Finding Home in Central Texas: A Conversation with Realtor Carissa Duran
When you think of Central Texas, you might picture rolling hills, family-friendly communities, and the steady heartbeat of military life around Fort Hood (recently renamed Fort Cavazos). But for Carissa Duran, this region isn’t just a duty station — it’s home.
On this episode of Between Two Doors, I sat down with Carissa Duran, a fifth-generation Nevadan turned honorary Texan, to talk about her decade-long career in real estate, her deep ties to the military, and why the Killeen–Temple–Belton area is one of the most affordable and welcoming corners of the Lone Star State.
- Watch the full Episode here: https://youtu.be/eWPKpdCjqiQ
- Or listen on your favorite platform of choice here: https://www.betweentwodoors.com/episodes/
From Nevada to Texas — and Staying for Good
Carissa’s journey began far from Texas. Her family roots stretch back five generations to the early days of Nevada — even before statehood in 1864. She and her husband, an active-duty Army soldier, were first stationed in El Paso before settling in Central Texas about 15 years ago.
“The affordability factor was big for us,” she explained. “When we first got here, my husband was an E-4, and our income was limited. Between starting a family and starting my career, it just made sense to plant roots here.”
That decision shaped the rest of her life — and hundreds of others she’s helped since.
Serving Those Who Serve
As both a former Army Reservist and a longtime military spouse, Carissa understands the unique challenges that come with PCS orders and military moves.
Her business today is about 98% VA loans, and she takes pride in guiding service members and veterans through every step — from remote house-hunting to closing.
“I love doing 360-degree walkthroughs for incoming families,” she said. “If they can’t take leave to house-hunt, I’ll go film the homes myself so they can see every angle — not just a quick FaceTime tour.”
Carissa also educates her clients about VA loan entitlement, helping them understand how they can keep their existing home as a rental and still use their remaining entitlement to buy again. “There’s a lot of bad information out there,” she said. “Sometimes families don’t realize they can buy another home without selling first.”
Why Central Texas Shines
For families considering a move to the Fort Hood area, Carissa pointed to several major perks:
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Affordability: Bell County offers some of the lowest property-tax rates in Texas.
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Convenient Location: Within an hour of Austin and Waco, two and a half hours from San Antonio, and just over four hours from the coast.
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Outdoor Lifestyle: Rivers, lakes, and the famous Salado Creek make weekend adventures easy.
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Community Spirit: “There’s plenty to do,” she said. “Families are out at the creeks every weekend — it’s such a great area for outdoor living.”
And for a bit of local flavor, she recommends The Stagecoach Inn in Salado — a historic stop once visited by Sam Houston himself (and rumored to still have a ghostly guest or two).
Looking Ahead
Carissa’s “why” is simple: family.
Helping other families achieve stability through homeownership also helps her build the freedom to travel and enjoy life with her own loved ones.
She’s optimistic about the future. “Rates will drop eventually — our industry is cyclical. When that happens, I’ll be ready to help the next wave of families moving to Central Texas.”
Connect with Carissa Duran
If you’re PCSing to Fort Hood (Fort Cavazos) or relocating anywhere in the Killeen, Temple, Belton, or Salado area, reach out to Carissa Duran through her website at www.CarissaDuran.com or find her on social media. Her direct contact info is available there for calls or texts.
https://www.carissaduran.com
carissayourrealtor@gmail.com
(702) 335-7306
https://www.facebook.com/cduranrealtor
https://www.instagram.com/carissayourrealtor
About Between Two Doors
Between Two Doors is a podcast where I talk with Realtors about their journey, aiming to connect home buyers and sellers with agents on a more personal level. I ask “right-brain” questions that go beyond transactions, focusing on the experiences, values, and passions that make these professionals great at what they do.
Listen to more episodes at https://www.betweentwodoors.com
Sponsored by:
Premier Lending, Inc. — https://www.natecarver.com
NMLS #2004738 | Licensed by the DFPI | Equal Housing Opportunity
https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.com
(972) 832-5761
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