Thursday, February 26, 2009

Be a Partial Property Owner in Real Estate With REITs

REITs – Real Estate with Liquidity

As many people these days are finding out while real estate seems like a wonderful investment, it can also be a painful one if your investment was in a piece of property that you own outright. Many people who had purchased investment properties or homes they were planning to flip for a profit were sent into bankruptcy in the recent housing market crash.

With that said, real estate has long been the solid investment option for those who like to put their money somewhere that it can see results but also remain stable.

So, how does one be able to still be involved in the real estate market and not be caught in that same trap? The answer is by purchasing REITs. A REIT is a real estate investment trust. This means it is much like a mutual fund in that a number of shareholders put money into the fund and that money is used to purchase, finance or manage real estate properties. The profits on the fund then come from mortgage interest, rent or lease moneys that come in.

For the most part a return on REITs averages 6-10%. U.S law dictates that 90% or more of the profits on a REIT go to the shareholders, and that makes them a pretty strong investment option.

The short version of what a REIT is, is a way to be a partial owner in real estate.

But with this said, one of the things that many people fear about real estate, being stuck with a property that will not sell in a down market, is not a problem here. Instead, REITs are totally liquid. If you think things are not going to go well in the future of your REIT, you can sell and get out and then put your money back in when things are looking up again. If you do this right, just this can be a big profit maker for you as you will be pulling your money out when the REIT is high and then putting it back in, and getting more shares, when the market is low.

If you are one of those people that think there's no way to know when the market will do well or fail and that it's all luck, that's not necessarily true. As Smith Barney said, "There's blind luck, dumb luck and then there's get up every morning at 5:30 and sweat the details luck. Few people actually stumble into wealth. It takes persistence, tenacity and a tireless work ethic. In the end, luck has little to do with success."

This is also the case here, by doing your own research and keeping on top of the market you will be able to make wise investing decisions. With the help of REITBuyer.com you will be able to do this. REITBuyer.com has all the tools and resources you need to be able to make wise decisions on what REITs to buy and also see when you need to sell. The added benefit by being a part of REITBuyer.com is that not only will you have that information at your fingertips, but also the ability to buy and sell your REITs as they are an investing real estate broker.

What About REITs: Real Estate Investment Trusts

About REITs: Real Estate Investment Trusts

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) were created in the 60s so that all investors would have access to income-producing real estate through the purchase and sale of liquid securities. Before REITs were created access to investment returns of commercial real estate equity was only available to institutions and wealthy individuals.
For over half a century, REITs have become an important part of the United States economy and investment markets. United States REITs have grown from ninety billion dollars to over three hundred billion dollars in the past decade and they have gained popularity all over the world.
During their early years, mortgage Real Estate Investment Trust dominated the industry, providing debt financing for commercial or residential properties through investments in mortgages and mortgage-backed securities. Interest in equity REITs which own and manage commercial properties was limited because of the requirements that ownership and management of assets remain separate. This restriction was lifted with the passage of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 which allowed REITs to both own and manage properties. Now, more than 90% of publicly traded United States REITs are equity REITs that own and manage commercial real estate. Most of their income is derived from rents owned by companies across the nation.
There are certain guidelines and standards in place that must be followed in order for a company to qualify as a REIT in the US. The internal Revenue Code requires at least Seventy Five percent of total assets be invested in real estate which realize at least Seventy Five percent of its gross income from rents from real property or interest from mortgages. They must also distribute at least Ninety percent of taxable income to shareholders annually in the form of dividends.