HRPT PROPERTIES (HRP)

I purchased more shares of HRPT Properties today at $11.02 per share. It pays a dividend rate of 7.6 percent and is close to it's 52 week low. Nice solid company to hold and reinvest the dividends and let it grow.

HRPT Properties Trust operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) in the United States. It engages in the ownership and operation of real estate, including office buildings, industrial buildings, and leased industrial land. As of December 31, 2006, the trust owned 504 properties, including 351 office properties and 153 industrial properties. HRPT Properties Trust is elected to be treated as a REIT. As a REIT, it would not be subject to federal income tax, provided that it distributes at least 90% of taxable income to its shareholders
HRPT continues to diversify and build on its strategy of going into markets that aren't quite as high-profile. During the quarter, HRPT purchased four office buildings in South Carolina and Massachusetts, with 391,000 square feet and 96.3% occupancy, for $42.6 million at a very healthy 9.8% cap rate.
Although nationwide occupancy was slightly down, HRPT did see some positive trends. Management noted that competitors were pushing for stronger rental rates and fewer concessions of free rent. Tenant improvement dollars have largely stayed constant, but lessors are getting longer lease terms as a result -- which means, on a net basis, the landlord is getting higher rents.