3 REITs That Keep Raising Dividends—Here's Why They Slap for Long-Term Holders

Dividend stocks have crushed it historically. S&P 500 dividend payers beat non-payers by more than 2x over 50 years, and the real winners? Companies that consistently raise payouts.

The REIT sector is basically a dividend machine. Here are three worth watching:

Extra Space Storage (EXR) — Controls 15% of the U.S. self-storage market with ~4,200 properties. Dividend up 110%+ in the past decade. Yield: 6%+. Their playbook: acquire from JV partners, manage third-party assets, then buy them when sellers exit. Solid balance sheet means room to keep growing.

Realty Income (O) — The OG dividend aristocrat. Over 15,000 net-lease properties globally. 112 consecutive quarters of raises. Dividend yield: 5.7%. Growing at 4.2% annually. These guys have basically printed money for three decades.

Rexford Industrial (REXR) — Focused pure-play on Southern California industrial. Recent leases are signing 23.9% above prior rates with built-in 3.6% annual growth. Dividend compounding at 15% annually over 5 years. Yield: 4.2%.

Bottom line: REITs offer steady income + capital appreciation. These three have decades of proven dividend growth. Not flashy, but for buy-and-hold investors? Basically free money over time.