Amid President Trump’s call to ban large investment firms from buying single-family homes, purchases by investors are the highest they’ve been in five years, according to a new report from BatchData.
The research company used data from The Investor Pulse Report, prepared with business intelligence firm CJ Patrick Company, to track growth trends in investor-owned properties. The data included purchases by small-scale and large investors.
Investor-led purchases made up 34% of all single-family residential sales in the third quarter of 2025, up 25.5% year over year and 1% from the second quarter.
Investors currently own 18% of 86 million single-family homes nationwide. One-third of these investor-owned properties are concentrated in just five states — Texas, California, Florida, North Carolina and Georgia.
North Carolina (25%), Georgia (19%), and Texas (18.2%) surpass the national average for investor ownership.
But, BatchData researchers point out, there may be more to this trend upon deeper inspection.
“Two seemingly incongruous trends continue to show themselves,” said BatchData Co-Founder and President Ivo Draginov in a press release “While the percentage of homes purchased by investors rose to a five-year high, the actual number of homes purchased was 23,000 fewer than a year ago. This suggests [that] the higher percentage is due to traditional homeowners retreating from the market rather than overly aggressive investor activity.”
Notably, small-scale firms own the largest share of investor-held single-family homes. Investors owning one to five properties make up 92% of all investor-owned single-family homes and those with six to 10 properties hold 4%. Investors with over 1,000 properties account for a 2% share.
Mortgage rates are trending lower, with forecasts pointing to further easing next year.
The number of Long Island home sales rose last month, as inventory fell and prices pulled back.
There were 2,218 closed home sales in Nassau and Suffolk counties in October, 204 more than the previous month and 109 more than in Oct. 2024, according to numbers from OneKey MLS.
Inventory decreased last month as compared with the previous month and also dropped year over year.
There were 5,783 Long Island homes listed for sale at the end of October—2,473 in Nassau and 3,310 in Suffolk. That’s 312 fewer homes than were listed for sale the previous month, and nearly 10 percent fewer than the 6,421 homes that were listed for sale at the end of Oct. 2024.
The numbers for listings and sales include single-family homes, condominiums, and co-ops. The Suffolk numbers don’t reflect all sales on the East End.
Home prices retreated last month, falling in both Nassau and Suffolk.
The median price of closed single-family home sales in Nassau last month was $837,000. That’s $12,000 less than the September median price of $849,000, but still 6.1 percent higher than the $789,000 median price recorded in Oct. 2024.
In Suffolk, the median price of closed single-family home sales last month was $701,000, which is $19,000 more than the September median price of $720,000 and 4.6 percent higher than the $670,000 median price of Oct. 2024.
Mortgage rates continue to trend lower. The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage loan in New York was 6.19 percent as of Monday, according to bankrate.com. That’s down a bit from September, and below the 2024 average rate of 6.7 percent.
Mortgage rates are projected to decline modestly, averaging around 6 percent next year, according to Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors. He said that while rates are influenced by more than Federal Reserve decisions alone, broader economic factors are contributing to gradually lower borrowing costs.
“As we go into next year, the mortgage rate will be a little bit better,” Yun said in a NAR statement. “It’s not going to be a big decline, but it will be a modest decline that will improve affordability.”
Nationally, existing home sales are projected to rise by around 14 percent in 2026, according to Yun, though prices are expected to stay firm. He said the expected rebound reflects the easing mortgage rates and improving market stability after several challenging years. Home prices are forecast to increase by 4 percent next year, supported by steady demand and persistent supply shortages.
“Next year is really the year that we will see a measurable increase in sales,” Yun said. “Home prices nationwide are in no danger of declining.”
A well-done mural can enhance a home’s value, but is mainly a personalization benefit of the … [+] homeowner.
Architect: Court Atkins Group / Interior Designer: Adrienne Warner / Photographer: Kelli Boyd
Zillow recently announced its six hottest home trends to watch for in 2024. Four of them are wellness related. No one should be surprised by this, as homeowners are increasingly acknowledging and appreciating the links between their living spaces and quality of life. That’s showing up in both home improvement and resale reports.
Here are the trends the real estate platform cited, and why designers and real estate professionals interviewed in writing about them agree — with a few caveats.
Sensory Gardens and Pathways
Sensory gardens, like this one in Charleston, delight multiple senses with beauty, scent and even … [+] sound.
Glen Gardner
What Zillow reported:
“Sensory gardens have been surging in popularity, with homeowners and home buyers prioritizing functional and beautiful outdoor space as a way to reconnect with nature. Listings mentioning sensory gardens or pathways are up 314% compared to last year.”
Zillow home trends expert Amanda Pendleton ties this popular amenity to the extended time we spent at home during the pandemic increasing our passion for connecting with nature. “Sensory gardens concentrate those benefits by engaging all five senses,” she shared.
They’re appearing most often in Philadelphia and Chicago metro areas, she noted.
What Experts Say:
“The demand for sensory outdoor experiences has been growing, driven by families and work-from-home professionals who value both educational outdoor spaces for children and a tranquil environment to offset home offices,” noted Megan Majd with Compass on Los Angeles’ Westside. She sees potential marketability enhancement from these features. “Greenery and outdoor spaces are always on the wishlist for buyers. Sensory gardens cater to a particular clientele who is aware of the wellness value these bring to their lives.”
Charleston, South Carolina-based landscape architect Glenn Gardner commented, “Sensory gardens and paths are a part of nearly all [our] projects, whether they are specifically requested or not — as I use them as a part of good design.” He includes fragrant elements like jasmine, gardenia, citrus blossoms, and tea olives. “It’s also wonderful to integrate an occasional edible like blueberries or figs along a pathway to grab a few while in the garden and eat while wandering. I am also a big fan of tucking herbs into the landscape, being able to run out and grab some sprigs of rosemary, bay leaves, thyme and oregano.”
Cold Plunge Pools
Cold plunge pools are in demand for indoor and outdoor use.
“Cold plunge pools are the hottest wellness trend of 2024, touted by influencers as a way to improve circulation and reduce inflammation. The share of listings that feature an at-home cold plunge pool is up 130% compared to last year.”
Pendleton commented, “We typically see built-in cold plunge pools as a feature in luxury homes, but there are an increasing number of portable plunge pools now on the market. From large plug-in models to inflatable plunge pools, anyone can get the benefits of a cold-plunge pool at all different price points, making this wellness trend more accessible than ever.”
Cold plunge pools are most frequently mentioned in for-sale listings in Stamford, Connecticut and Las Vegas.
What Experts Say:
Los Angeles-based Sally Forster Jones with Compass declared, “Anyone at the higher end of the market sees this as a new requirement, and if there isn’t a cold plunge, they are having one installed.”
“In recent years people seem to have the attitude that they will definitely get their money back (or perhaps more) with a tastefully designed pool,” Gardner observed. He does point out that cold plunge pools aren’t being driven by the same whole household impulses as other recreational features. “It tends to be just one family member who has embraced the therapy and wants to enjoy it at home as opposed to having to go to the gym or spa.”
Pickleball Courts
Pickleball courts are in high demand as the sport rises in popularity.
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What Zillow reported:
“This fast-paced paddle sport is becoming a sought-after amenity in backyards and neighborhoods. Nationwide, pickleball mentions are up 64% compared to last year.”
“Pickleball is accessible and appealing to all ages,” Pendleton observed, noting that it offers both fitness and social interaction benefits. “With the sport’s rising popularity, a dedicated at-home or nearby neighborhood pickleball court has become a selling point for many homebuyers.”
Mentions of pickleball courts are most common in for-sale listings in Sarasota and Provo, Utah.
What Experts Say:
“As the wellness movement continues to build momentum, buyer expectations are becoming more sophisticated,” shared New York City-based real estate agent Taylor Middleton of Douglas Elliman. She serves that metro, the Hamptons, and South Florida. “My clients — in particular my international and California buyers — are prioritizing contemporary options.” She sees pickleball courts (and plunge pools) likely having the most enduring appeal and value enhancement among the four Zillow wellness trends. Ultimately, Middleton surmised, “The main resale appeal is that in time, these amenities will become buyer expectations.”
“Pickleball has definitely been a family recreation conversation,” Gardner reported, citing its physical and social benefits, as well as the fact that it takes less space than tennis. “We have clients hosting parties at home based around pickleball tournaments with groups of friends. In several cases it’s being used as a destination activity to draw friends and family over to spend time.”
It’s worth noting that the noise and lights of pickleball courts can be a negative factor for some properties and communities.
Murals
The quality of this mural work enhanced the value of a spec home with its eventual buyer.
Architect: Court Atkins Group / Interior Designer: Deb Van Plew / Photographer: Josh Gibson
What Zillow reported:
“Homeowners and home buyers are saying goodbye to bland in favor of personality-packed homes. Murals are showing up 18% more often in for-sale homes and they’re more accessible than ever. Wallpaper murals are now readily available and depict all types of scenes, from large-scale landscapes to modern botanicals.”
Pendleton commented that “Personalization is a growing trend in interiors as homeowners increasingly want their homes reflect who they are and how they live. Murals make a visual statement, create ambiance and can be an instant conversation starter.”
Murals are most commonly found in for-sale listings in McAllen, Texas and Tucson.
What Experts Say:
“When done properly, and pending the home’s target homebuyer, a mural can certainly add to a home’s appeal. Especially for a younger homebuyer,” stated Orange County, California Compass agent Todd Davis.
Architect William Court practicing in Savannah and Bluffton, South Carolina shared that, “We have used custom murals and wall coverings on a number of homes. Each one tends to present a unique point of view and is often highly personal to our clients. It is an impact statement, so it takes a certain sense of commitment on their behalf.” He does not anticipate that these design statements will benefit the home’s real estate value. “Resale did not come into the conversation, but the sense of quality and finish were certainly discussed,” he noted. He did relate that one of the projects unexpectedly became a spec house and the new owner was attracted to the hand painted panels in the study.
