3. Schwab US REIT ETF
This ETF provides simple access to REITs, holding only REITs, unlike other ETFs that include non-REIT real estate stocks. The fund held 120 REITs as of early 2026, led by the following five:
- Welltower: 9.4%.
- Prologis: 9.1%.
- Equinix: 5.1%.
- Simon Property: 4.8%
- Realty Income: 4.8%
Like many other REIT ETFs, the Schwab fund holds REITs based on their market cap instead of using an equal weighting system, so its top holdings are almost identical to those of most other top REIT ETFs. Meanwhile, its top 10 make up about 50% of its portfolio.
Its expense ratio stands out. It's an ultra-low 0.07%, allowing investors to keep more of the returns from the underlying REITs. That includes its lucrative dividend income (a 3.0% yield over the last 12 months).
4. State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF
The State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF enables investors to target the largest REITs. The ETF holds only real estate stocks in the S&P 500, limiting its investment universe. As of early 2026, the ETF held only about 30 stocks, led by some familiar names:
- Welltower: 10.2%.
- Prologis: 9.6%.
- Equinix: 6.3%.
- American Tower: 6.1%.
- Simon Property: 4.9%.
As five of the largest REITs, it's no surprise to see this group leading the way. And because this ETF concentrates on real estate stocks in the S&P 500, its top 10 holdings accounted for roughly 60% of its portfolio. That makes it an ideal option for investors seeking to focus on the largest REITs.
The ETF has a low expense ratio of 0.08%. Consequently, it's a solid option for investors seeking low-cost exposure to the biggest REITs. The fund pays attractive dividends, which drives the REIT ETF's roughly 3.3% dividend yield (on a trailing 12-month basis).
5. iShares Select U.S. REIT ETF
The iShares Select U.S. REIT ETF is another REIT ETF managed by BlackRock. It takes a slightly different approach to investing in REITs, focusing on large real estate companies that dominate their respective property categories. As a result, it has a concentrated portfolio of 30 REITs.
However, these 30 include some familiar names, led by:
- Prologis: 8.5%
- Welltower: 8.1%
- Equinix: 7.9%
- American Tower: 7.5%
- Simon Property Group: 6.2
Overall, its top 10 holdings made up more than 60% of its portfolio as of early 2026.
Because the ETF takes a more active approach to REIT investing, it charges a relatively high expense ratio of 0.32%. It also offered a lower dividend yield (2.9% on a trailing 12-month basis). It's best for investors who want to focus on the dominant REITs without limiting themselves to only those in the S&P 500.
How to invest in REIT ETFs
- Open your brokerage app: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments.
- Search for the ETF: Enter the ticker or company name into the search bar to bring up the ETF's trading page.
- Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this ETF.
- Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
- Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
- Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.
