banks/investors are buying homes which is decreasing inventory
Oddly enough, some investors in London bought my home. Their local agent said they've bought about ten before mine.
I honestly don't care who bought it. We got aggressive on list price and they're paying cash.
When my realtor called, he had no idea what to say other than, "Uh, so these guys have a couple million in the bank, and they gave us a cash offer sight unseen. I've spent all afternoon seeing if it's legit, but it is, and it's almost too good to be true."
On the flip side, trying to buy right now is a bitch.