The global listed property sector has been characterized by a variety of noteworthy developments in recent times, the proliferation of real estate investment trust-type structures in countries around the world key among them. Despite an uncertain economic environment, REITs have proven their ability to promote institutional real estate investments in global financial markets. This highly practical book features a comprehensive analysis of both the legal and tax underpinnings of REIT-friendly legislation in a variety of the world’s most significant jurisdictions. With regard to the legal framework, the structure and functioning of a REIT are carefully investigated and explained. In terms of tax issues, the book focuses on such key issues as: REIT formation, operation and liquidation; mergers, acquisitions and dispositions; and planning for public and private REIT offerings and re-securitizations. REITs are inherently complex, and their interplay with tax treaties further compounds the complexity. This highly accessible yet authoritative work is the perfect decision-making tool for any professional looking for perspective and guidance on the challenges and opportunities REITs engender.

This work provides the investing public, real estate practitioners, regulators and real estate and finance academics with up-to-date information on what modern scholarly research tells us about Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). REITs are credited to allow institutional and individual investors to invest in real estate via a corporate entity. The increasing interest in REITs as indicated by their growth in market capitalization and institutional holdings in the United States and around the world suggests that REITs are becoming an increasingly important part of investors' diversified portfolio.

Claim Your Share of Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Profits From Around the World Ever since so many private real estate companies converted themselves into Real Estate Investment Trusts and held IPOs in the mid-1990s, and with the publication of the first edition of Investing in REITs: Real Estate Investment Trusts by Ralph L. Block, U.S. investors have been discovering the high dividend yields possible through investing in commercial real estate through publicly owned companies. REITs do not have to pay taxes on the income they distribute to unit holders -- and the government requires them to distribute at least 90%! This means they pay out a lot more money than ordinary corporations (who have to pay corporate taxes). REITs are cash cows. What's not so well known is that countries all over the world have been following the lead of the United States and creating their own versions of Real Estate Investment Trusts. Nearly 40 countries from Australia to Turkey have laws enabling some form of REITs, using the US as a model but ringing their own changes. By investing in foreign REITs you can: 1. Have a stream of income that's not dependent on the US dollar (or euro, or yen, or whatever your currency of residence is). By investing in foreign REITs, you get income in a large variety of other currencies, which may be going up in value as the US dollar falls. The two largest, oldest and most mature REIT countries in the world behind the US are Canada and Australia. Which two countries in the world have recently seen the value of their currencies go up dramatically? Canada and Australia. But Canadians and Australians needs apartments, office buildings and shopping malls just like everyone else. By buying shares of their REITs, you can get yourself some Canadian and Australian dollars. Two other kinds of dollars are going up in value -- both from busy and booming Asian port cities -- Hong Kong and Singapore. And both Hong Kong and Singapore have some great Real Estate Investment Trusts. 2. Have a stream of income from economic activity that may be up while your local area is down. Most people's jobs are dependent upon their local economy. However, when business is slow in your area, it may be great in Paris, Dubai or Kuala Lumpur. We also know that while the entire U.S. real estate market can be slow, real estate in other countries may still be booming. 3. Worldwide inflation protection Well run REITs will do all they can to increase their net incomes, including raise rents to keep up with inflation -- wherever they are located. Ever wanted to benefit from Japanese people paying rent for their apartments? Or from businesses paying for offices in prestigious districts of Paris? Or from tourists buying clothes in the trendy shops of Soho London? Or from jet setters tanning themselves at Mediterranean luxury resorts? Or from Australian wine vinyards? Or even from Bulgarian farmers renting land to grow wheat on? Or from drinkers having a pint in AB InBev's chain of European pubs? From the warehouses and shipping docks of China? Now you can! In the last chapter you learn the investments that you can tell your broker to buy for you to profit from REITs around the world. It's simple, easy and -- in this globalized world of international financial crises, a smart move to protect you and your family's wealth. 38,000 words. Therefore, send away for REITs Around the World now!

Shortly before of the beginning of the global financial crisis of 2008 REITs were introduced in several European countries based on their success in mature markets like the US, Australia and some Asian countries. While the history of REITs in Europe has been relatively brief, REITs are well on the way to become an industry standard as a real estate investment financial vehicle not only in Europe but throughout the developed world. This book provides both academics and decision makers an introduction to the economics of REITs beyond tax transparency, an overview of the mature REITs markets, and a closer reflection of the development of different REIT-structures in Europe including the history, regulation and markets of each country.

The go-to guide for smart REIT investing The Intelligent REIT Investor is the definitive guide to real estate investment trusts, providing a clear, concise resource for individual investors, financial planners, and analysts—anyone who prioritizes dividend income and risk management as major components to wealth-building. The REIT industry experienced a watershed event when Standard & Poors created a new Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) sector called Real Estate. Publicly traded equity REITs have been removed from Financials, where they have been classified since their creation in 1960, and have begun trading as their own S&P Sector. This separation from banks and financial institutions has attracted new investors, but REITs require an industry-specific knowledge that is neither intuitive nor readily accessible to newcomers—until now. Using straightforward language and simple example to illustrate important concepts, this book will enable any reader to quickly learn and understand the lexicon and valuation techniques used in REIT investing, providing a wealth of practical resources that streamline the learning process. The discussion explains terminology, metrics, and other key points, while examples illustrate the calculations used to evaluate opportunities. A comprehensive list of publicly-traded REITs provides key reference, giving you access to an important resource most investors and stockbrokers lack. REITs are companies that own or finance commercial rental properties, such as malls and apartment buildings. Despite historically high total returns relative to other investments, such as the Nasdaq or S&P 500 index, most investors are unfamiliar with the REIT industry, and wary of investing without adequate background. This book gets you up to speed on the essentials of REIT investing so you can make more informed—and profitable—decisions. Understand REITs processes, mechanisms, and industry Calculate key metrics to identify suitable companies Access historical performance tables and industry-specific terminology Identify publicly-traded REITs quickly and easily REITs have consistently outperformed many more widely known investments. Over the past 15-year period, for example, REITs returned an average of 11% per year, better than all other asset classes. Since 2009, REITs have enjoyed positive returns; large cap stocks and cash are the only other classes that paralleled that record. Even in 2015, a 'year of fear' related to rising rates, REITs returned 2.4%, beating most all other asset classes. REITs have a long history (over fifty years) of performance, and have entered the big leagues. If you feel like you've been missing out, don't keep missing out. Prepare yourself, and your portfolio, to benefit from the demand for REITs that have followed the creation of a Real Estate GICS sector. The Intelligent REIT Investor gives you the information you need to invest wisely and manage your real estate risk effectively. By maintaining a tactical exposure in the brick and mortar asset class, investors should benefit from the information contained in The Intelligent REIT Investor. Join the REIT world and look forward to owning stocks that will help you to sleep well at night.

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.