With mortgage rates dipping to around 6.27% — the lowest level of 2025 — and builder confidence at a six-month high, the U.S. housing market is showing subtle but meaningful signs of recovery. Combined with a growing inventory of homes, these trends create an opportune moment for buyers seeking value and stability in an evolving market.

The share of investor activity in the U.S. housing market has surged again, reshaping competition and pricing dynamics. While institutional and small-scale investors are seizing opportunities in key metropolitan areas, first-time buyers often find themselves edged out. Understanding investor strategies can help both buyers and sellers navigate today’s high-stakes market more effectively.