5 Key Takeaways: Who's Really Buying America's Homes?

"The real estate investment landscape in the United States is not solely dominated by institutional buyers such as Wall Street giants-rather, small landlords with fewer than 11 properties make up more than 90% of investor-owned homes in the country. The latest Investor Pulse report by CJ Patrick Co. and BatchData reveals that even in states with high rates of investor ownership, it is primarily small landlords who are driving this trend, particularly in Maine, Montana, Alaska, and Hawaii."

"Notably, landlords with 1 to 50 properties control 95% of all investor inventory nationwide. The high percentage of investor purchases in the second quarter of 2025 is attributed to traditional buyers facing affordability constraints due to rising mortgage rates, prompting cash-ready investors to fill the gap."

"Small landlords with fewer than 11 properties own over 90% of investor-owned homes in the U.S., dispelling the notion that institutional buyers dominate the real estate market. States like Maine, Montana, Alaska, and Hawaii have the highest rates of investor ownership, with small landlords playing a significant role in the housing market. Landlords with 1 to 50 properties control 95% of all investor inventory across the country, indicating that rental housing is predominantly driven by individual and small partnership ownership."

Small landlords with fewer than 11 properties own more than 90% of investor-owned homes nationwide, while landlords holding 1 to 50 properties control 95% of investor inventory. States with the largest shares of investor-owned homes include Maine, Montana, Alaska, and Hawaii, where individuals and small partnerships predominate. Rising mortgage rates have reduced affordability for many traditional buyers, enabling cash-ready investors to increase purchases. Despite growing regulation in some markets, small investors continue renovating older properties and pursuing long-term rental income to meet local demand, reinforcing the entrepreneurial nature of rental housing.

Read at SFGATE