Apartment REITs Get Crushed Pushing Up Yields

Declining rents due to an increased supply of rental properties have helped to send apartment real estate investment trusts (REITs) to the downside. Here are eight apartment REITs, each with thousands of rental units, that are down significantly from their 2007 peaks.

Falling share prices have pushed up distribution yields to attractive levels. But these stocks could decline more, so be patient before you buy any of them. When this group stabilizes and begins to turn to the upside, they will be a great buy - rarely do you receive the gift of high yields and strong capital gains potential in a relatively safe investment.

Apartment REITs Declines (More Than 25 Percent)
Company & Web Site	Locations	Quote	Dividend Yield	Close 1/18/2008	All-Time High (2007)	Decline from High
Apartment Investment & Management	40 states, DC. & Puerto Rico	AIV	7.20%	$33.44	$57.7	42.04%
Avalonbay Communities	9 States & DC.	AVB	4.00%	$83.18	$144.12	42.28%
BRE Properties	AZ, CA, CO & WA	BRE	5.80%	$37.17	$68.98	46.11%
Camden Property Trust	13 States	CPT	6.30%	$43.30	$75.69	42.79%
Equity Residential	24 States & DC	EQR	5.80%	$32.72	$53.92	39.32%
Essex Property Trust	CA & WA	ESS	4.10%	$90.33	$141.73	36.27%
Home Properties	11 states & DC	HME	6.00%	$43.70	$61.57	29.02%
UDR	CA,FL, DC, TX & others	UDR	6.50%	$20.27	$32.19	37.03%
Note: Data from www.finance.yahoo.com as of January 20, 2008.

Related Articles:

Bubbles Galore - Hang On to Your Pocketbook
Comprehensive List of Multifamily REITs
Multifamily REITs Offer High Dividend Yields
Ugly Downsides - Avoid the Price Downside

Posted January 21, 2008.

Apartment REITs Get Crushed Pushing Up Yields

Apartment REITs Get Crushed Pushing Up Yields