Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
Type of investment company that invests money in mortgages and various types of investment in real estate, in order to earn profits for shareholders. Shareholders receive income from the rents received from the properties and receive capital gains as properties are sold at a profit. REITs have been formed by a number of large financial institutions such as banks and insurance companies. The stocks of many of them are traded on security exchanges, thereby providing investors with a marketable interest in real estate investment portfolio. By law, REITs have to distribute 95 percent of their income to shareholders, and in turn they are exempt from corporate taxes on income or gains. In exchange for this special tax treatment, REITs are subject to numerous qualifications and limitations including:
- Qualified asset and income tests. REITs are required to have at least 75% of their value represented by qualified real estate assets and to earn at least 75% of their income from real estate investments.
- Shareholder qualifications. Generally, REITs are not permitted to be closely held and must have a minimum of 100 shareholders.
Popular Real Estate Terms
A narrow passageway between buildings providing secondary rear access. ...
The definition of alienation clause is the transfer or sale of a particular property or asset that can be applied once the owner has no more financial obligations to said property or asset. ...
An insurance company or underwriter. An insurance policy is a legal instrument assuming the risk of loss for stated perils to real property in exchange for insurance premiums paid. ...
The definition of alienation in real estate stands for the legal action that is done voluntarily by an owner to dispose of their property. It also encompasses a property’s right to be ...
Local zoning law or private limitation on how far in feet a structure might be situated from the curb or other appropriate marker. ...
Upper layer of ground. ...
Nineteenth-century style home architecture featuring three dimensional ornamentation, made by hand using a chisel and gouge. ...
The clear, open and active occupancy of real estate. For example, notorious possession is one of the tests for adverse possession. ...
In a principal gent transaction or contract where a third party knows the name of the principal the agent represents. This is a typical setting in real estate situations. In this ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.