When is it a good time to invest in REIT's?

[DeansLane]

Hello Everyone..

I think it might depend on the particular type of REIT.
But as the real estate market is declining or getting better?
Which are the better ones?

I also know that there are various sub segments of the REIT industry...But I am not sure about them..

Anyone can please help?

[disneysteve]

There is a good article on REITs in this month's issue of MONEY magazine. They talk about the different types and which ones are doing okay and which aren't.

[dczech09]

I put some of my Roth IRA money into a REIT this past year. Only $1,000 and I lost a little bit on it (like 2%). But I think that the real estate exposure should do me good when the market turns around.

Ultimately, the REITs I would avoid are the same as the mutual funds I would avoid. I would avoid high leverage, high turnover, high speculation, and high fees. I also would not recommend a large portion of your money in REITs. Maybe do something small like $1,000 to start and test the waters.

Real estate will eventually come up again; just a matter of time.

[Slug]

I don't think now is the right time to be trading in REIT's which is what the OP seems to be implying by looking for entry points. If you want to own REIT's, do some research, find some you like, and dollar cost average into them. Or, just buy a REIT ETF.