Location: Delaware County, NY | Metro: Delaware County, NY
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 | $740 |
| 1 Bedroom | $880 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,050 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,380 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,440 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,670 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,870 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,020 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,121 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3BR | $1,380 | $244,257 | 0.56% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
To determine if you should buy in ZIP code 13786 for Section 8 purposes, follow these steps:
Step 1: The Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the metro area in fiscal year 2026 is $1,020. This amount needs to cover the debt service on a property valued at $239,745. If the monthly debt service on such a property is less than $1,020, then the answer to this question is yes. Otherwise, it is no.
Step 2: If the FMR clears the debt service, the next step is to compare the market rent. In this case, the market rent is not available (N/A), so it's impossible to make a direct comparison. However, if the market rent were known and was above or at the FMR, that would indicate strong market conditions, supporting a positive decision. If the market rent were below the FMR, it would suggest weaker market conditions, which could affect your investment strategy.
Step 3: The percentage of renters in the area is 6.0%, and the days on market (DOM) for properties is also not available (N/A). To assess demand, you need to consider whether 6.0% of the population being renters is sufficient. Additionally, the lack of DOM data makes it challenging to evaluate how quickly properties are sold or rented. If the DOM were short, say under 30 days, that would indicate high demand. A longer DOM would imply lower demand.
If the FMR does not cover the debt service, the answer is unequivocally No. Investing in a property where the rent cannot meet the financial obligations is not advisable.
If the FMR covers the debt service but the market rent is below the FMR, it depends on your risk tolerance. Lower market rents could mean less competition and potentially easier tenant acquisition, but it also means lower potential returns.
If the FMR covers the debt service and the market rent is above or at the FMR, the answer leans towards Yes, especially if the DOM is short, indicating strong demand.
In summary, for ZIP 13786, the decision hinges on the financial viability based on the FMR and the actual market conditions, including the percentage of renters and the speed at which properties are rented out. With the given data, you can only proceed if the FMR comfortably exceeds the debt service, and you must remain cautious due to the lack of specific market rent and DOM figures.
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.