A few investment banks to my knowledge have actually done this in the US, they did it after 2007 home ownership society boom and bought up loads of residential properties, but not enough to effect prices.
What they do with these is unknown to myself, I assume rent them and hope for the market to pick up and sell for a profit.
Why others don't do this? A lot of hassle per house owned I presume, already heightened prices, maybe they don't see capital growth worth it compared to other areas of investing.
