3 Top TSX Real Estate Stocks to Buy in September 2021

Be a passive investor in September 2021 and earn income like a real landlord. Invest in H&R stock, Artis stock, or Choice Properties stock. These top TSX REITs pay generous dividends.

| More on:

Canada’s housing market is starting to cool down following a 3% dip in sales in July 2021. The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) said that sales and the average selling price have fallen for four months in a row. However, real estate investors shouldn’t get carried away with the news, because the bidding wars are still ongoing.

Your best alternatives to owning a physical property are real estate investment trusts (REITs). Besides a lower cash outlay, you’d receive income as if you were a landlord. H&R (TSX:HR.UN), Artis (TSX:AX.UN), and Choice Properties (TSX:CHP.UN) are the recommended REITs for September.

Balance sheet strength

H&R is a $4.76 billion fully internalized REIT with 196 properties in Canada and the United States. The portfolio consists of office (38%), retail (31%), residential (23%), and industrial (8%) properties. At $16.25 per share, the dividend offer is 4.25%.

The COVID-19 pandemic was tough on retail and office rentals. Fortunately, a recovery is underway in 2021. The REIT reported a net income of $264.4 million in the first half of the year. H&R lost $984.1 million in the same period in 2020. Its president and CEO Tom Hofstedter was more than pleased with the Q2 2021 results.

Hofstedter said they reflect quality of the portfolio and balance sheet strength. Management also sold two large properties (Bow Office Tower and Bell Office Campus) for $1.5 billion to reduce exposure to the office market in Calgary. He believes it would improve H&R’s tenant concentration profile and enhance its financial flexibility.

Industrial focused

Artis isn’t as big as H&R, with only $1.5 billion in market capitalization. The real estate stock trades cheaper ($11.68 per share) but pays a higher 5.14% dividend. Current investors are also up 13.02% year to date. While the pandemic hurt the business, the REIT is starting to bounce back this year.

In the first half of 2021, management reported $288.9 million in net income on $224.1 million in revenue. The loss in the six months ended June 30, 2020, was $56.6 million. The competitive advantage of Artis is that 54.3% of the 203 properties are industrial. Also, 90.3% of the properties in the entire portfolio are occupied.

National footprint

Choice Properties boast a national footprint, although the properties are predominantly retail (76%). Nonetheless, the average occupancy rate in the 717 income-producing assets is 96.9%. For the retail segment consisting of 575 properties, it’s higher at 97.4%. Apart from the necessity-based tenants. Loblaw is the anchor tenant.

This $4.86 billion REIT pays a generous 4.98% dividend. At $14.86 per share, investors enjoy a 17.7% gain thus far in 2021. Like H&R and Artis, Choice Properties reported improved financials in Q2 2021. Its rental revenue increased 2.9% versus Q2 2020.

Notably, the REIT’s net income was $84.6 million compared to the $95.8 million net loss in the same period in 2020. Despite the pandemic environment, development activities continue. The business model calls for Choice Properties to pursue or add high-quality real estate at reasonable costs.

Passive investing

Investing in H&R, Artis, or Choice Properties won’t dent your budget, as none of these REITs trade over $20 per share. Likewise, the respective rental businesses should return to pre-crisis levels soon. You’d be like a real landlord in high-quality real estate properties and earning rental income without the usual responsibilities.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Christopher Liew has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

More on Dividend Stocks

open vault at bank
Dividend Stocks

Don’t Get Cute; Just Buy Stability: Top Defensive TSX Stocks to Buy Now

A healthy risk tolerance is essential for most investors, but many stray from the tried and tested, hoping to find…

Read more »

TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account) on wooden blocks and Canadian one hundred dollar bills.
Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: Buy These 3 Stocks for $3,480 Yearly Tax-Free Income

One significant benefit of a TFSA-based dividend income is that it doesn’t weigh down your tax bill.

Read more »

Canadian dollars in a magnifying glass
Dividend Stocks

3 High-Yield Dividend Stocks That Are Screaming Buys Right Now

Are you looking for great income stocks? Here's a trio of high-yield dividend stocks that pay insane yields right now.

Read more »

Piggy bank with word TFSA for tax-free savings accounts.
Dividend Stocks

Transform a $5,000 TFSA Into a $50,000 Retirement Nest Egg

The TFSA is a powerful tool that can grow a small investment into a substantial retirement nest egg over time.

Read more »

A meter measures energy use.
Dividend Stocks

Is Fortis Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold for 2025?

Fortis has increased its dividend annually for the past five decades.

Read more »

analyze data
Dividend Stocks

3 Dividend Stocks That Are Screaming Buys in November

Here are three top dividend stocks long-term investors won't want to ignore during this part of the market cycle.

Read more »

senior relaxes in hammock with e-book
Dividend Stocks

Generate $175/Month in Passive Income With a $30,000 Investment

Dividend aristocrats offer reliability, and many of them also offer generous yields. With sizable enough discounts, these yields can become…

Read more »

dividends can compound over time
Dividend Stocks

Best Dividend Stocks to Buy Now for Canadian Investors

These three stocks would be excellent additions to your portfolios, given their solid underlying businesses, consistent dividend growth, and healthy…

Read more »