REIT Focus On Ashford Hospitality Trust

By Joseph Ori:This month's REIT Focus is on Equity Residential apartment company (EQR). EQR is a self-administered and self-managed Maryland real estate investment trust that is the 95.7% owner of the general partner interest in ERP Operating Limited Partnership, the UpReit partnership that owns the assets of EQR.

By Joseph Ori:This month's REIT Focus is on Camden Property Trust (CPT), a publicly traded, self-managed real estate investment trust that owns multifamily apartment communities. CPT owns a 1% general partner interest and 89.8% limited partner interest in Camden Operating, L.P., its UpReit general partnership. As of 9/30/12, CPT owned interests in, operated or was developing 209 multifamily properties containing 70,871 units.

By Joseph Ori:This month's REIT Focus is on Apartment Investment and Management Company (AIV). AIV is a self-administered and self-managed Maryland real estate investment trust that is the 93.7% owner of the general partner and special limited partner interest in AIMCO Operating Partnership, the UpReit partnership that owns the assets of AIV.

By Joseph Ori:This month's REIT Focus is on Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. (PDM), a publicly traded, self-managed real estate investment trust that primarily owns suburban office buildings. PDM is the general partner in the UPREIT general partnership, Piedmont Operating Partnership, L.P., that owns the assets of PDM.

By Joseph Ori:This month's REIT Focus is on SL Green Realty Corp., (SLG) an independent real estate investment trust that primarily engages in the acquisition, ownership, repositioning and management of Manhattan office properties.

By Joseph Ori:This month’s REIT Focus is on AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (AVB). AVB is a self-administered and self managed Maryland equity real estate investment trust that focuses on the development, acquisition, ownership and operation of apartment communities in high barrier to entry markets. AVB owns 199 apartment communities with 57,426 units in 10 states and the District of Columbia.

By Joseph Ori:This month's REIT Focus is on CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. (CBL), a publicly traded, self-managed real estate investment trust that owns malls, shopping centers and office buildings in 27 states primarily in the Southeast and Midwest. CBL owns an 84.5% general partner interest in CBL & Associates Limited Partnership, its UpReit general partnership.

By Brad Thomas:About a month ago I wrote a Seeking Alpha article on Dallas-based Ashford Hospitality Trust (AHT). As I wrote, one key differentiator of the lodging sector REIT is its higher level of inside ownership: