<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000798359-12-000094.txt : 20120917
<SEC-HEADER>0000798359-12-000094.hdr.sgml : 20120917
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20120917163034
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000798359-12-000094
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20120917
ITEM INFORMATION:		Temporary Suspension of Trading Under Registrant's Employee Benefit Plans
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial Statements and Exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20120917
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20120917

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000798359
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				450311232
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			ND
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0430

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-35624
		FILM NUMBER:		121095295

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1400 31ST AVENUE SW, SUITE 60
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 1988
		CITY:			MINOT
		STATE:			ND
		ZIP:			58702-1988
		BUSINESS PHONE:		701-837-4738

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1400 31ST AVENUE SW, SUITE 60
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 1988
		CITY:			MINOT
		STATE:			ND
		ZIP:			58702-1988
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>iretform8kblackoutper-092012.htm
<DESCRIPTION>CURRENT REPORT
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">UNITED STATES</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Washington, D.C. 20549</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">FORM 8-K</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">CURRENT REPORT</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Date of Report (date of earliest event reported):</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><u>September 17, 2012</u></div>

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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</div>

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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">North Dakota</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">0-14851</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">45-0311232</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(State or other jurisdiction</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">of incorporation)</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(Commission</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">File Number)</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(IRS Employer</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Identification No.)</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">1400 31<sup style="vertical-align: text-top; line-height: 1; font-size: smaller;">st</sup> Avenue, SW, Suite 60</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Minot, ND 58701</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">(701) 837-4738</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:</div>

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<td style="WIDTH: auto; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act</td>
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<td style="WIDTH: auto; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act</td>
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<td style="WIDTH: auto; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act</td>
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<td style="WIDTH: 72pt; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; align: right">ITEM 5.04.</td>
<td style="WIDTH: auto; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Temporary Suspension of Trading Under Registrant's Employee Benefit Plans.</td>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">On September 14, 2012, a notification was made regarding a blackout period with respect to the IRET Properties 401(k) Plan (the "Plan"). The blackout period is required due to the transition to a new service provider and trustee. During the blackout period, while the Company and the new service provider complete the set-up of the new system to manage the Plan, participants in the Plan will be unable to make contribution rate and future investment changes, investment election changes and withdrawals/distributions under the Plan, including with respect to Company stock. The blackout period will begin on October 22, 2012 and is expected to continue through November 30, 2012 (such period, the "Blackout Period"). The notification required by Section 101(i)(2)(E) of the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 relating to the Blackout Period was made on September 14, 2012.</div>

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</font> On September 17, 2012, the Company sent a notice to its trustees and executive officers informing them of the Blackout Period and the Company common share trading restrictions that apply to them during the Blackout Period. This notice was required pursuant to Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Section 104 of Regulation BTR under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.</div>

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</font>A copy of the notice to the trustees and executive officers is attached as Exhibit 99.1. During the Blackout Period and for a period of two years after the ending date of the Blackout Period, shareholders or other interested parties may obtain, without charge, information about the actual beginning and ending dates of the Blackout Period by contacting the Company's Investor Relations department by telephone at (701) 837-4738 or by mail at Investor Relations, Investors Real Estate Trust, 1400 31<sup style="vertical-align: text-top; line-height: 1; font-size: smaller;">st</sup> Avenue SW, Suite 60, PO Box 1988, Minot, North Dakota, 58702.</div>

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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Item 9.01</font><font style="FONT-SIZE: 5.14pt" id="TRGRRTFtoHTMLTab">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Financial Statements and Exhibits.</font></div>

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</font><font style="FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(d)</font><font style="FONT-SIZE: 5.14pt" id="TRGRRTFtoHTMLTab">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>Exhibits</div>

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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Description</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">99.1</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Notice to Trustees and Executive Officers of Blackout Period with respect to IRET Properties 401k Plan, dated September 17, 2012.</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">SIGNATURE</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</div>

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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">By: /s/ &#160;Timothy P. Mihalick</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; TEXT-INDENT: 31.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Timothy P. Mihalick</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; TEXT-INDENT: 31.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">President &amp; Chief Executive Officer</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Date: &#160;September 17, 2012</div>

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<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>iretexhibit991-092012.htm
<DESCRIPTION>IMPORTANT NOTICE OF BLACKOUT PERIOD TO TRUSTEES AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST AND IRET PROPERTIES
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: right; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Exhibit 99.1</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Important Notice of Blackout Period to Trustees and Executive Officers of Investors Real Estate Trust and IRET Properties</div>

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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">September 17, 2012</div>

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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Federal securities laws require us to send you a notice whenever restrictions are imposed on your trading in our common shares due to a blackout of the IRET Properties 401(k) Plan (the "401(k) plan") that lasts for a period of more than three consecutive business days. A 401(k) plan blackout is necessary due to a change in the 401(k) plan service provider and trustee. The transition to the new service provider will begin on October 22, 2012 and is expected to continue through November 30, 2012 (the "Blackout Period"). During the Blackout Period, 401(k) plan participants will be unable to make contribution rate and future investment changes, investment election changes and withdrawals/distributions under the 401(k) plan, including with respect to Investors Real Estate Trust common shares.</div>

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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Federal securities laws provide that, during the Blackout Period, all trustees and executive officers are prohibited from purchasing, selling or otherwise acquiring or transferring any of our common shares or any derivatives of our common shares, regardless of whether the trustee or executive officer participates in the 401(k) plan. As a trustee or executive officer, these prohibitions apply to you and to members of your immediate family who share your household, as well as to trusts, corporations and other entities whose share ownership may be attributed to you. While several narrow exceptions to this prohibition exist, you should not engage in any transaction without first confirming whether an exception is available.</div>

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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Although a portion of the Blackout Period falls during a period in which your trading will already be restricted under our trading window policy, we are required to provide you with this notice in order to comply with federal securities laws.</div>

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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">If you engage in a transaction that violates these rules, you may be required to disgorge your profits from the transaction, and you may be subject to civil and criminal penalties.</div>

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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; FONT-FAMILY: ''Times New Roman'', Times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">If you have questions regarding the Blackout Period, including when it has started or ended, please contact the Company's Associate General Counsel, Karin Wentz, by telephone at (952) 401-6600 or by mail at Investors Real Estate Trust, 1400 31<sup style="vertical-align: text-top; line-height: 1; font-size: smaller;">st</sup> Avenue SW, Suite 60, PO Box 1988, Minot, North Dakota, 58701.</div>

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