REIT's - Anyone have them? Thoughts?

[Deep 3.2TL]

Hi All,

Before anyone gets smart - NO - I'm NOT taking investment advice from a BMW Board. I'm researching REIT's for investment and want people's thoughts, etc. I've been getting them from all places - family, friends, investment advisors, etc.

I want to hear your story, if you have one, on this investment.

If you do have one, please state if it's Private or Public.

Everything I'm reading and seeing is telling me that if I want a solid return without volatility, go private - but again - I'm info-gathering right now.

Thanks,

Deep

[Deep 3.2TL]

No one, huh?

[damameke]

I had Riocan and Chartwell, sold them before the downturn; sold Riocan at $17 before it went to $9, it is back in the $18 range now. I think..

"solid return without volatility". there is always some volatility, it depenes on one risk factor ...

With the market improving, REIT should be ok in a balance porfolio.. I am looking at adding REIT too.

which one are you looking at /

[Deep 3.2TL]

I've been debating between a private versus a public one... In public - RioCan was the one that seemed most stable. In private, centurion apartment REIT.

http://www.centurionapartmentreit.com

[damameke]

Originally Posted by Deep 3.2TL

I've been debating between a private versus a public one... In public - RioCan was the one that seemed most stable. In private, centurion apartment REIT.

http://www.centurionapartmentreit.com

I guess someone is selling Centurion to you, at 8%,thats quite a good return

Personally I like public REIT, for example RIOCAN, big box name rental, Walmart. Home depot Sears PetSmart, Shoppers drug mart, they still have to pay rent even the economy is slow,, you stilll get a good return plus growth rate will be better based on the daily volume traded.

Centurion with rental properties, bad economy and with job loss, rental vacancies will be high...

http://www.globeinvestor.com/servlet...T1855/GITrusts


besides the 3 in the link ...look at Collaway, H$R

and as always do your DD...

[Deep 3.2TL]

Yes, I've seen that article.

Centurion, even though private, can be bought by individual investors.

Just to be clear, I'm no where near "new" to investing, just REIT's...

I have a friend who is one of the lead financial advisors on a Heath Care REIT that's about the IPO. He's knows this market well and he's suggested Centurion. I was also looking at Skyline, but he's saying the info he's hearing is that they need significant capex soon as their properties are aging heavily. He's not convinced on them because of this.

It's quite the opposite for rental properties - In this economy, people will rent more then they buy. I rented my personal property in record time in Sept last year to solid tenants.

Deep

[damameke]

Looks like you already did your DD, its always good to have a balanced
portfolio, going long with Reit, private or public. with get you a good yield.

I am waiting for Riocan to get to $14 (it it ever again) to buy back in.

Happy Investing..

[Michel]

bump,
Deep, just wondering if did you got in on Riocan?

I was looking at EQR on the NYSE - anyone have any input on how you think the US housing market will be for spring/summer?

[Deep 3.2TL]

no, I didn't get in - but am planning so soon...