<h1>Real estate investors purchased record 27% of US homes in first quarter amid buyer affordability crisis</h1> Real estate investors purchased nearly 27% of US homes in the first quarter, the highest share in five years, compared to an 18.5% average between 2020-2023. Investors bought 265,000 homes, a 1.2% annual increase. The rising investor share reflects a slowing housing market as traditional buyers face affordability constraints from elevated mortgage rates and climbing home prices. Home sales fell to nearly 30-year lows, with properties taking longer to sell. Investors with cash advantages are maintaining transaction volume while conventional buyers struggle with financing costs.