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
See buy-back. ...
An estate constrained from some heirs and dedicated to others on the basis of a certain condition. ...
Term used in the real estate industry describing the price requested by a property owner vs. the price a buyer is willing to pay. Bid is the highest price a purchaser is willing to pay ...
Timber in an original form, such as a pole. ...
Person or business that provides an option to someone else. ...
See building permit. ...
Payment made instead of taxes, For example, a tax-exempt institution, such as a state government complex of buildings, may make an offsetting in lieu of tax contributory payment to the ...
Architectural style featuring a long low roof line with a continuous row of windows and a plain exterior. It is very open design with long horizontal lines rather than having small secluded ...
If you live anywhere else besides Houston, TX, in the US, you probably heard of zoning ordinances. The reason for that is the city of Houston Texas is the only city that doesn’t use ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.