I'm not sure why you mentioned needing to be an accredited investor? Maybe if you were buying into a non-publicly traded REIT, but I would never do that, too illiquid and risky for me.
I have money in three of the top 10 REITS in NETL, all publicly traded and as easy to buy/sell as any other stock.
The beauty of the triple net lease is they just collect rent without having to do maintenance or pay taxes on the property. Not sure how interest rates really effect that business model since the rent money still comes in but retail investors can get their panties in a wad and buy and sell based on rates. However the main reason, for me anyway, to be in REITs is for the cash flow over the long term.
I am keeping an eye on NETL myself but feel that some of the holdings like O are pricey now and at some point real estate will be out of favor again as a sector and that is when I might pick some up.