Investing In REITs For Dividends (Pros & Cons of Real Estate Investment Trusts)

Are you considering an investment in REITs (or Real Estate Investment Trusts) for dividends and cash flow? I personally own only one REIT in my dividend portfolio and consider my REIT an ancillary (non-core) position. That being said, I am in a unique situation because I work in the real estate industry and own a home (I am already over-weighted, at a high level, in the real estate industry). A subscriber question, today's video goes into a multitude of pros, cons, and factors to consider about investing in real estate investment trusts for dividend income.

* Do you work in the real estate industry? Do you already own a home? Do you own physical real estate investments? If so, those are all factors worth considering when contemplating REITs for one’s dividend portfolio. When looking at diversification, I don't only look at my portfolio. I look at all factors in my life. If the real estate industry tanks, I don't want to get hit on the job front, the home front, and the portfolio front all at once!
* Real estate investment trusts carry important tax considerations. As pass through entities, they avoid double taxation (and are required to distribute most of their earnings). That said, the shareowner has to pay ordinary income on dividends (as compared to long term capital gains on qualified dividends of most corporations). Long story short, the tax rate on dividends from REITs is higher than your typical dividend-paying corporation. Moreover, reporting REIT dividends on one's tax return can be complicated (the distributions sometimes involve ordinary income and return of capital). Learn why it's important to weigh tax considerations when investing in real estate investment trusts for dividends and cash flow.
* Since some REITs pay dividends on a monthly basis, they can help you stay in the game. Those monthly dividend checks are great for reinvesting and building one’s portfolio. A subscriber insight, I really love this idea!
* Interest rates are really low right now. As interest rates rise, some REITs may face challenges securing (affordable) capital to do deals. This could affect short-term and future prospects.
* The retail industry is going through a lot of change. When investing in REITs, it's a wise idea to understand exposure to retail.
* Sometimes, one can experience superior results by investing in real estate directly. It may be more effective to invest in rental properties than going the REIT route. That said, real estate investment trusts are easier since one does not have to actively manage the real estate assets.

Disclaimer: I'm not a licensed investment advisor, and today's video is just for entertainment and fun. This video is NOT investment advice. Please talk to your licensed investment advisor before making any financial decisions.

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