For the dividend investor, real estate investment trusts (REITs) have been extremely popular over the last decade for their, giving both capital and dividend gains to investors who hold them. But before you jump onto the REIT bandwagon, you need to first understand what the different types of REITs are and which you prefer to invest in. Retail REITs One advantage of retail REITs is that for most investors, it is easy for you to do your scuttlebug due diligence by simply going to their malls. Take some time to observe the location, mall architecture, tenant mix and type of shoppers. With such information, you can obtain a first-hand idea of the earning power of that mall, unlike other REITs where observing the property from within can be difficult or even prohibited. “A hallmark of a vibrant retail REIT is one whose management is proactive in organizing ......