Investing in REITs real estate investment trusts, fourth edition

"The consistency of REITs' earnings and their high dividend yields, together with the low correlation of REIT stock prices with prices of other asset classes, make real estate investment trusts a unique opportunity for investors.Drawing on more than thirty years of successful investing experience with REITs, Ralph L. Block has created the ultimate REIT guide. This fully updated fourth edition explains the ins and outs of this attractive asset class for investors, as well as financial planners and investment advisers, to find what they need to know. The new edition covers the changes in the real estate market and how the volatility of commercial real estate prices can affect REITs. This new edition offers the following: How to spot blue-chip REITs and control investment risk How REITs compare with other investments How to build a diversified REIT portfolio, directly or with REIT mutual funds Understanding the risk-and-reward dynamics of commercial real estate How to invest in non-US REITs Important new developments and strategies in the REIT industry "-- � Read more... Abstract: Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) provides some of the best total returns in the investment world. This book covers: a comprehensive history of the REIT industry; how REITs compare with other competitive investments; how to spot blue-chip REITs and control investment risk; and how to value individual REIT stocks, and REIT shares generally. � Read more... Content: Machine generated contents note: Introduction.Acknowledgments.Part I: Meet the REIT.Chapter 1: REITs: What They Are and How They Work.Types of REITs.General Investment Characteristics.Higher Current Returns.Summary.Chapter 2: REITs versus Competitive Investments.Bonds.Convertible Bonds.Preferred Stocks.Other High-Yielding Equities.Other Real Estate Investment Vehicles.Summary.Chapter 3: Today's REITs.The First REIT.The Tax Reform Act of 1986.UPREITs and DownREITs.REIT Modernization Act and "RIDEA".Lending REITs versus Ownership REITs.Expansion of REIT Property Sector Offerings.Summary.Chapter 4: Property Sectors and Their Cycles.Ups and Downs.Property Sectors.Summary.Part II: History and Mythology.Chapter 5: REITs: Mysteries and Myths.Changing Attitudes toward REITs.Myths about REITs.Summary.Chapter 6: A History of REITs and REIT Performance.The 1960s: Infancy.The 1970s: Adolescence and Turbulence.The 1980s: Overbuilding -- The Troll Under the Bridge.The 1990s: The Modern REIT Era -- Plus More Growing Pains.Recent Trends.Summary.Part III: Investing in REITs Intelligently.Chapter 7: REITs: Growth and Value Creation.The Significance of FFO and AFFO.The Dynamics of FFO/AFFO Growth.Internal Growth.How to Build Internal Growth into a Lease.Other Ways to Generate Internal Growth and To Create Shareholder Value.External Growth.More External Growth Avenues.Summary.Chapter 8: Searching for Blue Chips.Investment Styles.Growth REITs.Value or "Turnaround" REITs.Bond-Proxy REITs.The Virtues of Blue-Chip REITs.Access to Capital -- and its Benefits.The importance of Allocating Capital Wisely.Summary.Chapter 9: The Quest for Investment Value.The Investor's Dilemma: Buy and Hold Versus Trading.The Buy-and-Hold Strategy.REIT Stock Valuation.Valuing REITs as a Group.Summary.Chapter 10: Building a REIT Portfolio.How Much of a Good Thing Do You Want?Diversification Among REITs.Toward A Well-Balanced Portfolio.How to Get Started.Summary.Chapter 11 Investing in Global REITs and Property Companies.How the U.S. REIT Revolution Spread around the Globe.Mapping the Size of Global Property Stock Markets.The Long-Term Evidence Supporting Investments in Global Real Estate Securities.Managing a Gobal Real Estate Securities Portfolio.The Practicalities of Investing Overseas for the Individual Investor.Part IV: Risks and Future Prospects.Chapter 12: What Can Go Wrong?Issues Affecting All REITs.Problems Affecting Individual REITs.Summary.Chapter 13: Tea Leaves: Some Thoughts about the Future.Additional Real Estate Owners Will "REITize".Increasing Investor Demand for REITs.Larger REITs: Is Bigger Really Better?Additional New Trends.So Much More to Come.Summary.Resources.Appendix A: Death and Taxes.Appendix B: Case Study: FFO, AFFO, FAD and CAD.Appendix C: Cost of Equity Capital.Appendix D: REIT Portfolio Management.Appendix E: Largest Global Real Estate Companies as of December 2010.Glossary.About the Author.About the Contributors.Index. The new Fourth Edition of the definitive handbook on investing in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), which provide some of the best total returns in the investment world, along with above-average dividend yields and stable earnings, have become increasingly popular with both individual and institutional investors. Investing in REITs, Fourth Edition has established itself as the definitive guide to understanding this attractive asset class. The book is invaluable for investors, financial planners, and investment advisers interested in understanding REITs and REIT investment opportunities. As their earnings and dividends are beginning to grow again after the Great Recession—and as they are in a unique position to take advantage of distressed sale opportunities—now is an excellent time for investors to consider REITs for both diversification and strong total returns. The new edition covers: A comprehensive history of the REIT industry How REITs compare with other competitive investments How to spot blue-chip REITs and control investment risk How to value individual REIT stocks, and REIT shares generally How to build a diversified REIT portfolio, directly or with REIT mutual funds Understanding the risk-and-reward dynamics of commercial real estate Assessing non-US REITs and how to invest in them Important new developments and strategies in the REIT industry Author Ralph L. Block, who has been investing in REIT stocks for 40 years and is widely considered a leading authority on REITs, brings the historical success of Investing in REITs right up to date. This book is an essential read for both individuals and institutions who desire to invest in commercial real estate through REIT stocks.

Praise for Investing in REITs

"A necessary starting tool for anyone interested in building a foundation in understanding the REIT market."
—Steve Buller REIT Portfolio Manager, Fidelity Investments

"REITs are a great investment idea as they provide a way for investors to gain exposure to an important asset class that is otherwise hard to access. The sector can, however, be daunting for the uninitiated, as it is filled with jargon, performance metrics, and valuation tools that are not typically employed elsewhere. Ralph Block has cut through the clutter and created a must-read road map for anyone investing in REITs."
—Mike Kirby Cofounder, Green Street Advisors

"A perfect blend of street talk and clear thinking that will provide the advice and knowledge that both first-time as well as seasoned REIT investors can benefit from".
—Bryce Blair CEO & Chairman, AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

"If you are a REIT investor, or are thinking of becoming one, Investing in REITs will unlock opportunities for you. Since its first publication in 1998, it remains a must-read for anyone interested in REITs. The first thing I did when I joined NHP in 2003 was read Ralph's book and the best advice I can give you is to do the same."
—Douglas M. Pasquale Chairman of the Board, President & CEO, Nationwide Health Properties, Inc.

"The consistency of REITs' earnings and their high dividend yields, together with the low correlation of REIT stock prices with prices of other asset classes, make real estate investment trusts a unique opportunity for investors.Drawing on more than thirty years of successful investing experience with REITs, Ralph L. Block has created the ultimate REIT guide. This fully updated fourth edition explains the ins and outs of this attractive asset class for investors, as well as financial planners and investment advisers, to find what they need to know. The new edition covers the changes in the real estate market and how the volatility of commercial real estate prices can affect REITs. This new edition offers the following: How to spot blue-chip REITs and control investment risk How REITs compare with other investments How to build a diversified REIT portfolio, directly or with REIT mutual funds Understanding the risk-and-reward dynamics of commercial real estate How to invest in non-US REITs Important new developments and strategies in the REIT industry "--Provided by publisher. "The consistency of REITs' earnings and their high dividend yields, together with the low correlation of REIT stock prices with prices of other asset classes, make real estate investment trusts a unique opportunity for investors. Drawing on more than thirty years of successful investing experience with REITs, Ralph L. Block has created the ultimate REIT guide. This fully updated fourth edition explains the ins and outs of this attractive asset class for investors, as well as financial planners and investment advisers, to find what they need to know. The new edition covers the changes in the real estate market and how the volatility of commercial real estate prices can affect REITs. This new edition offers the following: How to spot blue-chip REITs and control investment risk How REITs compare with other investments How to build a diversified REIT portfolio, directly or with REIT mutual funds Understanding the risk-and-reward dynamics of commercial real estate How to invest in non-US REITs Important new developments and strategies in the REIT industry "--Provided by publisher