New Delhi, Feb. 18 -- Real estate has long been a favoured asset for Indian investors, but owning commercial property comes with high entry barriers. Large upfront capital, long-tenure loans, tenant management, maintenance hassles and illiquidity make direct ownership cumbersome.

Pratik Dantara, EPC member of the Indian REITs Association and chief investor relations officer and head of strategy at Nexus Select Trust, weighed in on whether Reits (Real Estate Investment Trusts) are the right alternative for accessing such premium property at the Mint Money Festival 2026.

The analogy Dantara drew was that of mutual funds. "You invest small amounts, own income-generating properties across the country, earn rental income, and buy or sell uni...