HousingWire Daily Logan Mohtashami on banning institutional investors
Jan 9, 2026
Logan Mohtashami, a lead housing analyst known for his sharp data analysis, joins to discuss President Trump's controversial plan to ban institutional investors from buying single-family homes. He argues that this move is largely political and a misrepresentation of the actual market, as institutions own just a small fraction of homes. The conversation reveals that most rentals are managed by small investors, and policy changes targeting them could exacerbate housing shortages. Logan provides insights into past market dynamics and the unlikely chance of forced sales hurting families.
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Institutional Buyers Are A Tiny Share
- Institutional investors bought a very small share of single-family homes post-COVID, typically under single-digit percentages.
- Logan Mohtashami says banning them would have negligible macro impact but scores as political class-warfare messaging.
Verify Data Before Amplifying Claims
- Don't mistake political theater for effective housing policy; evaluate data before endorsing proposals.
- Mohtashami recommends scrutinizing numbers instead of repeating viral narratives about Wall Street buyers.
A Ban Would Be Forward-Looking Only
- Banning future institutional purchases wouldn't force current owners to sell; it's a forward-looking policy.
- Mohtashami argues that alone it won't materially change supply or affordability without other demand-side moves.