Location: Potter County, PA | Metro: Potter County, PA
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $770 |
| 1 Bedroom | $780 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,010 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,300 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,390 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,612 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,805 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $1,949 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,046 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The market analysis for Section 8 investors targeting ZIP code 16948 in Potter County, Pennsylvania, reveals a favorable environment for cashflow generation. The HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the Potter County metro area, set at $970 for fiscal year 2026, significantly exceeds the market rent of $797 based on Census ACS data. This means that voucher tenants can generate positive cashflow at the HUD FMR rate without requiring premium units.
To derive the rent-to-price ratio, we consider the median home value in ZIP 16948, which stands at $183,586. With an average monthly rent of $797, the annual rent is approximately $9,564. The rent-to-price ratio, calculated as the annual rent divided by the median home value, comes out to about 0.052, or 5.2%. This ratio indicates that rental income represents a modest portion of the property's value, suggesting that appreciation could be a significant factor in the long-term profitability of investments in this area.
Note that the median Days on Market (DOM) and the percentage of homes that have experienced price cuts are not available. However, these metrics typically do not affect the decision-making process for Section 8 investors, who are more focused on steady rental income and the potential for positive cashflow.
The strongest investor angle in ZIP 16948 is cashflow. Given the disparity between the HUD FMR and the actual market rent, landlords and small-portfolio investors can expect to see consistent positive cashflow from voucher tenants, making this a reliable investment choice.
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.