2 REITs to Buy to Collect Easy Rent Money

REITs can be a significantly more hands-off and often very profitable alternative to becoming a landlord for a passive-income source.

| More on:

The allure of owning real estate, a piece of land to call your own, has been practically ingrained in our DNA. But as an investor, you should never let the instinct and an inherent love for real estate cloud your judgment, even if you do have enough capital to buy a property outright.

For most investors, buying a rental property directly is not an option. Most investors pay off part of the property and use the rental income (and some of their capital) every month to pay off the mortgage. In these deals, the properties don’t offer positive cash flow for several years (usually over a decade). And it makes sense if real estate (and the capital-appreciation potential it offers) is your primary goal.

But if you wish to invest in real estate for passive/rental income, REITs can offer you a great way to start earning immediately. They also don’t pose as significant a cost barrier to investing as actual real estate does.

And for easy rent money, there are two REITs that you should consider.

An automotive properties REIT

Automotive Properties REIT (TSX:APR.UN) signifies another benefit of earning rental income through REITs instead of an apartment or a commercial property. And it’s that it allows you to invest in asset classes you may not have exposure to otherwise. This REIT gives you the option to invest in some of the most strategically positioned car dealerships in the country.

It also benefits from its partnership with 32 global automotive brands and a comprehensive mixture of regular and luxury vehicles. From a rental income/dividend income perspective, the most important feature of the REIT for you would most likely be the juicy 6.2% yield. If you can invest about $100,000 in the company, you can get a monthly rental income of $516.

A commercial REIT

Another commercial REIT you might consider for generous and relatively reliable payouts is True North Commercial (TSX:TNT.UN). It has a diverse portfolio of 45 properties spread out over five provinces (though mostly concentrated in Ontario). The REIT also focuses on its tenant profile, and for most of its properties, the lead tenants at least are reliable names that are unlikely to default on their rents.

The REIT’s ability to sustain its dividends was tested in 2020, and the payout ratios saw a significant rise from 2019, and the REIT came through. It maintained its dividends and is still sticking to the $0.0495 per share payout. And since the stock has yet to reach its pre-pandemic valuation, this translates to a mouthwatering yield of 8%. At $100,000, this promises you a monthly rental income of about $666.

Foolish takeaway

REITs have a dominant place among dividend stocks, thanks to their high dividends. But these two REITs offer more than just that. They offer healthy dividend sustainability potential as well as exposure to specialty asset classes (at least Automotive Properties does). And thanks to their generous yields, they also offer an enviable dividend income.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Adam Othman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends AUTOMOTIVE PROPERTIES REIT.

More on Dividend Stocks

Canadian flag
Dividend Stocks

1 Magnificent Canadian Dividend Stock Down 8% to Hold for Decades

Do you want some dividends with those returns? Then buy this stock while it's down.

Read more »

calculate and analyze stock
Dividend Stocks

2 Stocks That Cut You a Cheque Each Month

These two top Canadian monthly dividend stocks could help you generate reliable passive income for years to come.

Read more »

engineer at wind farm
Dividend Stocks

Fortis Stock: Buy, Sell, or Hold in 2025?

With Fortis now trading just off its 52-week high, is it still one of the best Canadian stocks to buy…

Read more »

RRSP Canadian Registered Retirement Savings Plan concept
Dividend Stocks

The 3 Best Canadian Stocks to Buy Now and Hold Forever in an RRSP

There's a lot to consider when eyeing up some long-term holds in an RRSP, so let's get into it.

Read more »

Canadian dollars are printed
Dividend Stocks

1 Superior Canadian Dividend Stock Down 7% to Buy in Bulk

Just because stocks are down doesn't mean you should ignore them. This one, you should buy up in bulk.

Read more »

Technology
Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: 3 Dividend Stocks for Worry-Free Passive Income

These three stocks all offer attractive and consistently growing dividends, making them ideal passive-income generators for your TFSA.

Read more »

rail train
Dividend Stocks

Outlook for Canadian National Railway Stock in 2025

Other than a safe dividend yield of 2.4%, the blue-chip stock also offers solid long-term returns potential at current levels.

Read more »

doctor uses telehealth
Dividend Stocks

This 7% Dividend Stock Pays Cash Every Month

Looking for passive income during this trying time? Consider this dividend stock for ultimate income.

Read more »