Location: Webster Parish, LA | Metro: Webster Parish, LA
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $620 |
| 1 Bedroom | $680 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $890 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,140 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,170 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,357 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,520 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $1,642 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $1,724 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The analysis of ZIP code 71073 within the Webster Parish, LA metro area reveals several key points that are crucial for landlords and small-portfolio investors.
The rent math does not favorably align in this region. The Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the fiscal year 2026 is set at $830, whereas the current market rent, according to Census ACS data, is only $717. This discrepancy means that landlords might find it challenging to achieve the higher rent benchmark without adjusting their property offerings or management strategies.
Regarding the affordability of acquisitions, the data is incomplete, with median home values, days on market (DOM), and the percentage of homes requiring price cuts all listed as N/A. This lack of data makes it difficult to provide a comprehensive assessment of how easy or difficult it would be to acquire properties at favorable prices. However, the absence of these metrics could suggest that the housing market in this ZIP code is either underdeveloped or lacks sufficient recent transaction data to draw meaningful conclusions.
Tenant demand appears to be moderate. With a total population of 2,654, the renter share stands at 23.5%. This indicates that nearly one-quarter of the residents are likely seeking rental accommodations, which can support a modest number of rental units. However, the relatively low population size suggests that the overall market for rentals is limited.
Verdict: ZIP 71073 presents a mixed picture for real estate investment. While there is a clear gap between the FMR and the actual market rent, indicating a need for strategic pricing and possibly improvements to attract tenants willing to pay closer to the FMR, the limited population size and moderate renter share imply a constrained market. The incomplete data on acquisition costs further complicates the decision-making process. Investors should proceed with caution, focusing on properties that can be efficiently managed and potentially improved to meet higher rental standards, while being aware of the smaller scale of opportunities compared to larger metropolitan areas.
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.