Location: Bradford County, PA | Metro: Bradford County, PA
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 | $890 |
| 1 Bedroom | $900 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,160 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,430 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,610 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,868 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,092 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,259 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,372 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,160 | $226,985 | 0.51% | F |
| 3BR | $1,430 | $236,800 | 0.6% | D |
| 4BR | $1,610 | $249,582 | 0.65% | D |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
A landlord considering purchasing a property in ZIP code 18850 (Ulster, PA) for Section 8 should follow this decision tree:
1) Does the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1,170 cover the debt service on a $225,533 property?
If the debt service on a $225,533 property is less than or equal to $1,170 per month, then the answer is yes. The FMR can fully cover the mortgage payments, making the investment viable. However, if the debt service exceeds $1,170, the answer is no. The FMR would not be sufficient to cover the monthly mortgage payments, leading to financial losses.
2) How does the market rent of $925 compare to the FMR?
If the market rent of $925 is below the FMR of $1,170, then the answer is yes. Landlords can potentially charge the higher FMR rate to Section 8 tenants, which is beneficial. If the market rent is at or above the FMR, the answer is no. In such cases, there's little incentive for landlords to participate in the Section 8 program since they could likely find non-subsidized tenants willing to pay the same or higher rates.
3) Is the combination of 20.6% renters and N/A-day days on market (DOM) sufficient to indicate demand?
The 20.6% rental rate suggests that a significant portion of the population in Ulster, PA, relies on renting. However, the absence of days on market (DOM) data makes it difficult to assess the speed at which properties are being rented out. If the rental rate is high and DOM is low, indicating quick rentals, the answer is yes. There is enough demand to support a Section 8 property. Conversely, if the DOM is high, suggesting slow rentals, the answer is no. The demand is not robust enough to ensure steady occupancy.
In summary, for a landlord asking whether they should invest in ZIP 18850 for Section 8 purposes, the decision hinges on these factors:
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.