Like other public companies, the corporate officers and professionals that manage REITs are accountable to both their boards of directors as well as their shareholders and creditors. Many REITs became public companies within the past 10 years, often transforming to public ownership what previously had been private enterprises.

There are about 190 REITs registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States that trade on one of the major stock exchanges -- the majority on the New York Stock Exchange. Total assets of these listed REITs exceed $400 billion. About 20 REITs are registered with the SEC but are not publicly traded. Approximately 800 REITs are not registered with the SEC and are not traded on a stock exchange

The most effective thing an Endo patient can do is to find a specialist who treats the disease, such as an experienced gynecologist with a history of treating Endo patients, or if infertility is a concern, a reproductive endocrinologist. Form a partnership with this professional, in which you make informed decisions regarding your treatment plan together. Endo is a serious disease which requires serious treatment.

Similar questions are "How many REITs are too many?" and "What's the minimum # of REITs I can own and still have adequate diversification?". These are highly subjective questions, and there are no "right" answers for everyone. However, as a general rule, you may own too many REITs if you have more REITs than you have time available to follow them.

Congress created REITs in 1960 to make investments in large-scale, income-producing real estate accessible to smaller investors. Congress decided that a way for average investors to invest in large scale commercial properties was the same way they invest in other industries, through the purchase of equity.

The REIT industry has a diverse profile, which offers many alternative investment opportunities to investors. REITs often are classified in one of three categories: equity, mortgage or hybrid. Equity REITs own and operate income-producing real estate. Equity REITs increasingly have become primarily real estate operating companies that engage in a wide range of real estate activities, including leasing, development of real property and tenant services.

REITs are typically structured in one of three ways: Traditional, UPREIT and DownREIT. A traditional REIT is one that owns its assets directly rather than through an operating partnership. In the typical UPREIT, the partners of an Existing Partnership and a REIT become partners in a new partnership termed the Operating Partnership.

Tens of thousands of individual investors, both U.S. and non-U.S., own shares of REITs. Other typical buyers of REITs are pension funds, endowment funds and foundations, insurance companies, bank trust departments and mutual funds. Investors typically are attracted to REITs for their high levels of current income and the opportunity for moderate long-term growth. These are the basic characteristics of real estate.

REITs are total return investments. They typically provide high dividends plus the potential for moderate, long-term capital appreciation. Long-term total returns of REIT stocks are likely to be somewhat less than the returns of higher risk high-growth stocks and somewhat more than the returns of lower risk bonds. Because most REITs also have a small-to-medium equity market capitalization, their returns should be comparable to other small to mid-sized companies.

REITs are Real Estate Investment Trusts which, in the name of their holders, secure real estate investments, in buildings, mortgages, and real estate company equities, for example. REITs generally involve special tax measures that vary according to the fiscal policies of each country. These equities normally offer high dividends and therefore represent interesting alternatives to direct ownership of real estate assets.

A:Ask for information on real estate investment trusts, or REIT's, from the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, 1129 20th St., NW, Washington, DC 20036; (202) 785-8717

It is very important to be followed closely by an ophthalmologist if drusen are present. Only an ophthalmologist can monitor subtle changes in the retina, and also manage any complications that may arise. Persons with drusen should also perform a self-test called an Amsler grid, on a routine basis to monitor for the presence of visual disorders.

As Public Printer, Robert C. Tapella serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the GPO, responsible for overseeing GPO's day-to-day printing, printing procurement and information dissemination operations serving Congress, Federal agencies and the American public.

CORE++ will use the standard UDRP (Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy), as it is already being used.

Ventas is a publicly traded REIT. Publicly traded REITs, such as Ventas, must meet Securities and Exchange Commission requirements. REITs can also be private, non-listed REITs which are not required to report to the public their quarterly/annual earnings, or details of the REITs operations.

Healthcare REITs invest in healthcare properties such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals (including long-term acute care hospitals), medical office buildings and assisted and independent living facilities. Healthcare REITs do not provide healthcare services since healthcare REITs cannot typically operate the properties they own.

There is no "one size fits all" answer, but here are some excellent discussion on the topic:

REITs invest in a variety of property types: shopping centers, apartments, warehouses, office buildings, hotels, and others. Most REITs specialize in one property type only, such as shopping malls, self-storage facilities or factory outlet stores. Health care REITs specialize in health care facilities, including acute care, rehabilitation and psychiatric hospitals, medical office buildings, nursing homes and assisted living centers.