Are Investors Really Buying Up All the Homes? Here’s the Truth for Agents

As a real estate agent, you may have heard buyers say, “I can’t compete—investors are snatching up all the homes!” But is that really the case? Let’s break it down so you can confidently educate your clients.

The Reality About Investor Activity

📉 Investor purchases are on the decline. Despite the media hype, large-scale institutional investors aren’t dominating the market like many believe.

🔹 Most investors are small-scale. In fact, mom-and-pop investors make up the majority—people with just a few rental properties, not corporations buying entire neighborhoods.

🔹 Big investors have pulled back. At their peak in 2022, institutional investors made up just 2.4% of home sales—and by Q3 2024, that number dropped to only 0.3%.

(see graph below):

That’s a major shift, and it means far fewer investors are competing in the market now than just a few years ago.

Why Does This Matter for Your Clients?

Many buyers feel discouraged, believing they can’t compete with cash-rich investors. Your job as an agent is to shift that mindset. Here's how:

✅ Educate them—Show them the real numbers so they stop assuming they’re up against Wall Street.
✅ Empower them—With fewer investors in the market, buyers actually have more opportunities today.
✅ Guide them—Help them focus on strategy (financing options, negotiation tactics) rather than fear.

The Takeaway for Agents

🚀 Stop letting myths hold your buyers back. The truth is, the market is evolving, and there are opportunities for serious homebuyers—especially as investor activity slows down.

💬 How are you educating your buyers about today’s market?