Equity Trusts
Definition of "Equity trusts"
Same as term REIT: Type of investment company that invests money in mortgages and various types of investment in real estate, in order to earn profits for shareholders. Shareholders receive income from the rents received from the properties and receive capital gains as properties are sold at a profit. REITs have been formed by a number of large financial institutions such as banks and insurance companies. The stocks of many of them are traded on security exchanges, thereby providing investors with a marketable interest in real estate investment portfolio. By law, REITs have to distribute 95 percent of their income to shareholders, and in turn they are exempt from corporate taxes on income or gains. In exchange for this special tax treatment, REITs are subject to numerous qualifications and limitations including:
- Qualified asset and income tests. REITs are required to have at least 75% of their value represented by qualified real estate assets and to earn at least 75% of their income from real estate investments.
- Shareholder qualifications. Generally, REITs are not permitted to be closely held and must have a minimum of 100 shareholders.
Popular Real Estate Terms
A lessening in the inflation rate. This may occur during a recession when insufficient demand prevents sellers from passing on higher prices to prospective buyers of houses. See also ...
Something coming before. Examples are the year before, first lien on property, and previous owner of property. ...
One who has committed a tort. A tort is a civil wrong that occurs as a result of a breach of legal duty owed to someone, e.g., negligence. A tort does not arise from a breach of contract. ...
Local group of real estate brokers who are members of the State and National Board of REALTORS®. Meets regularly with their membership and helps determine licensing requirements as well as ...
Doing business as, or DBA, means an official moniker for your enterprise or company. Regularly, a DBA is a state certificate serving as a registration name and issued under a ...
Passing of title to property that is in fact not valid. ...
Under current tax law, real estate is depreciated under either the straight-line method or modified accelerated cost recovery system (MACRS) method. See also MACRS. ...
A lien that makes property security for the repayment of debt. Mortgages can finance the acquisition of real estate such as a home. A mortgage has certain benefits compared to other debt ...
Early American style 1 story house with a steep gable roof covered with shingles. The bedrooms are on the first floor, but the attic is often finished and made into additional bedrooms. ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.