7 REITs Paying Huge Dividends One of the big reasons for investing in real estate investment trusts (REITs) is the kind of dividends many pay. While Treasury bonds are just beginning to catch up with inflation, some REITs offer better yields as long as investors are willing to accept the risks attached to owning them. Here are seven REITs with better-than-average, hard-to-ignore dividend yields: AGNC Investment Corp. (NASDAQ: AGNC ) is paying 12.6% at a price of $11.43. The Bethesda, Maryland-based company specializes in residential mortgage REITs backed via the Federal National Mortgage Association and similar government agencies. AGNC also invests in other kinds of mortgages or mortgage-related securities. In June, Bose George, the REIT analyst at Keefe, Brunette Woods Inc., upgraded AGNC from “market perform” to “outperform.” Claros Mortgage Trust (NYSE: CMTG ) is paying an 8.86% dividend at the current price of $16.92. It focuses mostly on commercial real estate loans in major U.S. markets. This REIT has “outperform” ratings from some of the top investment firms, including Wells Fargo Co. (NYSE: WFC ) and JMP Securities.