in Seattle. "They're a much more cost-effective way to enter the real estate market and to get that diversification than just buying your own property." you'd buy a stock, mutual fund, or ETF. Anyone who owns a rental property knows the amount of risk involved, but REITs might help to reduce that.
The type of real estate investing that's right for you, whether through REITs or buying a property, depends a lot on the amount of time you have, your goals, and your own personal preferences. For those who aren't ready to live the landlord lifestyle, REITs could be a simpler alternative.