Publicly Traded Funds

Explore how publicly traded funds like REITs and ETFs offer accessible real estate investing in Canada without owning physical property.

Publicly Traded Funds

May 22, 2025


What is a Publicly Traded Fund?

Publicly traded funds are investment vehicles like Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) that can be bought and sold on public stock exchanges.

Why Do Publicly Traded Funds Matter in Real Estate

In Canadian real estate, publicly traded funds—particularly REITs—offer a way to invest in property markets without owning physical property. These funds pool investor money and invest in portfolios of income-generating assets.


Key benefits include:
  • Liquidity: shares can be traded daily on the stock market
  • Diversification: exposure to different property types and regions
  • Accessibility: lower entry cost compared to buying real estate
  • Regular income through dividends

Publicly traded real estate funds may invest in:
  • Apartment buildings
  • Shopping centres and retail plazas
  • Office towers or industrial parks
  • Healthcare, storage, or infrastructure assets


Investors should evaluate fund performance, management fees, and underlying assets. While these funds offer passive exposure to real estate, they are still subject to market volatility.


Understanding publicly traded funds gives investors a flexible alternative to direct property ownership with lower barriers to entry.

Example of a Publicly Traded Fund in Action

An investor buys shares in a Canadian REIT that owns commercial properties across Ontario, receiving monthly dividends based on tenant rental income.

Key Takeaways

  • Invest in real estate via the stock market.
  • Offers diversification and liquidity.
  • Includes REITs and ETFs.
  • Generates dividend income.
  • Subject to market risks like any equity.

Related Terms

Additional Terms

Public Realm Improvements

Public realm improvements are enhancements to public spaces such as sidewalks, parks, plazas, and streetscapes, often funded or contributed by. more

Mortgagee in Possession

A mortgagee in possession is a lender who takes control of a property after borrower default, but before foreclosure or power of sale. The lender. more

Lease Surrender Agreement

A lease surrender agreement is a negotiated contract between a landlord and tenant that ends a lease before its scheduled expiration. Terms may. more

Green Infrastructure

Green infrastructure refers to natural or engineered systems that manage stormwater, reduce heat, and improve sustainability in developments.. more

Escrow Holdback

An escrow holdback is a portion of funds withheld at closing and held in escrow until specific conditions are met, such as completion of repairs,. more

Underused Housing Tax

The Underused Housing Tax (UHT) is a federal annual 1% tax on the value of vacant or underused residential property owned by non-resident,. more

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