8 residential reit stocks to watch

Considering investing in residential reit stocks? While the best residential reit stocks depend on your portfolio and investment goals, we've identified some residential reit stocks that are worth keeping an eye on in the residential real estate sector. Keep reading to learn more about residential reit stocks and how to start investing.

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.

Best stock	1-year return	Market cap	Exchange	Volume	Buy on Questrade
Equity Residential (EQR.US)	4.75% Equity Residential's 1-year return based on the closing price as of September 19, 2025.	$24.6 billion (USD)	NYSE	6,201,087	Buy now
Essex Property Trust (ESS.US)	0.93% Essex Property Trust's 1-year return based on the closing price as of September 19, 2025.	$18.6 billion (USD)	NYSE	790,000	Buy now
Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA.US)	-15.57% Mid-America Apartment Communities's 1-year return based on the closing price as of September 19, 2025.	$14.4 billion (USD)	NYSE	2,633,600	Buy now
AvalonBay Communities (AVB.US)	-65.85% AvalonBay Communities's 1-year return based on the closing price as of September 19, 2025.	$26.3 billion (USD)	NYSE	(data unavailable)	Buy now
Invitation Homes (INVH.US)	-9.21% Invitation Homes's 1-year return based on the closing price as of September 19, 2025.	$16.1 billion (USD)	NYSE	12,782,000	Buy now
American Homes 4 Rent (AMH.US)	-6.43% American Homes 4 Rent's 1-year return based on the closing price as of September 19, 2025.	$12.8 billion (USD)	NYSE	3,132,100	Buy now
American Campus Communities (ACC.US)	(data unavailable)	$18.1 billion (USD)	NYSE	(data unavailable)	Buy now
Camden Property Trust (CPT.US)	-8.18% Camden Property Trust's 1-year return based on the closing price as of September 19, 2025.	$10.2 billion (USD)	NYSE	2,100,300	Buy now

The values in this table are accurate as of the market close on August 23, 2026, or the most recent data available. Volume refers to the number of shares traded during the day.

What to look for when investing in residential reit stock

The residential real estate 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.

Also keep in mind that, while volatility can be ideal for day traders, long-term investors will want to look for stocks to offer steadier gains over time.

How to invest in residential reit stock

1. Research the residential real estate industry. Before investing, learn about the residential reit stock sector, its trends and the companies within it. Look at each company's financial health, potential for growth and past performance to identify stocks that fit your investment goals.
2. Choose a stock trading platform. Compare trading fees, access to trading tools and user interface options. We've identified reliable trading platforms to help narrow down your options below or check out the best stock trading apps in Canada to find one that suits your needs.
3. Open and fund your account. Sign up with your personal details and link a bank account or funding method to deposit money before you start trading.
4. Select the residential reit stock(s) to buy. Search by company name or ticker symbol, like EQR or ESS. Compare key metrics such as market cap, price history and earnings per share to pick the best stock for your strategy.
5. Buy the stock and monitor performance. Place your order to buy the stock and track its performance over time. Consider setting alerts, signing up for industry newsletters or using platform research tools to stay up to date on market changes.

Our top picks for where to buy residential reit stocks

Are residential reit stocks a good investment?

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.

What are the best residential reit stocks?

A lot of factors go into picking the best residential reit stocks. Stock performance can be impacted by factors like market conditions, company decisions and global events. Plus, what may be a strong residential reit stock investment for one person might not be suitable for another.

That said, we rounded up this list of popular residential reit stocks in or related to the residential real estate industry to help narrow down your options:

• Equity Residential (EQR)
• Essex Property Trust (ESS)
• Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA)
• AvalonBay Communities (AVB)
• Invitation Homes (INVH)
• American Homes 4 Rent (AMH)
• American Campus Communities (ACC)
• Camden Property Trust (CPT)

Keep in mind that this is not a "best" list or a recommendation. It highlights some residential reit stocks for informational purposes only and does not indicate past or future performance or investment advice. We do not guarantee any investment performance.

We've outlined detailed company and stock performance details for each residential reit stock below. Keep reading to decide if any of these companies are the right investment for you.

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Equity Residential (EQR)

Equity Residential is committed to creating communities where people thrive. The Company, a member of the S&P 500, owns and manages 312 rental properties consisting of 85,520 apartment units in dynamic metro areas across the U.S. with a primary concentration in major coastal markets, diversified by a targeted presence in the high-growth metro areas of Atlanta, Austin, Dallas/Ft.

Worth and Denver.

Closing stock price	$68.14
Market Capitalization The total market value of Equity Residential's outstanding shares	$24.6 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$2 billion
Profit margin	27.97%
Revenue (TTM)	$3.1 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	$2.22
52-week stock price range	$56.30 – $71.50

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on August 23, 2026.

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Essex Property Trust (ESS)

Essex Property Trust, Inc., an S&P 500 company, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust. The firm acquires, develops, redevelops, and manages multifamily residential properties in selected West Coast markets.

Essex currently has ownership interests in 258 apartment communities comprising over 62,000 apartment homes with an additional property in active development.

Closing stock price	$270.05
Market Capitalization The total market value of Essex Property Trust's outstanding shares	$18.6 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$1.4 billion
Profit margin	20.89%
Revenue (TTM)	$2 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	$6.40
52-week stock price range	$233.85 – $303.35

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on September 17, 2026.

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Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA)

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. 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 June 30, 2026, MAA had ownership interest in 104,698 apartment units, including communities in development, across 16 states and the District of Columbia.

id-America Apartment Communities, Inc. was incorporated in 1977 in Tennessee and is based in Germantown, Tennessee.

Closing stock price	$118.93
Market Capitalization The total market value of Mid-America Apartment Communities's outstanding shares	$14.4 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$1.3 billion
Profit margin	18.17%
Revenue (TTM)	$2.2 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	$3.40
52-week stock price range	$117.48 – $142.76

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on September 17, 2026.

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AvalonBay Communities (AVB)

AvalonBay Communities, Inc., a member of S&P 500, is an equity REIT. The firm develops, redevelops, acquires and manages apartment communities in leading metropolitan areas in Boston, Massachusetts, the New York/New Jersey Metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, Seattle, Washington, 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 June 30, 2026, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 322 apartment communities containing 99,072 apartment homes in 11 states and the District of Columbia, of which 27 communities were under development and one community was under redevelopment.

Closing stock price	$65.90
Market Capitalization The total market value of AvalonBay Communities's outstanding shares	$26.3 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$1.9 billion
Profit margin	33.32%
Revenue (TTM)	$3.1 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	$7.29
52-week stock price range	$56.25 – $71.12

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on August 20, 2026.

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Invitation Homes (INVH)

Invitation Homes Inc., an S&P 500 company, is the nation's premier single-family home leasing and management company, helping to expand housing through new development and strategic partnerships. Their purpose, Unlock the Power of Home, reflects their commitment to address America's housing needs by delivering high-quality living solutions and genuine care to those who choose the flexibility and value of leasing.

Invitation Homes Inc. was incorporated in 6th June 2012 and is based in Dallas, United States.

Closing stock price	$26.91
Market Capitalization The total market value of Invitation Homes's outstanding shares	$16.1 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$1.6 billion
Profit margin	23.20%
Revenue (TTM)	$2.8 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	$1.07
52-week stock price range	$23.72 – $30.89

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on September 17, 2026.

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American Homes 4 Rent (AMH)

American Homes 4 Rent 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 developing, renovating, leasing and managing homes as rental properties.

As of June 30, 2026, we owned over 61,000 single-family properties in the Southeast, Midwest, Southwest and Mountain West regions of the United States.

Closing stock price	$31.28
Market Capitalization The total market value of American Homes 4 Rent's outstanding shares	$12.8 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$1.1 billion
Profit margin	25.53%
Revenue (TTM)	$1.9 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	$1.26
52-week stock price range	$26.67 – $34.70

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on September 16, 2026.

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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.

As of September 30, 2020, American Campus Communities owned 166 student housing properties containing approximately 111,900 beds.

Market Capitalization The total market value of American Campus Communities's outstanding shares	$18.1 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$498 million
Profit margin	7.14%
Revenue (TTM)	$1 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	$0.50

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on .

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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 173 properties containing 58,811 apartment homes across the United States.

Upon completion of 3 properties currently under development, the Company's portfolio will increase to 59,973 apartment homes in 176 properties.

Closing stock price	$99.12
Market Capitalization The total market value of Camden Property Trust's outstanding shares	$10.2 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$974.7 million
Profit margin	20.62%
Revenue (TTM)	$1.6 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	$2.99
52-week stock price range	$94.30 – $119.81

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on September 17, 2026.

Compare trading platforms to buy residential REIT stock

Compare special offers, low fees and a wide range of investment options among popular trading platforms in Canada. Note that the dollar amounts in the table below are in CAD.

Related: Compare the best stock trading platforms in Canada

Bottom line

If you're considering adding residential reit stocks to your portfolio, make sure you thoroughly look into any companies before investing to help mitigate risk. We've compiled a list of residential reit stocks to help narrow down your options. Then choose a legitimate stock trading platform to start investing. After that it comes down to monitoring the residential real estate industry to know when to buy, sell or hold. How to buy stocks in Canada

Frequently asked questions about residential reit stocks

• What are residential reit stocks?

  Residential reit stocks are shares of companies that either directly work in the residential reit sector or operate within related industries. Investors interested in buying residential reit stocks may be looking to take advantage of market trends or lock in investments for the long haul.

• What is the top residential reit stock to buy in 2026?

  Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to choose a single "top" residential reit stock to invest in due to factors like market fluctuations, company management and shifting economic trends. These can all change—sometimes overnight—how a stock performs. It's best to do your own research to decide which companies fit within your risk tolerance. Reviewing a company's financial reports and past stock performance can help you decide if it's worth investing in.

• Where can I find information and regular updates about the residential real estate industry?

  You can keep track of the latest residential real estate news and updates by signing up for financial newsletters, visiting financial news sites, reading company investor relations pages and using market research platforms. Many online brokerages also offer sector reports, stock screeners and alerts to help you track movements in your stock performance or updates in or related to the residential real estate industry.

Check these other commodities and investment sectors

If you're thinking about diversifying your portfolio and investing in sectors beyond residential reit stocks, here are some others you can consider:

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