In this episode, we dig into one of the most critical — yet often overlooked — factors in REIT investing: management. Great properties and steady rent checks mean little without the right leadership making sound decisions. We explore how to tell the difference between skilled stewards and self-serving executives, breaking down the key contrasts between internal and external management, and why those differences matter to your returns.

We’ll also tackle the role of short sellers and activist investors—sometimes exposing fraud, other times distorting reality—and what their presence signals about a REIT. Along the way, we unpack the thorny topics of executive compensation, conflicts of interest, and succession planning, showing how each of these can shape the future of your investment.

Think of this episode as sharpening your analyst’s eye: a guide to spotting the signs of trustworthy leadership versus red flags that could spell disaster. Because in REITs, as in farming, the harvest depends on separating the wheat from the chaff.