Real Estate Investment Trusts offer accessible property market exposure without the complexities of direct real estate ownership, allowing investors to participate in commercial real estate markets through publicly traded securities that must distribute at least 90% of taxable income as dividends.

Specialized REITs now focus on sectors like cell towers and healthcare facilities, providing investors with exposure to infrastructure and essential services that often have predictable cash flows and long-term lease agreements. These niche REITs benefit from demographic trends such as aging populations requiring healthcare services and the ongoing expansion of wireless communication networks, offering potentially more stable returns than traditional retail or office REITs.

Understanding NAV calculations and leverage ratios is crucial for investors evaluating REIT performance and risk. Net Asset Value helps determine whether a REIT is trading above or below the value of its underlying properties, while debt-to-equity ratios reveal how much leverage the trust uses to finance acquisitions. Successful REIT investors analyze these metrics alongside dividend sustainability, management quality, and sector-specific trends to make informed investment decisions in this income-focused asset class.