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mall real estate investors made up 59% of all investor home purchases last year, according to a new report from Realtor.com. This represents the highest share in the data's history for entities that have bought ten or fewer homes. The number of homes acquired by small investors rose 3.7% year-over-year to hit 361,900.

    Meanwhile, large investors saw their share of investor home acquisitions reach its lowest level in 17 years. Entities that have bought at least 50 homes were responsible for 21.7% of all investor purchases last year, buying 132,500 homes. Overall, real estate investors made up 13% of home purchases last year, a slight increase from the previous year.

    The report also found that investors resorted to debt more frequently to fund their real estate moves, with those using cash to buy properties dipping to 62.3%. States such as Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas made up some of the largest percentages for home purchases by investors in 2024.

    Investors sold a record-high 10.8% of homes that transacted across the United States in 2024, marking a significant shift in the market. Realtor.com's chief economist noted that this signals a transition towards smaller investors dominating the market, but also indicates that investor selling is becoming a more significant factor.

    The housing market continues to adjust from the pandemic-era frenzy, with inventory levels improving and home price growth leveling off. The median asking price for homes was $440,000 in May, while active listings reached over 1 million nationwide.