Aging houses are fueling a home improvement boom

Aging houses are fueling a home improvement boom

The residence advancement growth shows couple signs of slowing down. Lowe’s told shareholders Wednesday its very same-store sales ended up up 5{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} in the fourth quarter. The organization also elevated its profits forecast for the yr to $99 billion. That was after House Depot reported an 8{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} boost in same-shop income the working day before. A single massive reason for the advancement: a housing stock that’s obtaining old.

In 2005, the median age of an proprietor-occupied property in this state was 31 a long time. It’s been climbing at any time due to the fact, to about 40 years nowadays. Why?

“Well, the simple fact that we’re not tearing down and creating new as promptly as we may well want, or as swiftly as we need to, to meet the new need,” mentioned Grant Farnsworth, president of the Farnsworth Group, a household improvement study firm.

In accordance to him, several years of underbuilding adhering to the mid-2000s housing crash have pushed up the total age of the housing stock, along with demand for updating houses.

“The older the home, the extra need, accurate want, there is to do initiatives these kinds of as [heating, ventilation and air conditioning], home windows, efficiency, connected projects, roofing,” Farnsworth said.

These forms of replacement assignments make up about half of dwelling enhancement paying, according to Abbe Will, who follows the sector at Harvard’s Joint Middle for Housing Reports.

She assignments that house enhancement investing will mature 17{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} this 12 months nationally, partly pushed by inflation. The extensive-expression ordinary is about 5{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9}.

“So, anything at all earlier mentioned 5{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} is potent growth. And then unquestionably when we’re in the 10 and 15 and 20{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} variety, which is, that’s amazingly sturdy advancement,” she mentioned. Unsustainable, even. Will expects that progress to peak this 12 months.

Soaring house loan charges could slow down homebuying. And a large amount of household enhancement transpires appropriate right before and proper following a sale.

Even so, claimed Sam Khater, main economist at Freddie Mac, the shortage of houses for sale will continue to gas demand.

“For individuals that want to move but just cannot discover the right house, then they sort of look at their possess property and say, ‘OK, very well, how can I alter this into, if it is not my dream property, you know, possibly my close to dream dwelling?’ In reality, we’ve obtained a neighbor, and that’s particularly what they are accomplishing,” Khater reported.

It is great if you can afford to pay for it, and many owners with rising equity and pandemic cost savings can. But the issue with an ageing housing stock is that a lot of people just cannot.

Russian Invasion in Ukraine Impacts NYC, Miami Real Estate

Russian Invasion in Ukraine Impacts NYC, Miami Real Estate

Vladimir Putin (Getty/Illustration by Kevin Rebong for The Real Deal)

Vladimir Putin (Getty/Illustration by Kevin Rebong for The True Offer)

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has established the phase for international economic turmoil and sanctions whose impacts will stretch to the U.S. serious estate marketplace.

The invasion has led the U.S. federal government to join its allies in shifting to freeze the assets of Russian elites near to Putin, and will probable gradual real estate expenditure from each international locations.

The full extent of the sanctions is continue to currently being established. Russian and Ukrainian buyers represent a smaller section of the all round U.S. true estate current market, but authorities agree that it will turn out to be extra challenging for numerous Russians to do company in the U.S. People complications will rely on the way in which the global community pursues more sanctions, but bank loan approvals and residence income could be delayed as the crisis intensifies.

Any transaction involving Russian oligarchs — who have ordered some of the priciest qualities in Manhattan and Miami — will grow to be significantly a lot more tough, specialists say.

“If there is will need for a payment to or from a Russian oligarch in the U.S. or the EU, that will be massively problematic,” claimed Ross Delston, an lawyer and independent anti-funds laundering skilled.

Russians’ serious estate freeze

The belongings of Russian officials discovered by the U.S. as getting ties to or supporting the invasion will be blocked and frozen, in accordance to attorney Harold E. Patricoff Jr. This could signify just about anything from actual estate to cars and trucks, yachts or jewellery.

The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Belongings Manage (OFAC) is compiling a listing of Specifically Selected Nationals of Russia and Belarus who will be focused by sanctions.

The Magnitsky Act — named for tax attorney Sergei Magnitsky, who died in a Russian jail in 2009 right after alleging popular corruption by government officials — authorizes the U.S. authorities to impose sanctions on individuals it perceives to be human legal rights offenders, together with freezing the American belongings of persons on the SDN record.

“There are a good deal of rich Russians and wealthy Ukrainians and their names are on the Magnitsky record and their belongings are blocked in the U.S.,” explained Patricoff, a Duane Morris legal professional focusing on intercontinental disputes. “If the asset is blocked by OFAC … it are unable to be bought, mortgaged and it is topic to forfeiture, which signifies the govt could speedily just take it absent and the federal government could offer it.”

In 2019, the Trump administration froze Venezuelan point out-owned assets in a thrust to oust socialist President Nicolás Maduro.

An asset freeze only applies to all those near to Putin, probably a tiny subset of Russian traders in the U.S., but financial institutions are possible to position any bargains with Russian organizations or buyers less than a microscope.

“In any form of transaction, standard thanks diligence is going to be heightened,” reported Andrew Ittleman, an anti-funds laundering professional and founding companion of the Miami legislation company Fuerst Ittleman David & Joseph.

The U.S. is also imposing sanctions on Russian point out-owned banking institutions, which include the country’s major, Sberbank, as perfectly as its subsidiaries, forcing American banking institutions to sever ties in just 30 days in an energy to cripple the Russian monetary system and force it into backing out of the invasion.

“Apparently, a lot of the money held in Sberbank is held in U.S. bucks, but in order to process it, it would have to go by means of a U.S. account,” claimed lawyer Aleksey Shtivelman of Shutts & Bowen, who focuses on international disputes. “That is what the authorities is seeking to cease.”

The deterioration of U.S.-Russian relations could also guide to Russia acquiring kicked out of the Society for Globally Interbank Fiscal Telecommunication, or SWIFT, a messaging community that facilitates monetary transactions concerning banking institutions about the entire world. President Joe Biden has hence significantly resisted slicing Russia off from the network, citing apprehension from European allies.

“If SWIFT will be taken absent from them, and with any luck , that happens these days, that would complicate any kind of transaction,” reported Natalia Raphael, a Moscow-born actual estate agent with the Keyes Organization who caters to Russian and Ukrainian customers in South Florida. “If they cannot use wires, if they are not able to transfer funds freely as they have been so significantly, that complicates business fairly a little bit.”

Future sanctions could also make it far more complicated for Russians to make payments, Ittleman added.

“There is a serious credit history risk that you didn’t have prior to,” he claimed. “The sanctions condition is so fluid. You could be non-sanctioned right now, but that could change tomorrow.”

From Sunny Isles to Manhattan

Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 “crippled the Russian market” in Miami, stated Craig Studnicky, CEO of Aventura, Florida-primarily based brokerage ISG.

“Since then, the populace of Russian purchasers in Sunny Isles is about 50 {d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} what it used to be,” Studnicky explained.

Russian investment and interest has fallen dramatically in recent several years. Between August 2017 and July 2018, it represented just 2 percent of the overseas investment decision current market in Miami, in accordance to a National Association of Realtors report.

The invasion of Ukraine has by now prompted some specials to be put on keep in South Florida, brokers said. 1 consumer of an $870,000 condominium, concerned about the conflict’s result on the stock current market, canceled their give, explained Mike Pappas, proprietor of the Keyes Enterprise, a single of the most significant brokerages in South Florida.

“I consider sure people today will hesitate. There is more than just the war,” Pappas claimed. “It’s the complexity of the war, the interest rate increase and the stock market adjustment.”

In New York, Russian consumers have designed some eye-popping household buys.

Billionaire Roman Abramovich paid $96 million in between 2015 and 2017 for four qualities on Manhattan’s East 75th Avenue, with plans to make a mega-residence right before marketing the properties to his ex-spouse in 2018 for $91 million.

Oligarchs’ buys drew the ire of previous mayor Monthly bill de Blasio all through the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. De Blasio complained that these oligarchs had basically stolen their country’s prosperity and funneled it into New York City real estate, but he experienced minimal recourse to do everything about it.

“It manifests in this article as individuals with a good deal of sick-gotten gains getting a ton of property — I don’t like it a person little bit,” De Blasio claimed in 2017.

And on Friday, Manhattan Borough President instructed in a tweet that oligarchs who have invested in New York Town real estate must have their property expropriated.

“For years Manhattan has been one of the most well known harmless harbors for Russian oligarchs to park their money, in particular by means of extremely-higher-conclusion residences,” he wrote. “It’s time to begin seizing their attributes. #SupportUkraine.”

A getting chance?

In addition to sanctions, there will be some logistical difficulties for Russians wanting to spend in The united states.

Lawyer Galina Urman, who focuses on immigration and EB-5 matters, claimed she is hearing from U.S. shoppers who want to deliver their household customers in Russia and Ukraine to The us.

Urman, who was born in the previous U.S.S.R., stated a slowdown in financial commitment has resulted because the pandemic began. “I do anticipate that the slowdown will proceed thanks to what is going on in Ukraine,” she claimed.

“It’s just the logistics of dollars transfers and traveling here that will be additional challenging for them to pick homes,” mentioned Raphael, of the Keyes Corporation. “They can absolutely obtain homes in excess of FaceTime, but not everybody would like to do that.”

Others say that Russians and Ukrainians looking for a secure spot to park their cash could be drawn to U.S. serious estate. Overseas curiosity in American property tends to maximize in situations of political instability overseas.

“We’ve been viewing a considerably better degree of fascination in offers from Ukraine and Russia in anticipation of the war” more than the previous two months, mentioned South Florida broker Mariana Shulga, who is also Ukrainian. “Between Covid and now the war, they realize the time is now.”

Cindy Scholz, a broker with Compass, explained that such conflicts have triggered additional fascination in attributes in New York and — more just lately, as Covid-19 set a spotlight on the location — in the Hamptons.

“These investors are likely to want to get their dollars out of their nations around the world and bring it in excess of to what’s identified as 1 of the safest investments, which is investing in the Hamptons and in New York City,” Scholz reported. “New York Town is generally seen as a seriously secure parking spot for funds.”

Austin ranks among top luxury real estate markets

Austin ranks among top luxury real estate markets

Shocker—Austin’s luxurious genuine estate current market is booming but soon after an specifically fruitful yr, the money city is signing up for the major leagues for large-priced houses.


According to a examine evaluating field-large revenue action finished by serious estate agency Compass, Austin observed a 450{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} enhance in $10 million-additionally serious estate transactions from 2020-2021, placing it between the 30 highest-price markets in the U.S.

With 11 full transactions totaling $189 million, the gross sales quantity in Austin jumped 562{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} since 2020, placing the city markedly larger than important cities like Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Jersey Shore, New Jersey Extensive Island, New York, and Washington D.C.

Dallas was the only other Texas metropolis to be included on the list and just about mirrored Austin’s luxurious true estate exercise but eventually came in reduce in conditions of total revenue quantity. With 10 complete transactions over $10 million from 2020-2021, Dallas sold $115 million truly worth of homes and saw advancement of about 66-68{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9}.

On the other hand, Dallas prevailed out of the most costly bought Compass listing at $11.9 million, while Austin’s most highly-priced listing capped at $11.6 million.

According to regional agents Dara Allen and Gary Dolch, neighborhood luxurious authentic estate has traditionally been concentrated along Lake Austin but is starting off to spread out into regions like downtown and the suburbs. Far more luxurious homes in various places are expected to be shown on the Several Listing Provider than at any time in advance of, which Allen reported can be attributed to work-from-home.

“The prioritization of far more square footage, much larger loads, luxury facilities, and privateness is sending buyers as considerably out as Spanish Oaks and Dripping Springs,” Allen stated. “People are investing much more time at property and need room for sometimes even several household offices. Also, sellers are however holding tight despite their houses getting worth extra than they at any time have been, and buyers are coming from surprising locations.”

Dolch reported Austin will continue to see advancement from its feeder markets: California, New York, Chicago and Florida on account of the small-fascination premiums and at any time-rising area tech and cryptocurrency marketplaces.

“We are forecasting that our luxurious market place in Austin normally takes a different leg up with 20{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9}+ appreciation 12 months in excess of yr,” Dolch said. “As great as it has been below, we think we’re nevertheless in the early days with at minimum a five-calendar year runway ahead of us. Specifically in govt estates, waterfront, and ranch qualities which make up the greater part of our current $200 million-as well as listing portfolio.”

This Investing Move Can Help You Retire a Millionaire

This Investing Move Can Help You Retire a Millionaire

Retiring a millionaire is basically a whole lot less difficult than you might consider. With cautious setting up, a concentrated retirement strategy, and active investing — having a million or additional to stay off in your retirement times is effectively within just cause. Most traders glance to the inventory sector to increase their retirement nest egg and develop passive money, but it is not the only possibility.

Actual estate, specially rental real estate, can be an incredibly valuable avenue to getting to be a millionaire retiree. This is a nearer search at why proudly owning rental property can help you retire as a millionaire.

People smiling and high-fiving each other with papers in front of laptop.

Picture supply: Getty Visuals.

Rental revenue is just the commencing

Rental serious estate is a well-revered way to make passive earnings. If purchased thoroughly, the lease collected will cover related charges related to possessing the residence — like home taxes, insurance, homeowners association (HOA) expenses, repairs and upkeep, and a house loan — with added passive profits remaining above at the finish of each month. Even though rental money on your own can be a terrific way to deliver new cash flow streams now or into retirement, time is what will really assist you retire as a millionaire.

Let’s say you procured a rental house for $250,000, putting $50,000 (or 20{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9}) down and securing a 30-year house loan at 3.75{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} curiosity. That would make your month to month mortgage loan payment $1,196. Right after introducing in residence taxes, insurance policy, and working expenses and conserving for long run repairs, the expense to maintain the home on a monthly basis comes in at an even $1,700.

You then hire the assets for $2,100, leaving you with $400 a month in passive income or $4,800 a calendar year in more profits. This 10{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} hard cash-on-funds return on your expenditure could not appear to be amazing at first glance, but when you couple that with time and appreciation, you are going to swiftly see how a rental house becomes a millionaire maker.

For rent sign in front of brick house.

Impression source: Getty Visuals.

Rental attributes increased prospective

Actual estate, generally speaking, appreciates (i.e., will increase in worth) more than time. In the past 20 a long time, household charges have appreciated at 7{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} per 12 months. Making use of this normal charge of appreciation, that $250,000 property would be well worth shut to $967,000 immediately after 20 several years. Now, 7{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} is on the increased aspect of historic appreciation charges. So, to illustrate the electrical power of appreciation with a a lot more conservative estimate of a 4{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} yearly appreciation amount, the property’s value has the opportunity to increase to $547,000 following 20 several years.

Since the tenants’ rent pays the mortgage, fairness (i.e., the distinction involving the benefit of the house and the personal debt owed) is being developed in essence for no cost. Moreover, throughout that 20 decades, you were being in a position to get paid money flow and use specific tax deductions to lower your tax foundation each individual yr while also hedging versus inflation by boosting rents to cover boosts in charges.

A millionaire retirement account is suitable about the corner

If you consider the potential appreciation obtain with the cash flow more than the daily life of the rental, you can immediately see a rental property’s return is much greater than the assumed 10{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} at first. Possessing a rental house can be a super-wise retirement move, no matter whether it be a single-spouse and children dwelling, townhouse, duplex, or even a industrial building. Owning even just a person rental in the appropriate industry can enable construct a million-greenback retirement portfolio, but possessing quite a few tends to make it significantly a lot more of a absolutely sure wager.

If rental assets would seem like a great move for you, get started by conserving funds for a down payment, which will be at minimum 20{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} of the purchase value if you program to function with a common loan provider. Although there is no lousy time to purchase your initial rental assets, the before you begin, the bigger the likely attain in appreciation or money. Just make certain you understand the responsibilities and pitfalls of possessing and running rental home and generally do your due diligence right before investing. This retirement system can be unbelievably impressive, but not each property is a great rental, nor is it this ideal expense car for every person.

New business has designs on making Orillia more beautiful

New business has designs on making Orillia more beautiful

‘Not only do I know how to make the property seem great, but I know the fundamentals of the construction of the property,’ suggests interior designer

A new interior design and style firm, Coralee Monaghan Interiors, is now serving Orillia, Muskoka, and surrounding communities.

Coralee Monaghan just lately gained a diploma in Household Inside Decoration and a diploma in Architectural Know-how. Right before that, Monaghan experienced been doing work in the building and engineering industry for around 10 a long time, subsequent in the footsteps of her father who worked in construction and studied architecture.

“I’ve eventually resolved to go out on my have and do what I appreciate,” Monaghan reported. “I do in-residence consultations, and I have a broad array of expert services I present.”  

Monaghan, 36, says her enthusiasm for the small business arrives from observing areas occur with each other.

“I love making use of colours and textures to make some thing gorgeous,” she stated. “It also has to be purposeful and get the job done for the shopper.”

Monaghan’s purpose is to finally open a modest studio in Orillia with a retail part. So considerably, Monaghan says the community has been supportive of her new small business.

“Before I even introduced my company I had a ton of fascination from term of mouth,” she explained. “I’ve experienced a couple of customers locally and so considerably, things have been likely truly excellent.”

Monaghan, expects business to definitely choose up after the local community hears a lot more about her and the business.

“I’m genuinely passionate about inside decorating,” she claimed. “I would adore to keep operating with men and women to build a beautiful space for them and their family to delight in.”

Monaghan states her building expertise and qualifications in architectural know-how are belongings.

“Not only do I know how to make the residence search very good, but I know the fundamentals of the design of the household,” she said. “Not anything is dependent on just the visual appeal, occasionally you have to go a minor bit further when you are executing renovations and remodelling.”

Monaghan also features her purchasers 3D renderings so they can see their house occur to everyday living prior to committing to a task.

When the Orangeville indigenous could have started out her business closer to the GTA, she explained she loves currently being in a tiny-city natural environment.

“We have all the amenities that we require listed here,” Monaghan mentioned. “I’ve lived all about Canada and the U.S., but I have resolved Orillia is the location for me to set down roots, raise my daughter, and have my family members below.”

To find out much more about Coralee Monaghan Interiors, simply click listed here. 

Home and garden show, crawfish boil, Tough as Trails 5K and more coming up in Killeen-Temple area | Local News

Home and garden show, crawfish boil, Tough as Trails 5K and more coming up in Killeen-Temple area | Local News

While the Central Texas area may not be able to look forward to warm spring weather any time soon, it still has plenty of events to keep things exciting. Take a look at the listing for details on what’s going on.

Local Events

The Temple Area Builders Association Home and Garden Show will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 25, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 26, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Bell County Expo Center, 301 W. Loop 121, Belton. This event will feature over 125 exhibitors featuring information on home builders, landscapers, plants and more. Admission is $10 per day; kids 12 and under are free.

The Carter BloodCare Blood Drive will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 25 at 305 Miller’s Crossing, Harker Heights. Go to www.carterbloodcare.org for more information.

Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers is hosting a Skate Night and Laser Tag Trip at 6 p.m. Feb. 25. Register by stopping by BOSS Headquarters, 9212 Old Ironsides Ave., Fort Hood. This event is open to all single and unaccompanied soldiers. Cost is $15 and includes transportation and activities.

The third annual Camp Caylor Crawfish Boil will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Feb. 26 at 146 County Road 4814 in Copperas Cove. There will be drinks, live music, and plates of crawfish available. Admission is $15 per person and includes a plate. Go to www.campcaylor.com for more information.

The Tough as Trails 5K Hike, Walk, or Run will be at 8 a.m. Feb. 26 at the Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area. Cost is $15 for military affiliates and $20 for unaffiliated individuals. Go to https://bit.ly/353R47S to register online.

Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful is hosting a Community Shred Day from 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 26 at the CCISD Service and Training Center, 408 S. Main St. Attendees can bring up to four boxes of documents to be securely shredded, as well as drop off old hard drives, laptops, and cellphones for recycling. Contact Roxanne Flores-Achmadat rflores-achmad@copperascovetx.gov for questions.

The Phantom Warrior Scramble will be at noon March 4 at the Courses of Clear Creek, 52381 Battalion Ave., Fort Hood. The four-person scramble is open to all and registration is $40 per person with an optional $5 mulligan. Stop by the club to sign up beforehand or register on site from 11 to 11:45 a.m. the day of.

Volunteers are needed to sign up for the Love Your Park Day event from 8 a.m. to noon March 12 at Conder Park, 810 Conder St., Killeen. Those interested in helping clean up the park must sign up by March 1 by emailing yavlderrama-santana@killeentexas.gov.

Liv and Let Live Yoga, 3803 Levy Lane in Killeen, hosts Yoga for Those Who Serve from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. every second Thursday of the month. This free class is for military, first responders, healthcare workers, and teachers of all skill levels.

The Sammons Community Center, 2220 W. Avenue D in Temple, hosts its Country and Western Dance from 6 to 9 p.m. every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at. Admission is $5 per person and is open to adults only. Coffee and punch are provided. Guests are invited to bring a snack to share.

The Mayborn Science Theater at Central Texas College, 6200 W. Central Texas Expressway in Killeen, hosts a variety of laser shows, movies, and other events based on astronomy. For show descriptions, a full schedule, and ticket prices go to www.starsatnight.org or call 254-526-1800.

Family Fun

The 10th annual Daddy Daughter Dance will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center, 3601 S. WS Young Drive. This year’s theme is “Mad Hatter Ball.” This event is for girls ages 5 to 12 and their fathers or father figures. Cost is $50 per couple and $20 for each additional child. Go to https://bit.ly/36b8tfu to register.

St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church and Preschool, 2800 Trimmier Road in Killeen, is hosting its Shrove Pancake Supper and Open House from 5:30 to 7 p.m. March 1. Visitors can enjoy dinner, a book fair, bounce houses, tour of the preschool, and information on how to register for the next school year. Go to www.stchrisps.com for more information.

The Copperas Cove Parks and Recreations Spring Break Camp will be from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 14-18 at the Copperas Cove Civic Center, 1206 W. Avenue B. Cost is $72 per child and registration is open to kids ages 5-12. Attendees will play games, make arts and crafts, and enjoy indoor/outdoor activities. Stop by the office to register in advance. Call 254-542, 2719 for more information.

Axe Monkeys Fort Hood, 1707 Dubroc Drive in Killeen, hosts Family Night from 2 to 8 p.m. every Sunday. Families can enjoy 40{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} off lane rentals during this time. Go to https://axemonkeys.com/ft-hood-killeen/ for more information.

The Harker Heights Public Library, 400 Indian Trail, is hosting weekly, in-person children’s programs through the month of March including: Baby Time at 10 a.m. Tuesdays; Story Time for ages 2- 6 at 10 a.m. Wednesdays; and Toddler Time at 10 a.m. Thursdays. Call 254-953-5496 to register. The library also posts a variety of livestreams, children’s programs, story times, crafts, and other activities throughout the week on the library’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/harkerheightspubliclibrary/. The Virtual/In-Person Book Discussion Club is at 6:30 p.m. every third Thursday of the month. Email lyoungblood@harkerheights.gov to join.

The Killeen Public Library hosts Game Days for adults to socialize over cards, board games, and dominoes from 1 to 3 p.m. every Friday at the Main Library, 205 E. Church Ave. The Main Library will also host weekly, in-person children’s programs throughout the month of March. Go to https://www.killeentexas.gov/171/Libraries for more information.

The Lampasas Public Library, 201 S. Main St., is hosting a Story Time event featuring “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss at 10:30 a.m. March 2.

The Last Drive-In Picture Show, 2912 S. Highway 36, Gatesville, hosts a double-feature movie every night of the week. This week’s drive-in lineup, showing nightly from Feb. 25 to March 2, will be “Uncharted” at 7 p.m. and “Spider Man: No Way Home” at 9 p.m. Admission is $10 per car.

Local Music

Bo’s Barn Dance Hall and Club is hosting live music by Craig Howell with Somewhere in Texas from 8 p.m. to midnight Feb. 25. Cover: $10. Texas Double Shot will perform from 9 p.m. to midnight Feb. 26. Cover: $10. The dance hall is at 4984 W. Farm-to-Market 93, Temple. Catch karaoke from 8 to 11 p.m. every Thursday. Happy Hour is from 5 to 10 p.m. every Thursday, and 5 to 8 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. Check out a free dance lesson from 6:30 to 8 p.m. every first Thursday of the month. For more information, go to www.bosbarndancehall.com, or call 254-939-7131.

Chupacabra Craft Beer and Salado Lonestar Winery, 401 S. Main St. in Salado, hosts free live music by local artists every Friday and Saturday night. Chupacabra also hosts Open Mic Night for acoustic music and comedy every Monday from 7 to 10 p.m.

Barrow Brewing Company, 108 Royal St. in Salado, is hosting free live music by Anna Larson from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 26 and Jared Johnson at 4 p.m. Feb. 27.

Fire Street Pizza, 10310 Farm-to-Market 439 in Belton, is hosting free live music by Trevor Heltfrom 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 25, Beth Lee and The Breakupsfrom 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 26, and an acoustic show by Martian Folk from noon to 3 p.m. Feb. 27.

Bold Republic Brewing Company, 206 N. Penelope St. in Belton, is hosting live music by James Hearne from 7 to 10 p.m. Feb. 26.

The VFW Post 3892, 201 VFW Drive in Harker Heights, hosts Music and Karaoke Night with DJ Time from 7 to 10 p.m. every Wednesday. Call 254-213-3350 for more information.

Fred T. Venable VFW Post 3393, 424 County Road 4931 in Kempner, hosts live karaoke with Michael Gordon from 8 p.m. to midnight every Friday. No cover.

Local Markets

The Central Texas Farmers Market occurs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Sunday at Kempner Farm, 4616 Farm-to-Market 2808, Kempner. There are local growers, artisans, vendors, food trucks, and more available. Interested vendors can go to http://www.kempnerfarm.com to find more information and an application.

Lampasas Trade Days will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every first Saturday of the month at 2646 E. Highway 190. There will be vendors, antique dealers, craftsmen, artists, and more available. Call 512-734-1294 for more information.

Museums and Exhibits

The Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum,315 W. Avenue B, is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Every first Saturday of the month, the museum hosts a free, themed Family Day. Go towww.templerrhm.org for more information. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, $2 for kids ages 5 to 12, and free for children under 5.

The Bell County Museum, 201 N. Main St. in Belton, is hosting a Celebrate Texas event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 26. This free event is open to all ages and will include learning about Texas legends, painting bluebonnets, meeting a cowboy, and practicing roping. The museum is open from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

The Mayborn Museum at Baylor University, 1300 S. University Parks Drive, Waco, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. A special exhibition, “Dinosaur Train: The Traveling Exhibit,” based on the television series, is on display now to May 1. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, and $8 for kids 12 and under.

The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, 100 Texas Ranger Trail in Waco, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and military, $4 for kids 6 to 12, and kids under 6 are free.Go towww.texasranger.org for more information.

The Lampasas County Museum, 303 S. Western Ave., is hosting Paper Quilting for Kids during normal business hours. This event is free and no reservations are required. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Call 512-556-2224 for more information.