A Brief History Lesson On REIT

Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower is revered by countless Americans, listing him among the best Commanders-in-Chief that the U.S. has ever had. During his time in office from 1953 to 1961, there were plenty enduring programs and innovations that the country still benefits from up to today. Some examples were the Interstate Highway System, the establishment of NASA, the Civil Rights Act of 1957, and the Atomic Energy Act, among others.

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His presidency was also known for widespread economic prosperity throughout his two terms, save for a minor recession that hit the nation in 1958. One of the economy-related legislations that gave investors additional opportunity to build wealth was the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Act in 1960, which was contained in the Cigar Excise Tax Extension.
REIT merged real estate and stock-based investment, giving small investors an avenue to access an investment instrument that had previously been available only to large institutions or high-net-worth individuals.
The act also aimed to encourage REITs through a unique tax status – companies that meet strict, specific criteria as REITs are exempted from contributing income tax on qualifying income.
More than five decades after the REIT Act was passed, REIT.com reports that “the industry has grown to a $1 trillion equity market capitalization and nearly $2 trillion in real estate assets.” That number is from the U.S. alone. Investors around the world are embracing the investment instrument because of the many advantages it brings.

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Bharti Jogia-Sattar is a financial expert who started her career with a real estate institution. For similar articles, subscribe to this website.

The Proper(Ty) Choice: Why Add Real Estate To Your Portfolio

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Any financial advisor would tell you that real estate is integral to any investment portfolio. Despite threats of recession, real estate tends to increase in value, offers a steady cash flow from rentals, and presents investors with tax incentives. As buyers get to pay loans in full, buyers can focus on appreciating the property’s value with the simplest improvement or renovation.

It is also worth noting that this asset type has little correlation with the stock market. As time passes, real estate investments can reduce risk and increase returns in one’s overall investment portfolio. One sound advice is to divide a chunk (capping at 20%) of your risk assets to real estate investment trusts or REITs, both local and foreign.

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REITs often come in index funds and exchange-traded funds or ETFs, and these are the sound choices for new players in the industry. REITs can come in the form of various properties like retail stores, storage units, apartments, offices, hotel rooms, and even hospitals, therefore providing a better range of investment options for your capital.

Real estate assets in the form of REITs are highly recommended as shares of these trusts are easier to sell than any physical property. It thus allows for more liquidity for owners. Unless buyers are looking to quickly and directly own real estate, REITs should be the better option for the present.

Bharti Jogia-Sattar is a financial executive in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area with a broad expertise in financial and corporate management. To know about her work, visit this website.

Project Management: Dealing with the Triple Constraint

All project management deals with the famous “Triple Constraint,” which is also referred to by other terms, such as the “Project Management Triangle,” or the “Iron Triangle.” These three are the forces that govern every organizational project and which project management aims to control:

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•  Time: This constraint refers to the actual time when the deliverables, tasks, and the end result of the project need to be accomplished. Every project should have a deadline to maximize resources and achieve goals. Among the constraints, time is the only non-recoverable commodity.

• Cost: Every project entails finite financial resources to complete. Project management provides an estimation of various cost streams involved in the project to make sure that sufficient funding is allotted for every aspect of the project.
• Scope: The scope defines the quality of the project and how the tasks should be delivered. It should be identified upfront to increase the likelihood of project success and to manage everyone’s expectations.

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Every project manager must be knowledgeable of these constraints and how they relate with one another. For example, improving the quality of a deliverable can result in an increase in cost and adjustment of schedule. The discipline of project management enables the project manager and his team to work around these constraints and meet all organizational requirements.

Bharti Jogia-Sattar is an independent consultant who has helped various firms through her hands-on brand of leadership. Project management is just one of the wide range of skills she has developed throughout her professional career. Follow this Facebook page for similar articles.