<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001318689-16-000002.txt : 20160422
<SEC-HEADER>0001318689-16-000002.hdr.sgml : 20160422
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20160422142824
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001318689-16-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20160419
FILED AS OF DATE:		20160422
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20160422

ISSUER:		

	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

	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

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Dance Michael T
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001318689

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-35624
		FILM NUMBER:		161586372

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.
		STREET 2:		925 EAST MEADOW DRIVE
		CITY:			PALO ALTO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94303
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2016-04-19</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000798359</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>IRET</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001318689</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Dance Michael T</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1400 31ST AVENUE SW</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 60</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MINOT</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>ND</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>58702</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Joy S. Newborg, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2016-04-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
