Similarly, 45% of investors surveyed said business opportunity has declined over the same 12-month time period, a new high. "Investors, both fix-and-flip and rental property investors, clearly feel that market conditions today have become more and more difficult," said RCN Capital CEO Jeffrey Tesch in a press release. "Real estate investors purchased 23% fewer homes in the first quarter of 2026 than they did in the previous quarter and in the first quarter of 2025, he said. Financing costs set investors backAmong the biggest challenges currently facing survey respondents, accelerating home finance costs were cited by a 55% majority. As fewer than one-third of investors buy properties in cash, both of these challenges impact their business prospects, Sharga said.