
Investing in real estate can be a great way to diversify your portfolio and potentially earn passive income. You can invest in real estate investment trusts (REITs), which allow you to own a portion of a property without directly managing it.
REITs have been around since 1960, and they've made it possible for individuals to invest in real estate with lower barriers to entry. You can invest in REITs through a brokerage account, just like you would with stocks.
One of the benefits of REITs is that they can provide a steady stream of income. For example, Realty Income, a well-known REIT, has paid out a dividend to its shareholders for over 50 years.
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What Is a REIT?
A real estate investment trust, or REIT, is a company that owns and operates income-producing real estate. They can own a wide range of properties, including office and apartment buildings, warehouses, hospitals, shopping centers, hotels, storage facilities, and even data centers.

REITs are essentially dividend-paying stocks that focus on real estate, allowing individuals to invest in large-scale, income-producing properties without having to purchase them directly. This makes it possible for people to earn a share of the income generated by commercial real estate ownership without being hands-on property owners.
One key type of REIT is the Equity REIT, which is listed below.
- Equity REIT
By investing in REITs, individuals can essentially invest from the sidelines, earning income without the responsibilities of direct property ownership.
Benefits of Investing in a REIT
Investing in a REIT can provide a stable income stream, thanks to the requirement that REITs pay out at least 90% of their income as a dividend to shareholders.
This means that you can expect a higher dividend yield from REITs compared to other investments. REITs also offer the benefit of a secure and stable income stream, as their income is secured by long leases with tenants.
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Here are some key benefits of investing in a REIT:
- High dividend yield
- Secure and stable income stream
- Liquidity, as REITs are traded on major stock exchanges
- Transparency, thanks to regular disclosures to the government
- Professionally managed by experienced real estate professionals
Overall, REITs can provide a convenient and stable way to invest in real estate, with many benefits that make them an attractive option for investors.
Strong Pricing Power
REITs can have strong pricing power, allowing them to capitalize on the demand for leasing space that exceeds new supply, which enables rents to grow.
This supply-demand imbalance gives most REITs strong rental pricing power, making them attractive investments.
Net-lease REITs, in particular, are attractive due to their long-term leases that generate durable cash flows in every economic climate.
As rents grow, REITs are able to raise dividends, making them a great option for income investors.
REITs are well-prepared for high interest rates due to their efficient cost controls and balance sheet management practices.
Rents and Dividends Grow
REITs have exceptional pricing power, which means they can raise rents based on inflation. This is because the demand for leasing space often exceeds new supply, allowing rents to grow.

As a result, REITs can increase their rental income, which in turn boosts their dividend payouts. In fact, REITs are required to pay out at least 90% of their income as a dividend to shareholders.
REITs can capitalize on this pricing power by owning properties with long-term leases, such as net-lease REITs. These REITs have agreements with single tenants that pay for rent and some or all of operating expenses, generating durable cash flows in every economic climate.
Here's a breakdown of the benefits of REITs with strong pricing power:
REITs are well-prepared for high interest rates due to their efficient cost controls and balance sheet management practices. This means they can maintain their dividend payouts even in a high-interest-rate environment.
If this caught your attention, see: What Happens to Reits When Interest Rates Go down
REIT Investment Considerations
REITs provide a durable dividend income that can be an important investment for retirement savers and retirees who require a continuing income stream to meet their living expenses.
Related reading: Supermarket Income REIT

REIT dividends are driven by the steady stream of contractual rents paid by the tenants of their properties. This provides a stable source of income.
Some important attributes of owning REITs include liquidity, transparency, diversification, and performance. REIT shares are traded on major stock exchanges, allowing for easy buying and selling. REITs have independent directors, analysts, and auditors that provide oversight, making their operations more transparent.
Here are some key attributes of REITs to consider:
- Liquidity: REIT shares are traded on major stock exchanges.
- Transparency: REITs have independent directors, analysts, and auditors that provide oversight.
- Diversification: REITs offer access to the real estate market with low correlation with other stocks and bonds.
- Performance: REITs have provided long-term total returns like those of other stocks.
By considering these attributes, you can make informed decisions about investing in REITs.
Types of
There are different types of REITs to consider when investing in real estate.
One type of REIT is a property-based REIT, where investors own the physical property. Another type is a mortgage-based REIT, where investors lend money to property owners and earn interest on their investments.
ETFs are also a type of REIT, which invest in other REIT stocks and offer a diversified basket of real estate investments.
If this caught your attention, see: Are Reits Alternative Investments

Here are some specific types of REITs:
- Healthcare REITs own properties such as hospitals, medical centers, and retirement homes.
- Retail REITs invest in shopping centers and malls.
- Residential REITs focus on large apartment buildings and manufactured housing.
- Office REITs invest in office buildings and earn income from tenant rents.
- Mortgage REITs produce income from the interest generated from lending money.
REIT Qualification Rules
To qualify as a Real Estate Investment Trust, or REIT, you'll need to consider its long-term investment horizon, which must be at least 75% of its total assets invested in real estate.
A REIT must derive at least 75% of its gross income from rents, interest on mortgages, or from the sale of real estate.
The key qualification is that a REIT must pay at least 90% of its taxable income in the form of shareholder dividends each year.
An REIT cannot hold onto its earnings and must be an entity that is taxable as a corporation per the IRS.
A different take: Are Reits a Good Investment in 2024
REIT Investment Considerations
REIT investment considerations are crucial to making informed investment decisions. REITs provide a durable dividend income, making them an important investment for retirement savers and retirees alike.
REIT dividends are driven by the steady stream of contractual rents paid by tenants, providing a stable income stream. This is a key attribute of owning REITs.
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Liquidity is another important attribute, as REIT shares are traded on major stock exchanges, making it easy to buy and sell. Transparency is also a key benefit, with independent directors, analysts, and auditors providing oversight.
Diversification is a crucial aspect of REITs, offering access to the real estate market with low correlation with other stocks and bonds. This can help spread risk and increase potential returns.
Here are some key guidelines to consider when getting started with REIT investments:
- Liquidity: REIT shares are traded on major stock exchanges.
- Transparency: REITs have independent directors, analysts, and auditors that provide oversight.
- Diversification: REITs offer access to the real estate market with low correlation with other stocks and bonds.
- Performance: REITs have provided long-term total returns like those of other stocks.
How to Invest in Real Estate
Investing in real estate can be intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. One way to dip your toes into the real estate market is through Real Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs.
You can buy REITs through any major broker, just like a stock. To get a list of REITs to invest in, check out websites like REIT.com, Dividend.com, and Marketrealist.com.
REITs are "total return investments", providing both high dividend yields and capital appreciation. Look for REIT companies with a history of producing strong yields and long-term growth.

Liquidity matters when it comes to REITs, so make sure the one you choose is traded on the stock exchange. This will give you the flexibility to diversify your portfolio and not be locked in for the long haul.
Strong management is key to a successful REIT. Look for companies with experienced teams and a proven track record.
Here are some key things to consider when assessing any REIT:
- Historical performance in producing yields and long-term capital appreciation growth
- Liquidity, so you can diversify and not be locked in long-term
- Strong management team
- Quality of properties, tenants, and real estate
By considering these factors and doing your research, you can make informed decisions about investing in REITs.
Overview
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are a type of investment that allows you to own a piece of property without the hassle of being a landlord. They're a great way to diversify your portfolio and generate income.
REITs are companies that own, manage, and/or finance real estate holdings, which can include apartment buildings, hotels, shopping centers, and many other types of properties. With over 30 years of real estate investing experience, Brad Thomas, the author of REITs For Dummies, has seen firsthand the benefits of investing in REITs.
Consider reading: Investing in Etfs for Dummies

You can invest in REITs through stocks, which gives you the flexibility to buy and sell shares as you see fit. This is just one of the many reasons why REITs are a popular choice among investors.
Here are some of the benefits of investing in REITs:
- Strategies for selecting the best REITs for you and your family
- Ways to navigate the sector and generate durable income
- Options for those who want to go beyond the United States and invest in international REIT products
Brad Thomas is a well-respected expert in the field of REITs, with over 4,000 articles published in the last 13 years. He's the top writer on Seeking Alpha and teaches REITs at several top universities, including New York University and Georgetown University.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average return on a REIT?
Average annual returns on a REIT typically range from 10 to 12 percent over time, making them an attractive investment option.
Sources
- https://www.wiley.com/en-us/REITs+For+Dummies-p-9781394185351
- https://www.dummies.com/book/business-careers-money/personal-finance/investing/real-estate/reits-for-dummies-300456/
- https://www.dummies.com/article/business-careers-money/personal-finance/investing/real-estate/reits-for-dummies-cheat-sheet-300521/
- https://www.commercialpropertyadvisors.com/real_estte_investment_trusts/
- https://www.audible.com/pd/REITs-for-Dummies-Audiobook/B0CMYT843H
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