Sales for Investment Purposes: 15 Percent of Residential Sales in December 2015

Approximately 15 percent of REALTORS^® reported that their last sale was for investment purposes (16 percent in November 2015; 17 percent in December 2014), according to the December 2015 REALTORS^® Confidence Index Survey Report.

Nationally, sales for investment purposes comprised 14 percent of residential sales in calendar year 2015. Purchases for investment purposes made up a larger portion of sales in Florida (22 percent), South Carolina (19 percent), California (18 percent), and Nevada (17 percent).

Purchases for investment purposes have declined since 2012 as rising home values led to fewer sales of distressed properties. At their peak in 2012–2013, investment sales were approximately 20 percent of residential sales.