HB1252: HB1252 Homes for Georgians First Act; enact

Georgia currently has no law limiting how quickly large investment firms can buy up single-family and two-family homes, which some argue makes it harder for individual families to compete for housing. This bill, called the Homes for Georgians First Act, adds a new section to Georgia's property law (O.C.G.A. § 44-5-49) addressing that. The bill defines an 'institutional real estate investor' as an entity or group that owns 100 or more single-family or two-family homes, manages pooled investor funds, acts as a fiduciary, and holds $375 million or more in net value or assets under management. It defines a 'single-family resident home buyer' as someone buying a home to live in, not as a vacation or investment property. Under the new rule, an institutional investor cannot buy a single-family residence unless the property has been on the market for at least 30 days and no resident home buyer has matched the investor's offer. The bill repeals any conflicting laws and does not state a separate effective date beyond standard enactment.

• Creates a new Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 44-5-49) restricting when large institutional investors can buy single-family homes.
• Defines 'institutional real estate investor' using ownership size (100+ homes), fund management activity, fiduciary role, and a $375 million asset threshold.
• Requires a home to sit on the market for at least 30 days before an institutional investor can acquire it.
• Blocks an institutional investor's purchase if an ordinary home buyer matches the investor's offer to buy the home for personal residence.
• Repeals any existing Georgia laws that conflict with these new restrictions.

Large real estate investment firms and funds that own or manage substantial single-family and two-family home portfolios, individual Georgians trying to buy a home to live in, and home sellers whose listings would be subject to the new 30-day waiting rule before an institutional buyer could close.

If enacted, everyday Georgians shopping for a home to live in would get a 30-day window and a right to match competing offers before a large investment firm could buy the same property, potentially changing who ends up winning bids on single-family homes in the state.

• Section 1 names the bill the 'Homes for Georgians First Act.'
• Section 2 adds new Code section 44-5-49, defining 'institutional real estate investor' by ownership count, fund management, fiduciary status, and a $375 million asset threshold.
• Section 2 also defines 'single-family resident home buyer' as someone purchasing a home as a primary residence rather than for investment or vacation use.
• Section 2(b) prohibits an institutional real estate investor from acquiring a single-family residence unless 30 days have passed since listing and no resident home buyer matched the investor's offer.
• Section 3 repeals any conflicting Georgia laws.

1. 2026-02-11House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-02-10House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-09House Hopper (House)

• Phil Olaleye (D, HD-059)Primary sponsor
• Mary Oliver (D, HD-084)
• Spencer Frye (D, HD-122)
• Leesa Hagan (R, HD-156)
• Derrick McCollum (R, HD-030)
• Debra Bazemore (D, HD-069)

• housing affordability
• real estate investors
• home buying
• property law