I just watched this video about Sale Leasebacks which sort of connected the dots as to why investment companies are buying properties.
Edit: Link to the video
I think that they are trying to buy homes knowing that there is a crash coming. If the people can't pay their rent on these leasebacks then the investment company gets to keep the home and make an even greater profit in the future selling the house to someone else. They make a ~4% fee off the sale plus have the ability to sell the home back to the original owner for a 4% markup. I don't know what would happen if the market were to crash or skyrocket and how that would effect homeowners thinking about making this decision.
I feel as though this is Blackrocks ultimate goal though with their housing purchases.
