Why Big Investors Aren’t a Challenge for Today’s Homebuyer

Remember all the headlines about big institutional investors buying up homes? If you were thinking about becoming a homeowner, it probably felt like you were up against impossible competition. But here’s the good news: that challenge isn’t nearly as big as it seemed – especially right now.

Large Investors Are Pulling Back

Institutional investors never made up as big a slice of the housing market as many people thought. And today, they’re backing off even more.

In fact, many of the largest institutional investors are now selling more homes than they’re buying. According to Parcl Labs, 6 out of the 8 biggest single-family rental investment companies sold more homes than they purchased in the second quarter of 2025.

To put it in perspective: for every home being bought by a big investor, about 1.75 are being sold (Dominion Financial).

Why the Shift?

The reason is simple: the math isn’t working the same way for investors anymore.

  • Home values aren’t rising as fast as they were a few years ago.

  • Rental maintenance and operating costs are climbing.

For investors, homebuying is a business. If the margins shrink, they pull back.

But here’s where your situation is different: you’re not buying a home for short-term profit—you’re buying for the long run. Historically, home values rise over time. So while investors are stepping away, you have an opportunity to step in.

What This Means for You

With big investors taking a step back:

  • There’s less competition from deep-pocketed buyers.

  • Their sales are actually adding more inventory, which means more options for you.

  • You have a chance to buy at a time when competition isn’t as fierce.

Bottom Line

If you’ve been waiting on the sidelines, now may be the perfect time to revisit your plans. With institutional investors selling more than buying, the market is opening up in ways that favor everyday buyers like you.

Finding ways to make your credit score better could help you get a lower mortgage rate. When you’re ready to get the process started, let’s connect.

Jeremy Kilbourne

Jeremy is Arch Mortgage North’s Lead Loan Officer. Bringing experience, compassion and creativity to the mortgage lending process, Jeremy loves helping clients achieve their home ownership goals.

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