Real estate has long served as a refuge for investors seeking some shelter from economic storms, since real estate can raise rents to counter the effects of inflation.

The housing market can be highly profitable, but also highly time-consuming, expensive, and even frustrating for those directly managing properties. That makes publicly traded real estate investment trusts (REITs) in this sector an attractive way to benefit from providing this essential service -- a place to live. People can enjoy a low entry cost and a passive income stream without actively managing tenants and buildings.

A good one to start with would be Mid-America Apartment Communities (NYSE: MAA), one of the U.S.'s largest landlords. It has ownership interest in nearly 102,000 units in about 300 apartment communities across 16 states and the District of Columbia.

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Source Fool.com