Whiterock REIT CEO's rich exit package raises eyebrows

Real estate executive Jason Underwood is in line for a huge bonus from the takeover of his company, Whiterock Real Estate Investment Trust, thanks to a provision in his employment contract that remained undisclosed to shareholders for two-and-a-half years.  From Print Edition, 10/02/12

Basket of REITs opens up world of property

Like the idea of being a landlord but don't relish the thought of evicting problem tenants or calling a plumber at 4 a.m.? With real estate investment trusts (REITs), you can get all the joys of property ownership without the hassles.  From Print Edition, 03/02/12

Hunger for yield fuels REIT funds' rise

swon@globeandmail.comWhat are we looking for?A sense of how real estate equity funds fared in 2011, given that stock markets struggled during the year. Some of the funds we examined invest mainly in Canadian real estate investment trusts (REITs), while others buy a mix of global real estate securities.  From Print Edition, 30/01/12

Another day, another REIT acquisition

The second Canadian real estate investment trust takeover in just two days proves the country's burning hot property market isn't confined to residential homes.Dundee REIT announced Tuesday it is buying Whiterock REIT for $582-million, in a move that solidifies Dundee's office-property presence in the Greater Toronto Area, particularly the downtown core. The acquisition follows Quebec-based Cominar REIT's friendly deal to acquire Canmarc REIT, boosting its portfolio by almost 50 per cent.  From Print Edition, 18/01/12

In search of top U.S. and Canadian REITs

jwhite@globeandmail.comWhat are we looking for?U.S. and Canadian real estate investment trusts (REITs) that could reward investors with both growth and dividends.With the unemployment rate in the U.S. slowly dropping and rental occupancy rates in that country at the highest levels in years, REITs have had a great run.  From Print Edition, 12/01/12

H&R REIT to buy Houston's Hess Tower

HandR Real Estate Investment Trust has signed a deal to buy the Hess Tower, an office building in downtown Houston, for $442.5-million (U.S.).The trust said Wednesday the 29-storey office building, which was completed in June, includes 844,763 square feet of office space and is fully leased to U.S. energy company Hess Corp.  From Print Edition, 15/12/11

Even in shaky times, real estate can offer a solid investment foundation

dberman@globeandmail.comRead David Berman's Market Blog at tgam.ca/marketblog Real estate is for optimists, if the recent gains among real estate investment trusts is any indication.  From Print Edition, 12/11/11

REITs back in the black, but growth will be tough

While real estate investment trust investors have something to look forward to as the companies they own look to return to positive earnings after a weak quarter, the companies themselves are facing uncertain futures as the economy struggles for growth.  From Print Edition, 07/11/11

MI Developments heeds call to convert to REIT

INVESTMENT REPORTERHedge funds got their way this week following a seven-year battle with the real estate spinoff of Magna International Inc. and its founder, the billionaire Frank Stronach.  From Print Edition, 27/10/11

What the FFO? How to gauge a REIT's profits

jheinzl@globeandmail.comEach time I see a column on real estate investment trusts I hope a mystery that has bedevilled me might be resolved, namely: How can a real estate investment trust pay out more in distributions than it makes in profit? - R.B.  From Print Edition, 07/10/11