In the first half of 2025, mega-investors bought more homes in Atlanta than anywhere else in the U.S, according to new research from Cotality.

Defined as parties owning over 1,000 properties, mega-investors have their sights set on Atlanta. Between January and June, Atlanta homes accounted 11.4% of home purchases by these bulk buyers, Realtor.com said, citing the Cotality report. The next most popular city for this cohort was Memphis, Tennessee, which represented 6.7% of their purchases.

Atlanta’s high rental potential and relatively low prices make it a perfect choice for residential investors looking for comfy margins, Cotality said.

During the first six months of 2025, investors bought 15,536 residential properties in Atlanta. This figure includes purchases by mega, as well as large (100–999 properties), medium (10–99 properties) and small investors (fewer than 10 properties).

“Investors expanded their market presence significantly in 2025, building on historically high levels,” said Thom Malone, principal economist at Cotality. “This demonstrates their resilience in a high-price, high-rate environment. As these adverse conditions are expected to persist, investors are well positioned to meet rental demand. Their tendency to buy with all cash means high interest rates are less of a deterrent. Plus, current high prices can be offset by strong rental returns.”