Location: Mercer County, OH | Metro: Mercer County, OH
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $760 |
| 1 Bedroom | $800 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,000 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,250 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,390 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,612 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,805 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $1,949 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,046 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The analysis of ZIP code 45826 reveals key insights for landlords and small-portfolio investors considering investment in this area.
The first question to address is whether the rent math works. The Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the ZIP 45826 metro area for fiscal year 2026 is set at $970. However, the current market rent, as per Census ACS data, stands at $900. This indicates that landlords might face challenges in pricing their properties at the FMR level without potentially deterring tenants who are accustomed to paying lower rents.
Regarding the affordability of acquisition, the data shows that the median home value is N/A, which makes it difficult to assess the typical cost of acquiring property in this ZIP code. Additionally, the average days on market (DOM) and the percentage of homes requiring price cuts before sale are also listed as N/A. These missing metrics suggest that there isn't enough recent data to make a definitive judgment on the ease or difficulty of purchasing properties here.
Tenant demand is another critical factor. With a population of 394, only 10.7% of residents are renters. This low renter share implies limited demand for rental properties, which could result in high vacancy rates and reduced profitability for landlords.
In conclusion, while the rent math suggests a potential gap between FMR and actual market rents, the lack of data on median home values, DOM, and price-cut percentages complicates the assessment of acquisition affordability. Furthermore, the low renter share in ZIP 45826 points to a weak tenant demand environment. These factors collectively indicate that investing in this ZIP code may present significant challenges and risks for landlords and small-portfolio investors seeking stable returns.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). 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.