Location: Charleston, WV | Metro: Charleston, WV HUD Metro FMR Area
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 | $730 |
| 1 Bedroom | $850 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,050 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,330 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,380 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,601 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,793 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $1,936 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,033 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,050 | $77,299 | 1.36% | A |
| 3BR | $1,330 | $99,707 | 1.33% | A |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The real estate landscape in ZIP 25035, Cabin Creek, WV, presents a unique set of conditions that both landlords and small-portfolio investors should consider. With a median home value of $84,765, the area is positioned at a lower end of the housing spectrum, suggesting affordability but also indicating limited room for significant price increases. The fact that the percentage of listings reduced and the median days on market (DOM) are not available points to a potentially stable market where homes are selling at or near their asking prices, implying strong pricing power for sellers.
On the rental side, the Federal Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 25035 in fiscal year 2024 is set at $850, which is notably below the current market rate of $1,048 as reported by the Census ACS. This discrepancy suggests that landlords can maintain competitive rents without needing to significantly increase them, thereby ensuring steady cash flows. However, it also indicates that there is little margin for error in terms of rent hikes, given the close alignment between FMR and actual market rates.
For long-term hold investors, the appreciation thesis in Cabin Creek is somewhat limited. The low median home value coupled with the absence of recent reductions in listing prices implies that while pricing power may be strong now, future appreciation is likely to be modest. Home values in the region are unlikely to see dramatic increases due to the overall economic context of West Virginia and the specific characteristics of Cabin Creek. Investors should focus on the stability of rental income rather than expecting substantial capital gains over the next 12-24 months.
In summary, the combination of a low median home value and strong pricing power signals an environment conducive to maintaining current property values and rental rates. Landlords and investors can expect consistent performance from their properties in this area, but should not anticipate rapid growth in either home values or rental income. The setup implies a market where the focus should be on steady, reliable returns rather than speculative gains.
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.