In this article, we will discuss the 7 Best “Land Owner” Stocks to Buy for Hard Asset Value.
In an era of digital assets, algorithmic trading, and balance sheets built on intangible intellectual property, the most enduring store of value remains the one that has never been manufactured, replicated, or disrupted by software: the land beneath our feet. As inflation, resource scarcity, urban expansion, and infrastructure development drive demand for hard assets, publicly traded landowner companies are increasingly attracting attention as a unique way to gain exposure to appreciating real estate, natural resources, and long-term economic growth.
Legendary investor Warren Buffett has long favored tangible assets that generate value over decades, while hedge fund billionaire John Paulson has repeatedly argued that real assets can provide powerful protection against inflation and currency debasement. Stanley Druckenmiller has similarly highlighted how supply-demand imbalances in real assets can create significant long-term investment opportunities, particularly when replacement costs continue to increase.
The numbers behind the investment thesis are compelling. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, U.S. farmland values have more than doubled over the past decade, while timberland and resource-rich acreage have historically delivered attractive long-term returns with lower correlations to traditional stocks. Research from NCREIF has shown that institutional-quality farmland has generated annualized returns of roughly 10% over long periods, supported by both land appreciation and income generation.
For investors seeking exposure to hard-asset value, inflation protection, and scarce real estate, landowner stocks offer something increasingly rare in modern markets: ownership of a finite resource that becomes more valuable as the world continues to grow.
With this context in mind, here are the best “land owner” stocks to buy for hard asset value.
Our Methodology
We used stock screeners to identify the best land owner stocks with a short percentage of shares outstanding, less than 3%. We limited our final selection to companies that have recently reported noteworthy developments likely to impact investor sentiment. These stocks are also popular among analysts and elite hedge funds. To make the list easier to navigate, we ranked the stocks in descending order of their short percentage of shares outstanding.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Insider Monkey’s quarterly newsletter strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 599.2% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 372 percentage points (see more details here).
7 Best “Land Owner” Stocks to Buy for Hard Asset Value
7. AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB)
Short Percentage of Shares Outstanding: 2.82%
On June 10, Mizuho raised its price target on AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB) to $192 from $189 while maintaining a Neutral rating. The firm updated its outlook for apartment real estate investment trusts following improvements in the macroeconomic environment and increasingly supportive private-market data. Mizuho believes the sector is benefiting from stronger fundamentals and expects apartment REITs to continue attracting investor attention as market conditions improve.
Earlier, on May 29, Piper Sandler analyst Alexander Goldfarb raised the firm’s price target on AvalonBay Communities, Inc. to $195 from $183 while maintaining a Neutral rating. The increase was driven primarily by the company’s pending merger with Equity Residential, which Piper believes could unlock meaningful strategic value. The firm pointed to potential scale advantages, operational efficiencies, and enhanced competitive positioning that may strengthen AvalonBay’s long-term growth profile and improve overall portfolio performance.
Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, AvalonBay Communities, Inc. is a multifamily real estate investment trust focused on developing, acquiring, and managing high-quality apartment communities in supply-constrained U.S. markets. The company owns a portfolio of residential properties located in regions characterized by strong demographics, high barriers to entry, and favorable long-term housing demand trends.
6. Sun Communities, Inc. (NYSE:SUI)
Short Percentage of Shares Outstanding: 2.59%
On June 5, RBC Capital lowered its price target on Sun Communities, Inc. (NYSE:SUI) to $149 from $151 while maintaining an Outperform rating on the shares. The firm updated its financial model following the company’s recent sale of its U.K. assets. Although the price target adjustment was modest, RBC’s continued Outperform rating reflects its confidence in Sun Communities’ strategic direction and its ability to enhance shareholder value through portfolio optimization initiatives.
On May 29, Wells Fargo lowered its price target on Sun Communities, Inc. to $142 from $150 while reiterating an Overweight rating on the stock. The firm viewed the sale of the company’s U.K. platform as a significant milestone in its investment thesis, noting that the transaction removes a key overhang that had weighed on investor sentiment. While the sale resulted in a sizable impairment charge, Wells Fargo stated that the transaction pricing was generally in line with expectations and believes the divestiture improves the company’s strategic focus and supports the potential for valuation multiple expansion over time.
Founded in 1975 and headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, Sun Communities, Inc. operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns, manages, and develops manufactured housing, RV, and marina properties across the US, UK, and Canada. It holds and continually improves high-demand, finite real estate, providing a strong inflationary hedge through consistent, land-lease cash flows and tangible physical assets.
5. Extra Space Storage Inc. (NYSE:EXR)
Short Percentage of Shares Outstanding: 2.20%
On May 27, Mizuho raised its price target on Extra Space Storage Inc. (NYSE:EXR) to $155 from $150 while maintaining an Outperform rating on the shares. Although the firm noted potential demand risks associated with new construction activity within the self-storage sector, the higher target reflects confidence in the company’s ability to navigate industry challenges and maintain its competitive position within the market.
On May 18, UBS analyst Michael Goldsmith increased the firm’s price target on Extra Space Storage Inc. to $158 from $148 and reiterated a Buy rating on the stock. The upward revision underscores UBS’s positive outlook on the company’s operating performance and long-term prospects, highlighting confidence in its ability to generate value through its extensive portfolio of storage assets.
Founded in 1977 and headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Extra Space Storage Inc. is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, develops, and operates self-storage facilities. It serves as a classic “landowner stock for hard asset value” by converting raw real estate into income-producing facilities backed by the intrinsic, inflation-resistant value of the physical land and buildings.
4. Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP (NYSE:KRP)
Short Percentage of Shares Outstanding: 2.15%
On May 29, RBC Capital initiated coverage of Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP (NYSE:KRP) with an Outperform rating and a $20 price target. The firm highlighted the company’s geographically diversified portfolio of mineral and royalty interests, which spans 28 states and includes exposure to nearly every major onshore U.S. energy basin. RBC also emphasized Kimbell’s attractive income profile, describing the partnership as a compelling yield-oriented investment and noting that its approximately 11% yield ranks among the highest in its peer group.
Earlier, on May 19, Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP announced an agreement to acquire mineral and royalty interests from Mesa Royalties in a transaction valued at approximately $147 million. The acquisition is expected to add roughly 1,390 barrels of oil equivalent per day of production over the next twelve months and contribute approximately 7.67 million barrels of oil equivalent in proved reserves. Management believes the transaction will significantly expand the company’s footprint across key producing regions, increasing exposure to more than 17 million gross acres, over 135,000 gross wells, and approximately 18% of all active land drilling rigs in the continental United States.
Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, and was founded in 1998. The partnership acquires and manages oil, gas, mineral, and royalty interests, generating revenue from third-party drilling activity without assuming the operating costs or capital expenditures associated with exploration and production. Its extensive portfolio of perpetual mineral interests provides exposure to energy production while maintaining an asset-light business model.
3. American Tower Corporation (NYSE:AMT)
Short Percentage of Shares Outstanding: 1.93%
On June 4, American Tower Corporation (NYSE:AMT) disclosed in a regulatory filing that it had delivered a notice of termination, effective June 2, 2026, to DISH Wireless regarding the Strategic Collocation Agreement and related agreements originally entered into in March 2021. The company stated that all DISH-related revenue has been reflected in churn since January 1, 2026. Therefore, the termination is not expected to have any impact on its financial results for the year ending December 31, 2026. American Tower also noted that it continues to pursue litigation against DISH concerning obligations under the agreement, while emphasizing that the anticipated financial effect of the termination has already been incorporated into its operating outlook.
On May 19, Bernstein upgraded American Tower Corporation to Outperform from Market Perform while maintaining a $207 price target. The firm argued that investors are overstating the risks facing the company and failing to adequately recognize its long-term growth potential. Bernstein highlighted that the shares are trading at a valuation multiple near five-year lows, creating what it views as an attractive buying opportunity. The firm also addressed concerns surrounding direct-to-device satellite technology, contending that meaningful competition with terrestrial wireless networks would still require substantial terrestrial infrastructure or partnerships with mobile network operators. According to Bernstein, either scenario would likely support continued demand for communications tower assets, benefiting companies such as American Tower.
Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, American Tower Corporation is a global real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns, develops, and operates multitenant communications infrastructure. It acquires real estate, leasing vertical tower space to major wireless carriers under long-term contracts, and provides an inflation hedge through tangible, highly essential physical infrastructure.
2. UMH Properties, Inc. (NYSE:UMH)
Short Percentage of Shares Outstanding: 0.01%
On May 28, UMH Properties, Inc. (NYSE:UMH) announced that Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer Anna Chew elected to retire effective June 1 after 35 years with the company, including more than three decades as CFO. While stepping down from her executive responsibilities, Chew will remain with UMH in an advisory capacity to facilitate a smooth leadership transition and will continue serving on the company’s Board of Directors. The company also announced that Kevin Miller, who previously served as CFO of the UMH OZ Fund, has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer effective June 1. The planned succession reflects a structured transition process designed to preserve operational continuity and financial oversight.
On May 21, UMH Properties, Inc. shareholder Erez Asset Management, which owns approximately 4% of the company’s outstanding shares, issued a letter urging fellow shareholders to withhold support from Presiding Independent Director Matthew Hirsch at the company’s 2026 Annual Meeting. Erez cited concerns regarding corporate governance and long-term shareholder performance, noting that Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) had previously recommended withholding votes from Hirsch in multiple election cycles. The development highlights increasing shareholder engagement and pressure for enhanced accountability, governance reforms, and improved value creation initiatives at the company.
Founded in 1968 and headquartered in Freehold, New Jersey, UMH Properties, Inc. is a public equity REIT that owns and operates manufactured home communities. It holds thousands of acres of real estate and physical, tangible properties that are appreciated with inflation, serving as a reliable hedge against rising housing costs.
1. Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE:SPG)
Short Percentage of Shares Outstanding: 0.00%
On June 1, JPMorgan raised its price target on Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE:SPG) to $217 from $210 while maintaining a Neutral rating on the shares. The revision followed an update to the firm’s financial model and reflects continued confidence in the company’s ability to generate stable operating performance. The higher target suggests that Simon Property’s portfolio of high-quality retail and mixed-use assets continues to support its earnings outlook despite an evolving consumer and retail environment.
On May 19, Scotiabank increased its price target on Simon Property Group, Inc. to $206 from $192 and maintained a Sector Perform rating on the stock. The firm updated its outlook for U.S. retail REITs following first-quarter earnings results, noting that many companies in the sector modestly raised their full-year guidance. Scotiabank also highlighted that same-store net operating income growth generally exceeded guidance expectations, reflecting resilient property fundamentals and healthy tenant demand across the retail real estate market.
Founded in 1960 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Simon Property Group, Inc. is an S&P 100 real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns, develops, and manages premier retail and mixed-use destinations. As a landowner stock, it provides hard asset value by backing shareholder equity directly with vast tracts of prime commercial real estate and income-generating properties.
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