Investing in REITs: Real Estate Investment Trusts (Bloomberg)

The earlier editions of this classic work have served as the bible for REIT investors for many years. Much of the material in those earlier versions applies even today. Now, with this new 4th edition we get additional perspectives -- for example, how REITs managed through the tumultuous events of the past few years, plus an especially informative new chapter on investing in global REITs. The writing is easy to follow even though the subject matter can be complex at times. Although it is written so a beginner can understand, it is not just for novices. This is a valuable reference work for seasoned REIT investors as well. The book is divided into four well-organized sections: 1) The general characteristics of REITs, how they compare to other investments, how legislation has molded REITs (updated with the latest developments), and the types of REITS and the cycles they go through. 2) The history of REITs and their performance, as well as some common myths about REITs debunked. 3) Ways to value REITs and how to think about them in your portfolio. This section includes the invaluable new chapter on global REIT investing -- how the REIT revolution spread internationally, and the practicalities of investing outside the US. 4) The risks of REIT investing and the author's vision of the future of REITs. If you are new to REITs and want to learn more about them, or if you are an experienced REIT investor looking for ideas, or if you are looking for the definitive REIT reference, this book offers a clear, concise, informative solution. Highly recommended!

I am just learning about REITs and the other reviewer's comments are pretty accurate. The book is easy to understand and has a lot of valuable information/tips so it's a good book for beginners. I like this edition because the author discusses how REITs behaved during the Great Recession. There are a few REIT niche areas the book does not discuss that I wish it did. This is a book on equity REITs and if you want to know about mortgage REITs or preferred REITs, you need to find another book.

This book is better than excellent!!! I ordered it after I read some of the author's postings on the Motley Fool website and later learned that the author had passed away a few months ago. The book is written in a very understandable way and is very organized and has a great index and table of contents to help find specific information easily. The author is extremely qualified and experienced on the subject matter. Just Google his name and you can see how well respected he is in the business of REITs over the last 40 years or so. Some quotes I found at the REIT .com website "https://www.reit.com/news/articles/reit-industry-veteran-ralph-block-dies" include: Block served “as one of the REIT industry’s most eloquent, insightful and wise proponents” over the span of four decades. He helped explain the REIT approach to real estate investment with clarity and wit to one and all. NAREIT recognized Ralph for his many contributions with its REIT Industry Achievement Award in 2004." "Block “had a wonderful sense of humor, enjoyed reading and, of course, enjoyed writing, ... I will very much miss his friendship, wisdom and wit. ”Block practiced corporate and securities law in Los Angeles for 27 years before focusing on REITs." "From 1993 through 2003, Block was chief REIT portfolio manager with..." "Block began investing in REIT stocks in the 1970s, and he held a variety of professional investment and advisory positions in the industry..."

Clear, knowledgeable, balanced and thorough, one of the best REIT portfolio mangers ever describes the real estate investment trust industry with crisp intelligence. If you want only one book on the topic, this is it, and you probably don't need a second. There are many good aspects to consider in REIT investing but this once sleepy corner of the investment world has attracted huge inflow of funds from major Wall Street firms in the last decade, bringing with it greatly increased risk/volatility. Even if you have an earlier edition (as I do) it's well worth while getting this substantially revised edition which reflects the new state of affairs.

I didn't like that not well organised and highlighted on important points

Very thorough. Might be worth 5 stars for those informed in real estate. Too complex for me, though, and I hold two masters' degrees. (However, neither of them are in business or real estate, so I came at this book with limited prerequisite knowledge. Don't let my review scare you if you have a background in real estate; this may be just what you need.)

This is the best book on Real Estate Investment Trusts and I recommend it without reservation. I read an earlier edition while researching my own book on income investing. It went through the history of REITs from 1960 to date, but of course didn't cover the most modern era. And of course the period from the real estate boom of thru 2007 through the financial crisis of 2008 and current "Great Recession" is of great interest to current investors. So I'm glad to see a new edition to bring REITs up to date. The crisis certainly hurt REITs in the short run, but in the past few years it's helped to show REITs are better able to function in a crisis than private real estate companies, because they cannot raise public equity cash. This is an important investment class for everyone who desires current income -- which keeps up with inflation -- rather than speculative capital gains that look increasingly improbable for years to come. Read this book closely and you'll practically be an expert on equity REITs in the United States. It does not cover mortgage REITs, because they are different kind of investment altogether.

Helped me learn rather speedily how to analyse REIT investment products in considerable detail, providing the fundamental knowledge to get started investing.

Everything begins when I was searching for this kind of market here in Brazil. I found it brilliant. The possibility of buying real estate property without the need to do all the bureaucracies involved in the process of buying or selling the real estate. Here in Brazil, this kind of market is only a child, almost a toddler but it is growing at a good pace. While doing some research I found this book and REITS in the USA Market. Of course, and everybody should have it in mind, there's no free lunch in wall street. Having said that, REITS are a good diversification to a portfolio like mine: low volatility, dividends yield around 5% yearly, some appreciation and capital gain in the long run. To the book extent, It is well written, bringing some history of this market, sites to go further, pros and cons, facts and scenarios. It has some data, companies names, sites and some strategies too. Recommend.

On a scale of beginners to experts, this book will take your limited-to-no knowledge of REITs and give you a great intermediate working knowledge of the function of, and market place for, REITs. There will be no all in one solution to give you that expert level knowledge without experience, but trust that thus book will provide you with a solid foundation to build upon.

Out of 10: Overall score:10 Customer experience:10 Quality:10 Review: I'm new in investment but this book was easy to read and comprehend all of the areas I wanted to know. I wish it could have more information about UK reits, but I understand that most authors will base their books in US market.

Bem explicado para quem precisa de pegar uma introdução no mercado de REIT, mas não consegue trazer uma avaliação qualitativa e quantitativa dos REITs. Não que o livro seja ruim, mas é bem básico, porém pra quem está começando é obrigatório sua leitura para ter um panorama desse mercado.