In a developed REITS market like U.S.,there are many REITs and there are also different types of REITS.

Statistics:

• There are approximately 200 publicly traded REITs in the today, with assets totaling more than $475 billion.
• The shares of these companies are traded on major stock exchanges, which sets them apart from traditional real estate. Other REITs may be publicly-registered but non-exchange traded or private companies.
• The majority of these listed REITS are listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
• 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

REITs often are classified in one of three categories: equity, mortgage or hybrid.

Equity REITs

• 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. However the difference between REITs and other real estate companies is that a REIT must acquire and develop its properties primarily to operate them as part of its own portfolio rather than to resell them once they are developed.

Mortgage REITs

• Mortgage REITs lend money directly to real estate owners and operators or extend credit indirectly through the acquisition of loans or mortgage-backed securities.
• Today’s mortgage REITs generally extend mortgage credit only on existing properties.
• Many modern mortgage REITs also manage their interest rate risk using securitized mortgage investments and dynamic hedging techniques.

Hybrid REITs

• A hybrid REIT both owns properties and makes loans to real estate owners and operators.

(Source: NAREIT’s website) 

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