Real estate investors bought 27% of U.S. homes in Q1 2024, a five-year high, as high mortgage rates and prices deterred traditional buyers, according to BatchData.

• Investor home purchases rose 1.2% annually, reaching 265,000 homes in Q1, reflecting a slowed housing market.
• Mom and pop investors own 90% of investor-held homes, with large institutions scaling back purchases in Q2.
• With high inventory and cash-paying investors benefit from sluggish sales, as traditional buyers face affordability challenges.