If we were really "exporting" housing services that would be an underrated opportunity, but when investors (foreign or domestic) purchase housing purely as an i

If we were really "exporting" housing services that would be an underrated opportunity, but when investors (foreign or domestic) purchase housing purely as an investment that just sits vacant, they drive up housing costs for local residents. And there's less to gain by selling to an investor as opposed a live-in homeowner since the homeowner will spend more money locally than the absentee investor that's just holding the property.