The independent broker-dealers that sell non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs) are reportedly trying to reduce their own risk by raising their due diligence standards. More stringent standards means fewer non-traded REITs being put on brokers’ approved lists to sell. At the same time, the number of non-traded REITs on the market is at an all-time high of 68, and sponsors are beating the bushes to keep them on the brokers’ shelves, according to Bruce Kelly’s InvestmentNews article, “Indies cut back on some REITs to lessen risk.”