But the coronavirus pandemic accelerated its growth tremendously. The last decade has been incredibly strong for the company, having produced a nearly 18% annualized return outperforming the S&P 500. This giant REIT has quickly made a name as a global leader in logistics, serving the fast-growing e-commerce industry by leasing warehouse, distribution, and last-mile centers to roughly 5,800 customers - including major tenants like Amazon, FedEx, Home Depot, and Walmart. Liz Brumer-Smith (Prologis): Prologis is one of the largest REITs by market capitalization, having interest and ownership in over 4,700 industrial properties in 19 countries. Taking industrial real estate to a new level Although it's not exactly what you might think of when it comes to a REIT, Digital Realty Trust has a long track record of success and is serious about long-term planning. Kristi Waterworth (Digital Realty Trust): When it comes to starter REITs, there are few I'd recommend more highly than Digital Realty Trust. Digital Realty Trust offers a data-centric spin on traditional REITs Here's a closer look at the stocks three Motley Fool contributors believe are great starter REITs to hold for the long haul. If you're looking for solid REIT picks that offer consistent returns, a strong track record, and fantastic growth opportunities, look no further than Digital Realty Trust ( DLR -0.88%), Prologis ( PLD -0.55%), and Medical Properties Trust ( MPW -2.85%). That makes today's market dip a fantastic time to jump in.īut considering there are 200 publicly traded REITs to choose from, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start.

These special real estate stocks can be a particularly attractive investment when the market is down because dividend yields go up as share prices go down. Since REITs are required to pay 90% or more of taxable income in the form of dividends, they're a reliable way to earn higher-than-average dividend yields on investment. Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are a fantastic way to branch into the world of real estate investing while earning consistent income through dividends.

Road to nowhere oracle