REITs originated in United States in 1960. They were created by US Congress to make investments in large-scale, income-generating real estate accessible to small investors. The Congress envisaged REITs as entities similar to public limited companies. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are an efficient way for many investors to invest in commercial and residential real estate businesses. As an investment, REITs combine the best features of real estate and stocks. They give an investor a practical and effective means to include professionally-managed real estate in a diversified investment portfolio.