Net Lease REITs: A Guide to Investing

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Net lease REITs, or Real Estate Investment Trusts, are a type of investment that can provide steady income and diversification for your portfolio. They allow individuals to invest in a diversified portfolio of properties with minimal direct property management responsibilities.

Net lease REITs typically own a large number of properties, such as retail stores, office buildings, or warehouses, and earn rental income from tenants. This can provide a stable source of income for investors.

One of the key benefits of net lease REITs is their ability to provide a high level of income, often with a lower level of risk compared to other types of real estate investments. This is because the tenants are responsible for paying for most of the expenses associated with the property, such as maintenance and property taxes.

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What is a Net Lease REIT?

A Net Lease REIT is a type of REIT that focuses on net-leased properties, where the tenant is responsible for paying all expenses, including property taxes, insurance, and maintenance.

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To qualify as a REIT, a corporation must own real estate that generates income distributed to shareholders, and a Net Lease REIT must adhere to the same REIT qualification criteria as any other REIT.

Net Lease REITs often invest in properties with long-term leases, typically 10-20 years, which provides a stable source of income for the REIT.

A Net Lease REIT's investment strategy is similar to other REITs, and they must still meet the 75% asset requirement and derive at least 75% of gross income from rents.

Some common characteristics of Net Lease REITs include:

  • Long-term leases with stable income
  • Investment in net-leased properties
  • Focus on generating income for shareholders

Net Lease REITs can provide diversification to a portfolio, just like other REITs, and investors like them for their potential to pay higher dividend yields.

What is a Lease?

A net lease is a type of commercial real estate lease where the tenant is responsible for paying not only their rent but also a portion of the property's expenses, such as property taxes and insurance.

These expenses are typically referred to as "operating expenses", and they can include things like maintenance, repairs, and utilities.

In a net lease, the tenant is responsible for paying these operating expenses in addition to their base rent, which is why it's called a "net" lease.

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What Is a?

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A net lease is a commercial property lease type that requires tenants to pay a base monthly rental amount plus some portion of the property's operating expenses. This type of lease is often used in real estate investment trusts (REITs).

There are four main types of net leases, each with a different level of expense sharing between the tenant and the landlord. A single net lease requires the tenant to pay base rent plus their share of one of the property's major expense categories, usually real estate taxes.

Double net leases are similar, but the tenant also pays their share of property taxes and insurance. This can be a significant expense, especially for tenants who are not used to paying these types of costs.

In a triple net lease, the tenant pays base rent plus their share of three of the property's major expense categories: real estate taxes, insurance, and maintenance. This type of lease is often used for small businesses or startups that need to keep costs low.

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The absolute net lease is the most comprehensive type of net lease, where the tenant pays base rent plus all of the property's operating expenses. This can be a significant burden for tenants, but it also gives them more control over the property.

Here's a summary of the four main types of net leases:

What Is a REIT?

A REIT, or Real Estate Investment Trust, is a company that owns, operates, or finances income-generating commercial real estate properties.

To qualify as a REIT, a corporation must meet specific requirements, including investing at least 75% of total assets in real estate, cash, or U.S. Treasuries.

A REIT must also derive at least 75% of its gross income from rents, interest on mortgages that finance a real property, or real estate sales.

To give you a better idea, here are the specific requirements for a REIT:

  • Invest at least 75% of total assets in real estate, cash, or U.S. Treasuries
  • Derive at least 75% of gross income from rents, interest on mortgages that finance a real property, or real estate sales
  • Pays a minimum of 90% of taxable income in the form of shareholder dividends each year
  • Be an entity that’s taxable as a corporation
  • Be managed by a board of directors or trustees
  • Have at least 100 shareholders after its first year of existence
  • Have no more than 50% of its shares held by five or fewer individuals

REITs can be privately held or publicly traded on a stock exchange, making it easy for retail investors to invest in the commercial real estate market by buying and selling a REIT’s stock.

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Benefits and Advantages

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Investing in net lease REITs has several benefits that make them an attractive option for commercial real estate investors. With a low minimum investment of just one share, which can be as little as $50 or $100, you can get started with a relatively small amount of capital.

One of the biggest advantages of net lease REITs is their liquidity. You can buy and sell shares at will, giving you the flexibility to adjust your investment portfolio as needed.

REITs are required to pay out a high percentage of their taxable income as dividends, providing investors with a steady stream of passive income. This can be a great way to earn a regular income without having to actively manage the properties.

Net lease REITs offer diversification within each share purchased. With thousands of properties owned by each REIT, you can spread your risk and potentially earn a higher return.

Here are the four key advantages of net lease REITs:

  • Low minimum investment: $50 or $100 per share
  • Liquidity: Buy and sell shares at will
  • Income: Steady stream of passive income through dividends
  • Diversification: Thousands of properties owned by each REIT

Investing in Net Lease REITs

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If you're looking for conservative investments, net lease REITs are a great option. They offer a way to diversify your portfolio while minimizing risk.

Net lease REITs are a niche within the broader REIT sector, and they're known for their stable income streams. Realty Income, Agree Realty, and W.P. Carey are leaders in this space.

Investing in net lease REITs can provide a steady stream of income, making them a great choice for income investors. Consider adding some net lease REITs to your portfolio in June to take advantage of this opportunity.

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Private Equity Investments

Private equity investments offer a different approach to investing in commercial real estate. They are not required to pay out a high percentage of their income as dividends, resulting in a smaller cash flow stream.

This means investors can expect a smaller return in the form of regular income. However, private equity investments can be more profitable in the long run due to their focus on property price appreciation.

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Investors should be aware that private equity investments are not as liquid as publicly traded REITs. This is because they are not publicly traded, and often require investment holding periods of 5-10 years.

Investors may have the option to choose between investing in a fund or individual deals. Some private equity firms, like FNRP, offer investments in individual deals, allowing investors to perform their own due diligence on the property and tenants.

Here are some key differences between net lease REITs and private equity investments:

  • Private equity firms are not required to pay out a high percentage of their income as dividends.
  • A larger component of private equity returns come directly from the property's price appreciation.
  • Private equity investments are not as liquid as publicly traded REITs.
  • Investment holding periods can be 5-10 years or more.

Choices in the Niche

In the net lease REIT sector, there are plenty of choices to consider. Realty Income stands out as the largest and best option.

Realty Income is a solid choice for those who favor dividend-growth stocks, but it's not the only option. Agree is another solid choice for dividend-growth stocks.

W.P. Carey is a turnaround story, making it a unique option for investors. Take a closer look at these REITs, and one of them may find its way into your portfolio.

Agree Realty Can Boost Dividends

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Agree Realty is a smaller player in the net lease REIT space, but it's a great choice for those looking for rapid dividend growth. Its dividend has increased by over 70% in the past decade, outpacing Realty Income's 40% growth.

This is because Agree Realty can ink smaller deals and still achieve substantial results, giving it more flexibility to grow its business. Agree Realty has a relatively small portfolio of around 2,100 properties, which is still enough for diversification purposes.

Agree Realty's dividend yield is 4.9%, which is lower than Realty Income's, but its potential for rapid dividend growth will likely attract investors. In fact, Agree Realty's dividend has been growing at a faster rate than Realty Income's, making it a great option for those looking for consistent dividend payments.

Here's a comparison of Agree Realty's dividend growth with Realty Income's:

This table shows that Agree Realty's dividend has been growing at a significantly faster rate than Realty Income's, making it a great option for those looking for rapid dividend growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best triple net REIT?

Realty Income is considered the largest and most stable triple-net REIT in the US, offering a reliable source of income through its monthly dividend. Its extensive portfolio of over 15,400 properties makes it a top choice for investors seeking consistent returns.

How does a net lease work?

Under a net lease, the lessee pays a portion of the property's taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs in addition to rent, making them responsible for a broader range of expenses. This type of lease is commonly used in commercial real estate transactions.

What is the 75% rule for REITs?

A REIT must derive at least 75% of its gross income from real estate-related sources and have 75% of its assets attributed to real estate investments. This 75% rule ensures REITs focus on real estate activities.

Felicia Koss

Junior Writer

Felicia Koss is a rising star in the world of finance writing, with a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics into accessible, engaging pieces. Her articles have covered a range of topics, from retirement account loans to other financial matters that affect everyday people. With a focus on clarity and concision, Felicia's writing has helped readers make informed decisions about their financial futures.

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