I doubt it would work out like that. The market (especially HFT) is usually one investment fund software trading against another investment fund software. Human

I doubt it would work out like that. The market (especially HFT) is usually one investment fund software trading against another investment fund software. Humans are rarely involved but do oversee the thing, sometimes. Renters are usually constrained by income and location, if the price goes too high people will make other choices (buy, move further, or squat). Also, as opposed to investments, properties need to be lived in. An abandoned apartment, even in just a few months, will have water damage, weathering, pests and vermin, and theft. And for the moment, I believe, the US has a 1-2 year backlog of empty houses.