It is hard to scroll through social media without seeing the claim: “Wall Street is buying all the houses.”
If you are a homebuyer who has lost out on a few offers in Tacoma or Puyallup, this narrative feels believable. When competition is tight, it is easy to assume giant companies are scooping everything up behind the scenes.
If you are tired of losing out and want a winning strategy, Call Kim at 206-225-8325 for a free buyer consultation. We can discuss exactly how to position your offer to win against the competition.
But the data tells a very different story—and you shouldn't let fear keep you from buying.
The Real Number: Just 1.2%
According to John Burns Research & Consulting, large institutional investors (those owning 100+ homes) made up just 1.2% of all home purchases in Q3 of 2025.
That’s it. Out of every 100 homes sold, only about one went to a large institutional investor. This is well below the peak of 3.1% back in 2022.
Don't rely on national headlines. Call Kim for a market analysis of the specific neighborhoods you love. I can show you exactly who is buying and selling right now.
Why It Feels Like More
If the number is so low, why does it feel like investors are everywhere?
-
Local Concentration: Investors aren't spread evenly. They target specific neighborhoods. While they might be active in one pocket of Auburn or Sumner, they might be non-existent in Normandy Park.
-
Confusing Definitions: Headlines often lump "Wall Street" together with "Mom and Pop" investors. Your neighbor buying a rental property in Bonney Lake counts as an "investor," but they are very different from a massive corporation.
If you are selling, you need to know who your likely buyer is so you can price accordingly. Call Kim for a unique marketing plan for getting your home sold to the right buyer for the most money.
The Local Reality
The affordability challenges we are facing in the South Sound have more to do with low supply and years of underbuilding than with corporate landlords taking over.
As Kim Morgan Storey, the Top #1 Real Estate Agent, I track exactly who is buying in our local neighborhoods. I know the difference between a market shift and a media myth.
Proudly serving: Tacoma, Puyallup, Auburn, Sumner, SeaTac, Des Moines, Burien, Normandy Park, Lake Tapps, and Bonney Lake.
The Bottom Line
Don't let the headlines scare you out of the market. The competition is real, but it’s likely from other families, not faceless corporations.
Want to know who is actually buying in your dream neighborhood? Call Kim today at 206-225-8325 for the real local data.
Whether you are buying or selling, you need the truth, not the hype. Call Kim at 206-225-8325 and let's get you moving!
Serving the Greater Seattle Area: King, Pierce & Snohomish Counties
98402, 98403, 98404, 98405, 98406, 98407, 98408, 98409, 98422, 98444, 98445, 98465, 98466, 98371, 98372, 98373, 98374, 98375, 98390, 98188, 98148, 98158, 98168, 98198, 98146, 98166, 98391, 98092
