The best (and only) inverse REIT ETFs for Q4 2020 are REK, SRS, and DRV. : Inverse REIT ETFs aim to provide investors with short exposure to a basket of securities in the real estate sector. Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are companies that own, operate, or finance income-generating real estate and provide investors a way to invest in the real estate sector without having to buy or manage property themselves. Investors bullish on the real estate sector can use a REIT exchange-traded fund (ETF) to invest in a basket of REITs.