Exhibit 99.1

Earnings Release

IRET ANNOUNCES FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS

FOR THE QUARTER AND YEAR-TO-DATE ENDED JANUARY 31, 2017

- Closes Unsecured $250 Million Line of Credit and Completes $267.8 Million of Non-Core Asset Sales

Through March 2017  -

(Minot, ND) – March 13, 2017 - IRET (NYSE: IRET) today reported its financial and operating results for the quarter and year-to-date ended January 31, 2017.

Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2017 Highlights

Year to Date Fiscal Year 2017 Highlights

Subsequent Highlights

Chief Executive Officer Tim Mihalick commented, “Our third fiscal quarter was marked by tremendous progress on our ongoing evolution to a focused multifamily company despite some operational challenges. Our non-same store newly developed and acquired assets continued to drive multifamily portfolio NOI, though our same-store multifamily portfolio felt the impact of supply growth in certain of our markets as well as continued challenges in our energy-impacted markets. Compounding these factors, we experienced near-record snowfall in North Dakota, which affected both revenue and expenses during the quarter. However, our revenue management system as well as our utility reimbursement program helped to drive healthy 3.4% rate growth across our same store multifamily portfolio, excluding our energy impacted markets, and we have an opportunity to drive occupancy as we enter the stronger leasing season in the spring. Further, we are continuing with our value-add program which has resulted in attractive 11.5% rate growth in the 993 units which have been refreshed this fiscal year to date.”

Mr. Mihalick continued, “Despite these challenges in our same store multifamily portfolio, which we expect will be mitigated as we execute on our capital recycling plan, our work to strengthen the Company for the long term continued. We are pleased with the execution of our disposition program through which we have netted total proceeds of $178.8 million from the third quarter and subsequent to date, as well as the completion of an unsecured $250 million revolver. The third quarter marked a big step towards simplicity and a higher quality, multifamily focused portfolio, with more stable cash flows, which we expect will result in enhanced long term value creation for our shareholders.”

Financial Results for the Three and Nine Months Ended January  31, 2017 Compared to the Prior Year Periods

Net income available to common shareholders for the quarter ended January  31, 2017 was $19.2 million compared to $36.9 million for the same period of the prior fiscal year. The decrease of $17.7 million was primarily due to net gain on extinguishment of debt in discontinued operations that was recognized in the comparable period of $36.5 million, net of an increase in gains on sale of discontinued operations of $19.2 million. Net income available to common shareholders for the nine months ended January 31, 2017 was $3.4 million compared to $52.4 million for the same period of the prior fiscal year. The decrease of $49.0 million was primarily due to net gain on extinguishment of debt in discontinued operations that was recognized in the prior period of $29.3 million and an increase in non-cash impairment expense attributable to IRET of $39.2 million, net of an increase in gains on sale of real estate of $10.0 million and a decrease in interest expense in discontinued operations of $13.0 million.

FFO for the quarter ending January  31, 2017 was $12.7 million, or $0.09 per share/unit. FFO for the nine months ended January 31, 2017 was $45.0 million, or $0.33 per share/unit.

The table below highlights FFO and Adjusted Funds from Operations (“AFFO”) results for the most recent five quarters.

Occupancy

Occupancy as of January 31, 2017 compared to January 31, 2016 decreased in the multifamily and healthcare segments by 2.3% and 2.6%, respectively, on a same-store basis.  Occupancy represents the actual number of units or square footage leased divided by the total number of units or square footage at the end of the period.

Operating Results for the Three Months Ended January  31, 2017 Compared to the Prior Year Period

Total revenue increased by $2.8 million, or 5.7%, in the three months ended January  31, 2017 compared to same period one year ago. NOI from all properties increased by approximately $296,000, or 1.1%, for the quarter ended January  31, 2017 compared to the same period one year ago. Non-Same-Store properties, primarily multifamily developments which continue to perform strongly, provided for an increase in NOI of $1.6 million while Same-Store NOI decreased by $1.3 million for the quarter ending January  31, 2017 compared to the same period one year ago.

Multifamily Results for the Three Months Ended January  31, 2017 Compared to the Prior Year Period

Multifamily (including Non-Same-Store) NOI increased by approximately $1.1 million or 5.7% for the quarter ended January  31, 2017 compared to the same period one year ago.

Same-Store Multifamily Results for the Three Months Ended January 31, 2017 Compared to the Three Months Ended October 31, 2016

The Same-Store portfolio showed mixed NOI results quarter over quarter, with unusually heavy snowfall affecting expenses in several regions.  Although NOI is down in the energy impacted markets of Minot and Williston, weighted average occupancy is improving. Operating margins of Same-Store multifamily NOI to gross revenues decreased by 267 basis points quarter over quarter to 53.75% for the third quarter of fiscal year 2017, as compared to the second quarter of fiscal year 2017.

The table below represents Same-Store multifamily performance by region for the third quarter ending January 31, 2017 compared to the second quarter ending October 31, 2016.

Same-Store Multifamily Results for the Three Months Ended January  31, 2017 Compared to the Prior Year Period

The Same-Store portfolio showed mixed NOI results year over year, with unusually heavy snowfall affecting expenses in several of our regions. Although NOI is still down compared to the prior period in the energy impacted markets of Minot and Williston, weighted average occupancy is improving. Elsewhere in North Dakota, Bismarck and Grand Forks had decreased occupancy due primarily to supply entering the market. Operating margins of Same-Store multifamily NOI to gross revenues decreased by 324 basis points year over year to 53.75% for the third quarter of fiscal year 2017, as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year.

The table below represents Same-Store multifamily performance by region for the third quarter ending January 31, 2017 compared to the same period one year ago.

Same-Store Multifamily Results for the Nine Months Ended January 31, 2017 Compared to the Prior Year Period

The Same-Store portfolio showed increased NOI results year over year, with the exception of markets with unusually heavy snowfall that affected expenses. Although NOI is still down compared to the prior period in the energy impacted markets of Minot and Williston, weighted average occupancy is improving. Elsewhere in North Dakota, Bismarck and Grand Forks had decreased occupancy due primarily to supply entering the market. Expense increases in select markets in the table below were primarily due to increased maintenance expenses. Operating margins of Same-Store multifamily NOI to gross revenues decreased by 151 basis points year over year to 55.73% for the nine months ended January 31, 2017, as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year.

The table below represents Same-Store multifamily performance by region for the nine months ended January 31, 2017 compared to the same period one year ago.

Development Project in Progress

Monticello Crossings is a 202 unit, $32.1 million multifamily development project in Monticello, MN, within the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan statistical area. As of January 31, 2017,  82.7% of the units are leased or committed. Subsequent to quarter end, the final phase of development was open for tenancy as of March 1, 2017. Stabilization at 90% occupancy is expected to be reached in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018.

Development Projects Placed in Service

During the three months ended January 31, 2017, no development projects were placed in service. During the nine months ended January  31, 2017, one development project was placed in service, as detailed in the following table:

Value Add Program

In addition to initiatives to grow the multifamily portfolio through acquisitions and development, IRET has a value add program whereby IRET is committing an estimated $3.5 million per quarter to rehab approximately 1,500 units in fiscal year 2017. Apartments will be remodeled as the leases expire and upgrades will include a variety of new appliances, flooring, lighting, kitchen cabinets, and bathroom upgrades. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2017, IRET completed the remodeling of 267 units at an average cost of $9,983, bringing the total units renovated during the fiscal year to 726, which are achieving average rental rate increases of 12.8%.

Disposition Activity

During the three months ended January 31, 2017,  IRET disposed of five senior housing properties for a sale price of $69.9 million and a retail property for a sale price of $4.0 million, netting proceeds of $58.8 million.

Subsequent to quarter end, IRET disposed of 18 senior housing properties for a total sale price of $115.6 million with a gain on sale of approximately $31.6 million, netting approximately $100.0 million in proceeds. Also subsequent to quarter end, IRET disposed of one medical office property for a sale price of $20.7 million with a gain on sale of approximately $6.2 million, netting approximately $20.0 million in proceeds, including a lease termination fee of $3.2 million.

Liquidity

At January  31, 2017,  IRET had $57.0 million cash on hand and its operating partnership had funds available of $17.0 million from the $174.0 million credit limit on its line of credit, which matures January 31, 2021.

Quarterly Distributions

On January 17, 2017,  IRET paid a quarterly distribution in the aggregate amount of $0.13 per common share and unit of IRET Properties. The distribution consisted of a regular quarterly distribution of $0.07 per share/unit and a special distribution of $0.06 per share/unit associated with capital gains from property disposition transactions. This was IRET’s 183rd consecutive distribution. IRET also paid, on January 2, 2017, a quarterly distribution of $0.4968 per share on its Series B preferred shares.

Guidance

IRET provides guidance on FFO per share and Same Store multifamily NOI growth, which are non-GAAP measures, but does not forecast or provide a reconciliation to net income per share. It is not reasonable to accurately predict the timing and certainty of acquisitions and dispositions that would materially affect depreciation and capital gains or losses, which combined generally represent the majority of the difference between net income available to common shareholders and FFO. Based on historical experience, the dollar amount of that unavailable information could be significant.

For the fiscal year ending April 30, 2017, management is revising its estimate of FFO to a range of $0.41 to $0.43 per share/unit, from the prior range of $0.48 to $0.52 per share/unit. This guidance revision reflects management’s view of current market conditions, and its assumption of Same-Store multifamily NOI growth of (4.0)% to (6.0)%, which is a revision from the prior range of (1.0)% to (3.0)%. In addition, the current guidance incorporates a modestly-lower G&A projection, the impact of certain property dispositions completed during the current fiscal year, and certain one-time expenditures related to the prepayment of certain debt and the redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock. This guidance will be discussed during the scheduled third quarter fiscal year 2017 conference call. This guidance does not include the operational or capital impact of any future acquisition, development, disposition, or capital markets activity, including potential transactions discussed as part of IRET’s strategic initiatives that have been announced but not yet closed. A number of factors could impact IRET’s ability to meet its guidance and assumption, and there can be no assurance that IRET can achieve such results. This guidance and the underlying assumptions are subject to change.

Declaration of Distributions for Fourth Quarter of Fiscal Year 2017

The Board of Trustees has declared quarterly distributions in the aggregate amount of $0.07 per share/unit, payable on April 3, 2017 to common shareholders and unitholders of record at the close of business on March 20, 2017.  Additionally, the Board of Trustees declared a distribution of $0.496875 per share on the 7.95% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares (NYSE: IRET PRB), payable on March 31, 2017 to holders of record at the close of business on March 20, 2016. Series B preferred share distributions are cumulative and payable quarterly in arrears at an annual rate of $1.9875 per share.

Conference Call Information

The conference call for  Third Quarter Earnings is scheduled for Tuesday,  March 14, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time. Conference call access information is as follows:

USA Toll Free Number: 1-877-509-9785

International Toll Free Number: 1-412-902-4132

Canada Toll Free Number: 1-855-669-9657

About IRET

IRET focuses on the acquisition, development, redevelopment and management of multifamily communities located primarily in select growth markets throughout the Midwest. As of January  31, 2017,  IRET owned interests in 130 properties that were held for investment, consisting of: (1) 86 multifamily properties consisting of 12,813 units, and (2) 44 commercial properties, including 30 healthcare properties, containing a total of approximately 2.7 million square feet of leasable space.    IRET’s common shares and Series B preferred shares are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE symbols: IRET and IRETPRB, respectively). IRET’s press releases and supplemental information are available on its website at www.iret.com or by contacting Investor Relations at 701-837-7104.

Supplemental Information

IRET produced the Supplemental Operating and Financial Data for the Quarter Ended January  31, 2017 (“Supplemental Information”), which is available on IRET’s website at www.iret.com.

Non-GAAP financial measures and other capitalized terms, as used in this earnings release, are defined under the section titled “Definitions” in the Supplemental Information.

Forward-Looking Statements

This earnings release, including the Supplemental Information, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements, which may be identified by the use of words such as “expects,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “intends,” “believes,” “outlook” and similar expressions that do not relate to historical matters, specifically including IRET’s future plans, anticipated operating results, anticipated timing of development projects being placed into service, anticipated lease ups of development projects placed into service, anticipated closings of the remaining senior housing sales, anticipated implementation and results of its value add program, and anticipated timing of properties becoming same-store properties, are based on IRET’s expectations, forecasts and assumptions at the time of this earnings release. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements.

Such risks, uncertainties and other factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to: intentions and expectations regarding future distributions on common shares and units; changes in operating costs; fluctuations in interest rates; adverse capital and credit market conditions that might affect IRET’s access to various sources of capital and cost of capital; IRET’s ability to manage its current debt levels and repay or refinance its indebtedness upon maturity or other payment dates; IRET’s ability to maintain financial covenant compliance under its debt agreements; adequate insurance coverage; the effect of government regulation; delays or inability to obtain necessary governmental permits and authorizations; changes in general and local economic and real estate market conditions; changes in demand for IRET properties that may result in lower than expected occupancy and/or rental rates; ability to acquire quality properties in IRET’s targeted markets; ability to successfully dispose of certain assets; competition for tenants from similar competing properties; IRET’s ability to attract and retain skilled personnel; cyber-intrusion; abandonment of development or redevelopment opportunities for which IRET has already incurred costs; delays in completing development, redevelopment and/or lease up of properties and increased costs; IRET’s ability to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures; and those risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in IRET’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including IRET’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2016 and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

IRET assumes no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events.

INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)

INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES

RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO

INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST TO FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS

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