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About REITs
Real
Estate Investment Trusts
REIT
Directory •
How to Find the Best REITs
Real
estate investment trusts (REITs) are a special form of corporation that,
by law, must invest only in real estate. In return for following that
rule, REITs (pronounced 'reets') do not have to pay U.S. federal income
tax if they pay out at least 90% of their net income in the form of
dividends to their shareholders. REITs enable individual investors to
participate in large-scale, income-producing real estate investments.
To
qualify as a REIT, a company must meet the following requirements:
-
its assets must consist
mostly of real estate held for long-term investment,
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its income must be
mainly derived from real estate, and
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it must pay out at least
90% of its taxable income to shareholders.
There
are two major categories of REITs. Equity REITs own physical properties
such as apartment houses or shopping centers. By contrast, mortgage
REITs do not own real estate properties, instead, they invest in
mortgages. Equity REITs may invest in any type of real estate, but most
specialize in a particular property type.
Note that taxable income
is not necessarily the same as the net income shown in the quarterly or
annual financial statements. Also, because real estate property owners
must deduct non-cash depreciation expenses, even if the property is, in
fact, appreciating in value, neither the taxable or reported income
figure accurately reflect the real cash flow generated by the
properties. For that reason, the REIT trade association created a
measure called funds from operations (FFO), which reflects the cash
profits generated by a property REIT's operations.
Because REITs must pay
out a large chunk of earnings to shareholders, most property REITs must
raise capital by borrowing or by selling more share to fund growth.
Property REITs are allowed to provide the customary management services
associated with leasing properties such as apartment buildings, shopping
centers and office buildings. But REITs are not allowed to operate real
estate that requires a high degree of personal service such as hotels
and healthcare facilities. However, property REITs
can create affiliated companies that can provide management services. in
these sectors.
We have divided the property universe into these categories:
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Retail:
shopping centers, outlet centers, small neighborhood centers, or
downtown/heavily trafficked retail locations.
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Healthcare:
owners, but not operators, of healthcare facilities such as nursing
homes, medical office buildings, hospitals, etc.
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Lodging:
hotels and resort properties. Lodging REITs are not allowed to
directly manage their hotel operations, but many arrange management
contracts with affiliated companies.
-
Industrial:
industrial, warehouse, or distribution center properties. Flex
properties are a recent innovation in industrial real estate. These
are one-story buildings with high ceilings, rear loading docks,
surface parking and generous landscaping. Flex building shells are
designed to accommodate companies needing office, light
manufacturing and/or warehouse space.
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Office:
office buildings are generally categorized as Class A, Class B, or
Class C, depending on amenities and location, and Class A is the
best. Class B buildings are usually in suburban neighborhoods. Class
C buildings are usually older and in low-rent areas.
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Mixed
Industrial/Office: many REITs own both office and
industrial/warehouse properties.
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Mortgage/Finance:
REITs that invest in mortgages, or provide mortgage or
other types of financing.
-
Residential:
apartment and manufactured home community owners.
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Specialty:
self-storage centers, restaurant property owners, and other REITs
that do not fit into the major categories.
-
Diversified:
REITs that own properties in multiple categories.
See the complete list in the REIT
Directory |
