8 top residential REIT stocks to buy in 2024

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 picks to buy in 2024

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.

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.

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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 of 2024.
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.

Take a deeper dive into residential REIT stocks

If you're interested in investing in the residential real estate industry, take a closer look at what companies in this industry do and how the stocks have historically performed. Keep in mind that positive past performance doesn't guarantee that a stock will continue to rise in the future.

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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 305 properties consisting of 80,683 apartment units, with an established presence in Boston, New York, Washington, D. C.

Equity Residential stock opened the day at $65.70 after a previous close of $65.14. The latest price was $65.30 (25-minute delay). Equity Residential is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD2.9 billion and employs 2,400 staff.

• Market capitalization: $24,483,313,664
• P/E ratio: 27.6111
• PEG ratio: 6.354

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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 252 apartment communities comprising approximately 62,000 apartment homes with an additional property in active development. . . . .

Essex Property Trust stock opened the day at $249.21 after a previous close of $246.92. The latest price was $248.02 (25-minute delay). Essex Property Trust is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$1.7 billion and employs 1,747 staff.

• Market capitalization: $16,411,612,160
• P/E ratio: 39.0696
• PEG ratio: 7.7579

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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 December 31, 2023, MAA had ownership interest in 102,662 apartment units, including communities currently in development, across 16 states and the District of Columbia. . . . . .

Mid-America Apartment Communities stock opened the day at $130.06 after a previous close of $129.23. The latest price was $131.13 (25-minute delay). Mid-America Apartment Communities is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$2.1 billion and employs 2,427 staff.

• Market capitalization: $15,282,353,152
• P/E ratio: 27.1255
• PEG ratio: 10.19

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4. AvalonBay Communities (AVB)

As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 299 apartment communities containing 90,669 apartment homes in 12 states and the District of Columbia, of which 18 communities were under development. The Company is an equity REIT in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing 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. . . . . .

AvalonBay Communities stock opened the day at $193.03 after a previous close of $191.45. The latest price was $191.02 (25-minute delay). AvalonBay Communities is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$2.8 billion and employs 2,978 staff.

• Market capitalization: $27,205,486,592
• P/E ratio: 29.1677
• PEG ratio: 5.0344

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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. . . . . .

Invitation Homes stock opened the day at $35.05 after a previous close of $34.72. The latest price was $34.58 (25-minute delay). Invitation Homes is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$2.4 billion and employs 1,555 staff.

• Market capitalization: $20,812,238,848
• P/E ratio: 39.9765
• PEG ratio: 19.4306

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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.

American Homes 4 Rent stock opened the day at $36.69 after a previous close of $36.41. The latest price was $36.11 (25-minute delay). American Homes 4 Rent is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$1.6 billion and employs 1,725 staff.

• Market capitalization: $15,208,420,352
• P/E ratio: 36.0495
• PEG ratio: 29.82

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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.

American Campus Communities is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$1 billion and employs 3,006 staff.

• Market capitalization: $18,128,078,848
• P/E ratio: 130.84
• PEG ratio: 3.27

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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 58,634 apartment homes across the United States. Upon completion of 4 properties currently under development, the Company's portfolio will increase to 59,800 apartment homes in 176 properties.

Camden Property Trust stock opened the day at $100.43 after a previous close of $99.62. The latest price was $100.28 (25-minute delay). Camden Property Trust is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$1.5 billion and employs 1,640 staff.

• Market capitalization: $10,555,183,104
• P/E ratio: 26.7189
• PEG ratio: 8.96

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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. And if you’re new to investing, or if it’s been awhile since you’ve taken a critical look at your investing accounts, compare brokers to make sure you’re getting the best features in your trading account.

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