Corporate Takeover: How Three Companies Owning 19,000 Homes in Metro Atlanta are Driving Up Prices

In a striking development, three corporations have quietly amassed a staggering number of single-family homes in metro Atlanta, totaling 19,000 properties. This consolidation of housing by corporate entities has far-reaching implications for the local real estate market, contributing to skyrocketing prices and exacerbating affordability challenges for residents. In this article, we delve into the reasons behind this phenomenon and its impact on housing affordability, supported by insights from reputable sources and housing experts.

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The acquisition of tens of thousands of single-family homes by corporate investors has emerged as a growing trend in real estate markets across the country, including metro Atlanta. Companies such as Invitation Homes, American Homes 4 Rent, and Tricon Residential have aggressively purchased properties, often in bulk, with the aim of building rental portfolios.

The influx of corporate investment in single-family homes has led to increased competition for available properties, driving up prices and reducing inventory levels in the metro Atlanta housing market. As these corporations continue to expand their portfolios, they effectively limit the supply of homes available for purchase by individual buyers, further intensifying the housing shortage.

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The rise of corporate ownership in the housing market poses significant challenges for affordability, particularly for first-time homebuyers and lower-income households. With fewer affordable options available for purchase, many residents are forced to compete in a rental market where prices are also influenced by corporate ownership, leading to escalating rents and housing cost burdens.

• According to a report by Bloomberg, Invitation Homes, American Homes 4 Rent, and Tricon Residential collectively own approximately 19,000 single-family homes in the metro Atlanta area.
• The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has warned that the concentration of housing ownership by large corporate investors can distort local housing markets and reduce affordability for residents.
• Housing experts, such as Dr. Mary Keegan, a professor of urban planning at Georgia State University, emphasize the need for policy interventions to address the impact of corporate investment on housing affordability and equitable access to homeownership.

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The dominance of corporate investors in the metro Atlanta housing market underscores the urgent need for proactive measures to protect affordability and promote equitable access to housing. As policymakers, advocates, and community stakeholders grapple with this complex issue, addressing the root causes of housing unaffordability and promoting sustainable homeownership opportunities for all residents must remain a top priority. Only through collaborative efforts can we ensure that the dream of homeownership remains within reach for metro Atlanta residents now and in the future.