Dividend Stocks Overview - Dividend stocks are affordable and suitable for beginners, allowing for steady growth of dividend income through additional share purchases [1] - Several dividend stocks cost less than 175pershare,includingEastGroupProperties,Mid−AmericaApartmentCommunities,andExtraSpaceStorage,offeringgrowingpassiveincomestreams[2]EastGroupProperties(EGP)−EastGroupPropertieshaspaid179consecutivequarterlydividendsandincreaseditspayoutfor29outof32years,witharecent10.21.40 per share quarterly (5.60annually)[3]−Thestockpriceisaround172 per share, yielding a 3.3% dividend, more than double the S&P 500's 1.2% yield [4] - The company has invested 3billiontodevelop263properties,focusingonbusinessparksettingsandvalue−addopportunitiesinSunBeltcities,drivingportfolioandrentalincomegrowth[5]Mid−AmericaApartmentCommunities(MAA)−MAAhaspaid123consecutivequarterlydividends,raisingitspayoutfor14consecutiveyears,includinga51.47 per share quarterly (5.88annually)inDecember[6]−Thestockpriceisaround161 per share, yielding a 3.7% dividend [7] - MAA focuses on Sunbelt metro areas with strong employment growth and is investing over 450millioninfivepropertiesandnearly1 billion in eight development projects to expand its portfolio and rental income [8] Extra Space Storage (EXR) - Extra Space Storage has increased its dividend by nearly 250% over the past decade, with an 8% raise in February 2023 [9] - The stock price is under 169pershare,yieldinga3.915 billion merger with Life Storage, and investments in third-party management and bridge loans [11] Conclusion - EastGroup Properties, MAA, and Extra Space Storage have strong dividend payment records and relatively affordable stock prices, making them attractive for building stable and rising dividend income streams [12]