A Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) is a company that invests in property through purchasing real estate. REITs are alternative assets, uncorrelated to investments like bonds or precious metals.
Knowing how REITs work is an important part of understanding proper asset allocation and building wealth. They can be a good way to diversify a portfolio, but we will explore the downsides as well.
REITs are different from other investments. They are unique because they allow investors to hold a wide range of domestic and foreign real estate.
Owners may profit from the price appreciation on the REIT itself, as well as the income derived from rent or mortgage payments.
REIT Types
There are a number of different REITs available:
- Retail REITs. These invest directly in retail property and malls to generate rental income. Retail shopping centers, malls, hotels, and apartment buildings are just a few examples of what they hold. Some REITs can be very specific and invest in just one type of property or one geographic area. RioCan TSE:REI.UN owns a lot of building where Superstore or Shoppers are located.
The type of business and the stability of the businesses should matter for the REIT for long term sustainability.
Are REITs A Good Investment?
REITs should be part of an income portfolio but not in an accumulating portfolio unless you want more diversification. I personally do not have any REITs in my portfolio during the accumulation investing phase.
REITs might seem more stable than stocks or bonds because they invest in real estate. That is not the case. It is true that REITs are uncorrelated to other investments, but they can be just as volatile as stock. And many “uncorrelated” investments can lose value at the same time. We all saw this during the market correction in 2008.
Despite that, REITs do offer several advantages. They are liquid and trade easily. They allow the option of committing smaller amounts of capital. For some, that is better than spending comparatively larger sums to buy actual real estate.
REITs give investors access to foreign and domestic real estate markets that would have previously been out of reach. They also offer a good yield in the form of interest or mortgage payments.
How To Invest In REITs
You can buy REITs a few different ways:
- REIT Stocks. Purchase REIT stock through your broker or directly from the company itself. Many REIT companies have a DRIP program available. As we explored in a previous post, DRIPs can be a great way for investors to build a low-cost stock position over time.
- ETFs or Mutual Funds. ETFs and mutual funds provide a more diversified way to invest in REITs. For example, the Vanguard REIT ETF (VNQ) invests in domestic (American) real estate and has a low expense ratio. The SPDR DJ International Real Estate ETF (RWX) is a good choice for investors who want to add international real estate exposure.
REITs should be part of your portfolio. They offer diversification and a solid distribution yield. Despite that, they can be risky investments. Around 10% to 15% can probably a good diversification for your portfolio in the accumulation years. In the retirement years, you may increase your ratio for more income.
Some individuals with significant physical real estate holdings may want to skip holding REITs altogether. The amount you ultimately decide to purchase depends on your individual circumstance.
Be mindful of REIT taxation as the account you hold your REITs will have an impact on your taxes.