Buyer demand reaches record high as investors snap up homes

In normal years, many people take a step back from the real estate market as fall sets in, then jump back in after the new year begins. In 2021, with mortgage rates still low and the economic and lifestyle impacts of the pandemic still influencing consumer behavior, buyers continue to be out in full force.

Two reports from the Redfin real estate brokerage show that investor activity reached an all-time high during the third quarter of 2021 and that buyer demand also recently reached a record high.

Redfin’s Homebuyer Demand Index reached its highest level during the four-week period that ended Nov. 14. This was the peak demand in the index since at least 2017, when the brokerage began tracking requests for house tours and other home-buying services.