Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 30603 - 2027
Location: Athens-Clarke County, GA | Metro: Athens-Clarke County, GA MSA
FY 2027 Fair Market Rent Rates
| Unit Size |
Monthly FMR |
| Studio | $1,120 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,120 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,310 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,640 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,720 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,995 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,234 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,413 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,534 |
To determine if you should buy in ZIP code 30603 (Unknown, GA) for Section 8 investments, follow this decision tree based on the specific criteria:
1) Does the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1170 for fiscal year 2024 cover your debt service?
- Yes: Proceed to the next question.
- No: This area is not financially viable for Section 8 properties. The FMR does not sufficiently cover the costs associated with owning and maintaining a rental property.
2) Is the market rent above, at, or below the FMR of $1170?
- Above: The market rent exceeds the FMR, which means there's potential to earn higher rents from non-Section 8 tenants. However, this also indicates that Section 8 tenants might find it harder to afford market rates, reducing demand. Consider the local housing market trends and competition.
- At: Market rent aligns with the FMR, making it an ideal match for Section 8 tenants. This scenario suggests steady demand without significant financial strain.
- Below: If market rent is below the FMR, it could indicate that the area is undervalued or has lower demand overall. This can be beneficial for acquiring properties but may lead to challenges in attracting tenants willing to pay the FMR.
3) Are the percentage of renters and the days on market (DOM) sufficient to ensure demand?
- N/A% Renters + N/A-day DOM: Without specific percentages and DOM data, it's impossible to accurately gauge the demand. However, generally speaking, a high percentage of renters combined with low DOM suggests strong demand. Conversely, a low percentage of renters or high DOM indicates weak demand. It depends on the actual figures; seek out current local real estate market reports to make a precise determination.
Note: Due to missing specific data points such as the percentage of renters and exact market rent figures, some branches of the decision tree cannot provide a definitive yes or no answer. Ensure you research these details thoroughly 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.