Residential REIT stocks

The best residential REIT stocks depend on your portfolio and investment goals—while volatility can be ideal for day traders, long-term investors will want to look to stocks with steadier gains over time.

8 popular residential REIT stocks to watch

We round up a selection of stocks in or related to the residential real estate industry, weighting the list more heavily towards popular mid- and large-cap stocks.

1. Equity Residential (EQR)
2. Essex Property Trust (ESS)
3. Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA)
4. AvalonBay Communities (AVB)
5. Invitation Homes (INVH)
6. American Homes 4 Rent (AMH)
7. American Campus Communities (ACC)
8. Camden Property Trust (CPT)

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The residential REIT stocks industry is affected by a range of complex factors such as trade policies, regulations, and fluctuating supply and demand. So when considering residential REIT stocks to buy, it's important that you have access to vital information about a company's financial health, leadership team, and market positioning.

Our picks for platforms with research tools

How to invest in residential REIT stocks

1. Choose an online stock trading platform. Choose from our Top Picks above, use our comparison table below or jump straight to the best stock trading apps in Canada.
2. Sign up for an account. Provide your personal information and sign up.
3. Set up a funding method to pay for the transaction. Deposit funds into your account by linking your banking information.
4. Choose the stocks you want to buy. Search for the stock by name or ticker symbol like EQR or ESS.
5. Place your order. Buy the stock. It's that simple.

Learn more about popular residential REIT stocks

We round up a selection of stocks in or related to the residential real estate industry, weighting the list more heavily towards popular mid- and large-cap US stocks.

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1. Equity Residential (EQR)

Equity Residential is committed to creating communities where people thrive. The Company, a member of the S&P 500, is focused on the acquisition, development and management of residential properties located in and around dynamic cities that attract affluent long-term renters. Equity Residential owns or has investments in 311 properties consisting of 84,249 apartment units, with an established presence in Boston, New York, Washington, D.

• Previous close price: $69.68
• Market capitalization: $27,648,083,968
• 1 year performance: 5.72%
• P/E ratio: 27.0575

Buy EQR stock on Interactive Brokers

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2. Essex Property Trust (ESS)

Essex Property Trust, Inc. , an S&P 500 company, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust ("REIT") that acquires, develops, redevelops, and manages multifamily residential properties in selected West Coast markets. Essex currently has ownership interests in 256 apartment communities comprising over 62,000 apartment homes with an additional property in active development.

• Previous close price: $281.65
• Market capitalization: $19,226,025,984
• 1 year performance: 12.52%
• P/E ratio: 24.0529

Buy ESS stock on Interactive Brokers

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3. Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA)

MAA, an S&P 500 company, is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on delivering full-cycle and superior investment performance for shareholders through the ownership, management, acquisition, development and redevelopment of quality apartment communities primarily in the Southeast, Southwest and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. As of September 30, 2024, MAA had ownership interest in 104,469 apartment units, including communities currently in development, across 16 states and the District of Columbia. .

• Previous close price: $161.66
• Market capitalization: $18,895,020,032
• 1 year performance: 21.55%
• P/E ratio: 35.0757

Buy MAA stock on Interactive Brokers

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4. AvalonBay Communities (AVB)

AvalonBay Communities, Inc. , a member of the S&P 500, is an equity REIT that develops, redevelops, acquires and manages apartment communities in leading metropolitan areas in New England, the New York/New Jersey Metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and Northern and Southern California, as well as in the Company's expansion regions of Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina, Southeast Florida, Dallas and Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colorado. As of December 31, 2024, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 306 apartment communities containing 93,518 apartment homes in 12 states and the District of Columbia, of which 17 communities were under development.

• Previous close price: $204.46
• Market capitalization: $30,210,699,264
• 1 year performance: 6.04%
• P/E ratio: 26.393

Buy AVB stock on Interactive Brokers

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5. Invitation Homes (INVH)

Invitation Homes, an S&P 500 company, is the nation's premier single-family home leasing and management company, meeting changing lifestyle demands by providing access to high-quality, updated homes with valued features such as close proximity to jobs and access to good schools. The Company's mission, "Together with you, we make a house a home," reflects its commitment to providing homes where individuals and families can thrive and high-touch service that continuously enhances residents' living experiences. .

• Previous close price: $34.57
• Market capitalization: $21,741,301,760
• 1 year performance: 0.52%
• P/E ratio: 45.4744

Buy INVH stock on Interactive Brokers

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6. American Homes 4 Rent (AMH)

AMH (NYSE: AMH) is a leading large-scale integrated owner, operator and developer of single-family rental homes. We're an internally managed Maryland real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on acquiring, developing, renovating, leasing and managing homes as rental properties. Our goal is to simplify the experience of leasing a home and deliver peace of mind to households across the country.

• Previous close price: $38.36
• Market capitalization: $16,570,619,904
• 1 year performance: 7.27%
• P/E ratio: 36.3981

Buy AMH stock on Interactive Brokers

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7. American Campus Communities (ACC)

American Campus Communities, Inc. is the largest owner, manager and developer of high-quality student housing communities in the United States. The company is a fully integrated, self-managed and self-administered equity real estate investment trust (REIT) with expertise in the design, finance, development, construction management and operational management of student housing properties.

• Previous close price: $0.00
• Market capitalization: $18,128,078,848
• 1 year performance: N/A
• P/E ratio: 130.84

Buy ACC stock on Interactive Brokers

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8. Camden Property Trust (CPT)

Camden Property Trust, an S&P 500 Company, is a real estate company primarily engaged in the ownership, management, development, redevelopment, acquisition, and construction of multifamily apartment communities. Camden owns and operates 172 properties containing 58,250 apartment homes across the United States. Upon completion of 5 properties currently under development, the Company's portfolio will increase to 59,996 apartment homes in 177 properties.

• Previous close price: $118.99
• Market capitalization: $13,133,129,728
• 1 year performance: 18.66%
• P/E ratio: 110.8899

Buy CPT stock on Interactive Brokers

Buy residential REIT stocks from these online trading platforms

Compare special offers, low fees and a wide range of investment options among top trading platforms.

Note: The dollar amounts in the table below are in Canadian dollars.

Finder Score for stock trading platforms

To make comparing even easier we came up with the Finder Score. Trading costs, account fees and features across 10+ stock trading platforms and apps are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the platform - simple.

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Related: Compare the best stock trading platforms in Canada

Bottom line

While it's possible to turn a profit investing in residential REIT stocks, keep in mind that—like any investment—residential REIT stocks are not immune to risk. These stocks are subject to fluctuating conditions both in the market and in the residential real estate industry, so carefully vet your picks before you invest. If you're new to investing or if it's been a while since you've taken a critical look at your investment accounts, compare brokers to make sure you're getting the best trading features for your needs.

Related: How to buy stocks in Canada

Disclaimer: This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of futures, stocks, ETFs, options or any specific provider, service or offering. It should not be relied upon as investment advice or construed as providing recommendations of any kind. Futures, stocks, ETFs and options trading involves substantial risk of loss and therefore are not appropriate for all investors. Trading forex on leverage comes with a higher risk of losing money rapidly. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before making any trades.