resources can streamline the process.
“The decision to buy is personal. Take into account your goals and financial circumstances,” says Greg Murray, VP, national client relationship manager/military program. “Interest rates are at historic lows, so if you feel financially ready, this is a great time to look.”
mortgage consultant who can help you navigate the process, as well as discuss financing options that fit your needs. “Consider working with a military lending specialist who can help you make the most of the home loan benefits you’ve earned,” says Murray.
To get you started, Wells Fargo Home Lending is providing these insights:
If you decide to move forward, it’s important to be realistic about what you can afford, and having a rainy day fund is a good sign of your readiness. COVID-19 has reinforced the reality of unexpected economic ups and downs. So, don’t overextend yourself in buying. Leave yourself with the ability to weather economic cycles and afford run-of-the-mill expenses for home repairs.
To get a better understanding of the local market, as well as the impact the pandemic may be having on home sales, lean on your real estate agent.
• Assess your readiness:
• Build your team: Enlist a home
If you decide to move forward, it’s important to be realistic about what you can afford,
• Know your down payment options: Not all financing options require you to put 20 percent down. For military service members and veterans, VA loans provide low- and no-down payment options for qualified
(StatePoint)
How
Military Families Can Navigate
Home Buying in Uncertain Times borrowers, and don’t require monthly mortgage insurance. Other low down payment options to explore include Wells Fargo’s yourFirst Mortgage program, as well as FHA and rural lending programs. However, it’s important to understand that more money down could reduce your monthly payments and interest paid over the life of the loan, and may also eliminate the need for private mortgage insurance or reduce your funding fee on a VA loan. • Leverage digital tools: At a time when health and safety is topof-mind, digital tools can offer a contactless experience. While a recent realtor. com survey indicates that 63.6% of consumers looking for a home want to see a property in person before buying, many start the hunt online, and now you have better opportunities to do so. In an effort to keep clients safe, many realtors offer home walk-throughs using video chat apps. When it comes to the mortgage process, lenders like Wells Fargo offer time-tested digital tools allowing you to handle many aspects of the process remotely, including signing disclosures, uploading documents and simply
Not all financing options require you to put 20 percent down. getting started. In the first six months of 2020, 53% of the lender’s VA applications came through the online mortgage application. To contact a home mortgage consultant, visit wellsfargo.com/military. To access free resources that can help you be a savvier home shopper, visit Wells Fargo’s educational page, myfirsthome.wellsfargobank.com. Also be sure to visit www.va.org for instructions to get a “Certificate of
At a time when health and safety is top-of-mind, digital tools can offer a contactless experience.
Eligibility,” the first step to getting a VA-backed loan and a key document in using VA loan benefits. Whether you wish to take advantage of historically low interest rates or you’re spending more time at home and want a larger space to accommodate the new normal, leverage as many resources as you can. For military personnel and veterans especially, rest easy in knowing there are resources available to simplify the process.
HOUSING INSTABILITY and COVID-19: New Help is on the Way The economic downturn caused by the pandemic has created widespread housing insecurity for both renters and homeowners. However, advocates say that free and low-cost legal assistance and other support is helping people remain in their homes. “The economic challenges caused by COVID-19 are putting a spotlight on the most vulnerable communities, which have been disproportionately affected by job losses, under-employment and housing instability,” says Eileen Fitzgerald, head of Housing Affordability Philanthropy with the Wells Fargo Foundation. By the end of the year, up to 40 million U.S. renters may face eviction, according to research from the Aspen Institute and the COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project. Black and Hispanic tenants represent 80 percent of those potentially facing eviction nationwide. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an eviction moratorium until the end of the year, tenants must still be proactive. Here are steps you can take to protect yourself, according to the National Housing Law Project: • Contact your landlord. As soon as you know you won’t be able to make a rent payment, contact your landlord.
• Gather documentation. Retain all correspondence and receipts from your landlord. Be sure to document phone calls and in-person conversations.
“Housing instability is a persisting problem that must change. Home is a sanctuary. Having a safe and affordable place to call home is an essential pathway for wellness, dignity and economic opportunity,”
• Know assistance is available. Seek out community services offering rental relief, food and health care. Visit www.Legalfaq.org to learn more about services available in your community.
• Seek legal assistance. An estimated 90 percent of landlords have legal representation, while only 10 percent of tenants do, according to Harvard researchers. This creates a glaring equity gap, as legal representation can make you more likely to avoid eviction. Look into services providing free legal assistance and submit your declaration. The CDC moratorium requires tenants to file a federal declaration form to be eligible for the eviction protection. What’s Being Done Fortunately, large-scale, multifaceted efforts are already underway to address the nationwide housing affordability crisis. As part of its $175 million response to COVID-19, the Wells Fargo Foundation has provided over 1,200 grants to nonprofits, including funding grants to provide legal assistance for renters at risk for eviction. Grants from the Foundation will allow 15 organizations that work to keep people and families housed through services and advocacy efforts to expand their services. Housing insecurity is an issue in communities beyond urban centers. According to Partners for Rural Transformation, of the 395 counties with persistent poverty in the U.S., eight out of 10 are rural and the majority of people living in them are people of color. In response, the Wells Fargo Foundation has made grants to community development financial institutions to help keep people housed in rural communities. These efforts are part of the Wells Fargo Foundation’s $1 billion philanthropic commitment to address housing affordability solutions by 2025, which includes investing in strategies to advance housing stability, increase the supply of affordable homes and expand homeownership opportunities for people of color. To learn more about the housing crisis and some of the philanthropic efforts to address it, visit wellsfargo.com/impact. “Housing instability is a persisting problem that must change. Home is a sanctuary. Having a safe and affordable place to call home is an essential pathway for wellness, dignity and economic opportunity,” says Fitzgerald.
(StatePoint)
ADVERTISING YOUR HOME SERVICES IN THE DAILY HERALD CLASSIFIEDS? For only an additional $10 your business can be added to next month’s edition of HomeFinder, and catch the eyes of our readers!
Ask your sales representative for more information or contact (254) 501-7500.