Institutional investors are buying up a smaller share of homes in Utah — but not in Salt Lake City.

Why it matters: Big investors — think hedge funds, private equity firms and real estate investment trusts — often buy homes in cash and in bulk.

• That's hard for average families to compete with, especially first-time homebuyers.

The big picture: Investors have pulled back on home purchases nationally in recent years, which could make homeownership more attainable in tight markets.

• But SLC buyers will have to wait for that advantage.

By the numbers: Statewide, investors bought 6.6% of homes sold in the first quarter of 2025 — down from 7.7% a year earlier, according to ATTOM, a real estate data firm.

• In some Utah metros, the plunge was even bigger. Investor share of home purchases dropped from 9.8% to 7.8% in Provo, and 8.7% to 6% in Ogden.

Yes, but: In SLC, investor purchases held steady at 7.4%.

Zoom out: Across the country, the total number of homes sold to institutional investors in the first quarter of this year was the lowest since 2020.

• Salt Lake's share is more than 1 percentage point higher than the national rate (6.3%), per ATTOM's report.
• The data measures investors who purchased at least 10 residential properties in a calendar year.

Between the lines: Markets that are attractive to investors have strong population and job growth, solid rental yields, landlord-friendly regulations, affordability and long-term appreciation potential, ATTOM CEO Rob Barber told Axios.

Reality check: Although investors aren't losing interest in SLC, they bought a much bigger share of housing in other cities: about 17% in Birmingham, Alabama; 14% in Memphis; and 11% in Indianapolis, Kansas City and Fayetteville, North Carolina.

What we're watching: Whether Utah investors start selling more homes than they're buying — a shift that's already happened in other western states like Nevada, Arizona, Oregon and California, according to data from Realtor.com that shows all 2024 purchases and sales by investors, large and small.

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U.S. News & World Report named University of Utah Health the top hospital in the state.

State of play: The university hospital has held the No. 1 spot in Utah and the Salt Lake City metro for 12 straight years, according to U.S. News' 2025-26 best hospitals rankings out today.

• Nationally, it ranked No. 9 in ophthalmology and 34th in rehabilitation.

Why it matters: The rankings could help Utahns compare their options and make informed health care decisions.

The top five hospitals in Utah are:

1. University of Utah Health (Salt Lake City)
2. Intermountain Health Intermountain Medical Center (Murray)
3. Intermountain Health McKay-Dee Hospital (Ogden)
4. Tied for fourth are Intermountain Health St. George Regional Hospital (St. George) and Intermountain Health Utah Valley Hospital (Provo)

What they're saying: In a statement to Axios, Chelsey Wen, senior health data analyst at U.S. News & World Report, said the rankings "confirm Salt Lake's strong standing for patient care."

How it works: U.S. News evaluated the performance of more than 4,400 hospitals nationwide, including 60 in Utah, as part of its 36th annual edition.

• The publication recognized 504 regional hospitals across 49 states and 95 metro areas.

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A grass fire that destroyed two Millcreek apartment buildings last week ignited on Salt Lake City-owned property, SLC officials confirmed yesterday.

The latest: Nearly 80 people were displaced, but no serious injuries have been reported, KSL.com reported.

Catch up quick: The blaze broke out on a maintenance yard operated by SLC's public utilities department before spreading to the nearby Willow Glen Apartments, according to a news release sent by the Salt Lake City Mayor's Office.

• The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but Unified Fire Authority Capt. Tony Barker said it started while a person was mowing on the property.
• City leaders said the yard contains wells that supply drinking water.

Threat level: There's no current risk to the drinking water supply.

Zoom in: The city reportedly received a citation for overgrown weeds on the property days before the fire sparked, per the Salt Lake Tribune.

The city is directing donations for residents displaced by the fire to this website.

⚖️ Salt Lake City school board member Mohamed Baayd agreed to resign from his position after accepting a plea deal. Baayd was charged with election-related misconduct last year after being accused of trying to bribe his opponent to drop out of the 2024 school board race. (Salt Lake Tribune)

🎵 Notable TV and film composer Danny Elfman is making an appearance at FanX, which runs Sept 25-27. (ABC 4)

The cost of giving birth in Utah is lower than national averages — but it's still a pretty penny.

By the numbers: The average total in-network cost of giving birth in Utah is about $13,100 for vaginal deliveries, compared to $15,200 nationally, per data from FAIR Health, a national independent nonprofit.

• C-sections cost $17,900 here, versus $19,300 nationally.

Context: Utah has one of the nation's highest fertility rates, with more than 61 live births per 1,000 women ages 15-44, per the CDC.

How it works: FAIR's calculations include delivery, ultrasounds, lab work and more.

• They reflect total costs paid by patients and their insurance companies, as applicable.