Nate Zielinski of RCN Capital highlights how brokers can guide clients toward emerging opportunities by evaluating affordability, rental demand, appreciation potential, and job growth across key U.S. markets.https://t.co/wSUy1AvAIJ
— Mortgage Professional America Magazine (@MPAMagazineUS) August 14, 2026
Purchase activity retreats sharply across the board
The sentiment decline carries through to deal volume. Rick Sharga, chief executive officer of the CJ Patrick Company, said activity fell materially in early 2026.
“Real estate investors purchased 23% fewer homes in the first quarter of 2026 than they did in the previous quarter and in the first quarter of 2025. The survey also shows that 32% of the respondents don’t plan to buy any properties at all this year, and only 9% plan to buy more than they did a year ago,” Sharga said.
Some forward-looking signals offer limited optimism. The share of investors expecting conditions to improve over the next six months rose to 34% from 32%, while those forecasting further decline fell from 32% to 27%.
Home price expectations also firmed. More than 60% now expect prices to rise over the next six months, up from just under 52% in Q1 2026.
The survey focuses on small to mid-sized investors — distinct from the large institutional buyers now subject to the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which became law on July 11, and bars investors controlling 350 or more single-family homes from acquiring additional properties.
