Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

On January 9, 2009, Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. entered into a Sales Agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. to sell up to 5,000,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.10 per share, from time to time through a controlled equity offering program under which Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. will act as sales agent.

A copy of the Sales Agreement is attached as Exhibit 1.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibit No. Description 1.1 Sales Agreement, dated January 9, 2009, between Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. 8.1 Tax Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

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