Real Estate Investment Company
Same as term real estate investment trust (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
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Lender (such as a bank) that has the property of the borrower as collateral (security, lien). If the mortgage is not paid, the property may be sold to make payment on the outstanding ...
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Regional area from which a particular product or service can expect its greatest demand. For example, a retail department store expects to attract shoppers from a market area having a ...
(1) An arrangement to buy real estate at a specified price and conditions. The failure to honor the commitment may result in damages. (2) Bank commitment to lend money in connection with ...
Contract to act on the behalf of a principal in selling real estate. The principal agrees to pay a commission to the broker when a buyer is produced who is ready, willing, and able to meet ...
Metropolitan locality such as a city. It is heavily populated with many residents and businesses. An example is New York City. ...
The act or process of decreasing in size. The total amount of decrease. ...
Monies set aside in the event unexpected repairs are needed to a building or apartment. It may be in the form of an escrow account in which the seller of the property puts funds away if ...
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