Want to know what your real estate investor clients are actually thinking right now?
The LendingOne-ResiClub Q4 2025 survey just dropped the numbers. 205 single-family rental investors spilled their guts about what they’re planning for 2026.
And honestly? Some of this might surprise you.
The Big Picture: Cautious Growth is the New Black
Here’s what jumped out first: investors aren’t running scared, but they’re not going crazy either.
38% plan to increase their investment activity in 2026. That’s solid growth, not explosive. 52% are staying steady. Only 9% are backing off completely.
Translation for mortgage brokers: Your investor pipeline isn’t drying up. But it’s getting pickier.
These folks are done with the “buy everything that moves” strategy. They want deals that make sense long-term.
The Rate Reality Check (This One’s Wild)
Remember when everyone was freaking out about 7% rates?
Well, investors got over it. Fast.
Only 11% expect rates above 6.5% in the next 12 months. In Q2 2025, that number was 57%. That’s not a small shift. That’s investors saying “OK, this is life now.”
For mortgage pros, this matters big time. Your investor clients aren’t sitting around waiting for 3% rates to come back. They’ve accepted the new normal and they’re moving forward.
The fear factor around rates? Pretty much gone.
Only 3% of investors say mortgage interest is their fastest-rising cost now. Down from 13% last year.
The Buying and Selling Dance
Here’s where it gets interesting for real estate agents.
68% of investors say they’re likely to buy another property in the next 12 months. That sounds great, right?
But here’s the kicker: 43% also say they’re likely to sell at least one existing property.
This isn’t panic selling. This is portfolio optimization.
Investors are getting smarter about what they own. They’re keeping the winners and dumping the losers.
For agents: You’ve got buy-side and sell-side opportunities with the same clients. But you better understand their strategy, not just push listings.
Rental Demand: Still Strong (Thank Goodness)
Some good news in all this: rental demand isn’t falling off a cliff.
75% of investors say rental demand was strong in 2025. 78% think it’ll stay strong in 2026.
This gives investors confidence to keep buying. And it should give you confidence that your investor clients aren’t about to disappear.
The Rent Increase Reality
Most investors (74%) plan to raise rents in 2026. But they’re not going nuts with it.
45% expect increases of 1-3%. That’s reasonable, not aggressive.
The days of massive rent spikes? Probably over. Investors know they can’t price out good tenants in this market.
The Insurance Nightmare (Heads Up)
Want to know what’s really eating into investor profits? Insurance.
88% of investors say rising home insurance premiums hurt their cash flow in 2025.
This is huge. Insurance is becoming a bigger factor in deal analysis than mortgage rates.
For mortgage brokers: When you’re running numbers with investor clients, make sure you’re using realistic insurance costs. Old estimates might kill deals that looked good on paper.
For real estate agents: Start asking about insurance costs early. A property that looks like a great rental might not work if insurance is $500/month instead of $150.
What Investors Want in 2026 (The Good Stuff)
Based on this data, here’s what your investor clients are probably thinking:
They want cash flow, not speculation. The days of buying for appreciation alone are done. These investors want properties that pay from day one.
They’re pickier about locations. If insurance costs are crushing profits in certain areas, smart investors will avoid them.
They’re thinking long-term. This isn’t about quick flips or get-rich-quick schemes. They want sustainable portfolio growth.
They value good partnerships. Investors who are being more selective need agents and brokers who really understand their business.
The Northeast and West Coast Story
The survey shows regional differences that matter:
Investors in the Northeast and West expect bigger rent increases than other areas. They’re also dealing with higher insurance costs.
If you work these markets, your investor clients might be more motivated to sell underperforming properties and more aggressive about rent optimization.
What This Means for Your Business
For Mortgage Brokers:
Stop selling based on rate fears. Your investor clients aren’t stuck on rates anymore. Focus on cash flow scenarios and long-term strategies.
Get smart about insurance costs. If you’re not factoring realistic insurance numbers into your deals, you’re setting everyone up for disappointment.
Position yourself as the broker who gets investor math. These clients don’t want someone who treats them like homebuyers.
For Real Estate Agents:
You’ve got opportunities on both sides. The same investor who’s selling a property might be buying two others.
Learn the insurance landscape in your area. Properties that were good rentals 2 years ago might not work now because of insurance costs.
Focus on the fundamentals: location, condition, rental comps, and operating expenses. The sexy stuff doesn’t matter if the numbers don’t work.
The Bottom Line
SFR investors aren’t running for the exits. They’re not paralyzed by high rates. They’re not waiting for a market crash.
They’re being smart. They’re being selective. They’re playing the long game.
If you want to work with this group, you better be smart, selective, and focused on the long game too.
The volume chasers are going to struggle. The professionals who understand what investors actually want? They’re going to clean up.
Your Next Move
This survey data is gold for understanding your investor clients. But data without action is just interesting trivia.
The mortgage and real estate professionals who win with investors are the ones who stay ahead of market sentiment, understand the real challenges (like insurance costs), and position themselves as strategic partners, not just service providers.
Want more insights like this? Join the Mortgage Broker Builder community where we break down market data, share what’s working now, and help you build a business that thrives in any market condition. Because hope isn’t a strategy, but good intel definitely is.