Investors drive up home prices, challenging first-time buyers

Investors Drive Up Home Prices

Real estate investors are outbidding first-time buyers, paying up to 4.3% over market value, making it challenging for them to compete.

Coupled with high mortgage rates and record-high home prices, real estate investors are making it harder for first-time buyers, according to data from Cotality, a real estate analytics firm.

“There are several reasons an investor might pay more than market value,”

These overbids often include all-cash transactions, waived contingencies, and faster closings, says Thom Malone, Cotality’s principal economist.

Author's summary: Investors outbid first-time buyers, driving up home prices.

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HousingWire HousingWire — 2025-10-13