Are Big Investors Really Buying All the Homes? Here’s What the Data Actually Shows
If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you’ve probably seen claims like:
“Big investors are buying up all the homes.”
And if you’re a buyer who’s lost out on a home or two in Concord, Harrisburg, Huntersville, or Kannapolis, that idea can feel very real. When prices are high and competition exists, it’s easy to assume large corporations are scooping up homes behind the scenes.
But what’s happening online — and what’s actually happening in the real estate market — aren’t always the same thing.
As a North Charlotte real estate agent, I believe it’s important to separate headlines from facts. So let’s look at what the data really says about large investors in today’s housing market.
The Statistic Most People Don’t Hear About
According to data from John Burns Research & Consulting, large institutional investors — defined as companies that own 100 or more homes — accounted for just 1.2% of all home purchases in Q3 of 2025.
That means out of every 100 homes sold, only about one was purchased by a large investor.
Even more important? That number is:
In line with long-term historical averages
Well below the 2022 peak of about 3.1%
Not evidence of a takeover of the housing market
Nationally, large investors make up a very small portion of total homebuyers — far smaller than social media headlines suggest.
Why It Feels Like Investors Are Everywhere
So why does it feel like big investors are dominating the market? There are two main reasons.
1. Investor Activity Is Highly Localized
Investor purchases aren’t evenly spread across the country. Some markets see higher activity, which can make competition feel intense in specific neighborhoods.
But even then, large investors still own only about 1% of total single-family homes nationwide. In most North Charlotte communities, traditional buyers — families, first-time buyers, and move-up buyers — remain the majority.
2. “Investor” Is a Very Broad Term
Another major source of confusion is how the word investor gets used.
Many headlines combine:
Large Wall Street-backed companies
andSmall local investors (like someone who owns one or two rental properties)
Those are very different buyers — but they often get grouped together in statistics, which makes the numbers sound much bigger than they really are.
In reality, most investor buyers are small, local owners, not massive corporations.
What’s Really Driving Today’s Housing Challenges
While investors do exist, they’re not the primary reason buying feels difficult right now.
The bigger factors affecting affordability include:
Limited housing supply
Years of underbuilding
Population growth in desirable areas
Higher interest rates compared to recent years
These issues impact buyers and sellers far more than institutional investors do.
What This Means for Buyers and Sellers in North Charlotte
If you’re buying:
You’re not competing with large corporations on most homes
Strategy, timing, and strong guidance matter more than fear-based headlines
If you’re selling:
Your buyer pool is still dominated by everyday buyers
Pricing and marketing correctly is far more important than worrying about investors
A knowledgeable North Charlotte Realtor can help you understand what’s actually happening in your specific market, not just what’s trending online.
Bottom Line
Big investors aren’t buying up all the homes — not nationally, and not in most North Charlotte neighborhoods. While they’re part of the market, their role is much smaller than many people assume.
If you’d like to talk through what buyer demand and investor activity look like in Concord, Harrisburg, Huntersville, or Kannapolis, I’m happy to help. Sometimes a little clarity makes all the difference.
