Location: Utica-Rome, NY | Metro: Utica-Rome, NY MSA
Based on 1% Rule: A+ (≥1.5%) | A (≥1.2%) | B (≥1.0%) | C (≥0.8%) | D (≥0.6%) | F (<0.6%)
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $810 |
| 1 Bedroom | $840 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,060 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,270 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,470 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,705 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,910 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,063 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,166 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3BR | $1,270 | $282,491 | 0.45% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
ZIP 13477, located within the Utica-Rome, NY MSA, serves as an ideal cash-flow anchor for a Section 8 portfolio strategy. With a Federal Market Rent (FMR) set at $1030 for FY 2024, this area provides a significant spread above the market rent of $731. This spread ensures that landlords can cover their mortgage payments, which average around $256,379, while still maintaining positive cash flow.
The high equity position of homes in this ZIP, with 79.49% of properties holding more than 50% equity, further supports the stability of the investment. Additionally, the absence of involuntary liens and pre-foreclosures indicates low risk of property distress, making ZIP 13477 a reliable choice for generating consistent rental income.
A cash-flow anchor is crucial for balancing out the volatility often found in other parts of a real estate portfolio. ZIP 13477's characteristics align well with this role, providing a steady stream of income without the need for frequent price adjustments or long days on the market (DOM).
To summarize, ZIP 13477 is best suited as a cash-flow anchor due to its favorable FMR-to-market rent ratio and strong equity positions, ensuring landlords can reliably generate positive cash flow from their investments.
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.