Small Investors Take Over as Institutional Buyers Retreat

Investors are not simply disappearing from the housing market; their presence is changing. In the first half of 2026, smaller investors strengthened their hold while large and mega investors pulled back, according to the Realtor.com®'s 2026 Investor Report. Cash remains a defining feature of investor purchases, yet the investor and overall market all-cash share fell in the first half of 2026 as climbing inventory and softer market conditions eased all-cash buying.