iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF (USRT): Complete Beginner's Guide
Last updated: March 2026 • BlackRock • Real Estate
Expense Ratio
0.08%
AUM
$2.5B
Dividend Yield
3.30%
Inception
2007
Beginner Score
9/10
What is iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF?
USRT provides broad, low-cost exposure to the U.S. REIT market by tracking the FTSE Nareit Equity REITs Index, covering over 140 real estate investment trusts across all property types. It excludes mortgage REITs and focuses purely on equity REITs that own physical properties. Beginners who want comprehensive real estate exposure at a low cost will find USRT a well-diversified core REIT holding.
USRT is managed by BlackRock and has been available since 2007. With $2.5B in assets under management, it's a growing fund that has attracted significant investor interest. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.08%, which means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $8 per year in management fees.
USRT at a Glance — Key Metrics
| Expense Ratio | 0.08% |
| Total Holdings | 145 |
| P/E Ratio | 36.0 |
| Beta | 0.90 |
| Dividend Yield | 3.30% |
| AUM | $2.5B |
| Inception Year | 2007 |
| Issuer | BlackRock |
Top 10 Holdings in USRT
USRT holds 145 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:
| # | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prologis Inc. | PLD | 9.00% |
| 2 | American Tower Corp. | AMT | 7.20% |
| 3 | Equinix Inc. | EQIX | 6.20% |
| 4 | Crown Castle Inc. | CCI | 4.00% |
| 5 | Public Storage | PSA | 3.60% |
| 6 | Realty Income Corp. | O | 3.40% |
| 7 | Simon Property Group | SPG | 3.00% |
| 8 | Digital Realty Trust | DLR | 2.80% |
| 9 | Welltower Inc. | WELL | 2.60% |
| 10 | VICI Properties Inc. | VICI | 2.40% |
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USRT Performance History
Here's how USRT has performed over different time periods. Remember that past performance doesn't guarantee future results, but it gives you a sense of the fund's track record:
YTD
1.50%
1 Year
12.20%
3 Year
3.80%
5 Year
5.20%
10 Year
6.50%
Beginner Suitability Score: 9/10
Our proprietary Beginner Suitability Score evaluates ETFs based on five factors that matter most to new investors: fees, volatility, diversification, dividend history, and track record length.
USRT scores 9/10 because it has very low fees, shows lower-than-average volatility, offers broad diversification across 145 holdings, and has been available since 2007, giving it a proven track record.
How to Buy USRT — Step by Step
- Open a brokerage account — We recommend Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard for ETF investing. All offer $0 commissions on ETF trades.
- Fund your account — Transfer money from your bank. You can start with as little as $1 if your broker offers fractional shares.
- Search for "USRT" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF.
- Place your order — Choose "Market Order" for simplicity or "Limit Order" if you want to set a specific price. Enter how many shares (or dollar amount) you want to buy.
- Set up automatic investing — Most brokers let you schedule recurring purchases (e.g., $100/month on the 1st). This is dollar cost averaging in action.
Dollar Cost Averaging Into USRT
Here's what consistent monthly investing could look like over time, assuming an average annual return of 8% (approximate historical stock market average):
| Monthly | 10 Years | 20 Years | 30 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100/mo | $18,417 | $59,295 | $150,030 |
| $250/mo | $46,041 | $148,237 | $375,074 |
| $500/mo | $92,083 | $296,474 | $750,148 |
*Projections assume 8% average annual return with monthly compounding. Actual returns will vary. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Fee impact: With USRT's expense ratio of 0.08%, a $10,000 investment would lose approximately $686 to fees over 20 years compared to a zero-fee investment. This is a reasonable fee level for the value provided.
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Pros and Cons of USRT
Pros
- ✓Low 0.08% expense ratio provides affordable broad REIT market exposure
- ✓Over 145 equity REITs span every major property type for excellent diversification
- ✓Excludes mortgage REITs to focus on pure real property ownership
- ✓Solid dividend yield from REITs' requirement to distribute most taxable income
Cons
- ✗Smaller AUM than competing REIT ETFs may result in slightly wider bid-ask spreads
- ✗Interest rate sensitivity remains a key risk factor for all REIT investments
- ✗Real estate sector can underperform during economic slowdowns and credit tightening
Frequently Asked Questions
Is USRT a good ETF for beginners?▾
USRT has a Beginner Suitability Score of 9/10 on our scale. This makes it a strong choice for new investors due to its low fees and broad diversification.
What is the expense ratio of USRT?▾
USRT has an expense ratio of 0.08%. This means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $8 per year in fees. This is considered very low and cost-efficient.
How much money do I need to invest in USRT?▾
You can invest in USRT with as little as $1 through brokers that offer fractional shares (like Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood). There is no minimum investment required beyond the share price itself, which changes daily. Dollar cost averaging — investing a fixed amount regularly — is a popular strategy.
Does USRT pay dividends?▾
Yes, USRT pays dividends with a current yield of approximately 3.30%. Dividends are typically paid quarterly and can be reinvested automatically through most brokers.
What are the top holdings in USRT?▾
The top holdings in USRT include Prologis Inc. (9.00%), American Tower Corp. (7.20%), Equinix Inc. (6.20%), and more. The fund holds 145 total positions, providing broad diversification across many companies.