Senior Housing REITs offer a unique investment opportunity for those seeking a secure retirement. Many senior housing REITs have a strong track record of providing stable income through rental payments from long-term leases.
One notable example is Ventas, which has a 99% occupancy rate in its senior housing portfolio. This level of occupancy suggests a high demand for senior housing, which can provide a stable source of income for investors.
Senior housing REITs can provide a hedge against inflation, as rents tend to increase over time to keep pace with rising living costs. This is particularly important for retirees who are living on a fixed income.
Intriguing read: What Is a Convertible Senior Note
Consider These Factors
Investing in senior housing REITs is like investing in any other company, so you should know who manages the company and what their business and investing strategy is.
You'll also want to research their track record, just as you would before investing in Apple or Tesla.
Senior housing REITs occupy a space in real estate and healthcare, with varying percentages of healthcare, specifically senior living REITs.
Some REITs invest in older adult-oriented apartments and communities, assisted living facilities, and medical buildings.
These facilities cater to the needs of older adults, which is a growing demographic.
Companies tend to jump into senior housing when they spot profit potential, but an oversupply could cut into their profitability.
Senior housing REITs can be sensitive to interest rate changes, which may affect their performance and dividend payments.
The sustainability of dividend payments is crucial to consider when investing in senior housing REITs.
Intriguing read: Senior Pics
REIT Performance and Viability
Demographic trends show older adults taking up larger proportions of the U.S. population, driving demand for senior housing options.
The supply of such housing options in the market is crucial to the viability of senior housing REITs.
As the population ages, there should be an increase in demand for housing options specific to the diverse needs of older adults, which should drive growth in this sector.
Demographic projections for the next decade indicate a strong potential for growth in the senior living REIT industry.
Here's an interesting read: Mgm Growth Properties Llc Stock
Performance During Downturns
During economic downturns, senior housing REITs may perform differently than other kinds of REITs. This is because their specific market, driven by the need for housing and care for older adults, tends to be more stable.
Changes in disposable income and government funding for older adults can still affect how these REITs perform. However, the demand for housing and care remains relatively steady.
According to the United States Census Bureau, older people are projected to outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history. This demographic shift is likely to support the demand for senior housing.
The Joint Center for Housing Studies notes that the housing needs of older adults are significant. In 2023, they published a report highlighting the importance of addressing these needs.
While senior housing REITs may be more resilient during economic downturns, it's essential to consider the potential impact of changes in disposable income and government funding.
A different take: Health Care Reits
Here's a brief summary of the key factors to consider:
How Demographic Changes Affect Viability
The demographic changes affecting senior housing REITs are substantial. By 2030, all baby boomers will be older than 65, and one in five U.S. residents will be 65 or older.
This shift in population is driving demand for senior housing options. The share of people relocating to more accessible housing rises from about 25% of those moving in their 50s to more than a third in their 70s to more than half of movers in their 80s.
As Americans age, they will want or need housing that better fits their needs. Almost 70% of those who reach age 65 will require long-term care services for an average period of three years, and 20% will need it for five years or more.
The growing demand for senior housing is not limited to the U.S. The senior population is increasing globally due to longer life expectancies and aging baby boomers.
Related reading: Senior Pictures
Here are some key statistics on the aging population and their housing needs:
- Almost 70% of those who reach age 65 will require long-term care services for an average period of three years, and 20% will need it for five years or more.
- The share of households headed by older adults increased to 27% of all U.S. households.
- As people age, they are far more apt to choose housing with accessible design features such as extra-wide hallways and doors, no-step entry, accessible electrical controls, and, most commonly, single-floor living.
- The share of people relocating to more accessible housing rises from about 25% of those moving in their 50s to more than a third in their 70s to more than half of movers in their 80s.
These demographic trends are favorable to senior housing REITs, but the question remains: Are these a good investment?
Investment Strategies and Options
Investing in senior housing REITs can be a great way to diversify your portfolio and potentially earn strong dividends and long-term growth. Consider purchasing senior living REITs through a brokerage account, such as Arrived Homes, Yieldstreet, Fundrise, or mogul.
Arrived Homes, for example, has a $100 minimum investment requirement, making it a great option for those just starting out. Yieldstreet offers a diverse range of alternative investments, which can be a good fit for investors looking to mix things up. Fundrise is best for beginner real estate investors, while mogul is ideal for those interested in fractional real estate investing.
To maximize your returns, it's essential to choose well-managed seniors housing REITs with diversified property portfolios. This can help you ride out market fluctuations and take advantage of growing demographic trends. Consider investing in healthcare REITs or residential REITs for added diversification.
REIT Analysis and Comparison
Senior housing REITs like Ventas and Welltower have a strong focus on healthcare, with Ventas owning a significant portion of the medical office building market.
Ventas has a diverse portfolio of senior housing and healthcare properties, with a strong presence in the medical office building market. Welltower, on the other hand, has a more focused approach, with a majority of its properties being senior housing and medical office buildings.
Some senior housing REITs, such as Ventas, have a higher debt-to-equity ratio compared to others like Welltower.
Readers also liked: Vici Properties Ceo
Facilities
Facilities play a crucial role in the real estate investment trust (REIT) industry, particularly in serving the needs of the aging baby-boomer generation. Senior Housing Facilities are designed to cater to this demographic.
These facilities provide a range of amenities and services tailored to the needs of seniors, such as assisted living, memory care, and independent living options.
Quick Profile
Welltower Inc., formerly known as Health Care REIT, is a US real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests in healthcare infrastructure. It's headquartered in Toledo, Ohio.
Expand your knowledge: Cubesmart Reit
Welltower ranks 561st on the Fortune 1000 (end of 2021) and is a component of the S&P 500. This gives you an idea of its size and importance in the market.
The company specializes in acquiring, developing, renting out, or operating senior living and general healthcare properties. Its portfolio includes a wide range of facilities, such as senior living facilities, doctor's offices, inpatient and outpatient medical centers, hospitals, and buildings for life science companies.
Here are some of the key segments of Welltower's operations:
- The Senior Housing Triple-Net area includes all facilities managed by third-party companies.
- The Medical Facilities segment includes medical office buildings, hospitals, or buildings that can be used in research.
- The Health Systems segment includes facilities managed through JVs with partner operators.
Welltower's customers include leading healthcare companies and operators of senior living facilities. This means that the company builds high-quality healthcare facilities and either rents them out to these operators or manages them themselves.
The company's largest segment is the Senior Housing Triple-Net area, which includes all facilities managed by third-party companies.
CareTrust REIT Inc. (CTRE)
CareTrust REIT Inc. (CTRE) is a real estate investment trust that owns 205 senior housing and healthcare properties. It focuses primarily on net lease properties, which provide a stable income.
For your interest: Bill Ackman General Growth Properties
With a 5.5% dividend yield, CareTrust offers steady returns to investors. Its market cap of $2.01 billion positions it to take advantage of continued growth in this sector.
CareTrust's portfolio includes assisted living facilities, senior living facilities, and campuses for skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. These properties are well-positioned to benefit from the growing demand for senior housing and healthcare services.
Here's a brief overview of CareTrust's business model:
Market Trends and Growth
The senior housing REIT market is experiencing a vast growth potential due to an aging population and increased demand for housing options specific to older adults. With people getting older and healthier, the market is expected to triple or quadruple in size in the three markets it currently operates in, the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
The senior population is increasing globally due to longer life expectancies and aging baby boomers. In the U.S., 1 in 5 people will be seniors by 2030, and by 2034, seniors will outnumber children for the first time in U.S. Census history.
Recommended read: Will Reits Recover in 2024
Demographic trends are crucial in the long-term viability of senior housing REITs, as the population ages and there is an increase in demand for housing options specific to the diverse needs of older adults. However, it's also important to examine elements like the supply of such housing options in the market.
Senior housing demand is still growing and is expected to continue to grow in the coming decade. This growth has the potential to drive higher demand for senior housing and care services, leading to increased occupancy rates and rental income for senior housing REITs.
As the senior housing market continues to grow, there is the potential for property values to appreciate over time, offering potential returns beyond rental income. This is due to increased demand and well-managed senior housing REITs experiencing capital gains.
Here's an interesting read: Kimco Realty Corporation Stock
Investment Benefits and Returns
Senior housing REITs offer a range of benefits and returns that make them an attractive investment option.
Senior housing REITs have shown strong returns and growth potential, making them a top choice for investors.
The demographic projections for the next decade are expected to drive growth in the senior housing industry, with a growing demand for housing and healthcare services.
Senior housing REITs often have long-term lease agreements with their tenants, providing a steady stream of rental income.
Some senior housing REITs, like Arrived Homes, require a minimum investment of $100, making them accessible to a wider range of investors.
The Vanguard REIT ETF (VNQ) has a 12-month unadjusted effective yield of 2.27% as of Dec. 4, 2023, providing a regular income stream for investors.
Here are some ways to purchase senior housing REITs:
- Arrived Homes Review: Best For: $100 Minimum Investment; VIEW PROS & CONS: securely through Arrived Homes's website; Get Started with Arrived Homes
- Yieldstreet Review: Best For: Diverse Range of Alternative Investments; VIEW PROS & CONS: securely through Yieldstreet's website; Get Started with Yieldstreet
- Fundrise Review: Best For: Beginner Real Estate Investors; VIEW PROS & CONS: securely through Fundrise's website; Get Started with Fundrise
- mogul Review: Best For: Fractional Real Estate Investing; VIEW PROS & CONS: securely through mogul's website; Get Started with mogul
Senior housing REITs must distribute 90% of taxable earnings as dividends, leading to regular dividend payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What REIT does Warren Buffett buy?
Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway owns shares of STORE Capital, a REIT focused on single-tenant operational real estate. This investment marks a rare foray into real estate for Buffett's portfolio.
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. This 75% rule ensures REITs primarily focus on real estate investments.
Sources
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/111216/should-you-add-senior-housing-reits-your-portfolio-hcp-snh.asp
- https://www.1031crowdfunding.com/cshreit/
- https://wisestacker.com/best-senior-living-reit-welltower/
- https://www.benzinga.com/money/senior-living-reits
- https://seniorshousingbusiness.com/reits-keep-a-sunny-disposition/
Featured Images: pexels.com