Location: Hardeman County, TX | Metro: Cottle County, TX
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $770 |
| 1 Bedroom | $780 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,010 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,340 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,470 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,705 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,910 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,063 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,166 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The analysis of ZIP code 79252 in Hardeman County, TX, reveals key insights for landlords and small-portfolio investors considering the area.
The rent math does not work in favor of the landlord. The Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the metro area in fiscal year 2026 is set at $970, whereas the actual market rent based on Census ACS data is only $655. This discrepancy means that landlords would have to charge significantly below the FMR to attract tenants, leading to lower rental income.
Regarding property acquisition, the data presents challenges. The median home value is listed as N/A, indicating a lack of recent sales data which can make it difficult to assess typical property values. Additionally, the N/A-day Days on Market (DOM) and N/A% of homes experiencing price cuts suggest that the housing market may be sluggish, with properties taking longer to sell and often requiring price reductions.
Tenant demand is moderate. With a total population of 2,784, the renter share stands at 27.2%, translating to approximately 757 potential renters. However, the relatively low number of residents and the smaller renter pool mean that competition for tenants could be fierce, especially given the gap between FMR and actual market rents.
Verdict: ZIP code 79252 presents a challenging environment for real estate investment under the Section 8 program. The significant disparity between the FMR ($970) and the actual market rent ($655) suggests that landlords will struggle to achieve the higher rent required by the program. Furthermore, the unavailability of recent median home values and the apparent difficulties in selling properties quickly or without price reductions indicate that acquiring properties in this area may not be financially feasible. Lastly, while there is a tenant demand, the limited size of the renter pool could lead to competitive pressures among landlords. These factors collectively point towards a less favorable investment scenario in 79252 for Section 8-related real estate activities.
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.