Location: Charleston, WV | Metro: Charleston, WV HUD Metro FMR Area
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $750 |
| 1 Bedroom | $860 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,070 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,350 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,410 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,636 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,832 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $1,979 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,078 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
To determine if you should buy a property in ZIP code 25064 (Dunbar, WV) for Section 8 investment, follow this decision tree:
Step 1: Does the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1070 cover the debt service on a $123,675 property?
No: If the FMR of $1070 does not clear the debt service on a $123,675 property, investing in this area is not advisable. Debt service includes mortgage payments and other costs associated with owning the property. Without sufficient rent to cover these expenses, the investment will likely result in financial loss.
Yes: If the FMR of $1070 does cover the debt service on a $123,675 property, proceed to the next step.
Step 2: How does the market rent of $919 compare to the FMR?
Market rent is below FMR: With a market rent of $919 being below the FMR of $1070, there is potential to attract Section 8 tenants who can pay up to the FMR. This makes the ZIP code a viable option for Section 8 investments.
Market rent is equal to or above FMR: If the market rent matches or exceeds the FMR, landlords might struggle to find Section 8 tenants willing to pay the higher rent. In this case, the ZIP code would be less favorable for Section 8 investments.
Step 3: Is there enough demand with 36.7% renters and N/A-day days on the market (DOM)?
It depends: The percentage of renters at 36.7% indicates a moderate level of demand. However, without specific data on days on the market (DOM), it's difficult to assess how quickly properties are rented out. If the DOM is short, it suggests strong demand; if it's long, it implies weak demand. Landlords should seek additional local real estate data to understand DOM trends and make an informed decision.
In summary, if the FMR of $1070 clears the debt service on a $123,675 property and the market rent is below the FMR, then ZIP 25064 could be a good location for Section 8 investment. The presence of 36.7% renters provides a base level of demand, but the lack of DOM data means that further investigation is needed to confirm the viability of the market.
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.