UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008
OR
Commission File Number 001-15663
American Realty Investors, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of
Incorporation or organization)
(IRS Employer
Identification Number)
1800 Valley View Lane, Suite 300
Dallas, Texas
(469) 522-4200
Registrant’s Telephone Number, including area code
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
NONE
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Yes ¨ No x
The aggregate market value of the shares of voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, computed by reference to the closing price at which the common equity was last sold which was the sales price of the Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange as of June 30, 2008 (the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter) was $14,527,019 based upon a total of 1,532,386 shares held as of June 30, 2008 by persons believed to be non-affiliates of the Registrant. The basis of the calculation does not constitute a determination by the Registrant as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, such calculation, if made as of a date within sixty days of this filing, would yield a different value.
As of March 5, 2009, there were 11,237,066 shares of common stock outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
Consolidated Financial Statements of Income Opportunity Realty Investors, Inc.; Commission File No. 001-14784
INDEX TO
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
Item 1.
Business.
Item 1A.
Risk Factors.
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments.
Item 2.
Properties.
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings.
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
Item 5.
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data.
Item 7.
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Item 9.
Item 9A(T).
Controls and Procedures.
Item 9B.
Other Information.
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
Item 11.
Executive Compensation.
Item 12.
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
Item 15.
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
Signature Page
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain Statements in this Form 10-K are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The words “estimate,” “plan,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are found at various places throughout this Report and in the documents incorporated herein by reference. The Company disclaims any intention or obligations to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although we believe that our expectations are based upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our goals will be achieved. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ from estimates or projections contained in any forward-looking statements are described in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors”.
PART I
General
As used herein, the terms “ARL,” “the Company,” “We,” “Our,” or “Us” refer to American Realty Investors, Inc., a Nevada corporation, individually or together with its subsidiaries. The Company’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ARL”. ARL is a “C” corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. ARL was organized in 1999. In August 2000, the Company acquired American Realty Trust, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“ART”) and National Realty LP; a Delaware limited partnership (“NRLP”). ART was the successor to a District of Columbia business trust organized in 1961. The business trust was merged into ART in 1988. NRLP was organized in 1987 and subsequently acquired all of the assets and assumed all of the liabilities of several public and private limited partnerships. NRLP also owned a portfolio of real estate and mortgage loan investments.
ARL subsidiaries own approximately 82.8% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Transcontinental Realty Investors, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“TCI”) whose common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TCI”. TCI owns approximately 24.9% of the outstanding common shares of Income Opportunity Realty Investors, Inc., (“IOT”) whose common stock is traded on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol “IOT”. ARL has consolidated TCI’s accounts and operations since March 2003.
ARL’s contractual Advisor is Prime Income Asset Management, LLC (“Prime”), the sole member of which is Prime Income Asset Management, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“PIAMI”). PIAMI is owned by Realty Advisors, Inc. (“RAI”)(80%) and Syntek West, Inc. (“SWI”)(20%), which is owned by Gene E. Phillips, Realty Advisors, Inc. which is owned by a Trust for the benefit of the children of Gene E. Phillips (the “Trust”). Gene E. Phillips is an officer and director of SWI and serves as a representative of the Trust. While Mr. Phillips is not an officer or director of ARL, he does regularly consult with the executive officers and directors of ARL rendering advice and input with respect to investment decisions affecting ARL. PIAMI, together with its subsidiary, One Realco Holdings, Inc., also owns approximately 15.3% of the common stock of ARL and approximately 7.4% of the Series A 10% cumulative convertible preferred Stock of ARL.
ARL’s Board of Directors represents the Company’s shareholders and is responsible for directing the overall affairs of ARL and for setting the strategic policies that guide the Company. The Board of Directors has delegated the day-to-day management of the Company to Prime Income Asset Management, LLC (“Prime”) under a written advisory agreement that is reviewed annually by ARL’s Board of Directors. Prime’s duties include but are not limited to locating, evaluating and recommending real estate and real estate-related investment opportunities. Prime also arranges, for ARL’s benefit, debt and equity financing with third party lenders and investors. Prime is compensated by ARL under the advisory agreement that is more fully described in Part III, Item 10, “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance”.
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Prime also serves as advisor to TCI. The officers of ARL are also officers of IOT, TCI, and Prime. The directors of ARL also serve as directors of TCI. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of ARL also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of TCI. One director of ARL also serves as a director of IOT. Affiliates of Prime have provided property management services to ARL. Currently, Triad Realty Services, LP. (“Triad”), subcontracts with other entities for property-level management services. The general partner of Triad is Prime Income Asset Management, Inc. (“PIAMI”). The limited partner of Triad is HRS Holdings, LLC (“HRSHLLC”). Triad subcontracts the property-level management and leasing our commercial properties (shopping centers, office buildings, and industrial warehouses) to Regis Realty I, LLC (“Regis I”) which is owned by HRSHLLC. Regis I receives property and construction management fees and leasing commissions in accordance with the terms of its property-level management agreement with Triad. Regis Hotel I, LLC, manages our hotels. The sole member of Regis I and Regis Hotel I, LLC is HRSHLLC.
Regis I is also entitled to receive real estate brokerage commissions in accordance with the terms of the Advisory Agreement as discussed in Part III, Item 10. “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.”
ARL’s primary business is the acquisition, development and ownership of income-producing residential, hotel and commercial real estate properties. In addition, ARL opportunistically acquires land for future development in in-fill or high-growth suburban markets. From time to time and when we believe it appropriate to do so, we will also sell land and income-producing properties. We generate revenues by leasing apartment units to residents; leasing office, industrial and retail space to various for-profit businesses as well as certain local, state and federal agencies; leasing trade show and exhibit space to temporary as well as long-term tenants; and renting hotel rooms to guests. We also generate revenues from gains on sales of income-producing properties and land. At December 31, 2008, our income-producing properties consisted of:
5.9 million rentable square feet of commercial properties, including 20 office buildings, 8 industrial properties, five retail properties, and a 344,975 square foot trade show and exhibit hall,
60 residential apartment communities comprising 11,437 units, and one single family residence; and
Five hotels comprising 808 rooms.
The following table sets forth the location of our real estate held for investment (income-producing properties only) by asset type as of December 31, 2008:
Location
Greater Dallas-Ft Worth, TX
Greater Houston, TX
Midland-Odessa, TX
San Antonio, TX
Tyler, TX
Other Texas
Mississippi
Arkansas
Tennessee
Florida
New Orleans, LA
Indianapolis
Oklahoma
Michigan
Colorado
California
Other
Total
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We finance our acquisitions primarily through operating cash flow, proceeds from the sale of land and income-producing properties and debt financing primarily in the form of property-specific first-lien mortgage loans from commercial banks and institutional lenders. We finance our development projects principally with short-term, variable-rate construction loans that are refinanced with the proceeds of long-term, fixed-rate amortizing mortgages when the development has been completed and occupancy has been stabilized. When we sell properties, we may carry a portion of the sales price generally in the form of a short-term, interest bearing seller-financed note receivable, secured by the property being sold. We may also from time to time enter into partnerships or joint ventures with various investors to acquire land or income-producing properties or to sell interests in certain of our properties.
We partner with various third-party development companies to construct residential apartment communities. The third-party developer typically holds a general partner as well as a limited partner interest in a limited partnership formed for the purpose of building a single property while we generally take a limited partner interest in the limited partnership. We may contribute land to the partnership as part of our equity contribution or we may contribute the necessary funds to the partnership to acquire the land. We are required to fund all required equity contributions while the third-party developer is responsible for obtaining construction financing, hiring a general contractor and for the overall management, successful completion and delivery of the project. We generally bear all the economic risks and rewards of ownership in these partnerships and therefore include these partnerships in our consolidated financial statements. The third-party developer is paid a developer fee typically equal to a percentage of the construction costs. When the project reaches stabilized occupancy, we acquire the third-party developer’s partnership interests in exchange for any remaining unpaid developer fees.
At December 31, 2008, our projects in development included (dollars in thousands):
Property
Savoy of Garland
Dorado Ranch
Mansions of Mansfield
Northside on Travis
Sugar Mill
Our subsidiary, TCI, has formed a number of joint ventures with Icon Partners, LLC (“Icon”) to develop various residential, commercial and mixed-use projects. The subsidiary typically owns 75% of these joint ventures, arranges for and guarantees all debt financing and provides all required equity capital. The terms of the joint ventures also allow our subsidiary to receive its cumulative investment plus a preferred return before Icon receives any equity distribution. Icon provides various development and project management services to the joint ventures and is paid monthly developer fees for those services. We include these joint ventures in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. We have made substantial investments in a number of large tracts of undeveloped and partially developed land and intend to a) continue to improve these tracts of land for our own development purposes or b) make the improvements necessary to ready the land for sale to other developers.
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At December 31, 2008, our investments in undeveloped and partially developed land consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
Primary
Intended Use
Beltline-Geller Road
Circle C Ranch
Dallas North Tollway
Jackson Convention Center
Kaufman County
Las Colinas Multi-Tracts
Mandahl Bay
McKinney Multi-Tracts
Meloy Portage
Mercer Crossing
Pioneer Crossing
Port Olpenitz
Travis Ranch
Valley Ranch
Waco Multi-Tracts
Windmill Farms
Woodmont Multi-Tracts
Subtotal
Other land holdings
Total land holdings
In addition, we own a non-controlling 20% interest in Milano Restaurants International, which operates and franchises several quick service restaurant concepts in California. We use the equity method to account for these investments.
Significant Real Estate Acquisitions/Dispositions and Financings
A summary of some of the significant transactions for the year ended December 31, 2008 are discussed below:
On January 15, 2008, we purchased 4.0 acres of land in Dallas, Texas known as Woodmont TCI XIV, LP for $6.4 million. We financed the transaction with $1.9 million cash, a new mortgage of $4.1 million with a commercial lender and accrued $400,000 in commissions payable and other closing cost. The mortgage is secured by the property and accrues interest at Prime plus 0.75%.
On January 25, 2008, we sold 15 apartment complexes in a single transaction for an aggregate sales price of $98.3 million and recorded a gain on sale of $72.1 million. We received cash of $28.4 million after paying off existing mortgages of $62.1 million, and $7.8 million in commissions and other closing costs.
The properties consisted of:
Forty-Four Hundred Apartments, a 92-unit complex in Midland, Texas;
Arbor Pointe, a 194-unit complex in Odessa, Texas;
Ashton Way, a 178-unit complex in Midland, Texas;
Autumn Chase, a 94-unit complex in Midland, Texas;
Courtyard Apartments, a 133-unit complex in Midland, Texas;
Coventry Point, a 120-unit complex in Midland, Texas;
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Fairway, a 152-unit complex in Longview, Texas;
Fountains at Waterford, a 172-unit complex in Midland, Texas;
Hunters Glen, a 260-unit complex in Midland, Texas;
Southgate, a 180-unit complex in Odessa, Texas;
Sunchase, a 300-unit complex in Odessa, Texas;
Sunset, a 240-unit complex in Midland, Texas;
Thornwood, a 109-unit complex in Odessa, Texas;
Westwood, a 79-unit complex in Odessa, Texas; and
Woodview, a 232-unit complex in Odessa, Texas.
On January 31, 2008, we sold the Lexington office building, a 75,000 square foot commercial building located in Colorado Springs, Colorado for $5.4 million. We received cash of $1.6 million after paying off the existing mortgage of $3.5 million and $300,000 in closing costs. We recorded a $700,000 gain on sale.
On February 6, 2008, we sold the Fairway View apartments, a 264-unit complex located in El Paso, Texas for $10.3 million recording a gain on sale of $6.0 million. We received $4.8 million in cash after paying off the existing mortgage of $5.3 million and closing costs.
On February 14, 2008, we sold the Governors Square apartments, a 169-unit complex located in Tallahassee, Florida for $8.5 million, recording a gain on sale of $5.7 million. We received $4.7 million in cash after paying off the existing mortgage of $2.9 million and $900,000 in closing costs.
On February 14, 2008, we sold three hotels located in Chicago, Illinois in a single transaction for $30.0 million recording a gain on sale of $18.4 million. We received cash of $9.8 million after paying off existing mortgages of $18.5 million and closing costs. The properties consisted of:
City Suites Hotel, a 45-room hotel;
Majestic Hotel, a 55-room hotel; and
Willows Hotel, a 52-room hotel.
On March 28, 2008, we sold all of our shares in S.P. Zoo (a Polish Corporation) for $11.8 million. The sale of the shares represented our 66.67% interest in the Radisson-SAS Hotel Akademia, a 161-room hotel located in Wroclaw, Poland. We received cash of $11.8 million upon sale of our shares and recorded a gain on sale of $7.7 million.
On April 2, 2008, we acquired the Bridgewood Ranch apartments, a 106-unit complex located in Kaufman, Texas for $7.6 million. We financed the purchase with a new mortgage (secured by the property) of $5.1 million, cash of $1.3 million, and $1.2 million in liabilities. The mortgage accrues interest at the higher rate of 6.75% or Prime plus 0.25% and matures in March 31, 2019.
On April 16, 2008, we acquired the Quail Hollow apartments, a 200-unit complex located in Holland, Ohio for $14.1 million. We financed the purchase with a new mortgage (secured by the property) of $11.5 million, cash of $77,000, and $2.6 million in liabilities. The mortgage accrues interest at 7.00% and matures in October 2011.
On June 10, 2008, we sold 20.6 acres of undeveloped land located in Irving, Texas for $7.2 million, recording a $1.9 million gain on sale. We received $2.0 million in cash and provided $2.2 million in seller financing, after paying down $2.9 million in existing debt, and incurring $100,000 in closing costs.
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On June 26, 2008, we purchased the Stanford Centre, a 274,684 square foot commercial building located in Dallas, Texas including 3.1 acres of land, for $38.8 million. We financed the transaction with $11.5 million in cash and a $26.1 million mortgage from a commercial bank. In addition, we incurred $1.2 million in accruals and credits at closing. The note accrues interest at LIBOR plus 3.75% and matures on July 1, 2011.
On July 23, 2008, we purchased 24.1 acres of land known as Las Colinas land located in Irving, Texas for $6.7 million. We financed the transaction with $2.2 million in cash and a $4.5 million mortgage secured by the property. The note accrues interest at Prime plus 4.00% and matures on July 23, 2010.
On July 23, 2008, we purchased 246.0 acres of land known as Windmill Farms Harlan land located in Kaufman County, Texas for $6.8 million. We financed the transaction with $1.3 million cash and seller financing of $5.5 million. The note accrues interest at 2.00% for the first year, 4.00% for the second year and 6.00% for the third year and each year thereafter and matures on July 23, 2013.
On August 12, 2008, we purchased 833.4 acres of land in Forney, Texas known as Travis Ranch land for $18.7 million. We financed the transaction with $2.2 million cash, a $5.8 million loan with a commercial lender and a $7.5 million loan provided by the seller. In addition, we accrued $3.2 million in commissions and closing costs. The commercial note and seller financing both accrue interest at 5.00% and are due upon demand.
On October 10, 2008, we obtained a new $ 8.5 million loan with a commercial lender which was collateralized by the property known as Travis Ranch land. The proceeds were used to pay off the existing $5.8 million loan on Travis Ranch land and to reduce the seller financed loan by $2.7 million. The new loan accrues interest at 17% and is payable on maturity, April 9, 2009.
On October 15, 2008, we sold the Mountain Plaza apartments, a 188-unit complex, located in El Paso, Texas for $7.9 million. We received $1.1 million in cash, after providing seller financing of $1.9 million. The buyer assumed the existing mortgage of $4.9 million secured by the property.
On December 17, 2008, we refinanced the existing mortgage on 22 acres of land known as Hines Land for a new mortgage of $5.0 million receiving $2.6 million in cash after paying down the existing debt of $2.0 million and $400,000 in closing costs. The note accrues interest at 17.0%, and is payable on maturity, June 17, 2009 at which time all accrued and unpaid interest and principal is due.
Business Plan and Investment Policy
Our business objective is to maximize long-term value for our stockholders by investing in commercial real estate through the acquisition, development and ownership of apartments, commercial properties, hotels, and land. We intend to achieve this objective through acquiring and developing properties in multiple markets and operating as an industry-leading landlord. We believe this objective will provide the benefits of enhanced investment opportunities, economies of scale and risk diversification, both in terms of geographic market and real estate product type. We believe our objective will also result in continuing access to favorably priced debt and equity capital. In pursuing our business objective, we seek to achieve a combination of internal and external growth while maintaining a strong balance sheet and employing a strategy of financial flexibility. We maximize the value of our apartments and commercial properties by maintaining high occupancy levels while charging competitive rental rates, controlling costs and focusing on tenant retention. We also pursue attractive development opportunities either directly or in partnership with other investors.
For our portfolio of commercial properties, we generate increased operating cash flow through annual contractual increases in rental rates under existing leases. We also seek to identify best practices within our industry and across our business units in order to enhance cost savings and gain operating efficiencies. We employ capital improvement and preventive maintenance programs specifically designed to reduce operating costs and increase the long-term value of our real estate investments.
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We seek to acquire properties consistent with our business objectives and strategies. We execute our acquisition strategy by purchasing properties which management believes will create stockholder value over the long-term. We will also sell properties when management believes value has been maximized or when a property is no longer considered an investment to be held long-term.
We are continuously in various stages of discussions and negotiations with respect to development, acquisition, and disposition projects. The consummation of any current or future development, acquisition, or disposition, if any, and the pace at which any may be completed cannot be assured or predicted.
Substantially all of our properties are owned by subsidiary companies, many of which are single-asset entities. This ownership structure permits greater access to financing for individual properties and permits flexibility in negotiating a sale of either the asset or the equity interests in the entity owning the asset. From time-to-time, our subsidiaries have invested in joint ventures with other investors, creating the possibility of risks that do not exist with properties solely owned by an ARL subsidiary. In those instances where other investors are involved, those other investors may have business, economic, or other objectives that are inconsistent with our objectives, which may in turn require us to make investment decisions different from those if we were the sole owner.
Real estate generally cannot be sold quickly. We may not be able to promptly dispose of properties in response to economic or other conditions. To offset this challenge, selective dispositions have been a part of our strategy to maintain an efficient investment portfolio and to provide additional sources of capital. We finance acquisitions through non-recourse mortgages, internally generated funds, and, to a lesser extent, property sales. Those sources provide the bulk of funds for future acquisitions. We may purchase properties by assuming existing loans secured by the acquired property. When properties are acquired in such a manner, we customarily seek to refinance the asset in order to properly leverage the asset in a manner consistent with our investment objectives.
Our businesses are not generally seasonal with regard to real estate investments. Our investment strategy seeks both current income and capital appreciation. Our plan of operation is to continue, to the extent our liquidity permits, to make equity investments in income-producing real estate such as hotels, apartments, and commercial properties. We may also invest in the debt or equity securities of real estate-related entities. We intend to pursue higher risk, higher reward investments, such as improved and unimproved land where we can obtain reasonably-priced financing for substantially all of a property’s purchase price. We intend to continue the development of apartment properties in selected markets in Texas and in other locations where we believe adequate levels of demand exist. We intend to pursue sales opportunities for properties in stabilized real estate markets where we believe our properties’ value has been maximized. We also intend to be an opportunistic seller of properties in markets where demand exceeds current supply. Although we no longer actively seek to fund or purchase mortgage loans, we may, in selected instances, originate mortgage loans or we may provide purchase money financing in conjunction with a property sale.
Our Board of Directors has broad authority under our governing documents to make all types of investments, and we may devote available resources to particular investments or types of investments without restriction on the amount or percentage of assets that may be allocated to a single investment or to any particular type of investment, and without limit on the percentage of securities of any one issuer that may be acquired. Investment objectives and policies may be changed at any time by the Board without stockholder approval.
The specific composition from time-to-time of our real estate portfolio owned by ARL directly and through our subsidiaries depends largely on the judgment of management to changing investment opportunities and the level of risk associated with specific investments or types of investments. We intend to maintain a real estate portfolio that is diversified by both location and type of property.
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Competition
The real estate business is highly competitive and we compete with numerous companies engaged in real estate activities (including certain entities described in Part III, Item 13. “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence”), some of which have greater financial resources than ARL. We believe that success against such competition is dependent upon the geographic location of a property, the performance of property-level managers in areas such as leasing and marketing, collection of rents and control of operating expenses, the amount of new construction in the area and the maintenance and appearance of the property. Additional competitive factors include ease of access to a property, the adequacy of related facilities such as parking and other amenities, and sensitivity to market conditions in determining rent levels. With respect to apartments, competition is also based upon the design and mix of the units and the ability to provide a community atmosphere for the residents. With respect to hotels, competition is also based upon the market served, i.e., transient, commercial, or group users. We believe that beyond general economic circumstances and trends, the degree to which properties are renovated or new properties are developed in the competing submarket are also competitive factors. See also Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors”.
To the extent that ARL seeks to sell any of its properties, the sales prices for the properties may be affected by competition from other real estate owners and financial institutions also attempting to sell properties in areas where ARL’s properties are located, as well as aggressive buyers attempting to dominate or penetrate a particular market.
As described above and in Part III, Item 13. “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence”, the officers and directors of ARL serve as officers and directors of TCI, the officers of ARL serve as the officers of IOT and one director of ARL is also a director of IOT. TCI and IOT have business objectives similar to ARL. ARL’s officers and directors owe fiduciary duties to both IOT and TCI as well as to ARL under applicable law. In determining whether a particular investment opportunity will be allocated to ARL, IOT, or TCI, management considers the respective investment objectives of each Company and the appropriateness of a particular investment in light of each Company’s existing real estate and mortgage notes receivable portfolio. To the extent that any particular investment opportunity is appropriate to more than one of the entities, the investment opportunity may be allocated to the entity which has had funds available for investment for the longest period of time, or, if appropriate, the investment may be shared among all three or two of the entities.
In addition, as described in Part III, Item 13. “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence”, ARL competes with affiliates of Prime having similar investment objectives related to the acquisition, development, disposition, leasing and financing of real estate and real estate-related investments. In resolving any potential conflicts of interest which may arise, Prime has informed ARL that it intends to exercise its best judgment as to what is fair and reasonable under the circumstances in accordance with applicable law.
We have historically engaged in and will continue to engage in certain business transactions with related parties, including but not limited to asset acquisitions and dispositions. Transactions revolving related parties cannot be presumed to be carried out on an arm’s length basis due to the absence of free market forces that naturally exist in business dealings between two or more unrelated entities. Related party transactions may not always be favorable to our business and may include terms, conditions and agreements that are not necessarily beneficial to or in the best interests of our company.
Available Information
ARL maintains an Internet site at http://www.amrealtytrust.com. Available through the website, free of charge, are Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, reports filed pursuant to Section 16, and amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, ARL has
posted the charters for the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Governance and Nominating
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Committee, as well as the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Corporate Governance Guidelines on Director Independence, and other information on the website. These charters and principles are not incorporated in this report by reference. ARL will also provide a copy of these documents free of charge to stockholders upon written request. ARL issues Annual Reports containing audited financial statements to its common stockholders.
An investment in our securities involves various risks. All investors should carefully consider the following risk factors in conjunction with the other information in this Report before trading our securities.
Risk Factors Related to our Business
Adverse events concerning our existing tenants or negative market conditions affecting our existing tenants could have an adverse impact on our ability to attract new tenants, release space, collect rent or renew leases, and thus could adversely affect cash flow from operations and inhibit growth.
Cash flow from operations depends in part on the ability to lease space to tenants on economically favorable terms. We could be adversely affected by various facts and events over which the Company has limited or no control, such as:
lack of demand for space in areas where the properties are located;
inability to retain existing tenants and attract new tenants;
oversupply of or reduced demand for space and changes in market rental rates;
defaults by tenants or failure to pay rent on a timely basis;
the need to periodically renovate and repair marketable space;
physical damage to properties;
economic or physical decline of the areas where properties are located; and
potential risk of functional obsolescence of properties over time.
At any time, any tenant may experience a downturn in its business that may weaken its financial condition. As a result, a tenant may delay lease commencement, fail to make rental payments when due, decline to extend a lease upon its expiration, become insolvent or declare bankruptcy. Any tenant bankruptcy or insolvency, leasing delay or failure to make rental payments when due could result in the termination of the tenant’s lease and material losses to the Company.
If tenants do not renew their leases as they expire, we may not be able to rent the space. Furthermore, leases that are renewed, and some new leases for space that is re-let, may have terms that are less economically favorable than expiring lease terms, or may require us to incur significant costs, such as renovations, tenant improvements or lease transaction costs. Any of these events could adversely affect cash flow from operations and our ability to make distributions to shareholders and service indebtedness. A significant portion of the costs of owning property, such as real estate taxes, insurance, and debt service payments, are not necessarily reduced when circumstances cause a decrease in rental income from the properties.
We may not be able to compete successfully with other entities that operate in our industry.
We experience a great deal of competition in attracting tenants for the properties and in locating land to develop and properties to acquire.
In our effort to lease properties, we compete for tenants with a broad spectrum of other landlords in each of the markets. These competitors include, among others, publicly-held REITs, privately-held entities, individual
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property owners and tenants who wish to sublease their space. Some of these competitors may be able to offer prospective tenants more attractive financial terms than we are able to offer.
If the availability of land or high quality properties in our markets diminishes, operating results could be adversely affected.
We may experience increased operating costs which could adversely affect our financial results and the value of our properties.
Our properties are subject to increases in operating expenses such as insurance, cleaning, electricity, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, administrative costs and other costs associated with security, landscaping, repairs, and maintenance of the properties. While some current tenants are obligated by their leases to reimburse us for a portion of these costs, there is no assurance that these tenants will make such payments or agree to pay these costs upon renewal or new tenants will agree to pay these costs. If operating expenses increase in our markets, we may not be able to increase rents or reimbursements in all of these markets to offset the increased expenses, without at the same time decreasing occupancy rates. If this occurs, our ability to make distributions to shareholders and service indebtedness could be adversely affected.
Our ability to achieve growth in operating income depends in part on its ability to develop additional properties.
We intend to continue to develop properties where warranted by market conditions. We have a number of ongoing development and land projects being readied for commencement.
Additionally, general construction and development activities include the following risks:
construction and leasing of a property may not be completed on schedule, which could result in increased expenses and construction costs, and would result in reduced profitability for that property;
construction costs may exceed original estimates due to increases in interest rates and increased cost of materials, labor or other costs, possibly making the property less profitable because of inability to increase rents to compensate for the increase in construction costs;
some developments may fail to achieve expectations, possibly making them less profitable;
we may be unable to obtain, or face delays in obtaining, required zoning, land-use, building, occupancy, and other governmental permits and authorizations, which could result in increased costs and could require us to abandon our activities entirely with respect to a project;
we may abandon development opportunities after the initial exploration, which may result in failure to recover costs already incurred. If we determine to alter or discontinue its development efforts, future costs of the investment may be expensed as incurred rather than capitalized and we may determine the investment is impaired resulting in a loss;
we may expend funds on and devote management’s time to projects which will not be completed; and
occupancy rates and rents at newly-completed properties may fluctuate depending on various factors including market and economic conditions, and may result in lower than projected rental rates and reduced income from operations.
We face risks associated with property acquisitions.
We acquire individual properties and various portfolios of properties and intend to continue to do so. Acquisition activities are subject to the following risks:
when we are able to locate a desired property, competition from other real estate investors may significantly increase the seller’s offering price;
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acquired properties may fail to perform as expected;
the actual costs of repositioning or redeveloping acquired properties may be higher than original estimates;
acquired properties may be located in new markets where we face risks associated with an incomplete knowledge or understanding of the local market, a limited number of established business relationships in the area and a relative unfamiliarity with local governmental and permitting procedures; and
we may be unable to quickly and efficiently integrate new acquisitions, particularly acquisitions of portfolios of properties, into existing operations, and results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
We may acquire properties subject to liabilities and without any recourse, or with limited recourse, with respect to unknown liabilities. However, if an unknown liability was later asserted against the acquired properties, we might be required to pay substantial sums to settle it, which could adversely affect cash flow.
Many of our properties are concentrated in our primary markets and the Company may suffer economic harm as a result of adverse conditions in those markets.
Our properties are located principally in specific geographic areas in the Southwestern United States. The Company’s overall performance is largely dependent on economic conditions in those regions.
We are leveraged and may not be able to meet our debt service obligations.
We had total indebtedness at December 31, 2008 of approximately $1.5 billion. Substantially all assets have been pledged to secure debt. These borrowings increase the risk of loss because they represent a prior claim on assets and most require fixed payments regardless of profitability. Our leveraged position makes us vulnerable to declines in the general economy and may limit the Company’s ability to pursue other business opportunities in the future.
We may not be able to access financial markets to obtain capital on a timely basis, or on acceptable terms.
We rely on proceeds from property dispositions and third party capital sources for a portion of its capital needs, including capital for acquisitions and development. The public debt and equity markets are among the sources upon which the Company relies. There is no guarantee that we will be able to access these markets or any other source of capital. The ability to access the public debt and equity markets depends on a variety of factors, including:
general economic conditions affecting these markets;
our own financial structure and performance;
the market’s opinion of real estate companies in general; and
the market’s opinion of real estate companies that own similar properties.
We may suffer adverse effects as a result of terms and covenants relating to the Company’s indebtedness.
Required payments on our indebtedness generally are not reduced if the economic performance of the portfolio declines. If the economic performance declines, net income, cash flow from operations and cash available for distribution to stockholders may be reduced. If payments on debt cannot be made, we could sustain a loss or suffer judgments, or in the case of mortgages, suffer foreclosures by mortgagees. Further, some obligations contain cross-default and/or cross-acceleration provisions, which means that a default on one obligation may constitute a default on other obligations.
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We anticipate only a small portion of the principal of its debt will be repaid prior to maturity. Therefore, we are likely to refinance a portion of its outstanding debt as it matures. There is a risk that we may not be able to refinance existing debt or the terms of any refinancing will not be as favorable as the terms of the maturing debt. If principal balances due at maturity cannot be refinanced, extended, or repaid with proceeds from other sources, such as the proceeds of sales of assets or new equity capital, cash flow may not be sufficient to repay all maturing debt in years when significant “balloon” payments come due.
Our credit facilities and unsecured debt contain customary restrictions, requirements and other limitations on the ability to incur indebtedness, including total debt to asset ratios, secured debt to total asset ratios, debt service coverage ratios, and minimum ratios of unencumbered assets to unsecured debt, which we must maintain our continued ability to borrow is subject to compliance with financial and other covenants. In addition, failure to comply with such covenants could cause a default under credit facilities, and we may then be required to repay such debt with capital from other sources. Under those circumstances, other sources of capital may not be available, or be available only on unattractive terms.
Our degree of leverage could limit our ability to obtain additional financing or affect the market price of our common stock.
The degree of leverage could affect our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, development or other general corporate purposes. The degree of leverage could also make us more vulnerable to a downturn in business or the general economy.
An increase in interest rates would increase interest costs on variable rate debt and could adversely impact the ability to refinance existing debt.
We currently have, and may incur more, indebtedness that bears interest at variable rates. Accordingly, if interest rates increase, so will the interest costs, which could adversely affect cash flow and the ability to pay principal and interest on our debt and the ability to make distributions to shareholders. Further, rising interest rates could limit our ability to refinance existing debt when it matures.
Unbudgeted capital expenditures or cost overruns could adversely affect business operations and cash flow.
If capital expenditures for ongoing or planned development projects or renovations exceed expectations, the additional cost of these expenditures could have an adverse effect on business operations and cash flow. In addition, we might not have access to funds on a timely basis to pay the unexpected expenditures.
Construction costs are funded in large part through construction financing, which the Company may guarantee and the Company’s obligation to pay interest on this financing continues until the rental project is completed, leased up and permanent financing is obtained, or the for sale project is sold or the construction loan is otherwise paid. Unexpected delays in completion of one or more ongoing projects could also have a significant adverse impact on business operations and cash flow.
We may need to sell properties from time to time for cash flow purposes.
Because of the lack of liquidity of real estate investments generally, our ability to respond to changing circumstances may be limited. Real estate investments generally cannot be sold quickly. In the event that we must sell assets to generate cash flow, we cannot predict whether there will be a market for those assets in the time period desired, or whether we will be able to sell the assets at a price that will allow the Company to fully recoup its investment we may not be able to realize the full potential value of the assets and may incur costs related to the early pay-off of the debt secured by such assets.
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The Company intends to devote resources to the development of new projects.
We plan to continue developing new projects as opportunities arise in the future. Development and construction activities entail a number of risks, including but not limited to the following:
we may abandon a project after spending time and money determining its feasibility;
construction costs may materially exceed original estimates;
the revenue from a new project may not be enough to make it profitable or generate a positive cash flow;
we may not be able to obtain financing on favorable terms for development of a property, if at all;
the Company may not complete construction and lease-ups on schedule, resulting in increased development or carrying costs; and
we may not be able to obtain, or may be delayed in obtaining, necessary governmental permits.
The overall business is subject to all of the risks associated with the real estate industry.
We are subject to all risks incident to investment in real estate, many of which relate to the general lack of liquidity of real estate investments, including, but not limited to:
our real estate assets are concentrated primarily in the Southwest and any deterioration in the general economic conditions of this region could have an adverse effect;
changes in interest rates may make the ability to satisfy debt service requirements more burdensome;
lack of availability of financing may render the purchase, sale or refinancing of a property more difficult or unattractive;
changes in real estate and zoning laws;
increases in real estate taxes and insurance costs;
federal or local economic or rent control;
acts of terrorism, and
hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes and other similar natural disasters.
Real estate investments are illiquid, and the Company may not be able to sell properties if and when it is appropriate to do so.
Real estate generally cannot be sold quickly. We may not be able to dispose of properties promptly in response to economic or other conditions. In addition, provisions of the Internal Revenue Code may limit our ability to sell properties (without incurring significant tax costs) in some situations when it may be otherwise economically advantageous to do so, thereby adversely affecting returns to stockholders and adversely impacting our ability to meet our obligations.
Our performance and value are subject to risks associated with our real estate assets and with the real estate industry.
Our economic performance and the value of our real estate assets, and consequently the value of our securities, are subject to the risk that if our properties do not generate revenues sufficient to meet our operating expenses, including debt service and capital expenditures, our cash flow will be adversely affected. The following factors, among others, may adversely affect the income generated by our properties:
downturns in the national, regional and local economic conditions (particularly increases in unemployment);
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competition from other office, hotel and commercial buildings;
local real estate market conditions, such as oversupply or reduction in demand for office, hotel or other commercial space;
changes in interest rates and availability of financing;
vacancies, changes in market rental rates and the need to periodically repair, renovate and re-let space;
increased operating costs, including insurance expense, utilities, real estate taxes, state and local taxes and heightened security costs;
civil disturbances, earthquakes and other natural disasters, or terrorist acts or acts of war which may result in uninsured or underinsured losses;
significant expenditures associated with each investment, such as debt service payments, real estate taxes, insurance and maintenance costs which are generally not reduced when circumstances cause a reduction in revenues from a property;
declines in the financial condition of our tenants and our ability to collect rents from our tenants; and
decreases in the underlying value of our real estate.
Adverse economic and geopolitical conditions and dislocations in the credit markets could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, and financial condition.
Our business may be affected by market and economic challenges experienced by the U.S. economy or real estate industry as a whole or by the local economic conditions in the markets in which our properties are located, including the current dislocations in the credit markets and general global economic recession. These current conditions, or similar conditions existing in the future, may adversely affect our results of operations, and financial condition as a result of the following, among other potential consequences:
the financial condition of our tenants may be adversely affected which may result in tenant defaults under leases due to bankruptcy, lack of liquidity, operational failures or for other reasons;
significant job losses within our tenants may occur, which may decrease demand for our office space, causing market rental rates and property values to be negatively impacted;
our ability to borrow on terms and conditions that we find acceptable, or at all, may be limited, which could reduce our ability to pursue acquisition and development opportunities and refinance existing debt, reduce our returns from our acquisition and development activities and increase our future interest expense;
reduced values of our properties may limit our ability to dispose of assets at attractive prices or to obtain debt financing secured by our properties and may reduce the availability of unsecured loans; and
one or more lenders could refuse to fund their financing commitment to us or could fail and we may not be able to replace the financing commitment of any such lenders on favorable terms, or at all.
None.
On December 31, 2008, our portfolio consisted of 99 income producing properties consisting of 59 apartments, 34 commercial properties, one single family residence, and five hotels. The apartments have a total of 11,436 units. The commercial properties consist of 20 office buildings, 8 industrial warehouses, five shopping centers, and one merchandise mart which is 344,975 square feet. The five hotels have total of 808 rooms. In addition, we own or control 12,578 acres of improved and unimproved land held for future development or sale. The table below shows information relating to those properties.
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The GNB building which was included in the property detail in 2007 was razed in 2008. Based on the surrounding land values, management determined that the acquisition price of the GNB land and building was due to the value of the land, and not the building. Thus, the value of the building and the cost to raze the building was reallocated to the cost of the land.
Apartments
Anderson Estates
Bay Walk
Blue Lake Villas I
Blue Lake Villas II
Breakwater Bay
Bridges On Kinsey
Bridgestone
Bridgewood Ranch
Capitol Hill
Chateau
Curtis Moore Estates
Dakota Arms
David Jordan Phase II
David Jordan Phase III
Desoto Ranch
Falcon Lakes
Foxwood
Heather Creek
Huntington Ridge
Island Bay
Kingsland Ranch
Laguna Vista
Lake Forest
Legends of El Paso
Longfellow Arms
Marina Landing
Mariposa Villas
Mason Park
Mission Oaks
Monticello Estate
Paramount Terrace
Parc at Clarksville
Parc at Maumelle
Parc at Metro Center
Parc at Rogers
Pecan Pointe
Portofino
Preserve at Pecan Creek
Quail Hollow
Quail Oaks
River Oaks
Riverwalk Phase I
Riverwalk Phase II
Spyglass
Stonebridge at City Park
Treehouse
Verandas at City View
Villager
Vistas of Pinnacle Park
Vistas of Vance Jackson
Westwood
Whispering Pines
Wildflower Villas
Windsong
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Office Buildings
1010 Common
217 Rampart
225 Baronne
305 Baronne
600 Las Colinas
Amoco Building
Browning Place (Park West I)
Cooley Building
Ergon Office Building
Eton Square
Fenton Center (Park West II)
Fruitland Park
One Hickory Center
Parkway North
Sesame Square
Signature Building
Stanford Center
Teleport
Two Hickory Center
Westgrove Air Plaza
Industrial Warehouses
5360 Tulane
Addison Hanger I
Addison Hanger II
Alpenloan
Clark Garage
Space Center
Senlac (VHP)
Thermalloy
Shopping Centers
Bridgeview Plaza
Cross County Mall
Cullman Shopping Center
Dunes Plaza
Willowbrook Village
Merchandise Mart
Denver Merchandise Mart
Single Family Residence
Tavel Circle
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Hotels
Inn at the Mart (Comfort Inn)
Piccadilly—Airport
Piccadilly—Chateau
Piccadilly—Shaw
Piccadilly—University
Apartments Held for Sale
Chateau Bayou
Apartments Subject to Sales Contract
Limestone Canyon
Limestone Ranch
Sendero Ridge
Tivoli
Lease Expiration by Year
Year of Lease Expiration
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Thereafter
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Land
1013 Common St
Ackerley Land
Alliance Airport
Alliance Centurion
Alliance Hickman Bluestar
Archon Land
Audubon
Backlick Land
Beltline 378
Bonneau Land
Centura Land
Chase Oaks Land
Circle C Land
Cooks Lane Land
Creekside
Nicholson Croslin
Crowley
Dalho
Dedeaux
Denham Springs
Denton (Andrew B)
Denton (Andrew C)
Denton Land
Diplomat Drive
Dominion Tract
Elm Fork Land
Ewing 8
Folsom Land
Fortune Drive
Galleria East Center Retail
Galleria West Lofts
GNB Land
Hines Meridian
Hollywood Casino (Dominion)
Hollywood Casino Land
HSM Cummings
Hunter Equities Land
JHL Connell
Kaufman—Adams
Kaufman—Bridgewood
Kaufman—Cogen Land
Kaufman—Stagliano
Kaufman—Taylor
Keenan Bridge Land
Keller Springs Lofts
Kelly Lots
KinWest
Lacy Longhorn Land
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LaDue/Walker Land
Lake Shore Villas
Lamar/Palmer Land
Las Colinas—Walnut Hill
Las Colinas (Cigna)
Las Colinas Apts/Lofts
Las Colinas High Rise Apartments
Las Colinas High Rise Office
Las Colinas Townhomes
LCLLP (Kinwest/Hackberry)
Leone Land
Limestone Canyon II
Lubbock Land
Luna (Carr)
Luna Ventures
Mandahl Bay Land
Manhattan Land
Mansfield Land
Marine Creek
Mason/Goodrich Land
McKinney 36
McKinney Corners II
McKinney Ranch Land
Meloy/Portage Land
Nashville Land
Nicholson Mendoza
Ocean Estates
Pac Trust Land
Palmer Lane (Las Praderas)
Pantaze Land
Payne Land
Polo Estates At Bent Tree
Port Olpenitz GmBH
Pulaski Land
Ridgepoint Drive
Seminary West Land
Senlac Land
Sheffield Village
Sisikiyou County Land
Sladek Land
Southwood Plantation
Southwood Plantation 1394
Stanley Tools
Texas Plaza Land
Thompson Land I
Thompson Land II
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Tomlin Land
Travis Ranch Land
Union Pacific Railroad Land
Valley Ranch Land
Valley View (Hutton/Senlac)
Valley View 34 (Mercer Crossing)
Valley View/Senlac
Valwood
Vineyards
Vineyards II
W Hotel
Waco 151 Land
Waco Swanson
Walker Land
West End Land
Whorton Land
Willowick Land
Wilmer 88
Windmill Farms—Harlan Land
Windmill Farms I
The ownership of property and provision of services to the public as tenants entails an inherent risk of liability. Although the Company and its subsidiaries are involved in various items of litigation incidental to and in the ordinary course of its business, in the opinion of Management, the outcome of such litigation will not have a material adverse impact upon the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held on November 20, 2008, at which proxies were solicited pursuant to Regulation 14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). There was no solicitation in opposition to Management’s nominees listed in the Proxy Statement, all of which were elected. At the Annual Meeting, stockholders were asked to consider and vote upon the election of Directors and the ratification of the selection of the independent public accountants for ARL for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009. At the Meeting, stockholders elected the following individuals as Directors:
Director
Henry A. Butler
Sharon Hunt
Robert A. Jakuszewski
Ted R. Munselle
Ted P. Stokely
There were no abstentions or broker non-votes on the election of Directors. With respect to the ratification of the appointment of Farmer, Fuqua & Huff, P.C. as independent auditors of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008, and any interim period, at least 10,227,672 votes were received in favor of such proposal, 7,599 votes were received against such proposal, and 11,104 votes abstained.
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PART II
ARL’s common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ARL”. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices as reported in the consolidated reporting system of the New York Stock Exchange.
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
On March 5, 2009, the closing market price of ARL’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $10.75 per share, and was held by approximately 2,752 stockholders of record.
During the second quarter of 1999, the Board of Directors established the policy that dividend declarations on ARL’s common stock would be determined on an annual basis following the end of each year. In accordance with that policy, the Board determined not to pay any dividends on common stock in 2008, 2007 or 2006. Future distributions to common stockholders will be dependent upon ARL’s realized income, financial condition, capital requirements and other factors deemed relevant by the Board.
Under ARL’s Amended Articles of Incorporation, 15,000,000 shares of Series A 10.0% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock are authorized with a par value of $2.00 per share and a liquidation preference of $10.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends. Dividends are payable at the annual rate of $1.00 per share, or $.25 per share quarterly, to stockholders of record on the last day of each March, June, September, and December, when and as declared by the Board of Directors. The Series A Preferred Stock may be converted into common stock at 90.0% of the average daily closing price of ARL’s common stock for the prior 20 trading days. At December 31, 2008, 3,390,913 shares of Series A Preferred Stock were outstanding and 869,808 shares were reserved for issuance as future consideration in various business transactions. Of the outstanding shares, 300,000 shares are owned by ART Edina, Inc., and 600,000 shares are owned by ART Hotel Equities, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of ARL. Dividends are not paid on the shares owned by ARL subsidiaries.
Under ARL’s Amended Articles of Incorporation, 231,750 shares of Series C Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock are authorized with a par value of $2.00 per share and liquidation preference of $100.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends. The Series C Preferred Stock bears a quarterly dividend of $2.50 per share to stockholders of record on the last day of March, June, September and December when and as declared by the Board of Directors. The Series C Preferred Stock is reserved for conversion of the Class A limited partner units of ART Palm, L.P. (“Art Palm”). At December 31, 2008, 6,813,750 Class A units were outstanding. The Class A units may be exchanged for Series C Preferred Stock at the rate of 100 Class A units for each share of Series C Preferred Stock. After December 31, 2006, all outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock may be converted into ARL common stock. All conversions of Series C Preferred Stock into ARL common stock will be at 90.0% of the average daily closing price of ARL’s common stock for the prior 20 trading days. At December 31, 2008, no shares of Series C Preferred Stock were outstanding.
Under ARL’s Amended Articles of Incorporation, 91,000 shares of Series D 9.50% Cumulative Preferred Stock are authorized with a par value of $2.00 per share, and a liquidation preference of $20.00 per share. Dividends are payable at the annual rate of $1.90 per year or $.475 per quarter to stockholders of record on the last day of each March, June, September and December when and as declared by the Board of Directors. The
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Series D Preferred Stock is reserved for the conversion of the Class A limited partner units of Ocean Beach Partners, L.P. The Class A units may be exchanged for Series D Preferred Stock at the rate of 20 Class A units for each share of Series D Preferred Stock. At March 5, 2008, no shares of Series D Preferred Stock were outstanding.
Under ARL’s Amended Articles of Incorporation, 500,000 shares of Series E 6.0% Cumulative Preferred Stock are authorized with a par value $2.00 per share and a liquidation preference of $10.00 per share. Dividends are payable at the annual rate of $.60 per share or $.15 per quarter to stockholders of record on the last day of each March, June, September and December when and as declared by the Board of Directors. At March 5, 2009, no Series E Preferred Stock were outstanding.
As an instrument amendatory to ARL’s Amended Articles of Incorporation, 100,000 shares of Series J 8% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock have been designated pursuant to a Certificate of Designation filed March 16, 2006, with a par value of $2.00 per share, and a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. Dividends are payable at the annual rate of $80 per share, or $20 per quarter, to stockholders of record on the last day of each of March, June, September and December, when and as declared by the Board of Directors. Although the Series J 8% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock has been designated, no shares have been issued as of March 5, 2009.
The following table sets forth information regarding purchases made by ARL of shares of ARL common stock on a monthly basis during the fourth quarter of 2008:
Period
Balance at September 30
October, 2008
November, 2008
December, 2008
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Performance Graph
The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on ARL’s shares of common stock with the Dow Jones Equity Market Index (“Dow Jones US Total Market”) and the Dow Jones Real Estate Investment Index (“Dow Jones US Real Estate”). The comparison assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2003 in shares of common stock and in each of the indices and further assumes the reinvestment of all dividends. Past performance is not necessarily an indicator of future performance.
American Realty Investors Inc.
Dow Jones US
Dow Jones US Real Estate
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EARNINGS DATA
Total operating revenues
Total operating expenses
Operating (loss) income
Other expenses
Loss before gain on land sales, minority interest, and income taxes
Gain on land sales
Minority interest
Income tax benefit
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
Net income from discontinuing operations , net of minority interest
Net income
Preferred dividend requirement
Net income applicable to common shares
PER SHARE DATA
Earnings per share - basic
Income (loss) from continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Weighted average common share used in computing earnings per share
Earnings per share - diluted
Weighted average common share used in computing diluted earnings per share
BALANCE SHEET DATA
Real Estate, net
Notes and interest receivable, net
Total assets
Notes and interest payables
Stock-secured noted payable
Stockholders’ equity
Book value per share
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The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report.
This Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, principally, but not only, under the captions “Business,” “Risk Factors,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” We caution investors that any forward-looking statements in this report, or which management may make orally or in writing from time to time, are based on management’s beliefs and on assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. When used, the words “anticipate,”, “believe,”, “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “estimate,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “result” and similar expressions which do not relate solely to historical matters are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions and are not guarantees of future performance, which may be affected by known and unknown risks, trends, uncertainties, and factors, that are beyond our control. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated, or projected. We caution you that, while forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs when we make them, they are not guarantees of future performance and are impacted by actual events when they occur after we make such statements. We expressly disclaim any responsibility to update our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Accordingly, investors should use caution in relying on past forward-looking statements, which are based on results and trends at the time they are made, to anticipate future results or trends.
Some of the risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:
general risks affecting the real estate industry (including, without limitation, the inability to enter into or renew leases, dependence on tenants’ financial condition, and competition from other developers, owners and operators of real estate);
risks associated with the availability and terms of financing and the use of debt to fund acquisitions and developments;
failure to manage effectively our growth and expansion into new markets or to integrate acquisitions successfully;
risks and uncertainties affecting property development and construction (including, without limitation, construction delays, cost overruns, inability to obtain necessary permits and public opposition to such activities);
risks associated with downturns in the national and local economies, increases in interest rates, and volatility in the securities markets;
costs of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other similar laws and regulations;
potential liability for uninsured losses and environmental contamination;
risks associated with our dependence on key personnel whose continued service is not guaranteed; and
the other risk factors identified in this Form 10-K, including those described under the caption “Risk Factors.”
The risks included here are not exhaustive. Other sections of this report, including Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors,” include additional factors that could adversely affect our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of
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all such risk factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Investors should also refer to our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for future periods and current reports on Form 8-K as we file them with the SEC, and to other materials we may furnish to the public from time to time through Forms 8-K or otherwise.
Overview
ARL was organized in 1999. In August 2000, ARL acquired American Realty Trust, Inc. (“ART”) and National Realty, L.P. (“NRLP”). ART was the successor to a business trust organized in 1961 to provide investors with a professionally managed, diversified portfolio of real estate and mortgage loan investments selected to provide opportunities for capital appreciation as well as current income. The business trust merged into ART in 1987. ART owns a portfolio of real estate and mortgage loan investments. NRLP was organized in 1987, and subsequently acquired all of the assets and assumed all of the liabilities of 35 public and private limited partnerships. NRLP also owned a portfolio of real estate and mortgage loan investments.
ARL subsidiaries own approximately 82.8% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Transcontinental Realty Investors, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“TCI”), which has its common stock listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (“NYSE”). ARL has consolidated TCI’s accounts and operations since March 31, 2003. At December 31, 2007, TCI owned approximately 24.9% of the outstanding common stock of Income Opportunity Realty Investors, Inc., (“IOT”), a public company whose shares are listed and traded on the American Stock Exchange.
Approximately 76% of ARL’s common stock is owned by Realty Advisors and its subsidiaries( Prime, Inc, and OneRealco Stock Holdings, Inc.). Other affiliated companies own approximately 12% of ARL’s outstanding common shares. ARL is a “C Corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes and files an annual consolidated income tax return with TCI. ARL does not qualify as a Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”) for federal income tax purposes primarily due to ARL’s majority ownership of the Company. In addition, TCI owns 276,972 shares of common stock of ARL.
ARL is an externally advised and managed real estate investment company that owns a diverse portfolio of income-producing properties and land held for development. The Company’s portfolio of income-producing properties includes residential apartment communities, office buildings, hotels, a trade mart located in Denver, Colorado and other commercial properties. ARL’s investment strategy includes acquiring existing income-producing properties as well as developing new properties on land already owned or acquired for a specific development project. ARL acquires land primarily in in-fill locations or high-growth suburban markets. ARL is an active buyer and seller and during 2008 acquired over $119 million and sold over $179 million of land and income-producing properties. As of December 31, 2008, the Company owned approximately 11,437 units in 59 residential apartment communities, one single family residential, 34 commercial properties comprising almost 5.9 million rentable square feet and five hotels containing a total of 808 rooms. In addition, ARL owned 12,578 acres of land held for development and 5 projects under construction. The Company currently owns income-producing properties and land in 20 states as well as in the U.S. Virgin Islands. ARL finances its acquisitions primarily through operating cash flow, proceeds from the sale of land and income-producing properties and debt financing primarily in the form of property-specific first-lien mortgage loans from commercial banks and institutional lenders. ARL finances it development projects principally with short-term, variable interest rate construction loans that are converted to long-term, fixed rate amortizing mortgages when the development project is completed and occupancy has been stabilized. The Company will, from time to time, also enter into partnerships with various investors to acquire income-producing properties or land and to sell interests in certain of its wholly owned properties. When the Company sells assets, it may carry a portion of the sales price generally in the form of a short-term, interest bearing seller-financed note receivable. The Company generates operating revenues primarily by leasing apartment units to residents; leasing office, retail and industrial space to
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commercial tenants; and renting hotel rooms to guests. ARL is advised by Prime under a contractual arrangement that is reviewed annually by ARL’s Board of Directors. ARL’s commercial properties are managed by Regis Commercial while the Company’s hotels are managed by Regis Hotel. ARL currently contracts with five third-party companies to manage the Company’s apartment communities.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, requires management to use judgment in the application of accounting policies, including making estimates and assumptions. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. These judgments affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. If our judgment or interpretation of the facts and circumstances relating to various transactions had been different, it is possible that different accounting policies would have been applied resulting in a different presentation of our financial statements. From time to time, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions. In the event estimates or assumptions prove to be different from actual results, adjustments are made in subsequent periods to reflect more current information. Below is a discussion of accounting policies that we consider critical in that they may require complex judgment in their application or require estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain.
Real Estate
Upon acquisitions of real estate, ARL assesses the fair value of acquired tangible and intangible assets, including land, buildings, tenant improvements, “above” and “below-market” leases, origination costs, acquired in-place leases, other identified intangible assets and assumed liabilities in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 141, “Business Combinations” and allocates the purchase price to the acquired assets and assumed liabilities, including land at appraised value and buildings at replacement cost.
We assess and consider fair value based on estimated cash flow projections that utilize appropriate discount and/or capitalization rates, as well as available market information. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a number of factors including the historical operating results, known and anticipated trends, and market and economic conditions. The fair value of the tangible assets of an acquired property considers the value of the property as if it were vacant. We also consider an allocation of purchase price of other acquired intangibles, including acquired in-place leases that may have a customer relationship intangible value, including (but not limited to) the nature and extent of the existing relationship with the tenants, the tenants’ credit quality and expectations of lease renewals. Based on our acquisitions to date, our allocation to customer relationship intangible assets has been immaterial.
We record acquired “above” and “below market” leases at their fair values (using a discount rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) equal to the difference between (1) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to each in-place lease and (2) management’s estimate of fair market lease rates for each corresponding in-place lease, measured over a period equal to the remaining term of the lease for above-market leases and the initial term plus the term of any below-market fixed rate renewal options for below-market leases.
Other intangible assets acquired include amounts for in-place lease values that are based on our evaluation of the specific characteristics of each tenant’s lease. Factors to be considered include estimates of carrying costs during hypothetical expected lease-up periods considering current market conditions, and costs to execute similar leases. In estimating carrying costs, we include real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses and estimates of lost rentals at market rates during the expected lease-up periods, depending on local market conditions. In estimating costs to execute similar leases, we consider leasing commissions, legal and other related expenses.
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Real estate is stated at depreciated cost. The cost of buildings and improvements includes the purchase price of property, legal fees and other acquisition costs. Costs directly related to the development of properties are capitalized. Capitalized development costs include interest, property taxes, insurance, and other project costs incurred during the period of development.
Management reviews its long-lived assets used in operations for impairment when there is an event or change in circumstances that indicates impairment in value. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of its assets is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. If such impairment is present, an impairment loss is recognized based on the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its fair value. The evaluation of anticipated cash flows is highly subjective and is based in part on assumptions regarding future occupancy, rental rates and capital requirements that could differ materially from actual results in future periods.
SFAS No. 144 requires that qualifying assets and liabilities and the results of operations that have been sold, or otherwise qualify as “held for sale”, be presented as discontinued operations in all periods presented if the property operations are expected to be eliminated and the Company will not have significant continuing involvement following the sale. The components of the property’s net income that is reflected as discontinued operations include the net gain (or loss) upon the disposition of the property held for sale, operating results, depreciation and interest expense (if the property is subject to a secured loan). We generally consider assets to be “held for sale” when the transaction has been approved by our Board of Directors, or a committee thereof, and there are no known significant contingencies relating to the sale, such that the property sale within one year is considered probable. Following the classification of a property as “held for sale”, no further depreciation is recorded on the assets.
A variety of costs are incurred in the acquisition, development and leasing of properties. After determination is made to capitalize a cost, it is allocated to the specific component of a project that is benefited. Determination of when a development project is substantially complete and capitalization must cease involves a degree of judgment. Our capitalization policy on development properties is guided by SFAS No. 34 “Capitalization of Interest Cost” and SFAS No. 67 “Accounting for Costs and the Initial Rental Operations of Real Estate Properties”. The costs of land and buildings under development include specifically identifiable costs. The capitalized costs include pre-construction costs essential to the development of the property, development costs, construction costs, interest costs, real estate taxes, salaries and related costs and other costs incurred during the period of development. We consider a construction project as substantially completed and held available for occupancy upon the receipt of certificates of occupancy, but no later than one year from cessation of major construction activity. We cease capitalization on the portion (1) substantially completed and (2) occupied or held available for occupancy, and we capitalize only those costs associated with the portion under construction.
Investment in Unconsolidated Real Estate Ventures
Except for ownership interests in variable interest entities, ARL accounts for our investments in unconsolidated real estate ventures under the equity method of accounting because the Company exercises significant influence over, but does not control, these entities. These investments are recorded initially at cost, as investments in unconsolidated real estate ventures, and subsequently adjusted for equity in earnings and cash contributions and distributions. Any difference between the carrying amount of these investments on the Company’s balance sheet and the underlying equity in net assets is amortized as an adjustment to equity in earnings of unconsolidated real estate ventures over the life of the related asset. Under the equity method of accounting, ARL’s net equity is reflected within the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and our share of net income or loss from the joint ventures is included within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The joint venture agreements may designate different percentage allocations among investors for profits and losses; however, ARL’s recognition of joint venture income or loss generally follows the joint venture’s distribution priorities, which may change upon the achievement of certain investment return thresholds. For ownership interests in variable interest entities, the Company consolidates those in which we are the primary beneficiary.
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Recognition of Rental Income
Rental income for commercial property leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the respective lease terms. In accordance with SFAS No. 141, we recognize rental revenue of acquired in-place “above” and “below market” leases at their fair values over the terms of the respective leases. On our Consolidated Balance Sheets, we include as a receivable the excess of rental income recognized over rental payments actually received pursuant to the terms of the individual commercial lease agreements.
Reimbursements of operating costs, as allowed under most of our commercial tenant leases, consist of amounts due from tenants for common area maintenance, real estate taxes and other recoverable costs, and are recognized as revenue in the period in which the recoverable expenses are incurred. We record these reimbursements on a “gross” basis, since we generally are the primary obligor with respect to purchasing goods and services from third-party suppliers, have discretion in selecting the supplier and have the credit risk with respect to paying the supplier.
Rental income for residential property leases is recorded when due from residents and is recognized monthly as earned, which is not materially different than on a straight-line basis as lease terms are generally for periods of one year or less.
For hotel properties, revenues for room sales and guest services are recognized as rooms are occupied and services are rendered.
An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded for all past due rents and operating expense reimbursements considered to be uncollectible.
Revenue Recognition on the Sale of Real Estate
Sales of real estate are recognized when and to the extent permitted by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 66, “Accounting for Sales of Real Estate” (“SFAS No. 66”), as amended by SFAS No. 144. Until the requirements of SFAS No. 66 for full profit recognition have been met, transactions are accounted for using the deposit, installment, cost recovery or financing method, whichever is appropriate. When ARL provides seller financing, gain is not recognized at the time of sale unless the buyer’s initial investment and continuing investment are deemed to be adequate as determined by SFAS No. 66 guidelines.
Non-performing Notes Receivable
ARL considers a note receivable to be non-performing when the maturity date has passed without principal repayment and the borrower is not making interest payments. Any new note receivable that results from a modification or extension of a note considered non-performing will also be considered non-performing, without regard to the borrower’s adherence to payment terms.
Interest Recognition on Notes Receivable
Interest income is not recognized on notes receivable that have been delinquent for 60 days or more. In addition, accrued but unpaid interest income is only recognized to the extent that the net realizable value of the underlying collateral exceeds the carrying value of the receivable.
Allowance for Estimated Losses
A valuation allowance is provided for estimated losses on notes receivable considered to be impaired. Impairment is considered to exist when it is probable that all amounts due under the terms of the note will not be collected. Valuation allowances are provided for estimated losses on notes receivable to the extent that the investment in the note exceeds management’s estimate of fair value of the collateral securing such note.
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Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The following assumptions were used in estimating the fair value of our notes receivable, marketable equity securities and notes payable. For performing notes receivable, the fair value was estimated by discounting future cash flows using current interest rates for similar loans. For non-performing notes receivable, the estimated fair value of our interest in the collateral property was used. For marketable equity securities, fair value was based on the year-end closing market price of each security. For notes payable, the fair value was estimated using current rates for mortgages with similar terms and maturities.
Results of Operations
The discussion of our results of operations is based on management’s review of operations, which is based on our segments. Our segments consist of apartments, commercial buildings, hotels, land and other. For discussion purposes, we break these segments down into the following sub-categories; same property portfolio, acquired properties, and developed properties in the lease-up phase. The same property portfolio consists of properties that were held by us for the entire period for both years being compared. The acquired property portfolio consists of properties that we acquired but have not held for the entire period for both periods being compared. Developed properties in the lease-up phase consist of completed projects that are being leased-up. As we complete each phase of the project, we lease up that phase and include those revenues in our continued operations. Once a developed property becomes leased up (80% or more) and is held the entire period for both years; under comparison it is considered to be included in the same property portfolio. Income producing properties that we have sold during the year are reclassified to discontinuing operations for all periods presented.
The following discussion is based on our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 as included in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this report. The prior year’s property portfolios have been adjusted for subsequent sales. Continue operations relates to income producing properties that were held during those years as adjusted for sales in the subsequent years.
At December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, we owned or had interests in a portfolio (the Total Property Portfolio) of 99, 110, and 130 income producing properties, respectively. For discussion purposes, we broke this out between continued operations and discontinued operations. The total property portfolio represents all income producing properties held as of December 31 for the year end presented. Sales subsequent to year end represent properties that were held as of year end for the years presented, but sold in the next year. Continuing operations represents all properties that have not been reclassed to discontinued operations as of December 31, 2008 for the year presented. The table below shows the number of income producing properties held by year.
Continued operations
Sales subsequent to year end
Total property portfolio
Comparison of the year ended December 31, 2008 to the same period ended December 31, 2007;
Our net income applicable to common shares decreased $3.9 million as compared to the prior year. The current year net income applicable to common shares was $20.1 million, which includes gain on land sales of $5.6 million and net income from discontinued operations, net of minority interest of $67.2 million, as compared to prior year net income applicable to common shares of $24.1 million, which includes gain on land sales of $20.4 million and net income from discontinued operations, net of minority interest of $30.6 million.
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Revenues
Rental revenues increased by $12.5 million which by segment is an increase in apartment revenues of $12.9 million and land of $2.3 million, offset by a decrease in our hotels of $1.6 million and a decrease in our land and other segment of $1.1 million. Within our apartment portfolio, the majority of the increase came from our developed properties in the lease up phase which increased $11.5 million. Our acquisition of Bridgewood apartments accounted for $0.7 million of the increase with the remaining increase coming from our same property portfolio. We have increased occupancies within our apartment portfolio and there is an overall increased demand for new apartments. Our land portfolio revenues increased as a result of the temporary increase in oil and gas prices. We receive royalty revenues from some of our land holdings. Revenues from our same hotel portfolio are down due to decreased stays, which we attribute to the current state of the economy.
Expenses
Property operating expenses increased by $10.8 million, which by segment is an increase in our apartments of $9.3 million, an increase in our commercial properties of $1.3 million, an increase in our land and other segments of $0.7 million, offset by a decrease in our hotels of $0.5 million. Within the apartment portfolio, the same apartment properties increase of $2.4 million is due to an increase in overall costs and additional repairs and maintenance. The developed apartments increased expenses by $6.5 million, and the current year acquisition increased expenses by $0.4 million. The increase within the commercial portfolio was due to an increase from acquired properties of $3.1 million, offset by a decrease in our same property portfolio of $1.8. The increase within our land and other portfolios is due to the continued increase in land holding costs. The decrease in our hotel portfolio is due to the decrease in variable costs that are directly associated with stays within the hotel.
Depreciation expense increased by $3.5 million, which by segment is $3.1 million due to our apartments, $0.4 million due to our commercial buildings, and $0.2 million due to our hotels, offset by a decrease in our land holdings of $0.2 million. The increase within our apartment portfolio was due to increases in our same properties of $1.4 million, acquired properties of $0.2 million and developed properties of $1.5 million. The same apartment property portfolio increase due to depreciation on newly capitalized items. Developed apartment properties are depreciated as we complete each phase and lease up the properties.
Other income (expense)
Interest income increased by $2.2 million, the increase is due to receipt of interest income on the Unified Housing Foundation, Inc. notes receivables. These receivables are excess cash flow notes. As such, we do not record interest income on the receivable, unless we receive cash payments.
We had an increase in our interest expense of $3.5 million, which by segment is an increase in our apartment portfolio of $6.8 million, an increase in our commercial portfolio of $0.8 million and an increase in our other portfolio of $0.6 million; which is offset by a decrease in our hotel portfolio of $0.9 million and a decrease in our land portfolio of $3.8 million. The increase within our apartment portfolio is mainly due to the increase within our developed properties in the lease up phase of $6.0 million. During the construction phase the interest expense is capitalized. When the properties are completed and begin lease up, the interest is expensed. The remaining increase is $0.3 million from our acquired properties and $0.5 million in additional expense from our same property portfolio. Within our commercial portfolio we had an increase of $0.9 million from our same properties, offset by a decrease in our acquired properties due to the decrease in variable rates tied to Prime. The decreased interest expense within our hotels was due to the rates being tied to Prime, and the decreased Prime rate. The decrease in our land and other portfolios is primarily due to the sale of properties and the disposition of the debt upon sale.
Earnings from unconsolidated subsidiaries and investees were a loss of $1.9 million. This represents our portion of income (equity pickup) for unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures. These investees posted an aggregate loss for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008.
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Involuntary conversion decreased by $34.8 million. There were no involuntary conversions in the current year. The prior year gain on involuntary conversion relates to the collection of insurance proceeds in 2007 for the damage sustained at our New Orleans commercial properties from hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Provision for allowance on notes receivable and impairment was $12.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008. We recorded a $5.0 million allowance for doubtful receivables and a $7.4 million allowance for doubtful collectability of certain investments within our portfolio. In 2007, we wrote down the Executive Court apartments for $0.2 million and the Encon Warehouse for $0.8 million.
Litigation settlement expense decreased as compared to the prior year. The majority of the decrease was due recording a $1.3 million in expense related to the settlement of the Sunset litigation that was not previously accrued in the prior year. The Sunset litigation was settled September 18, 2007.
Gain on land sales has decreased by $14.9 million. The current state of the banking industry has significantly impacted the banks willingness to originate loans. Land loans seem to be more sensitive to this than most other types of loans. We have found it difficult to complete land transactions with third parties, as the banks willingness and/or ability to fund land transactions seems limited. The current economic conditions have resulted in fewer land transactions in the current year.
Discontinued operations relates to properties that were either sold or held for sale as of the year ended December 31, 2008. Included in discontinued operations are a total of 28 and 41 properties as of 2008 and 2007, respectively. Properties sold in 2008 that were held in 2007 have been reclassified to discontinued operations for 2007. In 2008, we had one property, Chateau Bayou apartments, pending sale, and sold 27 properties which consisted of 20 apartment complexes (Arbor Pointe, Ashton Way, Autumn Chase, Courtyard, Coventry Pointe, Fairways, Forty-Four Hundred, Fountains at Waterford, Hunters Glen, Southgate, Sunchase, Thornwood, Westwood Square, Woodview, Fairway View Estate, Willow Creek, Fountain Lake, Mountain Plaza, Sunset, and Governors Square), three commercial buildings (Lexington Center, Executive Court, and Encon Warehouse), and four hotels (City Suites, Majestic Inn, Willow, and Hotel Akademia). In 2007, we sold 13 income producing properties which consists of nine apartments (Bluff at Vista Ridge, Somerset, El Chapparral, Harper’s Ferry, Oak Park IV, Med Villa, Villa Del Mar, Arlington Place, and Woodlake), three commercial buildings (Forum office building, Durham Center, Four Hickory), and one hotel (Atlantic Sands). The gain on sale of the properties is also included in discontinued operations for those years as shown in the table below (dollars in thousands).
Revenue
Rental
Property operations
Interest
General and administration
Depreciation
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations before gains on sale of real estate, taxes, fees and minority interest
Gain on sale of discontinued operations
Net income/sales fee to affiliate
Equity of investees gain on sale
Income from discontinued operations, net of minority interest before tax
Tax expense
Income from discontinued operations, net of minority interest
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Comparison of the year ended December 31, 2007 to the same period ended December 31, 2006;
We had an increase in our rental and other property revenues of $27.3 million, which by segment is an increase in the apartment portfolio of $7.8 million, an increase in the commercial portfolio of $23.8 million, and increase in the Hotel portfolio of $0.4 million, offset by decreases in the land and other portfolios of $0.7 million in aggregate. Within the apartment portfolio, the same properties increased by $1.3 million and the developed properties in the lease up phase increased by $6.5 million. The occupancy rates in our same properties remains strong and we continue to see a growing demand for new apartments. Within our commercial portfolio, the acquired properties increased by $19.8 million, offset by decreases in the same properties of $4.0 million. The purchase of Browning Place and Fenton Centre (formerly known as Park West One and Two) in 2007 attributed to the increase from the acquired properties, while the majority of the decrease in the same properties was due to a loss of a significant tenant.
We had an increase in our property operating expenses of $13.0 million as compared to prior period, which by segment is an increase in the apartments of $3.9 million, an increase in the commercial of $10.1 million, an increase in other of $2.1 million, offset by a decrease in hotel and land of $1.9 million and $1.2 million respectively. Within the apartment portfolio, the vast majority of the increase is due to the developed apartments in the lease up phase. We continue to complete phases and start up operations. Within the commercial portfolio, the vast majority of the increase is due to the acquisition of the purchase of Browning Place and Fenton Centre. We acquired these properties in January 2007. The increase in the hotel properties is from the same property portfolio.
We had an increase in depreciation and amortization expense of $1.9 million, which by segment is an increase in apartments of $0.5 million and an increase in commercial of $1.4 million. The increase within our apartment portfolio is due to the additional depreciation from our developed properties in the lease up phase. Within our commercial portfolio of $2.6 million of the increase is from the acquisition of Browning Place and Fenton Centre, which is offset by a decrease in our same properties of $1.2 million.
General and administrative expenses increased $7.3 million. The majority of the increase is from $2.0 million in legal fees included in 2007, not included in 2006. The 2006 amount also includes credits for litigation reimbursements of $3.3 million. In addition, the reimbursement costs to the advisor were higher in 2007 than in 2006.
Advisory fees to affiliate increased by $2.2 million. The increase in fees was due to higher gross assets in 2007 than in 2006.
We had an increase in interest expense of $21.6 million as compared to prior period. The increase is due to new loans on acquisitions, refinancings, and changes in variable rate debt. The breakdown by segment is an increase in apartments of $4.6 million, an increase in commercial of $6.5 million, an increase in hotels of $2.6 million, an increase in land of $3.4 million, and in increase in other of $4.5 million. The increase in the apartment portfolio is due to interest expense on the developed properties in the lease up phase. As phases of the properties are completed and begin lease up the previously capitalized interest is expensed. The increase of $6.5 million in the commercial portfolio is due to the acquisition of the Browning Place and Fenton Centre (formerly known as Park West One and Two buildings). The increase in the hotel portfolio is due to refinancing the existing debt on three of the four Piccadilly hotels; known as the Shaw, Chateau, and Airport. The increase within the land portfolio is due to the acquisition of properties and refinancing of existing debt.
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Gain on involuntary conversion increased by $14.3 million. The gain relates to the collection of insurance proceeds of $34.7 million and $20.5 million from the damages sustained at our New Orleans commercial properties from Hurricane Katrina during 2005 during the years ended 2007 and 2006, respectively.
In 2007, we recorded an impairment write down for Executive Court and Encon Warehouse for $0.2 million and $0.8 million, respectively.
In 2006 we sold a note receivable at a loss recording a discount of $1.2 million. There have been no subsequent sales of note receivables.
Litigation settlement was $1.0 million in 2007 due to paying expenses towards the settlement of the Sunset litigation that were not previously accrued. The Sunset litigation was settled September 18, 2007. There were no significant litigation settlement expenses in 2006.
Gain on land sales decreased by $3.5 million. In 2007, we sold 252 acres of land in 18 separate transactions with an aggregate sales price of $36.0 million, receiving $13.1 million in cash. The average sales price was $142,000 per acre. The sales relate to the land properties known as; Desoto Ranch (easement), 28.9 acres of McKinney Ranch, 3.4 acres Mandahl Bay, 2.3 acres West End, 3.0 acres Miro Lago, 4.0 acres Hines Meridian, 86.0 acres RB, 4.6 acres Grapevine Vineyards, 75.4 acres Metro Center, 1.2 acres Katrina, 39.2 acres Windmill Farm, and 4.0 acres Vista Ridge. In 2006, we sold 317 acres of land in 19 separate transactions for at an average sales price of $195,000 per acre.
Discontinued operations relates to properties that were either sold or held for sale as of the year ended December 31, 2008. Properties that were sold subsequent to the yearend that were held during those years have been reclassified as discontinued operations for those periods presented. Included in discontinued operations are properties that were sold in 2008 and reclassified to discontinued operations for the years 2007 and 2006, expect for the Thornwood apartments which was purchased in 2007 and sold in 2008. Included in discontinued operations are a total of 41 and 46 properties as of 2007 and 2006, respectively. In 2007, we sold 13 income producing properties which consists of nine apartments (Bluff at Vista Ridge, Somerset, El Chaparral, Harper’s Ferry, Oak Park IV, Med Villa, Villa Del Mar, Arlington Place, and Woodlake), three commercial buildings (Forum OB, Durham Center, Four Hickory), and one hotel (Atlantic Sands). In 2006, we sold six income producing properties which consists of five apartment complexes (Apple Lane, Plantation, Timbers, Will-o-Wick, and Oak Tree), and one hotel (Williamsburg). The gain on sale of the properties is also included in discontinued operations for those years presented as shown in the table below (dollars in thousands).
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our principal liquidity needs are:
fund normal recurring expenses;
meet debt service and principal repayment obligations including balloon payments on maturing debt;
fund capital expenditures, including tenant improvements and leasing costs;
fund development costs not covered under construction loans; and
fund possible property acquisitions.
Our principal sources of cash have been and will continue to be:
property operations;
proceeds from land and income-producing property sales;
collection of mortgage notes receivable;
collections of receivables from affiliated companies;
refinancing of existing debt and additional borrowings; and
including mortgage notes payable, lines of credit.
We may also issue additional equity securities, including common stock and preferred stock. Management anticipates that our cash at December 31, 2008, along with cash that will be generated in 2009 from property operations, may not be sufficient to meet all of our cash requirements. Management intends to selectively sell land and income producing assets, refinance or extend real estate debt and seek additional borrowings secured by real estate to meet its liquidity requirements. Although the past cannot predict the future, historically, management has been successful at extending a portion of the Company’s current maturity obligations and selling assets as necessary to meet current obligations.
Cash flow summary
The following summary discussion of our cash flows is based on the consolidated statements of cash flows in Part II, Item 8. “Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and is not meant to be an all-inclusive discussion of the changes in our cash flows for the periods presented below (dollars in thousands).
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities
The primary use of cash for operations is daily operating costs, general and administrative expenses, advisory fees, and land holding costs. Our primary source of cash from operating activities is from rental income on properties. In addition, we had a significant receivable due from affiliated entities in 2007. The majority of the change in cash was due to the collections on our affiliated receivables. In 2008, the majority of the affiliated receivable was paid down. We collected approximately $53.0 million of the outstanding receivable balance. This took our cash from operations to positive number. Thus, we had cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2008.
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Our major investing cash outlays are from construction and development of new properties. We currently have five projects under construction. We used $148.8 million in cash on the construction and development of new properties. We used $64.5 million for our continued investment in new properties. We acquired two apartment complexes and five buildings. We used $54.7 million for the acquisition of land of approximately 1,400 acres of land. Our sources of cash from investing activities are the sales of land and income producing properties. We received $179.7 million from the sale of 19 apartments, three commercial buildings and four hotels. We received $17.0 million for the sale of approximately 103 acres of land.
Our major source of cash from financing activities is $221.4 million from the proceeds of notes payable which includes the cash borrowed for purchases. Our major use of cash is for the payment of recurring debt obligations of $20.3 million and the payment on maturing notes payable of $178.7 million which includes the pay off of mortgages on properties sold.
We anticipate that funds from existing cash resources, aggressive sales of land and selected income producing property sales, refinancing of real estate, and borrowings against our real estate will be sufficient to meet the cash requirements associated with our current and anticipated level of operations, maturing debt obligations and existing commitments. To the extent that our liquidity permits or financing sources are available, we will continue to make investments in real estate, primarily in improved and unimproved land, real estate entities and marketable equity securities, and will develop and construct income-producing properties.
Equity Investments. ARL has from time to time purchased shares of IOT and TCI. The Company may purchase additional equity securities of IOT and TCI through open market and negotiated transactions to the extent ARL’s liquidity permits.
Equity securities of TCI held by ARL (and of IOT held by TCI) may be deemed “restricted securities” under Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”). Accordingly, ARL may be unable to sell such equity securities other than in a registered public offering or pursuant to an exemption under the Securities Act for a one-year period after they are acquired. Such restrictions may reduce ARL’s ability to realize the full fair value of such investments if ARL attempted to dispose of such securities in a short period of time.
Management reviews the carrying values of ARL’s properties and mortgage notes receivable at least annually and whenever events or a change in circumstances indicate that impairment may exist. Impairment is considered to exist if, in the case of a property, the future cash flow from the property (undiscounted and without interest) is less than the carrying amount of the property. For notes receivable, impairment is considered to exist if it is probable that all amounts due under the terms of the note will not be collected. If impairment is found to exist, a provision for loss is recorded by a charge against earnings to the extent that the investment in the note exceeds management’s estimate of the fair value of the collateral securing such note. The mortgage note receivable review includes an evaluation of the collateral property securing each note. The property review generally includes: (1) selective property inspections, (2) a review of the property’s current rents compared to market rents, (3) a review of the property’s expenses, (4) a review of maintenance requirements, (5) a review of the property’s cash flow, (6) discussions with the manager of the property, and (7) a review of properties in the surrounding area.
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Contractual Obligations
We have contractual obligations and commitments primarily with regards to the payment of mortgages. The following table aggregates our expected contractual obligations and commitments and includes items not accrued, per Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, through the term of the obligation such as interest expense and operating leases. Our aggregate obligations subsequent to December 31, 2008 are shown in the table below (dollars in thousands);
Long-term debt obligation(1)
Capital lease obligation
Operating lease obligation
Purchase obligation
Other long-term debt liabilities reflected on the Registrant’s
Balance sheet under GAAP
Environmental Matters
Under various federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations, ARL may be potentially liable for removal or remediation costs, as well as certain other potential costs relating to hazardous or toxic substances (including governmental fines and injuries to persons and property) where property-level managers have arranged for the removal, disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances. In addition, certain environmental laws impose liability for release of asbestos-containing materials into the air, and third parties may seek recovery for personal injury associated with such materials.
Management is not aware of any environmental liability relating to the above matters that would have a material adverse effect on ARL’s business, assets or results of operations.
Inflation
The effects of inflation on ARL’s operations are not quantifiable. Revenues from property operations tend to fluctuate proportionately with inflationary increases and decreases in housing costs. Fluctuations in the rate of inflation also affect the sales values of properties and the ultimate gains to be realized from property sales. To the extent that inflation affects interest rates, earnings from short-term investments and the cost of new financings as well as the cost of variable interest rate debt will be affected.
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ARL’s future operations, cash flow and fair values of financial instruments are partially dependent upon the then existing market interest rates and market equity prices. Market risk is the change in the market rates and prices and the affect of the changes on the future operations. Market risk is managed by matching a property’s anticipated net operating income to an appropriate financing.
ARL is exposed to interest rate risk associated with variable rate notes payable and maturing debt that has to be refinanced. ARL does not hold financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes, but rather issues these financial instruments to finance its portfolio of real estate assets. ARL’s interest rate sensitivity position is managed by ARL’s capital markets department. Interest rate sensitivity is the relationship between changes in market interest rates and the fair value of market rate sensitive assets and liabilities. ARL’s earnings are affected as changes in short-term interest rates impact its cost of variable rate debt and maturing fixed rate debt. A large portion of ARL’s market risk is exposure to short-term interest rates from variable rate borrowings. The impact on ARL’s financial statements of refinancing fixed debt that matured during 2008 was not material. As permitted, management intends to convert a significant portion of those borrowings from variable rates to fixed rates. If market interest rates for variable rate debt average 100 basis points more in 2009 than they did during 2008, ARL’s interest expense would increase and net income would decrease by $2.3 million. This amount is determined by considering the impact of hypothetical interest rates on ARL’s borrowing cost. The analysis does not consider the effects of the reduced level of overall economic activity that could exist in such an environment. Further, in the event of a change of such magnitude, management would likely take actions to further mitigate its exposure to the change. However, due to the uncertainty of the specific actions that would be taken and their possible effects, the sensitivity analysis assumes no change in ARL’s financial structure.
The following table contains only those exposures that existed at December 31, 2008. Anticipation of exposures of risk on positions that could possibly arise was not considered. ARL’s ultimate interest rate risk and its effect on operations will depend on future capital market exposures, which cannot be anticipated with a probable assurance level. All dollars are in thousands.
Assets
Market securities at fair value
Note Receivable
Variable interest rate-fair value
Instrument’s maturities
Instrument’s amortization
Average Rate
Fixed interest rate-fair value
Notes Payable
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Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets—December 31, 2008 and 2007
Consolidated Statements of Operations—Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity—Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Statement Schedules
Schedule III—Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Schedule IV—Mortgage Loan Receivables on Real Estate
All other schedules are omitted because they are not required, are not applicable, or the information required is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or the notes thereto.
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors of and
Stockholders of American Realty Investors, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of American Realty Investors, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows each for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2008. American Realty Investors, Inc.’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 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. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, 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. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
As described in Note 21, American Realty Investors, Inc.’s management intends to sell land and income producing properties and refinance or extend debt secured by real estate to meet the Company’s liquidity needs.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of American Realty Investors, Inc. as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2008, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Our audits were made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the consolidated financial statements taken as a whole. Schedules III and IV are presented for the purpose of complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and is not a required part of the basic consolidated financial statements. These schedules have been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audits of the consolidated financial statements and, in our opinion, fairly state, in all material respects, the financial data required to be set forth therein in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.
Farmer, Fuqua & Huff, PC
Plano, Texas
March 27, 2009
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AMERICAN REALTY INVESTORS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31,2008
Real estate, at cost
Real estate held for sale at cost, net of depreciation ($640 for 2008 and $22,256 for 2007)
Real estate subject to sales contracts at cost, net of depreciation ($12,226 for 2008 and $8,713 for 2007)
Less accumulated depreciation
Total real estate
Notes and interest receivable
Performing (including $38,384 in 2008 and $16,485 in 2007 from affiliates and related parties)
Non-performing (including $12,837 in 2008 and $16,246 in 2007 from affiliates and related parties)
Less allowance for estimated losses
Total notes and interest receivable
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash
Investments in securities
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and investees
Other assets (including $526 in 2008 and $54,439 in 2007 from affiliates and related parties)
Liabilities:
Notes and interest payable (including $9,103 in 2008 and $8,269 in 2007 to affiliates and related parties)
Notes related to assets held-for-sale
Notes related to subject to sales contracts
Stock-secured notes payable
Accounts payable and other liabilities (including $23,018 in 2008 and $1,873 in 2007 to affiliates and related parties)
Commitments and contingencies:
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred Stock, $2.00 par value, authorized 15,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding Series A, 3,087,418 share in 2008 and 3,390,316 shares in 2007 (liquidation preference $33,909), including 600,000 shares in 2008 and 2007 held by subsidiaries
Common Stock, $.01 par value, authorized 100,000,000 shares; issued 11,874,138 shares in 2008 and 11,592,272 shares in 2007
Treasury stock at cost; 637,072 and 1,129,530 shares in 2008 and 2007, respectively, which includes 276,972 and 746,972 shares held by TCI (consolidated) as of 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Paid-in capital
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Total shareholders’ equity
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(dollars in thousands, except
share and per share amounts)
Revenues:
Rental and other property revenues (including $3,805 and $1,197 and $1,423 for 2008 and 2007 and 2006 respectively from affiliates and related parties)
Expenses:
Property operating expenses (including $8,659 and $9,239 and $8,212 for 2008 and 2007 and 2006 respectively from affiliates and related parties)
Depreciation and amortization
General and administrative (including $6,741 and $3,657 and $4,481 for 2008 and 2007 and 2006 respectively from affiliates and related parties)
Advisory fee to affiliate
Operating income
Other income (expense):
Interest income (including $4,692 and $1,196 and $2,692 for 2008 and 2007 and 2006 respectively from affiliates and related parties)
Other income (including $3,485 and $0 and $0 for 2008 and 2007 and 2006 respectively from affiliates and related parties)
Mortgage and loan interest including $2,729 and $603 and $1,857 for 2008 and 2007 and 2006 respectively from affiliates and related parties)
Earnings from unconsolidated subsidiaries and investees
Gain on foreign currency translation
Involuntary conversion
Provision for allowance on notes receivable and impairment
Discount on note receivable
Litigation settlement
Total other expenses
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit
Net loss from continuing operations
Income from discontinued operations, net of minority interest before income tax expense
Income tax expense
Earnings per share—basic
Loss from continuing operations
Earnings per share—diluted
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(dollars in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2005
Unrealized loss on foreign currency translation
Unrealized gain on investment securities
Repurchase/sale of treasury shares, net
Series A preferred stock cash dividend ($1.00 per share)
Balance, December 31, 2006
Unrealized gain on foreign currency translation
Unrealized loss on investment securities
Acquisition of minority interest
Balance, December 31, 2007
Stock reconcilation
Balance, December 31, 2008
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Cash Flow From Operating Activities:
Adjustments to reconcile net loss applicable to common shares to net cash used in operating activities:
Gain on sale of land
Provision for allowance of notes receivable and impairment
Amortization of deferred borrowing costs
Change in minority interest
Gain (loss) on foreign currency translation
Gain on sale of income producing properties
(Increase) decrease in assets:
Accrued interest receivable
Other assets
Prepaid expense
Escrow
Earnest money
Rent receivables
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accrued interest payable
Intercompany change
Other liabilities ($24,433 in 2008, $14,500 in 2007 and $10,542 in 2006 from affiliates)
Cash Flow From Investing Activities:
Proceeds from notes receivables (($4,017) in 2008, $2,248 in 2007 and $1,931 in 2006 from affiliates)
Acquisition of land held for development
Proceeds from sales of income producing properties
Proceeds from sale of land
Investment in unconsolidated real estate entities
Improvement of land held for development
Improvement of income producing properties
Investment in marketable equity securities
Acquisition of income producing properties
Construction and development of new properties
Cash Flow From Financing Activities:
Proceeds from notes payable ($10,850 in 2008, $8,669 in 2007 and $0 in 2006 from affiliates)
Recurring amortization of principal on notes payable
Payments on maturing notes payable
Deferred financing costs
Stock-secured borrowings
Repurchase/sale of treasury stock
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds
Schedule of noncash investing and financing activities:
Unrealized foreign currency translation gain (loss)
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities
Note receivable allowance
Note receivable for treasury stock
Land exchanged with affiliated party
Note receivable received from affiliate
Note receivable from sale of real estate
Subsidiary purchased from affiliate decreasing affiliate receivable
Issuance of affiliated preferred stock and reduction in affiliated receivables
Real Estate received from related party to satisfy debt
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements of American Realty Investors, Inc. and consolidated subsidiaries have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the most significant of which are described in Note 1. “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”. These, along with the remainder of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements. The data presented in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are as of December 31 of each year and for the year then ended, unless otherwise indicated. Dollar amounts in tables and accompanying footnotes are in thousands, except per share amounts.
Certain balances for 2007 and 2006 have been reclassified to conform to the 2008 presentation.
Organization and Business. In November 1999, American Realty Investors, Inc. (“ARL”), a Nevada corporation, was formed, and in August 2000, ARL acquired American Realty Trust, Inc. (“ART”), a Georgia corporation and National Realty, L.P. (“NRLP”), a Delaware partnership. ARL primarily invests in real estate and real estate-related entities and purchases and originates mortgage loans.
Effective July 1, 2003, Prime Asset Management, Inc. (“PAMI”) became the advisor to ARL and TCI. PAMI is owned by Realty Advisors (80.0%) and Syntek West, Inc. (“Syntek West”) (20.0%), related parties. Syntek West is owned by Gene E. Phillips. Effective August 18, 2003, PAMI changed its name to Prime Income Asset Management, Inc. (“PIAMI”). On October 1, 2003, Prime Income Asset Management, LLC (“Prime”), which is 100% owned by PIAMI, replaced PIAMI as the advisor to ARL and TCI.
Basis of consolidation. The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company, its subsidiaries, generally all of which are wholly-owned, and all entities in which the Company has a controlling interest, including where the Company has been determined to be a primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity in accordance with the provisions and guidance of Interpretation No. 46(R), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (“FIN No. 46(R)”) or meets certain criteria of a sole general partner or managing member as identified in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue 04-5, Investor’s Accounting for an Investment in a Limited Partnership when the Investor is the Sole General Partner and the Limited Partners have Certain Rights (“EITF 04-5”). Controlling interest in an entity is normally determined by the ownership of a majority of the entity’s voting interests; however, other determining factors include, but may not be limited to, whether the Company provides significant financial support and bears a majority of the financial risks, authorizes certain capital transactions such as the purchase, sale or financing of material assets or makes operating decisions that materially affect the entity’s financial results. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Accounting estimates. In the preparation of these Consolidated Financial Statements, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, it is necessary for management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expense for the year then ended. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.
Non-performing notes receivable. ARL considers a note receivable to be non-performing when the maturity date has passed without principal repayment and the borrower is not making interest payments. Any new note receivable that results from a modification or extension of a note considered non-performing will also be considered non-performing, without regard to the borrower’s adherence to payment terms.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Interest recognition on notes receivable. Interest income is not recognized on notes receivable that have been delinquent for 60 days or more. In addition, accrued but unpaid interest income is only recognized to the extent that the net realizable value of the underlying collateral exceeds the carrying value of the receivable.
Allowance for estimated losses. A valuation allowance is provided for estimated losses on notes receivable considered to be impaired. Impairment is considered to exist when it is probable that all amounts due under the terms of the note will not be collected. Valuation allowances are provided for estimated losses on notes receivable to the extent that the investment in the note exceeds management’s estimate of fair value of the collateral securing such note.
Recent accounting pronouncements. In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” (“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS No. 157 defines fair value and establishes a framework for measuring fair value, which includes a hierarchy based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value. SFAS No. 157 also expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 requires the categorization of financial assets and liabilities, based on the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to the quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities and lowest priority to unobservable inputs. SFAS No. 157 requires the use of observable market data, when available, in making fair value measurements. When inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the level within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The levels of the SFAS No. 157 fair value hierarchy are described as follows:
Level 1—Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted market prices for identical assets and liabilities in an active market that the Company has the ability to access.
Level 2—Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or model inputs that are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
Level 3—Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.
SFAS No. 157 became effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. In February 2008, the FASB deferred the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for one year for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a nonrecurring basis. The FASB also removed certain leasing transactions from the scope of SFAS No. 157. On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157. The Company currently does not have any non-financial assets or non-financial liabilities that are required to be measured under SFAS No. 157.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.” (“SFAS No. 159”). SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose, at specified election dates, to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses shall be reported on items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. SFAS No. 159 became effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 159 and has currently not elected to measure any financial instruments or other items (not currently required to be measured at fair value) at fair value.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised in 2007) (“SFAS No. 141R”), “Business Combinations.” SFAS No. 141R establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer of a business recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and
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any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree. The statement also provides guidance for recognizing and measuring the goodwill acquired in the business combination and determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combinations. SFAS No. 141R is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. Accordingly, any business combinations the Company engages in will be recorded and disclosed following existing accounting principles until January 1, 2009. The Company expects SFAS No. 141R will affect the Company’s consolidated financial statements when effective, but the nature and magnitude of the specific effects will depend upon the nature, term and size of the acquisitions, if any, the Company consummates after the effective date.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements.” effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. SFAS No. 160 states that accounting and reporting for minority interests will be recharacterized as noncontrolling interests and classified as a component of equity. SFAS No. 160 applies to all entities that prepare consolidated financial statements, except not-for-profit organizations, and will impact the recording of minority interest. The Company is currently evaluating the effects the adoption of SFAS No. 160 will have on its financial position and results of operations.
Real estate held for investment and depreciation. Real estate held for investment is carried at cost. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (“SFAS No. 144”), requires that a property be considered impaired if the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount of the property. If impairment exists, an impairment loss is recognized, by a charge against earnings, equal to the amount by which the carrying amount of the property exceeds the fair value less cost to sell the property. If impairment of a property is recognized, the carrying amount of the property is reduced by the amount of the impairment, and a new cost for the property is established. Such new cost is depreciated over the property’s remaining useful life. Depreciation is provided by the straight-line method over estimated useful lives, which range from five to 40 years.
Real estate held-for-sale. Foreclosed real estate is initially recorded at new cost, defined as the lower of original cost or fair value minus estimated costs of sale. SFAS No. 144 also requires that properties held for sale be reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs of sale. If a reduction in a held for sale property’s carrying amount to fair value less costs of sale is required, a provision for loss is recognized by a charge against earnings. Subsequent revisions, either upward or downward, to a held for sale property’s estimated fair value less costs of sale are recorded as an adjustment to the property’s carrying amount, but not in excess of the property’s carrying amount when originally classified as held for sale. A corresponding charge against or credit to earnings is recognized. Properties held for sale are not depreciated.
Investments in equity investees. ARL may be considered to have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and investment policies of certain of its investees. Those investees are accounted for using the equity method. Under the equity method, an initial investment, recorded at cost, is increased by a proportionate share of the investee’s operating income and any additional investment and decreased by a proportionate share of the investee’s operating losses and distributions received.
Present value premiums/discounts. Present value premiums and discounts are provided on notes receivable or payable that have interest rates that differ substantially from prevailing market rates and such premiums and discounts are amortized by the interest method over the lives of the related notes. The factors considered in determining a market rate for notes receivable include the borrower’s credit standing, nature of the collateral and payment terms of the note.
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Foreign currency translation. Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities of subsidiaries with local functional currencies are translated to United States dollars at year-end exchange rates. The effects of translation are recorded in the cumulative translation component of shareholders’ equity. Subsidiaries with a United States dollar functional currency remeasure monetary assets and liabilities at year-end exchange rates and non-monetary assets and liabilities at historical exchange rates. The effects of re-measurement are included in income. Exchange gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in foreign currencies are translated at average exchange rates.
Recognition of rental income. Rental income for commercial property leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the respective lease terms. Rental income for residential property leases is recorded when due from residents and is recognized monthly as earned, which is not materially different than on a straight-line basis as lease terms are generally for periods of one year or less. For hotel properties, revenues for room sales and guest services are recognized as rooms are occupied and services are rendered.
Revenue recognition on the sale of real estate. Sales of real estate are recognized when and to the extent permitted by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 66, “Accounting for Sales of Real Estate” (“SFAS No. 66”), as amended by SFAS No. 144. Until the requirements of SFAS No. 66 for full profit recognition have been met, transactions are accounted for using either the deposit, the installment, the cost recovery, or the financing method, whichever is appropriate. When ARL provides seller financing, gain is not recognized at the time of sale unless the buyer’s initial investment and continuing investment are deemed to be adequate, as determined by SFAS No. 66 guidelines.
Operating segments. Management has determined reportable operating segments to be those that are used for internal reporting purposes, which disaggregates operations by type of real estate.
Fair value of financial instruments. The following assumptions were used in estimating the fair value of its notes receivable, marketable equity securities and notes payable. For performing notes receivable, the fair value was estimated by discounting future cash flows using current interest rates for similar loans. For non-performing notes receivable, the estimated fair value of ARL’s interest in the collateral property was used. For marketable equity securities, fair value was based on the year-end closing market price of each security. For notes payable, the fair value was estimated using current rates for mortgages with similar terms and maturities.
Cash equivalents. For purposes of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents.
Earnings (loss) per share. Income (loss) per share is presented in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, “Earnings Per Share.” Income (loss) per share is computed based upon the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each year.
Stock-based employee compensation. The Company previously accounted for its stock-based compensation utilizing the intrinsic value method in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”). In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment”, which revised SFAS 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” SFAS No. 123(R) requires compensation costs related to share-based payment transactions to be recognized in the financial statements and forfeitures to be estimated at the grant date rather than as they occur. The Company previously based its estimated forfeiture rate on historical forfeitures of all stock option grants. The Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R) effective January 1, 2006 using the modified-prospective method and applied the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) to all share-based compensation. All of ARL’s stock options were
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fully vested as of January 1, 2006 and ARL had no outstanding stock option grants that were modified or settled after January 1, 2006; therefore, the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) had no material effect on the Company’s results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2008. The Director’s stock option plan was terminated in December of 2005.
NOTE 2. REAL ESTATE
A summary of our real estate transactions for the year ended December 31, 2008 is listed below (dollars in thousands):
Apartments under construction
Other developments in progress
Commercial properties
Land held for development
Real estate held for sale
Real estate subject to sales contract
Total Real Estate
Less accumulated deprecation
Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to operations as incurred. Significant betterments are capitalized. When assets are sold or retired, their costs and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts with the resulting gains or losses reflected in net income or loss for the period.
Depreciation is computed on a straight line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
Land improvements
Buildings and improvements
Tenant improvements
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
Provision for Asset Impairments. In 2008, the provision for allowance and impairments was related to our receivables and our investments in unconsolidated entities and other investees. In 2007, we recorded a $1.0 million provision for impairment. We wrote down the Executive Court apartments for $0.2 million and the Encon warehouse for $0.8 million.
The following is a brief description of the more significant property acquisitions and sales in 2008:
Woodmont TCI XIV, LP
On January 15, 2008, we purchased 4.0 acres of land in Dallas, Texas known as Woodmont TCI XIV, LP for $6.4 million. We financed the transaction with $1.9 million cash, a new mortgage of $4.1 million with a commercial lender and accrued $400,000 in commissions payable. The mortgage is secured by the property and accrues interest at Prime plus 0.75%.
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Midland/Odessa
On January 25, 2008, we sold 15 apartment complexes known as the Midland/Odessa properties in a single transaction for an aggregate sales price of $98.3 million. We recorded a gain on sale of $72.1 million. We received cash of $28.4 million after paying off existing mortgages of $62.1 million, and $7.8 million in commissions and other closing costs. The properties consisted of:
Forty-Four Hundred Apartments, a 92-unit complex located in Midland, Texas;
Arbor Pointe, a 194-unit complex located in Odessa, Texas;
Ashton Way, a 178-unit complex located in Midland, Texas;
Autumn Chase, a 94-unit complex located in Midland, Texas;
Courtyard Apartments, a 133-unit complex located in Midland, Texas;
Coventry Point, a 120-unit complex located in Midland, Texas
Fairway, a 152-unit complex located in Longview, Texas;
Fountains at Waterford, a 172-unit complex located in Midland, Texas;
Hunters Glen, a 260-unit complex located in Midland, Texas;
Southgate, a 180-unit complex located in Odessa, Texas;
Sunchase, a 300-unit complex located in Odessa, Texas;
Sunset, a 240-unit complex located in Odessa, Texas;
Thornwood, a 109-unit complex located in Midland, Texas;
Westwood, a 79-unit complex located in Odessa, Texas; and
Woodview, a 232-unit complex located in Odessa, Texas.
Lexington
On January 31, 2008, we sold the Lexington office building, a 75,000 square foot commercial building located in Colorado Springs, Colorado for $5.4 million, receiving cash of $1.6 million after paying off the existing mortgage of $3.5 million and $300,000 in closing costs. We recorded a $700,000 gain on sale.
Fairway View
On February 6, 2008, we sold the Fairway View Apartments, a 264-unit complex located in El Paso, Texas for $10.3 million recording a gain on sale of $6.0 million. We received $4.8 million in cash after paying off the existing mortgage of $5.3 million and closing costs.
Governors Square
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Chicago Hotels
Hotel Akademia
On April 2, 2008, we acquired the Bridgewood Ranch apartments, a 106-unit complex located in Kaufman, Texas for $7.6 million. We financed the purchase with a new mortgage (secured by the property) of $5.1 million, cash of $1.3 million, and $1.2 million in liabilities. The mortgage accrues interest at the higher of 6.75% or Prime plus 0.25% and matures on March 31, 2019.
Stanford Centre
On June 26, 2008, we purchased Stanford Centre, a 274,684 square foot commercial building located in Dallas, Texas, including 3.1 acres of land, for $38.8 million. We financed the transaction with $11.5 million in cash and a $26.1 million mortgage from a commercial bank. In addition, we incurred $1.2 million in accruals and credits at closing. The mortgage accrues interest at LIBOR plus 3.75%, and matures July 1, 2011.
Las Colinas Land
On July 23, 2008, we purchased 24.1 acres of land known as Las Colinas land in Irving, Texas for $6.7 million. We financed the transaction with $2.2 million in cash and a $4.5 million mortgage. The note accrues interest at Prime plus 4.00% and matures on July 23, 2010.
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Windmill Farms Harlan Land
Mountain Plaza
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A portion of our assets are invested in mortgage notes receivable, principally secured by real estate. We may originate mortgage loans in conjunction with providing purchase money financing of property sales. Notes receivable are generally collateralized by real estate or interests in real estate and personal guarantees of the borrower and, unless noted otherwise, are so secured Management intends to service and hold for investment the mortgage notes in our portfolio. A majority of the notes receivable provide for principal to be paid at maturity. Our mortgage notes receivable consist of first, wraparound and junior mortgage loans (dollars in thousands).
Borrower
Security
Performing loans:
3334Z Apts, LP
400 St. Paul
Basic Capital Management(1)
CTMGT Travis Ranch, LLC
Dallas Fund XVII LP
Garden Centura LP(1)
International Health Product(1)
Miscellaneous non-related party notes
Miscellaneous related party notes(1)
Ocean Beach Partners(1)
Pioneer Austin Development
Realty Advisors(1)
Syntek Acquisition Corp(1)
Thornwood Wrap Note, ICC Surfwood
Unified Housing of Harvest Hill(1)
Total Performing
Non-Performing loans:
Blue Lake at Marine Creek(1)
HFS of Humble LLC(1)
Tracy Suttles
UHF Burleson(1)
UHF Chase Oaks(1)
UHF Inwood(1)
UHF Kensington(1)
UHF McKinney(1)
UHF Parkside Advances(1)
UHF Walnut Park Crossing(1)
Total Non-Performing
Accrued interest
Allowance for estimated losses
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Junior Mortgage Loans. We may invest in junior mortgage loans, secured by mortgages that are subordinate to one or more prior liens either on the fee or a leasehold interest in real estate. Recourse on such loans ordinarily includes the real estate on which the loan is made, other collateral and personal guarantees by the borrower. The Board of Directors restricts investment in junior mortgage loans, excluding wraparound mortgage loans, to not more than 10.0% of our assets. At December 31, 2008, 2.0% of our assets were invested in junior and wraparound mortgage loans.
Interest income is recognized on non-performing notes receivable and cash flow notes receivables. Effective 2008, interest income is recorded when cash is received, and no accrued interest income is recorded on non-performing notes receivables. If the notes for the years 2008 and 2007 had been performing, an additional interest income totaling $84.8 million and $1.0 million, respectively, would have been recognized.
As of December 31, 2008, the obligors on $56.0 million or 73% of the mortgage notes receivable portfolio were due from affiliated entities. Also at that date, $20.0 million or 26% of the mortgage notes receivable portfolio was non-performing. At December 31, 2008, approximately 4.00% of our assets were invested in notes and interest receivable.
NOTE 4. ALLOWANCE FOR ESTIMATED LOSSES
The table below shows our allowance for estimated losses (dollars in thousands).
Balance January 1,
(Decrease) Increase in provision
Balance December 31,
NOTE 5. INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES AND INVESTEES
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries, jointly owned companies and other investees in which we have a 20% to 50% interest or otherwise exercise significant influence are carried at cost, adjusted for the Company’s proportionate share of their undistributed earnings or losses, via the equity method of accounting. Income Opportunity Investors, Inc. (“IOT”) is a related entity and an unconsolidated subsidiary.
Investment accounted for via the equity method consists of the following:
Investee
Gruppa Florentina, LLC (“Gruppa”)
Income Opportunity Investors, Inc.(1)
Garden Centura
LK Four Hickory
Our partnership interest in Garden Centura LP in the amount of 5% is accounted for under the equity method, because we exercise significant influence over the operations and financial activities. We have guaranteed the notes payable and control the day to day activities. Accordingly, the investment is carried at cost, adjusted for the companies’ proportionate share of earnings or losses.
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The market values, other than the unconsolidated subsidiaries, as of the year ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were not determinable as there were no readily traded markets for this entity.
The following is a summary of the financial position and results of operations from our unconsolidated subsidiaries and investees (dollars in thousands);
2008
Real estate, net of accumulated depreciation
Notes Receivable
Notes payable
Other liabilities
Shareholders equity/partners capital
Operating expenses
Interest expense
Income from continuing operations
Income from discontinued operations
Companys proportionate share of earnings
2007
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2006
NOTE 6. INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES
Our investments include equity investments via stock ownership in Storm Cat Energy (“SCU”) and Realty Korea CR-REIT, Ltd. We account for these investments in accordance with FAS No. 115, as amended by FAS No.157. We consider our investment in SCU as “trading” and our investment in Realty Korea CR-REIT, Ltd. as “available for sale” as defined by FAS No. 115. The methodology that we used to determine the fair value of these investments is discussed below:
The fair value of SCU is based on combination of level 2 and level 3 fair value adjustments. SCU is trading Over the Counter (OTC) as “SCUEF.PK”. The stock was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE) on November 17, 2008 and November 18, 2008, respectively. The level 2 fair value input of this stock was based on the most recent OTC trade closest to year end. In addition, we included an adjustment for risk which is included in our level 3 fair value measurement.
The fair value of our investment in Realty Korea CR-REIT, Ltd. (“CR-REIT”) is based on the sale and distribution of the assets. The CR-REIT was dissolved in 2008 and delisted from the Korean stock exchange, but a portion of the proceeds have yet to be distributed. Thus, we have performed a level 3 fair value analysis which is based on anticipated proceeds which were received subsequent to year end.
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The fair value measurements of SCU and Realty Korea CR-REIT, Ltd are shown below (dollars in thousands):
Description
Trading securities
Available for sale securities
Beginning Balance
Total gains or losses(realized/unrealized)
Included in earnings
Included in other comprehensive income
Purchases, issuances, and settlements
Transfers in/or out of level 3
Ending balance
The amount of total gains or (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses realating to assets still held at reporting date
Gain and losses(realized and unrealized) included in earnings for the year ended December 31, 2008 are reported in trading revenues and in other revenues as follows:
Total gains or losses included in earnings for the year ended December 31, 2008
Change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets held at reporting date
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NOTE 7. NOTES AND INTEREST PAYABLE
The summary of notes payable for the year ended December 31, 2008 is listed below (dollars in thousands);
Corporate and other
Real estate held for investment
The estimated fair value of the notes payables are shown below (dollars in thousands).
Note payable
Interest payable
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The following table schedules the principal payments on the notes payable for the following five years and thereafter (dollars in thousands):
Year
Stated interest rates on notes payable ranged from 2% to 17% per annum at December 31, 2008 and matured in varying installments between 2009 and 2049. At December 31, 2008, notes payable were collateralized by deeds of trust on real estate with a net carrying value of $1.6 million.
In connection with the purchase of Woodmont TCI XIV, LP land in Dallas, Texas on January 15, 2008, we financed the acquisition with a new mortgage loan of $4.1 million collateralized by the land property purchased. The note accrues interest at Prime plus 0.75%. The note is payable in monthly installments of interest only with the balance due along with all unpaid and accrued interest due at maturity on July 25, 2009.
In connection with the purchase of Bridgewood apartments in Kaufman, Texas on April 2, 2008, we financed the acquisition with a new mortgage loan of $5.1 million collateralized by the apartment complex purchased. The note accrues interest at Prime plus 0.25%. The note is payable in monthly installments of interest and principal through maturity on January 1, 2019, at which time all accrued unpaid interest and principal are due.
In connection with the purchase of Quail Hollow apartments in Holland, Ohio on April 16, 2008, we financed the acquisition with a new mortgage loan of $11.5 million collateralized by the apartment complex purchased. The note accrues interest at 7.00%. The note is payable in monthly installments of interest and principal through maturity on October 1, 2011, at which time all accrued unpaid interest and principal are due.
Commercial Properties
In connection with the purchase of Stanford Centre office building in Dallas, Texas on June 27, 2008, we financed the acquisition with a new mortgage loan of $26.1 million, collateralized by the office building purchased. The note accrues interest at LIBOR plus 3.75%. The note is payable in monthly installments of interest only with the balance due along with all unpaid and accrued interest due at maturity on July 1, 2011.
In connection with the purchase of Las Colinas land located in Irving, Texas on July 23, 2008, we financed the acquisition with a new mortgage loan of $4.5 million collateralized by the land property purchased. The note accrues interest at Prime plus 4.00%. The note is payable in monthly installments of interest only with the balance and all unpaid and accrued interest due at maturity on July 23, 2010.
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In connection with the purchase of Windmill Farms Harland land located in Kaufman County, Texas on July 23, 2008, we financed the acquisition with seller financing of $5.5 million. The note accrues interest at 2.00% for the first year, 4.00% for the second year and 6.00% for the third year and each year thereafter. The note is payable in monthly installments of interest only with the balance and all unpaid and accrued interest due at maturity on July 23, 2013.
In connection with the purchase of Travis Ranch land in Forney, Texas on August 12, 2008, we financed the acquisition with a new mortgage loan of $5.8 million and seller financing of $7.5 million. The commercial note and seller financing both accrue interest at 5.00%. The balance and all unpaid and accrued interest are due upon demand.
In connection with the purchase of Travis Ranch land in Forney, Texas on October 10, 2008, we refinanced $8.5 million of the debt with a new mortgage of $8.5 million, paying approximately $0.3 million in closing costs. The new debt and all accrued and unpaid interest is due upon maturity, April 10, 2009. The note accrues interest at 17.0%.
NOTE 8. STOCK-SECURED NOTES PAYABLE
ARL has margin arrangements with various financial institutions and brokerage firms, which provide for borrowings of up to 50.0% of the fair value of marketable equity securities. ARL also has other notes payable secured by stock. The borrowings under such margin arrangements and notes are secured by the equity securities of IOT and TCI and ARL’s trading portfolio securities and bear interest rates ranging from 3.5% to 13.0% per annum. Margin borrowings were $12.5 million at December 31, 2008 and $17.5 million at December 31, 2007, representing 18.6% and 21.1%, respectively, of the market values of the equity securities at those dates.
NOTE 9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
ARL received rents of $3.8 million, $3.1 million and $1.4 million in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, from affiliated entities with respect to its properties at Eagle Crest, 2010 Valley View, Folsom land, 1010 Commons, Two Hickory, 600 Las Colinas, One Hickory, Browning Place, Fenton Center, Amoco, Parkway North, Stanford Center, Addison Hanger, Thermaloy, and Senlac.
The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances of affiliated accounts as of December 31, 2008 (dollars in thousands).
Cash transfers
Cash repayments
Fees and commissions payable to affiliate
Advances due to financing proceeds
Payments through affiliates
NOTE 10. DIVIDENDS
ARL’s Board of Directors established a policy that dividend declarations on common stock would be determined on an annual basis following the end of each year. No dividends on its common stock were declared for 2006, 2007, or 2008. Future distributions to common stockholders will be dependent upon ARL’s income, financial condition, capital requirements, and other factors deemed relevant by the Board.
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NOTE 11. PREFERRED STOCK
There are 15,000,000 shares of Series A 10.0% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock authorized, with a par value of $2.00 per share and liquidation preference of $10.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends. Dividends are payable at the annual rate of $1.00 per share or $.25 per share quarterly to stockholders of record on the last day of each March, June, September and December when and as declared by the Board of Directors. The Series A Preferred Stock may be converted into ARL common stock at 90.0% of the average daily closing price of ARL’s common stock for the prior 20 trading days. At December 31, 2008, 3,390,913 shares of Series A Preferred Stock were outstanding and 869,808 shares were reserved for issuance as future consideration in various business transactions. Of the outstanding shares, 300,000 shares are owned by ART Edina, Inc., and 600,000 shares are owned by ART Hotel Equities, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of ARL. Dividends are not paid on the shares owned by ARL subsidiaries.
There are 231,750 shares of Series C Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock authorized, with a par value of $2.00 per share and liquidation preference of $100.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends. The Series C Preferred Stock bears a quarterly dividend of $2.25 per share through June 30, 2001 and $2.50 per share thereafter, to stockholders of record on the last day of March, June, September and December when and as declared by the Board of Directors. The Series C Preferred Stock is reserved for conversion of the Class A limited partner units of ART Palm, L.P. (“ART Palm”). At December 31, 2008, there were 6,813,750 Class A units outstanding. The Class A units may be exchanged for Series C Preferred Stock at the rate of 100 Class A units for each share of Series C Preferred Stock. On or after December 31, 2006, all outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock may be converted into ARL common stock. All conversions of Series C Preferred Stock into ARL common stock will be at 90.0% of the average daily closing price of ARL’s common stock for the prior 20 trading days. In January 2006, the company redeemed 1,625,000 Class A limited partner units for $1.6 million in cash. At December 31, 2008, no share of Series C Preferred Stock was outstanding.
There are 91,000 shares of Series D 9.50% Cumulative Preferred Stock authorized, with a par value of $2.00 per share, and a liquidation preference of $20.00 per share. Dividends are payable at the annual rate of $1.90 per year or $.475 per quarter to stockholders of record on the last day of each March, June, September and December when and as declared by the Board of Directors. The Series D Preferred Stock is reserved for the conversion of the Class A limited partner units of Ocean Beach Partners, L.P. The Class A units may be exchanged for Series D Preferred Stock at the rate of 20 Class A units for each share of Series D Preferred Stock. Between June 1, 2001 and May 31, 2006, all unexchanged Class A units are exchangeable. At December 31, 2008, no shares of Series D Preferred Stock were outstanding.
There are 500,000 shares of Series E 6.0% Cumulative Preferred Stock authorized, with a par value $2.00 per share and a liquidation preference of $10.00 per share. Dividends are payable at the annual rate of $.60 per share or $.15 per quarter to stockholders of record on the last day of each March, June, September and December when and as declared by the Board of Directors. At December 31, 2008, no shares of Series E Preferred Stock were outstanding.
100,000 shares of Series J 8% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock have been designated pursuant to a Certificate of Designation filed March 16, 2006, as an instrument amendatory to ARL’s Amended Articles of Incorporation, with a par value of $2.00 per share, and a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. Dividends are payable at the annual rate of $80 per share, or $20 per quarter, to stockholders of record on the last day of each of March, June, September and December, when and as declared by the Board of Directors. Although the Series J 8% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock has been designated, no shares have been issued as of December 31, 2008.
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NOTE 12. STOCK OPTIONS
In January 1998, stockholders approved the 1997 Stock Option Plan (the “Option Plan”). The plan was terminated effective December 31, 2005. As of July 1, 2008, all options still outstanding under the plan expired. There are no remaining options outstanding under this plan as of December 31, 2008.
In January 1999, stockholders approved the Director’s Stock Option Plan (the “Director’s Plan”) which provided for options to purchase up to 40,000 shares of common stock. In December 2005, the Director’s Plan was terminated. Options granted pursuant to the Director’s Plan were immediately exercisable and expire on the earlier of the first anniversary of the date on which a Director ceases to be a Director or ten years from the date of grant. Each Independent Director was granted an option to purchase 1,000 common shares. As of December 31, 2008, there were 5,000 shares outstanding of which 3,000 shares were exercisable at $9.70 per share, 1,000 were exercisable at $9.13 per share and 1,000 shares were exercisable at $8.09 per share.
NOTE 13. ADVISORY AGREEMENT
Although the Board of Directors is directly responsible for managing the affairs of ARL and for setting the policies which guide it, the day-to-day operations of ARL are performed by Prime, a contractual advisor under the supervision of the Board. The duties of the advisor include, among other things, locating, investigating, evaluating, and recommending real estate and mortgage loan investment and sales opportunities as well as financing and refinancing sources. Prime, as advisor, also serves as a consultant in connection with the preparation of ARL’s business plan and investment policy decisions made by the Board.
Prime, an affiliate, provides advisory services to ARL. Prime is a single-member limited liability company, the sole member of which is PIAMI, which is owned 80% by Realty Advisors, Inc. and 20% by Syntek West, Ind. Realty Advisors, Inc. is owned 100% by a trust for the benefit of the children of Gene E. Phillips. Syntek West, Inc. is owned 100% by Gene E. Phillips. Mr. Phillips is not an officer or director of Prime but serves as a representative of the Trust, is involved in regular consultation with the executive officers and directors of Prime and has significant influence over the conduct of Prime’s business, including the rendering of advisory services and the investment decisions for Prime and for ARL. See also “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance”.
The advisory agreement provides that Prime shall receive base compensation at the rate of 0.0625% per month (0.75% on an annualized basis) of ARL’s average invested assets.
In addition to base compensation, the advisory agreement provides that Prime, or an affiliate of Prime, receive an acquisition fee for locating, leasing or purchasing real estate for ARL’s benefit; a disposition fee for the sale of each equity investment in real estate; a loan arrangement fee; an incentive fee equal to 10.0% of net income for the year in excess of a 10.0% return on stockholders’ equity, and 10.0% of the excess of net capital gains over net capital losses, if any; and a mortgage placement fee, on mortgage loans originated or purchased.
The advisory agreement further provides that Prime shall bear the cost of certain expenses of its employees not directly identifiable to ARL’s assets, liabilities, operations, business or financial affairs, and miscellaneous administrative expenses relating to the performance of its duties under the advisory agreement.
If and to the extent that Prime or any director, officer, partner, or employee of Prime shall be requested to render services to ARL other than those required to be rendered by Prime under the advisory agreement, such additional services, if performed, will be compensated separately on terms agreed upon between each party from time-to-time.
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The advisory agreement automatically renews from year to year unless terminated in accordance with its terms.
NOTE 14. PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Affiliates of Prime provide property management services to ARL. Currently, Triad Realty Services, LP. (“Triad”), an affiliate, provide property management services to ARL’s properties for a fee of 6.0% or less of the monthly gross rents collected on the residential properties under its management and 3.0% or less of the monthly gross rents collected on the commercial properties under its management. Triad subcontracts with other entities for property-level management services at various rates. The general partner of Triad is PIAMI. The limited partner of Triad is HRS Holdings, LLC (“HRSHLLC”). Triad subcontracts the property-level management and leasing of ARL’s commercial properties (shopping centers, office buildings and individual warehouses) to Regis I. Regis I receives property and construction management fees and leasing commissions in accordance with the terms of its property-level management agreement with Triad. Regis Hotel I, LLC, manages ARL’s hotels. The sole member of Regis I and Regis Hotel I, LLC is HRSHLLC.
NOTE 15. ADVISORY FEES, PROPERTY MANAGEMENT FEES, ETC.
Fees and cost reimbursements to Prime, BCM and their affiliates were as follows (dollars in thousands):
Fees:
Advisory fee
Incentive fee
Net income fee
Adjust 2006 net income fee
Property acquisition and sales
Mortgage brokerage and equity refinancing
Cost reimbursements
Rent revenue
Cost reimbursements incurred by BCM and Prime related to TCI and ARI are allocated based on the relative market values of each company’s assets.
Fees paid to Triad, an affiliate, Regis I and related parties:
Property acquisition
Real estate brokerage
Construction supervision
Property and construction management and leasing commissions
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NOTE 16. INCOME TAXES
There was no deferred tax expense (benefit) recorded for 2008, 2007 or 2006 as a result of the uncertainty of the future use of the deferred tax asset.
The Federal income tax expense differs from the amount computed by applying the corporate tax rate of 35% to the income before income taxes as follows (dollars in thousands):
Computed “expected” income tax (benefit) expense
Book to tax differences in gains on sale of property
Book to tax differences from entities not consolidated for tax purposes
Book to tax differences of depreciation and amortization
Impairment charges not recorded for tax purposes
Book to tax differences from insurance proceeds
Use of net operating Loss carryforwards
Valuation allowance against current net operating loss benefit
Alternative Minimum Tax
The tax effect of temporary differences that give rise to the deferred tax asset are as follows:
Net operating losses and tax credits
Basis difference of
Real estate holdings and equipment
Notes receivable
Investments
Goodwill and intangibles
Deferred gains
Deferred tax valuation allowance
Net deferred tax asset
At December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, ARL had a net deferred tax asset due to tax deductions available to it in future years. However, as management could not determine that it was more likely than not that ARL would realize the benefit of the deferred tax asset, a 100% valuation allowance was established.
ARL has prior tax net operating losses and capital loss carryforwards of approximately $89.4 million expiring through the year 2024.
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NOTE 17. FUTURE MINIMUM RENTAL INCOME UNDER OPERATING LEASES
ARL’s operations include the leasing of commercial properties (office buildings, industrial warehouses, shopping centers, and a merchandise mart). The leases, thereon, expire at various dates through 2019. The following is a schedule of minimum future rents due to ARL under non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2008. (dollars in thousands):
NOTE 18. OPERATING SEGMENTS
Segments are based on management’s method of internal reporting which classifies its operations by property type. The segments are commercial, apartments, hotels, land and other. Significant differences among the accounting policies of the operating segments as compared to the Consolidated Financial Statements principally involve the calculation and allocation of administrative and other expenses. Management evaluates the performance of each of the operating segments and allocates resources to them based on their net operating income and cash flow.
Items of income that are not reflected in the segments are interest, other income, gain on debt extinguishment, gain on condemnation award, equity in partnerships, and gains on sale of real estate. Expenses that are not reflected in the segments are provision for losses, advisory, net income and incentive fees, general and administrative, minority interests, foreign currency transaction loss and net loss from discontinued operations before gains on sale of real estate. There are no intersegment revenues and expenses and ARL conducted all of its business within the United States, with the exception of Hotel Akademia, a 161-room hotel in Wroclaw, Poland, which was sold March 28, 2008, See “Note 2. “Real Estate”.
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Presented below is the operating income of each operating segment and each segment’s assets for 2008, 2007 and 2006. (dollars in thousands)
Operating revenue
Mortgage and loan interest
Interest income
Segment operating income (loss)
Capital expenditures
Property Sales
Sales price
Cost of sale
Deferred current gain
Recognized prior deferred gain
Gain on sale
For year ended 12/31/07
For year ended 12/31/06
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The table below reconciles the segment information to the corresponding amounts in the Consolidated Statements of Operations:
Segment operating loss
Other non-segment items of income (expense)
General and administrative
Advisory fees
Bad debt and allowance
Gain on involuntary conversion
Equity in earnings of investees
Gain on foreign currency transaction
Deferred tax benefit
Segment assets
Investments in real estate partnerships
Other assets and receivables
Assets held for sale
NOTE 19. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
The Company applies the provisions of SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” SFAS No. 144 requires that long-lived assets that are to be disposed of by sale be measured at the lesser of (1) book value or (2) fair value less cost to sell. In addition, it requires that one accounting model be used for long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale and broadens the presentation of discontinued operations to include more disposal transactions.
Discontinued operations relates to properties that were either sold or repositioned as held for sale as of the year ended 2008, 2007 and 2006. Income from discontinued operations relates to 28, 41, and 46 properties that were sold or repositioned in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The following table summarizes revenue and expense information for these properties sold and held for sale (dollars in thousands).
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The Company’s application of SFAS No. 144 results in the presentation of the net operating results of these qualifying properties sold or held for sale during 2008, 2007 and 2006 as income from discontinued operations. The application of SFAS No. 144 does not have an impact on net income available to common shareholders. SFAS No. 144 only impacts the presentation of these properties within the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
NOTE 20. QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following is a tabulation of quarterly results of operations for the years 2008, 2007, and 2006 (unaudited, dollars in thousands):
Income tax benefit (expense)
Net income (loss) from discontinuing operations, net of minority interest
Net income (loss)
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares
Per Share Data
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Income (loss) before gain on land sales, minority interest, and income taxes
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Quarterly results presented differ from those previously reported in ARL’s Form 10-Q due to the reclassification of the operations of properties sold or held for sale to discontinued operations in accordance with SFAS No. 144.
NOTE 21. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND LIQUIDITY
In conjunction with its sale of Four Hickory in November 2007, the Company agreed to fund approximately $1.0 million to satisfy its commitment to compensate LK-Four Hickory, LLC for move-in discounts and other concessions to existing tenants at the time of sale. The Company also has certain agreements with LK-Four Hickory, LLC to fund projection shortfalls, which, to date, they have not had to provide any additional funding. In addition, related parties of the Company have active lease agreements with LK-Four Hickory, LLC.
On December 17, 2007, both Limkwang Nevada, Inc, the majority owner of LK-Four Hickory, LLC, and American Realty Investors, Inc. unconditionally guaranteed the punctual payment when due, whether at stated
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maturity, by acceleration or hereafter, including all fees and expense incurred by the bank on collection of a $28.0 million note payable for LK-Four Hickory, LLC.
Liquidity. Management believes that ARL will generate excess cash flow from property operations in 2009, such excess however, will not be sufficient to discharge all of ARL’s obligations as they became due. Management intends to sell land and income producing real estate, refinance real estate and obtain additional borrowings primarily secured by real estate to meet its liquidity requirements.
Partnership Buyouts. ARL is the limited partner in 19 partnerships currently constructing residential properties. As permitted in the respective partnership agreements, ARL intends to purchase the interests of the general and any other limited partners in these partnerships subsequent to the completion of these projects. The amounts paid to buyout the nonaffiliated partners are limited to development fees earned by the nonaffiliated partners, and are set forth in the respective partnership agreements.
The ownership of property and provision of services to the public as tenants entails an inherent risk of liability. Although the Company and its subsidiaries are involved in various items of litigation incidental to and in the ordinary course of its business, in the opinion of Management, the outcome of such litigation will not have a material adverse impact upon the Company’s financial condition, results of operation or liquidity.
Other Litigation. ARL is also involved in various other lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. Management is of the opinion that the outcome of these lawsuits will have no material impact on ARL’s financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
NOTE 22. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Earnings per share, “EPS”, have been computed pursuant to the provisions of SFAS No. 128 “Earnings Per Share.” The computation of basic EPS is calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders from continuing operations, adjusted for preferred dividends, by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Shares issued during the period shall be weighted for the portion of the period that they were outstanding. We have 3,390,316 shares of Series A 10.0% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, which are outstanding. These shares may be converted into common stock at 90.0% of the average daily closing price of the common stock for the prior 20 trading days. These are considered in the computation of diluted earnings per share if the effect of applying the “if-converted” method is dilutive. The majority of the stock options issued expired July 1, 2008. The remaining 5,000 stock options still outstanding will expire between January 1, 2013 and 2015 if not exercised. The outstanding options are considered in the computation of diluted earnings per share if the effect of applying the “treasury stock” method is dilutive. As of December 31, 2008, the preferred stock and the stock options were anti-dilutive and thus not included in the EPS calculation.
NOTE 23. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Activities subsequent to December 31, 2008 that are not already reflected elsewhere in this Form 10-K are disclosed below.
On January 21, 2009, we sold the Chateau Bayou Apartments, a 122-unit apartment complex located in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, for a sale price of $6.9 million. We received $3.1 million in cash after paying down the existing mortgage of $3.6 million, which included accrued interest and maintenance fees and $0.2 million in closing costs.
On January 30, 2009, we sold 9.3 acres of partially developed land known as Park Forest located in Dallas, Texas for $7.7 million. We received $3.9 million in cash after paying off the existing mortgage of $3.2 million and $0.6 million in closing costs.
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SCHEDULE III
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
December 31, 2008
Property/Location
Properties Held for Investment
Anderson Estates, Oxford, MS
Blue Lake Villas II, Waxahachie, TX
Blue Lake Villas, Waxahachie, TX
Breakwater Bay, Beaumont, TX
Bridges On Kinsey, Tyler, TX
Bridgestone, Friendswood, TX
Bridgewood Ranch, Kaufman, TX
Capitol Hill, Little Rock, AR
Chateau Bayou, Ocean Springs, MS
Chateau, Bellevue, NE
Curtis Moore/Leflore, Greenwood, MS
Dakota Arms, Lubbock, TX
David Jordan Phase 2, Greenwood, MS
David Jordan Phase 3, Greenwood, MS
Denham Springs, Livingston Parish, LA
Desoto Ranch, Desoto, TX
Desoto Ridge, Desoto, TX
Dorado Ranch, Odessa, TX
Falcon Lakes, Arlington, TX
Foxwoods Apartments, Memphis, TN
Heather Creek, Mesquite, TX
Kingsland Ranch, Houston, TX
Portafino, Farmers Branch, TX
Laguna Vista, Farmers Branch, TX
Lake Forest, Houston, TX
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(Continued)
Properties Held for Investment—(Continued)
Apartments—(Continued)
Lakeview @ Pecan Creek, TX
Legends Of El Paso, El Paso, TX
Longfellow Arms, TX
Mansion of Mansfield, Mansfield, TX
Mariposa Villas, Dallas, TX
Mason Park Apts, Houston, TX
Mission Oaks, San Antonio, TX
Monticello Estates, Monticello, AR
Paramount Terrace, Amarillo, TX
Parc @ Rogers, Rogers, AR
Parc At Maumelle, Maumelle, AR
Parc At Metro Center Apartments, Nashville, TN
Park @ Clarksville, TN
Pecan Pointe, Temple, TX
Quail Hollow @ The Lakes Apts
Quail Oaks, Balch Springs, TX
River Oaks, Wiley, TX
Riverwalk Phase 1, Greenville, MS
Riverwalk Phase 2, Greenville, MS
Savoy Of Garland Apts
Sherman Northside of Travis, TX
Spy Glass, Mansfield, TX
Stonebridge @ City Park, Houston, TX
Tavel Circle, Dallas, TX
Treehouse, Irving, TX
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Verandas At City View, Fort Worth, TX
Villager, Ft. Walton, FL
Vistas At Pinnacle Park, Dallas, TX
Vistas At Vance Jackson, San Antonio, TX
Whispering Pines, Topeka, KS
Wildflower Villas, Temple, TX
Windsong, Fort Worth, TX
Commercial
1010 Commons, New Orleans, LA
217 Rampart, New Orleans, LA
225 Baronne, New Orleans, LA
305 Baronne, New Orleans, LA
5360 Tulane, Atlanta, GA
600 Las Colinas, Irving, TX
Addison Hanger I, Addison, TX
Addison Hanger II, Addison, TX
Alpenloan 8.1623 Acres
Amoco, New Orleans, LA
Bridgeview Plaza, LACrosse, WI
Clarke Garage, New Orleans, LA
Cooley Building, Farmers Branch, TX
Cross County Mall, Mattoon, IL
Cullman S/C, Cullman, AL
Denver Mart, Denver, CO
Dunes Plaza, Michigan City, IN
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Commercial —(Continued)
Ergon Bldg—Jackson, Ms
Eton Square, Tulsa, OK
GNB Building, TX
One Hickory, Dallas, TX
Park West 2, Dallas, TX
Park West, Dallas, TX
Parkway North, Dallas, TX
Sesame Square, Anchorage, AK
Signature, Dallas, TX
Space Center, San Antonio, TX
Stanford Centre, Dallas, TX
Teleport 7.642 Acres Dallas, TX
Thermalloy 7.123 Acres
Two Hickoy, Dallas, TX
Westgrove Air Plaza, Addison, TX
Willowbrook Village, Coldwater, MI
Chateau Inn, Fresno, CA
Comfort Inn, Denver, CO
Piccadilly Airport, Fresno, CA
Piccadilly Shaw, Fresno, CA
Piccadilly University, Fresno, CA
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1013 Common St, New Orleans, LA
2301 Valley Branch (Stanley Tools), Farmers Branch, TX
Ackerley Land 1.31 Acres
Alliance 52, Tarrant County, TX
Alliance 8, Tarrant County, TX
Alliance Airport Land, Tarrant County, TX
Archon Land 24.139 Acres
Audubon Terrace, Adams County, MS
Bent Tree Aparments, Dallas, TX
Bonneau, Dallas County, TX(6)
Bridgewood Ranch Land 5.04 Ac
Centura, Farmers Branch, TX
Chase Oaks, Plano, TX(6)
Circle C Land, Austin, TX
Cooks Lane, Ft. Worth, TX
Creekside, Fort Worth, TX
Croslin, Dallas, TX
Crowley, Fort Worth, TX
Dalho, Farmers Branch, TX(6)
Dedeaux Road, Gulfport, MS
Denham Springs Lot 313, Denham Springs, LA
Denton Andrew B Land, Denton, TX
Denton Coonrod (82.2), Denton, TX
Denton Coonrod Land, Denton, TX
Denton-Andrew C Land, Denton, TX
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Land—(Continued)
Desoto, Desoto, TX
Diplomat Drive, Farmers Branch, TX
Dominion, Dallas, TX
Elm Fork Land, Denton County, TX
Forney Land (ARI)
Forney Land, Kaufman County, TX
Fruitland, Fruitland Park, FL
GNB Land Edina, TX
GNB Land, Farmers Branch, TX
Graham Mortgage
Harlan at Windmill Farms 245.95Ac, Dallas, TX
Hines Meridian Land, Las Colinas, TX
Hollywood Casino Land, Farmers Branch, TX
Hollywood Casino, Farmers Branch, TX
Houston CC, TX
HSM, Farmers Branch, TX(6)
Hunter Equities Land 2.563 Acr
Icon East Center Retail, Dallas, TX
Icon Town Center Hotel, Dallas, TX
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Icon Town Center Office, Dallas, TX
Icon Town Center Residential, Dallas, TX
Jackson Convention Center, MS
JHL Connell, Carrollton, TX(6)
Kaufman Adams 193.731 Acres, Kaufman, TX
Kaufman Cogen Land, Kaufman County, TX
Kaufman Taylor Land, Kaufman County, TX
Keenan Bridge, Farmers Branch, TX
Keller Springs-Lofts, Addison, TX
Kelly Lots, Collin County, TX
Kinwest, LAs Colinas, TX
Lacy Longhorn, Farmers Branch, TX
Ladue/Walker, Farmers Branch, TX
Lakeshore Villas, Harris County, TX
Lakeview At Mercer Crossing, Farmers Branch, TX
Lamar Parmer/Limestone II, Austin, TX
Lancaster Village, Dallas, TX
Las Colinas—Walnut Hill, TX
Las Colinas Apts/Lofts, Las Colinas, TX
Las Colinas Condos, Las Colinas, TX
Las Colinas High Rise Apartments, Las Colinas, TX
Las Colinas High Rise Office, Dallas, TX
Las Colinas Station Masterplan, Irving, TX
Las Colinas Townhomes, Las Colinas, TX
Las Colinas Village Master Place, Irving, TX
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Las Colinas, Las Colinas, TX
LBJ Office Bldg. At Mercer Crosssing, Farmers Branch, TX
LCLLP, Los Colinas, TX
Leone, Irving, TX
Limestone Canyon II Land, Austin, TX
Lubbock, Lubbock, TX
Luna Road Land, Farmers Branch, TX
Luna Ventures 26.74 Acres, Dallas TX
Mandahl Bay Land, Us Virgin Islands
Manhattan, Farmers Branch, TX
Mansfield Land, Mansfield, TX
Marine Creek, Ft. Worth, TX
Marriot Courtyard At Mercer Cr, Farmers Branch, TX
Mason Park, Houston, TX
Mckinney 36, Collin County, TX
Mckinney Corners 8.9 Acres, McKinney, TX
Mckinney Ranch Land, Collin County, TX
Meloy/Portage, Kent, OH
Mendoza Land, Dallas, TX
Mercer Apts/Lakeside Lofts, Farmers Branch, TX
Mercer Land Plan, Farmers Branch, TX
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Mercer Town Homes, Farmers Branch, TX
Midtown Master Plan, Dallas, TX
Mira Lago, Farmers Branch, TX
Nakash, Malden, MO
Nashville Land, Nashville, TN
Nashville, Nashville, TN
Ocean Estates, Gulfport, MS
Pac-Trust, Dallas, TX
Palmer Lane, Austin, TX
Pantaze Land, Dallas, TX
Park Forest Apartments, Dallas, TX
Park Forest Townhomes, TX
Payne I & Ii, Los Colinas, TX
Pioneer Crossing, Austin, TX
Pioneer Crossing, Dallas, TX
Plaza At Chase Oaks, Plano, TX
Polo Estates At Bent Tree, Dallas, TX
Polo Estates At Park Forest/Central, Dallas, TX
Polo Estates Signature Place, Dallas, TX
Port Olpenitz GmbH, Germany
Pulaski, Pulaski County, AR
Ranchview, Irving, TX
Ridgepointe Drive, Irving, TX
Seminary West Land 3.041 Acres
Senlac 3.976 Acres, Farmers Branch, TX
Senlac Land, Farmers Branch, TX
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Senlac Vhp Land, Farmers Branch, TX
Sheffield Village, Grand Prairie, TX
Signature Place Apartments, Dallas, TX
Siskiyou, Siskiyou County, CA
Sladek Land, Travis County, TX
Southwood 1394 Land, Tallahassee, FL
Southwood Plantation, Tallahassee, FL
Springfield (Backlick Land)
Sugar Mill Land 10.63 Acres
TCI 151 Waco Acres, TX
Texas Plaza, Irving, TX
Thompson II, Dallas County, TX
Thompson Land, Farmers Branch, TX
Tomlin, Farmers Branch, TX
Travis Ranch Land 833.394 Acrs, Dallas, TX
Valley Ranch, Irving, TX
Valley View Comm Park, Farmers Branch, TX
Valley View/Senlac 3.451 Acres, Farmers Branch, TX
Valwood, Dallas, TX
Vineyards II, Grapevine, TX
Vineyards, Grapevine, TX
Vv34 Mercer Xing 2.194 Acres, Dallas, TX
W Hotel, 2 Acres LBJ
W Lofts, Farmers Branch, TX
Waco Swanson, Waco, TX
Walker, Dallas County, TX
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Walmart, Malden
West End, Dallas, TX
Whorton Land, Dallas, TX
Willowick Land, Pensacola, FL
Wilmer 88 Land, Dallas, TX
Windmill Farms, Kaufman County, TX
Woodmont Reserve
Corporate Departments/Investments/Misc.
TCI/ARL—Corporate
ARL—Corporate
Apartments Properties Held for Sale
Bay Walk, Galveston, TX
Island Bay, Galveston, TX
Limestone Canyon, Austin, TX
Limestone Ranch, Lewisville, TX
Marina Landing, Galveston, TX
Sendero Ridge, San Antonio, TX
Tivoli, Dallas, TX
TOTAL: Real Estate Held For Investment
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Reconciliation of Real Estate
Balance at January 1,
Additions
Acquisitions and improvements
Deductions
Sale of real estate
Property write-down
Balance at December 31,
Reconciliation of Accumulated Depreciation
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SCHEDULE IV
MORTGAGE LOANS ON REAL ESTATE
Periodic Payment Terms
FIRST MORTGAGE LOANS
Secured by an office building in Dallas, TX. Includes LOC of $250,000.00
JUNIOR MORTGAGE LAONS
Dallas Fund XVII
Secured by an assignment of partnership interests and litigation proceeds.
Pioneer Development
Secured by 33.33 acres of unimproved land in Travis County, TX.
OTHER
Realty Advisors
Secured by a pledge of 850,000 shares of ARI Common Stock owned by BCM
Mark Small
Secured by Collateral Assignment of Contract Proceeds
Robert Baylis
Class A limited partnership interests in Edina Park Plaza Associates, L.P.
Herrick Partners
2410 Partnership
Michale Witte
Richard Schmaltz
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Willingham Trust
Michael Monier
Harold Wolfe
Compton Partners
Christine Tunney
Edward Samson
Hammon Operating Corporation
Palmer Brown Madden
Quintin Smith Jr.
William Ingram
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Earl Samson
Mary Ann MacLean
Peter Van Dyk Berg
William Urkie
Sherman Bull
David Moniler
Trust—Joseph Monier
Trust—Brett & Nicole Monier
Trust—David Monier
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UNSECURED LOANS
Harvest Hill I, LLC
Unsecured.
Treetops
Blue Lake at Marine Creek
UH of Burleson
UH of Chase Oaks
HFS of Humble LLC
UH of Inwood
UH of Kensington
UH of McKinney
UHF Parkside Advances
UH of Walnut Park Crossing
Windmill Farms, LLC
International Health Products, Inc.
Basic Capital Management
Basic Capital Managment
Garden Centura, L.P.
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Thornwood (ICC Surfwood) wrap note
Syntek Acquisition Corporation
Miscellaneous related party
Ocean Beach Partners, LP.
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MORTGAGE LOAN RECEIVABLES ON REAL ESTATE
New Mortgage Loans
Funding of existing loans
Collection of principal
Conversion to property interest
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ITEM 9A(T). CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
A review and evaluation was performed by management under the supervision and with the participation of the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as required by Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as of December 31, 2008. Based upon that most recent evaluation, which was completed as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-K, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at December 31, 2008 to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that the Company files submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and timely reported as provided in the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules and forms. As a result of this evaluation, there were no significant changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended December 31, 2008 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by the Company’s board, management and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”) and includes those policies and procedures that:
pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and disposition of the assets of a company;
provide reasonable assurance that the transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with US GAAP and that receipts and expenditures of a company are being made only in accordance with authorizations and management and directors of a company; and
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of a company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of controls, material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes and conditions or that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate. Accordingly, even internal controls determine to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in and reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and represented within the time periods required.
Management of the Company has assessed the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting at December 31, 2008. To make this assessment, the Company used the criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in Internal Control—Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Based on this assessment, management of the Company believes that as of December 31, 2008, the internal control system over financial reporting met those criteria.
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This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the SEC that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There has been no change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Not applicable.
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PART III
Directors
The affairs of American Realty Investors, Inc. (“ARL”) are managed by a Board of Directors. The Directors are elected at the annual meeting of stockholders or are appointed by the incumbent Board and serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until a successor has been elected or appointed.
After December 31, 2003, a number of changes occurred in the composition of the Board of Directors of ARL, the creation of certain Board Committees, the adoption of Committee charters, the adoption of a Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, and the adoption of Guidelines for Director Independence. Also, the composition of the members of the Board of Directors changed with the resignation of Earl D. Cecil (on February 29, 2004), as well as the election of independent directors, Ted R. Munselle and Sharon Hunt, on February 20, 2004, and Robert A. Jakuszewski on November 22, 2005.
It is the Board’s objective that a majority of the Board consists of independent directors. For a Director to be considered independent, the Board must determine that the Director does not have any direct or indirect material relationship with ARL. The Board has established guidelines to assist it in determining director independence which conform to, or are more exacting than, the independence requirements in the New York Stock Exchange listing rules. The independence guidelines are set forth in ARL’s “Corporate Governance Guidelines.” The text of this document has been posted on ARL’s Internet website athttp://www.amrealtytrust.com and is available in print to any shareholder who requests it. In addition to applying these guidelines, the Board will consider all relevant facts and circumstances in making an independence determination.
ARL has adopted a code of conduct that applies to all Directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer. Stockholders may find our code of conduct on our website by going to our website address at http://www.amrealtytrust.com. We will post any amendments to the code of conduct, as well as any waivers that are required to be disclosed by the rules of the SEC or the New York Stock Exchange, on our website.
Our Board of Directors has adopted charters for our Audit, Compensation, and Governance and Nominating Committees of the Board of Directors. Stockholders may find these documents on our website by going to the website address athttp://www.amrealtytrust.com. You may also obtain a printed copy of the materials referred to by contacting us at the following address:
Attn: Investor Relations
Dallas, Texas 75234
Telephone: 469-522-4200
All members of the Audit Committee and the Governance and Nominating Committee must be independent directors. Members of the Audit Committee must also satisfy additional independence requirements, which provide (i) that they may not accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory, or compensatory fee from ARL or any of its subsidiaries other than their Director’s compensation (other than in their capacity as a member of the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors, or any other committee of the Board), and (ii) no member of the Audit Committee may be an “affiliated person” of ARL or any of its subsidiaries, as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The current Directors of ARL are listed below, together with their ages, terms of service, all positions and offices with ARL, its former advisor (BCM), or current advisor (Prime), which took over as contractual advisor for BCM on July 1, 2003, their principal occupations, business experience, and directorships with other companies during the last five years or more. The designation “Affiliated,” when used below with respect to a
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Director, means that the Director is an officer, director, or employee of BCM or Prime, an officer of ARL, or an officer or director of an affiliate of ARL. The designation “Independent,” when used below with respect to a Director, means that the Director is neither an officer of ARL nor a director, officer, or employee of BCM or Prime (but may be a director of ARL), although ARL may have certain business or professional relationships with such Director as discussed in Part III, Item 13. “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence”.
TED P. STOKELY: Age 75, Director and Chairman of the Board (Affiliate) (since November 2002).
General Manager (since January 1995) of ECF Senior Housing Corporation, a nonprofit corporation; General Manager (since January 1993) of Housing Assistance Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit corporation; Part-time unpaid consultant (since January 1993) and paid consultant (April 1992 to December 1992) of Eldercare Housing Foundation, a nonprofit corporation; General Manager (since April 2002) of Unified Housing Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit corporation; Director (since April 1990 to February 22, 2007) and Chairman of the Board (November 2002 to February 22, 2007) of Income Opportunity Realty Investors, Inc. (“IOT”) and Director (since 1990) and Chairman of the Board (since January 1996) of TCI.
HENRY A. BUTLER: Age 58, Director (Affiliate) (since July 2003).
Broker—Land Sales (since July 2003) for Prime and 1992 to June 2003 for BCM; Owner/Operator (1989 to 1991) of Butler Interests, Inc.; Director of ARL; and Director (December 2001 to July 2003) of IOT.
SHARON HUNT: Age 66, Director (Independent) (since February 2004).
Licensed Realtor in the Dallas, Texas area with Virginia Cook Realtors; President and Owner of Sharon’s Pretzels, Inc. (until sold in 1997) a Dallas, Texas food products entity; Director (1991 to 2000) of a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation involved in the acquisition, renovation and operation of real estate; and Director (since February 2004) of TCI.
ROBERT A. JAKUSZEWSKI: Age 46, Director (Independent) (since November 2005).
Vice President—Sales and Marketing (since September 1998) of New Horizons Communications, Inc., Consultant (January 1998—September 1998) for New Horizon Communications, Inc.; Regional Sales Manager (1996-1998) of Continental Funding; Territory Manager (1992-1996) of Sigvaris, Inc.; Senior Sales Representative (1988-1992) of Mead Johnson Nutritional Division, USPNG; Sales Representative (1986-1987) of Muro Pharmaceutical, Inc.; and Director of IOT since March 16, 2004.
TED R. MUNSELLE: Age 53, Director (Independent) (since February 2004).
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (since October 1998) of Landmark Nurseries, Inc; President (December 2004 to August 2007) of Applied Educational Opportunities, LLC, an educational organization which had career training schools located in the cities of Richardson and Tyler; Certified Public Accountant employed in the public accounting industry from 1977 until 1998 when he entered his current employment; Director (since February 20, 2004) of TCI.
Board Meetings and Committees
The Board of Directors held eleven meetings during 2008. For such year, no incumbent Director attended fewer than 78.0% of the aggregate of (1) the total number of meetings held by the Board during the period for which he had been a Director and (2) the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which he served during the periods that he served.
The Board of Directors has standing Audit, Compensation, and Governance and Nominating Committees.
Audit Committee. The current Audit Committee was formed on February 19, 2004, and its function is to review ARL’s operating and accounting procedures. The charter of the Audit Committee has also been adopted
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by the Board. The charter of the Audit Committee was adopted on February 19, 2004 and is available on the company’s investor relations website (www.amrealtytrust.com). The Audit Committee is an “audit committee” for purposes of Section 3(a) (58) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The current members of the Audit Committee, all of whom are independent within the meaning of the SEC Regulations, the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., and ARL’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, are Messrs. Jakuszewski and Munselle (Chairman) and Ms. Hunt. Mr. Ted R. Munselle, a member of the Committee, is qualified as an Audit Committee financial expert within the meaning of SEC Regulations, and the Board has determined that he has accounting and related financial management expertise within the meaning of the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. All of the members of the Audit Committee meet the experience requirements of the listing standards of the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. The Audit Committee met nine times during 2008.
Governance and Nominating Committee. The Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for developing and implementing policies and practices relating to corporate governance, including reviewing and monitoring implementation of ARL’s Corporate Governance Guidelines. In addition, the Committee develops and reviews background information on candidates for the Board and makes recommendations to the Board regarding such candidates. The Committee also prepares and supervises the Board’s annual review of director independence and the Board’s performance self-evaluation. The Charter of the Governance and Nominating Committee was adopted on March 22, 2004. The current members of the Committee are Messrs. Jakuszewski (Chairman), and Munselle and Ms. Hunt. The Governance and Nominating Committee met once during 2008.
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the policies of the Company relating to compensation to be paid by the Company to the Company’s principal executive officer and any other officers designated by the Board and make recommendations to the Board with respect to such policies, produce necessary reports and executive compensation for inclusion in the Company’s Proxy Statement in accordance with applicable rules and regulations and to monitor the development and implementation of succession plans for the principal executive officers and other key executives and make recommendations to the Board with respect to such plans. The charter of the Compensation Committee was adopted on March 22, 2004, and is available on the Company’s Investor Relations website (www.amrealtytrust.com). The current members of the Compensation Committee are Ms. Hunt (Chairman) and Messrs. Jakuszewski and Munselle. All of the members of the Compensation Committee are independent within the meaning of the listing standards of the NYSE and the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines. The Compensation Committee is to be comprised of at least two directors who are independent of Management and the Company. The Compensation Committee met once during 2008.
The members of the Board of Directors on the date of this Report and the Committees of the Board on which they serve are identified below:
Ted P. Stokley
Presiding Director
In March 2004, the Board created a new position of presiding director, whose primary responsibility is to preside over periodic executive sessions of the Board in which Management directors and other members of Management do not participate. The presiding director also advises the Chairman of the Board and, as
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appropriate, Committee Chairs with respect to agendas and information needs relating to Board and Committee meetings, provides advice with respect to the selection of Committee Chairs and performs other duties that the Board may from time to time delegate to assist the Board in fulfillment of its responsibilities.
In 2008, the non-management members of the Board designated Ted R. Munselle as presiding director to serve in this position until the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders to be held following the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
Determination of Director’s Independence
In February 2004, the Board adopted its Corporate Governance Guidelines. The Guidelines adopted by the Board meet or exceed the new listing standards adopted during that year by the New York Stock Exchange. The full text of the Guidelines can be found on the Company’s Investor Relations website (www.amrealtytrust.com).
Pursuant to the Guidelines, the Board undertook its annual review of director independence in March 2008, and during this review, the Board considered transactions and relationships between each director or any member of his or her immediate family and ARL and its subsidiaries and affiliates, including those reported under Certain Relationships and Related Transactions below. The Board also examined transactions and relationships between directors or their affiliates and members of ARL’s senior management or their affiliates. As provided in the Guidelines, the purpose of such review was to determine whether such relationships or transactions were inconsistent with the determination that the director is independent.
As a result of this review, the Board affirmatively determined of the then directors, Messrs. Munselle and Jakuszewski and Ms. Hunt are each independent of the Company and its Management under the standards set forth in the Corporate Governance Guidelines.
Executive Officers
Executive officers of the Company are listed below, all except one of whom are employed by Prime. None of the executive officers receive any direct remuneration from the Company nor do any hold any options granted by the Company. Their positions with the Company are not subject to a vote of stockholders. In addition to the following executive officers, the Company has several vice presidents and assistant secretaries who are not listed herein. The ages, terms of service and all positions and offices with the Company, Prime, BCM, other entities, other principal occupations, business experience and directorships with other publicly held companies during the last five years or more are set forth below. No family relationships exists among any of the executive officers or directors of the Company.
DANIEL J. MOOS, 58
President and Chief Operating Officer (effective April 2007) of ARL, TCI, IOT and (effective March 2007) of Prime; Senior Vice President and Business Line Manager of U.S. Bank (NYSE) working out of their offices in Houston, Texas from 2003 to April 2007; Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Fleetcor Technologies a privately held transaction processing company that was headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana from 1998 to 2003; Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, ICSA a privately held internet security and information company headquartered in Carlisle, Pennsylvania from 1996 to 1998; and for more than five years prior thereto was employed in various financial and operating roles for PhoneTel Technologies, Inc. which was a publicly traded telecommunication company on the American Stock Exchange headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio (1992 to 1996) and LDI which was a publicly traded computer equipment sales/service and asset leasing company listed on the NASDAQ and headquartered in Corporation of Cleveland, Ohio.
GENE S. BERTCHER, 60
“Executive Vice President (since February 2008) and Chief Accounting Officer (since May 2008) of the Company, TCI and IOT. Mr. Bertcher is also Chief Executive Officer (from December 2006 to present)
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and Chief Financial Officer (since January 2003) and a Director (from November 1989 to September 1996 and from June 1999 to present) of New Concept Energy, Inc. (“NCE”), a Nevada corporation which has its common stock listed on the AMEX. Mr. Bertcher has been employed by NCE since November 1989. He has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1973. Mr. Bertcher is also a Director, Vice President and Treasurer (since March 24, 2009) of First Equity Properties, Inc., a Nevada corporation with securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act.”
LOUIS J. CORNA, 61
Executive Vice President, General Counsel/Tax Counsel and Secretary (since February 2004), Executive Vice President—Tax (October 2001 to February 2004), Executive Vice President—Tax and Chief Financial Officer (June 2001 to October 2001) and Senior Vice President—Tax (December 2000 to June 2001) of ARL, TCI, IOT and BCM; Executive Vice President, General Counsel/Tax Counsel and Secretary (since February 2004), Executive Vice President—Tax (July 2003 to February 2004) of Prime and PIAMI; Private Attorney (January 2000 to December 2000); Vice President—Taxes and Assistant Treasurer (March 1998 to January 2000) of IMC Global, Inc.; Vice President—Taxes (July 1991 to February 1998) of Whitman Corporation. “Mr. Corna is also a Director and Vice President (since June 1, 2004) and Secretary (since January 14, 2005) of First Equity Properties, Inc., a Nevada corporation with securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act.”
ALFRED CROZIER, 56
Executive Vice President—Residential Construction (since November 2006) of ARL, TCI and IOT; Managing Director of Development for Woodmont Investment Company GP, LLC of Dallas, Texas from November 2005 to November 2006; President of Sterling Builders, Inc. of Spring, Texas from October 2003 to November 2005; Vice President of Westchase Construction, Ltd. of Houston, Texas from August 2001 to September 2003. For more than five years prior thereto, Mr. Crozier was employed by various firms in the construction industry including, Trammell Crow Residential (February 1995 through February 2000) and The Finger Companies (August 1991 through February 1995). Mr. Crozier is a licensed architect.
Officers
Although not an executive officer of the Company, Daeho Kim currently serves as Treasurer. His position with the Company is not subject to a vote of stockholders. His age, term of service and all positions and offices with the Company, other principal occupations, business experience and relationships with other entities during the last five years or more are set forth below.
DAEHO KIM, 32
Treasurer (since October 29, 2008) of ARL, TCI and IOT. For more than five years prior thereto, Mr. Kim has been employed by Prime in various financial capacities including Cash Manager and Assistant Director of Capital Markets.
Code of Ethics
ARL has adopted a code of ethics entitled “Code of Business Conduct and Ethics” that applies to all directors, officers, and employees (including those of the contractual Advisor to ARL). In addition, ARL has adopted a code of ethics entitled “Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers” that applies to the principal executive officer, president, principal financial officer, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, and controller. The text of these documents has been posted on ARL’s internet website at http://www.amrealtytrust.com and are available in print to any stockholder who requests them.
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Under the securities laws of the United States, ARL’s Directors, executive officers, and any persons holding more than 10% of ARL’s shares of common stock are required to report their ownership and any changes in that
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ownership to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”). Specific due dates for these reports have been established and ARL is required to report any failure to file by these dates. All of these filing requirements were satisfied by ARL’s directors and executive officers and 10% holders during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. In making these statements, ARL has relied on the written representations of its incumbent Directors and executive officers and its 10% holders and copies of the reports that they have filed with the Commission.
The Advisor
Although the Board of Directors is directly responsible for managing the affairs of ARL and for setting the policies, which guide it, the day-to-day operations of ARL are performed by Prime, a contractual advisor under the supervision of the Board. The duties of the advisor include, among other things, locating, investigating, evaluating, and recommending real estate and mortgage loan investment and sales opportunities, as well as financing and refinancing sources. Prime also serves as consultant in connection with ARL’s business plan and investment policy decisions made by the Board.
Prime, an affiliate, is the contractual advisor to ARL. Prime is a single-member limited liability company, the sole member of which is PIAMI, which is owned 80% by Realty Advisors, Inc. and 20% by Syntek West, Inc. Realty Advisors, Inc. is owned 100% by a trust for the benefit of the children of Gene E. Phillips. Syntek West, Inc. is owned 100% by Gene E. Phillips. Mr. Phillips is not an officer or director of Prime but serves as a representative of the Trust, is involved in regular consultation with the officers and directors of Prime and has significant influence over the conduct of Prime’s business, including the rendering of advisory services and the investment decisions for Prime and for ARL. See also “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance”. As of March 5, 2009, Prime owned 1,437,208 shares of ARL’s common stock, approximately 13.1% of the shares then outstanding, and One Realco Stock Holdings, Inc., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Prime of which PIAMI is the sole member, owned 234,500 shares of ARL common stock.
The Advisory Agreement provides for the advisor to receive monthly base compensation at the rate of 0.0625% per month (0.75% on an annualized basis) of Average Invested Assets.
In addition to base compensation, Prime, an affiliate of Prime, or a related party receives the following forms of additional compensation:
1) an acquisition fee for locating, leasing or purchasing real estate for ARL in an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the amount of compensation customarily charged in similar arm’s-length transactions or (b) up to 6.0% of the costs of acquisition, inclusive of commissions, if any, paid to non-affiliated brokers;
2) a disposition fee for the sale of each equity investment in real estate in an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the amount of compensation customarily charged in similar arm’s-length transactions or (b) 3.0% of the sales price of each property, exclusive of fees, if any, paid to non-affiliated brokers;
3) a loan arrangement fee in an amount equal to 1.0% of the principal amount of any loan made to ARL arranged by Prime;
4) an incentive fee equal to 10.0% of net income for the year in excess of a 10.0% return on stockholders’ equity, and 10.0% of the excess of net capital gains over net capital losses, if any, realized from sales of assets;
5) a mortgage placement fee, on mortgage loans originated or purchased, equal to 50.0%, measured on a cumulative basis, of the total amount of mortgage origination and placement fees on mortgage loans advanced by ARL for the fiscal year; and
6) a construction management fee equal to 6% of the so-called “hard costs” only of any costs of construction on a completed basis, based upon amounts set forth as approved on any architect certificate issued in connection with such construction, which fee is payable at such time as the applicable architect certifies other costs for payment to third parties.
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The ARL Advisory Agreement further provides that Prime shall bear the cost of certain expenses of its employees, excluding fees paid to ARL’s Directors; rent and other office expenses of both Prime and ARL (unless ARL maintains office space separate from that of Prime); costs not directly identifiable to ARL’s assets, liabilities, operations, business or financial affairs; and miscellaneous administrative expenses relating to the performance by Prime of its duties under the Advisory Agreement.
Effective July 1, 2005, the Company and Prime entered into a Cash Management Agreement to further define the administration of the Company’s day-to-day investment operations, relationship contacts, flow of funds and deposit and borrowing of funds. Under the Cash Management Agreement, all funds of the Company are delivered to Prime which has a deposit liability to the Company and is responsible for payment of all payables and investment of all excess funds which earn interest at the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate plus 1% per annum, as set quarterly on the first day of each calendar quarter. Borrowings for the benefit of the Company bear the same interest rate. The term of the Cash Management Agreement is coterminous with the Advisory Agreement, and it is automatically renewed each year unless terminated with the Advisory Agreement.
The terms of TCI’s Advisory Agreement with Prime are not identical to those of ARL’s Advisory Agreement. The provisions of TCI’s Advisory Agreement are:
1) The TCI Advisory Agreement provides for Prime to be responsible for the day-to-day operations of TCI and to receive an advisory fee comprised of a gross asset fee of .0625% per month (.75% per annum) of the average of the gross asset value (total assets less allowance for amortization, depreciation or depletion and valuation reserves) and an annual net income fee equal to 7.5% of TCI’s net income;
2) The TCI Advisory Agreement also provides for Prime to receive an annual incentive sales fee equal to 10.0% of the amount, if any, by which the aggregate sales consideration for all real estate sold by TCI during such fiscal year exceeds the sum of: (1) the cost of each such property as originally recorded in TCI’s books for tax purposes (without deduction for depreciation, amortization or reserve for losses), (2) capital improvements made to such assets during the period owned, and (3) all closing costs, (including real estate commissions) incurred in the sale of such real estate; provided, however, no incentive fee shall be paid unless (a) such real estate sold in such fiscal year, in the aggregate, has produced an 8.0% simple annual return on the net investment including capital improvements, calculated over the holding period before depreciation and inclusive of operating income and sales consideration and (b) the aggregate net operating income from all real estate owned for each of the prior and current fiscal years shall be at least 5.0% higher in the current fiscal year than in the prior fiscal year;
3) Pursuant to the TCI Advisory Agreement, Prime, or an affiliate of Prime, is to receive an acquisition commission for supervising the acquisition, purchase or long-term lease of real estate equal to the lesser of (1) up to 1.0% of the cost of acquisition, inclusive of commissions, if any, paid to nonaffiliated brokers or (2) the compensation customarily charged in arm’s-length transactions by others rendering similar property acquisition services as an ongoing public activity in the same geographical location and for comparable property, provided that the aggregate purchase price of each property (including acquisition fees and real estate brokerage commissions) may not exceed such property’s appraised value at acquisition;
4) The TCI Advisory Agreement requires Prime or any affiliate of Prime to pay to TCI, one-half of any compensation received from third parties with respect to the origination, placement or brokerage of any loan made by TCI; provided, however, that the compensation retained by Prime or any affiliate of Prime shall not exceed the lesser of (1) 2.0% of the amount of the loan commitment or (2) a loan brokerage and commitment fee which is reasonable and fair under the circumstances;
5) The TCI Advisory Agreement also provides that Prime or an affiliate of Prime is to receive a mortgage or loan acquisition fee with respect to the acquisition or purchase of any existing mortgage loan by TCI equal to the lesser of (1) 1.0% of the amount of the loan purchased or (2) a brokerage or commitment fee which is reasonable and fair under the circumstances. Such fee will not be paid in connection with the origination or funding of any mortgage loan by TCI;
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6) Under the TCI Advisory Agreement, Prime or an affiliate of Prime also is to receive a mortgage brokerage and equity refinancing fee for obtaining loans or refinancing on properties equal to the lesser of (1) 1.0% of the amount of the loan or the amount refinanced or (2) a brokerage or refinancing fee which is reasonable and fair under the circumstances; provided, however, that no such fee shall be paid on loans from Prime or an affiliate of Prime without the approval of TCI’s Board of Directors. No fee shall be paid on loan extensions;
7) The TCI Advisory Agreement also provides for all activities in connection with or related to construction for TCI and its subsidiaries, Prime shall receive a fee equal to 6% of the so-called “hard costs” only of any costs of construction on a completed basis, based upon amounts set forth as approved on any architect certificate issued in connection with such construction, which fee is payable at such time as the applicable architect certifies other costs for payment to third parties. The phrase “hard costs” means all actual costs of construction paid to contractors, subcontractors and third parties for materials or labor performed as part of the construction but does not include items generally regarded as “soft costs,” which are consulting fees, attorneys’ fees, architectural fees, permit fees and fees of other professionals;
8) Under the TCI Advisory Agreement, Prime receives reimbursement of certain expenses incurred by it in the performance of advisory services; and
9) Under the TCI Advisory Agreement, all or a portion of the annual advisory fee must be refunded by the Advisor if the Operating Expenses of TCI (as defined in the Advisory Agreement) exceed certain limits specified in the Advisory Agreement based on the book value, net asset value, and net income of TCI during the fiscal year.
Effective July 1, 2005, TCI and Prime entered into a Cash Management Agreement substantially in the same form and with the same terms as the Cash Management Agreement between ARL and Prime.
If and to the extent that ARL shall request Prime, or any director, officer, partner, or employee of Prime, to render services to ARL other than those required to be rendered by Prime under the Advisory Agreement, such additional services, if performed, will be compensated separately on terms agreed upon between such party and ARL from time-to-time.
The Advisory Agreement automatically renews from year-to-year unless terminated in accordance with its terms. ARL’s management believes that the terms of the Advisory Agreement are at least as fair as could be obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
Situations may develop in which the interests of ARL are in conflict with those of one or more directors or officers in their individual capacities or of Prime, or of their respective affiliates. In addition to services performed for ARL, as described above, Prime actively provides similar services as agent for, and advisor to, other real estate enterprises, including persons and entities involved in real estate development and financing, including TCI. The Advisory Agreement provides that Prime may also serve as advisor to other entities.
As advisor, Prime is a fiduciary of ARL’s public investors. In determining to which entity a particular investment opportunity will be allocated, Prime will consider the respective investment objectives of each entity and the appropriateness of a particular investment in light of each such entity’s existing mortgage note and real estate portfolios and business plan. To the extent any particular investment opportunity is appropriate to more than one such entity, such investment opportunity will be allocated to the entity that has had funds available for investment for the longest period of time, or, if appropriate, the investment may be shared among various entities. See Part III, Item 13. “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.”
The managers and principal officers of Prime are set forth below:
Mickey N. Phillips—Manager
Ryan T. Phillips—Manager
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Daniel J. Moos—President and Chief Operating Officer
Gene S. Bertcher—Executive Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
Louis J. Corna—Executive Vice President—Tax, General Counsel/Tax Counsel and Secretary
Alfred Crozier—Executive Vice President—Residential Construction
Mickey N. Phillips is the brother of Gene E. Phillips, and Ryan T. Phillips is the son of Gene E. Phillips. Gene E. Phillips indirectly owns 20.0% of Prime and serves as a representative of the trust established for the benefit of his children, which indirectly owns 80.0% of Prime and, in such capacity, has substantial contact with the management of Prime and input with respect to its performance of advisory services for ARL.
Property Management and Real Estate Brokerage
Affiliates of Prime provide property management services to ARL. Currently, Triad provides property management services to ARL’s properties for a fee of 6.0% or less of the monthly gross rents collected on the residential properties under its management and 3.0% or less of the monthly gross rents collected on the commercial properties under its management. Triad subcontracts with other entities for the provision of the property-level management services at various rates. The general partner of Triad is PIAMI. The limited partner of Triad is HRS Holdings LLC (“HRSHLLC”). Triad subcontracts the property-level management and leasing of ARL’s commercial properties (shopping centers, office buildings and individual warehouses) to Regis I, which is entitled to receive property and construction management fees and leasing commissions in accordance with the terms of its property-level management agreement with Triad. Regis Hotel I, LLC, manages ARL’s hotels. The sole member of Regis I and Regis Hotel I, LLC is HRSHLLC.
Regis I, a related party, provides real estate brokerage services to ARL and receives brokerage commissions in accordance with the Advisory Agreement.
ARL has no employees, payroll, or benefit plans, and pays no compensation to its executive officers. The Directors and executive officers of ARL who are also officers or employees of Prime are compensated by Prime. Such affiliated Directors and executive officers perform a variety of services for Prime and the amount of their compensation is determined solely by Prime. Prime does not allocate the cash compensation of its officers among the various entities for which it serves as advisor. See Part III, Item 10. “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance” for a more detailed discussion of compensation payable to Prime by ARL.
The only direct remuneration paid by ARL is to those Directors who are not officers or employees of Prime or its affiliated companies. Each non-employee Director is compensated at the rate of $45,000 per year, plus $300 per Audit Committee meeting attended. The Chairman of the Board of Directors is compensated at the rate of $49,500 per year Also, each non-employee Director receives an additional fee of $1,000 per day for any special services rendered outside of their ordinary duties as Director, plus reimbursement of expenses. During 2008, $194,900 was paid to non-employee Directors in total Directors’ fees for all services including the annual fee for service during the period January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008, the fees paid to the directors are as follows: Sharon Hunt, $48,300; Robert A. Jakuszewski, $48,300, Ted R. Munselle, $48,800 and Ted P. Stokely, $49,500.
In January 1999, stockholders approved the Director’s Stock Option Plan (the “Director’s Plan”) which provides for options to purchase up to 40,000 shares of common stock. Options granted pursuant to the Director’s Plan are immediately exercisable and expire on the earlier of the first anniversary of the date on which a Director ceases to be a Director or ten years from the date of grant. On January 1, 2003, 2004, 2005 total options granted were 1,000, 2,000 and 4,000, respectively. In December 2005, the Director’s Plan was terminated. At
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December 31, 2008, options covering 5,000 shares remain outstanding which consists of an option for 100 shares exercisable at $8.09 per share, an option for 100 shares exercisable at $9.13 per share, and an option for 3,000 shares exercisable at $9.70 per share. These options expire between 2013 and 2015.
In January 1998, stockholders approved the 1997 Stock Option Plan (the “Option Plan”), which provides for options to purchase up to 300,000 shares of common stock. This plan was terminated in 2005. Effective July 1, 2008, all outstanding options under this plan expired.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2008 regarding compensation plans under which equity securities of ARL are authorized for issuance.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
Plan Category
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
See NOTE 12. “STOCK OPTIONS” for information regarding the material features of the above plans.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners. The following table sets forth the ownership of ARL’s common stock both beneficially and of record, both individually and in the aggregate, for those persons or entities known by ARL to be the owner of more than 5.0% of the shares of ARL’s common stock as of the close of business on March 5, 2009.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
1755 Wittington Place
Suite 340
Prime Income Asset Management, Inc.
1800 Valley View Lane
Suite 300
Transcontinental Realty Investors, Inc.
Realty Advisors, Inc.
Ryan T. Phillips
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Security Ownership of Management. The following table sets forth the ownership of shares of ARL’s common stock, both beneficially and of record, both individually in the aggregate, for the Directors and executive officers of ARL, as of the close of business on March 5, 2009.
Name
Gene S. Bertcher
Louis J. Corna
Alfred Crozier
Daniel J. Moos
All Directors and Executive Officers as a group (9 persons)
Policies with Respect to Certain Activities
Article 11 of ARL’s Articles of Incorporation provides that ARL shall not, directly or indirectly, contract or engage in any transaction with (1) any director, officer or employee of ARL, (2) any director, officer or employee of the advisor, (3) the advisor, or (4) any affiliate or associate (as such terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of any of the aforementioned persons, unless (a) the material facts as to the relationship among or financial interest of the relevant individuals or persons and as to the contract or
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transaction are disclosed to or are known by ARL’s Board of Directors or the appropriate committee thereof and (b) ARL’s Board of Directors or committee thereof determines that such contract or transaction is fair to ARL and simultaneously authorizes or ratifies such contract or transaction by the affirmative vote of a majority of independent directors of ARL entitled to vote thereon.
Article 11 defines an “Independent Director” (for purposes of that Article) as one who is neither an officer or employee of ARL, nor a director, officer or employee of ARL’s advisor. This definition predates ARL’s director independence guidelines adopted in February 2004.
ARL’s policy is to have such contracts or transactions approved or ratified by a majority of the disinterested Directors with full knowledge of the character of such transactions, as being fair and reasonable to the stockholders at the time of such approval or ratification under the circumstances then prevailing. Such Directors also consider the fairness of such transactions to ARL. Management believes that, to date, such transactions have represented the best investments available at the time and they were at least as advantageous to ARL as other investments that could have been obtained.
ARL may enter into future transactions with entities, the officers, directors, or stockholders of which are also officers, directors, or stockholders of ARL, if such transactions would be beneficial to the operations of ARL and consistent with ARL’s then-current investment objectives and policies, subject to approval by a majority of disinterested Directors as discussed above.
ARL does not prohibit its officers, directors, stockholders, or related parties from engaging in business activities of the types conducted by ARL.
Certain Business Relationships
Prime, ARL’s advisor, is a company for which Messrs. Moos, Bertcher, Corna, and Crozier serve as executive officers. Prime is a single-member limited liability company, the sole member of which is PIAMI, which is owned 80% by Realty Advisors, Inc. and 20% by Syntek West, Inc. Realty Advisors, Inc. is owned 100% by a trust for the benefit of the children of Gene E. Phillips. Syntek West, Inc. is owned 100% by Gene E. Phillips. Mr. Phillips is not an officer or director of Prime but serves as a representative of the Trust, is involved in regular consultation with the executive officers and directors of Prime and has significant influence over the conduct of Prime’s business, including the rendering of advisory services and the investment decisions for Prime and for ARL. See Part III, Item 10. “Directors, and Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.”
The executive officers of ARL also serve as executive officers of TCI and IOT. As such, they owe fiduciary duties to that entity as well as to Prime under applicable law. TCI has the same relationship with Prime, as does ARL. Mr. Bertcher is an officer, director and employee of NCE and as such also owes fiduciary duties to NCE as well as ARL, TCI and IOT under applicable law.
Effective July 1, 2003, PAMI became the advisor to ARL and TCI. Effective August 18, 2003, PAMI changed its name to PIAMI. On October 1, 2003, Prime, which is 100% owned by PIAMI, replaced PIAMI as the advisor to ARL and TCI.
ARL contracts with affiliates of Prime for property management services. Triad, an affiliate, provides property management services. The general partner of Triad is PIAMI. The limited partner of Triad is HRSHLLC, a related party. Triad subcontracts the property-level management of ARL’s commercial properties (office buildings, shopping centers, and industrial warehouses) to Regis I, a related party. Regis I also provides real estate brokerage services to ARL and receives brokerage commissions in accordance with the Advisory Agreement. Regis Hotel I, LLC manages ARL’s hotels. The sole member of Regis I and Regis Hotel I, LLC is HRSHLLC.
At December 31, 2008, ARL owned approximately 82.8% of TCI’s outstanding common stock through its interest in TCI and approximately 24.9% of IOT’s outstanding common stock.
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Related Party Transactions
The Company has historically engaged in and may continue to engage in certain business transactions with related parties, including but not limited to assets acquisition and dispositions. Transactions involving related parties cannot be presumed to be carried out on an arm’s length basis due to the absence of free market forces that naturally exist in business dealings between two or more unrelated entities. Related party transactions may not always be favorable to our business and may include terms, conditions and agreements that are not necessarily beneficial to or in the best interest of our Company.
Operating Relationships
The company leases office and commercial warehouse space to affiliated entities. The income from those entities are included in our financial statements and disclosed on the face of our Statements of Operations which is included in Item 8 of this 10-K. Affiliated rents include lease income from Eagle Crest, 2010 Valley View, Folsom land, 1010 Commons, Two Hickory, 600 Las Colinas, One Hickory, Browning Place, Fenton Center, Amoco, Parkway North, Thermalloy, and Senlac.
Advances and Loans
From time to time, ARL and its affiliates have made advances to each other, which generally have not had specific repayment terms, did not bear interest, are unsecured, and have been reflected in ARL’s financial statements as other assets or other liabilities. ARL and the advisor charge interest on the outstanding balance of funds advanced to or from ARL. The interest rate, set at the beginning of each quarter, is the Prime rate plus 1% on the average daily cash balances advanced. At December 31, 2008, ARL owes Prime $23.0 million.
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees for professional services rendered to ARL for the years 2008 and 2007 by ARL’s principal accounting firms, Farmer, Fuqua and Huff, L.P. and BDO Seidman, LLP:
Type of Fee
Audit Fees
Audit Related Fees
Tax Fees
All Other Fees
All services rendered by the principal auditors are permissible under applicable laws and regulations and were pre-approved by either the Board of Directors or the Audit Committee, as required by law. The fees paid the principal auditors for services as described in the above table fall under the categories listed below:
Audit Fees. These are fees for professional services performed by the principal auditor for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements and review of financial statements included in the Company’s 10-Q filings and services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filing or engagements.
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Audit-Related Fees. These are fees for assurance and related services performed by the principal auditor that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements. These services include attestations by the principal auditor that are not required by statute or regulation and consulting on financial accounting/reporting standards.
Tax Fees. These are fees for professional services performed by the principal auditor with respect to tax compliance, tax planning, tax consultation, returns preparation, and review of returns. The review of tax returns includes the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.
All Other Fees. These are fees for other permissible work performed by the principal auditor that do not meet the above category descriptions.
These services are actively monitored (as to both spending level and work content) by the Audit Committee to maintain the appropriate objectivity and independence in the principal auditor’s core work, which is the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “SOX Act”) and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for the appointment, compensation, and oversight of the work of the independent auditor. The purpose of the provisions of the SOX Act and the SEC rules for the Audit Committee role in retaining the independent auditor is two-fold. First, the authority and responsibility for the appointment, compensation, and oversight of the auditors should be with directors who are independent of management. Second, any non-audit work performed by the auditors should be reviewed and approved by these same independent directors to ensure that any non-audit services performed by the auditor do not impair the independence of the independent auditor. To implement the provisions of the SOX Act, the SEC issued rules specifying the types of services that an independent may not provide to its audit client, and governing the Audit Committee’s administration of the engagement of the independent auditor. As part of this responsibility, the Audit Committee is required to pre-approve the audit and non-audit services performed by the independent auditor in order to assure that they do not impair the auditor’s independence. Accordingly, the Audit Committee has adopted a pre-approval policy of audit and non-audit services (the “Policy”), which sets forth the procedures and conditions pursuant to which services to be performed by the independent auditor are to be pre-approved. Consistent with the SEC rules establishing two different approaches to pre-approving non-prohibited services, the Policy of the Audit Committee covers pre-approval of audit services, audit-related services, international administration tax services, non-U.S. income tax compliance services, pension and benefit plan consulting and compliance services, and U.S. tax compliance and planning. At the beginning of each fiscal year, the Audit Committee will evaluate other known potential engagements of the independent auditor, including the scope of work proposed to be performed and the proposed fees, and approve or reject each service, taking into account whether services are permissible under applicable law and the possible impact of each non-audit service on the independent auditor’s independence from management. Typically, in addition to the generally pre-approved services, other services would include due diligence for an acquisition that may or may not have been known at the beginning of the year. The Audit Committee has also delegated to any member of the Audit Committee designated by the Board or the financial expert member of the Audit Committee responsibilities to pre-approve services to be performed by the independent auditor not exceeding $25,000 in value or cost per engagement of audit and non-audit services, and such authority may only be exercised when the Audit Committee is not in session.
All the fees for 2008 and 2007 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee or were within the pre-approved guidelines for permitted non-audit services and fees established by the Audit Committee, and there were no instances of waiver of approved requirements or guidelines during the same periods.
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PART IV
Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants
All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or because the required information is shown in the financial statements or the notes thereto.
Consolidated Financial Statements of Income Opportunity Realty Investors, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Item 8. of Income Opportunity Realty Investors, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008).
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The following documents are filed as Exhibits to this Report:
Exhibit
Number
Certificate of Restatement of Articles of Incorporation of American Realty Investors, Inc., dated August 3, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.0 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2000).
Certificate of Correction of Restated Articles of Incorporation of American Realty Investors, Inc., dated August 29, 2000 (incorporate by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2000).
Articles of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of American Realty Investors, Inc. decreasing the number of authorized shares of and eliminating Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock dated August 26, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003).
Articles of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of American Realty Investors, Inc. decreasing the number of authorized shares of and eliminating Series I Cumulative Preferred Stock dated October 1, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003).
By-laws of American Realty Investors, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed on December 30, 1999).
Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Relative Participating or Optional or Other Special Rights, and Qualifications, Limitations or Restrictions Thereof of Series F Redeemable Preferred Stock of American Realty Investors, Inc., dated June 11, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001).
Certificate of Withdrawal of Preferred Stock, Decreasing the Number of Authorized Shares of and Eliminating Series F Redeemable Preferred Stock, dated June 18, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.0 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002).
Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of the Series I Cumulative Preferred Stock of American Realty Investors, Inc., dated February 3, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002).
Certificate of Designation for Nevada Profit Corporations designating the Series J 8% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock as filed with the Secretary of State of Nevada on March 16, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Registrant current report on Form 8-K for event of March 16, 2006).
Advisory Agreement between American Realty Investors, Inc. and Prime Income Asset Management, LLC, dated October 1, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.0 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 1, 2003).
Second Amendment to Modification of Stipulation of Settlement dated October 17, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, dated February 24, 2002).
Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14.0 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004).
Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification by Principal Executive Officer.
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification by Principal Financial Officer.
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
109
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.
Dated: March 31, 2009
By:
/s/ GENE S. BERTCHER
Executive Vice President and
Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ TED P. STOKELY
Chairman of the Board and Director
/s/ HENRY A. BUTLER
/s/ SHARONHUNT
/s/ ROBERT A. JAKUSZEWSKI
/s/ TED R. MUNSELLE
/s/ DANIEL J. MOOS
President and Chief Operating Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
Executive Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
110
EXHIBIT INDEX
For the Year Ended December 31, 2008
111