I hear this concern a lot from buyers:
“What’s the point of looking? Big investors are scooping up all the houses anyway.”
I get why people feel that way. The headlines make it sound like Wall Street is buying every home in America. But here’s the truth:
It’s not actually happening.
The Real Numbers
According to recent data, large institutional investors — the big companies everyone worries about — made up just 1.2% of all home purchases in the third quarter of 2025.
Let me put that another way: out of every 100 homes sold, only about 1 went to a large investor.
That’s it.
So Why Does It Feel Different?
A few reasons:
The headlines are dramatic. “Investors buying homes” gets more clicks than “Regular families still buying most homes.” Media loves a scary story.
Some markets got hit harder than others. In certain cities — mostly in the South and Southwest — investors were more active. But here on Long Island? Not nearly as much.
It’s easy to blame someone else. When you lose out on a house, it feels better to blame a faceless corporation than to accept that another family just wanted it more.
What This Means for You
If you’ve been holding back because you think you can’t compete with investors, stop worrying. The vast majority of your competition is other regular people — families, first-time buyers, people relocating for work.
Yes, the market is competitive. Yes, you might lose out on a house or two. But it’s not because some hedge fund is outbidding you. It’s just a tight market.
For a complete picture of what’s really happening in our local market — and who’s actually buying — read my full guide: What 2026 Holds for Long Island Buyers and Sellers.
The Bottom Line
Don’t let myths keep you from pursuing homeownership. The playing field is more level than you think.
Ready to start your home search?
Call or text me: (516) 250-4891
Carolyn A. Best Licensed Real Estate Agent | EXIT Realty Premier
Serving Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens & Brooklyn
