Location: Mountrail County, ND | Metro: Burke County, ND
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,200 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,230 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,500 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,010 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,390 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,772 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $3,105 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $3,353 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $3,521 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
ZIP 58773, located in Mountrail County, ND, serves as a cash-flow anchor within a Section 8 portfolio strategy. The Federal Market Rent (FMR) for the metro area in fiscal year 2026 is set at $1,290, which is significantly higher than the market rent of $1,095. This creates a spread of $195 per month, ensuring that properties in this ZIP code will generate positive cash flow for landlords and small-portfolio investors.
The higher FMR compared to the market rent means that landlords can rely on a guaranteed income stream that exceeds the local market rates. This is particularly advantageous because it provides a buffer against potential market fluctuations and ensures steady returns on investment. Since the median home value is not available, we cannot assess the property appreciation potential; however, the focus should be on the cash flow stability that ZIP 58773 offers.
A cash-flow anchor is crucial for any diversified real estate portfolio, especially one that includes Section 8 properties. It helps balance out the risks associated with other investments and ensures that there is a reliable source of income. In ZIP 58773, the cash flow generated from the positive spread between FMR and market rent makes it an ideal choice for such a role.
While the ZIP code has a 17.7% renter share, indicating a moderate demand for rental properties, and a median income of $103,750, suggesting a relatively affluent population, these factors do not overshadow the primary benefit of positive cash flow. Landlords should prioritize the financial stability that comes from a guaranteed higher rent payment over the speculative benefits of appreciation or diversification in this case.
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.