W. P. Carey (NYSE: WPC) is a proven wealth creator. The diversified real estate investment trust (REIT) has delivered a 12.2% annualized total return since its public market listing a quarter century ago. That has significantly outpaced the S&P 500's 7.8% total return annualized during that time frame. Put another way: The REIT has grown a $1,000 investment into over $18,000. For comparison, $1,000 invested in an S&P 500 index fund would have only grown to about $6,700. 

The diversified REIT should continue growing shareholder value in the future. Because of that, a $1,000 investment in the REIT right now could pay big dividends over the long term.

A big driver of W. P. Carey's performance is its steadily rising dividend. The REIT has increased its payout every single year since its public market listing in 1998:

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Source Fool.com