Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 04572 - 2027
Location: Lincoln County, ME | Metro: Knox County, ME
Investment Score for ZIP 04572
F
Monthly Rent (2BR)
$1,380
Median Price (2BR)
$313,534
Based on 1% Rule: A+ (≥1.5%) | A (≥1.2%) | B (≥1.0%) | C (≥0.8%) | D (≥0.6%) | F (<0.6%)
FY 2027 Fair Market Rent Rates
| Unit Size |
Monthly FMR |
| Studio | $1,110 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,160 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,380 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,750 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,880 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,181 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,443 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,638 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,770 |
Investment Analysis by Bedroom Size
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms |
Monthly FMR |
Median Price |
1% Rule |
Grade |
| 2BR |
$1,380 |
$313,534 |
0.44% |
F |
| 3BR |
$1,750 |
$360,153 |
0.49% |
F |
| 4BR |
$1,880 |
$394,582 |
0.48% |
F |
Demographics & Housing Statistics
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
Median Household Income
$69,107
To decide whether you should buy a property in ZIP code 04572 (Waldoboro, ME) for Section 8 investment, follow these steps:
- Does the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1,270 cover the debt service on a property valued at $332,502?
- Yes: The FMR is sufficient to cover the monthly debt service, making the property financially viable under Section 8.
- No: The FMR does not sufficiently cover the debt service, indicating that the property would not be a good Section 8 investment.
- Is the market rent of $348 above, at, or below the FMR?
- Above: If the market rent exceeds the FMR, it suggests that the area may offer better returns outside of Section 8. However, if your focus is strictly on Section 8, this does not affect the viability of the investment.
- At: If the market rent equals the FMR, the property will likely be competitive for both Section 8 and private tenants, but there's no premium over the FMR to consider.
- Below: If the market rent is below the FMR, Section 8 could provide a stable income source that outperforms the local rental market.
- Are 21.4% of residents renting and the unknown days on market (DOM) indicative of enough demand?
- It Depends: With 21.4% of residents being renters, there is a moderate level of demand. However, without knowing the DOM, it's unclear how quickly properties are rented. If DOM is low, it indicates strong demand; if high, it suggests weaker demand. Additionally, consider the number of existing Section 8 properties and the waiting list length for vouchers in Waldoboro.
In conclusion, the decision to invest in ZIP 04572 for Section 8 properties hinges on the ability of the FMR to cover debt service, the relationship between market rent and FMR, and the overall rental demand. Ensure you conduct thorough research on local DOM trends and the specifics of the Section 8 program in Waldoboro before making an investment decision.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). Median home prices from Zillow (2026-08-31). Demographics from U.S. Census (2024).
About FMR: Fair Market Rent (FMR) is used to determine payment standards for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, initial renewal rents for some expiring project-based Section 8 contracts, and rent ceilings for HOME Investment Partnerships.