The Real Reason Homes Feel So Expensive (It’s Not What You Think)

Scroll through social media and you’ll see plenty of people blaming investors for rising home prices. Nearly half of Americans (48%) think that’s the main cause. But the data tells a different story.

The Truth About Investors

Big investors make up only 2.8% of all home purchases, according to Realtor.com. That means 97% of homes are bought by regular buyers, not large corporations. While investors play a role in certain markets, they’re not driving prices nationwide.

What’s Really Behind Rising Prices

The real issue isn’t who’s buying homes — it’s how few there are to buy.Economists agree the main driver of high prices is a housing shortage. There simply aren’t enough homes to meet demand, and that imbalance keeps prices elevated across the country.

It’s easy to blame investors, but the real solution is building more homes.As new inventory enters the market, buying could start to feel more within reach again.