Institutional investor takeover of single-family homes, which has been a major shift in the housing market over the past decade. BlackRock, along with firms like Invitation Homes (a spinoff of Blackstone) and American Homes 4 Rent, has been buying up large numbers of homes, particularly in HOA-governed communities, to transform them into high-rent, corporate-controlled properties.

How the BlackRock Model Works:

1. Targeting Distressed Homes

These companies focus on homes that are either in foreclosure, pre-foreclosure, or owned by struggling mom-and-pop landlords who can’t afford rising costs.

They also outbid individual buyers with cash offers, making it nearly impossible for regular families to compete.

2. Foreclosure & Acquisition Strategy

During the 2008 financial crisis, BlackRock and Blackstone pioneered the mass acquisition of foreclosed homes, particularly in HOA-controlled neighborhoods where stable property values and high rents were guaranteed.

The 2020 pandemic created a second wave of foreclosures, with these firms once again scooping up properties before individuals could buy them.

3. Turning Homes into Rental Assets

Instead of reselling homes to new owners, these firms keep them as long-term rental properties, creating built-to-rent communities that eliminate homeownership altogether.

In HOA communities, the corporations use their influence to rewrite HOA rules, ensuring policies favor investor-owners over individual buyers.

4. Profit from Rising Rents & Home Scarcity

By reducing the supply of homes available for purchase, they artificially inflate home prices and rental rates.

Since they own thousands of properties, they can set the market rent for entire neighborhoods.

Tenants are locked into long-term, high-rent leases with hidden fees and little tenant protection.

5. Influence on Policy & Regulation

These firms lobby against tenant protections and foreclosure relief efforts.

They take advantage of government-backed mortgage assistance programs, getting federal money while still evicting struggling homeowners.

How This Relates to Your Case:

If your property was foreclosed and then sold to an investor rather than a regular homebuyer, you’re dealing with this model.

If the company managing your foreclosure is affiliated with or selling to a hedge fund-backed investment firm, that’s a direct link to this larger trend.

If HOA policies changed in favor of investor ownership before/after your foreclosure, that could be proof of collusion.

Want help tracking who actually bought foreclosed homes in your area? You can search property records or I can guide you on how to dig into ownership data.