Item 1. Business
General
Hartman Short Term Income Properties XX, Inc. is a Maryland corporation formed on February 5, 2009, to acquire and invest in income-producing commercial real estate properties, including office buildings, retail shopping centers and flex and industrial properties. We have made and expect to continue to make investments in real estate assets located in the United States, with a strategic focus on real estate properties located in Texas, based on our view of existing market conditions. We own, and in the future intend to own, substantially all of our assets and conduct our operations through our Hartman XX Limited Partnership, a Texas limited partnership, which we refer to as our “operating partnership.” Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Hartman XX REIT GP LLC, is the sole general partner of our operating partnership, and we are the sole limited partner of our operating partnership. We elected to be treated as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for federal income tax purposes beginning with the taxable year ended December 31, 2011. References in this Annual Report to “shares” and “our common stock” refer to the shares of our common stock.
As of December 31, 2020, we owned 44 commercial properties comprising approximately 6,800,000 square feet plus four pad sites, all located in Texas. As of December 31, 2020, we owned 15 properties located in Richardson, Arlington, and Dallas, Texas, 26 properties located in Houston, Texas and three properties located in San Antonio, Texas. For more information on our real estate portfolio, see “Investment Portfolio” below.
On May 14, 2020, we completed: (i) the merger between us and Short Term Income Properties XIX, Inc.("Hartman XIX") and (ii) the merger by us, our operating partnership, Hartman Income REIT, Inc. (“HIREIT”), and Hartman Income REIT Operating Partnership LP, (“HIREIT Operating Partnership”). The effective date of the mergers ("Mergers") is July 1, 2020.
Prior to July 1, 2020 and subject to certain restrictions and limitations, Hartman Advisors LLC ("Advisor") was responsible for managing our affairs on a day-to-day basis and for identifying and making acquisitions and investments on our behalf pursuant to an advisory agreement. Management of the Company’s properties and the Properties, is provided pursuant to property management agreements with Hartman Income REIT Management, Inc. (the "Property Manager"), formerly a wholly-owned subsidiary of HIREIT and effective July 1, 2020, our wholly owned subsidiary. The Property Manager owned 30% of the Advisor prior to the Mergers. Effective with the Mergers and the acquisition of the 70% interest of Advisor owned by affiliates of Allen R. Hartman, we are a self advised and self-managed REIT.
Our principal executive offices are located at 2909 Hillcroft, Suite 420, Houston, Texas 77057. Our telephone number is 713-467-2222. Information regarding our company is available via the internet at www.hartmaninvestment.com and www.hartmanreits.com. We are not incorporating our web-sites or any information from our web-sites into this Annual Report.
2021 Key Objectives
We intend to grow in a conservative manner consistent with our fundamental strategy of owning and operating value add properties in Texas. As we move into 2021, our business strategy for the upcoming year is focused on increasing occupancy in the Houston, Dallas and San Antonio markets and extending our portfolio’s weighted average in-place lease term to drive cash flow growth There can be no assurance regarding our achievement of any of our objectives.
Increase occupancy in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio markets and extend the portfolio’s weighted average in-place lease term
The occupancy of our properties as of December 31, 2020 was approximately 80%. We intend to increase occupancy at our properties by the end of 2021 to 85% with an average occupancy of 83%. We expect to accomplish occupancy increase with a combination of aggressive lease incentive offerings for prospective new tenants and enhanced customer service initiatives to improve tenant retention. We intend to increase weighted average in-place lease term remaining from approximately 37 months as of December 31, 2020 to 48 months by the end of 2021. We also intend to increase net operating income for same store properties by 5%.
Investment Objectives and Strategy: Hartman Advantage
Our primary investment objectives are to:
•realize growth in the value of our investments;
•preserve, protect and return stockholders’ capital contributions; and
•grow net cash from operations and pay regular cash distributions to our stockholders.
We cannot assure our stockholders that we will achieve these objectives.
The cornerstone of our investment strategy is our discipline in acquiring a portfolio of real estate properties, specifically properties that are located in Texas, that offer a blend of current and potential income based on in place occupancy plus relatively significant potential for growth in income and value from re-tenanting; repositioning or redevelopment. We refer to this strategy as “value add” or the “Hartman Advantage.”
We rely upon the value add or Hartman Advantage strategy to evaluate potential commercial real estate acquisition and investment opportunities per completed acquisition or investment.
Effective March 31, 2016, we terminated our follow-on offering. Our board of directors continues to evaluate potential liquidity events to maximize the total potential return to our stockholders, including, but not limited to, merging our company with other Hartman affiliates followed by a listing of our shares of common stock on a national securities exchange. On November 6, 2020, the board of directors of the Company and the board of directors of Hartman vREIT XXI, Inc. each approved the merger of Hartman XXI with and into the Company. On January 26, 2021, the respective boards determined to delay the merger transaction. There can be no assurance that we will complete the contemplated merger by any specific date or at all.
We do not anticipate that there will be any market for our shares of common stock unless they are listed on a national securities exchange. In the event that our shares of common stock are not listed or traded on an established securities exchange prior to the tenth anniversary of the completion or termination of our initial public offering, our charter requires that the board of directors must seek the approval of our stockholders of a plan to liquidate our assets, unless the board of directors has obtained the approval of our stockholders (1) to defer the liquidation of our assets or (2) of an alternate strategy.
Investment Portfolio
As of December 31, 2020, we owned 44 commercial properties comprising approximately 6,800,000 square feet plus four pad sites and two land developments, all located in Texas. As of December 31, 2020, we owned 15 properties located in Richardson, Arlington, and Dallas, Texas, 26 properties located in Houston, Texas and three properties located in San Antonio, Texas. For additional information regarding our property portfolio, see Part I, Item 2, “Properties” of this Annual Report.
Competition
The United States commercial real estate market is highly competitive. All our properties are located in areas that include competing properties. We face competition from various entities for investment opportunities in our targeted assets, including other REITs, pension funds, insurance companies, investment funds, real estate companies and developers. Many of these entities have substantially greater financial resources than we do and may be able to accept more risk than we can prudently manage, including risks with respect to the geographic location of investments or the creditworthiness of tenants. Competition from these entities may reduce the number of suitable investment opportunities offered to us or increase the bargaining power of property owners seeking to sell real estate assets. The amount of competition in a particular market could also impact our ability to lease space and impact the amount of rent we are able to charge.
Human Capital
As of December 31, 2020, we had 180 full-time employees. Our human capital management objectives are to attract, retain and develop the highest quality talent by creating a culture based on biblical principles that promotes employee engagement.
Diversity. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, or disability in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. We value diversity of views, experience, skill sets, gender and ethnicity throughout our organization.
Employee Retention. We value employee retention and actively seek to promote from within our company.
Employee Training and Development. We encourage our employees to take advantage of various internal training opportunities, as well as those provided by outside service providers to the extent they are business related. Our employees also receive extensive and ongoing training concerning important cybersecurity issues. Many of our employees hold professional licenses and we encourage them, and in many cases reimburse them, to attend ongoing continuing professional education such as is typically required of attorneys, engineers and certified public accountants. We provide all employees with quarterly performance and career development reviews.
Employee Compensation and Benefits. We maintain cash and equity based compensation programs designed to attract, retain and motivate our employees. We offer a comprehensive benefits program as well as a 401(k) with a matching employer contribution, flexible spending accounts, income protection through our sick pay, salary continuation and long term disability policies, paid vacation, paid maternity, paternity and adoption leave and holiday and personal days to balance work and personal life.
Employee Health and Safety. We recognize the importance of the health, safety and environmental well-being of our employees, and are committed to providing and maintaining a healthy work environment.
Regulations
All real property investments and the operations conducted in connection with such investments are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations. Our investments are subject to various federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, and regulations, including, among other things, zoning regulations, land use controls, environmental controls relating to air and water quality, noise pollution, and indirect environmental impacts.
Under various federal and state environmental laws and regulations, as an owner or operator of real estate, we may be required to investigate and clean up certain hazardous or toxic substances, asbestos-containing materials, or petroleum product releases at our properties. We may also be held liable to a governmental entity or to third parties for property damage and for investigation and cleanup costs incurred by those parties in connection with the contamination. In addition, some environmental laws create a lien on the contaminated site in favor of the government for damages and costs it incurs in connection with the contamination. The presence of contamination or the failure to remediate contamination at any of our properties may adversely affect our ability to sell or lease the properties or to borrow using the properties as collateral.
We do not believe that compliance with existing environmental laws will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. However, we cannot predict the impact of unforeseen environmental contingencies or new or changed laws or regulations on properties in which we hold an interest, or on properties that may be acquired directly or indirectly in the future.
Tax Status
We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Internal Revenue Code, and have operated as such beginning with the taxable year ended December 31, 2011. To qualify as a REIT, we must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of our annual REIT taxable income (which is computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding net capital gain and which does not necessarily equal net income as calculated in accordance with GAAP) to stockholders. As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax so long as we maintain our REIT status. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year after the taxable year in which we initially elected to be taxed as a REIT, we will be subject to federal income tax on our taxable income at regular corporate income tax rates and generally will not be permitted to qualify for treatment as a REIT for federal income tax purposes for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification is lost, unless the Internal Revenue Service grants us relief under certain statutory provisions. Such an event could materially adversely affect our net income and net cash available for distribution to stockholders. We believe we are organized and operate in such a manner as to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, and we intend to continue to operate in such a manner, but no assurance can be given that we will operate in a manner so as to qualify or remain qualified as a REIT.
Financial Information About Segments
Our current business consists of acquiring, developing, investing-in, owning, managing, leasing, operating, and disposing of real estate assets. We internally evaluate all of our real estate assets as one industry segment and, accordingly, do not report segment information.
Economic Dependency
Effective July 1, 2020, we transitioned to a self-managed real estate investment trust following the closing of the Mergers. While we no longer bear the costs of the various fees and expense reimbursements previously paid to our
former advisor and its affiliates, our expenses now include the compensation and benefits of our officers, employees and consultants, as well as overhead previously paid by our former advisor or their affiliates. Our employees now provide us services historically provided by our former advisor and its affiliates. We are also now subject to potential liabilities that are commonly faced by employers, such as workers' disability and compensation claims, potential labor disputes, and other employee-related liabilities and grievances, and we bear the costs of the establishment and maintenance of any employee compensation plans. If we incur unexpected expenses as a result of our self-management, our results from operations could be lower than they otherwise have been. Furthermore, our results of operations following our transition to self-management may not be comparable to our results prior to the transition.
Available Information
We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and, accordingly, we file annual reports, quarterly reports and other information with the SEC. Access to copies of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the SEC, including amendments to such filings, may be obtained free of charge from our website, http://www.hartmanreits.com/sec-filings/. These filings are available promptly after we file them with, or furnish them to, the SEC. We are not incorporating our website or any information from the website into this annual report. The SEC also maintains a website, http://www.sec.gov, were our filings with the SEC are available free of charge. We will provide without charge a copy of this Annual Report, including financial statements and schedules, upon written request delivered to our principal executive office at the address listed on the cover page of this Annual Report.
Item 1A.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The following are some of the risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those presented in our forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face but do represent those risks and uncertainties that we believe are material to us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also harm our business. Our stockholders or potential investors may be referred to as “you” or “your” in this Item 1A.
Risks Related to Our Business and Operations
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, has caused, and could continue to cause, severe disruptions in the U.S., regional and global economies and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic, or the future outbreak of any other highly infectious or contagious diseases, impacts our operations will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the scope, severity and duration of such pandemic, the actions taken to contain the pandemic or mitigate its impact, including the adoption and administration of available COVID-19 vaccines. The COVID-19 pandemic may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, and may have the effect of heightening many of the risks described below and within this “Risk Factors” section, including:
•the disruptive impact on tenant and third party leasing resources, which could hinder our ability to renew expiring leases, initiate or complete tenant build-out and construction projects or otherwise interfere with our tenant relationships;
•disruptions in the supply of materials or products or the inability of contractors to perform on a timely basis or at all, which could result in our failure to meet our delivery obligation under lease agreements, or increase the costs of ongoing or future construction and tenant improvements;
•reduced economic activity impacting the businesses, financial condition and liquidity of our tenants, which has caused, and could continue to cause, one or more of our tenants to be unable to meet their obligations to us in full, or at all, or to otherwise seek modifications of such obligations;
•the impact of current and future efforts by state, local, federal and industry groups, such as suspension of a landlord’s ability to enforce evictions, which could affect our ability to collect rent or enforce remedies for the failure to pay rent;
•severe disruption and instability in the global financial markets or deterioration in credit and financing conditions, which could make it difficult for us to access debt and equity capital on attractive terms, or at all, impact our ability to acquire, recapitalize or refinance properties on economically favorable terms, or at all and affect our ability to fund our operations or address maturing liabilities on a timely basis;
•the likelihood that the impact of COVID-19 could result in an event or change in circumstances that results in an impairment charge in the value of one or more of our properties, which would result in an immediately negative adjustment to our earnings and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial conditions and results of operations in the period in which the charge is taken;
•uncertainty as to whether business interruption, loss of rental income and/or other associated expenses related to our operations across our portfolio will be covered by our insurance policies, which may increase unreimbursed liabilities; and
•the potential negative impact on the health of our personnel, including our senior management team, particularly if a significant number of our employees or key members of our senior management team are impacted, which could result in a deterioration of our ability to ensure business continuity during a disruption.
We have experienced annual net losses from inception through December 31, 2020 and may experience similar losses in the future.
From inception through December 31, 2020, we incurred a net loss of $57,275,000. We cannot assure that we will be profitable in the future or that we will realize growth in the value of our assets.
Our cash distributions are not guaranteed, may fluctuate and may constitute a return of capital or taxable gain from the sale or exchange of property.
We began paying a distribution in January 2011. The actual amount and timing of distributions are determined by our board of directors and typically will depend upon the amount of funds available for distribution, which will depend on items such as current and projected cash requirements and tax considerations. As a result, our distribution rate and payment frequency may vary from time to time. To the extent we do not have sufficient funds, or sources, of funds to pay distributions, we may be forced to reduce the rate at which we pay distributions or stop paying distributions entirely. Distributions payable to our stockholders may also include a return of capital, rather than a return on capital. In January 2021, we reduced the our distribution rate by 50%.
The geographic concentration of our portfolio may make us particularly susceptible to adverse economic developments in the real estate markets of those areas.
As of December 31, 2020, we owned or held a majority interest in 44 commercial properties comprising approximately 6,800,000 square feet plus four pad sites and two land developments, all located in Texas. As of December 31, 2020, we owned 15 properties located in Richardson, Arlington, and Dallas, Texas, 26 properties
located in Houston, Texas and three properties located in San Antonio, Texas. Our geographic focus on the State of Texas is consistent with our investment strategy. However, our focus on investments in the State of Texas results in a geographic concentration in our portfolio which increases the likelihood that a downturn in economic or market conditions that selectively or disproportionately impact the State of Texas will have a significant impact on our results of operations and financial condition and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders. Any adverse economic or real estate developments in the Texas market, such as business layoffs or downsizing, industry slowdowns, relocation of businesses, changing demographics and other factors, or any decrease in demand for commercial property space resulting from local business climates, could adversely affect our property revenue, and hence net operating income. An investment in our shares of common stock may entail more risk than an investment in the shares of common stock of a real estate investment trust with a more geographically diversified portfolio.
We have and may continue to pay distributions from sources other than our cash flow from operations. To the extent that we pay distributions from sources other than our cash flow from operations, we will have reduced funds available for investment and the overall return to our stockholders may be reduced.
Our organizational documents permit us to pay distributions from any source, including net proceeds from our public offerings, borrowings, advances from our sponsor or advisor and the deferral of fees and expense reimbursements by our advisor, in its sole discretion. Since our inception, our cash flow from operations has not been sufficient to fund all of our distributions, and as a consequence we have funded a significant portion of our distributions with the net proceeds of our public offerings. Of the $15,797,000 in total distributions we paid during the year ended December 31, 2020, including shares issued pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan and but excluding distributions we paid to non-controlling interests, 100% was funded from cash flow from operations. Of the $83,281,000 in total distributions we paid during the period from our inception through December 31, 2020, including shares issued pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan and excluding distributions we paid to non-controlling interests, approximately 64% was funded from cash flow from operations and approximately 36% was funded from offering proceeds or other sources. In the future, our cash flow from operations may not be sufficient to fund our distributions and we may continue to fund all or a portion of our distributions from the remaining proceeds from our follow-on offering or other sources other than cash flow from operations. We have not established a limit on the amount of offering proceeds, or other sources other than cash flow from operations, which we may use to fund distributions.
If we are unable to consistently fund distributions to our stockholders entirely from our cash flow from operations, the value of your shares upon a listing of our common stock, the sale of our assets or any other liquidity event may be reduced. To the extent that we fund distributions from sources other than our cash flow from operations, our funds available for investment will be reduced relative to the funds available for investment if our distributions were funded solely from cash flow from operations, our ability to achieve our investment objectives will be negatively impacted and the overall return to our stockholders may be reduced. In addition, if we make a distribution in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital, which will reduce the stockholder’s tax basis in its shares of common stock. The amount, if any, of each distribution in excess of a stockholder’s tax basis in its shares of our common stock will be taxable as gain realized from the sale or exchange of property.
Payment of fees to our advisor and its affiliates reduced cash available for investment, which may result in stockholders not receiving a full return of their invested capital.
Because a portion of the offering price from the sale of our shares was used to pay expenses and fees, the full offering price paid by our stockholders was not invested in real estate assets. As a result, stockholders will only receive a full return of their invested capital if we either (1) sell our assets or our company for a sufficient amount in excess of the original purchase price of our assets or (2) the market value of our company if we were to list our shares of common stock on a national securities exchange is substantially in excess of the original purchase price of our assets.
There is currently no public trading market for your shares; therefore, it will be difficult for you to sell your shares. If you are able to sell your shares, you may have to sell them at a substantial discount from the public offering price.
There is currently no public market for the shares and we have no obligation to list our shares on any public securities market. It will therefore be difficult for you to sell your shares of our common stock promptly or at all. Even if you are able to sell your shares of our common stock, the absence of a public market may cause the price received for any shares of our common stock sold to be less than what you paid or less than your proportionate value of the assets we own. We have adopted a share redemption program but it is limited in terms of the amount of shares that stockholder may sell back to us each quarter. Our board of directors may reject any request for redemption of shares or amend, suspend or terminate our share redemption program for any reason upon 30 days’ written notice to participants. Existing shareholders must be prepared to hold their shares for an indefinite length of time.
If we lose or are unable to obtain key personnel, our ability to implement our investment strategies could be delayed or hindered.
Our success depends to a significant degree upon the continued contributions of certain executive officers and other key personnel, of us, our advisor and its affiliates, including Allen R. Hartman, each of whom would be difficult to replace. In particular, we have not obtained and do not intend to obtain “key man” life insurance on Mr. Hartman. We do not have employment agreements with our executive officers, and we cannot guarantee that they will remain affiliated with us. If any of our key personnel were to cease their affiliation with us, our our operating results could suffer. Effective July 1, 2020, we transitioned to a self-managed real estate investment trust following the closing of the Mergers. We believe that our future success depends, in large part, upon our ability to hire and retain highly skilled managerial, operational and marketing personnel. Competition for persons with these skills is intense, and we cannot assure our stockholders that we will be successful in attracting and retaining such skilled personnel. Further, we have established, and intend in the future to establish, strategic relationships with firms that have special expertise in certain services or as to assets both nationally and in certain geographic regions. Maintaining these relationships will be important for us to effectively compete for assets. We cannot assure our stockholders that we will be successful in attracting and retaining such strategic relationships. If we lose or are unable to obtain the services of key personnel or do not establish or maintain appropriate strategic relationships, our ability to implement our investment strategies could be delayed or hindered.
We recently transitioned to a self-managed real estate investment trust and have limited experience being self-managed
Effective July 1, 2020, we transitioned to a self-managed real estate investment trust following the closing of the Mergers. While we no longer bear the costs of the various fees and expense reimbursements previously paid to our former advisor and its affiliates, our expenses now include the compensation and benefits of our officers, employees and consultants, as well as overhead previously paid by our former advisor or their affiliates. Our employees now provide us services historically provided by our former advisor and its affiliates. We are also now subject to potential liabilities that are commonly faced by employers, such as workers' disability and compensation claims, potential labor disputes, and other employee-related liabilities and grievances, and we bear the costs of the establishment and maintenance of any employee compensation plans. If we incur unexpected expenses as a result of our self-management, our results from operations could be lower than they otherwise have been. Furthermore, our results of operations following our transition to self-management may not be comparable to our results prior to the transition.
Our board of directors determined an estimated net asset value per share of $11.18 for our shares of common stock as of December 31, 2020. You should not rely on the estimated value per share as being an accurate measure of the current value of our shares of common stock.
On January 26, 2021, our board of directors, including all our independent directors determined an estimated net asset value per share of our common stock of $11.18 as of December 31, 2020. Our board of directors’ objective in determining the estimated net asset value per share was to arrive at a value, based on the most recent data available, that it believed was reasonable based on methodologies that it deemed appropriate after consultation with our advisor. However, the market for commercial real estate can fluctuate quickly and substantially and the value of our assets is expected to change in the future and may decrease. Also, our board of directors did not consider certain other factors, such as a liquidity discount to reflect the fact that our shares are not currently traded on a national securities exchange and the limitations on the ability to redeem shares pursuant to our share repurchase plan.
As with any valuation method, the methods used to determine the estimated net asset value per share were based upon a number of assumptions, estimates and judgments that may not be accurate or complete. Our assets have been valued based upon appraisal standards and the values of our assets using these methods are not required to be a reflection of market value under those standards and will not necessarily result in a reflection of fair value under GAAP. Further, different parties using different property-specific and general real estate and capital market assumptions, estimates, judgments and standards could derive a different estimated net asset value per share, which could be significantly different from the estimated net asset value per share determined by our board of directors. The estimated net asset value per share is not a representation or indication that, among other things: a stockholder would be able to realize the estimated value per share if he or she attempts to sell shares; a stockholder would ultimately realize distributions per share equal to the estimated value per share upon liquidation of assets and settlement of our liabilities or upon a sale of our company; shares of our common stock would trade at the estimated net asset value per share on a national securities exchange; a third party would offer the estimated net asset value per share in an arms-length transaction to purchase all or substantially all of our shares of common stock; or the methodologies used to estimate the net asset value per share would be acceptable to FINRA or ERISA with respect to their respective requirements. Further, the estimated net asset value per share was calculated as of a moment in time and the value of our shares will fluctuate over time as a result of, among other things, future acquisitions or dispositions of assets, developments related to individual assets and changes in the real estate and capital markets. For additional information on the calculation of our estimated net asset value per share as of December 31, 2020, see Item 5, “Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Purchases of Equity Securities-Estimated Net Asset Value Per Share.”
We disclose funds from operations and modified funds from operations, each a non-GAAP financial measure, in communications with investors, including documents filed with the SEC; however, funds from operations and modified funds from operation are not equivalent to our net income or loss of cash flow from operations as determined under GAAP, and stockholders should consider GAAP measures to be more relevant to our operating performance
We use and we disclose to investors funds from operations, or “FFO,” which is a non-GAAP financial measures, as defined herein (see Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Funds From Operations.”) FFO is not equivalent to our net income or loss or cash flow from operations as determined in accordance with GAAP, and investors should consider GAAP measures to be more relevant to evaluating our operating performance and ability to pay distributions. FFO and GAAP net income differ because FFO excludes gains or losses from sales of property and asset impairment write-downs, and add back depreciation and amortization and adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures.
Because of these differences, FFO may not be accurate indicators of our operating performance, especially during periods in which we are acquiring properties. In addition, FFO is not indicative of cash flow available to fund cash needs and investors should not consider FFO as an alternative to cash flows from operations or an indication of
our liquidity, or indicative of funds available to fund our cash needs, including our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders. Neither the SEC nor any other regulatory body has passed judgment on the acceptability of the adjustments that we use to calculate FFO. Also, because not all companies calculate FFO the same way, comparisons with other companies may not be meaningful.
You are limited in your ability to sell your shares of common stock pursuant to our share redemption program. You may not be able to sell any of your shares of our common stock back to us, and if you do sell your shares, you may not receive the price you paid.
Our share redemption program was suspended, pending the Mergers. On July 28, 2020, the board of directors reopened the redemption plan for the death and disability or financial hardship of a shareholder. On October 1, 2020 the board of directors approved to further reopen the redemption program, subject to certain significant conditions and limitations for additional shareholder. The redemption program may provide you with a limited opportunity to have your shares of our common stock redeemed by us after you have held them for at least one year, subject to the significant conditions and limitations. Subject to the board of directors discretion, shares will generally be redeemed under the share redemption program at a price equal to or at a discount from the lesser of (1) the average gross price per share the original purchaser or purchasers of the shares being redeemed paid to us, which we refer to as the “issue price,” and (2) the current offering price per share for the shares being redeemed. The share redemption program contains certain restrictions and limitations, including those relating to the number of shares of our common stock that we can redeem at any given time and limiting the redemption price. Specifically, the plan will limits the number of shares to be redeemed during any calendar year to no more than (1) 5.0% of the weighted average of the shares of our common stock outstanding during the prior calendar year and (2) those that could be funded from the net proceeds from the sale of shares under our distribution reinvestment plan in the prior calendar year plus, if we had positive operating cash flow from the previous fiscal year, 1.0% of all operating cash flow from the previous fiscal year. In addition, our board of directors reserves the right to reject any redemption request for any reason or no reason or to amend, suspend or terminate the share redemption program at any time. Therefore, you may not have the opportunity to make a redemption request prior to a termination of the share redemption program and you may not be able to sell any of your shares of common stock back to us pursuant to our share redemption program. Moreover, if you do sell your shares of common stock back to us pursuant to the share redemption program, you may not receive the same price you paid for any shares of our common stock being redeemed.
We rely on information technology networks and systems, and any material failure, inadequacy, interruption or security failure of that technology could harm our business.
Risks associated with security breaches, whether through cyber-attacks or cyber-intrusions over the Internet, malware, computer viruses, attachments to e-mails, or otherwise, against persons inside our organization, persons with access to systems inside our organization, the U.S. government, financial markets or institutions, or major businesses, including tenants, could disrupt or disable networks and related systems, other critical infrastructures, and the normal operation of business. The risk of a security breach or disruption, particularly through cyber-attack or cyber-intrusion, including by computer hackers, foreign governments, and cyber-terrorists, has generally increased as the number, intensity, and sophistication of attempted attacks and intrusions from around the world have increased. Even though we may not be specifically targeted, cyber-attacks on the U.S. government, financial markets, financial institutions, or other major businesses, including tenants, could disrupt our normal business operations and networks, which may in turn have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
IT networks and related systems are essential to the operation of our business and our ability to perform day-to-day operations. They also may be critical to the operations of certain of our tenants. Although we believe we will be able to maintain the security and integrity of these types of networks and related systems, or implement various measures to manage the risk of a security breach or disruption, there can be no assurance that our security efforts and measures will be effective or that attempted security breaches or disruptions would not be successful or
damaging. Even the most well protected information, networks, systems, and facilities remain potentially vulnerable because the techniques used in such attempted security breaches evolve and generally are not recognized until launched against a target, and in some cases are designed not to be detected and, in fact, may not be detected. While, to date, we are not aware that we have experienced any significant cyber-attacks or cyber-intrusions, we may not be able to anticipate or implement adequate security barriers or other preventive measures. A security breach or other significant disruption involving our IT networks and related systems could:
•disrupt the proper functioning of our networks and systems and therefore our operations and/or those of certain of our tenants;
•result in misstated financial reports, violations of loan covenants, missed reporting deadlines, and/or missed permitting deadlines;
•result in our inability to properly monitor our compliance with the rules and regulations regarding our qualification as a REIT;
•result in the unauthorized access to, and destruction, loss, theft, misappropriation, or release of proprietary, confidential, sensitive, or otherwise valuable information of ours or others, which others could use to compete against us or for disruptive, destructive, or otherwise harmful purposes and outcomes;
•result in our inability to maintain the building systems relied upon by our tenants for the efficient use of their leased space;
•require significant management attention and resources to remedy any damages that result;
•subject us to claims for breach of contract, damages, credits, penalties, or termination of leases or other agreements; or
•damage our reputation among our tenants and stockholders generally.
We may change our investment and operational policies without stockholder consent.
Except for changes to the investment restrictions contained in our charter, which require stockholder consent to amend, we may change our investment and operational policies, including our policies with respect to investments, operations, indebtedness, capitalization and distributions, at any time without the consent of our stockholders, which could result in our making investments that are different from, and possibly riskier or more highly leveraged than, the types of investments contemplated by our current investment policies. A change in our investment strategy may, among other things, increase our exposure to interest rate risk, default risk and real estate market fluctuations, all of which could materially affect our ability to achieve our investment objectives.
The recent events in the credit markets has increased the cost of borrowing and has made financing more difficult to obtain, each of which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and business.
Recent events in the financial markets have had an adverse impact on the credit markets and, as a result, the availability of credit has become more expensive and more difficult to obtain. Some lenders are imposing more stringent restrictions on the terms of credit and there may be a general reduction in the amount of credit available in the markets in which we conduct business. The negative impact of the tightening of the credit markets may have a material adverse effect on us resulting from, but not limited to, an inability to finance the acquisition of real estate assets on favorable terms, if at all, increased financing costs or financing with increasingly restrictive covenants.
We are uncertain of our sources for funding our future capital needs. If we cannot obtain debt or equity financing on acceptable terms, our ability to acquire real estate assets and to expand our operations will be adversely affected.
In the event that we develop a need for additional capital in the future for investments, the improvement of our real properties or for any other reason, sources of funding may not be available to us. If we cannot establish reserves out of cash flow generated by our real estate assets or out of net sale proceeds in non-liquidating sale transactions, or obtain debt or equity financing on acceptable terms, our ability to acquire real estate assets and to expand our operations will be adversely affected. As a result, we would be less likely to achieve portfolio diversification and our investment objectives, which may negatively impact our results of operations and reduce our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
Non-traded REITs have been the subject of increased scrutiny by regulators and media outlets resulting from inquiries and investigations initiated by FINRA and the SEC. We could also become the subject of scrutiny and may face difficulties in raising capital should negative perceptions develop regarding non-traded REITs.
Our securities, like other non-traded REITs, were sold through the independent broker-dealer channel (i.e., U.S. broker-dealers that are not affiliated with money center banks or similar financial institutions). Governmental and self-regulatory organizations like the SEC and FINRA impose and enforce regulations on broker-dealers, investment banking firms, investment advisers and similar financial services companies. Self-regulatory organizations such as FINRA adopt rules, subject to approval by the SEC, that govern aspects of the financial services industry and conduct periodic examinations of the operations of registered investment dealers and broker-dealers.
Recently, FINRA has initiated investigations of broker-dealers with respect to the sales practices related to the sale of shares of non-traded REITS. These proceedings have resulted in increased regulatory scrutiny from the SEC regarding non-traded REITs. As a result of this increased scrutiny and accompanying negative publicity and coverage by media outlets, FINRA may impose additional restrictions on sales practices in the independent broker-dealer channel for non-traded REITs, and accordingly we may face increased difficulties in raising capital in the future. This could result in a reduction in the returns achieved on those investments as a result of a smaller capital base limiting our investments. If we become the subject of scrutiny, even if we have complied with all applicable laws and regulations, responding to such scrutiny could be expensive and distracting our management.
FINRA has also adopted changes to rules relating to information required to be included on customer account statements by registered broker dealers. In order to assist broker dealers in complying with the new rules, we were required to obtain independent valuations of our assets to determine an estimated per share value of our common stock more frequently than under prior regulations. Compliance with these new rules and future rule changes by FINRA could increase our operating expenses which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
The future results of the combined company will suffer if the combined company does not effectively integrate and manage its expanded operations following the Mergers.
Following the Mergers, effective July 1, 2020, we expect to continue to expand our operations through additional acquisitions and other strategic transactions, some of which may involve complex challenges. Our future success will depend, in part, upon our ability to manage expansion opportunities, which may pose substantial challenges to integrate new operations into our existing business in an efficient and timely manner, and upon our ability to successfully monitor our operations, costs, regulatory compliance and service quality, and to maintain other necessary internal controls. There is no assurance that our expansion or acquisition opportunities will be successful, or that we will realize the expected operating efficiencies, cost savings, revenue enhancements or other benefits.
Risks Related to Conflicts of Interest
Other Hartman real estate programs, which we sponsor or provide management and advisory services, have investment strategies that are similar to ours. Our executive officers will face conflicts of interest relating to the purchase and leasing of properties and other investments, and such conflicts may not be resolved in our favor.
Although we generally seek to avoid simultaneous public or private offerings of funds that have a substantially similar mix of fund characteristics, including targeted investment types, investment objectives and criteria, and anticipated fund terms, there may be periods during which one or more sponsored programs are seeking to invest in similar properties and other real estate-related investments. As a result, we may be buying properties and other real estate-related investments at the same time as one or more of the other sponsored programs managed by our officers and employees, and these other sponsored programs may use investment strategies that are similar to ours. Our executive officers are also the executive officers of other Hartman-sponsored REITs and real estate investment programs and/or the advisors or fiduciaries of other Hartman-sponsored programs, and these entities are and will be under common control. There is a risk that our advisor will choose a property that provides lower returns to us than a property purchased by another sponsored program. In the event these conflicts arise, we cannot assure stockholders that our best interests will be met when officers and employees acting on behalf of advisors and managers of other sponsored programs decide whether to allocate any particular property to us or to another sponsored program or affiliate of our advisor, which may have an investment strategy that is similar to ours. In addition, we may acquire properties in geographic areas where other Hartman-sponsored programs own properties. If one of the other sponsored programs attracts a tenant that we are competing for, we could suffer a loss of revenue due to delays in locating another suitable tenant. Stockholders will not have the opportunity to evaluate the manner in which these conflicts of interest are resolved before or after making an investment.
Our executive officers and some of our directors, will face conflicts of interest caused by their compensation arrangements with us, which could result in actions that are not in the long-term best interests of our stockholders.
As advisor and property manager of other sponsored programs, we may be entitled to substantial fees under the terms of the advisory agreement and the property management agreements with such other sponsored programs. These fees could influence our advice as well as the judgment of officers and employees with respect to our performing services for them. Among other matters, these compensation arrangements could affect judgment with respect to:
•the continuation, renewal or enforcement of advisory and property management agreements;
•property sales, which may entitle us as advisor to receive real estate commissions or other equity compensation;
•property acquisitions from other sponsored programs, which may entitle us as advisor to real estate commissions and possible success-based sale fees in connection with services for advised and managed sellers;
•development of real properties, which may entitle us as advisor sponsored programs or their affiliates to development acquisition fees and asset management fees;
•acquisition of properties from third parties, which entitle us as advisor to acquisition fees and asset management fees;
•borrowings to acquire properties, which borrowings will increase the acquisition and asset management fees payable to us as advisor;
•whether and when we seek or sponsored programs under our control seek to list common stock on a national securities exchange, which listing could entitle us as advisor to the issuance of shares of common stock through the conversion of our convertible preferred stock; and
•whether and when we seek to sell our assets or assets of sponsored programs under our control, which sale could entitle us to real estate commissions and/or the issuance of shares of common stock through the conversion of our convertible preferred stock.
The fees we may receive in connection with transactions involving the purchase and management of an asset are based on the cost of the investment, including the amount budgeted for the development, construction, and improvement of each asset, and not based on the quality of the investment or the quality of the services rendered to the sponsored program. This may influence us to recommend riskier transactions to sponsored programs. As advisor, we will refund fees to the extent they are based on budgeted amounts that prove too high once development, construction, or improvements are completed, but the fact that these fees are initially calculated in part based on budgeted amounts could influence us to overstate the estimated costs of development, construction, or improvements in order to accelerate the cash flow we receive.
Executive officers and key personnel will face competing demands on their time, and this may cause our return to suffer.
We rely upon our executive officers and employees to conduct our day-to day operations and performance. These persons also conduct the day-to-day operations of other sponsored programs and may have other business interests as well. Because these persons have competing interests on their time and resources, they may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time between our business and these other activities. During times of intense activity in other programs and ventures, they may devote less time and resources to our business than is necessary or appropriate. If this occurs, we may lose the opportunity to enter into or renew a lease or to purchase or sell a property and the returns on our investments may suffer. Our executive officers and employees have a fiduciary relationship to us and to our stockholders’ and will endeavor to avoid putting us in a situation where we would lose an economic opportunity due to the inability of our advisor or property manager to perform a necessary task.
Our officers face conflicts of interest related to the positions they hold with sponsored program entities for with we are the advisor, which could diminish the value of the services they provide to us.
Each of our executive officers, including Mr. Hartman, who serves as our Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of our Board of Directors, is also an officer of other entities of which we are the sponsor and/or advisor, to other Hartman-sponsored programs. As a result, these individuals owe fiduciary duties to these other entities and their investors, which may conflict with the fiduciary duties that they owe to us and our stockholders. Their loyalties to these other entities and investors could result in action or inaction that is detrimental to our business, which could harm the implementation of our business strategy and our investment and leasing opportunities. Conflicts with our business and interests are most likely to arise from involvement in activities related to (1) allocation of new investments and management time and services between us and the other entities, (2) the timing and terms of the investment in or sale of an asset, (3) development of our properties by affiliates of our advisor, (4) investments with affiliates of which we are the advisor. If we do not successfully implement our business strategy, we may be unable to generate the cash needed to make distributions to stockholders and to maintain or increase the value of our assets.
Existing shareholders will be diluted upon conversion of the convertible preferred stock.
Our former advisor, which as of July 1, 2020 is wholly owned by us, purchased 1,000 shares of our convertible preferred stock for an aggregate purchase price of $10,000. Prior to our acquisition of the 70% of the advisor owned by affiliates of Allen Hartman, 700 shares of our convertible preferred stock was distributed to the affiliates of Allen Hartman. Under limited circumstances, these shares may be converted into shares of our common stock, resulting in
dilution of our stockholders’ interest in us. Our convertible preferred stock will convert to shares of common stock if (1) we have made total distributions on then outstanding shares of our common stock equal to the issue price of those shares plus a 6% cumulative, non-compounded, annual return on the issue price of those outstanding shares, (2) we list our common stock for trading on a national securities exchange if the sum of prior distributions on then outstanding shares of our common stock plus the aggregate market value of our common stock (based on the 30-day average closing price) meets the same 6% performance threshold, or (3) our advisory agreement with our advisor expires without renewal or is terminated (other than because of a material breach by our advisor), and at the time of such expiration or termination we are deemed to have met the foregoing 6% performance threshold based on our enterprise value and prior distributions, and, at or subsequent to the expiration or termination, the stockholders actually realize such level of performance upon listing or through total distributions. In general, our convertible preferred stock will convert into shares of common stock with a value equal to 15% of the excess of our enterprise value plus the aggregate value of distributions paid to date on then outstanding shares of our common stock over the aggregate issue price of those outstanding shares plus a 6% cumulative, non-compounded, annual return on the issue price of those outstanding shares. With respect to conversion in connection with the termination of the advisory agreement, this calculation is made at the time of termination even though the actual conversion may occur later or not at all. As a result, following conversion, the holder of the convertible preferred stock will be entitled to a portion of amounts distributable to our stockholders, which such amounts distributable to the holder could be significant. Our advisor and Mr. Hartman can influence whether whether our common stock is listed for trading on a national securities exchange. Accordingly, Mr. Hartman can influence both the conversion of the convertible preferred stock issued to his affiliates, and the resulting dilution of other stockholders’ interests.
Risks Related To Our Organizational Structure
Maryland law and our organizational documents limit your right to bring claims against our officers and directors.
Maryland law provides that a director will not have any liability as a director so long as he or she performs his or her duties in accordance with the applicable standard of conduct. In addition, our charter provides that, subject to the applicable limitations set forth therein or under Maryland law, no director or officer will be liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages. Our charter also provides that we will generally indemnify and advance expenses to our directors, our officers, our advisor and its affiliates for losses they may incur by reason of their service in those capacities subject to any limitations under Maryland law or in our charter. As a result, we and our stockholders may have more limited rights against these persons than might otherwise exist under common law. In addition, we may be obligated to fund the defense costs incurred by these persons in some cases. However, our charter provides that we may not indemnify our directors, our advisor and its affiliates for loss or liability suffered by them or hold our directors or our advisor and its affiliates harmless for loss or liability suffered by us unless they have determined that the course of conduct that caused the loss or liability was in our best interests, they were acting on our behalf or performing services for us, the liability was not the result of negligence or misconduct by our non-independent directors, our advisor and its affiliates or gross negligence or willful misconduct by our independent directors, and the indemnification or obligation to hold harmless is recoverable only out of our net assets, including the proceeds of insurance, and not from the stockholders.
The limit on the percentage of shares of our common stock that any person may own may discourage a takeover or business combination that may benefit our stockholders.
Our charter restricts the direct or indirect ownership by one person or entity to no more than 9.8% of the value of our then outstanding shares of capital stock (which includes common stock and any preferred stock we may issue) and no more than 9.8% of the value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our then outstanding common stock unless exempted by our board of directors. This restriction may discourage a change of control of us and may deter individuals or entities from making tender offers for shares of our common stock on terms that might be financially attractive to stockholders or which may cause a change in our management. In addition to deterring
potential transactions that may be favorable to our stockholders, these provisions may also decrease your ability to sell your shares of our common stock.
Maryland law prohibits certain business combinations, which may make it more difficult for us to be acquired.
Under Maryland law, “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. An interested stockholder is defined as:
•any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the corporation; or
•an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the corporation.
A person is not an interested stockholder under the statute if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which he otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. However, in approving a transaction, the board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board.
After the expiration of the five-year period described above, any business combination between the Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder must generally be recommended by the board of directors of the corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:
•80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation; and
•two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder.
These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if the corporation’s common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares. Maryland law also permits various exemptions from these provisions, including business combinations that are exempted by the board of directors before the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. The business combination statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.
Maryland law also limits the ability of a third party to buy a large stake in us and exercise voting power in electing directors.
Maryland law provides a second anti-takeover statute, the Control Share Acquisition Act, which provides that “control shares” of a Maryland corporation acquired in a “control share acquisition” have no voting rights except to the extent approved by the corporation’s disinterested stockholders by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares of stock owned by interested stockholders, that is, by the acquirer, by officers or by
directors who are employees of the corporation, are excluded from the vote on whether to accord voting rights to the control shares. “Control shares” are voting shares of stock that would entitle the acquirer to exercise voting power in electing directors within specified ranges of voting power. Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A “control share acquisition” means the acquisition of control shares. The control share acquisition statute does not apply (1) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or (2) to acquisitions approved or exempted by a corporation’s charter or bylaws. Our charter contains a provision exempting from the Control Share Acquisition Act any and all acquisitions by any person of shares of our stock. We can offer no assurance that this provision will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future. This statute could have the effect of discouraging offers from third parties to acquire us and increasing the difficulty of successfully completing this type of offer by anyone other than our affiliates or any of their affiliates.
Our charter includes an anti-takeover provision that may discourage a stockholder from launching a tender offer for our shares.
Our charter provides that any tender offer made by a stockholder, including any “mini-tender” offer, must comply with most provisions of Regulation 14D of the Exchange Act. The offering stockholder must provide our company notice of such tender offer at least ten business days before initiating the tender offer. If the offering stockholder does not comply with these requirements, our company will have the right to redeem that stockholder’s shares and any shares acquired in such tender offer. In addition, the non-complying stockholder shall be responsible for all of our company’s expenses in connection with that stockholder’s noncompliance. This provision of our charter may discourage a stockholder from initiating a tender offer for our shares and prevent a stockholder from receiving a premium price for their shares in such a transaction.
Your investment return may be reduced if we are required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act; if we are subject to registration under the Investment Company Act, we will not be able to continue our business.
Neither we, our operating partnership nor any of our subsidiaries intend to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Our operating partnership’s and subsidiaries’ intended investments in real estate will represent the substantial majority of our total asset mix. In order for us not to be subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act, we intend to engage, through our operating partnership and our wholly and majority owned subsidiaries, primarily in the business of buying real estate.
We expect that most of our assets will be held through wholly-owned or majority-owned subsidiaries of our operating partnership. We expect that most of these subsidiaries will be outside the definition of an “investment company” under Section 3(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act as they are generally expected to hold at least 60% of their assets in real property. Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act defines an investment company as any issuer that is or holds itself out as being engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities. Section 3(a)(1)(C) of the Investment Company Act defines an investment company as any issuer that is engaged or proposes to engage in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities and owns or proposes to acquire investment securities having a value exceeding 40% of the value of the issuer’s total assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis, which we refer to as the “40% test.” Excluded from the term “investment securities,” among other things, are U.S. government securities and securities issued by majority-owned subsidiaries that are not themselves investment companies and are not relying on the exception from the definition of investment company set forth in Section 3(c)(1) or Section 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act.
We believe that we, our operating partnership and most of the subsidiaries of our operating partnership will not fall within either definition of investment company under Section 3(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act as we intend to invest primarily in real property, through our wholly or majority-owned subsidiaries, the majority of which
we expect to have at least 60% of their assets in real property. As these subsidiaries would be investing either solely or primarily in real property, they would be outside of the definition of “investment company” under Section 3(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act. We are organized as a holding company that conducts its businesses primarily through our operating partnership, which in turn is a holding company conducting its business through its subsidiaries. Both we and our operating partnership intend to conduct our operations so that we comply with the 40% test. We will monitor our holdings to ensure continuing and ongoing compliance with this test. In addition, we believe that neither we nor our operating partnership will be considered an investment company under Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act because neither we nor our operating partnership will engage primarily or hold itself out as being engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities. Rather, through our operating partnerships wholly owned or majority owned subsidiaries, we and our operating partnership will be primarily engaged in the non-investment company businesses of these subsidiaries, namely the business of purchasing or otherwise acquiring real property.
In the event that the value of investment securities held by a subsidiary of our operating partnership were to exceed 40% of the value of its total assets, we expect that subsidiary to be able to rely on the exclusion from the definition of “investment company” provided by Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the Investment Company Act. Section 3(c)(5)(C), as interpreted by the staff of the SEC, requires each of our subsidiaries relying on this exception to invest at least 55% of its portfolio in “mortgage and other liens on and interests in real estate,” which we refer to as “qualifying real estate assets,” and maintain at least 80% of its assets in qualifying real estate assets or other real estate-related assets. The remaining 20% of the portfolio can consist of miscellaneous assets. What we buy and sell is therefore limited by these criteria. How we determine to classify our assets for purposes of the Investment Company Act will be based in large measure upon no-action letters issued by the SEC staff in the past and other SEC interpretive guidance and, in the absence of SEC guidance, on our view of what constitutes a qualifying real estate asset and a real estate-related asset. These no-action positions were issued in accordance with factual situations that may be substantially different from the factual situations we may face, and a number of these no-action positions were issued more than ten years ago. Pursuant to this guidance, and depending on the characteristics of the specific investments, certain mortgage loans, participations in mortgage loans, mortgage-backed securities, mezzanine loans, joint venture investments and the equity securities of other entities may not constitute qualifying real estate assets and therefore investments in these types of assets may be limited. No assurance can be given that the SEC or its staff will concur with our classification of our assets. Future revisions to the Investment Company Act or further guidance from the SEC staff may cause us to lose our exclusion from the definition of investment company or force us to re-evaluate our portfolio and our investment strategy. Such changes may prevent us from operating our business successfully.
There can be no assurance that the laws and regulations governing the Investment Company Act status of REITs, including more specific or different guidance regarding these exclusions that may be published by the SEC or its staff, will not change in a manner that adversely affects our operations. In addition, the SEC or its staff could take action that results in our or our subsidiary’s failure to maintain an exception or exemption from the Investment Company Act.
In the event that we, or our operating partnership, were to acquire assets that could make either entity fall within one of the definitions of an investment company under Section 3(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act, we believe that we would still qualify for an exclusion from registration pursuant to Section 3(c)(6) of the Investment Company Act. Although the SEC staff has issued little interpretive guidance with respect to Section 3(c)(6), we believe that we and our operating partnership may rely on Section 3(c)(6) if 55% of the assets of our operating partnership consist of, and at least 55% of the income of our operating partnership is derived from, qualifying real estate assets owned by wholly owned or majority-owned subsidiaries of our operating partnership.
To ensure that neither we, our operating partnership nor any of our subsidiaries are required to register as an investment company, each entity may be unable to sell assets that it would otherwise want to sell and may need to sell assets that it would otherwise wish to retain. In addition, we, our operating partnership or our subsidiaries may be required to acquire additional income- or loss-generating assets that we might not otherwise acquire or forego
opportunities to acquire interests in companies that we would otherwise want to acquire. Although we, our operating partnership and our subsidiaries intend to monitor our portfolio periodically and prior to each acquisition and disposition, any of these entities may not be able to remain outside the definition of investment company or maintain an exclusion from the definition of an investment company. If we, our operating partnership or our subsidiaries are required to register as an investment company but fail to do so, the unregistered entity would be prohibited from engaging in our business, and criminal and civil actions could be brought against such entity. In addition, the contracts of such entity would be unenforceable unless a court required enforcement, and a court could appoint a receiver to take control of the entity and liquidate its business.
Stockholders have limited control over changes in our policies and operations.
Our board of directors determines our major policies, including our policies regarding financing, growth, debt capitalization, REIT qualification and distributions. Our board of directors may amend or revise these and other policies without a vote of the stockholders. Our charter sets forth the stockholder voting rights required to be set forth therein under the NASAA REIT Guidelines. Under our charter and the Maryland General Corporation Law, our stockholders currently have a right to vote only on the following matters:
•the election or removal of directors;
•any amendment of our charter, provided that our board of directors may amend our charter without stockholder approval to:
•increase or decrease the aggregate number of our shares;
•increase or decrease the number of our shares of any class or series that we have the authority to issue;
•classify or reclassify any unissued shares by setting or changing the preferences, conversion or other rights, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications or terms and conditions of redemption of such shares;
•effect reverse stock splits; and
•after the listing of our shares of common stock on a national securities exchange, opting into any of the provisions of Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the Maryland General Corporation Law (see “Description of Shares - Provisions of Maryland Law and our Charter and Bylaws - Subtitle 8” below);
•our liquidation and dissolution; and
•our being a party to any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of substantially all of our assets (notwithstanding that Maryland law may not require stockholder approval).
All other matters are subject to the discretion of our board of directors.
We may issue preferred stock or other classes of common stock; which issuance could adversely affect the holders of our common stock issued pursuant to our public offerings.
Existing shareholders do not have preemptive rights to any shares issued by us in the future. We may issue, without stockholder approval, preferred stock or other classes of common stock with rights that could dilute the value of your shares of common stock. However, the issuance of preferred stock must be approved by a majority of our independent directors not otherwise interested in the transaction, who will have access, at our expense, to our legal counsel or to independent legal counsel. The issuance of preferred stock or other classes of common stock could increase the number of stockholders entitled to distributions without simultaneously increasing the size of our asset base.
Our board of directors may amend our charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of capital stock or the number of authorized shares of capital stock of any class or series without
stockholder approval. If we ever created and issued preferred stock with a distribution preference over common stock, payment of any distribution preferences of outstanding preferred stock would reduce the amount of funds available for the payment of distributions on our common stock. Further, holders of preferred stock are normally entitled to receive a preference payment in the event we liquidate, dissolve or wind up before any payment is made to our common stockholders, likely reducing the amount common stockholders would otherwise receive upon such an occurrence.
Our UPREIT structure may result in potential conflicts of interest with limited partners in our operating partnership whose interests may not be aligned with those of our stockholders.
We are structured as an “UPREIT,” which stands for “umbrella partnership real estate investment trust.” We use the UPREIT structure because a contribution of property directly to us is generally a taxable transaction to the contributing property owner. In the UPREIT structure, a contributor of a property who desires to defer taxable gain on the transfer of a property may transfer the property to our operating partnership in exchange for limited partnership units and defer taxation of gain until the contributor later exchanges his or her limited partnership units, typically on a one-for-one basis, for shares of our common stock. We believe that using an UPREIT structure gives us an advantage in acquiring desired properties from persons who may not otherwise sell their properties because of unfavorable tax results.
We may issue limited partner interests of our operating partnership in connection with certain transactions. Limited partners in our operating partnership have the right to vote on certain amendments to the operating partnership agreement, as well as on certain other matters. Persons holding such voting rights may exercise them in a manner that conflicts with the interests of our stockholders. As general partner of our operating partnership, we are obligated to act in a manner that is in the best interest of all partners of our operating partnership. Circumstances may arise in the future when the interests of limited partners in our operating partnership may conflict with the interests of our stockholders. These conflicts may be resolved in a manner stockholders do not believe are in their best interest.
Adverse economic conditions will negatively affect our returns and profitability.
Our operating results may be affected by many factors, including a continued or exacerbated general economic slowdown experienced by the nation as a whole or by the local economies where our properties and the properties underlying our other real estate-related investments are located. These factors include:
•poor economic conditions may result in defaults by tenants of our properties;
•job transfers and layoffs may cause tenant vacancies to increase;
•increasing concessions, reduced rental rates or capital improvements may be required to maintain occupancy levels;
•increased insurance premiums may reduce funds available for distribution or, to the extent such increases are passed through to tenants, may lead to tenant defaults. Also, increased insurance premiums may make it difficult to increase rents to tenants on turnover, which may adversely affect our ability to increase our returns.
•changes in general economic or local conditions;
•changes in supply of or demand for similar or competing properties in an area;
•changes in interest rates and availability of permanent mortgage funds that may render the sale of a property difficult or unattractive;
•the illiquidity of real estate investments generally;
•changes in tax, real estate, environmental and zoning laws; and
•periods of high interest rates and tight money supply.
•For these and other reasons, we cannot assure stockholders that we will be profitable or that we will realize growth in the value of our real estate properties.
The length and severity of any economic downturn cannot be predicted. Our operations could be negatively affected to the extent that an economic downturn is prolonged or becomes more severe.
General Risks Related to Investments in Real Estate
Our operating results will be affected by economic and regulatory changes that impact the real estate market in general.
Our investments in commercial properties will be subject to risks generally attributable to the ownership of real property, including:
•changes in global, national, regional or local economic, demographic or real estate market conditions;
•changes in supply of or demand for similar properties in an area;
•increased competition for real property investments targeted by our investment strategy;
•bankruptcies, financial difficulties or lease defaults by our tenants;
•changes in interest rates and availability of financing;
•changes in the terms of available financing, including more conservative loan-to-value requirements and shorter debt maturities;
•competition from other commercial properties;
•the inability or unwillingness of tenants to pay rent increases;
•changes in government rules, regulations and fiscal policies, including changes in tax, real estate, environmental and zoning laws; and
•the severe curtailment of liquidity for certain real estate related assets.
All of these factors are beyond our control. Any negative changes in these factors could affect our ability to meet our obligations and make distributions to stockholders.
We are unable to predict future changes in global, national, regional or local economic, demographic or real estate market conditions. For example, a recession or rise in interest rates could make it more difficult for us to lease or dispose of properties and could make alternative interest-bearing and other investments more attractive and therefore potentially lower the relative value of the real estate assets we acquire. These conditions, or others we cannot predict, may adversely affect our results of operations and returns to our stockholders. In addition, the value of the properties we acquire may decrease following the date we acquire such properties due to the risks described above or any other unforeseen changes in market conditions. If the value of our properties decreases, we may be forced to dispose of our properties at a price lower than the price we paid to acquire our properties, which could adversely impact the results of our operations and our ability to make distributions and return capital to our investors.
Acquisition and ownership of real estate is subject to risks associated with environmental hazards.
Under various federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations, a current or previous owner or operator of real property may be liable for the cost of removal or remediation of hazardous or toxic
substances on, under or in such property. The costs of removal or remediation could be substantial. Such laws often impose liability whether or not the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such hazardous or toxic substances. Environmental laws also may impose restrictions on the manner in which property may be used or businesses may be operated, and these restrictions may require substantial expenditures. Environmental laws provide for sanctions in the event of noncompliance and may be enforced by governmental agencies or, in certain circumstances, by private parties. Certain environmental laws and common law principles could be used to impose liability for release of and exposure to hazardous substances, including asbestos-containing materials into the air, and third parties may seek recovery from owners or operators of real properties for personal injury or property damage associated with exposure to released hazardous substances. The cost of defending against claims of liability, of compliance with environmental regulatory requirements, of remediating any contaminated property, or of paying personal injury claims could materially adversely affect our business, assets or results of operations and, consequently, amounts available for distribution. We may be liable for environmental hazards at our properties, including those created by prior owners or occupants, existing tenants, abutters or other persons. The properties that we plan to develop or acquire could include automobile and truck repair and maintenance facilities and tanks for the storage of petroleum products and other hazardous substances, all of which create the potential for environmental damages. As a result, we may be expected to regularly incur environmental clean-up costs. We intend to include in the leases that we entered with future tenants, an agreement for such tenant to indemnify us from all environmental liabilities arising its activities at such property during the term of the lease. Despite this indemnity, various federal and state laws impose environmental liabilities upon property owners, such as us, for any environmental damages arising on properties they own or occupy, and we cannot be assured that we will not be held liable for environmental clean-up at our properties, including environmental damages at sites we own and lease. As an owner or previous owner of properties which contain environmental hazards, we also may be liable to pay damages to governmental agencies or third parties for costs and damages they incur arising from environmental hazards at the properties. Moreover, the costs and damages which may arise from environmental hazards are often difficult to project and our future tenants may not have sufficient resources to pay its environmental liabilities.
Properties that have significant vacancies could be difficult to sell, which could diminish the return on stockholders’ investments.
A property may incur vacancies either by the continued default of tenants under their leases or the expiration of tenant leases. If vacancies continue for a long period of time, we may suffer reduced revenues resulting in decreased distributions to stockholders. In addition, the value of the property could be diminished because the market value of a particular property will depend principally upon the value of the leases of such property.
Our properties may be subject to impairment charges.
On a quarterly basis, we assess whether there are any indicators that the value of our properties may be impaired. A property’s value is considered to be impaired only if the estimated aggregate future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) to be generated by the property are less than the carrying value of the property. In our estimate of cash flows, we consider factors such as expected future operating income, trends and prospects, the effects of demand, competition and other factors. If we are evaluating the potential sale of an asset or development alternatives, the undiscounted future cash flows analysis considers the most likely course of action at the balance sheet date based on current plans, intended holding periods and available market information. We are required to make subjective assessments as to whether there are impairments in the value of our properties. These assessments may be influenced by factors beyond our control, such as early vacating by a tenant or damage to properties due to earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and other natural disasters, fire, civil unrest, terrorist acts or acts of war. These assessments may have a direct impact on our earnings because recording an impairment charge results in an immediate negative adjustment to earnings. There can be no assurance that we will not take impairment charges in the future related to the impairment of our properties. Any such impairment could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations in the period in which the charge is taken.
Many of our investments will be dependent on tenants for revenue, and lease terminations could reduce our ability to make distributions to stockholders.
The success of our real property investments often will be materially dependent on the financial stability of our tenants. Lease payment defaults by tenants could cause us to reduce the amount of distributions to stockholders. A default by a significant tenant on its lease payments to us would cause us to lose the revenue associated with such lease and cause us to have to find an alternative source of revenue to meet mortgage payments and prevent a foreclosure if the property is subject to a mortgage. In the event of a tenant default, we may experience delays in enforcing our rights as landlord and may incur substantial costs in protecting our investment and re-letting our property. If significant leases are terminated, we cannot assure stockholders that we will be able to lease the property for the rent previously received or sell the property without incurring a loss.
We may be unable to secure funds for future tenant improvements, which could adversely impact our ability to make cash distributions to our stockholders.
When tenants do not renew their leases or otherwise vacate their space, in order to attract replacement tenants, we will be required to expend substantial funds for tenant improvements and tenant refurbishments to the vacated space. If we have insufficient capital reserves, we will have to obtain financing from other sources. We intend to establish capital reserves on a property-by-property basis, as we deem necessary. In addition to any reserves we establish, a lender may require escrow of capital reserves in excess of our established reserves. If these reserves or any reserves otherwise established are designated for other uses or are insufficient to meet our cash needs, we may have to obtain financing from either affiliated or unaffiliated sources to fund our cash requirements. We cannot assure stockholders that sufficient financing will be available or, if available, will be available on economically feasible terms or on terms acceptable to us. Moreover, certain reserves required by lenders may be designated for specific uses and may not be available for capital purposes such as future tenant improvements. Additional borrowing for capital purposes will increase our interest expense, and therefore our financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our stockholders may be adversely affected. If we do not have enough reserves for capital to supply needed funds for capital improvements throughout the life of the investment in a property and there is insufficient cash available from our operations, we may be required to defer necessary improvements to the property, which may cause the property to suffer from a greater risk of obsolescence or a decline in value, or a greater risk of decreased cash flow as a result of fewer potential tenants being attracted to the property. If this happens, we may not be able to maintain projected rental rates for affected properties, and our results of operations may be negatively impacted. The need for and amount of reserves for capital improvements will be determined on a property by property basis in consultation with our property manager. Generally, we will be responsible for the costs of these capital improvements, which gives rise to the following risks:
•cost overruns and delays;
•renovations can be disruptive to operations and can displace revenue at the properties, including revenue lost while under renovation and out of service;
•the cost of funding renovations and the possibility that financing for these renovations may not be available on attractive terms; and
•the risk that the return on our investment in these capital improvements will not be what we expect.
If we have insufficient cash flow from operations to fund needed capital expenditures, we will need to borrow to fund future capital improvements.
We may be unable to sell a property if or when we decide to do so, which could adversely impact our ability to make cash distributions to our stockholders.
We intend to hold the various real properties in which we invest until such time as we determine that a sale or other disposition appears to be advantageous to achieve our investment objectives or until it appears that such objectives will not be met. Otherwise, subject to approval of our board of directors, may exercise its discretion as to whether and when to sell a property and we will have no obligation to sell properties at any particular time, except upon our liquidation. If we do not begin the process of liquidating our assets or listing our shares within ten years of the termination of our initial public offering, our charter requires that we hold a stockholder meeting to vote on a proposed alternate strategy for our orderly liquidation unless a majority of our board of directors and a majority of our independent directors vote to defer such a meeting beyond the tenth anniversary of the termination of our initial public offering. The real estate market is affected, as discussed above, by many factors, such as general economic conditions, availability of financing, interest rates and other factors, including supply and demand, that are beyond our control. We cannot predict whether we will be able to sell any asset for the price or on the terms set by us, or whether any price or other terms offered by a prospective purchaser would be acceptable to us. We cannot predict the length of time needed to find a willing purchaser and to close the sale of an asset. If we are unable to sell an asset when we determine to do so, it could have a significant adverse effect on our cash flow and results of operations.
Our co-venture partners, co-tenants or other partners in co-ownership arrangements could take actions that decrease the value of an investment to us and lower stockholder’s overall return.
We may enter into joint ventures or other co-ownership arrangements with other Hartman programs or with third parties having investment objectives similar to ours for the acquisition, development or improvement of properties as well as the acquisition of real estate-related investments. We may also purchase and develop properties in joint ventures or in partnerships, co-tenancies or other co-ownership arrangements with the sellers of the properties, affiliates of the sellers, developers or other persons. Such investments may involve risks not otherwise present with other forms of real estate investment, including, for example:
•the possibility that our co-venturer, co-tenant or partner in an investment might become bankrupt;
•the possibility that a co-venturer, co-tenant or partner in an investment might breach a loan agreement or other agreement or otherwise, by action or inaction, act in a way detrimental to us or the investment;
•that such co-venturer, co-tenant or partner may at any time have economic or business interests or goals that are or that become inconsistent with our business interests or goals;
•the possibility that we may incur liabilities as the result of the action taken by our partner or co-investor; or
•that such co-venturer, co-tenant or partner may be in a position to take action contrary to our instructions or requests or contrary to our policies or objectives, including our policy with respect to qualifying and maintaining our qualification as a REIT.
Any of the above might subject a property to liabilities in excess of those contemplated and thus reduce our returns on that investment.
Uninsured losses relating to real property or excessively expensive premiums for insurance coverage may adversely affect stockholder returns.
We have a duty to ensure that all of our properties are adequately insured to cover casualty losses. The nature of the activities at certain properties we may acquire will expose us and our operators to potential liability for personal injuries and, in certain instances property damage claims. In addition, there are types of losses, generally catastrophic in nature, such as losses due to wars, acts of terrorism, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, pollution or environmental matters that are uninsurable or not economically insurable, or may be insured subject to limitations, such as large deductibles or co-payments.Insurance risks associated with potential terrorist acts could sharply increase the premiums we pay for coverage against property and casualty claims. Mortgage lenders generally insist that specific coverage against terrorism be purchased by commercial property owners as a condition for providing mortgage loans. It is uncertain whether such insurance policies will be available, or available at reasonable cost, which could inhibit our ability to finance or refinance our properties. In such instances, we may be required to provide other financial support, either through financial assurances or self-insurance, to cover potential losses. We cannot assure stockholders that we will have adequate coverage for such losses. In the event that any of our properties incurs a casualty loss that is not fully covered by insurance, the value of our assets will be reduced by the amount of any such uninsured loss. In addition, other than the capital reserve or other reserves we may establish, we have no source of funding to repair or reconstruct any uninsured damaged property, and we cannot assure stockholders that any such sources of funding will be available to us for such purposes in the future. Also, to the extent we must pay unexpectedly large amounts for insurance, we could suffer reduced earnings that would result in decreased distributions to stockholders.
Our operating results may be negatively affected by potential development and construction delays and result in increased costs and risks, which could diminish the return on stockholders’ investments.
We may invest in the acquisition, development and/or redevelopment of properties upon which we will develop and construct improvements. We could incur substantial capital obligations in connection with these types of investments. We will be subject to risks relating to uncertainties associated with rezoning for development and environmental concerns of governmental entities and/or community groups and our builder’s ability to control construction costs or to build in conformity with plans, specifications and timetables. The developer or builder’s failure to perform may necessitate legal action by us to rescind the purchase or the construction contract or to compel performance. Performance may also be affected or delayed by conditions beyond the builder’s control. Delays in completion of construction could also give tenants the right to terminate preconstruction leases for space at a newly developed project. We may incur additional risks when we make periodic progress payments or other advances to such builders prior to completion of construction. These and other such factors can result in increased costs of a project or loss of our investment. Substantial capital obligations could delay our ability to make distributions. In addition, we will be subject to normal lease-up risks relating to newly constructed projects. Furthermore, we must rely upon projections of rental income and expenses and estimates of the fair market value of property upon completion of construction when agreeing upon a price to be paid for the property at the time of acquisition of the property. If our projections are inaccurate, we may pay too much for a property, and the return on our investment could suffer.
In addition, we may invest in unimproved real property. Returns from development of unimproved properties are also subject to risks and uncertainties associated with rezoning the land for development and environmental concerns of governmental entities and/or community groups.Although our principal intention is to acquire developed properties and to limit any investment in unimproved property, a portion of stockholders’ investment nevertheless may be subject to the risks associated with investments in unimproved real property.
Competition with third parties in acquiring properties and other assets may reduce our profitability and the return on stockholders’ investment.
We believe that the current market for properties that meet our investment objectives is highly competitive. We compete with many other entities engaged in real estate investment activities, including individuals, corporations, bank and insurance company investment accounts, other REITs, real estate limited partnerships, and other entities engaged in real estate investment activities, many of which have greater resources than we will. Larger real estate programs may enjoy significant competitive advantages that result from, among other things, a lower cost of capital and enhanced operating efficiencies. In addition, the number of entities and the amount of funds competing for suitable properties may increase. Any such increase would result in increased demand for these assets and therefore increased prices paid for them. If we pay higher prices for properties and other investments, our profitability will be reduced and stockholders may experience a lower return on investment.
A concentration of our investments in any one property class may leave our profitability vulnerable to a downturn in such sector.
At any one time, a significant portion of our investments could be in one property class. As a result, we will be subject to risks inherent in investments in a single type of property. If our investments are substantially in one property class, then the potential effects on our revenues, and as a result, on cash available for distribution to our stockholders, resulting from a downturn in the businesses conducted in those types of properties could be more pronounced than if we had more fully diversified our investments.
Failure to succeed in new markets or in new property classes may have adverse consequences on our performance.
We may from time to time commence development activity or make acquisitions outside of our existing market areas or the property classes of our primary focus if appropriate opportunities arise. Our historical experience in our existing markets in developing, owning and operating certain classes of property does not ensure that we will be able to operate successfully in new markets, should we choose to enter them, or that we will be successful in new property classes. We may be exposed to a variety of risks if we choose to enter new markets, including an inability to evaluate accurately local market conditions, to obtain land for development or to identify appropriate acquisition opportunities, to hire and retain key personnel, and a lack of familiarity with local governmental and permitting procedures. In addition, we may abandon opportunities to enter new markets or acquire new classes of property that we have begun to explore for any reason and may, as a result, fail to recover expenses already incurred.
Acquiring or attempting to acquire multiple properties in a single transaction may adversely affect our operations.
From time to time, we may attempt to acquire multiple properties in a single transaction. Portfolio acquisitions are more complex and expensive than single property acquisitions, and the risk that a multiple-property acquisition does not close may be greater than in a single-property acquisition. Portfolio acquisitions may also result in us owning investments in geographically dispersed markets, placing additional demands on our ability to manage the properties in the portfolio. In addition, a seller may require that a group of properties be purchased as a package even though we may not want to purchase one or more properties in the portfolio. In these situations, if we are unable to identify another person or entity to acquire the unwanted properties, we may be required to operate or attempt to dispose of these properties. To acquire multiple properties in a single transaction we may be required to accumulate a large amount of cash. We would expect the returns that we earn on such cash to be less than the ultimate returns in real property and therefore, accumulating such cash could reduce the funds available for distributions. Any of the foregoing events may have an adverse effect on our operations.
Our failure to integrate acquired properties and new personnel could create inefficiencies and reduce the return of stockholders’ investment.
To grow successfully, we must be able to apply our experience in managing real estate to a larger number of properties. In addition, we must be able to integrate new management and operations personnel as our organization grows in size and complexity. Failures in either area will result in inefficiencies that could adversely affect our expected return on our investments and our overall profitability.
Properties in which we have invested may not be readily adaptable to other uses, and if these properties become unprofitable, we may not be able to recoup the value of our investment.
Properties in which we have invested may have limited alternative uses. If the operations of any of our properties in these sectors become unprofitable due to industry competition, a general deterioration of the applicable industry or otherwise, we may have great difficulty selling the property or we may have to sell the property for substantially less than the amount we paid for it. Should any of these events occur, our income and cash available for distribution could be reduced.
The costs of compliance with environmental laws and other governmental laws and regulations may adversely affect our income and the cash available for any distributions.
All real property and the operations conducted on real property are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to environmental protection and human health and safety. These laws and regulations generally govern wastewater discharges, air emissions, the operation and removal of underground and above-ground storage tanks, the use, storage, treatment, transportation and disposal of solid and hazardous materials, and the remediation of contamination associated with disposals. Some of these laws and regulations may impose joint and several liability on tenants, owners or operators for the costs of investigation or remediation of contaminated properties, regardless of fault or the legality of the original disposal. In addition, the presence of these substances, or the failure to properly remediate these substances, may adversely affect our ability to sell or rent such property or to use the property as collateral for future borrowing.
Compliance with new or more stringent laws or regulations or stricter interpretation of existing laws may require material expenditures by us. We cannot assure stockholders that future laws, ordinances or regulations will not impose any material environmental liability, or that the current environmental condition of our properties will not be affected by the operations of the tenants, by the existing condition of the land, by operations in the vicinity of the properties, such as the presence of underground storage tanks, or by the activities of unrelated third parties. In addition, there are various local, state and federal fire, health, life-safety and similar regulations that we may be required to comply with, and that may subject us to liability in the form of fines or damages for noncompliance. Any foreign investments we make will be subject to similar laws in the jurisdictions where they are located.
Our costs associated with complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act may affect cash available for distributions.
Our properties are generally subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended (Disabilities Act), or similar laws of foreign jurisdictions. Under the Disabilities Act, all places of public accommodation are required to comply with federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. The Disabilities Act has separate compliance requirements for “public accommodations” and “commercial facilities” that generally require that buildings and services be made accessible and available to people with disabilities. The Disabilities Act’s requirements could require removal of access barriers and could result in the imposition of injunctive relief, monetary penalties or, in some cases, an award of damages. We attempt to acquire properties that comply with the Disabilities Act or similar laws of foreign jurisdictions or place the burden on the seller or other third party, such as
a tenant, to ensure compliance with such laws. However, we cannot assure stockholders that we will be able to acquire properties or allocate responsibilities in this manner. If we cannot, our funds used for compliance with these laws may affect cash available for distributions and the amount of distributions.
Any properties we acquire must comply with Title III of the Disabilities Act, to the extent that such properties are “public accommodations” and/or “commercial facilities” as defined by the Disabilities Act. Compliance with the Disabilities Act could require removal of structural barriers to handicapped access in public areas of our properties where such removal is readily achievable.
If we sell properties by providing financing to purchasers, we will bear the risk of default by the purchaser.
If we decide to sell any of our properties, we intend to use commercially reasonable efforts to sell them for cash or in exchange for other property. However, in some instances we may sell our properties by providing financing to purchasers. If we provide financing to purchasers, we will bear the risk of default by the purchaser and will be subject to remedies provided by law, which could negatively impact distributions to our stockholders. There are no limitations or restrictions on our ability to take purchase money obligations. We may, therefore, take a purchase money obligation secured by a mortgage as partial payment for the purchase price of a property. The terms of payment to us generally will be affected by custom in the area where the property being sold is located and the then-prevailing economic conditions. If we receive promissory notes or other property in lieu of cash from property sales, the distribution of the proceeds of sales to our stockholders, or their reinvestment in other assets, will be delayed until the promissory notes or other property are actually paid, sold, refinanced or otherwise disposed of. In some cases, we may receive initial down payments in cash and other property in the year of sale in an amount less than the selling price and subsequent payments will be spread over a number of years. If any purchaser defaults under a financing arrangement with us, it could negatively impact our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
Risks Associated with Debt Financing
Our borrowings may increase our business risks.
We financed a portion of the acquisition cost of our real properties with mortgage indebtedness. In addition, we have entered into revolving credit agreements with banks secured by certain real properties. We also may borrow funds if necessary to satisfy the requirement that we distribute to stockholders at least 90% of our annual REIT taxable income, or otherwise as is necessary or advisable to assure that we maintain our qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.
There is no limitation on the amount we may invest in any single property or other asset or on the amount we can borrow for the purchase of any individual property or other investment. Our board of directors has adopted a policy to generally limit our aggregate borrowings to approximately 50% of the aggregate value of our assets unless substantial justification exists that borrowing a greater amount is in our best interests. Our policy limitation, however, does not apply to individual real estate assets and only will apply once we have ceased raising capital and invested substantially all of our capital. As a result, we expect to borrow more than 50% of the contract purchase price of each real estate asset we acquire to the extent our board of directors determines that borrowing these amounts is prudent. Our policy of limiting our aggregate borrowings to no more than 50% of the value of our properties’ value will have the effect of causing the aggregate debt to equal our net asset value. Such debt may be at a level that is higher than real estate investment trusts with similar investment objectives or criteria. High debt levels would cause us to incur higher interest charges, would result in higher debt service payments, and could be accompanied by restrictive covenants. These factors could limit the amount of cash we have available to distribute and could result in a decline in the value of stockholders’ investment.
We do not intend to incur mortgage debt on a particular real property unless we believe the property’s projected cash flow is sufficient to service the mortgage debt. However, if there is a shortfall in cash flow, then the amount available for distributions to stockholders may be affected. In addition, incurring mortgage debt increases the risk of loss because defaults on indebtedness secured by a property may result in foreclosure actions initiated by lenders and our loss of the property securing the loan that is in default. For tax purposes, a foreclosure of any of our properties would be treated as a sale of the property for a purchase price equal to the outstanding balance of the debt secured by the mortgage. If the outstanding balance of the debt secured by the mortgage exceeds our tax basis in the property, we would recognize taxable income on foreclosure, but would not receive any cash proceeds from the foreclosure. We may give full or partial guarantees to lenders of mortgage debt to the entities that own our properties. When we give a guaranty on behalf of an entity that owns one of our properties, we will be responsible to the lender for satisfaction of the debt if it is not paid by such entity. If any mortgages contain cross-collateralization or cross-default provisions, there is a risk that more than one real property may be affected by a default. If any of our properties are foreclosed upon due to a default, our ability to make distributions to our stockholders will be adversely affected. In addition, because our goal is to be in a position to liquidate our assets within five years after the termination of our primary offering, which terminated in March 2016, our approach to investing in properties utilizing leverage in order to accomplish our investment objectives over this period of time may present more risks to investors than comparable real estate programs that have a longer intended duration and that do not utilize borrowing to the same degree.
If mortgage debt is unavailable at reasonable rates, we may not be able to refinance our properties, which could reduce the amount of cash distributions we can make.
When we place mortgage debt on properties, we run the risk of being unable to refinance the properties when the loans come due, or of being unable to refinance on favorable terms. If interest rates are higher when the properties are refinanced, we may not be able to finance the properties at reasonable rates and our income could be reduced. If this occurs, it would reduce cash available for distribution to our stockholders, and it may prevent us from borrowing more money.
Lenders may require us to enter into restrictive covenants relating to our operations, which could limit our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
In connection with obtaining financing, a lender could impose restrictions on us that affect our ability to incur additional debt and our distribution and operating policies. In general, we expect our loan agreements to restrict our ability to encumber or otherwise transfer our interest in the respective property without the prior consent of the lender. Loan documents we enter may contain other customary negative covenants that may limit our ability to further mortgage the property, discontinue insurance coverage, replace Hartman Advisors as our advisor or impose other limitations. Any such restriction or limitation may have an adverse effect on our operations and our ability to make distributions.
Interest-only indebtedness may increase our risk of default and ultimately may reduce our funds available for distribution to our stockholders.
We may finance our property acquisitions using interest-only mortgage indebtedness. During the interest-only period, the amount of each scheduled payment will be less than that of a traditional amortizing mortgage loan. The principal balance of the mortgage loan will not be reduced (except in the case of prepayments) because there are no scheduled monthly payments of principal during this period. After the interest-only period, we will be required either to make scheduled payments of amortized principal and interest or to make a lump-sum or “balloon” payment at maturity. These required principal or balloon payments will increase the amount of our scheduled payments and may increase our risk of default under the related mortgage loan. If the mortgage loan has an adjustable interest rate, the amount of our scheduled payments also may increase at a time of rising interest rates. Increased payments and
substantial principal or balloon maturity payments will reduce the funds available for distribution to our stockholders because cash otherwise available for distribution will be required to pay principal and interest associated with these mortgage loans.
Increases in interest rates could increase the amount of our debt payments and adversely affect our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
We may incur indebtedness that bears interest at a variable rate. In addition, from time to time we may pay mortgage loans or finance and refinance our properties in a rising interest rate environment. Accordingly, increases in interest rates could increase our interest costs, which could have an adverse effect on our operating cash flow and our ability to make distributions. In addition, if rising interest rates cause us to need additional capital to repay indebtedness in accordance with its terms or otherwise, we may need to liquidate one or more of our investments at times that may not permit realization of the maximum return on such investments.
If we enter into financing arrangements involving balloon payment obligations, it may adversely affect our ability to make distributions.
Some of our financing arrangements may require us to make a lump-sum or “balloon” payment at maturity. Our ability to make a balloon payment at maturity is uncertain and may depend upon our ability to obtain additional financing or our ability to sell the property. At the time the balloon payment is due, we may or may not be able to refinance the balloon payment on terms as favorable as the original loan or sell the property at a price sufficient to make the balloon payment. The effect of a refinancing or sale could affect the rate of return to stockholders and the projected time of disposition of our assets. In addition, payments of principal and interest made to service our debts may leave us with insufficient cash to pay the distributions that we are required to pay to maintain our qualification as a REIT. Any of these results would have a significant, negative impact on stockholders’ investment.
Changes in how LIBOR is determined, or the potential replacement of LIBOR with an alternative reference rate, may adversely affect our interest expense.
Our SASB Loan interest rate is tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). On July 27, 2017, the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced its intention to stop persuading or compelling banks to submit LIBOR quotations by the end of 2021. Our SASB Loan agreement provides for an alternate rate index which is a floating rate that is commonly accepted by participants in CMBS transactions as an alternative to LIBOR and is publicly recognized by ISDA as an alternative to LIBOR. We cannot predict the impact of the phase out of LIBOR and adoption or an alternate rate index. There can be no assurances as to what alternative base rates may be and whether such base rate will be more or less favorable than LIBOR and any other unforeseen impacts of the potential discontinuation of LIBOR. The Company intends to monitor the developments with respect to the potential phasing out of LIBOR after 2021 and work with its lender to ensure any transition away from LIBOR will have minimal impact on its financial condition, but can provide no assurances regarding the impact of the discontinuation of LIBOR on its financial condition or whether the discontinuation of LIBOR would have a material adverse effect on its results of operations.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Risks
Failure to qualify as a REIT would adversely affect our operations and our ability to make distributions.
Our qualification as a REIT depends on our ongoing satisfaction of numerous requirements established under highly technical and complex provisions of the Internal Revenue Code for which there are only limited judicial or administrative interpretations and involve the determination of various factual matters and circumstances not entirely within our control. The complexity of these provisions and of the applicable income tax regulations that have been
promulgated under the Internal Revenue Code is greater in the case of a REIT that holds its assets through a partnership, as we do. Moreover, no assurance can be given that legislation, new regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions will not change the tax laws with respect to qualification as a REIT or the federal income tax consequences of that qualification.
If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year for which we have elected to be taxed as a REIT and do not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, we would be required to pay U.S. federal income tax on our taxable income, and distributions to our stockholders would not be deductible by us in determining our taxable income. In such a case, we might need to borrow money or sell assets in order to pay our taxes. Our payment of income tax would decrease the amount of our income available for distribution to our stockholders. Furthermore, we would not be required to distribute substantially all of our net taxable income to our stockholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year for which we have elected to be taxed as a REIT, unless we are eligible for certain statutory relief provisions, we could not re-elect to qualify as a REIT until the fifth calendar year following the year in which we failed to qualify. In addition, although we intend to operate in a manner intended to qualify as a REIT, it is possible that future economic, market, legal, tax or other considerations may cause our board of directors to recommend that we revoke our REIT election.
We believe that our operating partnership will be treated for federal income tax purposes as a partnership and not as an association or as a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation. If the Internal Revenue Service were successfully to determine that our operating partnership should properly be treated as a corporation, our operating partnership would be required to pay federal income tax at corporate rates on its net income. In addition, we would fail to qualify as a REIT, with the resulting consequences described above.
Legislative, regulatory or administrative changes could adversely affect us.
The tax laws are complex and are subject to change at any time as a result of legislative, judicial or administrative actions, and these changes may adversely affect the taxation of a stockholder. Any such changes could have an adverse effect on an investment in our shares or on the market value or the resale potential of our assets.
On December 22, 2017, the TCJA was signed into law, which makes major changes to the Code, including a number of provisions of the Code that affect the taxation of REITs and their stockholders. The individual and collective impact of these provisions and other provisions of the TCJA on REITs and their stockholders is uncertain, and may not become evident for some period of time. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the implications of the TCJA on their investment in our shares.
To qualify as a REIT we must meet annual distribution requirements, which may result in us distributing amounts that may otherwise be used for our operations.
To qualify as a REIT, we are required each year to distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our real estate investment trust taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends-paid deduction and excluding net capital gains. We will be subject to federal income tax on any undistributed taxable income and to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on any amount by which distributions we pay with respect to any calendar year are less than the sum of (1) 85% of our ordinary income, (2) 95% of our capital gain net income and (3) 100% of our undistributed income from prior years. These requirements could cause us to distribute amounts that otherwise would be spent on investments in real estate assets, and it is possible that we might be required to borrow funds or sell assets to fund these distributions. If we fund distributions through borrowings, then we will have to repay debt using money we could have otherwise used to acquire properties. If we sell assets or use offering proceeds to pay distributions, we also will have fewer investments. Fewer investments may impact our ability to generate future cash flows from operations and, therefore, reduce your overall return. Although we intend to make distributions sufficient
to meet the annual distribution requirements and to avoid corporate income and excise taxes, it is possible that we might not always be able to do so.
In certain circumstances, we may be subject to federal and state income taxes as a REIT which would reduce our cash available to pay distributions.
Even if we maintain our status as a REIT, we may yet become subject to federal income taxes and related state taxes.
example:
•We are subject to tax on any undistributed income. We will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount, if any, by which distributions we pay in any calendar year plus amounts retained for which federal income tax was paid are less than the sum of 85% of our ordinary income, 95% of our capital gain net income, and 100% of our undistributed income from prior years.
•State laws may change so as to begin taxing REITs.
REIT distribution requirements could adversely affect our ability to execute our business plan.
We generally must distribute annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (which is determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction or net capital gain for this purpose) in order to qualify as a REIT. To the extent that we satisfy this distribution requirement, but distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income (including net capital gain), we will be subject to federal corporate income tax on our undistributed REIT taxable income. In addition, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax if the actual amount that we pay out to our stockholders in a calendar year is less than a minimum amount specified under federal tax laws. We intend to make distributions to our stockholders to comply with the REIT requirements of the Internal Revenue Code.
From time to time, we may generate taxable income greater than our taxable income for financial reporting purposes, or our taxable income may be greater than our cash flow available for distribution to stockholders. If we do not have other funds available in these situations we could be required to borrow funds, sell investments at disadvantageous prices or find another alternative source of funds to make distributions sufficient to satisfy the REIT distribution requirement and to avoid corporate income tax and the 4% excise tax in a particular year. There is no assurance that outside financing will be available to us. Even if available, the use of outside financing or other alternative sources of funds to pay distributions could increase our costs or dilute our stockholders’ equity interests. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to operate solely on the basis of maximizing profits.
To maintain our REIT status, we may be forced to forgo otherwise attractive opportunities, which may delay or hinder our ability to meet our investment objectives and reduce your overall return.
To maintain our REIT status, we must satisfy certain tests on an ongoing basis concerning, among other things, the sources of our income, nature of our assets and the amounts we distribute to our stockholders. We may be required to make distributions to stockholders at times when it would be more advantageous to reinvest cash in our business or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution. Compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to operate solely on the basis of maximizing profits and the value of your investment.
Our gains from sales of our assets are potentially subject to the prohibited transaction tax, which could reduce the return on your investment.
Our ability to dispose of property during the first few years following acquisition is restricted to a substantial extent as a result of our REIT status. We will be subject to a 100% tax on any gain realized on the sale or other disposition of any property (other than foreclosure property) we own, directly or through any subsidiary entity, including our operating partnership, but excluding our taxable REIT subsidiaries, that is deemed to be inventory or property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of trade or business unless we qualify for a statutory safe harbor. Whether property is inventory or otherwise held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business depends on the particular facts and circumstances surrounding each property. We intend to avoid the 100% prohibited transaction tax by (1) conducting activities that may otherwise be considered prohibited transactions through a taxable REIT subsidiary, (2) conducting our operations in such a manner so that no sale or other disposition of an asset we own, directly or through any subsidiary other than a taxable REIT subsidiary, will be treated as a prohibited transaction or (3) structuring certain dispositions of our properties to comply with certain safe harbors available under the Internal Revenue Code for properties held at least two years. However, no assurance can be given that any particular property we own, directly or through any subsidiary entity, including our operating partnership, but excluding our taxable REIT subsidiaries, will not be treated as inventory or property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business.
Complying with REIT requirements may force us to liquidate otherwise attractive investments.
To maintain our REIT status, we must ensure that at the end of each calendar quarter, at least 75% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash items, government securities and qualifying real estate assets, including certain mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities. Our investment in securities (other than government securities and qualified real estate assets) generally cannot include more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer. In addition, in general, no more than 5% of the value of our assets (other than government securities and qualified real estate assets) can consist of the securities of any one issuer, and no more than 25% of the value of our total assets can be represented by securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries.
If we fail to comply with these requirements at the end of any calendar quarter, we must correct the failure within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter or qualify for certain statutory relief provisions to avoid losing our REIT qualification and suffering adverse tax consequences. As a result, we may be required to liquidate from our portfolio otherwise attractive investments. These actions could have the effect of reducing our income and amounts available for distribution to our stockholders.
Liquidation of assets may jeopardize our REIT status.
To maintain our REIT status, we must comply with requirements regarding our assets and our sources of income. If we are compelled to liquidate our investments to repay obligations to our lenders, we may be unable to comply with these requirements, ultimately jeopardizing our qualification as a REIT, or we may be subject to a 100% tax on any resultant gain if we sell assets that are treated as dealer property or inventory.
Legislative or regulatory action could adversely affect investors.
In recent years, numerous legislative, judicial and administrative changes have been made to the federal income tax laws applicable to investments in REITs and similar entities. Additional changes to tax laws are likely to continue to occur in the future and we cannot assure you that any such changes will not adversely affect the taxation of a stockholder. Any such changes could have an adverse effect on an investment in shares of our common stock. We urge you to consult with your own tax advisor with respect to the status of legislative, regulatory or
administrative developments and proposals and their potential effect on an investment in shares of our common stock.
Non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the sale of shares of our common stock if we are unable to qualify as a “domestically controlled” REIT.
A non-U.S. person disposing of a U.S. real property interest, including shares of a U.S. corporation whose assets consist principally of U.S. real property interests, is generally subject to U.S. federal income tax on the gain recognized on such disposition. A non-U.S. stockholder generally would not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, however, on gain from the disposition of stock in a REIT if the REIT is a “domestically controlled REIT.” A domestically controlled REIT is a REIT in which, at all times during a specified testing period, less than 50% in value of its shares is held directly or indirectly by non-U.S. holders. We cannot assure you that we will qualify as a domestically controlled REIT. If we were to fail to so qualify, gain realized by a non-U.S. investor on a sale of our common stock would be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless our common stock was traded on an established securities market, which is not currently the case, and the non-U.S. investor did not at any time during a specified testing period directly or indirectly own more than 10% of the value of our outstanding common stock.
Retirement Plan Risks
There are special considerations for pension or profit-sharing or 401(k) plans, health or welfare plans or individual retirement accounts whose assets are being invested in our common stock due to requirements under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code. Furthermore, a person acting on behalf of a plan not subject to ERISA may be subject to similar penalties under applicable federal, state, local, or non-U.S. law by reason of purchasing our stock.
If you are investing the assets of a pension, profit sharing or 401(k) plan, health or welfare plan, or an IRA, or other plan or arrangement subject to ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code in us, you should consider:
•whether the investment is consistent with stockholders’ fiduciary obligations under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code;
•whether the investment is made in accordance with the documents and instruments governing the plan or IRA, including plan or account’s investment policy;
•whether the investment satisfies the prudence and diversification requirements of Section 404(a)(1)(B) and 404(a)(1)(C) of ERISA and other applicable provisions of ERISA and/or the Internal Revenue Code;
•whether the investment will not impair the liquidity of the plan or IRA;
•whether the investment will not produce unrelated business taxable income, referred to as UBTI, for the plan or IRA;
•whether the stockholder will be able to value the assets of the plan annually in accordance with ERISA requirements and applicable provisions of the plan or IRA; and
•whether the investment will not constitute a prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code.
You should consider whether your investment in us will cause some or all of our assets to be considered assets of an employee benefit plan, IRA, or other arrangement. We do not believe that under ERISA and U.S.Department of Labor regulations currently in effect that our assets would be treated as “plan assets” for purposes of ERISA, although there can be no assurances. However, if our assets were considered to be plan assets, transactions involving our assets would be subject to ERISA and Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code and some of the transactions we have entered into with our advisor and its affiliates could be considered “prohibited transactions,” under ERISA
or the Internal Revenue Code. If such transactions were considered “prohibited transactions,” our advisor and its affiliates could be subject to liabilities and excise taxes or penalties. In addition, our officers and directors, our advisor and its affiliates could be deemed to be fiduciaries under ERISA, subject to other conditions, restrictions and prohibitions under Part 4 of Title I of ERISA and those serving as fiduciaries of plans investing in us may be considered to have improperly delegated fiduciary duties to us. Additionally, other transactions with “parties-in-interest” or “disqualified persons” with respect to an investing plan might be prohibited under ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code or other governing authority in the case of a government plan.
Therefore, we would be operating under a burdensome regulatory regime that could limit or restrict investments we can make or our management of our real estate assets. Even if our assets are not considered to be plan assets, a prohibited transaction could occur if we or any of our affiliates is a fiduciary (within the meaning of ERISA) with respect to an employee benefit plan purchasing shares and, therefore, in the event any such persons are fiduciaries (within the meaning of ERISA) of your plan or IRA, you should not purchase shares unless an administrative or statutory exemption applies to your purchase.
Failure to satisfy the fiduciary standards of conduct and other requirements of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, or other applicable statutory or common law may result in the imposition of civil (and criminal, if the violation was willful) penalties, and can subject the fiduciary to equitable remedies and/or damages. In addition, if an investment in our common stock constitutes a prohibited transaction under ERISA or the Internal Revenue Code, the fiduciary that authorized or directed the investment may be subject to the imposition of excise taxes with respect to the amount invested. Furthermore, to the extent that the assets of a plan or arrangement not subject to the fiduciary provisions of ERISA (for example, governmental plans, non-electing church plans, and foreign plans) will be used to purchase our stock, such plans should consider the impact of applicable federal, state, local, or non-U.S. law on the decision to make such purchase.
Item 1B.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2.
Item 2. Properties
General
As of December 31, 2020, we owned or held a majority interest in 44 commercial properties comprising approximately 6,800,000 square feet plus four pad sites and two land developments, all located in Texas. As of December 31, 2020, we owned 15 properties located in Richardson, Arlington, and Dallas, Texas, 26 properties located in Houston, Texas and three properties located in San Antonio, Texas. We believe that the long-term outlook for commercial real estate values in the Houston, Dallas and San Antonio metropolitan statistical areas remains positive.
We operate under the direction of our board of directors, the members of which are accountable to us and our stockholders. Effective July 1, 2020, we are internally managed and our properties are managed by our subsidiary, Hartman Income REIT Management, Inc. Our property manager is responsible for operating, leasing and maintaining our properties.
Substantially all of our revenues consist of base rents and expense recoveries under leases that generally have terms that range from less than one year to 15 years. A majority of our existing leases as of December 31, 2020 contain “rent bump” rental provisions which provide for increases in base rental amounts over the term of the lease.
Our Properties
The following table provides summary information regarding our properties as of December 31, 2020.
The following table sets forth certain information relating to our properties, by commercial property type, as of December 31, 2020:
Significant Tenants
The following table sets forth information about our ten largest tenants as of December 31, 2020:
Lease Expirations
The following table shows lease expirations for our properties as of December 31, 2020 during each of the next ten years:
Leases expiring beyond the period presented are not included in the table above, therefore the percent of total annualized base rents do not total 100%.
Location of Properties
Our properties, which represent continuing operations, are located in the Houston, Dallas and San Antonio metropolitan statistical areas (“MSAs”). We believe that the long-term outlook for Texas MSAs remains positive.
As of December 31, 2020, our real estate properties comprised the following annualized base rental revenue, in thousands, by asset type and geographic location:
The following information generally applies to all of our properties:
•we believe all of our properties are adequately covered by insurance and are suitable for their intended purposes;
•except as otherwise noted above, we have no plans for any material renovations, improvements or developments with respect to any of our properties; and
•our properties face competition in attracting new residents and retaining current residents from other multifamily properties in and around their respective submarkets.
Item 3.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
We are not presently subject to any material litigation nor, to our knowledge, is any litigation threatened against us or any of our properties, other than routine actions arising in the ordinary course of business, some of which are expected to be covered by liability insurance and all of which collectively are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition or results of operations.
Item 4.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5.
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Stockholder Information
As of March 25, 2021, we had 35,320,505 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, held by a total of approximately 4,841 stockholders. The number of stockholders is based on the records of Phoenix American Financial Services, Inc. which serves as our transfer agent.
Market Information
Our shares of common stock are not currently listed on a national securities exchange or any over-the-counter market. We do not expect our shares to become listed in the near future, and they may not become listed at all. Consequently, there is the risk that our stockholders may not be able to sell their shares at a time or price acceptable to them. Effective March 31, 2016, we terminated our follow-on offering. Our board of directors continues to evaluate potential liquidity events to maximize the total potential return to our stockholders, including, but not limited to, merging our company with other Hartman affiliates followed by a listing of our shares of common stock on a national securities exchange. On November 6, 2020, the board of directors of the Company and the board of directors of Hartman vREIT XXI, Inc. each approved the merger of Hartman XXI with and into the Company. On January 26, 2021, the respective boards determined to delay the merger transaction. There can be no assurance that we will complete the contemplated merger by any specific date or at all.
On January 26, 2021, our board of directors, including all our independent directors determined an estimated net asset value (“NAV”) per share of our common stock of $11.18 per share as of December 31, 2020.
In determining the estimated NAV per share, our board relied upon information contained in a report, or the valuation report, provided by our advisor, the recommendation of the audit committee of our board and our board’s experience with, and knowledge of, our real property and other assets as of December 31, 2020. The objective of our board in determining the estimated NAV per share of our common stock was to arrive at a value, based on recent, available data, that our board believed was reasonable based on methods that it deemed appropriate after consultation with our advisor and the audit committee. In preparing the valuation report, our advisor relied in part on valuations of commercial real estate properties provided by LaPorte CPAs and Business Advisors, which we refer to herein as the Valuation Expert. To calculate the estimated NAV per share in the Valuation Report, our advisor used a methodology pursuant to the provisions of Practice Guideline 2013-01, Valuations of Publicly Registered Non-Listed REITs, issued by the Institute for Portfolio Alternatives in April 2013. The Valuation Expert did not determine the NAV of the Company’s common shares.
As with any valuation method, the methods used to determine the estimated net asset value per share were based upon a number of assumptions, estimates and judgments that may not be accurate or complete. Our assets have been valued based upon appraisal standards and the values of our assets using these methods are not required to be a reflection of market value under those standards and will not necessarily result in a reflection of fair value under GAAP. Further, different parties using different property-specific and general real estate and capital market assumptions, estimates, judgments and standards could derive a different estimated net asset value per share, which could be significantly different from the estimated net asset value per share determined by our board of directors. The estimated net asset value per share is not a representation or indication that, among other things: a stockholder would be able to realize the estimated value per share if he or she attempts to sell shares; a stockholder would ultimately realize distributions per share equal to the estimated value per share upon liquidation of assets and settlement of our liabilities or upon a sale of our company; shares of our common stock would trade at the estimated net asset value per share on a national securities exchange; a third party would offer the estimated net asset value per share in an arms-length transaction to purchase all or substantially all of our shares of common stock; or the methodologies used to estimate the net asset value per share would be acceptable to FINRA or ERISA with respect to their respective requirements. Further, the estimated net asset value per share was calculated as of a moment in
time and the value of our shares will fluctuate over time as a result of, among other things, future acquisitions or dispositions of assets, developments related to individual assets and changes in the real estate and capital markets. For additional information on the determination of our estimated fair value per share, see our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 28, 2021.
We intend to determine an updated estimated fair value per share every year on or about the last day of our fiscal year or more frequently in the sole discretion of our board of directors. The market for commercial real estate can fluctuate quickly and substantially, and values of our assets and liabilities are expected to change in the future.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
For the year ended December 31, 2020, we granted $100,000 in restricted common stock to our lead director in connection with the Mergers as well as $50,000 in restricted common stock to our lead director and each of three independent directors appointed to the board in May, 2021. We issued 6,000 shares of restricted common stock in the aggregate to our independent directors in 2019 in fulfillment of shares granted for 2018 service on our board of directors. As of December 31, 2020, a total of 51,000 shares of restricted common stock have been issued by us to our independent directors pursuant to our omnibus stock incentive plan, and 12,000 shares of restricted common stock have been issued to executives of our former advisor and our property manager pursuant to our omnibus stock incentive plan.
The shares of restricted stock issued to our independent directors and executives of our advisor and property manager were issued in transactions exempt from registration under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.
Share Redemption Program
Our board of directors adopted a share redemption program that permitted our stockholders to sell their shares back to us after they have held them for at least one year, subject to the significant conditions and limitations described below. On July 28, 2020, the Board reopened the Redemption Plan for the death and disability or financial hardship of a shareholder. On October 1, 2020, the Board approved by unanimous written consent to further reopen the Redemption Plan, subject to certain significant conditions and limitations for additional shareholders. Except for redemptions sought upon a stockholder’s death or qualifying disability or redemptions sought upon a stockholder’s confinement to a long-term care facility, the purchase price for shares redeemed under the redemption program was determined as follows:
Our board of directors reserves the right in its sole discretion at any time to (1) waive the one-year holding period in the event of exigent circumstances affecting a stockholder such as bankruptcy, a mandatory distribution requirement under a stockholder’s IRA or death or disability (as described below), (2) reject any request for redemption, (3) change the purchase price for redemptions, or (4) otherwise amend the terms of our redemption program.
For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we received 152 and 1 requests, respectively, for share redemptions pursuant to the terms of our share redemption program. For the years ended December 31, 2020, we redeemed 0 and 0 shares at a weighted average price per share of $0 and $0 per share. For the period from our initial public offering commencement date (February 9, 2009) to December 31, 2020, we received and fulfilled 186 redemption requests representing 875,077 shares of our common stock. Redemption prices paid were as set forth in our share redemption program. The source of cash used to fund the redemption requests was subscription proceeds. As of December 31, 2020, we had 153 unfulfilled redemption requests.
Distribution Policy
To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to annually distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction and excluding net capital gain and which does not necessarily equal net income as calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP) to our stockholders. Our board of directors may authorize distributions in excess of those required for us to maintain REIT status depending on our financial condition and such other factors as our board of directors deems relevant.
We declared distributions based on daily record dates for each day. Distributions declared for all record dates of a given month are paid, as of January 2021, approximately 40 days after month-end. Distributions are currently calculated at a rate which is $0.35 annually per share of common stock.
For federal income tax purposes, distributions to common stockholders are characterized as ordinary dividends, capital gain distributions or nontaxable distributions. To the extent that we make distributions in excess of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be a nontaxable return of capital which reduces the tax basis of each share of common stock held by a U.S. stockholder. The amount of distributions in excess of a U.S. stockholder’s tax basis will be a taxable gain realized upon the sale of the stockholders’ shares.
The following table summarizes the distributions we paid in cash and pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, in thousands:
(1) Distributions are paid on a monthly basis. Distributions for all record dates of a given month are paid approximately 20 days (and effective January, 2021 approximately 40 days) following the end of such month.
(2) Our distribution reinvestment plan which was terminated effective July 16, 2016.
Item 6.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Not applicable.
Item 7.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the “Selected Financial Data” above and our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in this Annual Report. Also see “Forward Looking Statements” preceding Part I of this Annual Report. As used herein, the terms “we,” “our,” “us” and “our company” refer to Hartman Short Term Income Properties XX, Inc. and, as required by context, Hartman XX Limited Partnership, our operating partnership, and to their respective subsidiaries. References to “shares” and “our common stock” refer to the shares of our common stock.
Impact of Coronavirus Outbreak
The novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, pandemic, has caused and continues to cause significant disruptions to the U.S., regional and global economies and has contributed to significant volatility and negative pressure in financial markets.
We continue to carefully monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and its potential impact on our business. We are following guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization and orders issued by the state and local governments where we operate. In addition, we have taken a number of precautionary steps to safeguard our business and our employees from the COVID-19 pandemic, including, working remotely and work from home ("WFH") in combination with employees working on site. We have taken steps to maintain business continuity so that we can continue to deliver service to and meet the demands of our tenants.
We are working closely with our tenants with respect to building operations within our portfolio. Whenever a confirmed case of COVID-19 involves an individual known to have been in one of our buildings, we immediately take steps in collaboration with our tenants and vendors to disinfect and sanitize the affected spaces and all common areas in the building.
To date, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and financial condition has not been materially adverse. We have experienced delayed collections from tenants whose businesses and cash flows have been impacted by the pandemic. Notwithstanding delayed collection, we are generally collecting between 95 - 97% of billed rents and charges within 90 days of original due dates. We expect occupancy losses due to bankruptcy or other direct adverse consequences of the pandemic to slow and we expect portfolio occupancy to increase during 2021. We also believe that our capital structure will continue to provide us with the resources, financial flexibility and the capacity to support our business.
The future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations and financial condition will, however, depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the scope, severity and duration of the pandemic, the actions taken to contain the pandemic or mitigate its impact, and the direct and indirect economic effects of the pandemic and containment measures, among others. See “Item 1A Risk Factors” for a discussion of the potential adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Since the beginning of 2020, the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak which originated in mainland China has significantly impacted the global and U.S. economies. Through the date of the filing of this Form 10-K, all the Company’s office, retail and flex/industrial properties are open and accessible to our tenants. The Company’s
properties are all located in Texas in the metropolitan areas of Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. The operation of tenant businesses is subject to the business judgement of tenant business owners and the direction of government authorities and public health officials. In March 2021, the state of Texas lifted COVID-19 restrictions on businesses; however, businesses can still enforce their own rules for reopening. The Company’s retail property tenants may be particularly affected by the coronavirus outbreak to the extent that they have been required to close or limit hours of operations in the case of experiential businesses such as movie theaters, restaurants and specialty event operations. During much of 2020, services offered restaurant and bar operations in the metropolitan areas in which our properties are located were limited by public mandate. The Company’s retail properties account for approximately 20% of the Company’s total annual base rental income. The Company’s office property tenants have in many cases adopted limited office hours as well as work from home policies as part of their respective business continuity plans.
Overview
We were formed as a Maryland corporation on February 5, 2009 to invest in and operate real estate and real estate-related assets on an opportunistic basis. We may acquire a wide variety of commercial properties, including office, industrial, retail, and other real properties. These properties may be existing, income-producing properties, newly constructed properties or properties under development or construction. In particular, we will focus on acquiring properties with significant possibilities for short-term capital appreciation, such as those requiring development, redevelopment or repositioning or those located in markets with high growth potential. We also may invest in real estate-related securities and, to the extent that our advisor determines that it is advantageous, we may invest in mortgage loans. We expect to make our investments in real estate assets located in the United States and other countries.
On February 9, 2010, we commenced our initial public offering of up to $250,000,000 in shares of our common stock to the public at a price of $10.00 per share and up to $23,750,000 in shares of our common stock to our stockholders pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan at a price of $9.50 per share. On April 25, 2013, we terminated our initial public offering. As of the termination of our initial public offering on April 25, 2013, we had accepted subscriptions for and issued 4,455,678 shares of our common stock, including 162,561 shares of our common stock issued pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan, resulting in aggregate gross offering proceeds of $43,943,731.
On July 16, 2013, we commenced our follow-on offering of up to $200,000,000 in shares of our common stock to the public at a price of $10.00 per share and up to $19,000,000 in shares of our common stock to our stockholders pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan at a price of $9.50 per share. We accepted subscriptions for, and issued, 18,574,461 shares of our common stock in our initial public offering and follow-on offering, including 1,216,240 shares of our common stock issued pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan, resulting in aggregate gross proceeds of $181,336,480.
Effective March 31, 2016, we terminated the offer and sale of shares of our common stock to the public in our follow-on offering. The sale of shares of our common stock to our stockholders pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan was terminated effective July 16, 2016.
As of December 31, 2020 we owned 44 commercial real properties comprising approximately 6.8 million square feet plus four pad sites, all located in Texas.
We have a $259,000,000 SPE Loan (the "SASB Loan") outstanding as of December 31, 2020 which has an maturity date of October 9, 2021, which is within one year of the date that this Annual Report was available to be issued. Management has considered whether there is substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the issuance date of these consolidated financial statement due to the fact of the
uncertainty regarding the loan maturity of the SASB Loan, as set forth in Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern.”
Without limiting the foregoing, we believe that we will have sufficient capital to meet our existing debt service and other operating obligations for the next year and that we have adequate resources to fund our cash needs. However, our operations are subject to a variety of risks, including, but not limited to, changes in national economic conditions, the restricted availability of financing, changes in demographic trends and interest rates and declining real estate valuations. As a result of these uncertainties, there can be no assurance that we will meet our investment objectives or that the risks described above will not have an adverse effect on our properties or results of operations.
We operate under the direction of our board of directors, the members of which are accountable to the Company and our stockholders. Effective July 1, 2020, we are internally managed by Hartman Advisors, LLC. Effective July 1, 2020, our properties are managed by our subsidiary, Hartman Income REIT Management, Inc. Our property manager is responsible for operating, leasing and maintaining our properties. The Company is now internally advised and managed.
We elected under Section 856 of the Internal Revenue Code to be taxed as a REIT beginning with the taxable year ending December 31, 2011. As a REIT we generally are not subject to federal income tax on income that we distribute to our stockholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year after the year in which we initially elected to be treated as a REIT, we will be subject to federal income tax on our taxable income at regular corporate rates and will not be permitted to qualify for treatment as a REIT for federal income tax purposes for four years following the year in which our qualification is denied. Such an event could materially and adversely affect our net income. However, we believe that we are organized and will operate in a manner that will enable us to qualify for treatment as a REIT for federal income tax purposes and we intend to operate so as to remain qualified as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.
Our Real Estate Portfolio
As of December 31, 2020, our portfolio consisted of the 44 commercial real estate properties listed below.
Property Acquisitions and Real Estate Investments
2020 and 2019 Property Acquisitions
Acquisition of HIREIT
Effective July 1, 2020, in connection with the Mergers, the Company acquired interests in (i) one commercial real estate property, (ii) one pad site development in progress, (iii) a 34.38% member interest in SPE LLC, (iv) the Property Manager and (v) a 30% interest in Advisor.
Acquisition of Hartman XIX
Effective July 1, 2020, in connection with the Mergers, the Company acquired interests in (i) two commercial land developments in progress and (ii) a 26.99% interest in SPE LLC.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Our results of operations and financial condition, as reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes, require us to make estimates and assumptions that are subject to management’s evaluation and interpretation of business conditions, changing capital market conditions and other factors related to the ongoing viability of our customers. With different estimates or assumptions, materially different amounts could be reported in our consolidated financial statements. We believe the following are our more critical accounting policies due to the significance, subjectivity and judgment used in determining our estimates included in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. See also Note 2,"Summary of Significant Accounting Policies", of our consolidated financial statements.We evaluate our assumptions and estimates on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable and appropriate based upon the circumstances.
Revenue Recognition
The Company’s leases are accounted for as operating leases. Certain leases provide for tenant occupancy during periods for which no rent is due and/or for increases or decreases in the minimum lease payments over the terms of the leases. Revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the individual leases. Revenue recognition under a lease begins when the tenant takes possession of or controls the physical use of the leased space. When the Company acquires a property, the term of existing leases is considered to commence as of the acquisition date for the purposes of this calculation. The Company’s accrued rents are included in accrued rent and accounts receivable, net, on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company will defer the recognition of contingent rental income, such as percentage rents, until the specific target that triggers the contingent rental income is achieved. Additionally, cost recoveries from tenants are included in the Tenant Reimbursement and Other Revenues line item in the consolidated statements of operations in the period the related costs are incurred.
The Property Manager recognizes revenue attributable to property management fees and reimbursements, leasing fees and commissions, and development and construction fees for services provided to non-consolidated Hartman affiliates. The Advisor, through its wholly owned subsidiary Hartman vREIT XXI Advisor, LLC, recognizes acquisition fees and asset management fees for property acquisitions and company management of affiliated and sponsored, non-consolidated Hartman affiliates.
Real Estate
Allocation of Purchase Price of Acquired Assets
Upon the acquisition of real properties, it is the Company’s policy to allocate the purchase price of properties to acquired tangible assets, consisting of land and buildings, and identified intangible assets and liabilities, consisting of the value of above-market and below-market leases, other value of in-place leases and leasehold improvements and value of tenant relationships, based in each case on their fair values. The Company utilizes internal valuation methods to determine the fair values of the tangible assets of an acquired property (which includes land and buildings).
The fair values of above-market and below-market in-place lease values, including below-market renewal options for which renewal has been determined to be reasonably assured, are recorded based on the present value (using an interest rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (a) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases and (b) an estimate of fair market lease rates for the corresponding in-place leases and below-market renewal options, which is generally obtained from independent appraisals, measured over a period equal to the remaining non-cancelable term of the lease. The above-market and below-market lease and renewal option values are capitalized as intangible lease assets or liabilities and amortized as an adjustment to rental revenues over the remaining expected terms of the respective leases.
The fair values of in-place leases include direct costs associated with obtaining a new tenant, opportunity costs associated with lost rentals which are avoided by acquiring an in-place lease, and tenant relationships. Direct costs associated with obtaining a new tenant include commissions, tenant improvements, and other direct costs and are estimated based on independent appraisals and management’s consideration of current market costs to execute a similar lease. These direct costs are included in intangible lease assets and are amortized to expense over the remaining terms of the respective leases. The value of opportunity costs is calculated using the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases over a market absorption period for a similar lease. Customer relationships are valued based on expected renewal of a lease or the likelihood of obtaining a particular tenant for other locations. These intangibles are included in intangible lease assets in the consolidated balance sheets and are amortized to expense over the remaining term of the respective leases.
The determination of the fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired requires the use of significant assumptions with regard to the current market rental rates, rental growth rates, discount rates and other variables. The use of inappropriate estimates would result in an incorrect assessment of the purchase price allocations, which could impact the amount of our reported net income (loss).
Real Estate Joint Ventures and Partnerships
To determine the method of accounting for partially owned real estate joint ventures and partnerships, management determines whether an entity is a variable interest entity ("VIE") and, if so, determines which party is the primary beneficiary by analyzing whether we have both the power to direct the entity’s significant economic activities and the obligation to absorb potentially significant losses or receive potentially significant benefits. Significant judgments and assumptions inherent in this analysis include the design of the entity structure, the nature of the entity’s operations, future cash flow projections, the entity’s financing and capital structure, and contractual relationships and terms. We consolidate a VIE when we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary.
Primary risks associated with our involvement with our VIEs include the potential funding of the entities’ debt obligations or making additional contributions to fund the entities’ operations or capital activities.
Partially owned, non-variable interest real estate joint ventures and partnerships over which we have a controlling financial interest are consolidated in our consolidated financial statements. In determining if we have a controlling financial interest, we consider factors such as ownership interest, authority to make decisions, kick-out rights and substantive participating rights. Partially owned real estate joint ventures and partnerships where we do not have a controlling financial interest, but have the ability to exercise significant influence, are accounted for using the equity method.
Management continually analyzes and assesses reconsideration events, including changes in the factors mentioned above, to determine if the consolidation or equity method treatment remains appropriate.
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of 5 to 39 years for buildings and improvements. Tenant improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method over the lesser of
the life of the improvement or the remaining term of the lease. In-place leases are amortized using the straight-line method over the weighted average years calculated on terms of all of the leases in-place when acquired.
Impairment
We review our real estate assets on an asset by asset basis for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets, including accrued rental income, may not be recoverable through operations. We determine whether an impairment in value has occurred by comparing the estimated future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges), including the estimated residual value of the property, with the carrying cost of the property. If impairment is indicated, a loss will be recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of the property exceeds its fair value.
Projections of expected future cash flows require management to estimate future market rental income amounts subsequent to the expiration of current lease agreements, property operating expenses, discount rates, the number of months it takes to release the property and the number of years the property is held for investment. The use of inappropriate assumptions in the future cash flow analysis would result in an incorrect assessment of the property’s future cash flow and fair value and could result in the overstatement of the carrying value of our real estate and related intangible assets and net income. During 2020, we identified the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as an impairment trigger for properties occupied by certain tenants experiencing difficulties meeting their lease obligations to us. After considering the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the key assumptions noted above, management has determined that the carrying values of 3 properties for the year ended December 31, 2020 were not recoverable. As a result, we recorded provisions for impairment of $5,406,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020 on the applicable properties impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Management determined that there was no impairment in the carrying value of the Company's real estate assets as of December 31, 2019.
Accrued Rent and Accounts Receivable, net
Accrued rent and accounts receivable includes base rents, tenant reimbursements and receivables attributable to recording rents on a straight-line basis. An allowance for the uncollectible portion of accrued rent and accounts receivable is determined based upon customer credit-worthiness (including expected recovery of our claim with respect to any tenants in bankruptcy), historical bad debt levels, and current economic trends.
Deferred Costs
Loan costs are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over the terms of the loans, which approximates the interest method. Leasing commissions are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over the term of the related lease agreements.
RESULTS OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Comparison of the year ended December 31, 2020 versus the year ended December 31, 2019.
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, we owned 44 and 43 commercial properties comprising approximately 6.8 and 6.7 million square feet plus four and three pad sites and two and none land developments, all located in Texas. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we owned 15 properties located in Richardson, Arlington, and Dallas, Texas, 26 properties located in Houston, Texas and three properties located in San Antonio, Texas.
We define same store (“Same Store”) properties as 43 commercial properties, which we owned for the entirety of the year ended December 31, 2020 and the year ended December 31, 2019.
Net operating income (property revenues minus property expenses), or “NOI,” is the measure used by management to assess property performance. NOI is not a measure of operating income or cash flows from operating activities as measured by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or “GAAP,” and is not indicative of cash available to fund cash needs. As a result, NOI should not be considered an alternative to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. Not all companies calculate NOI in the same manner. We consider NOI to be an appropriate supplemental measure to net income because it assists both investors and management in understanding the operating results of our real estate. Set forth below is a reconciliation of NOI to net loss.
Revenues - The primary source of our revenue is rental revenues and tenant reimbursements. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 we had total same store rental revenues and tenant reimbursements of $86,962,000 and $86,724,000, respectively.
Property operating expenses - Property operating expenses consists of labor, contract services, repairs and maintenance, utilities and management fees. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had property operating expenses of $29,682,000 and $30,853,000, respectively. The decrease is mainly due to decrease in hurricane and flood damage related expenses and significant decrease in electricity expenses.
Asset management fees - We pay asset management fees to our advisor in connection with the management of our company. With the merger of HIREIT, and as a result the Advisors, with the Company, the asset management is eliminated starting on July 1, 2020. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had asset management fees of $1,760,000 and $1,760,000, respectively.
Real estate taxes and insurance - Same store real estate taxes and insurance were $14,248,000 and $13,306,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase in real estate taxes and insurance is attributable to the increase in insurance premium for the insurance policy fiscal year 2020.
Depreciation and amortization - Depreciation and amortization were $29,496,000 and $27,534,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase is due to the addition of Atrium II as a result of HIREIT merger into the Company.
General and administrative expenses - General and administrative expenses consist primarily of transfer agent fees, other professional fees, and independent director compensation. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had same store general and administrative expenses of $5,650,000 and $5,901,000 respectively.
Interest expenses - Interest expenses for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, were $9,929,000 and $13,834,000, respectively. The decrease is primarily due to the one-month LIBOR decrease due to the COVID-19 pandemic effect on the capital markets.
Net loss - We incurred a net loss from continuing operations of $11,010,000 and $4,610,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The difference is primarily attributable to increase in total revenues, decrease in property expenses and decrease in interest expenses and due to the provisions for impairment in FY 2020.
Funds From Operations
Funds From Operations, or FFO, is a non-GAAP financial measure defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”), an industry trade group, which we believe is an appropriate supplemental measure to reflect the operating performance of a real estate investment trust, or REIT in conjunction with net income. FFO is used by the REIT industry as a supplemental performance measure. FFO is not equivalent to our net income or loss as determined under GAAP.
We define FFO, a non-GAAP measure, consistent with the standards established by the White Paper on FFO approved by the Board of Governors of NAREIT, as revised in February 2004, or the White Paper. The White Paper defines FFO as net income or loss computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding gains or losses from sales of property and asset impairment write-downs, plus depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. Adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures are calculated to reflect FFO. Our FFO calculation complies with NAREIT’s policy described above.
The historical accounting convention used for real estate assets requires straight-line depreciation of buildings and improvements, which implies that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time, especially if such assets are not adequately maintained or repaired and renovated as required by relevant circumstances and/or is requested or required by lessees for operational purposes in order to maintain the value disclosed. We believe that, since real estate values historically rise and fall with market conditions, including inflation, interest rates, the business cycle, unemployment and consumer spending, presentations of operating results for a REIT using historical accounting for depreciation may be less informative. Additionally, we believe it is appropriate to disregard impairment charges, as this is a fair value adjustment that is largely based on market fluctuations and assessments regarding general market conditions which can change over time. An asset will only be evaluated for impairment if certain impairment indicators exist and if the carrying, or book value, exceeds the total estimated undiscounted future cash flows (including net rental and lease revenues, net proceeds on the sale of the property, and any other ancillary cash flows at a property or group level under GAAP) from such asset. Investors should note, however, that
determinations of whether impairment charges have been incurred are based partly on anticipated operating performance, because estimated undiscounted future cash flows from a property, including estimated future net rental and lease revenues, net proceeds on the sale of the property, and certain other ancillary cash flows, are taken into account in determining whether an impairment charge has been incurred. While impairment charges are excluded from the calculation of FFO as described above, investors are cautioned that due to the fact that impairments are based on estimated future undiscounted cash flows and the relatively limited term of our operations, it could be difficult to recover any impairment charges.
Historical accounting for real estate involves the use of GAAP. Any other method of accounting for real estate such as the fair value method cannot be construed to be any more accurate or relevant than the comparable methodologies of real estate valuation found in GAAP. Nevertheless, we believe that the use of FFO, which excludes the impact of real estate related depreciation and amortization and impairments, provides a more complete understanding of the our performance to investors and to management, and when compared year over year, reflects the impact on our operations from trends in occupancy rates, rental rates, operating costs, general and administrative expenses, and interest costs, which may not be immediately apparent from net income. However, FFO should not be construed to be more relevant or accurate than the current GAAP methodology in calculating net income or in its applicability in evaluating our operating performance. The method utilized to evaluate the value and performance of real estate under GAAP should be construed as a more relevant measure of operational performance and considered more prominently than the non-GAAP FFO measures and the adjustments to GAAP in calculating FFO.
Presentation of this information is intended to provide useful information to investors as they compare the operating performance of different REITs, although it should be noted that not all REITs calculate FFO the same way, so comparisons with other REITs may not be meaningful. FFO is not necessarily indicative of cash flow available to fund cash needs and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) or income (loss) from continuing operations as an indication of our performance, as an alternative to cash flows from operations as an indication of its liquidity, or indicative of funds available to fund its cash needs including its ability to make distributions to its stockholders. FFO should be reviewed in conjunction with other GAAP measurements as an indication of our performance. FFO is not a useful measure in evaluating net asset value because impairments are taken into account in determining net asset value but not in determining FFO.
Neither the SEC, NAREIT nor any other regulatory body has passed judgment on the acceptability of the adjustments that we use to calculate FFO. In the future, the SEC, NAREIT, or another regulatory body may decide to standardize the allowable adjustments across the non-listed REIT industry and as a result we may have to adjust our calculation and characterization of FFO.
The table below summarizes our calculation of FFO for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 respectively, and a reconciliation of such non-GAAP financial performance measures to our net loss, in thousands.
(1) For discussion of the restatement adjustments, see Note 3 - Restatement of Consolidated Financial Statements.
Distributions
The following table summarizes the distributions we paid in cash and pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan for the period from January 2011 (the month we first paid distributions) through December 31, 2020, in thousands:
(1)Distributions are paid on a monthly basis. Distributions for all record dates of a given month are paid approximately 20 days following the end of such month.
(2)Distributions accrued for the period from December 27, 2010 through December 31, 2010 were paid on January 20, 2011, the date we first paid a distribution.
(3)Amount of distributions paid in shares of common stock pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan. Effective July 16, 2016, we terminated the sale of additional shares of our common stock to our stockholders pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, we paid aggregate distributions of $15,797,000. During the same period, cash provided by (used in) operating activities was $33,757,000 and our FFO was $23,892,000. For the year ended December 31, 2020, 100% of distributions were paid from cash provided by operating activities.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, we paid aggregate distributions of $12,811,000. During the same period, cash provided by (used in) operating activities was $19,519,000 and our FFO was $22,924,000. For the year ended December 31, 2019, 100% of distributions were paid from cash provided by operating activities.
For the period from inception to December 31, 2020, we paid aggregate distributions of $83,281,000. During the period from our inception to December 31, 2020, our cash provided by operating activities was $129,389,000, our net loss was $57,275,000 and our FFO was 94,854,000. Of the $83,281,000 in aggregate distributions paid to our stockholders from inception to December 31, 2020, approximately 64% was paid from net cash provided by operating activities and approximately 36% was funded from offering proceeds. For a discussion of how we calculate FFO, see “Funds From Operations and Modified Funds From Operations”.
For Federal income tax purposes, the cash distributed to stockholders was characterized as follows for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our principal demands for funds are for real estate and real estate-related acquisitions, for the payment of operating expenses, for the payment of interest on our outstanding indebtedness, and for the payment of distributions. Generally, we expect to meet cash needs for items other than acquisitions from our cash flow from operations; provided, that some or all of our distributions have been and may continue to be paid from sources other than cash from operations (as discussed below). We expect to meet cash needs for acquisitions from the remaining net proceeds of our follow-on offering and from financings.
There may be a delay between the sale of our shares of common stock and the purchase of properties or other investments, which could result in a delay in our ability to make distributions to our stockholders. Some or all of our distributions have been and may continue to be paid from sources other than cash flow from operations, including proceeds of our public offerings, cash advances to us by our advisor, cash resulting from a waiver of asset management fees and borrowings secured by our assets in anticipation of future operating cash flow. We may have little, if any, cash flow from operations available for distribution until we make substantial investments and those investments stabilize. In addition, to the extent our investments are in development or redevelopment projects or in properties that have significant capital requirements, our ability to make distributions may be negatively impacted, especially during our early periods of operation.
We use, and intend to use in the future, secured and unsecured debt to acquire properties and make other investments. As of December 31, 2020, our outstanding secured debt is $301,035,000. There is no limitation on the amount we may invest in any single property or other asset or on the amount we can borrow for the purchase of any individual property or other investment. Under our charter, we are prohibited from borrowing in excess of 300% of our “net assets” (as defined by our charter) as of the date of any borrowing; however, we may exceed that limit if approved by a majority of our independent directors and if such excess is disclosed to the stockholders in the next quarterly report along with the explanation for such excess borrowings. Our board of directors has adopted a policy to limit our aggregate borrowings to approximately 50% of the aggregate value of our assets unless substantial justification exists that borrowing a greater amount is in our best interests. Such limitation, however, does not apply to individual real estate assets and only will apply once we have ceased raising capital in our public offering and invested substantially all of our capital. As a result, we expect to borrow more than 50% of the contract purchase price of each real estate asset we acquire to the extent our board of directors determines that borrowing these amounts is prudent.
Pursuant to ASU 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern,” management is required to evaluate the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that these consolidated financial statements are issued. The Hartman SPE LLC loan agreement (“SASB Loan”) had an initial maturity date of October 9, 2020. The SASB Loan provides for three successive one-year maturity date extensions. On October 9, 2020, SPE LLC executed a maturity date extension agreement to extend the maturity date to October 9, 2021.
The SASB Loan requires that SPE LLC have a debt yield, as defined, greater than or equal to 12.50%. The first SASB Loan extension was completed on the basis that the debt yield as of June 30, 2020 was 13.25%. Debt yield is calculated by dividing annual net operating income by debt. Debt yield is calculated by dividing annual net operating income by debt. The second one-year SASB Loan extension is within one year of the issuance of these consolidated financial statements. Uncertainty as to the debt yield calculation as of June 30, 2021 and the Company's ability to exercise the next remaining SASB Loan extension option, require management to conclude, in accordance
with guidance provided by ASU 2014-15, that there is a substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the issuance date of these consolidated financial statements solely on the basis of the uncertainty regarding the loan maturity extension of the SASB Loan. Management believes that SPE LLC will be able to extend the maturity date for the next one year period which will mitigate the maturity date issue.
We may, but are not required to, establish capital reserves from gross offering proceeds, out of cash flow generated by operating properties and other investments or out of non-liquidating net sale proceeds from the sale of our properties and other investments. Capital reserves are typically utilized for non-operating expenses such as tenant improvements, leasing commissions and major capital expenditures. Alternatively, a lender may require its own formula for escrow of capital reserves.
Potential future sources of capital include proceeds from additional private or public offerings of our securities, secured or unsecured financings from banks or other lenders, proceeds from the sale of properties and undistributed funds from operations. If necessary, we may use financings or other sources of capital in the event of unforeseen significant capital expenditures.
The consolidated financial statements as December 31, 2020, include the accounts of the Company, our operating partnership and its subsidiaries, Hartman SPE, LLC, HIREIT, Advisor and Hartman XIX. Prior to October 1, 2018, our consolidated financial statements did not include Hartman SPE, LLC. Prior to July 1, 2020, our consolidated financial statements did not include HIREIT, Advisor and Hartman XIX.
Comparison of Cash Flow for the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019
The following table sets forth a summary of cash flows for our company for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
Operating Activities
We have generated $33,757,000 and $19,519,000 of cash from operating activities during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase is mainly due to the increase in revenue of $2,477,000 and and inflows from our related party affiliates.
Investing Activities
We used $14,302,000 and $21,534,000 in cash for investing activities during the years ended December 31, 2020, and 2019. The increase in cash is mainly due to the reassignment of notes receivable to vREIT XXI and 2019 cash outflow for related party note investments by Hartman TRS for affiliate Hartman investment programs and no such outflow in 2020.
Financing Activities
We used $23,258,000 and $21,482,000 in cash from financing activities during the years ending December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Net cash used in financing activities consists of distributions to common stockholders and non controlling interests, and loan repayments to an affiliate.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the accompanying consolidated financial statements. See Note 2 to the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.
Related-Party Transactions and Agreements
We have entered into agreements with our advisor and its affiliates whereby we have paid, and may continue to pay, certain fees to, or reimburse certain expenses of, our advisor and its affiliates. See Item 13, “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence” and Note 12 (Related Party Transactions) to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report for a discussion of the various related-party transactions, agreements and fees.
Review of our Investment Policies
Our board of directors, including our independent directors, has reviewed our investment policies as described in this Annual Report and determined that such policies are in the best interests of our stockholders based on the following factors: (1) such policies increase the likelihood that we will be able to acquire a diversified portfolio of income producing properties, thereby reducing risk in our portfolio; (2) our executive officers and directors and the affiliates of our advisor have expertise with the type of real estate investments we seek; (3) there are sufficient property acquisition opportunities with the attributes that we seek; and (4) borrowings should enable us to purchase assets and earn income more quickly, thereby increasing the likelihood of generating income for our stockholders and preserving stockholder capital.
Item 7A.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks
We will be exposed to interest rate changes primarily as a result of short and long-term debt used to acquire properties and make loans and other permitted investments. Our interest rate risk management objectives will be to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower overall borrowing costs. To achieve these objectives, we expect to borrow primarily at fixed rates or variable rates with the lowest margins available and, in some cases, with the ability to convert variable rates to fixed rates. With regard to variable rate financing, we will assess interest rate cash flow risk by continually identifying and monitoring changes in interest rate exposures that may adversely impact expected future cash flows and by evaluating hedging opportunities.
Item 8.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The consolidated financial statements and supplementary data required by this Item 8 can be found beginning on page of this Annual Report.
Item 9.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 15a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed, summarize and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Because of inherent limitations, disclosure controls or procedures, no matter how well designed it operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of disclosure controls and procedures are met.
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2020. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2020, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principle executive and principal financial officers and effected by the board of directors, management another personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting in the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally excepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP) and include those policies and procedures that:
•pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and disposition of our assets;
•provide reasonable assurance the transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally excepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorization of management and our directors; and
•provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention of timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of any of our assets in circumstances that could have a material adverse effect on our financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls
may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
In connection with the preparation of this Annual Report, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020. In making that assessment, our management used the framework and criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013).
Based on its evaluation, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2020, due to material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting discussed below. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
Our management has determined that material adjustments identified, as described below, during the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements resulted from a lack of adequate reconciliation of liability accounts, specifically accounts payable and accrued expenses. The failure includes a lack of second review and approval of the reconciled accounts by a responsible official independent of the process.
The foregoing deficiency resulted in several audit adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2020 which were identified in connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020. Further, the adjustments identified in connection with the 2020 audit are attributable to misstatements in the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 and prior. Management accordingly now concludes that our previous conclusion that our internal control over financial reporting was effective, was in error.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded adjustments totaling $3,212,000 to correct the overstatement of accounts payable and accrued expenses prior to adjustment. The overstatement of accounts payable included (i) $1,112,000 attributable to the Three Forest property for improvements which were accrued for in 2016 and which should have been subsequently relieved as the property improvements were completed; (ii) $239,000 margin tax provision in excess of margin tax expense, and; (ii) $1,860,000 attributable to accounts payable which were not valid as of the end of December 31, 2019 together with accrued expense which should have been reversed as the invoices for which the expenses were accrued were paid.
In Q4 2019 the Company recognized $868,000 of expense related to the restoration of storm damage which occurred in the summer of 2019. The expenditure was covered by insurance and in Q4 2019, the vendor was paid from insurance proceeds held by the loan servicer, however the expense was not reversed. The expense was incorrectly reversed in Q1 2020.
As a result of the foregoing, net loss for the year ended December 31, 2019 was overstated by $1,385,000. The Company has included in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, a note regarding the errors discussed above and including the restatement, on a quarterly basis, of the affected balance sheet and statement of operations line items affected.
Weaver, an independent registered public accounting firm, audited our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Their report is included in “Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules” under the heading Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of our registered public
accounting firm on our internal control over financial reporting due exemption established by rule of the SEC for smaller reporting companies.
Remediation Efforts
Management has begun implementing a remediation plan to address the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting discussed above. The remediation plan includes revising our procedures to ensure that appropriate all material balance sheet accounts are timely reviewed and reconciled for each reporting period and that the reconciliation process is further reviewed and approved by a responsible official independent of the process for overseeing such reconciliations. We believe these actions will be sufficient to remediate the identified material weakness and strengthen our internal control over financial reporting; however, some of these actions will take time to be fully integrated and confirmed to be effective and sustainable. We will continue to monitor the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and will make any further changes management determines appropriate.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes during the quarter ended December 31, 2020 in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financing reporting.
Item 9B.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
PART III
Item 10.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Our current directors and executive officers and their respective ages and positions are listed below:
Allen R. Hartman, age 69, has served as our CEO and Chairman of our Board of Directors since February 2009 and has served as President of our advisor, Hartman Advisors, since March 2009, and as President of our property manager, HIR Management, since January 2008. In 1984, Mr. Hartman formed Hartman Management and began sponsoring private real estate investment programs. Mr. Hartman built Hartman Management into one of the leading commercial property management firms in the state of Texas and sponsored 18 privately offered programs and two publicly offered programs, including our current public offering, which invested in commercial real estate in Houston, San Antonio and Dallas, Texas. In 1998, Mr. Hartman merged the Hartman real estate programs and formed Hartman Commercial Properties REIT (HCP REIT), now known as Whitestone REIT. He served as CEO and Chairman of the Board of HCP REIT until October, 2006. In April, 2008, Mr. Hartman merged 4 of the 5 Hartman programs to form Hartman Income REIT (HIREIT) and contributed the assets and ongoing business operations of Hartman Management into Hartman Income REIT Management, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of
HIREIT. Mr. Hartman has acquired 80 commercial real estate properties, raised over $300 million of investor equity and acquired more than $400 million in commercial real estate assets in various private and public real estate investment programs. Currently, Mr. Hartman oversees a staff of 60 employees who manage 38 commercial properties encompassing over five million square feet. In addition to his day-to-day management responsibilities, Mr. Hartman serves as the principal officer of each Hartman sponsored investment program. Mr. Hartman attended the University of Colorado and studied Business Administration.
Our board of directors, excluding Mr. Hartman, has determined that the leadership positions previously and currently held by Mr. Hartman, and the extensive experience Mr. Hartman has accumulated from acquiring and managing investments in commercial real estate and debt, have provided Mr. Hartman with the experiences, attributes and skills necessary to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of a director.
Jack I. Tompkins, age 75, has served as one of our independent directors since our inception in February, 2009. Mr. Tompkins has served since 1998 as Chairman and CEO of ARTA Equity Advisors, L.L.C., which was formed to engage in various entrepreneurial opportunities. Mr. Tompkins began his career with Arthur Young & Co., working as a certified public accountant there for three years before joining Arthur Andersen,& Co., where he was elected to the partnership in 1981 and served until 1988. While at Arthur Andersen he was in charge of the Merger and Acquisition Program for the Houston office as well as head of the Natural Gas Industry Group. From 1988 until October 1996, Mr. Tompkins served as Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President and Chief Information, Administrative and Accounting Officer of a large publicly traded energy company. Corporate functions reporting to Mr. Tompkins included financial planning, risk management, tax, accounting, information systems, administration and internal audit. Mr. Tompkins served as Chairman and CEO of Automotive Realty Trust Company of America from its inception in 1997 until its sale to a publicly traded REIT in January 1999. Automotive Realty was formed to engage in the business of consolidating real estate properties owned by automobile dealerships into a REIT. From March to September of 1999, Mr. Tompkins served as interim Executive Vice President and CFO of Crescent Real Estate Equities as the Company restructured. Mr. Tompkins served as an independent director of Hartman XIX from July 2009 until March 2010 and as an independent director of Hartman Income REIT from January 2008 until July 2009. Mr.Tompkins previously served on the board of directors of Bank of America Texas and Michael Petroleum Corp. He is a member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Tompkins received a Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration from Baylor University.
Our board of directors, excluding Mr. Tompkins, has determined that the experience as a certified public accountant and leadership positions previously and currently held by Mr.Tompkins, including experience Mr. Tompkins has accumulated from acquiring and managing investments in commercial real estate and debt, have provided Mr. Tompkins with the experiences, attributes and skills necessary to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of a director.
Horst Schulze, age 81, has served as one of our independent directors since May 2020. Mr. Schulze brings more than 65 years of experience in hospitality and operational quality to the Board. Mr. Schulze joined the Ritz-Carlton hotel brand in 1983 as a charter member and Vice President of Operations. He was appointed Assistant Vice-President in 1987 and then president and COO in 1988. Mr. Schulze became vice chairman of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company from 2001 to 2002, and in 2011, he left the company to form the Capella Hotel Group; at the time of his departure, Schulze was responsible for the $2 billion Ritz-Carlton operations worldwide. Mr. Schulze currently sits on multiple boards other than the Company, including the Cancer Treatment Centers of America and Reliance Trust. In 1995, he was awarded the Ishikawa Medal for his personal contributions to the quality movement. In 1999, Johnson & Wales University gave him an honorary Doctor of Business Administration degree in Hospitality Management.
Our board of directors, excluding Mr. Schulze, has determined that the leadership positions previously and currently held by Mr. Schulze, including the extensive experience Mr. Schulze has acquired in hospitality and
operational quality, have provided Mr. Schulze with the experiences, attributes and skills necessary to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of a director.
Gerald W. Haddock, age 73 has served as one of our independent directors since May 2020. Mr. Haddock. brings more than 48 years of professional and leadership experience to the Board. He founded Haddock Enterprises, LLC in 2000 and has served as president since it's formation. Prior to forming Haddock Enterprises, Mr. Haddock served as president and chief executive officer of Crescent Real Estate Equities, a diversified real estate investment trust. He was a partner at the law firms of Fulbright & Jaworski, LLP, Kelly, Hart & Hallman, PC, and Jackson Walker, LLP, before founding the Haddock Firm, LLP. He is currently a director for Meritage Homes Corporation, serving as Chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Haddock is also currently a director of Union Acquisition Corp. II, a special purpose acquisition corporation, and has served in this capacity since December 2018. Mr. Haddock serves on the Audit Committee of Union Acquisition Corp. II's board of directors. From 1986 to 2019, Mr. Haddock served as a founding director of ENSCO International, PLC, a leading global offshore oil and gas drilling service company. As one of the initial three directors, he was instrumental in leading the negotiation efforts of Rainwater Group to acquire the company (formerly known as Blocker Energy). For more than 25 years, Mr. Haddock served on the Board of Directors as a director and as the Chairperson of the Audit Committee. He was also co-lead director for many years of his service. Mr. Haddock also served as a member of the Nominating and Governance Committee. Mr. Haddock retired as a director with Ensco in early 2019 upon its merger with Rowan Companies plc which created Valaris plc. Mr. Haddock has served on many philanthropic boards. He previously served on the Board of Trustees for the M.D. Anderson Proton Therapy Education and Research Foundation and the Baylor College of Medicine, as well as a member of the Baylor University Executive Investment Committee. Since 2010, he has been involved with the CEELI Institute, a not-for profit, international provider of post-graduate, professional legal education headquartered in Prague. Mr. Haddock is currently a member of the Friends of the CEELI Institute Board of Directors based out of Washington DC. Mr. Haddock received his Bachelor of Business Administration and Juris Doctorate degree from Baylor University and Baylor Law School, and his Master of Laws in Taxation degree from New York University School of Law. He also received his Master of Business Administration degree from Dallas Baptist University.
Our board of directors, excluding Mr. Haddock, has determined that the experience and leadership positions previously and currently held have provided Mr. Haddock with the experiences, attributes and skills necessary to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of a director.
James S. Still, age 64 has served as one of our independent directors since May 2020. Mr. Still founded RDC Advisors, LLC in 2010, to serve as a holding company for his Board and interim management roles. Prior to forming RDC Advisors, Mr. Still served as President and CEO of Surgent, LLC from 2014 to 2016, and prior to that President and CEO of Thompson Media Group, LLC from 2010 to 2014. Both of these entities were focused on providing professional education to a number of sectors of the domestic economy. The two companies were owned by private equity and institutional lending firms. Earlier in his career, Mr. Still was President and CEO of Atlantic American Properties Trust, a diversified commercial and industrial real estate investment trust with holdings throughout the mid-Atlantic region. He was also the former President and CEO of Bell Atlantic Properties, Inc, a wholly owned investment real estate division of Bell Atlantic Corporation now Verizon Corporation. Since 2017, he has been a director for Intellective, Inc, a leading provider of technology-based solutions; Precision Camera, the largest camera repair company in the country; and DirectPath, a leading telecommunications provider. Each of these entities is privately held. He is a former Board member of Abington Health, a large regional health care provider and from 2017 to 2019 he was a member of the Finance and Investment Committees of Abington-Jefferson Health, upon the companies' merger in 2015. He was the President of the Alumni Board of William Penn Charter School, the oldest Quaker high school in America. He also served on the Amherst College Alumni Board and was a Session member at Grace Presbyterian Church in suburban Philadelphia. Mr. Still earned Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Psychology and Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Our board of directors, excluding Mr. Still, has determined that the experience and leadership positions previously and currently held have provided Mr. Still with the experiences, attributes and skills necessary to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of a director.
Louis T. Fox, III, age 60, is our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. He has responsibility for financial reporting, accounting, treasury and investor relations. Prior to joining HIR Management in March, 2007, Mr. Fox served as Chief Financial Officer of Legacy Brands, a restaurant group from April, 2006 until January, 2007. Prior to that, Mr. Fox served as Chief Financial Officer of Unidynamics, Inc., a specialized EPC manufacturer of unique handling system solutions for the marine and energy industries from January, 2004 until April, 2006. He also served as Treasurer and CFO of Goodman Manufacturing, a major manufacturer of residential and commercial HVAC products for 9 years prior to that. In addition to his years of experience in the manufacturing industry, he has served in senior financial positions in the construction and debt collection service concerns. He started his career as a tax accountant with Arthur Andersen & Co. Mr. Fox is a former practicing certified public accountant. Mr. Fox received a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Mark T. Torok, age 62, has served as our General Counsel and Secretary since April 2016. Mr. Torok also serves as General Counsel for both our advisor and our property manager. In this capacity, Mr. Torok manages our advisor’s in-house legal department and is responsible for all legal matters affecting our company and its affiliates, including our advisor and our property manager. Prior to joining our property manager in June, 2015, Mr. Torok practiced law from 2006 to May 2015, as the founder of The Torok Law Firm P.C., where his practice focused on real estate, securities, and business law. In addition, he served as a fee attorney and provided escrow agent services for Providence Title Insurance Company. Prior to founding The Torok Law Firm in 2006, from 1989 to 1991, Mr. Torok served as a Hearings Officer for the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. From 1991 to 2000 he served as Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of the various companies of the Erie Insurance Group, a property and casualty insurance company. From 2000 to 2002 he served as Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary for the United Services Automobile Association (USAA), a property and casualty insurance company. From 2002 to 2004 he served as Assistant General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for the companies of the Argonaut Group, a commercial property and casualty insurance company. He subsequently returned to USAA from 2004 to 2006 to serve as Director of Regulatory Compliance before founding his own law firm. Mr. Torok holds the insurance designations of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Associate in Reinsurance (ARe). Mr. Torok holds an inactive real estate agent’s license in Texas and an inactive escrow agent’s license in Texas and is a member of the Texas Bar Association. Mr. Torok earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Gettysburg College and a Juris Doctor degree from Willamette University College of Law.
Mr. Torok resigned as General Counsel and Secretary effective April 9, 2021.
Board Committees
Audit Committee
Our board of directors has established an Audit Committee. The Audit Committee meets on a regular basis at least four times a year. Our Audit Committee is comprised of three independent directors, Jack Tompkins, chairman, Gerald Haddock, and James Still, each of whom is “independent” as defined by our charter. Our Board of Directors has adopted an Audit Committee Charter, a copy of which is posted on our website, http://www.hartmanreits.com/sec-filings/. The audit committee’s primary functions are to evaluate and approve the services and fees of our independent auditors; to periodically review the auditors’ independence; and to assist our board of directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by reviewing the financial information to be provided to the stockholders and others, the system of internal controls that management has established, and the audit and financial reporting process. All members of the audit committee have significant financial experience. Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Tompkins satisfies the SEC’s requirements for and serves as our “audit committee financial expert.”
Compensation Committee
Our board of directors has established a Compensation Committee to assist the board of directors in discharging its responsibility in all matters of compensation practices, including any salary and other forms of compensation for our directors and for our employees. Our Compensation Committee is comprised of two independent directors, James Still, chairman, and Horst Schulze. Our Board of Directors has adopted our Compensation Committee Charter, a copy of which is posted on our website, http://www.hartmanreits.com/sec-filings/. The primary duties of the Compensation Committee include reviewing all forms of compensation for our directors; approving all stock option grants, warrants, stock appreciation rights and other current or deferred compensation payable with respect to the current or future value of our shares; and advising on changes in compensation of members of our Board of Directors.
Nominating and Governance Committee
Our board of directors has established a Nominating and Governance Committee, or the “Nominating Committee.” Our Nominating Committee is comprised of two independent directors, Gerald Haddock, chairman, and Jack Tompkins. Our Board of Directors has adopted our Nominating Committee Charter, a copy of which is posted on our website, http://www.hartmanreits.com/sec-filings/. The Nominating Committee will recommend nominees to serve on our Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee will consider nominees recommended by stockholders if submitted to the committee in accordance with the procedures specified in our bylaws. Generally, this requires that the stockholder send certain information about the nominee to our corporate secretary between 120 and 150 days prior to the first anniversary of the mailing of notice for the annual meeting held in the prior year. The Nominating Committee is responsible for assessing the appropriate mix of skills and characteristics required of board members in the context of the perceived needs of the board at a given point in time and shall periodically review and recommend for approval by the board any updates to the criteria as deemed necessary. Diversity in personal background, race, gender, age and nationality for the board as a whole may be taken into account favorably in considering individual candidates. The nominating committee will evaluate the qualifications of each director candidate against these criteria in making its recommendation to our board concerning nominations for election or reelection as a director. The process for evaluating candidates recommended by our stockholders pursuant to our bylaws will be no different than the process for evaluating other candidates considered by the Nominating Committee.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics which contains general guidelines for conducting our business and is designed to help directors, employees and consultants resolve ethical issues in an increasingly complex business environment. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applies to all of our officers, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer and persons performing similar functions and all members of our board of directors. A copy of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics will be made available, free of charge, to anyone who requests a copy in writing.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires each director, officer and individual beneficially owning more than 10% of our common stock to file with the SEC, within specified time frames, initial statements of beneficial ownership (Form 3) of our common stock and statements of changes in beneficial ownership (Forms 4 and 5) of our common stock. These specified time frames require the reporting of changes in ownership within two business days of the transaction giving rise to the reporting obligation. Reporting persons are required to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms filed with the SEC. Based solely on a review of the copies of such forms furnished to us
during and with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, or written representations that no additional forms were required, we believe that all required Section 16(a) filings were timely and correctly made by reporting persons during 2020, except as follows:
•due to an administrative over
•sight, a Form 4 was not timely filed in 2020 and 2019 to report the issuance of 6,000 shares of restricted common stock to Mr. Tompkins in connection with his continuing services as a non-employee members of our board of directors; and
•due to an administrative oversight, a Form 4 was not timely filed in 2020 and 2019 to report the issuance of 6,000 shares of restricted common stock to Mr. Ruskey in connection with his continuing services as a non-employee members of our board of directors.
Item 11.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Compensation of our Executive Officers
Prior to the effectiveness of the Mergers, our executive officers did not receive compensation directly from us for services rendered to us.
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Throughout this discussion, the following individuals who served as our chief executive officer and chief financial officer during 2020 and the other three most highly compensated executive officers as of the end of 2020, as determined in accordance with applicable SEC rules, are collectively referred to as our named executive officers.
We provide what we believe is a competitive total compensation package to our named executive officers through a combination of base salary, annual cash incentive bonuses, and profit sharing/phantom equity incentive compensation and broad-based benefits programs. We seek to maintain a total compensation package that provides fair, reasonable and competitive compensation for our executives while also permitting us the flexibility to differentiate actual pay based on the level of individual and company performance. We place significant emphasis on annual and incentive compensation, including cash and phantom equity-based incentives, which are designed to reward our executives based on achievement of company and individual goals and our strategic objective of delivering long-term stable and consistent returns to our stockholders.
Say-on-Pay and Say-on-Frequency Votes
Since the mergers of the Company and its Hartman affiliates effective July 1, 2020, we have not yet held an annual meeting of stockholders at which time the Company will hold an advisory vote on the compensation of our
named executive officers and at such annual meeting and thereafter we plan to hold an advisory vote as required under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act. The Dodd-Frank Act requires that such stockholder votes on frequency be held at least once every six years.
2020 Business Highlights
On May 14, 2020, we completed the merger between us and Short Term Income Properties XIX, Inc.and the mergers by us, our operating partnership, and Hartman Income REIT, Inc. and Hartman Income REIT Operating Partnership LP. The effective date of the mergers ("Mergers") was July 1, 2020.
Financial and Operating Performance. In 2020, our executive team continued to focus on the disciplined execution of our business strategy to generate stable and consistent cash flow growth in the face of the economic challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Company’s 2020 accomplishments, guided by our named executive officers, illustrate this focus.
•Portfolio: As of December 31, 2020, we owned 44 commercial properties comprising approximately 6.8 million square feet plus four pad sites, all located in Texas. As of December 31, 2020, we owned 15 properties located in Richardson, Arlington, and Dallas, Texas, 26 properties located in Houston, Texas and three properties located in San Antonio, Texas.
•Leasing Activity: Our portfolio occupancy began 2020 at approximately 80%. As of the end of the first quarter 2020, portfolio occupancy had increased to approximately 82%. A number of tenants decided not to renew leases expiring in 2020. A number of tenants undertook to reduce their lease space or to seek early termination of their lease agreements. Several significant tenants filed for bankruptcy protection in 2020 which stayed such tenants obligation to pay rent until affected leases were affirmed or modified. Substantially all of these events are attributable to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Notwithstanding occupancy loss attributable to the pandemic, our portfolio occupancy ended 2020 at 78%.
•Financial Results: For the year ended December 31, 2020, we had a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $13,165,000 or $0.50 per share on a fully diluted basis and Funds from Operations (“FFO”) of $23,892,000.
Overview of Compensation Philosophy & Objectives
We seek to maintain a total compensation package that provides fair, reasonable and competitive compensation for our executive officers while also permitting us the flexibility to differentiate actual pay based on the level of individual and organizational performance. Our executive compensation programs are designed to:
•Attract and retain talented and experienced executives;
•Motivate our executives whose knowledge, skills and performance are critical to our success; and
•Align the interests or executive officers and stockholders by motivating executive officers to increase stockholder value and reward executive officers based on increased value.
Roles of the Compensation Committee, Compensation Consultant and Management
Compensation Committee
The members of the Compensation Committee are James Still, chairman, and Horst Schulze, each of whom is “independent” under the independence standards of the NYSE. Prior to the Mergers which were effective July 1, 2020, the Company did not pay and did not intend to pay any compensation to our executive officers. Prior to the Mergers, each of our executive officers, including each executive officer who serves as a director, was an officer or
employee of our former advisor or its affiliates and received compensation for his or her services, including services performed on our behalf, from such entities.
As a result of the Mergers and the internalization of our advisor, the Compensation Committee, has become active and will have overall responsibility for monitoring the performance of our executives and evaluating and approving our executive compensation plans, policies and programs. In addition, the Compensation Committee will oversee and administer our 2020 Hartman Profit Sharing and Retention Plan.
Compensation Consultant
For 2020, the Compensation Committee did not engage the services of any independent outside compensation consultants.
Management
For 2020, our Chairman and our Chief Executive Officer exercised sole discretion with respect to the evaluation of the individual performance of the other executive officers and established, in his sole opinion, appropriate compensation levels for all executive officers including himself. None of the current compensation arrangements for executive officers have been evaluated by or approved by the Compensation Committee.
Peer Group
The Compensation Committee expects to establish in 2021 a peer group appropriate for comparison to determine the competitiveness of our executive compensation structure.
Compensation of Executive Officers
Executive compensation programs include three principal elements - base salary, incentive cash bonus and profit sharing and retention incentives, in the form of performance-based incentive units awarded from time to time in our Hartman Profit Sharing and Retention Plan of 2020. In 2020, we awarded initial unit grants to our named executive officers to recognize their significant contributions to the Company’s performance and to further incentivize our named executive officers’ continued service to the Company. We believe that an emphasis on annual incentive cash bonus and profit sharing compensation creates greater alignment with the interests of our stockholders, ensures that our business strategy is executed by decision-makers in a manner that focuses on the creation of both long-term value and short-term results, and encourages prudent evaluation of risks. The following table presents the base salary, incentive cash bonus compensation and profit sharing compensation for our Chief Executive Officer and each of our other named executive officers for 2020.
Notes:
1.Mr. Torok resigned his positions with the Company effective April 9, 2021. His replacement has not been hired or appointed as of April 15, 2021.
2.Mr. Windley resigned his positions with the Company effective January 15, 2021. Mr. Richard Maloof was promoted internally to replace Mr. Windley effective the same date.
Base Salary
The base salary payable to each named executive officer provides a fixed component of compensation that reflects the executive’s position and responsibilities. The goal of our base salary program is to provide salaries at a level that allows us to attract and retain highly qualified executives while preserving significant flexibility to recognize and reward individual performance within the overall executive compensation program. Base salaries will be reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee and may be adjusted to better match competitive market levels or to recognize an executive’s professional growth, development and increased responsibility.
Mr. Hartman derives almost all of his income from distributions paid in respect of Company common stock and operating partnership units. In 2020, Mr. Hartman and his affiliates received $1,279,743 in distributions from the Company and its affiliates.
In connection with its annual review of base salaries, the Compensation Committee will review the results of benchmarking analysis prepared by the committee or its compensation consultant in order to determine appropriate increases in base salaries for each of our named executive officers in light of (i) the Company’s growth in terms of occupancy and cash flows from operations, (ii) each named executive officer’s individual performance, scope of responsibilities and prospects, and (iii) market data provided the compensation consultant, if any.
Annual Incentive Cash Bonus
Annual incentive cash bonuses are designed to reward our named executive officers for strong financial, operational and individual performance. We expect that eligibility to receive these cash bonuses will incentivize our named executive officers to strive to attain Company and individual performance goals that further our interests and the interests of our stockholders. The Company utilizes a quarterly scorecard incentive compensation arrangement structured on the achievement of formulaic Company objectives as well as specific individual qualitative goals, each of which are set on a quarterly basis.
Long-Term/Profit Sharing Incentive Compensation
The Compensation Committee believes that a substantial portion of each named executive officer’s annual compensation should be in the form of long-term equity and or profit sharing incentive compensation. Equity incentive awards, including profit sharing/phantom equity plans, encourage management to create stockholder value over the long-term, because the value of the incentive awards is directly attributable to changes in the price of our common stock over time. In addition, phantom equity awards are an effective tool for management retention because full vesting of the awards generally requires continued employment for multiple years.
In September 2020, the board of directors approved the Hartman Profit Sharing and Retention Plan of 2020 ("Plan") for employees of the Company including our named executive officers. There are two main parts to the Plan. One is a profit sharing payment component payable monthly and a retention bonus that will be paid at the end of the retention period as defined in the Plan. The Plan allows participants to receive payments on the retention bonus immediately at the same rate and time as distributions are paid on a like amount of the common stock of the company held by our stockholders. These payments continue to the extent that distributions are paid on the Company's common stock until the retention period has expired. Payments are not guaranteed and can fluctuate with any changes in the distributions paid on the actual common stock of the Company. Unit awards under the Plan are not of actual shares of common stock or any ownership interest in the Company but are a profit sharing payment that mirrors the common stock performance. The units awarded under the Plan do not have voting rights in any manner upon which the common stockholders vote.
Other Elements of Compensation
Employee Benefits and Perquisites. Our full-time employees are eligible to participate in health and welfare benefit plans, such as medical cost sharing, dental, life and short and long-term disability insurance.
401(k) Plan. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, allows eligible employees to defer a portion of their compensation, within prescribed limits, on a pre-tax basis through contributions to a 401(k) plan. We established a 401(k) retirement savings plan for our employees, including our named executive officers, who satisfy certain eligibility requirements. Our named executive officers are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan on the same terms as other full-time employees.
Tax Considerations
Deductibility of Executive Compensation. Under Section 162(m) of the Code, a publicly held corporation generally may not deduct compensation of more than $1 million paid to any “covered employee” in any year. We do not expect Section 162(m) to have a significant impact on our Compensation Committee’s compensation decisions for our executive officers.
Accounting Standards
The Compensation Committee will regularly consider the accounting implications of significant compensation decisions, especially in connection with decisions that relate to our equity plans and programs. As accounting standards change, we may revise certain programs to appropriately align accounting expenses of our equity awards with our overall executive compensation philosophy and objectives. ASC Topic 718 requires us to recognize an expense for the fair value of equity-based compensation awards. We do not believe that unit awards under the Hartman Profit Sharing and Retention Plan of 2020 are required to be accounted for under ASC Topic 718.
Risk Considerations in Our Compensation Programs
Our Compensation Committee does not believe the goals, or the underlying philosophy, of our compensation programs encourage excessive or inappropriate risk taking.
We structure the compensation to our executive officers to consist of both fixed and variable compensation. The fixed portion (base salary) of compensation is designed to provide a base level of income regardless of our financial or share price performance. The variable portion of compensation (annual incentive cash bonus and profit sharing plan) is designed to encourage and reward both short- and long-term financial, operational and individual performance, with appropriate caps on the maximum amount of annual cash incentive compensation and shares and/or units that can be earned.
Employment and Change in Control Agreements
The Company has not entered into employment agreements with Messrs. Hartman or Fox or with any other of the named executive officers, other than Kimberly Strickland. Mrs. Strickland entered into an employment agreement with the Company on April 13, 2021. As participants in the Hartman Profit Sharing and Retention Plan of 2020, each named executive officers may be entitled to retention bonus compensation as provided for in the plan. Each of our named executive officers, other than Kimberly Strickland, and all of our employees are employees at will.
Compensation of our Directors
The following table sets forth certain information regarding compensation earned by or paid to our directors during the year ended December 31, 2020. Directors who are also our executive officers do not receive compensation for services rendered as a director.
(1)The amounts shown in this column include fees earned for attendance at board of director and committee meetings and annual retainers, as described below under “Cash Compensation.”
(2)As described below under “Equity Plan Compensation,” each of our independent directors receive shares of restricted common stock as non-cash compensation for their service as independent members of our Board of Directors. Amounts shown reflect the aggregate fair value of the shares of restricted stock as of the date of grant computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718.
(3)Mr. Ruskey resigned from the board following the appointment of new independent directors following the Mergers.
Cash Compensation
We pay each of our independent directors an annual retainer of $25,000, plus $2,000 per board meeting attended and $500 per committee meeting attended; provided, however, we do not pay an additional fee to our directors for attending a committee meeting when the committee meeting is held on the same day as a board meeting. The Audit Committee chair receives $12,500 annually and members receive $500 per quarterly meeting. The Compensation Committee chair receives $5,000 annually and members receive $500 per meeting. The Nominating and Governance Committee chair receives $5,000 annually and members receive $500 per meeting. We also reimburse all directors for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending board meetings.
Independent Directors Compensation Plan
Our board of directors has approved and adopted an independent director’s compensation plan, which operates as a sub-plan of our long term incentive plan. Under our independent director’s compensation plan, each of our independent directors is entitled to receive annually $50,000 in shares of restricted common stock. Each new independent director that joins our board of directors will receive $50,000 in shares of restricted common stock upon election to our board of directors. In addition, on the date following an independent director’s re-election to our board of directors, he or she receives up to an additional $50,000 in shares of restricted common stock. The shares of restricted common stock granted to our independent directors fully vest upon the completion of the annual term for which the director was elected. Directors serving on the board of directors of more than one entity sponsored by our Sponsor or its affiliates, will receive an annual cash retainer, meeting fees and stock compensation for all board service as if they were serving on a single board. As of December 31, 2020, 51,000 shares of restricted common stock have been granted to our current independent directors pursuant to the omnibus stock incentive plan.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
There are no interlocks or insider participation as to compensation decisions required to be disclosed pursuant to SEC regulations.
Item 12.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Security Ownership of Beneficial Owners
The following table sets forth information as of March 25, 2021, regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock by (1) each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock, (2) each of our directors, (3) each of our executive officers, and (4) all of our directors and executive officers as a group. The percentage of beneficial ownership set forth in the table below is calculated based on 35,320,505 shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 25, 2021. The address of each beneficial owner listed below is c/o Hartman Short Term Income Properties XX, Inc., 2909 Hillcroft, Suite 420, Houston, Texas 77057.
(1)Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities and shares issuable pursuant to options warrants and similar rights held by the respective person or group which may be exercised within 60 days. Except as otherwise indicated by footnote, and subject to community property laws where applicable, the persons named in the table above have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by them.
(2)Includes 19,000 shares owned by Hartman XX Holdings, Inc., a Texas corporation, and 3,420 shares owned by Mr. Hartman’s spouse, Mrs. Lisa Hartman. Mr. Hartman is the sole stockholder of Hartman XX Holdings, Inc. and controls the voting and disposition decisions of Hartman XX Holdings, Inc.
Item 13.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
The following describes all transactions since January 1, 2016 involving us, our directors, our advisor, our sponsor and any affiliate thereof and all such proposed transactions. See also Note 12 (Related Party Arrangements) to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report. Our independent directors are specifically charged with and have examined the fairness of such transactions to our stockholders, and have determined that all such transactions are fair and reasonable to us.
Ownership Interests
We initially issued 100 shares of our common stock to Hartman XX Holdings, Inc., or “Holdings,” for $1,000. Holdings is a Texas corporation wholly owned by Allen R. Hartman. Holdings was formed solely for the purpose of facilitating the organization and offering of the initial offering of our shares. Effective October 15, 2009 we issued an additional 18,900 shares of common stock to Holdings for $189,000. Holdings contributed a related party liability in the amount of $189,000 to us in exchange for the issuance of an additional 18,900 shares of our common stock. The transaction resulted in a total of 19,000 shares of our common stock issued for total consideration of $190,000. On July 28, 2020 the board voted to grant Richard Ruskey, John Ostroot, Jack Tompkins and Jack Cardwell, each being independent directors of the companies involved in the Merger, each to receive $100,000 in shares of the Company upon and as a compensation for closure of the merger. Share based compensation expense is based upon the estimated fair value per share
We issued our advisor, Hartman Advisors LLC, 1000 shares of our non-voting convertible preferred stock, or “convertible stock,” for $10,000. Upon the terms described below, these shares may be converted into shares of our common stock, resulting in dilution of common stockholders’ interest in our company. As a result of the HIREIT Merger, the Company acquired the Advisor's interest of affiliates of Allen Hartman in exchange for 602,842 Operating Partnership OP units with a fair value of $6,525,000. Prior to our acquisition of the 70% of the advisor owned by affiliates of Allen Hartman, 700 shares of our convertible preferred stock were distributed to the affiliates of Allen Hartman.
The shares of our convertible stock held by our advisor will convert into shares of our common stock if (1) we have made total distributions on then then outstanding shares of our common stock equal to the issue price of those shares plus a 6% cumulative, non-compounded, annual return on the issue price of those outstanding shares, (2) we list our common stock for trading on a national securities exchange, provided that the sum of prior distributions on then outstanding shares of our common stock plus the aggregate market value of our common stock (based on the 30-day average closing price) meets the same 6% performance threshold, or (3) our advisory agreement with our advisor expires without renewal or is terminated (other than because of a material breach by our advisor), and at the time of such expiration or termination we are deemed to have met the foregoing 6% performance threshold based on our enterprise value and prior distributions and, at or subsequent to the expiration or termination, the stockholders actually realize such level of performance upon listing or through total distributions. In general, the convertible stock will convert into shares of common stock with a value equal to 15% of the excess of our enterprise value plus the aggregate value of distributions paid to date on then outstanding shares of common stock over the aggregate issue price of those outstanding shares plus a 6% cumulative, non-compounded, annual return on the issue price of those outstanding shares. With respect to conversion in connection with the termination of the advisory agreement, this calculation is made at the time of termination even though the actual conversion may occur later, or not at all.
Fees and Expense Reimbursements Paid to our Advisor
Prior to July 1, 2020 and subject to certain restrictions and limitations, Hartman Advisors LLC ("Advisor") was responsible for managing our affairs on a day-to-day basis and for identifying and making acquisitions and investments on our behalf pursuant to an advisory agreement. Management of the Company’s properties and the Properties, is provided pursuant to property management agreements with Hartman Income REIT Management, Inc. (the "Property Manager"), formerly a wholly-owned subsidiary of HIREIT and effective July 1, 2020, our wholly owned subsidiary. Effective with the Mergers and the acquisition of the 70% interest of Advisor not acquired as part of the Mergers, we are a self advised and self-managed REIT.
Property Management Fees Paid to Our Property Manager
Prior to the Mergers, the Company paid acquisition fees and asset management fees to the Advisor in connection with the acquisition of properties and management of the Company. The Company paid property management and leasing commissions to the Property Manager in connection with the management and leasing of the Company’s properties. The Company have entered into property management agreements with our property manager, Hartman Income REIT Management, Inc., an affiliate of our sponsor, with respect to the management of properties. Pursuant to the management agreements, Company paid the property manager a monthly management fee in an amount equal to between 3% and 5% of each property’s gross revenues (as defined in the respective management agreements) for each month. Each management agreement has an initial one-year term and will continue thereafter on a month-to-month basis unless either party gives prior notice of its desire to terminate the management agreement, provided that we may terminate the management agreement at any time without cause or upon an uncured breach of the agreement upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to the property manager. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we have paid property management fees and reimbursements of $4,118,000 and $8,053,000, respectively, to our property manager.
Transactions with Related Persons
The following describes all transactions during the period from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020 involving us, our directors, our advisor, our sponsor and any affiliate thereof and all such proposed transactions. See also Note 12 (Related Party Transactions) to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report. Our independent directors are specifically charged with and have examined the fairness of such transactions to our stockholders, and have determined that all such transactions are fair and reasonable to us.
Ownership Interests
Prior to the Mergers, the Advisor was owned 70% by Allen R. Hartman individually and 30% by the Property Manager. Effective July 1, 2020, the Company acquired the Advisor's interest of he Property Manager which was a wholly owned subsidiary of Hartman Income REIT Management, LLC, which is wholly owned by Hartman Income REIT, Inc., as a result of the HIREIT Merger. In a separate transaction, the Company acquired the Advisor's interest of affiliates of Allen Hartman in exchange for 602,842 Operating Partnership OP units with a fair value of $6,525,000. The Property Manager was acquired by the Company as a result of the HIREIT Merger. Effective July 1, 2020 the Company is self advised and self managed. Prior to our acquisition of the 70% of the advisor owned by affiliates of Allen Hartman, 700 shares of our convertible preferred stock were distributed to the affiliates of Allen Hartman.
Prior to the HIREIT Merger, the Company owned 1,561,523 shares of the common stock of Hartman Income REIT, Inc., which it acquired for cash consideration of $8,978,000. The Company has cancelled the HIREIT shares in connection with the HIREIT Merger effective July 1, 2020. The receive monthly dividend distributions from Hartman Income REIT, Inc. with respect to our common stock investment.
Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Hartman SPE, LLC in which our membership interest is 36.16%. Our wholly owned subsidiary, Hartman SPE Management, LLC, is the sole manager of Hartman SPE, LLC.
Advisory and Property Management
Prior to July 1, 2020 and subject to certain restrictions and limitations, Hartman Advisors LLC ("Advisor") was responsible for managing our affairs on a day-to-day basis and for identifying and making acquisitions and
investments on our behalf pursuant to an advisory agreement. Management of the Company’s properties and the Properties, is provided pursuant to property management agreements with Hartman Income REIT Management, Inc. (the "Property Manager"), formerly a wholly-owned subsidiary of HIREIT and effective July 1, 2020, our wholly owned subsidiary. Effective with the Mergers and the acquisition of the 70% interest of Advisor not acquired as part of the Mergers, we are a self advised and self-managed REIT.
Prior to the Mergers, the Company paid acquisition fees and asset management fees to the Advisor in connection with the acquisition of properties and management of the Company. The Company paid property management fees and reimbursable expenses and leasing commissions to the Property Manager in connection with the management and leasing of the Company's properties.
Loan to Hartman Short Term Income Properties XIX, Inc.
We had a note receivable from Hartman Short Term Income Properties XIX, Inc. in the original amount of $4,500,000. The outstanding balance of the note is $0 and $4,200,000 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The balance of the note was eliminated on July 1, 2020 in connection with the Hartman XIX Merger.
Loan to Hartman Retail II Holdings Company, Inc.
Our taxable REIT subsidiary, Hartman TRS, Inc. ("TRS") has a note receivable from Hartman Retail II Holdings Company, Inc., an affiliate of the Advisor and the Property Manager, in the original amount of $7,231,000. The outstanding balance of the note is $1,726,000 and $2,476,000 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The maturity date of the note, as amended, is December 31, 2022.
Loan to Hartman Retail III Holdings Company, Inc.
Our taxable REIT subsidiary, Hartman TRS, Inc. ("TRS") has a note receivable from Hartman Retail III Holdings Company, Inc., an affiliate of the Advisor and the Property Manager, in the principal amount of $7,500,000. The outstanding balance of the note is $0 and $6,782,400 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The maturity date of the note, as amended is February 29, 2021. Effective August 4, 2020, the Company conveyed this note receivable to Hartman vREIT XXI TRS, Inc.("vREIT TRS").
Loan to Hartman Ashford Bayou, LLC, a subsidiary of Hartman Total Return, Inc.
Our taxable REIT subsidiary, Hartman TRS, Inc. ("TRS") has a note receivable from Hartman Ashford Bayou LLC, an affiliate of the Advisor and the Property Manager, in the original amount of $3,500,000. The outstanding balance of the note is $0 and $3,830,000 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The maturity date of the note, as amended is March 31, 2021. Effective August 4, 2020, the Company conveyed this note receivable to vREIT TRS.
Loan from Hartman vREIT XXI, Inc.
During 2019, we borrowed under an unsecured promissory note payable to Hartman vREIT XXI, Inc., an affiliate of the Advisor and the Property Manager, in the face amount of $4,400,000. The outstanding balance of the note is $2,789,000 and $4,400,000 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The maturity date of the note, as amended, is October 31, 2022.
Other than as described above, there is no currently proposed material transactions with related persons other than those covered by the terms of the agreements described above.
Policies and Procedures for Transactions with Related Persons
In order to reduce or eliminate certain potential conflicts of interest, our charter and our Advisory Agreement contain restrictions and conflict resolution procedures relating to transactions we enter into with our advisor, our directors or their respective affiliates. Each of the restrictions and procedures that apply to transactions with our advisor and its affiliates will also apply to any transaction with any entity or real estate program controlled by our advisor and its affiliates. As a general rule, any related party transaction must be approved by a majority of the directors (including a majority of independent directors) not otherwise interested in the transaction. In determining whether to approve or authorize a particular related party transaction, these persons will consider whether the transaction between us and the related party is fair and reasonable to us and has terms and conditions no less favorable to us than those available from unaffiliated third parties.
Director Independence
As required by our charter, a majority of the members of our Board of Directors must qualify as “independent directors,” as such term is defined by our charter. Our charter defines independent director in accordance with the North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc.’s Statement of Policy Regarding Real Estate Investment Trusts, as revised and adopted on May 7, 2007. As defined in our charter, an independent director is a person who is not, on the date of determination, and within the last two years from the date of determination been, directly or indirectly, associated with our sponsor or our advisor by virtue of (1) ownership of an interest in our sponsor, our advisor, or any of their affiliates; (2) employment by our sponsor, our advisor, or any of their affiliates; (3) service as an officer or director of our sponsor, our advisor, or any of their affiliates (other than as one of our directors); (4) performance of services, other than as a director, for us; (5) service as a director or trustee of more than three real estate investment trusts organized by our sponsor or advised by our advisor; or (6) maintenance of a material business or professional relationship with our sponsor, our advisor, or any of their affiliates. A business or professional relationship is considered “material” if the aggregate gross revenue derived by the director from the sponsor, the advisor, and their affiliates exceeds 5.0% of either the director’s annual gross revenue during either of the last two years or the director’s net worth on a fair market value basis. An indirect association with the sponsor or the advisor shall include circumstances in which a director’s spouse, parent, child, sibling, mother- or father-in-law, son- or daughter-in-law, or brother- or sister-in-law is or has been associated with the sponsor, the advisor, any of their affiliates, or with us.
We have a five-member board of directors. We do not consider Mr. Hartman to be an independent director. After review of all relevant transactions or relationships between each director, or any of his family members, and our company, our senior management and our independent registered public accounting firm, our board has determined that Messrs. Tompkins, Haddock, Still and Schulze, who comprise the majority of our board, qualify as independent directors as defined in our charter.
Item 14.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The audit committee engaged Weaver and Tidwell, L.L.P. (“Weaver”) as our independent registered public accounting firm to audit our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Prior to the appointment of Weaver for the 2019 fiscal year audit, the audit committee engaged Grant Thorton, L.L.P. ("GT") to perform quarterly review procedures and other audit related services during 2019. The audit committee reserves the right to select new auditors at any time in the future in its discretion if it deems such decision to be in the best interests of our company and our stockholders.
Pre-Approval Policies
The audit committee charter imposes a duty on the audit committee to pre-approve all auditing services performed for us by our independent auditors as well as all permitted non-audit services in order to ensure that the provision of such services does not impair the auditors’ independence. In determining whether or not to pre-approve services, the audit committee will consider whether the service is a permissible service under the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC. The audit committee, may, in its discretion, delegate to one or more of its members the authority to pre-approve any audit or non-audit services to be performed by the independent auditors, provided any such approval is presented to and approved by the full audit committee at its next scheduled meeting.
All services rendered to us by Weaver for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and from GT for the year ended December 31, 2019 were pre-approved in accordance with the policies and procedures described above.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees
The audit committee reviewed the audit and non-audit services performed by Weaver, as well as the fees charged by Weaver and GT for such services. In its review of the non-audit service fees, the audit committee considered whether the provision of such services is compatible with maintaining the independence of Weaver and GT. The aggregate fees billed to us by GT and Weaver for professional accounting services for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 are set forth in the tables below.
Weaver
GT
For purposes of the preceding tables, GT’s and Weaver’s professional fees are classified as follows:
•Audit fees-These are fees for professional services performed for the audit of our annual financial statements, the required review of quarterly financial statements, registration statements and other procedures performed in order for them to be able to form an opinion on our consolidated financial statements. These fees also cover services that are normally provided by independent auditors in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
•Audit-related fees-These are fees for assurance and related services that traditionally are performed by independent auditors that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the financial
statements, such as audits and due diligence related to acquisitions and dispositions, attestation services that are not required by statute or regulation, internal control reviews, and consultation concerning financial accounting and reporting standards.
•Tax fees-These are fees for all professional services performed by professional staff in our independent auditor’s tax division, except those services related to the audit of our financial statements. These include fees for tax compliance, tax planning, and tax advice, including federal, state, and local issues. Services may also include assistance with tax audits and appeals before the IRS and similar state and local agencies, as well as federal, state, and local tax issues related to due diligence.
PART IV
Item 15.
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report:
(a) Exhibits
Exhibits. The index of exhibits below is incorporated herein by reference.
(b) Financial Statement Schedules
See the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedule at page of this report.
The following financial statement schedule is included herein at pages through of this report:
Schedule III - Real Estate Assets and Accumulated Depreciation
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
The Company has elected not to provide summary information.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on April 15, 2021.
HARTMAN SHORT TERM INCOME PROPERTIES XX, INC.
By:/s/ Allen R. Hartman
Allen R. Hartman,
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.
* Filed herewith
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
Hartman Short Term Income Properties XX, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Hartman Short Term Income Properties XX, Inc. (a Maryland corporation) and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and schedule (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Restatement
As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the accompanying consolidated financial statements as of and for the year-ended December 31, 2019 have been restated to correct misstatements. The consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 2018, before the adjustments impacting stockholders’ equity as of January 1, 2019, described in Note 3 , were audited by other auditors whose report, dated April 8, 2019, expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements. We also audited the adjustments described in Note 3 that were applied to restate the stockholders’ equity as of January 1, 2019. In our opinion, such adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied.
Going Concern
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s Hartman SPE term loan has a maturity date less than twelve months from the date these consolidated financial statements are issued, which raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to this matter are also described in Note 2. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial
statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Fair value in connection with business combination. Refer to Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
On July 1, 2020, the Company completed its merger of Hartman Income REIT, Inc. and Hartman Short Term Income Properties XIX, Inc. for total consideration of approximately $199 million. The transaction was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting and, accordingly, assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and consideration exchanged was recorded at their estimated fair values on the date of acquisition.
We identified management’s determination of fair values of the real estate assets, investments in affiliates, and intangibles acquired, as well as the consideration exchanged as a critical audit matter. Subjective and challenging auditor judgement was required to evaluate certain assumptions used in determining the fair values of the assets acquired and consideration exchanged. Management’s determination of fair values was significant to our audit because the amounts are material to the consolidated financial statements. Auditing management’s determination of fair value is complex and involves significant judgment with respect to the valuation approach applied and market data available, which can be impacted by various economic conditions.
How we addressed the matter in our audit
We obtained an understanding of the design and implementation of management’s controls with respect to business combinations and evaluated the inputs used and significant assumptions underlying the determination of fair values.
Our testing of the Company's determination of fair value of the real estate assets, investments in affiliates, and intangibles acquired, as well as the consideration exchanged included, among other procedures, evaluating the work of Company specialists, reading the merger agreements, evaluating the measurement of the consideration given, and evaluating the significant assumptions and operating data used in developing the fair value estimates. With the assistance from an auditor specialist, we evaluated, among other things, whether (1) the assets and liabilities were properly identified, and (2) the significant assumptions, including the market data for similar assets, expected future cash flows of the properties, discount rates, and capitalization rates used in valuing the real estate assets and investments in affiliates, as well as the consideration exchanged were supportable.
Evaluation of real estate assets for potential impairment. Refer to Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company evaluates, on at least an annual basis, its real estate assets for potential impairment whenever changes in circumstances indicate that the value of real estate assets may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value.
Our testing of the Company's impairment analysis included, among other procedures, evaluating the methods and underlying significant assumptions used to develop the fair value estimates, testing the accuracy and completeness of operating data used in the calculation, assessing the reasonableness of the market-specific assumptions, and performing a sensitivity analysis of the underlying significant assumptions to evaluate the potential changes in the fair value estimates. We also utilized an auditor specialist to assist in estimating the fair values based upon performing an independent discounted cash flow model utilizing independent market data.
How we addressed the matter in our audit
We obtained an understanding of the design and implementation of management’s controls with respect to impairment analysis and evaluated the inputs used and underlying significant assumptions.
Our testing of the Company's impairment analysis included, among other procedures, evaluating the methods and underlying significant assumptions used to develop the fair value estimates, testing the accuracy and completeness of operating data used in the calculation, identifying capitalization rates by geographic market, assessing the reasonableness of the market-specific capitalization rates, and performing a sensitivity analysis of the underlying significant assumptions to evaluate the potential changes in the fair value estimates. We also utilized an auditor specialist to assist in estimating the fair values based upon recent market comparable transactions.
/s/ Weaver and Tidwell, L.L.P.
WEAVER AND TIDWELL, L.L.P.
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2019.
Houston, Texas
April 15, 2021
(1) For discussion of the restatement adjustments, see Note 3 - Restatement of Consolidated Financial Statements.
(1) For discussion of the restatement adjustments, see Note 3 - Restatement of Consolidated Financial Statements.
(1) For discussion of the restatement adjustments, see Note 3 - Restatement of Consolidated Financial Statements.
(1) For discussion of the restatement adjustments, see Note 3 - Restatement of Consolidated Financial Statements.
(1) For discussion of the restatement adjustments, see Note 3 - Restatement of Consolidated Financial Statements.
HARTMAN SHORT TERM INCOME PROPERTIES XX, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 - Organization and Business
Hartman Short Term Income Properties XX, Inc. (the “Company”), is a Maryland corporation formed on February 5, 2009. The Company elected to be treated as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) beginning with the taxable year ended December 31, 2011. As used herein, the "Company," "we," "us," or "our" refer to Hartman Short Term Income Properties XX, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries and partnerships, including the Operating Partnership and SPE LLC, except where context requires otherwise.
On July 19, 2018, we entered into a limited liability company agreement with our affiliates Hartman Income REIT, Inc. (“HIREIT”), Hartman Short Term Income Properties XIX, Inc. (“Hartman XIX”) and Hartman vREIT XXI, Inc. (“vREIT XXI”) to form Hartman SPE, LLC ("SPE LLC"), a special purpose entity.
On October 1, 2018, SPE LLC, as borrower, and Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company entered into a term loan agreement, pursuant to which the lender made a term loan to SPE LLC in the principal amount of $259,000,000.
Contemporaneously therewith and together with our affiliates HIREIT, Hartman XIX and vREIT XXI, we contributed a total of 39 commercial real estate properties ("Properties") to SPE, LLC, subject to the then existing mortgage indebtedness encumbering the Properties, in exchange for membership interests in SPE LLC. Proceeds of the Loan were immediately used to extinguish the existing mortgage indebtedness encumbering the Properties.
Substantially all of our business is conducted through our wholly owned subsidiary, the Operating Partnership and SPE LLC. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Hartman XX REIT GP LLC, a Texas limited liability company, is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Hartman SPE Management, LLC ("SPE Management") is the manager of SPE LLC. Our single member interests in our limited liability company subsidiaries are owned by the Operating Partnership or its wholly owned subsidiaries.
On July 21, 2017, the Company and Hartman XIX, entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the “XIX Merger Agreement”) and (ii) the Company, the Operating Partnership, HIREIT and Hartman Income REIT Operating Partnership LP, the operating partnership of HIREIT, (“HIROP”), entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the “HIREIT Merger Agreement,” and together with the XIX Merger Agreement, the “Merger Agreements”).
On May 14, 2020, the Merger Agreements were approved by the respective company shareholders. The effective date of the Mergers for financial reporting is July 1, 2020.
Prior to July 1, 2020 and subject to certain restrictions and limitations, Hartman Advisors LLC ("Advisor") was responsible for managing our affairs on a day-to-day basis and for identifying and making acquisitions and investments on our behalf pursuant to an advisory agreement. Management of the Company’s properties and the Properties, is provided pursuant to property management agreements with Hartman Income REIT Management, Inc. (the "Property Manager"), formerly a wholly-owned subsidiary of HIREIT and effective July 1, 2020, our wholly owned subsidiary. Effective with the Mergers and the acquisition of the 70% interest of Advisor not acquired as part of the Mergers, we are a self advised and self-managed REIT.
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we owned 44 and 43 commercial properties comprising approximately 6.8 and 6.7 million square feet plus four and three pad sites and two and zero land developments, all located in Texas. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we owned 15 properties located in Richardson, Arlington, and Dallas, Texas, 26 and 25 properties located in Houston, Texas and three properties located in San Antonio, Texas.
HARTMAN SHORT TERM INCOME PROPERTIES XX, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Previously, the Board of Directors (the "Board") of the Company established a share redemption program (the "Redemption Plan"), which permitted stockholders to sell their shares back to the Company, subject to certain significant conditions and limitations. On May 31, 2018, the Board voted to suspend the Redemption Plan. On July 28, 2020, the Board reopened the Redemption Plan for the death and disability or financial hardship of a shareholder. On October 1, 2020, the Board approved by unanimous written consent to further reopen the Redemption Plan, subject to certain significant conditions and limitations for additional shareholders.
On October 1, 2020, the Board approved a new compensation plan for independent directors of the Board which was effective July 1, 2020. The plan revised compensation for independent directors with respect to both cash and annual equity compensation and included a one-time award of $100,000 in stock to current and former directors who participated in the mergers of HIREIT and Hartman XIX with and into the Company.
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and for the years then ended have been prepared by the Company in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Form 10-K and Regulation S-K. The information furnished herein reflects all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals and adjustments), which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the operating results for the respective periods.
On May 14, 2020, the Merger Agreements were approved by the respective company shareholders. The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect the financial condition and results of operations of the Company with an effective Mergers date of July 1, 2020.
These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries, and SPE LLC. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets include all cash and liquid investments with maturities of three months or less. Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 consisted of demand deposits at commercial banks. We maintain accounts which may from time to time exceed federally insured limits. We have not experienced any losses in these accounts and believe that the company is not exposed to any significant credit risk and regularly monitors the financial stability of these financial institutions. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had a bank overdraft of $792,000. The overdraft is recorded as a liability in accounts payable and accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheet.
HARTMAN SHORT TERM INCOME PROPERTIES XX, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets consists of amounts escrowed for future real estate taxes, insurance, capital expenditures and debt service, as required by certain of our mortgage debt agreements. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had a restricted cash balance of $24,176,000 and $26,078,000, respectively.
Financial Instruments
The accompanying consolidated balance sheets include the following financial instruments: cash and cash equivalents, accrued rent and accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses and balances due to/ due from related parties, as well as related party notes receivable. The Company considers the carrying value of these financial instruments to approximate their respective fair values due to their short-term nature. Disclosure about the fair value of financial instruments is based on relevant information available as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Revenue Recognition
The Company's leases are accounted for as operating leases. Certain leases provide for tenant occupancy during periods for which no rent is due and/or for increases or decreases in the minimum lease payments over the terms of the leases. Revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the individual leases. Revenue recognition under a lease begins when the tenant takes possession of or controls the physical use of the leased space. When the Company acquires a property, the term of existing leases is considered to commence as of the acquisition date for the purposes of this calculation. The Company's accrued rents are included in accrued rent and accounts receivable, net. The Company defers the recognition of contingent rental income, such as percentage rents, until the specific target that triggers the contingent rental income is achieved. Cost recoveries from tenants are included in the tenant reimbursement and other revenues line item in the consolidated statements of operations in the period the related costs are incurred.
As of January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-9, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, (“ASU 2014-9”) which amends the guidance for revenue recognition to eliminate the industry-specific revenue recognition guidance and replace it with a principle based approach for determining revenue recognition. The Company adopted ASU 2014-9 effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach and the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. The Company’s revenue is primarily derived from leasing activities, which is specifically excluded from ASU 2014-9. The Company’s tenant reimbursements and other revenue is comprised of tenant reimbursements for real estate taxes, insurance, common area maintenance, and operating expenses. Reimbursements from real estate taxes and certain other expenses are also excluded from of ASU 2014-9. Additionally, the Company’s property dispositions have historically been cash sales with no contingencies and no future involvement in the property, as a result, the new guidance did not have an effect on the Company’s real estate transactions, however, the Company will account future sales of real estate properties in accordance with requirements of ASU 2014-9.
Real Estate
Allocation of Purchase Price of Acquired Assets
Upon the acquisition of real properties, it is the Company’s policy to allocate the purchase price of properties to acquired tangible assets, consisting of land and buildings, and identified intangible assets and liabilities, consisting of the value of above-market and below-market leases, other value of in-place leases and leasehold improvements and value of tenant relationships, based in each case on their fair values. The Company utilizes internal valuation methods to determine the fair values of the tangible assets of an acquired property (which includes land and buildings).
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The fair values of above-market and below-market in-place lease values, including below-market renewal options for which renewal has been determined to be reasonably assured, are recorded based on the present value (using an interest rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (a) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases and (b) an estimate of fair market lease rates for the corresponding in-place leases and below-market renewal options, which is generally obtained from independent appraisals, measured over a period equal to the remaining non-cancelable term of the lease. The above-market and below-market lease and renewal option values are capitalized as intangible lease assets or liabilities and amortized as an adjustment of rental revenue over the remaining expected terms of the respective leases.
The fair values of in-place leases include direct costs associated with obtaining a new tenant, opportunity costs associated with lost rentals which are avoided by acquiring an in-place lease, and tenant relationships. Direct costs associated with obtaining a new tenant include commissions, tenant improvements, and other direct costs and are estimated based on independent appraisals and management’s consideration of current market costs to execute a similar lease. These direct costs are included in intangible lease assets and are amortized to expense over the remaining terms of the respective leases. The value of opportunity costs is calculated using the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases over a market absorption period for a similar lease. Customer relationships are valued based on expected renewal of a lease or the likelihood of obtaining a particular tenant for other locations. These intangibles are included in real estate assets in the consolidated balance sheets and are being amortized to expense over the remaining term of the respective leases.
The determination of the fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired requires the use of significant assumptions with regard to the current market rental rates, rental growth rates, discount rates and other variables. The use of inappropriate estimates would result in an incorrect assessment of the purchase price allocations, which could impact the amount of the Company’s reported net income (loss).
Real Estate Joint Ventures and Partnerships
To determine the method of accounting for partially owned real estate joint ventures and partnerships, management determines whether an entity is a variable interest entity ("VIE") and, if so, determines which party is the primary beneficiary by analyzing whether we have both the power to direct the entity’s significant economic activities and the obligation to absorb potentially significant losses or receive potentially significant benefits. Significant judgments and assumptions inherent in this analysis include the design of the entity structure, the nature of the entity’s operations, future cash flow projections, the entity’s financing and capital structure, and contractual relationships and terms. We consolidate a VIE when we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary.
Primary risks associated with our involvement with our VIEs include the potential funding of the entities’ debt obligations or making additional contributions to fund the entities’ operations or capital activities.
Partially owned, non-variable interest real estate joint ventures and partnerships over which we have a controlling financial interest are consolidated in our consolidated financial statements. In determining if we have a controlling financial interest, we consider factors such as ownership interest, authority to make decisions, kick-out rights and substantive participating rights. Partially owned real estate joint ventures and partnerships where we do not have a controlling financial interest, but have the ability to exercise significant influence, are accounted for using the equity method.
Management continually analyzes and assesses reconsideration events, including changes in the factors mentioned above, to determine if the consolidation or equity method treatment remains appropriate.
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of 5 to 39 years for buildings and improvements. Tenant improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method over the lesser of
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the life of the improvement or the remaining term of the lease. In-place leases are amortized using the straight-line method over the weighted average years remaining calculated on terms of all of the leases in-place when acquired.
Impairment
The Company reviews its real estate assets for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets, including accrued rental income, may not be recoverable through operations. The Company determines whether an impairment in value has occurred by comparing the estimated future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges), including the estimated residual value of the property, with the carrying cost of the property. If impairment is indicated, a loss will be recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of the property exceeds its fair value.
Projections of expected future cash flows require management to estimate future market rental income amounts subsequent to the expiration of current lease agreements, property operating expenses, discount rates, the number of months it takes to release the property and the number of years the property is held for investment. The use of inappropriate assumptions in the future cash flow analysis would result in an incorrect assessment of the property’s future cash flow and fair value and could result in the overstatement of the carrying value of our real estate and related intangible assets and net income. During 2020, we identified the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as an impairment trigger for properties occupied by certain tenants experiencing difficulties meeting their lease obligations to us. After considering the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the key assumptions noted above, management has determined that the carrying values of 3 properties for the year ended December 31, 2020 were not recoverable. As a result, we recorded provisions for impairment of $5,406,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020 on the applicable properties impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Management determined that there was no impairment in the carrying value of the Company's real estate assets as of December 31, 2019.
Fair Value Measurement
Fair value measures are classified into a three-tiered fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:
Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets.
Level 2: Directly or indirectly observable inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require a reporting entity to
develop its own assumptions.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on one or more of the following valuation techniques:
Market approach: Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving
identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
Cost approach: Amount required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement cost).
Income approach: Techniques used to convert future amounts to a single amount based on market
expectations (including present-value, option-pricing, and excess-earnings models).
The Company’s estimates of fair value were determined using available market information and appropriate valuation methods. Considerable judgment is necessary to interpret market data and develop estimated fair value. The use of different market assumptions or estimation methods may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts. The Company classifies assets and liabilities in the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
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Recurring fair value measurements:
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accrued rent and accounts receivable, other assets and accounts payable and accrued expenses are reasonable estimates of fair values because of the short maturities of these instruments. For our disclosure of debt instrument fair value in Note 8, we use a discounted cash flow analysis based on borrowing rates currently available to the Company for loans with similar terms and maturities, discounting the future contractual interest and principal payments (categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy).
Nonrecurring fair value measurements:
Property Impairments
The Company reviews its real estate assets for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets, including accrued rental income, may not be recoverable through operations. Our estimated fair values are determined by utilizing cash flow models, market capitalization rates and market discount rates, or by obtaining third-party broker valuation estimates, or appraisals (categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy).
Accrued Rent and Accounts Receivable, net
Accrued rent and accounts receivable includes base rents, tenant reimbursements and receivables attributable to recording rents on a straight-line basis. An allowance for the uncollectible portion of accrued rent and accounts receivable is determined based upon customer credit-worthiness (including expected recovery of the Company’s claim with respect to any tenants in bankruptcy), historical bad debt levels, and current economic trends.
Deferred Leasing Commissions Costs, net
Leasing commissions are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over the term of the related lease agreements.
Goodwill
GAAP requires the Company to test goodwill for impairment at least annually or more frequently whenever events or circumstances occur indicating goodwill might be impaired. The Company applies a one-step quantitative assessment to determine if the estimated fair value is less than the carrying amount. If the carrying amount exceeds the estimated fair value, the Company will record a goodwill impairment equal to such excess, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill. No goodwill impairment has been recognized in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Noncontrolling Interests
Noncontrolling interests is the portion of equity in a subsidiary not attributable to a parent. The ownership interests not held by the parent are considered noncontrolling interests. Accordingly, the Company has reported noncontrolling interests in equity on the consolidated balance sheets but separate from the Company's equity. On the consolidated statements of operations, subsidiaries are reported at the consolidated amount, including both the amount attributable to the Company and noncontrolling interests.
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Stock-Based Compensation
The Company follows Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 718- Compensation- Stock Compensation, with regard to issuance of stock in payment of services. ASC 718 requires that compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions be recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The compensation cost is measured based on the estimated grant date fair value, as of the grant date of the Company’s common stock, of the equity or liability instruments issued. Stock-based compensation expense are recorded over the vesting period and is included in general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Income Taxes
The Company has elected to be treated as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 2011. To qualify as a REIT, the Company must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of the Company’s annual REIT taxable income to stockholders (which is computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction or net capital gain and which does not necessarily equal net income as calculated in accordance with GAAP). As a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to federal income tax on income that it distributes as dividends to its stockholders. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it will be subject to federal income tax on its taxable income at regular corporate income tax rates and generally will not be permitted to qualify for treatment as a REIT for federal income tax purposes for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification is lost, unless the Internal Revenue Service grants the Company relief under certain statutory provisions. Such an event could materially and adversely affect the Company’s net income and net cash available for distribution to stockholders. However, the Company believes that it is organized and will continue to operate in such a manner as to qualify for treatment as a REIT.
For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company incurred a net loss of $11,010,000 and $4,610,000, as restated. The Company formed a taxable REIT subsidiary which may generate future taxable income which may be offset by the net loss carry forward. The Company considers that any deferred tax benefit and corresponding deferred tax asset which may be recorded in light of the net loss carry forward would be properly offset by an equal valuation allowance. Accordingly, no deferred tax benefit or deferred tax asset has been recorded in the consolidated financial statements.
The Company is required to recognize in its consolidated financial statements the financial effects of a tax position only if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the tax position will not be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Management has reviewed the Company’s tax positions and is of the opinion that material positions taken by the Company would more likely than not be sustained upon examination. Accordingly, the Company has not recognized a liability related to uncertain tax positions.
Loss Per Share
The computations of basic and diluted loss per common share are based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and potentially dilutive securities. The Company’s potentially dilutive securities include preferred shares that are convertible into the Company’s common stock. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, there were no shares issuable in connection with these potentially dilutive securities. These potentially dilutive securities were excluded from the computations of diluted net loss per share for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 because no shares are issuable and inclusion of such potentially dilutive securities would have been anti-dilutive.
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Concentration of Risk
The geographic concentration of the Company’s real estate assets makes it susceptible to adverse economic developments in the State of Texas. Any adverse economic or real estate developments in these markets, such as business layoffs or downsizing, relocation of businesses, increased competition or any other changes, could adversely affect the Company’s operating results and its ability to make distributions to stockholders.
Going Concern Evaluation
Pursuant to ASU 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern,” management is required to evaluate the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that these consolidated financial statements are issued. The Hartman SPE LLC loan agreement (“SASB Loan”) has an initial maturity date of October 9, 2020. The SASB Loan provides for three successive one-year maturity date extensions. On October 9, 2020, SPE LLC executed a maturity date extension agreement to extend the maturity date to October 9, 2021.
The SASB Loan requires that SPE LLC have a debt yield, as defined, greater than or equal to 12.50%. The first SASB Loan extension was completed on the basis that the debt yield as of June 30, 2020 was 13.25%. Debt yield is calculated by dividing annual net operating income by debt. The second one-year SASB Loan extension is within one year of the issuance of these consolidated financial statements. Uncertainty as to the debt yield calculation as of June 30, 2021 and the Company's ability to exercise the next remaining SASB Loan extension option, require management to conclude, in accordance with guidance provided by ASU 2014-15, that there is a substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the issuance date of these consolidated financial statements solely on the basis of the uncertainty regarding the loan maturity extension of the SASB Loan. Management believes that SPE LLC will be able to extend the maturity date for the next one year period which will mitigate the maturity date issue.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract (i.e., lessees and lessors). The new standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase of the leased asset by the lessee. This classification will determine whether the lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for in the same manner as operating leases today.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company, through SPE LLC has a ground lease for a parking lot located adjacent to the property at 601 Sawyer, Houston, Texas. The parking lot lease agreement expires at the end of September 2025. The Sawyer property is included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Lease payments under the parking lot lease agreement are $3,500 per month through September 30, 2020 and $4,000 per month from October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2025. As of December 31, 2020, 57 monthly payments remain under the lease agreement for a total of $228,000.
The new standard requires lessors to account for leases using an approach that is substantially equivalent to existing guidance for sales-type leases, direct financing leases and operating leases. In connection with the new revenue guidance (ASC 606), the new revenue standard will apply to other components of revenue deemed to be non-lease components. Under the new guidance, we will continue to recognize the lease components of lease revenue on a straight-line basis over our respective lease terms as we do under prior guidance. However, we would
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recognize these non-lease components under the new revenue guidance as the related services are delivered. As a result, the total revenue recognized over time would not differ under the new guidance. This does not result in a difference from how the Company has historically recognized revenue for these lease and non-lease components.
Additionally, ASU 2016-2 requires that lessees and lessors capitalize, as initial direct costs, only those costs that are incurred due to the execution of a lease. Under ASU 2016-2, allocated payroll costs and other costs that are incurred regardless of whether the lease is obtained will no longer be capitalized as initial direct costs and instead will be expensed as incurred. This does not result in a difference from how the Company has historically recognized lease acquisition costs.
On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU 2018-07, "Improvements to Non-employee Stock-Based Payment Accounting." The updated guidance simplifies aspects of share-based compensation issued to non-employees by making the guidance consistent with the accounting for employee share-based compensation. The adoption of this guidance had no impact on our consolidated financial statements.
On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities". The purpose of this updated guidance is to better align a company’s financial reporting for hedging activities with the economic objectives of those activities. The transition guidance provides companies with the option of either adopting the new standard early using a modified retrospective transition method in any interim period after issuance of the update, or alternatively adopting the new standard for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The adoption of this guidance had no impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326):Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The updated guidance requires measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets, including trade and other receivables, held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This is different from the current guidance as this will require immediate recognition of estimated credit losses expected to occur over the remaining life of many financial assets. Generally, the pronouncement requires a modified retrospective method of adoption. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after January 2023, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements when adopted.
In March 2020, issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. ASU 2020-04 provides optional expedients for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on financial reporting. ASU 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The standard is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. An entity can elect to apply the amendments as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, or prospectively from a date within an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, up to that date that the financial statements are available to be issued. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements when adopted.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 3 - Restatement of Consolidated Financial Statements
Restatement background and explanation
In connection with the preparation and audit of these consolidated financial statements, including matters related to the Mergers effective July 1, 2020, the Company has recorded several material adjustments to its financial statements as of December 31, 2020 including adjustments attributable to years ending December 31, 2019 and prior.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded adjustments totaling $3,212,000 to correct the overstatement of accounts payable and accrued expenses prior to adjustment. The overstatement of accounts payable included (i) $1,112,000 attributable to the Three Forest property for improvements which were accrued for in 2016 and which should have been subsequently relieved as the property improvements were completed; (ii) $239,000 margin tax provision in excess of margin tax expense, and; (ii) $1,861,000 attributable to accounts payable which were not valid as of the end of December 31, 2019 together with accrued expense which should have been reversed as the invoices for which the expenses were accrued were paid.
Impact of restatement on periods reported in 2020
The effect the restatement on quarterly consolidated financial statements for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2020, June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2020 are as follows (in thousands):
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Note there is no restatement to the consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2020.
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Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Consolidated Statements of Operations
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Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Consolidated Statements of Operations
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Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Impact of restatement as of December 31 2019 and for the quarterly periods and for the year ended December 31, 2019
The effect the restatement on quarterly consolidated financial statements for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2019, June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2019 are as follows (in thousands):
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Consolidated Statements of Operations
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Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Consolidated Statements of Operations
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Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Consolidated Statement of Operations
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Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Consolidated Statement of Operations
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Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Note 4 - Real Estate
The Company's real estate assets consisted of the following, in thousands:
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $18,910,000 and $16,639,000, respectively, as restated. Provision for impairment for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $5,406,000 and $0. Refer to Note 2 for additional information.
The Company identifies and records the value of acquired lease intangibles at the property acquisition date. Such intangibles include the value of acquired in-place leases and above and below-market leases. Acquired lease intangibles are amortized over the leases' remaining terms. With respect to all properties owned by the Company, the Company considers all of the in-place leases to be market rate leases.
The amount of total in-place lease intangible asset and the respective accumulated amortization are as follows, in thousands:
The estimated aggregate future amortization amounts from acquired lease intangibles are as follows, in thousands:
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Amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $10,586,000 and $10,895,000, respectively.
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we owned or held a majority interest in 44 and 43 commercial properties comprising approximately 6.8 million and 6.7 million square feet plus four and three pad sites and two and none land developments, all located in Texas. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we owned 15 properties located in Richardson, Arlington, and Dallas, Texas, 26 and 25 properties located in Houston, Texas and three properties located in San Antonio, Texas.
Acquisition fees earned by the Advisor were $0 for both the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Asset management fees earned by the Advisor for the year year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively was $880,000 and $1,760,000. Asset management fees are captioned as such in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The Company’s indirect wholly owned subsidiary, Hartman Richardson Heights Properties, LLC (“HRHP LLC”), and the City of Richardson, Texas are parties to an economic development incentive agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, the City of Richardson paid annual grants to HRHP LLC in equal installments over a 5 year period of $1,500,000 and pays sales tax grants, paid annually over the first 10 years of the Alamo Draft House lease. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, HRHP LLC received sales tax grant proceeds of $34,000 and $66,000 for the 2020 and 2019 incentive agreement fiscal years, respectively, which are included in tenant reimbursements and other revenues on the consolidated statements of operations.
Payments received by the Company in the form of annual grants and annual sales tax grants are subject to refund or adjustment during the term of the economic development incentive agreement. In general, the incentive agreement provides that the Company must continue to be in good standing with respect to the terms and conditions of the agreement and that the Alamo Draft House lessee must continue as a tenant of the Richardson Heights Property during the term of its lease agreement. As of December 31, 2020, no uncured breach or default exists under the terms of the incentive agreement and the Company has no liability or other obligation to repay any grants received under the agreement.
Acquisition of Hartman XIX and HIREIT
Effective July 1, 2020, in connection with the Mergers, the Company acquired interests in (i) two commercial land developments in progress and (ii) a 26.99% interest in SPE LLC from Hartman XIX.
As of the date of the Mergers, there were 5,538,305 shares of Hartman XIX preferred stock and 100 common shares issued and outstanding, which converted to 7,343,511 shares of Company stock, resulting in aggregate merger consideration of $79,480,000.
Effective July 1, 2020, in connection with the Mergers, the Company acquired interests in (i) one commercial real estate property, (ii) one pad site development in progress, (iii) a 34.38% member interest in SPE LLC, (iv) the Property Manager and (v) a 30% interest in Advisor from HIREIT.
As of the date of the Mergers, there were 12,378,718 shares of HIREIT common stock issued and outstanding and 1,214,197 HIROP OP units, which converted to 9,525,691 shares of Company stock and 913,346 OP units of Hartman XX Operating Partnership units ("XX OP units"); resulting in merger consideration of $112,994,000. Concurrently with the Mergers, the Company acquired the remaining 70% interest in Advisors owned by Allen Hartman in exchange for 602,842 XX OP units with a fair value of $6,525,000. See Note 12 for additional information. Aggregate consideration for HIREIT totals $119,519,000.
After consideration of all applicable factors pursuant to ASC 805, the Company is considered the “legal acquirer” because the Company is issuing common stock to HIREIT and Hartman XIX stockholders, and also due to
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various factors including that the Company’s stockholders immediately preceding the Merger hold the largest portion of the voting rights in the Company immediately after the Merger.
The value of the Company’s common shares and Hartman XX Operating Partnership units is presented based on estimated fair value determined by the the Company which is $10.82 per common share and OP unit.
For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 in connection with our acquisitions, we incurred acquisition costs of $132,000 and $26,000, respectively, recorded in general and administrative costs and expenses. We included the operating results of HIREIT and Hartman XIX in our consolidated results of operations, effective July 1, 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2020, our consolidated statement of operations includes revenues of $2,238,000 and net loss of $3,321,000 associated with the operations of HIREIT and XIX.
The following table illustrates the fair value of assets and liabilities of HIREIT and Hartman XIX contributed in the merger on July 1, 2020, as well as the fair value of noncontrolling interset, in thousands:
The fair value of all assets and liabilities presented above is management's best estimate and is subject to change during the measurement period due to management's receiving the final valuations performed by the third party.
The purchase price allocation was based on the Company’s assessment of the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities, as summarized below.
Real estate assets - the fair value is based on the independent third party appraisal. The fair value cost of real estate assets added as of July 1, 2020 was segregated and allocated to land, buildings and improvements and in-place lease value intangible. Depreciation and amortization of the real estate assets added on July 1, 2020 commenced as of that date.
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets, and due from related parties - recorded at cost basis which approximates fair value.
Notes receivable from related parties - recorded at cost basis which approximates fair value.
HARTMAN SHORT TERM INCOME PROPERTIES XX, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Investment affiliates - Included in investment affiliates is HIREIT and Hartman XIX's investment in SPE, LLC. The fair value is based on the net asset value of SPE LLC of $323,934,000 determined by the Company as of June 30, 2020. Net asset value is based on the estimated fair value of assets less the estimated fair value of liabilities. The Company considers net asset value a reasonable proxy for fair value. Net asset value does not consider liquidity or marketability discounts or other factors which may effect a determination of fair value among unrelated or disinterested parties. Also in included in the balance is Hartman XIX's investment in HIREIT. The fair value is based on 347,826 HIREIT common shares time the estimated net asset value of $8.18 per share determined by HIREIT totaling $2,845,000. Remaining investment is recorded at cost which approximates fair value.
Notes payable - recorded at cost basis which approximates fair value.
Accounts payable and accrued expenses, and due to related parties - recorded at cost basis which approximates fair value.
Unpaid preferred dividends due to Hartman XIX shareholders - recorded at cost basis which approximates fair value.
The following unaudited pro forma information summarizes selected financial information for our combined results of operations, as if the Mergers had occurred on January 1, 2019, in thousands. These results contain certain, nonrecurring adjustments, such as the elimination of intercompany activity related to creating an internalized management structure. This proforma information is presented for informational purposes only, and may not be indicative of what actual results of operations would have been had the Mergers occurred at the beginning of the period, nor does it purport to represent the results of future operations.
Note 5 - Accrued Rent and Accounts Receivable, net
Accrued rent and accounts receivable, net, consisted of the following, in thousands:
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had an allowance for uncollectible accounts of $4,742,000 and $2,597,000, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded bad debt expense (recovery) of $2,695,000 and $1,674,000, respectively, related to tenant receivables that we have specifically identified as potentially uncollectible based on the Company’s assessment of each tenant’s credit-worthiness. Bad debt expenses and any related recoveries are included in property operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Note 6 - Deferred Leasing Commission Costs, net
Costs which have been deferred consist of the following, in thousands:
Note 7 - Future Minimum Rents
The Company leases the majority of its properties under noncancellable operating leases which provide for minimum base rentals. A summary of minimum future rentals to be received (exclusive of renewals, tenant reimbursements, and contingent rentals) under noncancellable operating leases in existence at December 31, 2020 is as follows, in thousands:
Note 8 - Notes Payable, net
The Operating Partnership is a party to four, cross-collateralized, term loan agreements with an insurance company. The term loans are secured by the Richardson Heights Property, the Cooper Street Property, the Bent Tree Green Property and the Mitchelldale Property. The loans require monthly payments of principal and interest due and payable on the first day of each month. Monthly payments are based on a 27-year loan amortization. Each of the loan agreements are subject to customary covenants, representations and warranties which must be maintained during the term of the loan agreements. Each of the loan agreements provides for a fixed interest rate of 4.61%. Each of the loan agreements are secured by a deed of trust, assignment of licenses, permits and contracts, assignment and subordination of the management agreements and assignment of rents. The terms of the security instruments provide for the cross collateralization/cross default of the each of the loans. The outstanding balance of the four loans was $42,035,000 and $43,393,000 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
On October 1, 2018, the Company through SPE LLC and Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company entered into a $259,000,000 term loan agreement. The Company together with its affiliates HIREIT, Hartman XIX and vREIT XXI, contributed a total of 39 commercial real estate properties ("Properties") to SPE, LLC, a recently formed Delaware limited liability company, subject to the mortgage indebtedness encumbering the Properties, in exchange for membership interests in SPE LLC. Proceeds of the Loan were immediately used to extinguish the existing mortgage indebtedness encumbering the Properties.
The term of the SASB loan is five years, comprised of an initial two-year term with three one-year extension options. Each extension option shall be subject to certain conditions precedent including (i) no default then outstanding, (ii) 30 days prior written notice, (iii) the properties must have a specified in-place net operating income debt yield and (iv) purchase of an interest rate cap as described below for the exercised option term or terms.
HARTMAN SHORT TERM INCOME PROPERTIES XX, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The outstanding principal of the SASB loan bears interest at the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1.8%. The SASB Loan is subject to an interest rate cap arrangement with caps LIBOR at 3.75% during the initial term of the SASB Loan.
On October 9, 2020, the Company signed a maturity date extension agreement to extend the maturity date for one additional year to October 9, 2021. Options remain to extend for two additional one-year terms. Notice to exercise the next one-year maturity extension option is due not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days from the current maturity date. Exercise of each extension option is subject to certain compliance and non-default requirements and a minimum debt yield of greater than or equal to 12.5%.
The SASB Loan contains various customary covenants, including but not limited to financial covenants, covenants requiring monthly deposits in respect of certain property costs, such as taxes, insurance, tenant improvements, and leasing commissions, covenants imposing restrictions on indebtedness and liens, and restrictions on investments and participation in other asset disposition, merger or business combination or dissolution transactions.
The SASB Loan is secured by, among other things, mortgages on the Properties. The Company, HIREIT and Hartman XIX, entered into a guaranty agreement in favor of the lender, whereby each guarantor unconditionally guaranties the full and timely performance of the obligations set forth in the loan agreement and all other loan documents, including the payment of all indebtedness and obligations due under the loan agreement. As a result of the Mergers, the Company is the sole guarantor.
The following is a summary of the mortgage notes payable, in thousands:
(1) Principal and interest (P&I) or interest only (IO).
(2) Each promissory note contains a call option wherein the holder of the promissory note may declare the outstanding balance due and payable on either July 1, 2024, July 1, 2029, July 1, 2034, or July 1, 2039.
(3) On October 9, 2020, the Company signed a maturity date extension agreement to extend the maturity date for one additional year to October 9, 2021. Options remain to extend for two additional one-year terms. Notice to exercise the next one-year maturity extension option is due not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days from the current maturity date. Exercise of each extension option is subject to certain compliance and non-default requirements and a minimum debt yield of 12.5%.
HARTMAN SHORT TERM INCOME PROPERTIES XX, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Annual maturities of notes payable as of December 31, 2020 are as follows, in thousands:
The Company’s loan costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the term of the loans, which approximates the interest method. Costs which have been deferred consist of the following, in thousands:
Interest expense incurred for the year ending December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $9,929,000 and $13,834,000, respectively, which includes amortization expense of deferred loan costs. Interest expense of $867,000 and $516,000 was payable as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Fair Value of Debt
The fair value of the Company’s fixed rate notes payable, variable rate notes payable and secured revolving credit facilities aggregates to $315,389,000 and $308,671,000 as compared to book value of $303,824,000 and $306,793,000 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The fair value of our debt instruments is estimated on a Level 2 basis, as provided by ASC 820, using a discounted cash flow analysis based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for loans with similar terms and maturities, discounting the future contractual interest and principal payments. Disclosure about the fair value of notes payable is based on relevant information available as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Note 9 - Loss Per Share
Basic loss per share is computed using net loss attributable to common stockholders and the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted weighted average shares outstanding reflect common shares issuable from the assumed conversion of convertible preferred stock into common shares. Only those items that have a dilutive impact on basic loss per share are included in the diluted loss per share.
Note 10 - Income Taxes
Federal income taxes are not provided for because we qualify as a REIT under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and because we have distributed and intend to continue to distribute all of our taxable income to our stockholders. Our stockholders include their proportionate taxable income in their individual tax returns. As a REIT, we must distribute at least 90% of our real estate investment trust taxable income to our stockholders and meet certain income sources and investment restriction requirements. In addition, REITs are subject to a number of organizational and operational requirements. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to federal income tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on our taxable income at regular corporate tax rates. The Company’s federal income tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 have not been examined by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company’s federal income tax return for the year ended December 31, 2015 may be examined on or before September 15, 2021.
The Company has formed a taxable REIT subsidiary which may generate future taxable income which may be offset by the net loss carry forward. The Company considers that any deferred tax benefit and corresponding deferred tax asset which may be recorded in the light of the net loss carry forward would be properly offset by an equal valuation allowance. Accordingly, no deferred tax benefit or deferred tax asset has been recorded in the consolidated financial statements.
The Company is required to recognize in its consolidated financial statements the financial effects of a tax position only if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the tax position will not be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Management has reviewed the Company’s tax positions and is of the opinion that material positions taken by the Company would more likely than not be sustained upon examination. Accordingly, the Company has not recognized a liability related to uncertain tax positions.
Taxable income (loss) differs from net income (loss) for financial reporting purposes principally due to differences in the timing of recognition of interest, real estate taxes, depreciation and amortization and rental revenue.
For Federal income tax purposes, the cash distributed to stockholders was characterized as follows for the years ended December 31:
A provision for Texas Franchise tax under the Texas Margin Tax Bill in the amount of $192,000 and $385,000 was recorded in the consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 respectively, with a corresponding charge to real estate taxes and insurance.
Note 11 - Real Estate Held for Development
The Company’s investment in real estate assets held for development consists of an approximately 17-acres land parcel located in Fort Worth, Texas, currently being developed, a 10-acre land development located in Grand Prairie, Texas, to be developed and which was previously held for disposition by Hartman XIX, and a one pad site development in progress acquired from HIREIT.
HARTMAN SHORT TERM INCOME PROPERTIES XX, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 12 - Related Party Transactions
Hartman Advisors LLC ("Advisor"), is a Texas limited liability company. Prior to the Mergers, the Advisor was owned 70% by Allen R. Hartman and his affiliates and 30% by the Property Manager. Effective July 1, 2020, the Company acquired the Advisor's interest of the Property Manager, which was a wholly owned subsidiary of Hartman Income REIT Management, LLC, which was wholly owned by Hartman Income REIT, Inc., as a result of the HIREIT Merger. In a separate transaction, the Company acquired the Advisor's interest held by affiliates of Allen Hartman in exchange for 602,842 Hartman XX Operating Partnership units with an fair value of $6,525,000. The Property Manager was acquired by the Company as a result of the HIREIT Merger. Effective July 1, 2020 the Company is self advised and self managed.
Advisor is the sole member of Hartman vREIT XXI Advisor, LLC ("XXI Advisor"), which is the advisor for Hartman vREIT XXI, Inc. Hartman vREIT XXI, Inc. ("vREIT XXI") pays acquisition fees and asset management fees to the Advisor in connection with the acquisition of properties and management of the Company. vREIT XXI pays property management and leasing commissions to the Property Manager in connection with the management and leasing of vREIT XXI's properties.
Prior to the Mergers, the Company paid acquisition fees and asset management fees to the Advisor in connection with the acquisition of properties and management of the Company. The Company paid property management and leasing commissions to the Property Manager in connection with the management and leasing of the Company’s properties. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 the Company incurred property management fees and reimbursements of $4,118,000 and $8,053,000, respectively, and $1,534,000 and $4,948,000, respectively for leasing commissions owed to our Property Manager. We incurred asset management fees of $880,000 and $1,760,000, respectively owed to Advisor. These fees are monthly fees equal to one-twelfth of 0.75% of the sum of the higher of the cost or value of each asset. The asset management fee will be based only on the portion of the cost or value attributable to the Company’s investment in an asset, if the Company doesn't own all or a majority of an asset. There were no acquisition fees incurred to the Advisor for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Property management fees and reimbursements are included in property operating expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Leasing commissions are capitalized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Asset management fees are captioned as such in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
The Company also pays construction management fees to the Property Manager in connection with the construction management of the Company's properties. As of July 1, 2020, due to the merger of the Property Manager into the Company as part of the HIREIT merger, all construction management fees are now being eliminated beginning with the third quarter of 2020. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company incurred construction management fees of $309,000 and $664,000, respectively. Construction management fees are capitalized and included in real estate assets in the consolidated balance sheets.
The table below shows the related party balances the Company owes to and is owed by, in thousands:
HARTMAN SHORT TERM INCOME PROPERTIES XX, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Prior to the HIREIT Merger, the Company owned 1,561,523 shares of the common stock of HIREIT which it acquired for cash consideration of $8,978,000. The Company’s investment in HIREIT was accounted for under the cost method. The Company has cancelled the HIREIT shares in connection with the HIREIT Merger effective July 1, 2020. The Company received dividend distributions from HIREIT of $213,000 and $425,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which is included in interest and dividend income in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company borrowed under an unsecured promissory note payable to Hartman vREIT XXI, Inc., an affiliate of the Advisor and the Property Manager, in the face amount of $10,000,000. This note payable had an outstanding balance of $2,789,000 and $4,400,000 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively which is included in notes payable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Interest has been accrued on the loan amount at an annual rate of 10%. The Company recognized interest expense on the affiliate note in the amount of $505,000 and $23,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, which is included in interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
In May 2016, the Company, through its taxable REIT subsidiary, Hartman TRS, Inc. (“TRS”), loaned $7,231,000 pursuant to a promissory note in the face amount of up to $8,820,000 to Hartman Retail II Holdings Company, Inc. (“Retail II Holdings”), an affiliate of the Advisor and the Property Manager, in connection with the acquisition of a retail shopping center by Hartman Retail II DST, a Delaware statutory trust sponsored by the Property Manager. Pursuant to the terms of the promissory note, TRS will receive a two percent (2)% origination fee of amounts advanced under the promissory note, and interest at ten percent (10)% per annum on the outstanding principal balance. The outstanding principal balance of the promissory note will be repaid as investor funds are raised by Hartman Retail II DST. The maturity date of the promissory note, as amended is December 31, 2020. This note receivable had an outstanding balance of $1,726,000 and $2,476,000 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which is included in Notes receivable - related party in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, the Company recognized interest income on this affiliate note in the amount of $174,000 and $235,000, respectively.
The Company had a note receivable due from an affiliate, Hartman Short Term Income Properties XIX, Inc. (“Hartman XIX”), of $0 and $4,200,000 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. The balance of the note was eliminated on July 1, 2020 in connection with the Hartman XIX Merger. The balance of the note as of December 31, 2019 is included in Notes receivable - related party in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The face amount of the promissory note is $4,500,000. Interest has been accrued on the loan amount at an annual rate of six percent (6%). The Company recognized interest income on the affiliate note in the amount of $126,000 and $252,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which is included in interest and dividend income in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
In February 2019, the Company through TRS, loaned $6,782,455 pursuant to a promissory note in the face amount of up to $7,500,000 to Hartman Retail III Holdings Company, Inc. (“Retail III Holdings”), an affiliate of the Advisor and the Property Manager, in connection with the acquisition of a retail shopping center by Hartman Retail III DST, a Delaware statutory trust sponsored by the Advisor. Effective August 4, 2020, the Company conveyed this note receivable to Hartman vREIT XXI TRS, Inc.("vREIT TRS"). This note receivable had an outstanding balance of $0 and $6,782,000 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively which is included in Notes receivable - related party in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Pursuant to the terms of the promissory note, TRS receives a two percent (2%) origination fee of amounts advanced under the promissory note, and interest at ten percent (10%) per annum on the outstanding principal balance. The maturity date of the promissory note, as amended, is February 29, 2021. The Company recognized interest income on this affiliate note in the amount of $448,000 and $570,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively which is included in interest and dividend income in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
In March 2019, the Company through TRS, loaned $3,830,000 pursuant to a promissory note in the face amount of $3,500,000 to Hartman Ashford Bayou, LLC (“Ashford Bayou”), an affiliate of the Advisor and the Property Manager, in connection with the acquisition of office building by Ashford Bayou, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hartman Total Return, Inc. Effective August 4, 2020, the Company conveyed this note receivable to vREIT TRS.
HARTMAN SHORT TERM INCOME PROPERTIES XX, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
This note receivable had an outstanding balance of $0 and $3,830,000 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively which is included in Notes receivable - related party in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Pursuant to the terms of the promissory note, TRS receives a two percent (2%) origination fee of amounts advanced under the promissory note, and interest at ten percent (10%) per annum on the outstanding principal balance. The outstanding principal balance of the promissory note will be repaid as investor funds are raised by Hartman Total Return, Inc. The original maturity date of the promissory note is March 31, 2021. The Company recognized interest income on this affiliate note in the amount of $179,000 and $298,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively which is included in interest and dividend income in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Variable interest entities (“VIEs”) are defined as entities with a level of invested equity that is not sufficient to fund future operations on a stand-alone basis, or whose equity holders lack certain characteristics of a controlling financial interest. For identified VIEs, an assessment must be made to determine which party to the VIE, if any, has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impacts the performance of the VIE and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
The Company is not deemed to be the primary beneficiary of Retail II Holdings (as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019), Retail III Holdings (as of June 30, 2020 and prior) or Ashford Bayou (as of June 30, 2020 and prior), each of which qualifies as a VIE. Accordingly, the assets and liabilities and revenues and expenses of Retail II Holdings, Retail III Holdings and Ashford Bayou have not been included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The Company is a covenant guarantor for the secured mortgage indebtedness of each of the VIEs in the total amount of $24,998,000 and $25,141,000 as December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The following table reflects the net note receivable asset due to the Company, reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the Company's maximum exposure to debt guarantees, in thousands:
The Board approved the acquisition of additional 3.42% ownership interest of Hartman SPE, LLC from Hartman vREIT XXI, Inc. in exchange for 700,302 shares of the Company's common stock with a total value of $8,859,000 ($12.65 per share). The exchange increased the Company’s ownership interest in Hartman SPE, LLC from 32.74% to 36.16%. The transaction was effective March 1, 2019.
Note 13 - Stockholders' Equity
Common Stock
Shares of common stock entitle the holders to one vote per share on all matters which stockholders are entitled to vote, to receive dividends and other distributions as authorized by the Company’s board of directors in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law and to all rights of a stockholder pursuant to the Maryland General Corporation Law. The common stock has no preferences or preemptive, conversion or exchange rights.
Under the articles of incorporation, the Company has authority to issue 750,000,000 common shares of beneficial interest, $0.001 par value per share, and 200,000,000 preferred shares of beneficial interest, $0.001 par value per share.
Shares of common stock entitle the holders to one vote share on all matters which stockholders are entitled to vote, to receive dividends and other distributions as authorized by the Company's board of directors in accordance
HARTMAN SHORT TERM INCOME PROPERTIES XX, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
with the Maryland General Corporation Law to all rights of a stockholder pursuant to the Maryland General Corporation Law. The Common stock has no preferences or preemptive, conversion or exchange rights.
Preferred Stock
Under the Company’s articles of incorporation the Company’s board of directors has the authority to issue one or more classes or series of preferred stock, and prior to the issuance of such stock, the board of directors shall has the power to classify or reclassify, in one or more series, any unissued shares and designate the preferences, rights and privileges of such shares. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019 the Company has issued 1,000 shares of convertible preferred stock issued and outstanding.
Common Stock Issuable Upon Conversion of Convertible Preferred Stock
The convertible preferred stock issued to the Advisor will convert to shares of common stock if (1) the Company has made total distributions on then outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock equal to the issue price of those shares plus a 6% cumulative, non-compounded, annual return on the issue price of those outstanding shares,(2)the Company lists its common stock for trading on a national securities exchange if the sum of prior distributions on then outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock plus the aggregate market value of the Company’s common stock (based on the 30-day average closing price) meets the same 6% performance threshold, or (3) the Company’s advisory agreement with Hartman Advisors, LLC expires without renewal or is terminated (other than because of a material breach by the Advisor), and at the time of such expiration or termination the Company is deemed to have met the foregoing 6% performance threshold based on the Company’s enterprise value and prior distributions and, at or subsequent to the expiration or termination, the stockholders actually realize such level of performance upon listing or through total distributions. In general, the convertible stock will convert into shares of common stock with a value equal to 15% of the excess of the Company’s enterprise value plus the aggregate value of distributions paid to date on then outstanding shares of common stock over the aggregate issue price of those outstanding shares plus a 6% cumulative, non-compounded, annual return on the issue price of those outstanding shares. With respect to conversion in connection with the termination of the advisory agreement, this calculation is made at the time of termination even though the actual conversion may occur later, or not at all.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company awards shares of restricted common stock to non-employee directors as compensation in part for their service as members of the board of directors of the Company. These shares are fully vested when granted. These shares may not be sold while an independent director is serving on the board of directors. As of December 31, 2020 the Company granted 42,964 shares of restricted common stock to our current independent directors as compensation for services and recognized $538,000 as stock-based compensation expense for each period. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company granted 6,000 shares of restricted common stock to independent directors as compensation for services and recognized $77,000 as stock-based compensation expense for each period. On July 28, 2020 the board voted to grant Richard Ruskey, John Ostroot, Jack Tompkins and Jack Cardwell, each being independent directors of the companies involved in the Merger, each to receive $100,000 in restricted shares of the Company upon and as a compensation for closure of the merger. Share based compensation expense is based upon the estimated fair value per share. Stock-based compensation expense is included in general and administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Distributions
The following table reflects the total distributions the Company has paid in cash (in thousands, except per share amounts) and the amount through the distribution reinvestment plan, including paid per common share, in each indicated quarter:
HARTMAN SHORT TERM INCOME PROPERTIES XX, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Mergers
On July 21, 2017, we entered into (i) an agreement and plan of merger (the “XIX Merger Agreement”) between us and Short Term Income Properties XIX, Inc. (“Hartman XIX”), and (ii) an agreement and plan of merger (the “HIREIT Merger Agreement,” and together with the XIX Merger Agreement, the “Merger Agreements”) by and among us, our operating partnership, Hartman Income REIT, Inc. (“HIREIT”), and Hartman Income REIT Operating Partnership LP, the operating partnership of HIREIT (“HIREIT Operating Partnership”).
Subject to the terms and conditions of the XIX Merger Agreement, including the satisfaction of all closing conditions set forth in the Merger Agreements, Hartman XIX merged with and into the Company, with the Company surviving the merger (the “Hartman XIX Merger”). Subject to the terms and conditions of the HIREIT Merger Agreement, (i) HIREIT merged with and into the Company, with the Company surviving the merger (the “HIREIT Merger,” and together with the Hartman XIX Merger, the “REIT Mergers”), and (ii) HIROP will merge and with and into the Operating Partnership, with the Operating Partnership surviving the merger (the “Partnership Merger,” and together with the REIT Mergers, the “Mergers”). The REIT Mergers are intended to qualify as a “reorganization” under, and within the meaning of, Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and the Partnership Merger is intended to be treated as a tax-deferred exchange under Section 721 of the Code.
Subject to the terms and conditions of the XIX Merger Agreement, (i) each share of common stock of Hartman XIX (the “XIX Common Stock”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (as defined in the XIX Merger Agreement) was automatically canceled and retired and converted into the right to receive 9,171.98 shares of our common stock, (ii) each share of 8% cumulative preferred stock of Hartman XIX issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time was automatically canceled and retired and converted into the right to receive 1.238477 shares of our common stock, and (iii) each share of 9% cumulative preferred stock of Hartman XIX issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time was automatically canceled and retired and converted into the right to receive 1.238477 shares of our common stock.
Subject to the terms and conditions of the HIREIT Merger Agreement, (a) in connection with the HIREIT Merger, (i) each share of common stock of HIREIT (the “HIREIT Common Stock”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the REIT Merger Effective Time (as defined in the HIREIT Merger Agreement) was automatically cancelled and retired and converted into the right to receive 0.752222 shares of our common stock, and (ii) each share of subordinate common stock of HIREIT was automatically cancelled and retired and converted into the right to receive 0.863235 shares of our common stock, and (b) in connection with the Partnership Merger, each unit of limited partnership interest in HIREIT Operating Partnership (“HIREIT OP Units”) issued and
HARTMAN SHORT TERM INCOME PROPERTIES XX, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
outstanding immediately prior to the Partnership Merger Effective Time (as defined in the HIREIT Merger Agreement) (other than any HIREIT OP Units held by HIREIT) was automatically cancelled and retired and converted into the right to receive 0.752222 shares validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable units of limited partnership interests in our operating partnership. For financial reporting purposes, the Mergers are treated as effective July 1, 2020.
Note 14 - Incentive Awards Plan
The Company has adopted an incentive plan (the “Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan” or the “Incentive Plan”) that provides for the grant of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, deferred stock awards, restricted stock awards, dividend equivalent rights and other stock-based awards within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 422, or any combination of the foregoing. The Company has initially reserved 5,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock for the issuance of awards under the Company’s stock incentive plan, but in no event more than ten (10%) percent of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares. The number of shares reserved under the Company’s stock incentive plan is also subject to adjustment in the event of a stock split, stock dividend or other change in the Company’s capitalization. Generally, shares that are forfeited or canceled from awards under the Company’s stock incentive plan also will be available for future awards.
Incentive Plan compensation expense is included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Note 15 - Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation
The Company is subject to various claims and legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business. Management of the Company believes that the final disposition of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Company.
Note 16 - Defined Contribution Plan
The Company sponsors a defined contribution pension plan, the Hartman 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan, covering substantially all of its full-time employees who are at least 21 years of age. Participants may annually contribute up to 100% of pretax annual compensation and any applicable catch-up contributions, as defined in the plan and subject to deferral limitations as set forth in Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Participants may also contribute amounts representing distributions from other qualified benefit or defined contribution plans. The Company may make discretionary matching contributions. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 the Company matched $398,000 in the form of Company stock, respectively.
Note 17 - Subsequent events
On November 6, 2020, the board of directors of the Company and the board of directors of Hartman XXI each approved the merger of Hartman XXI with and into the Company. On January 26, 2021, the respective boards determined to delay the merger transaction.
SCHEDULE III - REAL ESTATE ASSETS AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
DECEMBER 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)
SCHEDULE III - REAL ESTATE ASSETS AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
DECEMBER 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)
(1) Includes provision for impairments of $5,406 as a reduction for the year ended December 31, 2020.
(2) Amounts consists of elimination of intercompany construction development fees charged by construction manager to real estate assets.
The aggregate cost of real estate for federal income tax purposes was $613,075 as of December 31, 2020.
SCHEDULE III - REAL ESTATE ASSETS AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
DECEMBER 31, 2020
Summary of activity for real estate assets for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, in thousands:
(1) For discussion of the restatement adjustments, see Note 3 - Restatement of Consolidated Financial Statements.