Joint Leverage and Maturity Choices in Real Estate Firms: The Role of the REIT Status

Jamie Alcock*, Eva Steiner, Kelvin Jui Keng Tan

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We explore the interdependence of leverage and debt maturity choices in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and unregulated listed real estate investment companies in the U.S. for the period 1973-2011. We find that the leverage and maturity choices of all listed real estate firms are interdependent, but in contrast to industrial firms, they are not made simultaneously. Across the different types of real estate firms considered, we find substantial differences in the nature of the relationship between leverage and maturity. Leverage determines maturity in non-REITs, whereas maturity is a determinant of leverage in REITs. We suggest that the observed differences reflect the effects of the REIT regulation, rather than solely being a function of real estate as the underlying asset class. We also present novel evidence that the relationship between leverage and maturity in both firm types can be used to moderate the effects of other exogenous financing policies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)57-78
Number of pages22
JournalJournal of Real Estate Finance and Economics
Volume48
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2014

Keywords

  • Capital structure
  • Debt maturity
  • Leverage

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Accounting
  • Finance
  • Economics and Econometrics
  • Urban Studies

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