Buying a Home Feels Tougher Than Ever—Here’s Why
Let’s face it: the current housing market isn’t easy to navigate. You’re endlessly scrolling through listings, racing to attend open houses, and maybe even seeing your dream home slip away to a more aggressive offer. Somewhere in the chaos, you may have heard whispers blaming Wall Street investors for gobbling up all the available homes.
But let’s set the record straight—this idea is largely a myth. While investors do play a role in the market, their impact is smaller than you might think. According to Redfin, their presence is relatively limited:
Who’s Really Buying Homes? It’s Not Who You Think.
Here’s the truth: five out of every six homes are being purchased by everyday buyers like you—not by giant Wall Street investors.
So, before you feel discouraged, let’s break down what’s really happening in the housing market. You might be surprised to learn that big investors aren’t your primary competition.
Most Investors Are Small-Time Owners
Contrary to popular belief, most investors aren’t massive corporations with unlimited cash. Instead, they’re often small, independent property owners—your neighbors, for instance.
According to a CoreLogic report, the majority of investors own fewer than 10 properties. These are the folks who might rent out a second home or own a vacation property—not Wall Street tycoons buying up neighborhoods.
In fact, only about 1% of the housing market is owned by large-scale investors with thousands of properties. The rest? It’s in the hands of individuals and small-time players, not corporate giants.
Investor Activity Is Slowing Down
Here’s another surprise: investor purchases are actually declining. CoreLogic reports that investors made 80,000 purchases in June 2024—a sharp drop from 112,000 in June 2023 and an even steeper fall from 149,000 at the market peak in 2021.
This downward trend is expected to continue into 2025, meaning there’s less competition from investors than you might think.
The Bottom Line
The narrative that Wall Street is buying up all the homes simply doesn’t hold up. Most investors are small-scale, and their activity in the housing market is steadily decreasing.
If navigating the market feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. Let’s connect and discuss your options—I’m here to help you find your way home.
