Invest in Real Estate with Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

Real Estate has boomed in the last ten years and even with the recent slow down in the market, real estate can still be considered one of the best long-term investments any individual can make. However, some people are not ready to take the full plunge into property ownership for various reasons but there are still other avenues to explore when wanting to invest in Real Estate. REITs - Real Estate Investment Trusts are one of the ways you can reap the benefits of real estate investing without having the responsibility of real property ownership.

What is a REIT?

A Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) is a company that owns, purchases and manages real estate properties and/or real estate loans (http://www.inrealty.com, 2007). Real Estate Investment Trust corporations own and manage income-producing properties such as commercial buildings, shopping malls, apartment buildings etc. and pass the dividend income and potential long-term capital gains to shareholders. REITs are publicly traded and can be researched extensively by contacting your broker or visiting the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts.

What Type of REITs are available?