Real estate is one of the most popular investments in the world, but buying and managing a rental property is simply not for everyone. Fortunately, there are real estate investment trusts (REITs) that can give you the benefits of owning real estate without the hassles that come with being a landlord.
REITs are also very attractive ways to invest in real estate because you can invest as little or as much as you want, and it maintains your liquidity since you can sell a stock in a few seconds compared with a property that could take weeks, months, or years.
With all of this in mind, let’s take a look at four REITs with yields of 4-9% that you could buy today.
1. InnVest Reit Trust Units
InnVest Reit Trust Units (TSX:INN.UN) is the largest owner of hotel real estate in Canada with full ownership of 107 hotels located across every province that have a total of 14,041 rooms, and it has partial ownership of two hotels that have a total of 1,938 rooms. It also owns a 50% interest in Choice Hotels Canada Inc., one of the country’s largest franchisors of hotels.
It pays a monthly distribution of $0.0333 per share, or $0.40 per share annually, which gives its stock a yield of about 5.8% at today’s levels. Investors must also note that the company has maintained its current annual distribution rate since 2012.
2. Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust
Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX:CUF.UN) is the third-largest diversified REIT in Canada with 537 properties located across Quebec, Ontario, the Atlantic Provinces, and western Canada that total approximately 44.8 million square feet. It’s also the largest commercial property owner in Quebec.
It pays a monthly distribution of $0.1225 per share, or $1.47 per share annually, which gives its stock a yield of about 8.5% at today’s levels. Investors must also note that the company has raised its annual distribution for two consecutive years, but this streak will come to an end if it does not raise its rate before the end of 2016.
3. Slate Retail REIT
Slate Retail REIT (TSX:SRT.UN) is one of the largest owners and operators of grocery-anchored retail properties in the United States with 66 properties located across 20 states that total over 7.7 million square feet.
It pays a monthly distribution of US$0.06489 per share, or US$0.77868 per share annually, which gives its stock a yield of about 7.3% at today’s levels. Investors must also note that the 3% distribution hike that the company announced in November 2015, which was effective for its December 2015 payment, has it on pace for 2016 to mark the third consecutive year in which it has raised its annual distribution.
4. Boardwalk REIT
Boardwalk REIT (TSX: BEI.UN) is one of Canada’s largest residential landlords with over 200 communities located across Alberta, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Ontario that have more than 33,000 units available for lease.
It pays a monthly distribution of $0.1875 per share, or $2.25 per share annually, which gives its stock a yield of about 4.1% at today’s levels. Investors must also note that the company’s 10.3% distribution hike in February has it on pace for 2016 to mark the fifth consecutive year in which it has raised its annual distribution.
