Key Takeaways: Real estate investment trusts, or REITs, are specialty companies that own or operate income-producing real estate. There are many different kinds of REITs, including equity REITs, mortgage REITs and hybrid REITs. All REITs are required by law to distribute 90% or more of their taxable income to shareholders in the form of dividends. Real estate investment trusts, or REITs, are specialty companies that own and operate real estate or financial instruments such as mortgages or mortgage bonds that are tied to commercial real estate. Investors buy REITs for...
Real estate investments can be an excellent way to earn returns, generate cash flow, hedge against inflation and diversify an investment portfolio. However, buying physical properties can be costly, difficult and risky for an individual. Instead, investors can buy shares of diversified real estate investment trusts, or REITs. REITs are public companies that own large portfolios of real estate, and many of them also pay sizable dividends. There are many different types of REITs, providing investors access to residential, commercial and specialty real estate. Here are nine of the best...