Location: Mason County, TX | Metro: Mason County, TX
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $820 |
| 1 Bedroom | $860 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,080 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,400 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,560 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,810 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,027 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,189 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,298 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
To determine if a landlord should invest in ZIP code 76820 for Section 8 properties, follow these steps:
Step 1: Evaluate the Fair Market Rent (FMR) against your debt service requirements. The FMR for the metro area in fiscal year 2026 is $1,020. This figure must cover all expenses including mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and other costs associated with owning the property. If your total debt service is less than $1,020, then the answer is yes; you can consider purchasing a property here. If it exceeds this amount, the answer is no; Section 8 may not be financially viable.
Step 2: Assess the market rent compared to the FMR. In ZIP 76820, the current market rent is not specified, but it's critical to know whether it stands above, at, or below the FMR of $1,020. If market rents are above $1,020, landlords might find it more profitable to seek tenants outside the Section 8 program. If they are at or below the FMR, Section 8 could be a stable source of income, aligning closely with market conditions.
Step 3: Examine the rental demand and days on market (DOM). With 32.4% of residents being renters and an unspecified DOM, the key question is whether the demand is sufficient to fill vacancies promptly. A DOM that is low indicates strong demand, which is favorable for landlords. However, without knowing the exact DOM, we cannot definitively conclude how quickly properties will rent. If the DOM is typically low, the answer leans towards yes; there is enough demand. If the DOM is high, indicating slow turnover, the answer is it depends; further analysis into the local housing market trends would be necessary.
In summary, landlords should only consider buying in ZIP 76820 if their debt service is covered by the FMR of $1,020, the market rent does not significantly exceed this figure, and the DOM is sufficiently low to ensure quick tenancy. These factors combined provide a clear path to making a financially sound decision regarding Section 8 investments in this area.
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.