Location: Washington County, VT | Metro: Caledonia County, VT
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,160 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,170 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,450 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,010 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,010 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,332 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,612 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,821 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,962 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The market analysis for Section 8 investors targeting ZIP code 05680, located in the Washington County, VT metro area, reveals several key insights. The HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the area is set at $1,280 for the fiscal year 2026, which is significantly higher than the market rent reported by the Census ACS, standing at $1,068. This difference means that voucher tenants can cashflow at the HUD FMR rate, providing a margin of $212 per unit above the market rent.
To further understand the investment potential, we can look at the median home value in the area, which is $356,184. Using this figure, we derive a rent-to-price ratio by dividing the market rent ($1,068) by the median home value. This results in an approximate monthly rent-to-price ratio of 0.3%, indicating that rental income is relatively low compared to the property values. However, this also suggests that the area is more oriented towards homeownership, which could be a factor in maintaining strong property values over time.
Note that the data does not provide specific figures for the median days on market (DOM) or the percentage of homes that required price cuts. These metrics would typically help assess the local real estate market's health and turnover rates, but their absence here should not deter from the primary focus on rental dynamics.
The strongest angle for investors in this market is likely to be cashflow, given the disparity between the HUD FMR and the market rent. This allows landlords and small-portfolio investors to benefit from the higher subsidy rates while still offering competitive rents to tenants, thereby ensuring occupancy and steady income.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). 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.