Expert: Paul Henneman - 6/11/2010

Question
Who controls reit ?? stock owners ???
Reit is the same govern like regular company ?

Answer
Jack,
   Thank you for your question! A REIT is a Real Estate Investment Trust.  It works much like a holding company, specializing in real estate. There are different ways to invest in real estate, and therefore different types of REITs. Some invest in real estate directly, some invest in real estate loans (mortgages) rather than hold real estate directly.
   It is basically a holding company, so there would be a management team. If the REIT is publicly traded, then the share holders would elect the board of directors, who then elect the corporate officers. So yes, a REIT would essentially be governed like a regular company.

Here is a link that you might find helpful that briefly defines the different types of REITs:
http://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/reit.asp

Here is another:
http://www.investorwords.com/4158/REIT.html

I hope that this is helpful! Please do not hesitate to follow up with me if I can be of any additional help.

Sincerely,
Paul Henneman
President
ValuEngine Inc
www.ValuEngine.com