Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): A Beginner's Guide to Passive Real Estate Income | Romell Group (2024)


Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are a unique type of investment that allows individuals to invest in real estate without having to purchase, manage, or finance any properties themselves. REITs own and operate various income-producing real estate assets, including office buildings, apartment complexes, retail centres, hospitals, and hotels.
REITs are required by law to pay out at least 90% of their taxable income to shareholders in the form of dividends. This makes REITs a good option for investors looking for a steady stream of passive income.

Benefits of investing in REITs
There are several benefits to investing in REITs, including:
Passive income: REITs must pay out at least 90% of their taxable income to shareholders as dividends. This means that REIT investors can earn a steady stream of passive income without doing any work.
Diversification: REITs can help to diversify your investment portfolio. Real estate is a different asset class than stocks and bonds so it can reduce your overall risk.
Liquidity: REITs are traded on major exchanges, meaning they are highly liquid. Investors can easily buy and sell REIT shares whenever they want.
Transparency: REITs are required to disclose a lot of information to investors, which makes them a relatively transparent investment vehicle.

Types of REITs
There are two main types of REITs: equity REITs and mortgage REITs.
Equity REITs: Equity REITs own and operate income-producing real estate assets. They generate revenue from rent and other income from these properties.
Mortgage REITs: Mortgage REITs invest in real estate mortgages and other debt securities. They generate revenue from the interest income on these investments.

Equity REITs are further divided into different sectors, such as:
Office REITs: Own and operate office buildings.
Apartment REITs: Own and operate apartment complexes.
Retail REITs: Own and operate retail centres.
Healthcare REITs: Own and operate hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities.
Hotel REITs: Own and operate hotels and resorts.

How to invest in REITs
There are two main ways to invest in REITs:
Buying individual REIT shares: Investors can buy individual REIT shares through a stockbroker.
Investing in REIT mutual funds or ETFs: REIT mutual funds and ETFs pool money from investors to invest in a basket of REIT shares. This is a good option for investors who want to diversify their REIT investments and avoid picking individual REIT stocks.

Risks of investing in REITs
REITs are a relatively low-risk investment, but there are some risks to be aware of:
Interest rate risk: REITs are sensitive to interest rates. If interest rates rise, REIT share prices could fall.
Economic risk: REITs are also sensitive to the overall economy. If the economy weakens, REIT earnings and share prices could decline.
Property risk: REITs are subject to the same risks as any other real estate investment, such as vacancy rates, property damage, and environmental hazards.

Overall, REITs are a good option for investors looking for a steady stream of passive income and a way to diversify their investment portfolios.

Here are some additional tips for investing in REITs:
Do your research: Before investing in any REIT, it’s essential to do your research and understand the company’s business model, financial performance, and risks.
Diversify your REIT investments: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Invest in a variety of REITs from different sectors.
Reinvest your dividends: Reinvesting your REIT dividends can help to compound your returns over time.
Hold for the long term: REITs are a long-term investment. Don’t expect to get rich quickly.

Conclusion
REITs are an excellent way for investors to gain exposure to the real estate market without having to purchase, manage, or finance any properties themselves. REITs offer several benefits, including passive income, diversification, liquidity, and transparency.
If you are looking for a way to invest in real estate and earn a steady stream of passive income, REITs are worth considering.


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Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): A Beginner's Guide to Passive Real Estate Income | Romell Group (2024)

FAQs

Are REITs good for passive income? ›

Since REITs are required by the IRS to pay out 90% of their taxable income to shareholders, REIT dividends are often much higher than the average stock on the S&P 500. One of the best ways to receive passive income from REITs is through the compounding of these high-yield dividends.

What is a real estate investment trust (REIT) Quizlet? ›

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are companies that own, and usually operate income producing real estate. REITS generally own many types of commercial real estate, including multifamily, warehouses, and retail.

What is REIT for beginners? ›

In simple words, a Real Estate Investment Trust is a holding company that owns and operates income-generating property assets. REITs invest in most types of property, including apartment buildings, offices, shopping malls, industrial warehouses, cell towers, data centres, hotels, and medical facilities.

How easy is it to start a REIT? ›

Look For Investors

According to IRS requirements, your company must have at least 100 shareholders by its second tax year to qualify as a REIT. This means you can start your operations with two or more shareholders if you reach the requirement a year later.

Are REITs a passive investment? ›

Most methods of passive investment fall into one of four categories: crowdfunding, REITs, real estate funds or remote ownership.

What type of income do REITs pay? ›

REITs provide yield in the form of dividends. As noted earlier, REITs are required to distribute at least 90 percent of their taxable income to shareholders.

How does a real estate REIT work? ›

A REIT is a company that owns, operates, or finances income-producing properties. REITs generate a steady income stream for investors but offer little capital appreciation. Most REITs are publicly traded like stocks, which makes them highly liquid, unlike real estate investments.

What type of real estate do REITs invest in? ›

REITs invest in a wide scope of real estate property types, including offices, apartment buildings, warehouses, retail centers, medical facilities, data centers, cell towers, infrastructure and hotels. Most REITs focus on a particular property type, but some hold multiples types of properties in their portfolios.

How to buy REITs real estate investment trusts? ›

You can invest in a publicly traded REIT, which is listed on a major stock exchange, by purchasing shares through a broker. You can purchase shares of a non-traded REIT through a broker that participates in the non-traded REIT's offering. You can also purchase shares in a REIT mutual fund or REIT exchange-traded fund.

How to invest in REITs for beginners? ›

How do I Invest in a REIT? An individual may buy shares in a REIT, which is listed on major stock exchanges, just like any other public stock. Investors may also purchase shares in a REIT mutual fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF).

Can I start my own REIT? ›

Beginning with its second taxable year, a REIT must meet two ownership tests: it must have at least 100 shareholders (the 100 Shareholder Test) and five or fewer individuals cannot own more than 50% of the value of the REIT's stock during the last half of its taxable year (the 5/50 Test).

Are REITs a good way to invest in real estate? ›

REITs make sense for investors who don't want to operate and manage real estate, as well as for those who don't have the money or can't get the financing to buy real estate. REITs are also a good way for beginner real estate investors to gain some experience with the industry.

What are the disadvantages of REITs? ›

Risks of investing in REITs include higher dividend taxes, sensitivity to interest rates, and exposure to specific property trends.

How often does a REIT pay out? ›

Unlike buying residential real estate, which requires more hands-on maintenance and upkeep, REITs are hands-off for investors. Is There a Difference Between REIT Dividends and Stock Dividends? REITs and stocks can both pay dividends, usually on a monthly, quarterly, or yearly basis.

What is the downside of REITs? ›

Non-traded REITs have little liquidity, meaning it's difficult for investors to sell them. Publicly traded REITs have the risk of losing value as interest rates rise, which typically sends investment capital into bonds.

Can you live off REITs? ›

Reinvesting REIT dividends can help retirement savers grow their portfolio's investment, and historically steady REIT dividend income can help retirees meet their living expenses. REIT dividends historically have provided: Wealth Accumulation. Reliable Income Returns.

What is bad income for REITs? ›

For purposes of the REIT income tests, a non-qualified hedge will produce income that is included in the denominator, but not the numerator. This is generally referred to as “bad” REIT income because it reduces the fraction and makes it more difficult to meet the tests.

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