Investments in the real estate sector are expected to provide excellent protection against inflationary pressures. Additionally, they lend stability to a portfolio, despite the difficult phase real estate has passed through recently. This is because the volatility in property prices can be far less compared to the kind experienced by stocks over the longer term. Real estate funds offer a cost effective and convenient method of holding these investments.

Below we will share with you 5 top rated real estate funds. Each has earned a Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) as we expect the fund to outperform its peers in the future. To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all real estate funds, then click here.

Forward Select Income A (KIFAX) seeks long term capital appreciation as well as current income. It invests heavily in real estate investment trusts and real estate companies. It focuses on preferred stock and debt, but may also invest in common stock, rights and warrants. The real-estate fund returned 112.7% in the last one year period.

The real-estate fund has a minimum initial investment of $4,000 and an expense ratio of 1.52% compared to a category average of 1.52%.

Cohen & Steers Realty Shares (CSRSX) invests the majority of its assets in equity securities of real estate companies. It invests in common and preferred stock, convertible securities and shares of real estate investment trusts. The real-estate fund returned 100.27% in the last one year period and has a ten year annualized return of 11.84%.

As of March 2010, this real-estate fund held 53 issues, with 11.69% of its total assets invested in Simon Property Group, Inc.

ING Real Estate A (CLARX) seeks long term capital growth and current income. At least 80% of its assets are invested in common and preferred stocks of real estate companies and real estate investment trusts. It is non-diversified and may also invest in convertible securities and IPOs. The real-estate fund returned 109.43% over the last one year period.

Joseph P. Smith is the Fund Manager and he has managed this real estate fund since 2007.

JPMorgan US Real Estate A (SUSIX) invests the majority of its assets in domestic real estate companies whose securities are traded publicly. At least 25% of its assets are invested in companies with interests in the real estate sector. The fund has a ten year annualized return of 10.66%.

The real-estate fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 1.18% compared to a category average of 1.52%.

DWS RREEF Global Real Estate Securities (RRGAX) invests at least 80% of its assets in the real estate sector. It focuses on purchasing equity securities of operating companies as well as real estate investment trusts. The equity fund returned 79.05% in the last one year period.

Daniel W. Ekins is the Fund Manager and he has managed this real estate fund since 2006.

To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all real estate funds, then click here.

About Zacks Mutual Fund Rank

By applying the Zacks Rank to mutual funds, investors can find funds that not only outpaced the market in the past but are also expected to outperform going forward. Learn more about the Zacks Mutual Fund Rank at http://www.zacks.com/funds/mutualfund/

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