In this article, we will list the 5 Best Residential REITs to Buy in 2026. Please visit 10 Best Residential REITs to Buy in 2026 if you would like to see the extended list and the methodology behind it.
5. Sun Communities, Inc. (NYSE:SUI)
On May 14, 2026, Deutsche Bank lowered the firm’s price target on Sun Communities, Inc. (NYSE:SUI) to $133 from $138 and maintained a Hold rating on the shares.
Truist also lowered the firm’s price target on Sun Communities, Inc. (NYSE:SUI) to $141 from $147 while reiterating a Buy rating as part of a broader research note on manufactured housing REITs. The firm said investors remain focused on weakness in transient RV demand along with slower home sales and occupancy trends, though it believes the recent stock pullback has become excessive given the company’s visible long-term FFO growth outlook, pricing power, and limited new supply backdrop.
Last month, Sun Communities, Inc. (NYSE:SUI) reported Q1 core FFO of $1.40 per share, versus the consensus estimate of $1.31. Revenue totaled $507.9M, versus the consensus estimate of $500.98M. CEO Charles Young said the company delivered strong first-quarter results across its North American portfolio, with same-property manufactured housing and RV NOI increasing 6.3% year over year. Management said its strategy continues to focus on disciplined capital allocation, operational optimization, and targeted investments across communities, infrastructure, and digital capabilities. Young added that sustained demand trends across the company’s portfolio continue to support long-term growth and value creation.
Sun Communities, Inc. (NYSE:SUI) is a REIT that owns, operates, and invests in manufactured housing, RV, and property communities across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
4. Camden Property Trust (NYSE:CPT)
On May 15, 2026, Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Kramer lowered the firm’s price target on Camden Property Trust (NYSE:CPT) to $117 from $119 and maintained an Equal Weight rating on the shares.
On May 11, 2026, BofA raised the firm’s price target on Camden Property Trust (NYSE:CPT) to $134 from $131 while reiterating a Buy rating on the shares following quarterly results and updated estimates across the apartment REIT sector.
Meanwhile, RBC Capital analyst Brad Heffern raised the firm’s price target on Camden Property Trust (NYSE:CPT) to $105 from $104 and maintained a Sector Perform rating after the company’s Q1 report. The firm said Camden’s sequential blended lease pricing and occupancy gains during the quarter came in ahead of expectations. While April trends showed additional pricing strength and the company left guidance unchanged, RBC noted there appears to be more pressure than previously expected around the anticipated second-half inflection.
Last month, Camden Property Trust (NYSE:CPT) reported Q1 core FFO of $1.70 per share, versus the consensus estimate of $1.67. Revenue totaled $388.77M, versus the consensus estimate of $390.71M. Camden also reaffirmed its FY26 core FFO outlook of $6.60-$6.90 per share, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.74.
Camden Property Trust (NYSE:CPT) is a multifamily real estate company focused on the ownership, development, redevelopment, acquisition, construction, and management of apartment communities.
3. Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. (NYSE:ELS)
On May 11, 2026, Barclays lowered the firm’s price target on Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. (NYSE:ELS) to $68 from $71 and maintained an Overweight rating on the shares. The firm updated its residential REIT models following Q1 earnings reports and said it believes apartment and single-family rental earnings growth could bottom in 2026, adding that share prices may have already reflected much of that slowdown.
Meanwhile, Truist lowered the firm’s price target on Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. (NYSE:ELS) to $67 from $69 while maintaining a Hold rating as part of a broader research note on manufactured housing REITs. The firm said investors remain focused on softer transient RV demand along with slower home sales and occupancy trends, though it believes the recent pullback appears excessive given the company’s visible long-term FFO growth outlook, pricing power, and constrained supply backdrop.
Last month, Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. (NYSE:ELS) reported Q1 normalized FFO of 84c per share, in line with the consensus estimate. Revenue totaled $397.62M, versus the consensus estimate of $397.16M. The company also reaffirmed its FY26 normalized FFO outlook of $3.12-$3.22 per share, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.18.
Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. (NYSE:ELS) is a self-administered and self-managed REIT focused on manufactured housing, RV, and resort communities.
2. American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE:AMH)
On May 18, 2026, Raymond James upgraded American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE:AMH) to Outperform from Market Perform with a $35 price target. The firm said it is seeing signs of accelerating leasing demand across the single-family rental market. Raymond James also pointed to a revised version of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act released by the House of Representatives, which it described as more favorable for the industry. According to the firm, the updated bill removes a provision from the Senate version that would have required operators to dispose of newly acquired build-for-rent homes after seven years, while still allowing single-family rental companies to continue purchasing inventory from homebuilders.
On May 12, 2026, Keefe Bruyette raised the firm’s price target on American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE:AMH) to $36 from $35 and maintained an Outperform rating on the shares.
Earlier in the month, American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE:AMH) reported Q1 adjusted FFO of 45c per share, versus the consensus estimate of 48c. Revenue totaled $472.02M, versus the consensus estimate of $470.56M. CEO Bryan Smith said the company delivered a solid quarter supported by stable operating execution and disciplined expense management across its portfolio. Management added that momentum improved through March and continued into April as occupancy increased and new lease spreads turned positive entering the spring leasing season. Smith said the quarter’s results reflected the resilience of single-family rental demand despite broader economic uncertainty.
American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE:AMH) is an internally managed REIT focused on the ownership and operation of single-family rental homes across the United States.
1. Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR)
On May 14, 2026, UBS raised the firm’s price target on Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR) to $73 from $71 and maintained a Buy rating on the shares.
On May 20, 2026, Bloomberg reported that Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR) and AvalonBay Communities are nearing a potential merger agreement that would combine two of the largest REITs by market value. According to the report, a deal announcement could come as soon as Thursday. Equity Residential currently has a market capitalization of approximately $24.8B, while AvalonBay is valued at around $26B.
Last month, Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR) reported Q1 normalized FFO of 99c per share, versus the consensus estimate of 95c. Revenue totaled $779.85M, versus the consensus estimate of $784.24M. President and CEO Mark J. Parrell said the company entered 2026 with solid momentum, supported by stronger-than-expected operating performance in San Francisco and New York, where demand from higher-income renters and limited new apartment supply continued to support leasing trends. Management also said concession activity has continued to decline across its markets as new apartment supply is expected to moderate further over time, potentially setting up improved pricing power later in the year. Parrell added that broader housing shortages, stable rental demand, and a resilient U.S. economy continue to support the apartment market backdrop.
Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR) owns and manages apartment communities across major metropolitan markets in the United States.
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