JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As 2026 begins, Northeast Florida’s housing market remains robust, according to local real estate authorities. President Trump’s new proposal has reignited discussions about the influence of institutional investors in the housing sector.

Earlier this week, President Trump introduced a proposal to bar major investment companies from acquiring single-family homes. His administration argues that this initiative would level the playing field, allowing more first-time buyers to successfully navigate the homebuying process.

The ban would specifically target large firms involved in extensive home purchases, excluding small investors and individual landlords from its scope.

Real estate experts in Northeast Florida indicate that the region’s current market stability means that the impact of this proposal might be minimal in the short term.

“Our market is currently stable and healthy,” said Kim Knapp, president of the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors, emphasizing the region’s resilience amidst potential policy shifts.

Knapp said institutional investors played a significant role in the years following the housing market crash, when excess inventory flooded the market.

“Institutional investors did help stabilize the market in 2012, 2013, and 2014 when we had a glut of inventory,” she said.

According to Knapp, institutional buying activity has slowed considerably in recent years, meaning most large-scale investor purchases have already occurred. 

She also emphasized that investor-owned homes are typically rented, not left vacant, and that rental housing remains an important part of the local housing ecosystem.

Trump has argued that limiting institutional purchases could ease buyer competition and help bring down prices. 

Knapp said fewer buyers generally means less competition, but she cautioned that restricting institutional activity could also have unintended effects, particularly on rental availability.

“I know sellers want a seller’s market and buyers want a buyer’s market,” Knapp said. “But in reality, a healthy market is what’s best for everybody.”

Knapp added that even if the proposal moves forward, changes to home prices or inventory levels would likely take time, as existing investor-owned properties would remain in the market.