Investors’ share of U.S. home buying remains elevated — and local concentration is the affordability flashpoint

Two different metrics: investor share of purchases vs investor share of ownership

A lot of confusion in the investor conversation comes from mixing two valid but different measurements:

• **Investor share of purchases** (who is buying homes right now)
• **Investor share of ownership** (how much of the housing stock investors already control)

Those numbers can move differently. For example, investor *share of purchases* can remain high even if investor buying is flat, as long as owner-occupant demand falls.

What recent national and regional reporting indicates

One national snapshot, summarized through a Cotality-focused write-up, puts investors at roughly **30% of single-family home purchases** by the end of 2025. [worldpropertyjournal.com]

A second data lens, referenced in a California Central Valley segment, estimates that about **18% of homes in the U.S. are investor-owned** (and cites a figure around **17%** for California). [abc30.com]

Taken together, these reports suggest investors remain a meaningful force in early 2026—but the affordability impact tends to show up most where investor activity is **concentrated** in a particular market segment.

Where it shows up most: entry-level homes and specific markets

Local variation is the biggest practical takeaway.

• The BatchData-linked segment cited investor-owned shares of **18% in Fresno County**, **23% in Tulare County**, **25% in Merced County**, and **42% in Mariposa County**. [abc30.com]
• Separate Miami coverage based on HMDA mortgage data reported investors obtained **17% of residential mortgages** in Miami versus a **9.4% national average** in that analysis. [wlrn.org]

In markets where investors focus on the most affordable single-family inventory, it can intensify competition for first-time buyers—especially when investors can move quickly and when listings are scarce.

Why local concentration can worsen affordability

Even small differences in who bids on the marginal “starter” listing can matter:

• **Speed and certainty**: cash and fewer contingencies can win deals.
• **Rental-demand backstop**: if would-be buyers stay renters longer, rents can support investor underwriting.
• **Supply constraints**: when entry-level inventory is limited, incremental investor demand can have an outsized effect.

That doesn’t mean investors are the only driver of affordability problems; it means concentration can act as an amplifier when the market is already tight.

Practical ways to track investor pressure in your area

If you’re trying to understand whether this is affecting your metro, track:

• Investor share of purchases over time (quarterly is more stable than monthly).
• Breakouts by price tier (entry-level vs move-up).
• Cash-offer prevalence and seller concessions.
• Investor ownership share by neighborhood or ZIP where available.

The headline is national, but the day-to-day affordability squeeze is usually local—and it shows up first in the entry-level segment. [abc30.com] [worldpropertyjournal.com]