Whether you’re considering investing in a nontraded REIT (or other ‘alternative’ investment) or your financial advisor has recommended one to you, there are some key things to know about what makes these REITs a little different from others.

It’s important to note that operationally, nontraded REITs have a lot in common with publicly traded REITs.

There are a number of reasons to invest in REITs. The following are some of the main characteristics that have attracted investors to REITs through the years. Tax Treatment A REIT is a company formed to use investors’ pooled funds to invest them in properties. In the process, they can qualify for certain tax advantages in the…

Business Development Company (BDC) History A business development company (BDC) is an SEC-registered investment company that invests in primarily private U.S.-based businesses. This form of company was created by Congress in 1980 as amendments to the Investment Company Act of 1940. BDCs are typically taxed as regulated investment companies (RICs). Similar to REITs, BDCs are required…

REITs can vary by two main factors: 1. What they invest in, and 2. How they're organizationally structured Let’s look at these two factors and discuss the potential advantages of each. What they invest in REITs can invest either in properties/hard assets or they can invest in lending/debt. The first kind is known as an…

The term REIT is short for Real Estate Investment Trust—it’s pronounced “REET.” As an investor, you may have seen REITs offered as an option within your 401(k), or sometimes, financial advisors recommend REITs to their clients. A REIT is very similar to a mutual fund. While a mutual fund may invest in a variety of…