Location: Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | Metro: Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL MSA
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 | $1,460 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,550 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,860 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,560 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $3,110 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $3,608 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $4,041 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $4,364 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $4,582 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,860 | $167,525 | 1.11% | B |
| 3BR | $2,560 | $260,044 | 0.98% | C |
| 4BR | $3,110 | $303,328 | 1.03% | B |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The ZIP code 33839, located in Eagle Lake, FL, presents an interesting balance between yield and stability for real estate investors. The Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the fiscal year 2024 is set at $1,080, significantly below the market rent of $1,740. This indicates a potential for higher rental yields if properties can be leased out at or near market rates. However, the median home value of $285,819 suggests that the investment cost is relatively high, which must be considered when calculating overall returns.
Evaluating stability, the area has a notable 25.3% of its residents renting their homes, indicating a moderate demand for rental properties. Unfortunately, the days-on-market (DOM) data is unavailable, which would have been useful in assessing how quickly properties can be rented. Additionally, the average household income in the area is around $70,000, which provides some insight into the economic stability of the local population but does not fully account for the variability in individual tenant incomes.
In conclusion, ZIP 33839 leans towards being a high-yield market given the disparity between FMR and market rents. However, the lack of detailed DOM data and the moderate percentage of renters suggest that it falls short of being classified as a purely high-yield/low-stability flip-style market. Instead, it represents a scenario where investors might achieve good cash flow while also needing to manage some level of risk associated with tenant turnover and economic conditions. For those willing to invest in property management and tenant screening, the potential for attractive rental yields exists, but careful consideration of the initial investment cost is necessary.
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.