Location: Williams County, OH | Metro: Defiance County, OH
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 | $760 |
| 1 Bedroom | $790 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,000 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,280 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,350 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,566 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,754 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $1,894 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $1,989 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,000 | $154,151 | 0.65% | D |
| 3BR | $1,280 | $213,368 | 0.6% | F |
| 4BR | $1,350 | $258,686 | 0.52% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
ZIP 43517, located in Edgerton, OH, within the Williams County, OH metro area, serves as a cash-flow anchor in a Section 8 portfolio strategy. The Federal Market Rent (FMR) for the metro area in fiscal year 2026 is set at $970, while the current market rent stands at $751. This creates a significant spread of $219 per month, favoring landlords who can leverage Section 8 vouchers to secure higher rental income.
The median home value in ZIP 43517 is $196,613. This figure indicates that the area is relatively affordable, which aligns well with the cash-flow anchor designation. Landlords can acquire properties at a lower cost and benefit from the guaranteed rental income provided by Section 8 tenants, ensuring steady cash flow without the risk associated with volatile markets.
The ZIP code does not present itself as an appreciation play due to the lack of data on price-cut shares and days on market (DOM). These metrics would typically indicate whether property values are likely to increase over time. However, in this case, there is insufficient information to support such a strategy.
While ZIP 43517 has a 24.2% renter share and a median income of $58,578, these factors do not strongly suggest it as a diversifier. The renter share is moderate, and the median income, although not exceptionally high, supports the viability of Section 8 vouchers. But the primary strategic advantage lies in the cash-flow stability offered by the substantial difference between the FMR and the market rent.
In conclusion, ZIP 43517 is best suited as a cash-flow anchor within a Section 8 portfolio strategy. The guaranteed income from Section 8 vouchers, combined with the lower acquisition costs of properties, ensures a reliable source of monthly revenue for landlords and small-portfolio investors.
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.