percentage of all houses that are rented out are owned by these investors?

"Nationally, Wall Street landlords that have more than 1,000 units in their portfolios own just 1% of all of US family homes and 4% of all of the houses that are rented out."

"Dig Deeper: Investors are densely clustered in a handful of neighborhoods, particularly in the Sunbelt. Institutional investors have bought more than 1,000 homes in 53 zip codes, putting their ownership of the local housing stock anywhere from 4% to 12%.

Be Smart: Such investors tend to herd into the same areas because they all screen for cities & towns with population growth and job openings. They prefer to own 3-BR, suburban properties that are ~1,500 SF and offer a convenient commute downtown. Young parents become sticky tenants once their children enroll in local schools.

By the numbers: The 53 zip codes offer cheap housing. The median single-family home price in these areas is $345,400, which is around 20% below the national level. Rents, however, are only 3% below the national median. Rental income on a home in Converse, TX, may yield 8%, compared with 6% for a median-priced home.

Appreciation: Home prices have risen quickly in these neighborhoods. Values in these zip codes have increased 64% on average over the past five years, compared with a 48% rise nationally.

Why it’s political: VP Kamala Harris has said that if she wins the election, she will ask Congress to pass the Stop Predatory Investing Act that would remove tax benefits for corporate landlords buying single-family homes. (WSJ)"