President Donald Trump proposed measures to restrict large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes, citing concerns that corporate ownership is exacerbating housing affordability issues for average Americans. In a post on Truth Social, Trump emphasized that homeownership has traditionally represented the "American Dream," but believes this aspiration is increasingly unattainable due to high inflation, which he attributes to the policies of President Joe Biden and the Democratic Congress.
Trump's announcement includes a call for Congress to codify a ban on institutional purchases of single-family homes, stating, "People live in homes, not corporations." His comments come as private equity firms and real estate investment trusts have been acquiring significant numbers of single-family rental properties, which some critics argue has contributed to inflated housing prices and decreased availability for potential homeowners.
Following Trump's remarks, shares of major institutional investors involved in the single-family housing market saw declines, including Invitation Homes and Blackstone. The national median price for existing single-family homes reached $426,800 in the third quarter of 2025, having peaked at $435,300 in the summer, according to the National Association of Realtors. Concurrently, the average mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed loan stands at 6.19%.
In addition to Trump's proposal, Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at making it more difficult for larger investors to acquire single-family homes. Trump is expected to provide further details regarding his housing and affordability proposals in a forthcoming speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos.