Considering the "Homes for American Families Act"

On January 20, 2026, President Trump signed Executive Order "Stopping Wall Street from Competing with Main Street Homebuyers," directing federal agencies to restrict support for large institutional investors purchasing single-family homes. The order frames the issue in stark terms: "Hardworking young families cannot effectively compete for starter homes with Wall Street firms and their vast resources. Neighborhoods and communities once controlled by middle-class American families are now run by faraway corporate interests."

For corporate relocation professionals, the announcement immediately raised a practical question: Could this affect our ability to offer Buyer Value Option (BVO) or Amended Value Option (AVO) home sale programs?

The Short Answer

Based on the Executive Order's text and stated policy intent, BVO and AVO programs should not be impacted. The order targets a fundamentally different business model than corporate relocation home sale transactions.

The distinction is critical. Institutional investors targeted by the order purchase homes to hold as long-term rental investments, building portfolios of thousands of properties and removing them from the owner-occupied market. In contrast, RMCs acquiring homes through BVO or AVO programs do so specifically to immediately resell to an already-identified outside buyer—typically a family or individual who made the original offer. The RMC holds the property briefly as an intermediary to facilitate a tax-advantaged transaction, not as an investment.

The order's key language targets investors acquiring homes "that could otherwise be purchased by an individual owner-occupant." In a BVO transaction, an individual owner-occupant is purchasing the home. The RMC simply facilitates that sale.

What to Watch

While the current language appears favorable, one critical unknown remains: the Treasury Department must define "large institutional investor" and “single-family home”. While not yet finalized, proposals include defining these entities as investors owning more than 100 single-family homes. These definitions will determine the order's practical scope.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has publicly suggested officials are considering various ownership thresholds. Legal analysts note that if definitions are drafted too broadly, they could inadvertently capture business activities beyond the intended targets—though relocation transactions, which result in homes going to individual buyers rather than rental portfolios, seem clearly aligned with the policy's goals.

The order also directs White House staff to prepare legislative recommendations, and new bipartisan bills are already emerging in Congress. The Homes for American Families Act would prohibit investment funds with over $150 million in assets from purchasing single-family homes. How any legislation treats intermediary transactions will matter.

Worldwide ERC (WERC) is actively monitoring and lobbying on this issue, which is appropriate given their Washington presence and policy advocacy role. Mobility professionals should watch for WERC guidance as definitions and agency rules emerge.

Markets Most Affected

The policy's impact will concentrate in markets where institutional investors have built significant portfolios. According to GAO data, institutional investors own approximately 25% of single-family rentals in Atlanta, 21% in Jacksonville, 18% in Charlotte, and 15% in Tampa. These Sun Belt metros—along with Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, and Las Vegas—will see the most scrutiny.

For relocating employees, any reduction in institutional competition for homes could ease bidding wars in these markets. However, some analysts warn that reduced institutional investment might also tighten rental inventory, potentially affecting employees on temporary assignments or those who prefer renting.

Bottom Line for Mobility Leaders

Continue offering BVO and AVO programs as normal. Document that your home sale transactions result in sales to individual owner-occupants—which is already standard practice. Monitor the Treasury definition which most expect to be released soon, and track WERC updates for industry-specific guidance. 

The goal of the Executive Order and the goal of a BVO transaction are the same: get homes into the hands of families.

Plus Relocation will continue monitoring this developing policy and provide updates as definitions and agency guidance emerge. Questions about how this may affect your program? Contact your Plus Relocation advisor.