Location: Somerset County, PA | Metro: Somerset County, PA
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $750 |
| 1 Bedroom | $850 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,010 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,350 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,570 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,821 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,040 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,203 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,313 |
To determine if a landlord should buy in ZIP code 15485 (Unknown, PA) for Section 8 purposes, follow this decision tree:
1) Does the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $970 for the metro area in fiscal year 2026 clear debt service on a property?
The first step is to calculate whether the FMR can cover the debt service of the property you're considering. Debt service includes mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and other fixed costs. If these costs exceed $970 per month, then the answer is no. You must ensure that the rental income from Section 8 tenants will fully cover your monthly expenses.
2) Is the market rent above, at, or below the FMR of $970?
If the market rent is above $970, then the property is overpriced relative to the FMR, which means you might struggle to find Section 8 tenants willing to pay the higher rent. If it's at or slightly below $970, then the property is priced appropriately, and you can expect steady demand from Section 8 tenants. If it's significantly below $970, the property might be underpriced, but it could still attract tenants outside the Section 8 program.
3) Are the percentage of renters and days on the market (DOM) enough to ensure demand?
Without specific percentages and DOM figures, we cannot provide a precise analysis. However, generally speaking, a high percentage of renters and low DOM indicate strong demand for rentals in the area. Conversely, a low percentage of renters and high DOM suggest weak demand. In ZIP 15485, if the majority of residents are renters and properties sell quickly, there is likely sufficient demand to support a Section 8 investment.
Note: The specific data points for market rent, percentage of renters, and DOM were not provided, so the analysis relies on the general principles outlined above.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027).
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.