Does anyone here have expertise or at least experience on the subject?

REITs are basically a public investment trust that deals in real estate. So basically, you can invest in real estate without closing deals, sweating though offers, and worrying about those months when no one is renting.

But I wonder if they grow well. I started looking at one today, and over the last year, the stock has grown about $1. They offer dividends each quarter, but when it comes out to about $.60 a share, I can't figure out how I'm supposed to grow my money on this.

Well, I might have answered my own question there. But has anyone had success with these? Or know anything more about REITs and can tell me what to look for?

 

On a side note, I'm asking a lot of questions, but the only forum discussions I have access to are from this year, so I can't search and see if these questions have already been addressed in past discussions.....

I invest in the Vanguard SF REIT in my share builder account.  It has gone up over $10. in the last 3 months.  I'm dripping so I don't have a lot of it, but I'm in it for the long haul.  I think this is a good option for diversity,  but I still plan to invest in properties as well.

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Thank you, I'll look at that one!

REIT's - I do not know much. This is what I do know.  REITS can be found bundled up in your mutual funds. In todays market, I would think that is good, because if the REITS are not doing well, maybe some of the other funds are.

Wht I am thinking, and based on the info you wrote- REIT's(not in a mutual fund group)  may not be such a good investment in today's r/e market. Yu numbers seem to indicate that. My understanding is that they were good investments, when the market was good, because of the dividend returns. 

Basically, from what I just read, the REITs are getting clobbered. This was posted June, 2008 in the article: Mortgage REITs Insider.

There are 2 types of REITs.  Mortgage REITs invest in mortgage backed securities on the secondary market (Freddie Mac).  Property REITs invest in properties (apartments, offices, retail, etc.).  REITs pay out 90 to 95% of their profits to the shareholders.  The shareholders are responsible for paying their own taxes on the dividends. 

DID you see my comment above.

 

REIT's are being clobbered in the present market (report as of june, 2008)

SO, if they are already "bundled up" in your mutual fund, always DIVERSIFICATION.

THUS, to invest in REIT's alone - they are being clobbered in todays prsent market 

The article only references mortgage real estate investment trusts (mREITS) in the US.  It makes no reference to property REITS.  Yes, I agree that US mREITS are getting clobbered (due to the downturn and new restrictions in the mortgage industry).  The REITS that I am interested in invest in properties overseas in countries like China and India where economic growth is on the rise.

Yes, economc growth in China and India is on the rise. Sounds like a plan.