One Fifth of California Homes Owned by Investors

In California, 19 percent of homes are owned by outside investors — just below the 20 percent national average. This accounts for 8 percent of all investor-owned homes in the United States.

According to an article in the OC Register by Jonathan Lansner, “That 19% share is meek compared with where U.S. investors are most intensely busy – in states with small populations and tourism hooks. Those states include Hawaii at 40%, Alaska at 35%, Vermont at 31%, West Virginia at 30%, and Wyoming at 30%.”

California has one of the nation’s highest percentage of renters, at 45 percent. But the high cost of housing deters investors, too. “And underlying economics seem tepid. California’s flat population over five years ranked No. 47 and its five-year job growth at 3.8% was a middling No. 25.”