Location: Pocahontas County, WV | Metro: Pocahontas County, WV
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 | $710 |
| 1 Bedroom | $830 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $940 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,220 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,290 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,496 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,676 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $1,810 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $1,901 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $940 | $198,678 | 0.47% | F |
| 3BR | $1,220 | $166,686 | 0.73% | D |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The Section 8 thesis in ZIP 24927, Marlinton, WV, hinges on the disparity between the Fair Market Rent (FMR) and the actual market rent. For fiscal year 2026, the FMR is set at $870. However, the market rent remains unspecified, indicating a lack of recent data. Despite this uncertainty, it's clear that the FMR exceeds the historical market rent of $640, based on the most recent available data.
The gap between the FMR and the market rent is $230, which translates to a 35.94% increase over the market rent. This makes ZIP 24927 a favorable location for landlords and small-portfolio investors who can leverage the higher FMR to attract voucher tenants. In such a scenario, the rental property becomes a yield play, where the guaranteed income from Section 8 vouchers compensates for the relatively low market rent.
The median home value in Marlinton is $147,879, reflecting a modest residential market. With only 15.3% of the population being renters, the demand for rental properties is limited, but the presence of Section 8 vouchers ensures a steady stream of tenants willing to pay the FMR rate. The median income figure is not available, which suggests that the economic profile of the area might be challenging to assess accurately.
In summary, the Section 8 program presents an opportunity for landlords in ZIP 24927 to achieve higher yields than the open-market rates would allow. The 35.94% premium offered by the FMR over the historical market rent makes it a compelling option, especially in a context where the rental market is not robust and the median home value is relatively low.
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.