Location: Washington County, VT | Metro: Washington County, VT
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,410 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,510 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,900 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,440 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,680 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $3,109 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $3,482 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $3,761 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $3,949 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
To determine if you should buy in ZIP code 05681 for Section 8 purposes, follow this decision tree:
1) Does FMR $1,590 (metro FY 2026) clear debt service on a $291,381 property?
Yes. If your debt service is less than $1,590 per month, then the Fair Market Rent (FMR) can cover your mortgage payments and other expenses. For example, a typical debt service for a property priced at $291,381 might be around $1,300 per month, depending on interest rates and loan terms. In this case, the FMR would comfortably exceed the debt service.
No. If your debt service exceeds $1,590 per month, the FMR will not be sufficient to cover your costs. This makes it unviable to rely solely on Section 8 tenants for financial stability.
It Depends. If your debt service is close to $1,590, you need to consider additional income sources or potential cost savings to make it work. However, this scenario is less common and requires careful financial planning.
2) Is market rent N/A (N/A) above, at, or below FMR?
Above FMR. If the market rent is higher than the FMR of $1,590, landlords who do not participate in the Section 8 program can charge more, which may indicate strong rental demand. However, this also means that Section 8 tenants may struggle to find non-subsidized housing, potentially leading to a smaller pool of eligible applicants.
At FMR. If the market rent equals the FMR, the rental market is balanced. Landlords can expect a steady flow of Section 8 tenants without significant competition from non-subsidized rentals.
Below FMR. If the market rent is lower than the FMR, it suggests that the rental market may be weak, and landlords could potentially charge more than the FMR. This situation might attract more non-subsidized tenants, reducing the attractiveness of the area for Section 8 investments.
3) Are 9.1% renters + N/A-day DOM enough demand?
Yes. With 9.1% of the population being renters, there is a reasonable demand for rental properties. However, the lack of data on days on market (DOM) means you cannot assess how quickly properties are rented out. Assuming the rental rate is stable, this percentage indicates a viable market for Section 8 tenants.
No. If the DOM is excessively high, indicating slow rental turnover, the 9.1% of renters may not be enough to sustain a profitable investment. High DOM can signal an oversupply of rental units or a weak economy.
It Depends. The percentage of renters alone does not provide a complete picture. You must also consider the local economy, job availability, and the number of Section 8 vouchers available in ZIP 05681. Without specific DOM data, the decision hinges on these external factors.
In summary, ZIP 05681 is viable for Section 8 investments if the FMR covers your debt service and the market rent is at or below the FMR. The 9.1% of renters suggests moderate demand, but the absence of DOM data leaves some uncertainty about rental speed and market conditions. Research local economic indicators and voucher availability to make a fully informed decision.
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.