Wall Street Capitalizes on Rental Boom as Homeownership Declines

Institutional investors and private equity firms are increasingly investing in the build-to-rent market, where developers create neighborhoods of single-family homes for leasing rather than selling. This trend is driven by millennials, who are often priced out of buying homes in desirable areas and are opting to rent upscale homes instead. From 2021 to 2023, build-to-rent housing starts have doubled, reflecting a shift in housing preferences as renting becomes a more affordable long-term option for many.