Final answer:
A real estate investment trust (REIT) allows investors to invest in real estate without owning individual property.
Step-by-step explanation:
A real estate investment trust (REIT) allows an investor to invest in real estate without owning individual property. REITs are companies that own and manage income-generating real estate, such as apartment buildings, shopping centers, and office buildings. By purchasing shares of a REIT, investors can participate in the income and appreciation of the underlying properties without the need to directly own and manage them.