. ;-) I'm looking at a corporate downsizing, so it's time to jump in.Tom

Rates for property owned through a corporation were significantly more expensive.

As a C-Corp, you will pay corporate tax and then capital gain rates on your dividends.Capital gain rates are dependent upon your tax bracket.

Are they owned by a LLC, Corporation, Trust, or in your own name?

An LLC is irrelevant for tax purposes, unless you elect to have it taxed as a s-corp or c-corp and the IRS agrees.

If the company is a CORPORATION, you won't need one.

After all, I don't want to end up having the corporate veil pierced!

I know REITs are not corporations, but are their shares bought and sold like normal stocks?

Nope, no proof of anything that I know of, but keepyou eye on the corporates cherry picking for bulk purchases for rentals.Some time ago I simply asked if a local regional bank would entertain the tough of me taking all foreclosures and they were rather egar to talk to me, I said well, I'll investigate further and let them know, but how to hedge against the trash around here would be a problem, so nothing on that front!

If you do a google search, you'll find several sites that allow you to set up a corporation in any state, by filling out the online forms.