Location: Wetzel County, WV | Metro: Wetzel County, WV
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $710 |
| 1 Bedroom | $790 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $940 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,250 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,290 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,496 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,676 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $1,810 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $1,901 |
ZIP code 26162, located in Porters Falls, WV, represents a small, tight-knit residential area with an extremely low population count, effectively zero according to recent data. This makes it a unique and niche market for real estate investors.
The median household income in Porters Falls is reported as -$666,666,666, which is significantly below the state average, indicating a very affordable area. Similarly, the median home value is also reported as -$666,666,666, reflecting an affordable housing market. However, these negative figures suggest there might be an error in the data provided, and thus, cannot be relied upon for accurate investment analysis.
Moving to the rent economics, the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 26162 is set at $970 for the fiscal year 2026. This is the amount set by HUD for the rental assistance provided through the Section 8 program. Given the reported negative median rent, this data point is particularly important for understanding the rental market dynamics.
In terms of fitting an investment strategy, Porters Falls, WV is more suitable for a hands-off voucher operator rather than a hands-on value-add buyer. The extremely low population and the nature of the community suggest limited opportunities for significant property appreciation or extensive renovations. Instead, the stable demand for affordable housing and the availability of Section 8 vouchers make it a viable option for passive income generation through rental properties.
Note: Due to the presence of negative figures in the data, it is recommended to verify the accuracy of the median income, home value, and rent figures with local real estate professionals or official government sources before making any investment decisions.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027).
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.