What share of home purchases were by investors in August 2026?

NAR reports investors and second-home buyers made up 15% of August 2026 transactions, up from 14% in July and down from 21% in August 2025. The figure combines investors with second-home buyers.

Does a lower investor share make flipping easier?

It can mean less bidding competition when you buy, but it does not guarantee profit. Inventory is rising and months of supply is 4.9, so the resale side may be slower. Underwrite both the purchase discount and a longer, more price-sensitive exit.

What were the national home prices and days on market in August 2026?

NAR reported a median existing-home price of $429,100 (+1.6% year over year) and a median of 31 days on market. Local markets vary widely, so check your own comps and supply.

Market News

Investor Share of Home Purchases Falls to 15%: What Less Competition Means for Flippers (Oct 2026)

Fewer investors are bidding, and fewer buyers are rushing. Both sides of your flip feel it.

October 8, 2026 · 5 min read

Quick answer

NAR reports investors and second-home buyers made up 15% of August 2026 purchases, down from 21% a year earlier. Inventory rose 5.9% to 1.62 million homes and supply reached 4.9 months. For flippers, that likely means less bidding competition on acquisitions, but a slower, more price-sensitive exit.

What NAR's August report shows

NAR's August 2026 existing-home sales report (released September 10) put sales at a 3.98 million annual pace, down 2.0% from July and 1.2% from a year earlier. The median price was $429,100, up 1.6% year over year. Inventory reached 1.62 million homes (+5.9% year over year), supply rose to 4.9 months from 4.6 a year ago, and the median home took 31 days to sell. Investors and second-home buyers were 15% of transactions, versus 14% in July and 21% a year earlier. Cash sales were 27% (28% a year ago) and first-time buyers were 30%.

NAR groups investors with second-home buyers, so 15% is not a pure flipper count. It is still the best national read on how much non-owner-occupant demand is in the market.

The acquisition side: fewer rivals

Investor share down six points in a year, with more inventory and a longer days-on-market, points to less competition for the same discounted houses. That is our interpretation of the data, not a NAR finding. Higher financing costs are the likely driver: the 30-year rate was 7.28% on October 1 (6.34% a year ago, per Freddie Mac), and leveraged buyers feel that first. For a flipper with capital and a disciplined buy box, the practical effect is more room to negotiate, longer option periods and less pressure to overpay on a bid.

Regional detail matters. In NAR's data the West median was $619,100, down 0.2% year over year, while the Northeast ($556,900) and Midwest ($340,400) rose 4.3% and 3.3%. Sellers in flat-to-falling markets are the likeliest to negotiate.

The exit side: slower and more price-sensitive

The same data cuts against the exit. Months of supply is up to 4.9, and sales volume is softening. Your resale buyer is usually an owner-occupant, and 30% of August purchases were first-time buyers who are payment-sensitive at 7%+ rates. Pricing a finished flip above the neighborhood comps is harder when there are more competing listings.

Carry assumption (illustrative)	Extra cost on a $250,000 purchase
Carry at 1% of purchase price per month	$2,500 per month
Exit takes 30 days longer than planned	~$2,500
Exit takes 60 days longer than planned	~$5,000

The 1% monthly carry is an assumption for illustration. Your loan points, interest, taxes, insurance and utilities will differ. The takeaway is that a slow sale costs real money, and that cost should be in your model before you buy.

How to use this

Negotiate harder on the buy. Use inventory and days-on-market for your zip code to justify a lower number, and ask for repair credits or longer closing windows.
Underwrite the exit at today's supply. Base ARV on recently sold comps, not active listings, and test a price 3-5% lower.
Add buffer days. Plan for the 31-day national median on market plus your closing time, then add a cushion for the carry.
Keep a rent-or-hold plan. If the sale stalls, know in advance whether the property cash-flows as a rental.
Check your local data. National numbers hide wide differences. Compare your metro's supply and price trend with the national picture.

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Frequently asked questions

What share of home purchases were by investors in August 2026?: NAR reports investors and second-home buyers made up 15% of August 2026 transactions, up from 14% in July and down from 21% in August 2025. The figure combines investors with second-home buyers.
Does a lower investor share make flipping easier?: It can mean less bidding competition when you buy, but it does not guarantee profit. Inventory is rising and months of supply is 4.9, so the resale side may be slower. Underwrite both the purchase discount and a longer, more price-sensitive exit.
What were the national home prices and days on market in August 2026?: NAR reported a median existing-home price of $429,100 (+1.6% year over year) and a median of 31 days on market. Local markets vary widely, so check your own comps and supply.