As Arizona faces a steep climb in housing prices, an unexpected alliance could form between Democrats and Republicans, fueled by President Donald Trump’s recent statements. The President’s call for Congress to limit large institutional investors from buying single-family homes has sparked interest among Arizona lawmakers, aiming to ease the state’s housing crisis.
On social media, Trump advocated for measures to prevent large investors from dominating the housing market, arguing that homes should serve people, not corporations. “People live in homes, not corporations,” he asserted.
Rep. Oscar De Los Santos, the leading Democrat in the Arizona House, noted that Trump’s idea mirrors Democratic efforts to tackle rising housing costs in the state. “When it comes to Donald Trump and us, even a broken clock is right twice a day,” said De Los Santos, highlighting the unusual political alignment.
In Maricopa County, a significant portion of residential properties—26%, according to the Maricopa Association of Governments—are owned by investors or out-of-state residents. This trend has contributed to the rapid increase in home prices, with the U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency reporting a 46% rise from early 2021 to late 2025.
However, the potential impact of banning investor ownership is debated. Real estate analyst Tina Tamboer told KJZZ’s The Show that while institutional investors initially played a significant role in driving up prices, their current market presence has diminished significantly.
“Not in our current state,” Tamboer commented. “I’d say since most of the institutions have already pulled back, we’re not seeing anything that would impact us here short term, but it could potentially lessen a future wave of demand, lessen the impact of institutions if they pass it.”
Rep. Nick Kupper (R-Surprise) supports limiting investor purchases, planning to propose legislation focusing on single-family homes. “What’s happening right now is the more of those homes they buy, they create more of a rental market,” Kupper explained. This, he noted, inflates prices and pushes potential buyers into rentals.
Despite these legislative efforts, Speaker Steve Montenegro (R-Goodyear) remains cautious. He emphasized the importance of balancing private property rights with policies that expand homeownership opportunities. “In Arizona, we want to make sure that we’re always protecting private property rights,” Montenegro stated, reflecting his nuanced stance.
Both Kupper and De Los Santos are in the process of drafting bills to address the investor influence in housing, though no concrete proposals have been introduced yet. As the debate unfolds, Arizona lawmakers are poised to tackle the challenge of balancing market dynamics with housing accessibility.
