Once the housing market started to slide in 2007, smart investors began buying, and waiting, for rock-bottom prices to kick in. Investors were buying homes in some of the best markets for dimes on the dollar, and have seen massive profits whether keeping them as buy-and-hold rentals, BRRRR deals, or flips. While small investors started buying a couple of houses a year, institutional investors were doing far, far more.

Private equity funds, along with REITs and hedge funds knew that foreclosed homes were a steal, and their economies of scale made it even easier to turn these financially mismanaged properties into appreciation and cash flow kings. As institutional investors began fixing up these homes, listing them for rent, and later selling them, the entire market moved in an upward direction. Now, first-time homebuyers are competing with these economic powerhouses to lock down their first primary residence or rental property.

A man who has been covering this topic for years is The Wall Street Journal's, Ryan Dezember. Ryan has a keen understanding of what influences the housing market as a whole, why institutional investors are making the moves they are, and what this means for small mom-and-pop landlords. Dave Meyer also joins David Greene on this episode to discuss the ways small landlords can beat Wall Street at their own game.