What is a mortgage REIT?

A mortgage REIT, or mREIT, primarily involves investing in mortgages and mortgage-backed securities rather than directly owning physical real estate properties. This distinct focus allows mREITs to generate income primarily through the interest earned on the loans they provide or purchase. By acquiring a portfolio of these financial instruments, they can leverage the spread between borrowing costs and the returns on the mortgages, thus creating potential profit.

This strategy contrasts with equity REITs, which purchase and manage real properties like office buildings, retail spaces, and apartment complexes. Understanding this distinction is crucial for recognizing the different types of investments in the real estate sector and how each type operates in financial markets. The operational and financial dynamics of a mortgage REIT can differ significantly from those of a REIT focused on physical assets or specific types of loans, as in the other options provided.