Sales of homes to investors and corporations, often in cash, are pricing out would-be homebuyers.
“In 2021 — as home prices, then rents, soared — so did investor activity in Harris County, according to a data analysis by the National Association of Realtors. About 40 percent of existing homes sold last year went to investors, one of the highest percentages in the country,” reports R.A. Schuetz in the Houston Chronicle. “Texas — which has seen strong population growth from residents fleeing higher-cost markets — led the country for the highest share of homes purchased by corporations and companies.”
Purchases of single-family homes by investors—defined in the analysis as “any corporation, company or limited liability company — categories that include both hedge funds and mom-and-pop landlords, flippers and a number of real estate startups” are often done in cash, making it increasingly difficult for potential homebuyers and renters to compete. “Even with number of existing homes being converted to rentals — a survey of members of the National Association of Realtors estimated 42 percent of company-bought homes are turned to rentals — a family looking to rent a single-family home will find options scarce.” As for the rest, “Most of the investor-bought homes that are not turned to rentals eventually are sold to homebuyers, though likely at higher prices to compensate for improvements, holding expenses and market changes.”
FULL STORY: Investors purchased 40 percent of Harris County homes sold in 2021, says National Association of Realtors
Institutional Investors Gaining a Larger Footprint in the Housing Market, Report Says
The locations with the fastest growing populations are seeing the most dramatic increase in investor-owned single-family housing rentals.
What’s in a Name? Investors vs. Speculators
We don’t often make a clear distinction between investors and speculators, which makes it harder to identify harmful behavior — and to find solutions for it.
Wall Street Suddenly Buying Fewer Single-Family Homes
Rising interest rates are having a major effect in the housing market—including on the large institutional investors who spent much of the past couple of years buying up single-family homes.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
San Diego Votes to Rein in “Towering” ADUs
City council voted to limit the number of units in accessory buildings to six — after confronting backyard developments of up to 100 units behind a single family home.
Texas Legislature’s Surprising Pro-Housing Swing
Smaller homes on smaller lots, office to apartment conversions, and 40% less say for NIMBYs, vote state lawmakers.
Even Edmonton Wants Single Staircase Buildings
Canada's second most affordable major city joins those angling to nix the requirement for two staircases in multi-family buildings.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)