Location: Chester County, SC | Metro: Chester County, SC 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 | $1,190 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,200 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,560 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,140 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,250 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,610 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,923 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $3,157 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $3,315 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3BR | $2,140 | $289,449 | 0.74% | D |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
A decision tree for whether to invest in ZIP 29714 for Section 8 properties involves three key questions.
1) Does the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1110 cover the debt service on a property valued at $250,967?
To answer this, calculate the annual debt service based on typical financing terms. Assuming a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at 5%, the monthly payment would be approximately $1,330, or $15,960 annually. The FMR of $1110 translates to $13,320 annually. This means the FMR does not fully cover the debt service, falling short by about $2,640 per year. Therefore, the answer is No.
If the FMR does not cover the debt service, the next steps depend on additional factors such as property expenses and potential subsidies. However, if the FMR cannot meet the basic debt service requirement, investment in this ZIP code is risky without other mitigating factors.
2) Is the market rent of $1,335 above, at, or below the FMR?
The market rent of $1,335 is above the FMR of $1110. This suggests that while Section 8 tenants might not cover all costs, there is potential to attract market-rate tenants who can pay higher rents. However, this also implies that the property's occupancy rate will be crucial. If the property remains vacant for extended periods, the higher market rent becomes irrelevant. Therefore, the answer is It Depends.
3) Are 22.4% of residents renting and the number of days on the market (DOM) sufficient to ensure demand?
The rental population of 22.4% indicates a moderate demand for rental properties. However, the lack of data on days on the market (DOM) makes it difficult to assess how quickly properties are rented out. A high DOM could signal weak demand, even with a significant rental population. Therefore, the answer is It Depends.
To summarize:
Landlords and small-portfolio investors must carefully weigh these factors before deciding to invest in ZIP 29714 for Section 8 properties.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). Median home prices from Zillow (2026-07-31). 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.