what is a REIT?

A Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) is a way for individual investors to invest in commercial real estate. A REIT is a corporation or business that combines the capital of many investors to acquire or provide financing for all forms of real estate, including, but not limited to, apartments, offices, self storage and shopping centers. A REIT serves much like a mutual fund for real estate in that retail investors enjoy the benefit of a diversified portfolio under professional management. As of 12/31/05, there were approximately 200 publicly traded REITs.