While Reits are struggling, they can still be sound investments for retirees

I FEEL silly. If I had bought a private home – using the name of an immediate family member who has yet to own property – some time back, my family would be in a happier position financially.

Based on data from the Urban Redevelopment Authority, private home prices as at the second quarter of 2023 rose by 7.5 per cent, 18.9 per cent and 27.4 per cent over a one-year, two-year and three-year time frame respectively. Rental rates on homes have also risen strongly.

In contrast, owning Singapore-listed real estate investment trusts (Reits) has been painful. Versus end-2021, the iEdge S-Reit index as at early September is down by around 20 per cent.