Investor Relations (IR) is a critical function within any publicly traded company, including Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). For investors—whether individuals, institutions, or analysts—understanding how to communicate effectively with a REIT’s investor relations team can provide valuable insights into the company’s strategy, performance, risks, and opportunities.
REITs, because of their unique structure and focus on real estate income, often require deeper engagement from investors to fully grasp how the business works. From dividends and occupancy rates to lease terms and property acquisitions, many moving parts can influence a REIT’s value.
This article explains how to engage with a REIT’s investor relations team in a way that is respectful, productive, and informative. Whether you’re a first-time investor, a financial advisor, or a seasoned institutional investor, building a strong relationship with the IR team can help you make more informed investment decisions.
What Is an Investor Relations Team?
The investor relations (IR) team serves as the official communication channel between a REIT and its shareholders, analysts, and the broader investment community. The team is responsible for explaining the company’s performance, business model, financial results, and growth strategy.
They also manage quarterly earnings calls, organize investor meetings and site visits, respond to inquiries from current or potential investors, and ensure compliance with regulations about public disclosures.
For REITs, IR teams often need to explain specific metrics such as Funds from Operations (FFO), net asset value (NAV), property yields, and debt levels—terms that may not apply to typical companies in other industries. Therefore, engaging with them effectively means asking the right questions, understanding what they can and cannot say, and being clear about your intentions.
When and Why to Contact a REIT’s IR Team
There are several good reasons to reach out to a REIT’s investor relations department. If you’re considering investing in the REIT and need clarification on its recent earnings, strategy, or dividend policy, the IR team is the right contact. They can help interpret financial statements, explain portfolio movements, or summarize long-term business goals.
You may also want to contact IR after reading a company’s earnings report or listening to a quarterly earnings call. If something isn’t clear—such as why the company missed its earnings forecast, changed its dividend, or acquired a new property—the IR team can help clarify.
Institutional investors, analysts, or journalists may contact IR for more detailed conversations, one-on-one calls, or invitations to investor days. For retail investors, engaging through email or asking questions during public earnings calls can be effective.
It’s important to know that IR teams do not provide investment advice. Their job is to explain, not to persuade. They also cannot share non-public (or insider) information. However, they can clarify public documents, explain company strategy, and answer questions within regulatory boundaries.
How to Prepare Before Reaching Out
Before contacting an investor relations team, it’s helpful to do some basic homework. Start by reviewing the company’s latest investor presentation, earnings release, and annual report. Most REITs provide these on their website under the “Investor Relations” or “Investors” section.
Understanding the basics of the REIT’s portfolio—such as what types of properties it owns (residential, retail, data centers, healthcare), where its assets are located, and what financial goals it has—will allow you to ask more meaningful questions. It also shows respect for the IR team’s time and increases the chances of a productive conversation.
When sending an email or making a call, it helps to be direct. Introduce yourself, mention whether you are a current or prospective investor, and explain why you’re reaching out. Be specific about the topics or questions you want to discuss. This clarity allows the IR team to prepare thoughtful responses or involve the right team members in a follow-up.
What Questions Are Appropriate to Ask
Effective engagement comes from asking smart, focused questions. Here are a few examples of appropriate topics to discuss with a REIT’s IR team:
- Clarification on recent earnings trends, especially changes in FFO or same-property income.
- Explanations of dividend policy and payout ratios.
- Insights into the company’s acquisition or development strategy.
- Questions about geographic exposure or tenant concentration.
- Details on debt structure, interest rate hedging, or refinancing plans.
- ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) initiatives if sustainability matters to you as an investor.
Avoid asking for private or unreleased information, such as future property purchases not yet announced, non-public forecasts, or insider insights about competitors. The IR team is legally prohibited from sharing such information.
Instead, frame your questions around the company’s public statements. For example, if the REIT mentioned it plans to “rebalance its portfolio,” you might ask: “Can you explain what criteria you’re using to decide which assets to sell or keep?”
Participating in Earnings Calls and Investor Events
One of the best ways to engage with a REIT’s investor relations team is by listening to—or participating in—quarterly earnings calls. These calls are typically held a few weeks after financial results are released. They include a presentation from management followed by a Q&A session with analysts.
You can register for these calls through the REIT’s investor relations website. Even if you don’t ask a question, you can learn a lot from the discussion. The tone of management, the types of questions asked by professional analysts, and the detail of answers can provide deep insight into the REIT’s outlook.
Investor days or conferences—either virtual or in-person—are also valuable opportunities. These events give a more comprehensive view of the company’s strategy and may include property tours, long-term planning sessions, or guest speakers.
If you’re interested in attending, simply email the IR team and ask if they allow retail investors to join or view the materials online.
How to Build a Professional Relationship
For institutional investors or analysts who interact regularly with IR teams, building trust and professionalism is key. This includes being respectful of time, sticking to scheduled meetings, and offering feedback after events.
If you’re a retail investor, even an occasional well-worded question can leave a good impression. You might start a relationship with a basic email inquiry and later follow up during earnings season with more specific questions.
Some IR teams send newsletters or investor updates by email. Signing up for these keeps you informed and helps maintain contact without being overly demanding.
Being courteous, informed, and focused in your communication will always lead to more helpful responses and a smoother experience.
How IR Teams Help During Market Volatility or Strategic Changes
In times of uncertainty—such as market downturns, rising interest rates, or global economic shocks—REITs may experience higher investor concern. During these periods, the IR team plays an especially important role. They help reassure shareholders, clarify the company’s risk management strategies, and explain how external conditions may affect performance.
For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many retail and office REITs faced declining rent collections and tenant bankruptcies. Investor relations teams had to be transparent about the impact and how management planned to respond.
Similarly, when a REIT changes its strategy—such as moving into new markets, exiting older assets, or merging with another company—the IR team helps ensure that shareholders understand the reasons and potential benefits.
Reaching out during such moments can help investors make better decisions and avoid misunderstandings.
Cultural Considerations for Arab and International Investors
REIT investors from Arab countries or other international markets may sometimes hesitate to contact U.S.-based investor relations teams, fearing a language barrier or lack of relevance. In fact, most IR professionals are used to working with global investors. Communications are almost always handled in English, and the teams are trained to explain complex terms in clear, non-technical language.
If English is not your first language, writing an email with short, clear sentences is perfectly acceptable. There is no need to use complicated financial jargon. A direct, polite message asking for help understanding part of the REIT’s business or reports is usually welcomed.
Over time, your confidence in engaging with global REITs will grow—making you a more informed and capable investor.
Conclusion
Engaging with a REIT’s investor relations team is one of the most effective ways to understand a company better. Whether you’re a long-term investor, just starting, or managing a portfolio on behalf of others, direct communication with IR professionals helps bridge the gap between public reports and real-world insight.
By preparing thoughtful questions, participating in earnings calls, and maintaining respectful contact, investors can gain a deeper understanding of REIT operations, risks, and strategies. In return, REITs benefit from better-informed shareholders and stronger relationships with their investor base.
As REIT markets expand globally—including in the Middle East and North Africa—effective investor communication will become even more important. Learning how to engage with IR teams today prepares you for smarter, more confident investing in the years ahead.
