It's a scary world for investors in real estate investment trusts, which face a potentially difficult future due to the looming prospect of rising interest rates. For any stocks whose business models are reliant on debt financing within their capital structures (as REITs are), the onset of higher interest rates likely means higher interest expenses.

However, despite headwinds in the past year due to rising rates, high-quality REITs like HCP (NYSE: HCP), Health Care REIT (NYSE: HCN), and Realty Income (NYSE: O) exhibit long-term visions for their business that should appeal greatly to Foolish investors.

Source: Motley Fool

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