Are Corporate Investors Really Driving the Housing Crisis?

Nearly three out of four Americans believe corporate investors are driving the housing crisis—but the data tells a more complicated story. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry unpack what institutional investors actually own, how they dominate certain markets, and whether targeting them will really make homes more affordable.In this episode you’ll learn:How much housing Wall Street really owns: Large institutional investors control about 2% of single-family rental homes nationwide—far less than most people think.Where investors are most concentrated: In cities like Atlanta, Jacksonville, Charlotte, and Tampa, corporate investors hold a much larger share of the rental market.Why investor percentages can be misleading: Investors made up one-third of buyers in Q2 2025—but total investor purchases actually fell year over year.Who’s really buying homes: Small investors with fewer than 11 properties own about 91% of all investor-owned homes—and aren’t affected by the new executive order.The build-to-rent loophole: Entire rental neighborhoods built by developers are exempt, raising questions about how much policy will change the market.The real housing affordability problem: Experts argue supply constraints—not investor ownership—are the primary driver of high prices.What to watch for next: Definitions of “large investors,” impacts in high-concentration markets, and whether policies actually boost housing supply.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/73-percent-americans-blame-wall-street-high-housing-costs-will-trumps-eo-help/