Part 6/12:
This framing often simplifies the core issue, reducing it to moral and cultural decline rather than structural economic failures.
The Core Issue: Private Equity and Market Manipulation
A key point both political sides agree on is the role of private equity firms in inflating housing prices. These corporations are buying homes en masse, often in all-cash deals, reducing available inventory for average buyers and driving up prices. The data supports this concern: the increasing dominance of hedge funds and corporate landlords has led to a surge in housing costs, making it even more challenging for ordinary Americans to buy homes.