What are the key differences between investing in real estate directly and investing in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)?

The key differences between investing in real estate directly and investing in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are that direct real estate investing involves owning physical properties and managing them yourself, while investing in REITs allows you to invest in real estate through buying shares of a company that owns and manages a portfolio of properties. Direct real estate investing typically requires more capital, time, and expertise, while REITs offer more liquidity, diversification, and professional management.