Mid-America Apartment Communities knows how to make money for its investors. Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA -0.70%) has been a fantastic investment over the years. The apartment-focused real estate investment trust (REIT) has delivered a 3,880% total return since its initial public offering (IPO) 30 years ago (nearly 12.8% annualized). Its magnificent record of paying dividends is a big factor driving those strong returns. It recently declared its 123rd consecutive-quarterly payment. The residential ...