Samuel Zell
Chairman, Equity Group Investments, LLC
"I think the worldwide demand for transparent liquid real estate vehicles is in its infancy. As more and more real estate is equitized worldwide, REITs and REIT-like entities will grow in size to fulfill those demands. Ultimately, I think we will see the creation of an international REIT law that is common among many jurisdictions. This will not only foster transparency, but will make multi-jurisdictional operation possible.

In the interim, I think we will continue to see a growing proliferation of REIT and REIT-like vehicles in most jurisdictions responding to both the investment appeal of those jurisdictions as well as the demographic demands of income. For the Shangri-La described above, much legislation will be required, although I think the goal is meritorious and the possibility significant. It will not be an easy task and will take a long time."

Eugene Landy
Chairman & President, Monmouth Real Estate
Investment Corporation
"The REIT approach has proven to be highly durable. The fact is that REITs now are among the largest real estate corporations as well as high on the list of the largest corporations in the world. While there’s no question REITs will be impacted if there’s a significant economic downturn, I think in the long term they’ll do very well."

Edmund Cronin, Jr.
Chairman, President & CEO,
Washington Real Estate Investment Trust
"When I think about real estate investing and the future, there are two questions REIT managers must ask: Does the region in which I invest have a strong economic engine to fuel its existence, and do I have the local knowledge to invest effectively and proactively?"