Elme Communities - Annual Report: 2019 (Form 10-K)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-K
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☒ | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For fiscal year ended December 31, 2019
OR
☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
COMMISSION FILE NO. 001-06622
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WASHINGTON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Maryland | 53-0261100 | |
(State of incorporation) | (IRS Employer Identification Number) |
1775 EYE STREET, NW, SUITE 1000, WASHINGTON, DC 20006
(Address of principal executive office) (Zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (202) 774-3200
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Shares of Beneficial Interest | WRE | NYSE |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
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Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No ☐
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 ☒
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 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 ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
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 definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ |
Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ |
Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
As of June 28, 2019, the aggregate market value of such shares held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $2,125,135,478 (based on the closing price of the stock on June 28, 2019).
As of February 13, 2020, 82,115,352 common shares were outstanding.
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DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of our definitive Proxy Statement relating to the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, are incorporated by reference in Part III, Items 10-14 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K as indicated herein.
WASHINGTON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST
2019 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
INDEX
PART I | Page | ||
Item 1. | Business | ||
Item 1A. | Risk Factors | ||
Item 1B. | Unresolved Staff Comments | ||
Item 2. | Properties | ||
Item 3. | Legal Proceedings | ||
Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures | ||
PART II | |||
Item 5. | Market for the Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities | ||
Item 6. | Selected Financial Data | ||
Item 7. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | ||
Item 7A. | Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures about Market Risk | ||
Item 8. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data | ||
Item 9. | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure | ||
Item 9A. | Controls and Procedures | ||
Item 9B. | Other Information | ||
PART III | |||
Item 10. | Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance | ||
Item 11. | Executive Compensation | ||
Item 12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters | ||
Item 13. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence | ||
Item 14. | Principal Accountant Fees and Services | ||
PART IV | |||
Item 15. | Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules | ||
Item 16. | Form 10-K Summary | ||
Signatures |
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PART I
ITEM 1: BUSINESS
WashREIT Overview
Washington Real Estate Investment Trust (“WashREIT”) is a self-administered equity real estate investment trust (“REIT”), successor to a trust organized in 1960. Our business consists of the ownership and operation of income producing real estate properties in the greater Washington metro region. We own a portfolio of multifamily and commercial (office and retail) properties. During 2019, we acquired eight multifamily properties with a total of 2,390 units and sold eight retail properties (see note 3 to the consolidated financial statements). The eight sold retail properties met the criteria for classification as discontinued operations. The remaining retail properties do not meet the qualitative or quantitative criteria for a reportable segment (see note 14 to the consolidated financial statements). The acquisitions of multifamily properties and dispositions of retail properties are part of a strategic shift away from the retail sector to the multifamily sector. This strategic shift simplifies our portfolio to two reportable segments (office and multifamily) and reduces our exposure to future retail lease expirations.
Our strategy is to generate returns and maximize shareholder value through proactive asset management and prudent capital allocation decisions, as exemplified by the strategic shift discussed above. Consistent with this strategy, we invest in additional income producing properties through acquisitions, development and redevelopment. We invest in properties where we believe we will be able to improve the operating results and increase the value of the property. We focus on properties in the Washington metro region, near major transportation nodes and in areas with strong employment drivers and superior growth demographics. We will seek to continue to upgrade our portfolio as opportunities arise, funding development and acquisitions with a combination of cash, equity, debt and proceeds from property sales.
While we have historically focused most of our investments in the greater Washington metro region, in order to maximize acquisition opportunities we also may consider opportunities to replicate our strategy in other geographic markets which meet the criteria described above.
All of our officers and employees live and work in or near the greater Washington metro region.
Our Regional Economy and Real Estate Markets
The Washington metro region experienced steady job growth during 2019 with approximately 52,300 net job additions, according to Delta Associates / Transwestern Commercial Services (“Delta”), a national full-service real estate firm that provides market research and evaluation services for commercial property. This job growth is significantly higher than the region's 20-year annual average of 41,400 new jobs, with growth in the professional/business services sector partially offset by net job losses of 6,100 in the retail, wholesale, and federal sectors. Current estimates by Delta indicate that the region's unemployment rate was 2.8% as of October 2019, lower than the national average of 3.3%. Delta expects the job growth in the Washington metro region to continue in 2020, but at a slower rate than 2019. Certain market statistics and information from several third-party providers for the Washington metro region are set forth below:
Multifamily
2019 | 2018 | ||||
Increase in net effective rents (Class A and B) | 2.9 | % | 2.5 | % | |
Increase in net effective rents (Class A) | 2.9 | % | 2.4 | % | |
Increase in net effective rents (Class B) | 3.1 | % | 2.6 | % | |
Stabilized vacancy rate (Class A and B) | 4.0 | % | 4.5 | % | |
Stabilized vacancy rate (Class A) | 4.3 | % | 4.6 | % | |
Stabilized vacancy rate (Class B) | 3.8 | % | 4.4 | % | |
New apartment deliveries (# of units) | 8,544 | 11,401 |
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Source: RealPage Investment Analytics, a commercial real estate management software company that provides market research
According to RealPage Investment Analytics, the multifamily real estate market's higher effective rents and lower vacancy rates in 2019 reflect a slowdown in the delivery of new units in the region, while demand remains strong. New apartment deliveries
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are projected to increase to approximately 32,000 units in 2020, which is expected to suppress rental rate growth for Class A apartments, while Class B apartments are expected to outperform Class A apartments in 2020.
Office
2019 | 2018 | ||||||
Average asking rent per square foot | $ | 43.30 | $ | 42.07 | |||
Total vacancy rate at year end | 16.1 | % | 16.4 | % | |||
Net absorption (in millions of square feet) (1) | 4.5 | 2.0 | |||||
Office space under construction at year end (in millions of square feet) | 9.8 | 11.1 |
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Source: Jones Lang LaSalle ("JLL"), a commercial real estate services firm
(1) | Net absorption is defined as the change in occupied, standing inventory from one year to the next. |
According to JLL, the increase in average asking rents in the Washington metro region was primarily due to private sector job growth. The 2019 total vacancy rate is lower than the prior year and above the national average of 14.3%. JLL projects downward pressure on occupancy and effective rents in 2020 due to the continuing addition of new space into the region.
Our Portfolio
As of December 31, 2019, we owned a diversified portfolio of 45 properties, totaling approximately 3.9 million square feet of commercial space and 6,658 residential units and land held for development. These 45 properties consist of 21 multifamily properties, 16 office properties and 8 retail centers. The percentage of total real estate rental revenue from continuing operations by property type for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, and the percent leased as of December 31, 2019, were as follows:
Percent Leased at December 31, 2019(2) | % of Total Real Estate Rental Revenue | ||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||
96% | Multifamily | 41 | % | 33 | % | 34 | % | ||
92% | Office | 53 | % | 61 | % | 60 | % | ||
93% | Other | 6 | % | 6 | % | 6 | % | ||
100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % |
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(2) | Calculated as the percentage of physical net rentable area leased, except for multifamily, which is calculated as the percentage of units leased. The net rentable area leased for office and retail properties includes temporary lease agreements. |
On a combined basis, our commercial portfolio (i.e., our office and retail properties, excluding properties classified as discontinued operations) was 93%, 93% and 94% leased at December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Total real estate rental revenue from continuing operations for each of the three years ended December 31, 2019 was $309.2 million, $291.7 million and $280.3 million, respectively. During the three years ended December 31, 2019, we acquired eight multifamily properties and two office properties, and substantially completed major construction activities at one office and one retail redevelopment project. During that same period, we sold eight retail properties, four office properties and one multifamily property. See note 14 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion of our operating results by segment.
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The commercial lease expirations for the next ten years and thereafter are as follows:
# of Leases | Square Feet | Gross Annual Rent (in thousands) | Percentage of Total Gross Annual Rent | |||||||||
Office: | ||||||||||||
2020 | 44 | 206,129 | $ | 7,465 | 5 | % | ||||||
2021 | 54 | 231,444 | 9,222 | 7 | % | |||||||
2022 | 44 | 396,514 | 19,520 | 14 | % | |||||||
2023 | 53 | 294,864 | 14,803 | 10 | % | |||||||
2024 | 53 | 287,728 | 15,267 | 11 | % | |||||||
2025 | 39 | 269,393 | 10,940 | 8 | % | |||||||
2026 | 29 | 400,310 | 16,641 | 12 | % | |||||||
2027 | 28 | 310,003 | 18,328 | 13 | % | |||||||
2028 | 13 | 135,360 | 7,849 | 6 | % | |||||||
2029 | 11 | 53,166 | 3,159 | 2 | % | |||||||
Thereafter | 16 | 432,753 | 18,404 | 12 | % | |||||||
Total | 384 | 3,017,664 | $ | 141,598 | 100 | % | ||||||
Other: | ||||||||||||
2020 | 6 | 19,867 | $ | 350 | 2 | % | ||||||
2021 | 8 | 69,141 | 1,410 | 10 | % | |||||||
2022 | 17 | 113,970 | 2,420 | 16 | % | |||||||
2023 | 17 | 66,930 | 1,570 | 11 | % | |||||||
2024 | 16 | 143,464 | 3,193 | 22 | % | |||||||
2025 | 7 | 60,815 | 1,161 | 8 | % | |||||||
2026 | 6 | 24,659 | 964 | 7 | % | |||||||
2027 | 4 | 51,682 | 1,190 | 8 | % | |||||||
2028 | 3 | 10,108 | 783 | 5 | % | |||||||
2029 | 4 | 12,235 | 741 | 5 | % | |||||||
Thereafter | 3 | 24,572 | 1,042 | 6 | % | |||||||
Total | 91 | 597,443 | $ | 14,824 | 100 | % |
According to Delta, the professional/business services and government sectors constituted over 40% of payroll jobs in the Washington metro area at the end of 2019. Due to our geographic concentration in the Washington metro area, a significant number of our tenants have historically been concentrated in the professional/business services and government sectors, although the exact number will vary from time to time. As a result of this concentration, we are susceptible to business trends (both positive and negative) that affect the outlook for these sectors.
No single tenant accounted for more than 5% of real estate rental revenue in 2019, 2018 or 2017. All federal government tenants in the aggregate accounted for less than 1% of our real estate rental revenue in 2019.
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Our ten largest commercial tenants, in terms of real estate rental revenue for 2019, are as follows:
1. | World Bank (1) |
2. | Atlantic Media, Inc. |
3. | Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. (2) |
4. | Capital One |
5. | Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Financing |
6. | Pepco Energy Services, Inc. |
7. | Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP |
8. | Epstein, Becker & Green, P.C. |
9. | B. Riley Financial, Inc |
10. | Promontory Interfinancial Network, LLC |
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(1) | In December 2019, we completed the sale of 1776 G Street where the World Bank was a tenant. As of December 31, 2019, World Bank is no longer a tenant. See note 3 to the consolidated financial statements. |
(2) | In December 2019, we signed a purchase and sale agreement to sell John Marshall II where Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. is a tenant. John Marshall II was classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2019. The sale is expected to close in the first quarter of 2020. Once completed, Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. will no longer be a tenant. See note 3 to the consolidated financial statements. |
We enter into arrangements from time to time by which various service providers conduct day-to-day property management and/or leasing activities at our properties. Bozzuto Management Company ("Bozzuto") and Greystar Real Estate Partners ("Greystar") currently provide property management and leasing services at our multifamily properties. Bozzuto and Greystar provide such services under individual property management agreements for each property, each of which is separately terminable by us or Bozzuto/Greystar, as applicable. Although they vary by property, on average, the fees charged by the service provider under each agreement are approximately 3% of revenues at each property.
We expect to continue investing in additional income-producing properties through acquisitions, development and redevelopment. We invest in properties where we believe we will be able to improve the operating results and increase the value of the property. Our properties typically compete for tenants with other properties on the basis of location, quality and rental rates.
We make capital improvements to our properties on an ongoing basis for the purpose of maintaining and increasing their value and income. Major improvements and/or renovations to the properties during the three years ended December 31, 2019 are discussed in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, under the heading “Capital Improvements and Development Costs.”
Further description of the properties is contained in Item 2, Properties, and note 14 to the consolidated financial statements, Segment Information, and in Schedule III. Reference is also made to Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
On February 13, 2020, we had 125 employees including 58 persons engaged in property management functions and 67 persons engaged in corporate, financial, leasing, asset management and other functions.
REIT Tax Status
We believe that we qualify as a REIT under Sections 856-860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and intend to continue to qualify as such. To maintain our status as a REIT, we are among other things required to distribute 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined before the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains), to our shareholders on an annual basis. When selling a property, we generally have the option of (a) reinvesting the sales proceeds of property sold, in a way that allows us to defer recognition of some or all of the taxable gain realized on the sale, (b) distributing gains to the shareholders with no tax to us or (c) treating net long-term capital gains as having been distributed to our shareholders, paying the tax on the gain deemed distributed and allocating the tax paid as a credit to our shareholders.
Generally, and subject to our ongoing qualification as a REIT, no provisions for income taxes are necessary except for taxes on undistributed taxable income and taxes on the income generated by our taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”). Our TRSs are subject to corporate U.S. federal, state and local income tax on their taxable income at regular statutory rates (see note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for further disclosure).
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Availability of Reports
Copies of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to such reports are available, free of charge, on our website www.washreit.com. All required reports are made available on the website as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The reference to our website address does not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained in the website and such information should not be considered part of this document.
The Securities and Exchange Commission maintains a website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy statements, information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with Securities and Exchange Commission.
ITEM 1A: RISK FACTORS
Set forth below are the risks that we believe are material to our shareholders. We refer to the shares of beneficial interest in WashREIT as our “common shares,” and the investors who own shares as our “shareholders.” This section includes or refers to certain forward-looking statements. You should refer to the explanation of the qualifications and limitations on such forward-looking statements beginning on page 47. |
Risks Related to our Business and Operations
Our performance and value are subject to risks associated with our real estate assets and with the real estate industry, which could adversely affect our cash flow and ability to pay distributions to our shareholders.
Our financial performance and the value of our real estate assets are subject to the risk that our properties do not generate revenues sufficient to meet our operating expenses, debt service and capital expenditures, which could cause our cash flow and ability to pay distributions to our shareholders to be adversely affected. The following factors, among others, may adversely affect the cash flow generated by our multifamily and commercial properties:
• | downturns in the national, regional and local economic climate; |
• | declines in the financial condition of our tenants; |
• | declines in consumer confidence, unemployment rates and consumer tastes and preferences; |
• | significant job losses in the professional/business services industries or government; |
• | competition from similar asset class properties; |
• | the inability or unwillingness of our tenants to pay rent increases; |
• | changes in market rental rates and related concessions granted to tenants including, but not limited to, free rent and tenant improvement allowances; |
• | local real estate market conditions, such as oversupply or reduction in demand for multifamily and commercial properties; |
• | changes in interest rates and availability of financing; |
• | increased operating costs, including insurance premiums, utilities and real estate taxes; |
• | vacancies, changes in market rental rates and the need to periodically repair, renovate and re-let space; |
• | inflation; |
• | civil disturbances, earthquakes and other natural disasters, terrorist acts or acts of war; and |
• | decreases in the underlying value of our real estate. |
We are dependent upon the economic and regulatory climate of the Washington metropolitan region, which may impact our profitability and may limit our ability to meet our financial obligations when due and/or make distributions to our shareholders.
All of the properties in our portfolio are located in the Washington metro region and such concentration may expose us to a greater amount of market dependent risk than if we were geographically diverse. General economic conditions and local real estate conditions in the Washington metro region are dependent upon various industries that are predominant in our area (such as government and professional/business services). A downturn in one or more of these industries may have a particularly strong effect on the economic climate of our region. Additionally, we are susceptible to adverse developments in the Washington D.C. regulatory environment, such as increases in real estate and other taxes, the costs of complying with governmental regulations or increased regulations and actual or threatened reductions in federal government spending and/or changes to the timing of government spending, as has occurred during recent federal government shutdowns. In the event of negative economic and/or regulatory changes in our region, we may experience a negative impact to our profitability and may be limited in our ability to meet our financial obligations when due and/or make distributions to our shareholders.
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We face potential difficulties or delays renewing leases or re-leasing space, and as a result, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and our ability to satisfy our principal and interest obligations and to make distributions to our shareholders could be adversely affected.
As of December 31, 2019, the percentage of leased square footage of our commercial properties will expire as set forth in the lease expiration tables on page 6. Multifamily properties are leased under operating leases with terms of generally one year or less. For each the three years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the multifamily tenant retention rate was 56%, 55%, and 59%, respectively.
Difficulties or delays renewing leases or releasing space could impact our financial condition and ability to make distributions. We derive substantially all of our income from rent received from tenants. If our tenants decide not to renew their leases, we may face delays or difficulties re-leasing the space. If tenants decide to renew their leases, the terms of renewals, including the cost of required improvement allowances or concessions, may be less favorable to WashREIT than current lease terms. If the rental rates of our properties decrease, our existing tenants do not renew their leases (refer to the list of our ten largest tenants as of December 31, 2019 on page 7) or we do not re-lease a significant portion of our available and soon-to-be-available space, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and our ability to satisfy our principal and interest obligations and to make distributions to our shareholders could be adversely affected.
Real estate investments are illiquid, and we may not be able to sell our properties on a timely basis when we determine it is appropriate to do so, which could negatively impact our profitability.
Real estate investments can be difficult to sell and convert to cash quickly, especially if market conditions are not favorable. Such illiquidity could limit our ability to quickly change our portfolio of properties in response to changes in economic or other conditions. Moreover, the tax laws applicable to REITs require that we hold our properties for investment, rather than primarily for sale in the ordinary course of business, which may cause us to forego or defer property sales that otherwise would be in our best interest. Due to these factors, we may be unable to sell a property at an advantageous time or on the terms anticipated which could negatively impact our profitability.
The composition of our portfolio by asset class may change over time, which could expose us to different asset class risks than if our portfolio composition remained static.
We own multifamily and commercial assets, with multifamily and office representing approximately 93% of our net operating income for the year ended December 31, 2019, and approximately 93% of our portfolio based on square footage as of December 31, 2019. If the composition of our portfolio changes, then we would become more exposed to the risks and markets of other asset classes. If we are successful in executing the strategic capital allocation plan, then we will become more exposed to the risks of the multifamily and office markets, any of which could have a material adverse effect on us.
We may not be able to control our operating expenses or our operating expenses may remain constant or increase, even if our revenues do not increase, causing our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, per share trading price of our common shares and ability to make distributions to our shareholders to be adversely affected.
Operating expenses associated with owning a property include real estate taxes, insurance, loan payments, maintenance, repair and renovation costs, the cost of compliance with governmental regulation (including zoning) and the potential for liability under applicable laws. If our operating expenses increase, our results of operations may be adversely affected. Moreover, operating expenses are not necessarily reduced when circumstances such as market factors, competition or reduced occupancy cause a reduction in revenues from the property. As a result, if revenues decline, we may not be able to reduce our operating expenses associated with the property. If we are unable to control or adjust our operating expenses accordingly, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, per share trading price of our common shares and ability to make distributions to our shareholders may be adversely affected.
We may be adversely affected by any significant reductions in federal government spending or actual or threatened changes to the timing of federal government spending, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make distributions to our shareholders.
As a REIT focused on the Washington metro region, a significant portion of our properties is occupied by tenants that directly or indirectly serve the U. S. Government as federal contractors or otherwise. A significant reduction in federal government spending, particularly a sudden decrease due to a sequestration process, such as occurred in recent years, or due to extended uncertainty in the political climate in a way that affects the federal appropriations process by decreasing, delaying or making uncertain the results, stability and timing of federal appropriations, could adversely affect the ability of these tenants to fulfill lease obligations or
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decrease the likelihood that they will renew their leases with us. Further, economic conditions in the Washington metro region are significantly dependent upon the level of federal government spending in the region as a whole. In the event of an actual or anticipated significant reduction in federal government spending or change in the timing of federal government spending, there could be negative economic changes in our region, which could adversely impact the ability of our tenants to meet their financial obligations under our leases or the likelihood of their lease renewals. As a result, if such a reduction in federal government spending or actual or threatened change to the timing of federal government spending were to occur or be anticipated for an extended period, we could experience an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make distributions to our shareholders.
We face risks associated with property development/redevelopment, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or ability to satisfy our debt service obligations.
We may, from time to time, engage in development and redevelopment activities, some of which may be significant. Developing or redeveloping properties presents a number of risks for us, including risks that:
• | if we are unable to obtain all necessary zoning and other required governmental permits and authorizations or cease development of the project for any other reason, the development opportunity may be abandoned or postponed after expending significant resources, resulting in the loss of deposits or failure to recover expenses already incurred; |
• | the development and construction costs of the project may exceed original estimates due to increased interest rates and increased cost of materials, labor, leasing or other expenditures, which could make the completion of the project less profitable because market rents may not increase sufficiently to compensate for the increase in construction costs; |
• | construction and/or permanent financing may not be available on favorable terms or may not be available at all, which may cause the cost of the project to increase and lower the expected return; |
• | the project may not be completed on schedule, or at all, as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control, such as weather, labor conditions and material shortages, which would result in increases in construction costs and debt service expenses; |
• | the time between commencement of a development project and the stabilization of the completed property exposes us to risks associated with fluctuations in local and regional economic conditions; |
• | occupancy rates and rents at the completed property may not meet the expected levels and could be insufficient to make the property profitable; and |
• | there may not be sufficient development opportunities available. |
Properties developed or acquired for development may generate little or no cash flow from the date of acquisition through the date of completion of development. In addition, new development activities, regardless of whether or not they are ultimately successful, may require a substantial portion of management’s time and attention.
These risks could result in substantial unanticipated delays or expenses and, under certain circumstances, could prevent completion of development activities once undertaken. Any of the foregoing could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or ability to satisfy our debt service obligations.
We face potential adverse effects from major tenants' bankruptcies or insolvencies, which could adversely affect our cash flow and results of operations.
The bankruptcy or insolvency of a major tenant may adversely affect the income produced by a property. We cannot evict a tenant solely because of its bankruptcy. On the other hand, a court might authorize the tenant to reject and terminate its lease. In such case, our claim against the bankrupt tenant for unpaid, future rent would be subject to a statutory cap that might be substantially less than the remaining rent actually owed under the lease. As a result, our claim for unpaid rent would likely not be paid in full. This shortfall could adversely affect our cash flow and results of operations. If a tenant experiences a downturn in its business or other types of financial distress, it may be unable to make timely rental payments.
Competition for tenants of our multifamily properties, including as a result of increased affordability of residential homes, could affect occupancy levels and market rents at our multifamily properties, which could adversely affect our results of operations and our financial condition.
Our multifamily properties compete with numerous housing alternatives in attracting residents, including owner occupied single and multifamily homes. Occupancy levels and market rents may be adversely affected by national and local political, economic and market conditions including, without limitation, new construction and excess inventory of multifamily and owned housing/condominiums, increasing portions of owned housing/condominium stock being converted to rental use, rental housing subsidized by the government, other government programs that favor single family rental housing or owner occupied housing over multifamily
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rental housing, governmental regulations, slow or negative employment growth and household formation, the availability of low-interest mortgages or the availability of mortgages requiring little or no down payment for single family home buyers, changes in social preferences and the potential for geopolitical instability, all of which are beyond our control. Finally, the federal government’s policies, many of which may encourage home ownership, can increase competition and could possibly limit our ability to raise rents in our markets and therefore lower the value of our properties. Competitive housing in a particular area and increased affordability of owner occupied single and multifamily homes could adversely affect our ability to retain our current residents, attract new ones or increase or maintain rents, which could adversely affect our results of operations and our financial condition.
We face risks associated with property acquisitions.
We may acquire properties which would increase our size and could alter our capital structure. Our acquisition activities and results may be exposed to the following risks:
• | we may have difficulty finding properties that are consistent with our strategies and that meet our standards; |
• | we may have difficulty negotiating with new or existing tenants; |
• | we may be unable to finance acquisitions on favorable terms or at all; |
• | the occupancy levels, lease-up timing and rental rates may not meet our expectations; |
• | even if we enter into an acquisition agreement for a property, we may be unable to complete that acquisition after making a non-refundable deposit and incurring certain other acquisition-related costs; |
• | competition from other real estate investors may significantly increase the purchase price; |
• | we may be unable to acquire a desired property because of competition from other real estate investors, including publicly traded real estate investment trusts, institutional investment funds and private investors; |
• | even if we enter into an acquisition agreement for a property, it would typically be subject to customary conditions to closing, including completion of due diligence investigations, which may have findings that are unacceptable; |
• | the timing of property acquisitions may lag the timing of property dispositions, leading to periods of time where projects' proceeds are not invested as profitably as we desire; |
• | the acquired properties may fail to perform as we expected in analyzing our investments; |
• | the actual returns realized on acquired properties may not exceed our cost of capital; |
• | we may be unable to quickly and efficiently integrate new acquisitions, particularly acquisitions of portfolios of properties, into our existing operations; |
• | our estimates of capital expenditures required for an acquired property, including the costs of repositioning or redeveloping, may be inaccurate; and |
• | we could experience a decline in value of the acquired assets after acquisition. |
We may acquire properties subject to liabilities and without recourse, or with limited recourse with respect to unknown liabilities. As a result, if liability were asserted against us based upon the acquisition of a property, we may have to pay substantial sums to settle it, which could adversely affect our cash flow. Unknown liabilities with respect to properties acquired might include:
• | liabilities for clean-up of undisclosed environmental contamination; |
• | claims by tenants, vendors or other persons dealing with the former owners of the properties; |
• | liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business; and |
• | claims for indemnification by general partners, directors, officers and others indemnified by the former owners of the properties. |
We face risks associated with third-party service providers, which could negatively impact our profitability.
We enter into arrangements from time to time by which various service providers conduct day-to-day property management and/or leasing activities at our properties. Failure of such service providers to adequately perform their contracted services could negatively impact our ability to retain tenants or lease vacant space. As a result, any such failure could negatively impact our profitability.
We may suffer economic harm as a result of the actions of our partners in real estate joint ventures and other investments which may adversely affect our operations.
While we have no interests in joint ventures following our purchase of the remaining 10% interest in The Maxwell during the fourth quarter of 2017, we may from time to time invest in joint ventures in which we are not the exclusive investor or the only decision maker. Investments in such entities may involve risks not present when a third party is not involved, including the possibility that the other parties to these investments might become bankrupt or fail to fund their share of required capital contributions, and we may be forced to make contributions to maintain the value of the property. Our partners in these entities
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may have economic, tax or other business interests or goals that are inconsistent with our business interests or goals, and may be in a position to take actions contrary to our policies or objectives. Such investments may also lead to impasses, for example, as to whether to sell a property, because neither we nor the other parties to these investments may have full control over the entity. In addition, we may in certain circumstances be liable for the actions of the other parties to these investments. Each of these factors could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make distributions to our shareholders. In some instances, joint venture partners may have competing interests that could create conflicts of interest. These conflicts may include compliance with the REIT requirements, and our REIT status could be jeopardized if any of our joint ventures do not operate in compliance with the REIT requirements. To the extent our joint venture partners do not meet their obligations to us or they take action inconsistent with our interests in the joint venture, we may be adversely affected.
Our real estate taxes could increase due to property tax rate changes or reassessment, which could impact our cash flows our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, per share market price of our common shares and our ability to satisfy our principal and interest obligations and to make distributions to our shareholders could be adversely affected.
Even though we qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we are required to pay state and local taxes on our properties. The real property taxes on our properties may increase as property tax rates change or as our properties are assessed or reassessed by taxing authorities. Therefore, the amount of property taxes we pay in the future may increase substantially from what we have paid in the past. If the property taxes we pay increase, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, per share market price of our common shares and our ability to satisfy our principal and interest obligations and to make distributions to our shareholders could be adversely affected.
Our properties face significant competition which could adversely affect our ability to lease our properties and result in lower cash flows.
We face significant competition from developers, owners and operators of multifamily, office and other real estate. Substantially all of our properties face competition from similar properties in the same market. Such competition may affect our ability to attract and retain tenants and may reduce the rents we are able to charge. These competing properties may have vacancy rates higher than our properties, which may result in their owners being willing to make space available at lower rents than the space in our properties. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to lease our space, which would result in lower cash flows.
We face risks associated with short-term liquid investments, which could adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition.
We periodically may have cash balances that we invest in a variety of short-term investments that are intended to preserve principal value and maintain a high degree of liquidity while providing current income. From time to time, these investments may include (either directly or indirectly):
• | direct obligations issued by the U.S. Treasury; |
• | obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies; |
• | taxable municipal securities; |
• | obligations (including certificates of deposit) of banks and thrifts; |
• | commercial paper and other instruments consisting of short-term U.S. dollar denominated obligations issued by corporations and banks; |
• | repurchase agreements collateralized by corporate and asset-backed obligations; |
• | registered and unregistered money market funds; and |
• | other highly-rated short-term securities. |
Investments in these securities and funds are not insured against loss of principal. Under certain circumstances, we may be required to redeem all or part of our investment, and our right to redeem some or all of our investment may be delayed or suspended. In addition, there is no guarantee that our investments in these securities or funds will be redeemable at par value. A decline in the value of our investment or a delay or suspension of our right to redeem may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
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Compliance or failure to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws and regulations could result in substantial costs and adversely affect our results of operations.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) generally requires that public buildings, including multifamily and commercial properties, be made accessible to disabled persons. Noncompliance could result in imposition of fines by the federal government or the award of damages to private litigants. If, pursuant to the ADA, we are required to make substantial alterations and capital expenditures in one or more of our properties, including the removal of access barriers, it could adversely affect our results of operations.
We may also incur significant costs complying with other regulations. Our properties are subject to various federal, state and local regulatory requirements, such as state and local fair housing, rent control and fire and life safety requirements. If we fail to comply with these requirements, we may incur fines or private damage awards. We believe that our properties are currently in material compliance with regulatory requirements. However, we do not know whether existing requirements will change in the future or whether compliance with future requirements will require significant unanticipated expenditures that will adversely affect our results of operations.
Climate change and regulation regarding climate change in the Washington metro region may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, per share market price of our common shares and our ability to satisfy our principal and interest obligations and to make distributions to our shareholders.
Climate change (including rising sea levels, flooding, extreme weather, and changes in precipitation and temperature), may result in physical damage to, a decrease in demand for and/or a decrease in rent from and value of our properties located in the areas affected by these conditions. Additionally, our insurance premiums may increase as a result of the threat of climate change or the effects of climate change may not be covered by our insurance policies.
Changes in federal and state legislation and regulations on climate change could result in utility expenses and/or capital expenditures to improve the energy efficiency of our existing properties or other related aspects of our properties in order to comply with such regulations or otherwise adapt to climate change. The District of Columbia, Arlington County, Virginia, Fairfax County, Virginia, and Montgomery County, Maryland, each have made formal public commitments to carbon reduction. To enforce this commitment, the Washington DC City Council passed the DC Clean Energy Omnibus bill. The bill requires that all electricity purchased in the District be renewable by 2032 and sets a building energy performance standard (BEPS) requiring certain buildings to meet certain minimum energy efficiency standards. Under the District of Columbia’s Building Energy Performance Standards (“BEPS”), all existing buildings over 50,000 square feet will be required to reach minimum levels of energy efficiency or deliver savings by 2026, with progressively smaller buildings phasing into compliance over the following years. This regulation may require unplanned capital improvements, and increased engagement to manage occupant energy use, which is a large driver of building performance. If our properties cannot meet performance standards, they risk fines for non-compliance, as well as a decrease in demand and a decline in value. As a result, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, per share market price of our common shares and our ability to satisfy our principal and interest obligations and to make distributions to our shareholders could be adversely affected.
Some potential losses are not covered by insurance, which could adversely affect our financial condition or cash flow.
We carry insurance coverage on our properties of types and in amounts that we believe are in line with coverage customarily obtained by owners of similar properties. We believe all of our properties are adequately insured. The property insurance that we maintain for our properties has historically been on an “all risk” basis, which is in full force and effect until renewal in August 2020. There are other types of losses, such as from wars or catastrophic events, for which we cannot obtain insurance at all or at a reasonable cost.
We have an insurance policy that has no terrorism exclusion, except for non-certified nuclear, chemical and biological acts of terrorism. Our financial condition and results of operations are subject to the risks associated with acts of terrorism and the potential for uninsured losses as the result of any such acts. Effective November 26, 2002, under this existing coverage, any losses caused by certified acts of terrorism would be partially reimbursed by the United States under a formula established by federal law. Under this formula, the United States pays 85% of covered terrorism losses exceeding the statutorily established deductible paid by the insurance provider, and insurers pay 10% until aggregate insured losses from all insurers reach $100 billion in a calendar year. If the aggregate amount of insured losses under this program exceeds $100 billion during the applicable period for all insured and insurers combined, then each insurance provider will not be liable for payment of any amount which exceeds the aggregate amount of $100 billion. On December 20, 2019, The Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2019 was signed into law, extending the program through December 31, 2027. We continue to monitor the state of the insurance market in general, and the
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scope and costs of coverage for acts of terrorism in particular, but we cannot anticipate what amount of coverage will be available on commercially reasonable terms in future policy years.
In the event of an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of our insurance limits, we could lose both the revenues generated from the affected property and the capital we have invested in the affected property. Depending on the specific circumstances of the affected property it is possible that we could be liable for any mortgage indebtedness or other obligations related to the property. Any such loss could adversely affect our business and financial condition and results of operations.
In most cases, we have to renew our policies on an annual basis and negotiate acceptable terms for coverage, exposing us to the volatility of the insurance markets, including the possibility of rate increases. Any material increase in insurance rates or decrease in available coverage in the future could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Property ownership also involves potential liability to third parties for such matters as personal injuries occurring on the property. Such losses may not be fully insured. In addition to uninsured losses, various government authorities may condemn all or parts of operating properties. Such condemnations could adversely affect the viability of such projects. Any such uninsured loss could adversely affect our financial condition or cash flow.
Actual or threatened terrorist attacks may adversely affect our ability to generate revenues and the value of our properties.
All of the properties in our portfolio are located in or near Washington, DC, a metropolitan area that has been and may in the future be the target of actual or threatened terrorism attacks. As a result, some tenants in our market may choose to relocate their businesses to other markets. This could result in an overall decrease in the demand for commercial space in this market generally, which could increase vacancies in our properties or necessitate that we lease our properties on less favorable terms, or both. In addition, future terrorist attacks in or near Washington, DC could directly or indirectly damage such properties, both physically and financially, or cause losses that materially exceed our insurance coverage. As a result of the foregoing, our ability to generate revenues and the value of our properties could decline materially which would negatively affect our results of operations.
Litigation could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results from operations.
From time to time, we are involved in legal proceedings and other claims. We may also be named as defendants in lawsuits allegedly arising out of our actions or out of those of our vendors, contractors, tenants or other parties which have agreed to indemnify, defend and hold us harmless from and against various claims, litigation and liabilities arising in connection with their respective businesses and/or added as an additional insured under certain insurance policies. An unfavorable resolution of any legal proceeding could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results from operations. Regardless of its outcome, legal proceedings may result in substantial costs and expenses and significantly divert the attention of our management. With respect to any legal proceeding, there can be no assurance that we will be able to prevail, or achieve a favorable settlement or outcome, or that our insurance or the insurance and/or any contractual indemnities of our vendors, contractors, tenants or other parties will be enough to cover all of our defense costs or any resulting liabilities. Any such litigation could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results from operations.
Potential liability for environmental matters could result in substantial costs, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Under U.S. federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations, we may be liable for costs and damages resulting from the presence or release of hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or petroleum products at our properties, including investigation or cleanup costs, bodily injury or property damage, natural resource damages, or we may be required to pay for such costs and damages incurred by a government entity or third party regardless of our knowledge or responsibility, simply because of our current or past ownership or operation of the real estate. If environmental contamination issues arise, we may have to make substantial payments, which could adversely affect our cash flow and our ability to make distributions to our shareholders, because (1) as a current or former owner or operator of real property we may have to pay for property damage and for investigation and clean-up costs incurred in connection with the contamination; (2) the law typically imposes clean-up responsibility and liability regardless of whether the owner or operator knew of or caused the contamination; (3) even if more than one person may be responsible for the contamination, each person who shares legal liability under such environmental laws may be held responsible for all of the clean-up costs; and (4) governmental entities and third parties may sue the owner or operator of a contaminated site for damages and costs. We also may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of hazardous substances or waste at disposal or treatment facilities if we arranged for disposal or treatment of hazardous substances to such facilities, whether or not we own such facility.
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In addition, certain federal, state and local governmental authorities, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, may require the clean up or abatement of asbestos, mold, and lead-based paint, which can be costly. Laws applicable to buildings containing certain asbestos-containing materials (“ACM”) impose multiple requirements, including:
• | properly managing and maintaining the ACM; |
• | notifying and training those who may come into contact with the ACM; and |
• | undertaking special precautions, including removal or other abatement, if the ACM would be disturbed during renovation or demolition of a building. |
Such laws may impose fines and penalties on building owners, operators or employers who fail to comply with these requirements and may allow third parties to seek recovery from owners or operators for personal injury or property damage associated with exposure to asbestos fibers.
As building owners or operators we are also subject to inquiries about indoor air quality. These inquiries may necessitate special investigation and, depending on the results, remediation beyond our regular indoor air quality testing and maintenance programs. Indoor air quality issues can stem from building materials, inadequate ventilation, chemical contaminants from indoor or outdoor sources, and biological contaminants such as molds, pollen, viruses and bacteria. Indoor exposure to chemical or biological contaminants above certain levels can be alleged to be connected to allergic reactions or other health effects and symptoms in susceptible individuals. If these conditions were to occur at one of our properties, we may be subject to third-party claims for personal injury, or may need to undertake a targeted remediation program, including without limitation, steps to increase indoor ventilation rates and eliminate sources of contaminants. Such remediation programs could be costly, necessitate the temporary relocation of some or all of the property’s tenants or require rehabilitation of the affected property.
The costs associated with these issues could be substantial and, in extreme cases, could exceed the value of the contaminated property. The presence of hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum products or the failure to properly remediate contamination may adversely affect our ability to borrow against, sell or rent an affected property. In addition, applicable environmental laws may create liens on contaminated sites in favor of the government for damages and costs it incurs in connection with a contamination. Moreover, if contamination is discovered on our properties, environmental laws may impose restrictions on the manner in which property may be used or businesses may be operated, and these restrictions may result in substantial expenditures or liabilities.
It is our policy to retain independent environmental consultants to conduct Phase I environmental site assessments and asbestos surveys with respect to our acquisition of properties. These assessments generally include a visual inspection of the properties and the surrounding areas, an examination of current and historical uses of the properties and the surrounding areas and a review of relevant state, federal and historical documents. Our evaluation of environmental conditions does not always involve invasive techniques such as soil and ground water sampling. When appropriate, on a property-by-property basis, our practice is to have these consultants conduct additional testing. However, even though these additional assessments may be conducted, there is still the risk that:
• | the environmental assessments and updates did not identify all potential environmental liabilities; |
• | a prior owner created a material environmental condition that is not known to us or the independent consultants preparing the assessments; |
• | new environmental liabilities have developed since the environmental assessments were conducted; and |
• | future uses or conditions or changes in applicable environmental laws and regulations could result in environmental liability to us. |
In addition, our properties are subject to various U.S. federal, state, and local environmental, health and safety regulatory requirements that address a wide variety of issues. Noncompliance with these environmental and health and safety laws and regulations could subject us or our tenants to liability, including significant fines or penalties. These liabilities could affect a tenant’s ability to make rental payments to us. Moreover, changes in laws could increase the potential costs of compliance with such laws and regulations or increase liability for noncompliance. This may result in significant unanticipated expenditures or may otherwise adversely affect our operations, or those of our tenants, which could in turn have an adverse effect on us.
We cannot assure you that costs or liabilities incurred as a result of environmental issues will not affect our ability to make distributions to our shareholders or that such costs, liabilities or other remedial measures will not have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
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We face cybersecurity risks and risks associated with security breaches which have the potential to disrupt our operations, cause material harm to our financial condition, result in misappropriation of assets, compromise confidential information and/or damage our business relationships and can provide no assurance that the steps we and our service providers take in response to these risks will be effective.
We face cybersecurity risks and risks associated with security breaches or disruptions, such as through cyber-attacks or cyber intrusions over the Internet, malware, computer viruses, attachments to emails, social engineering and phishing schemes or persons inside our organization. The risk of a security breach or disruption, particularly through cyber-attacks or cyber intrusions, including by computer hackers, nation-state affiliated actors, and cyber terrorists, has generally increased as the number, intensity and sophistication of attempted attacks and intrusions from around the world have increased. These incidents may result in disruption of our operations, material harm to our financial condition, cash flows and the market price of our common shares, misappropriation of assets, compromise or corruption of confidential information collected in the course of conducting our business, liability for stolen information or assets, increased cybersecurity protection and insurance costs, regulatory enforcement, litigation and damage to our stakeholder relationships. These risks require continuous and likely increasing attention and other resources from us to, among other actions, identify and quantify these risks, upgrade and expand our technologies, systems and processes to adequately address them and provide periodic training for our employees to assist them in detecting phishing, malware and other schemes. Such attention diverts time and other resources from other activities and there is no assurance that our efforts will be effective. Additionally, we rely on third-party service providers in our conduct of day-to-day property management, leasing and other activities at our properties and we can provide no assurance that the networks and systems that our third-party vendors have established or used will be effective.
In the normal course of business, we and our service providers (including service providers engaged in providing property management, leasing, accounting and/or payroll services) collect and retain certain personal information provided by our tenants, employees and vendors. We also rely extensively on computer systems to process transactions and manage our business. We can provide no assurance that the data security measures designed to protect confidential information on our systems established by us and our service providers will be able to prevent unauthorized access to this personal information. There can be no assurance that our efforts to maintain the security and integrity of the information we and our service providers collect and our and their computer systems will be effective or that attempted security breaches or disruptions would not be successful or damaging with the potential for disruption in our operations, material harm to our financial condition, cash flows and the market price of our common shares, increased cybersecurity protection and insurance costs, regulatory enforcement, litigation and damage to our stakeholder relationships.
We are subject to risks from natural disasters and severe weather which could increase our operating costs and reduce our cash flow.
Natural disasters and severe weather such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods or blizzards may result in significant damage to our properties. The extent of our casualty losses and loss in operating income in connection with such events is a function of the severity of the event and the total amount of exposure in the affected area. Because the properties in our portfolio are concentrated in a single region, a single catastrophe or destructive weather event may have a significant negative effect on our financial condition and results of operations. As a result, our operating and financial results may vary significantly from one period to the next. We are also exposed to risks associated with inclement winter weather, including increased need for maintenance and repair of our buildings. In addition, climate change, to the extent it causes changes in weather patterns, could have effects on our business by increasing the cost of property insurance, energy and/or snow removal at our properties. As a result, the consequences of natural disasters, severe weather and climate change could increase our costs and reduce our cash flow.
We may experience a decline in the fair value of our assets, which may have a material impact on our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations and adversely impact the market value of our securities.
A decline in the fair market value of our assets may require us to recognize an other-than-temporary impairment against such assets under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") if we were to determine that we do not have the ability and intent to hold any assets in unrealized loss positions to maturity or for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery to the amortized cost of such assets. In such event, we would recognize unrealized losses through earnings and write down the amortized cost of such assets to a new cost basis, based on the fair value of such assets on the date they are considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired. Such impairment charges reflect non-cash losses at the time of recognition. Subsequent disposition or sale of such assets could further affect our future losses or gains, as they are based on the difference between the sale price received and adjusted amortized cost of such assets at the time of sale, which may adversely affect our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations. In addition, a significant economic downturn over a period of time could result in an event or change in circumstances that results in an impairment in the value of our properties or our investments in joint ventures. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of the asset is not recoverable over its expected holding period and exceeds its fair value.
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There can be no assurance that we will not take charges in the future related to the impairment of our assets or investments. Any future impairment could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, liquidity or results of operations.
Rent control or rent stabilization legislation and other regulatory restrictions may limit our ability to increase rents and pass through new or increased operating costs to our tenants.
Certain states and municipalities, including Washington, DC, have adopted laws and regulations imposing restrictions on the timing or amount of rent increases or have imposed regulations relating to low- and moderate-income housing. Such laws and regulations limit our ability to charge market rents, increase rents, evict tenants or recover increases in our operating expenses and could make it more difficult for us to dispose of properties in certain circumstances. Similarly, compliance procedures associated with rent control statutes and low- and moderate-income housing regulations could have a negative impact on our operating costs, and any failure to comply with low- and moderate-income housing regulations could result in the loss of certain tax benefits and the forfeiture of rent payments. In addition, such low- and moderate-income housing regulations often require us to rent a certain number of units at below-market rents, which has a negative impact on our ability to increase cash flows from our properties subject to such regulations. Furthermore, such regulations may negatively impact our ability to attract higher-paying tenants to such properties.
We are dependent on key personnel and the loss of such personnel could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
The execution of our investment strategy and management of our operations depend to a significant degree on our senior management team. If we are unable to attract and retain skilled executives, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Risks Related to Financing
We face risks associated with the use of debt, including refinancing risk.
We rely on borrowings under our credit facility, mortgage notes, and may rely on offerings of debt securities to finance acquisitions and development activities and for general corporate purposes. In the past, the commercial real estate debt markets have experienced significant volatility due to a number of factors, including the tightening of underwriting standards by lenders and credit rating agencies and the reported significant inventory of unsold mortgage-backed securities in the market. The volatility resulted in investors decreasing the availability of debt financing as well as increasing the cost of debt financing. Circumstances could again arise in which we may not be able to obtain debt financing in the future on favorable terms, or at all. If we were unable to borrow under our credit facility or to refinance existing debt financing, our financial condition and results of operations would likely be adversely affected.
We are subject to the risks normally associated with debt, including the risk that our cash flow may be insufficient to meet required payments of principal and interest. We anticipate that only a small portion of the principal of our debt will be repaid prior to maturity. Therefore, we are likely to need to refinance a significant portion of our outstanding debt as it matures. There is a risk that we may not be able to refinance existing debt or that the terms of any refinancing will not be as favorable as the terms of the existing debt. If principal payments due at maturity cannot be refinanced, extended or repaid with proceeds from other sources, such as new equity capital, our cash flow may not be sufficient to repay all maturing debt in years when significant “balloon” payments come due. In addition, we may rely on debt to fund a portion of our new investments such as our acquisition and development activity. There is a risk that we may be unable to finance these activities on favorable terms or at all. These conditions, which increase the cost and reduce the availability of debt, may continue or worsen in the future. If any of these risks were to happen, it would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Our degree of leverage could limit our ability to obtain additional financing, affect the market price of our common shares or debt securities or otherwise adversely affect our financial condition.
On February 13, 2020, our total consolidated debt was approximately $1.1 billion. Consolidated debt to consolidated market capitalization ratio, which measures total consolidated debt as a percentage of the aggregate of total consolidated debt plus the market value of outstanding equity securities, is often used by analysts to assess leverage for equity REITs such as us. Our market value is calculated using the price per share of our common shares. Using the closing share price of $32.02 per share of our common shares on February 13, 2020, multiplied by the number of our common shares, our consolidated debt to total consolidated market capitalization ratio was approximately 30% as of February 13, 2020.
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Our degree of leverage could affect our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, development or other general corporate purposes. Our senior unsecured debt is currently rated investment grade by two major rating agencies. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain this rating, and in the event our senior debt is downgraded from its current rating, we would likely incur higher borrowing costs and/or difficulty in obtaining additional financing. Our degree of leverage could also make us more vulnerable to a downturn in business or the economy generally. There is a risk that changes in our debt to market capitalization ratio, which is in part a function of our share price, or our ratio of indebtedness to other measures of asset value used by financial analysts, may have an adverse effect on the market price of our equity or debt securities.
Payments of principal and interest on borrowings may leave us with insufficient cash resources to operate our properties, fully implement our capital expenditure, acquisition and redevelopment activities, or meet the REIT distribution requirements imposed by the Code. Our level of debt and the limitations imposed on us by our debt agreements could have significant adverse consequences, including the following:
• | require us to dedicate a substantial portion of cash flow from operations to the payment of principal, and interest on, indebtedness, thereby reducing the funds available for other purposes; |
• | make it more difficult for us to borrow additional funds as needed or on favorable terms, which could, among other things, adversely affect our ability to meet operational needs; |
• | restrict us from making strategic acquisitions, developing properties or exploiting business opportunities; |
• | force us to dispose of one or more of our properties, possibly on unfavorable terms (including the possible application of the 100% tax on income from prohibited transactions or in violation of certain covenants to which we may be subject); |
• | subject us to increased sensitivity to interest rate increases; |
• | make us more vulnerable to economic downturns, adverse industry conditions or catastrophic external events; |
• | limit our ability to withstand competitive pressures; |
• | limit our ability to refinance our indebtedness at maturity or the refinancing terms may be less favorable than the terms of our original indebtedness; |
• | reduce our flexibility in planning for or responding to changing business, industry and economic conditions; and/or |
• | place us at a competitive disadvantage to competitors that have relatively less debt than we have. |
If any one of these events were to occur, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and market price of our common shares could be adversely affected.
Rising interest rates would increase our interest costs which could adversely affect our cash flow and ability to pay distributions.
We incur indebtedness that bears interest at variable rates. Accordingly, if interest rates increase, so will our interest costs, which could adversely affect our cash flow and our ability to service debt. As a protection against rising interest rates, we may enter into agreements such as interest rate swaps, caps, floors and other interest rate exchange contracts. These agreements, however, increase our risks that other parties to the agreements may not perform or that the agreements may be unenforceable. In addition, an increase in interest rates could decrease the amounts third-parties are willing to pay for our assets, thereby limiting our ability to change our portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions.
Failure to effectively hedge against interest rate changes may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, per share market price of our common shares and ability to make distributions to our shareholders and the future of the reference rate used in our existing hedging arrangements is uncertain, which could hinder our ability to maintain effective hedges.
We enter into hedging transactions to protect ourselves from the effects of interest rate fluctuations on variable rate debt. Our hedging transactions include entering into interest rate cap agreements or interest rate swap agreements. These agreements involve risks, such as the risk that such arrangements would not be effective in reducing our exposure to interest rate changes or that a court could rule that such an agreement is not legally enforceable. In addition, interest rate hedging can be expensive, particularly during periods of rising and volatile interest rates. Failure to hedge effectively against interest rate changes could materially adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, per share trading price of our common shares and ability to make distributions to our shareholders. In addition, while such agreements would be intended to lessen the impact of rising interest rates on us, they could also expose us to the risk that the other parties to the agreements would not perform, and that the hedging arrangements may not be effective in reducing our exposure to interest rate changes. In addition, the REIT provisions of the Code impose certain restrictions on our ability to utilize hedges, swaps and other types of derivatives to hedge our liabilities. Moreover, there can be no assurance that our hedging arrangements will qualify as highly effective cash flow hedges under Financial
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Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"), Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, or that our hedging activities will have the desired beneficial impact on our results of operations. Should we desire to terminate a hedging agreement, there could be significant costs and cash requirements involved to fulfill our obligation under the hedging agreement.
The future of the reference rate used in our existing floating rate debt instruments and hedging arrangements is uncertain, which could hinder our ability to maintain effective hedges and could adversely impact our business operations and financial results.
Our floating-rate debt and certain hedging transactions determine the applicable interest rate or payment amount by reference to a benchmark rate, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), or to another financial metric. Our existing hedging arrangements currently use LIBOR as a reference rate, as calculated for U.S. dollar (“USD-LIBOR”). As of December 31, 2019, we had approximately $0.5 billion of debt outstanding that was indexed to LIBOR. In the event any such benchmark rate or other referenced financial metric is significantly changed, replaced or discontinued, or ceases to be recognized as an acceptable market benchmark rate or financial metric, there may be uncertainty or differences in the calculation of the applicable interest rate or payment amount depending on the terms of the governing instrument, and there may be significant work required to transition to any new benchmark rate or other financial metric.
In July 2017, the United Kingdom regulator that regulates LIBOR announced its intention to phase out LIBOR rates by the end of 2021. This announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021. In response to concerns regarding the reliability and robustness of commonly used reference rates, in particular LIBOR, the Financial Stability Oversight Council and Financial Stability Board called for the development of alternative interest rate benchmarks.
In April 2018, the New York Federal Reserve commenced publishing an alternative reference rate to LIBOR, as calculated for the U.S. dollar (“USD-LIBOR”), the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), proposed by a group of major market participants convened by the U.S. Federal Reserve with participation by SEC Staff and other regulators, the Alternative Reference Rates Committee ("ARRC"). SOFR is based on transactions in the more robust U.S. Treasury repurchase market and has been proposed as the alternative to USD-LIBOR for use in derivatives and other financial contracts that currently rely on USD-LIBOR as a reference rate. ARRC has proposed a paced market transition plan to SOFR from USD-LIBOR and organizations are currently working on industry-wide and company-specific transition plans as it relates to derivatives and cash markets exposed to LIBOR. At this time, no consensus exists as to what rate or rates may become accepted alternatives to USD-LIBOR, and it is impossible to predict whether and to what extent banks will continue to provide LIBOR submissions to the administrator of LIBOR, whether LIBOR rates will cease to be published or supported before or after 2021 or whether any additional reforms to LIBOR may be enacted in the United Kingdom or elsewhere. Furthermore, the transition from LIBOR to one or more replacement rates could cause uncertainty in what reference rates apply to existing arrangements. The transition from USD-LIBOR to SOFR or any other replacement rate adopted is likely to cause uncertainty related to interest rate costs.
Additionally, there is some possibility that LIBOR continues to be published, but that the quantity of loans used to calculate LIBOR diminishes significantly enough to reduce the appropriateness of the rate as a reference rate. If a published USD-LIBOR is unavailable after 2021, the interest rates for our debt instruments that are indexed to USD-LIBOR will be determined using various alternative methods, any of which may result in interest obligations that are more than or do not otherwise correlate over time with the payments that would have been made on such debt if USD-LIBOR remained available.
We can provide no assurance regarding the future of LIBOR, whether our current hedging arrangements will continue to use USD-LIBOR as a reference rate or whether any reliance on such rate will be appropriate. Confusion as to the relevant benchmark reference rate for our hedging instruments could hinder our ability to establish effective hedges.
Despite progress made to date by regulators and industry participants to prepare for the anticipated discontinuation of LIBOR, significant uncertainties still remain. Such uncertainties relate to, for example, whether LIBOR will continue to be viewed as an acceptable market benchmark rate, what rate or rates may become accepted alternatives to LIBOR (various characteristics of SOFR make it uncertain whether it would be viewed by market participants as an appropriate alternative to USD-LIBOR for certain purposes), how any replacement would be implemented across the industry, and the effect of any changes in industry views or movement to alternative benchmarks would have on the markets for LIBOR-linked financial instruments.
We can provide no assurance regarding the future of LIBOR and when our current floating rate debt instruments and hedging arrangements will transition from LIBOR as a reference rate to SOFR (in the case of our floating rate debt instruments and hedging arrangements that determine the applicable interest rate or payment amount by reference to LIBOR-USD as a reference rate) or another reference rate. The discontinuation of a benchmark rate or other financial metric, changes in a benchmark rate or other financial metric, or changes in market perceptions of the acceptability of a benchmark rate or other financial metric, including
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LIBOR, could, among other things result in increased interest payments, changes to our risk exposures, or require renegotiation of previous transactions. In addition, any such discontinuation or changes, whether actual or anticipated, could result in market volatility, adverse tax or accounting effects, increased compliance, legal and operational costs, and risks associated with contract negotiations. In addition, confusion related to the transition from USD-LIBOR to SOFR or another replacement reference rate for our floating debt and hedging instruments could have an uncertain economic effect on these instruments, hinder our ability to establish effective hedges and result in a different economic value over time for these instruments than they otherwise would have had under USD-LIBOR.
Disruptions in the financial markets could affect our ability to obtain financing or have other adverse effects on us or the market price of our common shares.
In recent years, the United States and global equity and credit markets have experienced significant price volatility and liquidity disruptions which caused the market prices of shares to fluctuate substantially and the spreads on prospective debt financings to widen considerably. These circumstances significantly and negatively impacted liquidity in the financial markets, making terms for certain financings less attractive or unavailable. Any disruption in the equity and credit markets could negatively impact our ability to access additional financing at reasonable terms or at all. If such disruption were to occur, in the event of a debt financing, our cost of borrowing in the future would likely be significantly higher than historical levels. Additionally, in the case of a common equity financing, the disruptions in the financial markets could have a material adverse effect on the market value of our common shares, potentially requiring us to issue more shares than we would otherwise have issued with a higher market value for our common shares. Disruption in the financial markets also could negatively affect our ability to make acquisitions, undertake new development projects and refinance our debt. In addition, it could also make it more difficult for us to sell properties and could adversely affect the price we receive for properties that we do sell, as prospective buyers experience increased costs of financing and difficulties in obtaining financing. If economic conditions deteriorate, the ability of lenders to fulfill their obligations under working capital or other credit facilities that we may have in the future may be adversely impacted.
Disruptions in the financial markets also could adversely affect many of our tenants and their businesses, including their ability to pay rents when due and renew their leases at rates at least as favorable as their current rates. As well, our ability to attract prospective new tenants in the future could be adversely affected by disruption in the financial markets. Each of these disruptions could have adverse effects on us or the market price of our common shares.
Mortgage debt obligations expose us to the possibility of foreclosure, which could result in the loss of our investment in a property or group of properties subject to mortgage debt.
Incurring mortgage and other secured debt obligations increases our risk of property losses because defaults on indebtedness secured by properties may result in foreclosure actions initiated by lenders and ultimately our loss of the property securing any loans for which we are in default. Any foreclosure on a mortgaged property or group of properties could adversely affect the overall value of our portfolio of properties (or portions thereof). For tax purposes, a foreclosure of any of our properties that is subject to a nonrecourse mortgage loan generally would be treated as a sale of the property for a purchase price equal to the outstanding balance of the debt secured by the mortgage. If the outstanding balance of the debt secured by the mortgage exceeds our tax basis in the property, we would recognize taxable income on foreclosure, but would not receive any cash proceeds, which could hinder our ability to satisfy the distribution requirements applicable to REITs under the Code.
Covenants in our debt agreements could adversely affect our financial condition.
Our credit facility contains customary restrictions, requirements and other limitations on our ability to incur indebtedness. We must maintain certain ratios, including a maximum of total indebtedness to total asset value, a maximum of secured indebtedness to total asset value, a minimum of quarterly adjusted EBITDA to fixed charges, a minimum net operating income from unencumbered properties to unsecured interest expense and a maximum of unsecured indebtedness to unencumbered asset value. Our ability to borrow under our credit facility is subject to compliance with our financial and other covenants.
Failure to comply with any of the covenants under our unsecured credit facility or other debt instruments could result in a default under one or more of our debt instruments. In particular, we could suffer a default under our secured debt instrument that could exceed a cross-default threshold under our unsecured credit facility, causing an event of default under the unsecured credit facility. Under those circumstances, other sources of capital may not be available to us or be available only on unattractive terms. In addition, if we breach covenants in our debt agreements, the lenders can declare a default and, if the debt is secured, take possession of the property securing the defaulted loan.
Alternatively, even if a secured debt instrument is below the cross-default threshold for non-recourse secured debt under our unsecured credit facility, a default under such secured debt instrument may still cause a cross default under our unsecured credit
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facility because such secured debt instrument may not qualify as “non-recourse” under the definition in our unsecured credit facility. Another possible cross default could occur between our unsecured credit facility and any senior unsecured notes that we issue. Any of the foregoing default or cross-default events could cause our lenders to accelerate the timing of payments and/or prohibit future borrowings, either of which would have a material adverse effect on our business, operations, financial condition and liquidity.
Risks Related to Our Organizational Structure
Our charter and Maryland law contain provisions that may delay, defer or prevent a change in control of WashREIT, even if such a change in control may be in the best interest of our shareholders, and as a result may depress the market price of our common shares.
Provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law ("MGCL") may limit a change in control which could prevent holders of our common shares from profiting as a result of such change in control. These provisions include:
• | a provision where a corporation is not permitted to engage in any business combination with any “interested stockholder,” defined as any holder or affiliate of any holder of 10% or more of the corporation’s stock, for a period of five years after that holder becomes an “interested stockholder,” and |
• | a provision where the voting rights of “control shares” acquired in a “control share acquisition,” as defined in the MGCL, may be restricted, such that the “control shares” have no voting rights, except to the extent approved by a vote of holders of two-thirds of the common shares entitled to vote on the matter. |
Our bylaws currently provide that the foregoing provision regarding "control share acquisitions" will not apply to WashREIT. However, our board of trustees could, in the future, modify our bylaws such that the foregoing provision regarding "control share acquisitions" would be applicable to WashREIT.
Additionally, Title 8, Subtitle 3 of the MGCL permits our board of trustees, without shareholder approval and regardless of what is currently provided in our declaration of trust or bylaws, to implement certain takeover defenses. These provisions may have the effect of inhibiting a third party from making an acquisition proposal for us or of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us under the circumstances that otherwise could provide our common shareholders with the opportunity to realize a premium over the then current market price.
The stock ownership limits imposed by the Code for REITs and imposed by our charter may restrict our business combination opportunities that might involve a premium price for our common shares or otherwise be in the best interest of our shareholders.
In order for us to maintain our qualification as a REIT under the Code, not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of all classes and series ("equity shares") may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (defined in the Code to include certain entities) at any time during the last half of each taxable year following our first year. Our charter authorizes our board of trustees to take the actions that are necessary or appropriate to preserve our qualification as a REIT. Our charter provides that no person (other than an excepted holder, as defined in our charter) may actually or constructively own more than 9.8% of the aggregate of our outstanding common shares by value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, or 9.8% of the aggregate of the equity shares by value.
Our board of trustees may, in its sole discretion, grant exemptions to the share ownership limits, subject to such conditions and the receipt by our board of trustees of certain representations and undertakings. In addition, our board of trustees has the authority under our charter to reduce these share ownership limits.
In addition to the share ownership limits discussed above, our charter also prohibits any person from (a) beneficially or constructively owning, as determined by applying certain attribution rules of the Code, our equity shares that would result in us being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code (regardless of whether the interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or that would otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT, or (b) transferring equity shares if such transfer would result in our equity shares being owned by fewer than 100 persons. The share ownership limits contained in our charter are based on the ownership at any time by any “person,” which term includes entities and certain groups. The share ownership limitations in our charter are common in REIT charters and are intended to provide added assurance of compliance with the tax law requirements, and to minimize administrative burdens. However, the share ownership limits on our shares also might delay, defer, prevent, or otherwise inhibit a transaction or a change in control of WashREIT that might involve a premium price for our common shares or otherwise be in the best interest of our shareholders.
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Our rights and the rights of our shareholders to take action against our trustees and officers are limited, which could limit your recourse in the event of actions that you do not believe are in your best interests.
Maryland law provides that a trustee has no liability in that capacity if he or she satisfies his or her duties to us and our shareholders. Under current Maryland law, our trustees and officers will not have any liability to us or our shareholders for money damages, except for liability resulting from:
• | actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services; or |
• | a final judgment based upon a finding of active and deliberate dishonesty by the trustee or officer that was material to the cause of action adjudicated. |
In addition, our charter authorizes and our bylaws require us to indemnify our trustees for actions taken by them in those capacities to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law. Our bylaws also authorize us to indemnify our officers for actions taken by them in those capacities to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law. As a result, we and our shareholders may have more limited rights against our trustees and officers than might otherwise exist. Accordingly, in the event that actions taken in good faith by any of our trustees or officers impede the performance of WashREIT, your ability to recover damages from such trustees or officers will be limited with respect to trustees and may be limited with respect to officers. In addition, we will be obligated to advance the defense costs incurred by our trustees and our executive officers, and may, in the discretion of our board of trustees, advance the defense costs incurred by our officers, our employees and other agents, in connection with legal proceedings.
Risks Related to Our Common Shares
We cannot assure you we will continue to pay dividends at current rates.
Cash flows from operations are an important factor in our ability to sustain our dividend at its current rate. If our cash flows from operations were to decline significantly, we may have to borrow on our lines of credit to sustain the dividend rate or reduce our dividend. Our ability to continue to pay dividends on our common shares at their current rate or to increase our common share dividend rate will depend on a number of factors, including, among others, the following:
• | our future financial condition and results of operations; |
• | real estate market conditions in the Washington metro region; |
• | the performance of lease terms by tenants; |
• | the terms of our loan covenants; and |
• | our ability to acquire, finance, develop or redevelop and lease additional properties at attractive rates. |
Our board of trustees considers, among other factors, trends in our levels of funds from operations, together with associated recurring capital improvements, tenant improvements, leasing commissions and incentives, and adjustments to straight-line rents to reflect cash rents received. If some or all of these factors were to trend downward for a sustained period of time, our board of trustees could determine to reduce our dividend rate. If we do not maintain or increase the dividend rate on our common shares in the future, it could have an adverse effect on the market price of our common shares.
The market value of our securities can be adversely affected by many factors.
As with any public company, a number of factors may adversely influence the public market price of our common shares. These factors include:
• | level of institutional interest in us; |
• | perceived attractiveness of investment in us, in comparison to other REITs; |
• | perceived attractiveness of the Washington metro region, particularly if investors have a negative sentiment about the impact of election results on the region's economy; |
• | attractiveness of securities of REITs in comparison to other asset classes taking into account, among other things, that a substantial portion of REITs’ dividends may be taxed as ordinary income; |
• | our financial condition and performance; |
• | the market’s perception of our growth potential and potential future cash dividends; |
• | investor confidence in the stock and bond markets generally; |
• | national economic conditions and general stock and bond market conditions; |
• | government uncertainty, action or regulation, including changes in tax law; |
• | increases in market interest rates, which may lead investors to expect a higher annual yield from our distributions in relation to the price of our shares; |
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• | changes in U.S. federal tax laws; |
• | changes in our credit ratings; and |
• | any negative change in the level of our dividend or the partial payment thereof in common shares. |
Risks Related to our Status as a REIT
The loss of our tax status as a REIT would have significant adverse consequences to us and the value of our common shares.
We believe that we qualify as a REIT and intend to continue to operate in a manner that will allow us to continue to qualify as a REIT. However, we cannot assure you that we are qualified as such, or that we will remain qualified as such in the future. This is because qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex provisions of the Code which include:
• | maintaining ownership of specified minimum levels of real estate-related assets; |
• | generating specified minimum levels of real estate-related income; |
• | maintaining certain diversity of ownership requirements with respect to our shares; and |
• | distributing at least 90% of our "REIT taxable income" (determined before the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains) on an annual basis. |
The distribution requirement noted above could adversely affect our ability to use earnings for improvements or acquisitions because funds distributed to shareholders will not be available for capital improvements to existing properties or for acquiring additional properties.
Only limited judicial and administrative interpretations of the REIT rules exist. In addition, qualification as a REIT involves the determination of various factual matters and circumstances not entirely within our control. Future legislation, new regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions may significantly change the tax laws or the application of the tax laws with respect to qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes or the U.S. federal income tax consequences of such qualification. For example, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA”), which was signed into law on December 22, 2017 and which generally took effect for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2018, made fundamental changes to the U.S. federal income tax laws applicable to businesses and their owners, including REITs and their shareholders.
If we fail to qualify as a REIT, we could face serious tax consequences that could substantially reduce our funds available for payment of dividends for each of the years involved because:
• | we would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the regular corporate rate (currently 21%), without any deduction for dividends paid to shareholders in computing our taxable income, and possibly increased state and local taxes; and |
• | unless we are entitled to relief under statutory provisions, we would be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification was lost. |
This treatment would reduce net earnings available for investment or distribution to shareholders because of the additional tax liability for the year (or years) involved. To the extent that distributions to shareholders had been made based on the assumption of our qualification as a REIT, we might be required to borrow funds or to liquidate certain of our investments to pay the applicable tax. As a result of these factors, our failure to qualify as a REIT could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. If we fail to qualify as a REIT but are eligible for certain relief provisions, then we may retain our status as a REIT but may be required to pay a penalty tax, which could be substantial.
Complying with the REIT requirements may cause us to forego and/or liquidate otherwise attractive investments.
To qualify as a REIT, we must ensure that we meet the REIT gross income tests annually. In addition, we must ensure that, at the end of each calendar quarter, at least 75% of the value of our total assets consists of cash, cash items, government securities and qualifying real estate assets, including certain mortgage loans (the "75% asset test"). The remainder of our investment in securities (other than government securities, securities treated as real estate assets and securities issued by a TRS) generally cannot include more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer. In addition, in general, no more than 5% of the value of our assets (other than government securities, securities treated as real estate assets and securities issued by a TRS) can consist of the securities of any one issuer, and no more than 20% of the value of our total securities can be represented by securities of one or more TRSs. We can treat debt instruments issued by publicly offered REITs, to the extent not secured by real property or interests in real property, as "real estate assets" for purposes of the 75% test (and, thus, not subject to the 10% and 5% asset tests), but the total value of such debt instruments cannot
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exceed 25% of the value of our total assets. If we fail to comply with these asset requirements at the end of any calendar quarter, we must correct the failure within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter or qualify for certain statutory relief provisions to avoid losing our REIT qualification and suffering adverse tax consequences.
To meet these tests, we may be required to take or forgo taking actions that we would otherwise consider advantageous. For example, in order to satisfy the gross income or asset tests applicable to REITs under the Code, we may be required to forego investments that we otherwise would make. Furthermore, we may be required to liquidate from our portfolio (or to contribute to a TRS) otherwise attractive investments. In addition, we may be required to make distributions to shareholders at disadvantageous times or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution. These actions could have the effect of reducing our income and amounts available for distribution to our shareholders. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to make, or, in certain cases, maintain ownership of, certain attractive investments.
The requirements necessary to maintain our REIT status limit our ability to earn fee income at the REIT level, which causes us to conduct certain fee-generating activities through TRSs.
The REIT provisions of the Code limit our ability to earn fee income from joint ventures and third parties. Our aggregate gross income from fees and certain other non-qualifying sources cannot exceed 5% of our annual gross income. As a result, our ability to increase the amount of fee income we earn at the REIT level is limited and, therefore, we conduct certain fee-generating activities through a TRS. Any fee income we earn through TRSs is subject to U.S. federal, state, and local income tax at the regular corporate rates (currently 21% for federal), which reduces our cash available for distribution to shareholders.
Our ability to own stock and securities of TRSs is limited and our transactions with our TRSs will cause us to be subject to a 100% penalty tax on certain income or deductions if those transactions are not conducted on arm's-length terms.
A REIT may own up to 100% of the stock of one or more TRSs. A TRS may hold assets and earn income that would not be qualifying assets or income if held or earned directly by a REIT. Both the subsidiary and the REIT must jointly elect to treat the subsidiary as a TRS. A corporation of which a TRS directly or indirectly owns more than 35% of the voting power or value of the stock will automatically be treated as a TRS. Overall, no more than 20% of the value of a REIT's assets may consist of stock or securities of one or more TRSs. In addition, the rules applicable to TRSs limit the deductibility of interest paid or accrued by a TRS to its parent REIT to assure that the TRS is subject to an appropriate level of corporate taxation. The rules also impose a 100% excise tax on the parent REIT with respect to certain transactions involving a TRS that are not conducted on an arm's-length basis.
Our TRSs will pay U.S. federal, state and local income tax on their taxable income. The after-tax net income of our TRSs will be available for distribution to us but generally is not required to be distributed. We believe that the aggregate value of the stock and securities of our TRSs is less than 20% of the value of our total assets (including the stock and securities of our TRSs). Furthermore, we monitor the value of our respective investments in our TRSs for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the ownership limitations applicable to TRSs. We scrutinize all of our transactions involving our TRSs to ensure that they are entered into on arm's-length terms to avoid incurring the 100% excise tax described above. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to comply with the 20% limitation discussed above or avoid application of the 100% excise tax discussed above.
Complying with REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively and may cause us to incur tax liabilities.
The REIT provisions of the Code may limit our ability to hedge our assets and operations. Any income from a hedging transaction that we enter into to manage the risk of interest rate changes with respect to borrowings made or to be made to acquire or carry real estate assets, or manage the risk of certain currency fluctuations, does not constitute "gross income" for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests that apply to REITs, provided that certain identification requirements are met. As a result of these rules, we may have to limit our use of hedging techniques that might otherwise be advantageous or implement those hedges through a TRS. This could increase the cost of our hedging activities because a TRS would be subject to tax on gains or expose us to greater risks associated with changes in interest rates than we would otherwise want to bear. In addition, losses in our TRS will generally not provide any current tax benefit, except to the extent that they may be carried back to prior years or forward to future years and offset against taxable income in the TRSs, provided, however, losses in TRSs arising in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, may only be carried forward and may only be deducted against 80% of future taxable income in the TRSs.
Dividends payable by REITs do not qualify for the reduced tax rates available for some dividends.
The maximum tax rate applicable to income from "qualified dividends" payable by non-REIT C corporations to U.S. shareholders that are individuals, trusts or estates generally is 20% (excluding the 3.8% net investment income tax). Dividends payable by REITs, however, generally are not eligible for the maximum 20% reduced rate and are taxed at applicable ordinary income tax
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rates, except to the extent that certain holding requirements have been met and a REIT's dividends are attributable to dividends received by a REIT from taxable corporations (such as a TRS), to income that was subject to tax at the REIT/corporate level, or to dividends properly designated by the REIT as “capital gain dividends.” Effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026, those U.S. shareholders that are individuals, trusts or estates may deduct 20% of their dividends from REITs (excluding qualified dividend income and capital gains dividends). For those U.S. shareholders in the top marginal tax bracket of 37%, the deduction for REIT dividends yields an effective income tax rate of 29.6% (exclusive of the net investment income tax) on REIT dividends, which is higher than the 20% tax rate on qualified dividend income paid by non-REIT C corporations (although the maximum effective rate applicable to such dividends, after taking into account the 21% U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to non-REIT C corporations is 36.8% (exclusive of the 3.8% net investment income tax)). Although the reduced rates applicable to dividend income from non-REIT C corporations do not adversely affect the taxation of REITs or dividends payable by REITs, these reduced rates could cause investors who are non-corporate taxpayers to perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in the shares of non-REIT C corporations that pay dividends, which could adversely affect the value of the stock of REITs, including our common shares.
Gains from sales of properties are potentially subject to the "prohibited transactions" tax or corporate-level income tax and could require us to make additional distributions to our shareholders that would reduce our capital available for investment in other properties or require us to obtain additional funds to pay such taxes or make such distributions.
A REIT's net income from prohibited transactions is subject to a 100% penalty tax. In general, prohibited transactions are sales or other dispositions of property, other than foreclosure property, held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business. Although we do not intend to hold any properties that would be characterized as held for sale to customers in the ordinary course of our business, unless a sale or disposition qualifies under certain statutory safe harbors, such characterization is a factual determination and no guarantee can be given that the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") would agree with our characterization of our properties or that we will be able to make use of the otherwise available safe harbors. In addition, the sale of properties may generate gains for tax purposes which, if not adequately deferred through “like-kind exchanges” under Section 1031 of the Code ("Section 1031 Exchanges"), could require us to pay more taxes or make additional distributions to our shareholders, thus reducing our capital available for investment in other properties, or if the proceeds of such sales are already invested in other properties, require us to obtain additional funds to pay such taxes or make such distributions. From time to time, we dispose of properties in transactions intended to qualify as Section 1031 Exchanges. Intermediary agents of Section 1031 Exchanges typically handle large sums of money in trust. It is possible that the qualification of a transaction as a Section 1031 Exchange could be successfully challenged and determined to be currently taxable. In such case, our taxable income and earnings and profits would increase. This could increase the dividend income to our shareholders by reducing any return of capital they received. In some circumstances, we may be required to pay additional dividends or, in lieu of that, corporate income tax, possibly including interest and penalties. As a result, we may be required to borrow funds in order to pay additional dividends or taxes, and the payment of such taxes could cause us to have less cash available to distribute to our shareholders. In addition, if a Section 1031 Exchange were later to be determined to be taxable, we may be required to amend our tax returns for the applicable year in question, including any information reports we sent our shareholders. Moreover, it is possible that legislation could be enacted that could modify or repeal the laws with respect to Section 1031 Exchanges, which could make it more difficult or not possible for us to dispose of properties on a tax deferred basis.
The REIT distribution requirements could require us to borrow funds during unfavorable market conditions or subject us to tax, which would reduce the cash available for distribution to our shareholders.
In order to qualify as a REIT, we generally must distribute to our shareholders, on an annual basis, at least 90% of our "REIT taxable income," determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains. In addition, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the regular corporate rate (currently 21%) to the extent that we distribute less than 100% of our net taxable income (including net capital gains) and will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount by which our distributions in any calendar year are less than a minimum amount specified under U.S. federal income tax laws. We intend to continue to distribute our net income to our shareholders in a manner intended to satisfy the REIT 90% distribution requirement and to avoid U.S. federal income tax and the 4% nondeductible excise tax.
In addition, from time to time our taxable income may exceed our net income as determined by GAAP. This may occur, for instance, because realized capital losses are deducted in determining our GAAP net income, but may not be deductible in computing our taxable income. In addition, we may incur nondeductible capital expenditures or be required to make debt or amortization payments. As a result of the foregoing, we may generate less cash flow than taxable income in a particular year and we may incur U.S. federal income tax and the 4% nondeductible excise tax on that income if we do not distribute such income to shareholders in that year. In that event, we may be required to (i) use cash reserves, (ii) incur debt at rates or times that we regard as unfavorable, (iii) sell assets in adverse market conditions, (iv) distribute amounts that would otherwise be invested in future acquisitions, capital expenditures or repayment of debt, or (v) make a taxable distribution of our shares as part of a distribution in which shareholders
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may elect to receive our shares or (subject to a limit measured as a percentage of the total distribution) cash in order to satisfy the REIT 90% distribution requirement and to avoid U.S. federal income tax and the 4% nondeductible excise tax in that year. These alternatives could increase our costs or reduce our equity. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to grow, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The ability of our board of trustees to revoke our REIT qualification without shareholder approval may cause adverse consequences to our shareholders.
Our charter provides that our board of trustees may revoke or otherwise terminate our REIT election, without the approval of our shareholders, if it determines that it is no longer in our best interest to continue to qualify as a REIT. If we cease to be a REIT, we will not be allowed a deduction for dividends paid to shareholders in computing our taxable income, will be subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax at the regular corporate rates (currently 21% for federal), and generally would no longer be required to distribute any of our net taxable income to our shareholders, which may have adverse consequences on our total return to our shareholders.
Even if we qualify as a REIT, we may face other tax liabilities that reduce our cash flow.
Even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we may be subject to certain U.S. federal, state and local taxes on our income, property or net worth, including taxes on any undistributed income, tax on income from some activities conducted as a result of a foreclosure, and state or local income, property and transfer taxes. Moreover, if we have net income from "prohibited transactions," that income will be subject to a 100% tax. The need to avoid prohibited transactions could cause us to forego or defer sales of properties that might otherwise be in our best interest to sell. In addition, we could, in certain circumstances, be required to pay an excise or penalty tax (which could be significant in amount) in order to utilize one or more relief provisions under the Code to maintain our qualification as a REIT. Any of these taxes would decrease cash available for the payment of our debt obligations and distributions to shareholders. Our TRSs generally will be subject to U.S. federal, state and local corporate income tax on their net taxable income.
Legislative changes to our ability to deduct for tax purposes compensation paid to our executives could require us to increase our distributions to stockholders in order to maintain REIT status or to avoid entity-level taxes.
Section 162(m) of the Code prohibits publicly held corporations from taking a tax deduction for annual compensation in excess of $1 million paid to any of the corporation’s “covered employees.” Prior to the enactment of the TCJA, a publicly held corporation’s covered employees included its chief executive officer and the three other most highly compensated executive officers (other than the chief financial officer), and certain “performance-based compensation” was excluded from the $1 million cap. The TCJA made certain changes to Section 162(m), effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. These changes included, among others, expanding the definition of “covered employee” to include the chief financial officer and repealing the performance-based compensation exception to the $1 million cap, subject to a transition rule for remuneration provided pursuant to a written binding contract which was in effect on November 2, 2017, and which was not modified in any material respect on or after that date.
Since we qualify as a REIT under the Code and we are generally not subject to U.S. federal income taxes, if compensation did not qualify for deduction under Section 162(m), the payment of compensation that fails to satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m) would not have a material adverse consequence to us, provided we continue to distribute 100% of our taxable income. Based on our current taxable income and distributions, we do not believe that we will be required to increase our rate of distributions in order to maintain our status as a REIT (or to avoid paying corporate or excise taxes at the entity level) if a portion of our payment of compensation fails to satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m). However, in that case, a larger portion of shareholder distributions that would otherwise have been treated as a return of capital will be subject to U.S. federal income tax as dividend income. In the future, if we make compensation payments subject to Section 162(m) limitations on deductibility, we may be required to make additional distributions to shareholders to comply with REIT distribution requirements and eliminate U.S. federal income tax liability at the entity level. Any such compensation allocated to our TRSs whose income is subject to U.S. federal income tax would result in an increase in income taxes due to the inability to deduct such compensation.
There is a risk of changes in the tax law applicable to REITs which may adversely affect our taxation as a REIT and taxation of our shareholders.
The IRS, the United States Treasury Department and Congress frequently review U.S. federal income tax legislation, regulations and other guidance. We cannot predict whether, when or to what extent new U.S. federal tax laws, regulations, interpretations or rulings will be adopted. Any legislative action may prospectively or retroactively modify our tax treatment and, therefore, may adversely affect our taxation or taxation of our shareholders. We urge you to consult with your tax advisor with respect to the status of legislative, regulatory or administrative developments and proposals and their potential effect on an investment in our
26
shares. Although REITs generally receive certain tax advantages compared to entities taxed as C corporations, it is possible that future legislation would result in a REIT having fewer tax advantages, and it could become more advantageous for a company that invests in real estate to elect to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a C corporation.
ITEM 1B: UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
27
ITEM 2: PROPERTIES
The schedule on the following pages lists our real estate investment portfolio as of December 31, 2019, which consisted of 45 properties and land held for development.
As of December 31, 2019, the percent leased is (i) for commercial properties, the percentage of net rentable area for which fully executed leases exist and may include signed leases for space not yet occupied by the tenant, and (ii) for multifamily properties, the percentage of units leased. Cost information is included in Schedule III to our financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Schedule of Properties
Properties | Location | Year Acquired | Year Constructed/Renovated | # of Units | Net Rentable Square Feet | Percent Leased, as of December 31, 2019 (1) | Ending Occupancy, as of December 31, 2019 (1) | |||||||||||
Multifamily Buildings | ||||||||||||||||||
3801 Connecticut Avenue | Washington, DC | 1963 | 1951 | 307 | 178,000 | 96.4 | % | 95.4 | % | |||||||||
Roosevelt Towers | Falls Church, VA | 1965 | 1964 | 191 | 170,000 | 96.3 | % | 94.8 | % | |||||||||
Park Adams | Arlington, VA | 1969 | 1959 | 200 | 173,000 | 97.0 | % | 95.0 | % | |||||||||
The Ashby at McLean | McLean, VA | 1996 | 1982 | 256 | 274,000 | 96.1 | % | 94.5 | % | |||||||||
Bethesda Hill Apartments | Bethesda, MD | 1997 | 1986 | 195 | 225,000 | 97.9 | % | 92.8 | % | |||||||||
Bennett Park | Arlington, VA | 2001 | 2007 | 224 | 215,000 | 95.5 | % | 95.1 | % | |||||||||
Clayborne | Alexandria, VA | 2003 | 2008 | 74 | 60,000 | 97.3 | % | 97.3 | % | |||||||||
Kenmore Apartments | Washington, DC | 2008 | 1948 | 374 | 268,000 | 94.9 | % | 93.6 | % | |||||||||
The Paramount | Arlington, VA | 2013 | 1984 | 135 | 141,000 | 97.8 | % | 97.0 | % | |||||||||
Yale West (2) | Washington, DC | 2014 | 2011 | 216 | 173,000 | 98.1 | % | 97.2 | % | |||||||||
The Maxwell | Arlington, VA | 2011 | 2014 | 163 | 116,000 | 98.8 | % | 97.5 | % | |||||||||
The Wellington | Arlington, VA | 2015 | 1960 | 711 | 600,000 | 96.2 | % | 93.4 | % | |||||||||
Riverside Apartments | Alexandria, VA | 2016 | 1971 | 1,222 | 1,001,000 | 97.1 | % | 95.7 | % | |||||||||
Assembly Alexandria | Alexandria, VA | 2019 | 1990 | 532 | 437,000 | 95.3 | % | 94.9 | % | |||||||||
Assembly Manassas | Manassas, VA | 2019 | 1986 | 408 | 390,000 | 94.9 | % | 94.4 | % | |||||||||
Assembly Dulles | Herndon, VA | 2019 | 2000 | 328 | 361,000 | 96.0 | % | 95.1 | % | |||||||||
Assembly Leesburg | Leesburg, VA | 2019 | 1986 | 134 | 124,000 | 94.8 | % | 94.0 | % | |||||||||
Assembly Herndon | Herndon, VA | 2019 | 1991 | 283 | 221,000 | 96.1 | % | 95.1 | % | |||||||||
Assembly Germantown | Germantown, MD | 2019 | 1990 | 218 | 211,000 | 95.4 | % | 95.0 | % | |||||||||
Assembly Watkins Mill | Gaithersburg, MD | 2019 | 1975 | 210 | 193,000 | 97.1 | % | 94.8 | % | |||||||||
Cascade at Landmark | Alexandria, VA | 2019 | 1988 | 277 | 273,000 | 96.4 | % | 94.2 | % | |||||||||
Subtotal | 6,658 | 5,804,000 | 96.4 | % | 94.9 | % |
______________________________
(1) | Leased percentage and ending occupancy calculations are based on units for multifamily buildings. |
(2) | At December 31, 2019, Yale West was encumbered by a non-recourse mortgage in the amount of $45.7 million. Mortgage amount excludes premiums and debt loan costs. This mortgage was repaid on January 31, 2020 (see note 5 to the consolidated financial statements). |
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Properties | Location | Year Acquired | Year Constructed/Renovated | Net Rentable Square Feet | Percent Leased, as of December 31, 2019 (3) | Ending Occupancy, as of December 31, 2019 (3) | |||||||||
Office Buildings | |||||||||||||||
1901 Pennsylvania Avenue | Washington, DC | 1977 | 1960 | 101,000 | 85.6 | % | 85.6 | % | |||||||
515 King Street | Alexandria, VA | 1992 | 1966 | 75,000 | 86.5 | % | 86.5 | % | |||||||
1220 19th Street | Washington, DC | 1995 | 1976 | 103,000 | 73.4 | % | 61.7 | % | |||||||
1600 Wilson Boulevard | Arlington, VA | 1997 | 1973 | 170,000 | 90.8 | % | 89.5 | % | |||||||
Silverline Center | Tysons, VA | 1997 | 1972/2015 | 549,000 | 96.0 | % | 94.0 | % | |||||||
Courthouse Square | Alexandria, VA | 2000 | 1979 | 120,000 | 82.9 | % | 82.9 | % | |||||||
Monument II | Herndon, VA | 2007 | 2000 | 209,000 | 95.1 | % | 95.1 | % | |||||||
2000 M Street (4) | Washington, DC | 2007 | 1971 | 232,000 | 91.8 | % | 91.0 | % | |||||||
1140 Connecticut Avenue | Washington, DC | 2011 | 1966 | 184,000 | 92.2 | % | 92.2 | % | |||||||
1227 25th Street | Washington, DC | 2011 | 1988 | 135,000 | 93.5 | % | 86.2 | % | |||||||
John Marshall II | Tysons, VA | 2011 | 1996/2010 | 223,000 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | |||||||
Fairgate at Ballston | Arlington, VA | 2012 | 1988 | 145,000 | 82.3 | % | 77.2 | % | |||||||
Army Navy Building | Washington, DC | 2014 | 1912/1987/2017 | 108,000 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | |||||||
1775 Eye Street, NW | Washington, DC | 2014 | 1964 | 189,000 | 93.7 | % | 93.7 | % | |||||||
Watergate 600 | Washington, DC | 2017 | 1972/1997 | 293,000 | 91.9 | % | 81.2 | % | |||||||
Arlington Tower | Arlington, VA | 2018 | 1980/2014 | 391,000 | 90.6 | % | 90.6 | % | |||||||
Subtotal | 3,227,000 | 91.9 | % | 89.6 | % |
Retail Centers | |||||||||||||||
Takoma Park | Takoma Park, MD | 1963 | 1962 | 51,000 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | |||||||
Westminster | Westminster, MD | 1972 | 1969 | 150,000 | 95.0 | % | 95.0 | % | |||||||
Concord Centre | Springfield, VA | 1973 | 1960 | 75,000 | 93.2 | % | 93.2 | % | |||||||
Chevy Chase Metro Plaza | Washington, DC | 1985 | 1975 | 49,000 | 90.2 | % | 90.2 | % | |||||||
800 S. Washington Street | Alexandria, VA | 1998/2003 | 1955/1959 | 46,000 | 89.6 | % | 87.0 | % | |||||||
Randolph Shopping Center | Rockville, MD | 2006 | 1972 | 83,000 | 86.4 | % | 86.4 | % | |||||||
Montrose Shopping Center | Rockville, MD | 2006 | 1970 | 149,000 | 94.0 | % | 94.0 | % | |||||||
Spring Valley Village | Washington, DC | 2014 | 1941/1950/2018 | 92,000 | 92.0 | % | 79.1 | % | |||||||
Subtotal | 695,000 | 92.8 | % | 90.9 | % | ||||||||||
TOTAL | 9,726,000 |
______________________________
(3) | Percent leased and ending occupancy calculations are based on square feet that includes temporary lease agreements for commercial properties. |
(4) | This property is subject to a ground lease which expires on October 6, 2070. |
ITEM 3: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
None.
ITEM 4: MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
None.
29
PART II
ITEM 5: MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market and Shareholder Information: Our shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WRE. As of February 13, 2020, there are 3,385 shareholders of record.
Issuer Repurchases; Unregistered Sales of Securities: A summary of our repurchases of shares of our common stock for the three months ended December 31, 2019 was as follows:
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities | |||||||
Period | Total Number of Shares Purchased (1) | Average Price Paid per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet be Purchased | |||
October 1 - October 31, 2019 | — | $ | — | N/A | N/A | ||
November 1 - November 30, 2019 | — | — | N/A | N/A | |||
December 1 - December 31, 2019 | 25,494 | 29.18 | N/A | N/A | |||
Total | 25,494 | 29.18 | N/A | N/A |
______________________________
(1) | Represents restricted shares surrendered by employees to WashREIT to satisfy such employees' applicable statutory minimum tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of restricted shares. |
Performance Graph:
The following line graph sets forth, for the period from December 31, 2014, through December 31, 2019, a comparison of the percentage change in the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock compared to the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index and the MSCI US REIT Index. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2014, in shares of our common stock and each of the aforementioned indices and that all dividends were reinvested without the payment of any commissions. There can be no assurance that the performance of our shares will continue in line with the same or similar trends depicted in the graph below.
This performance graph shall not be deemed "filed" for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or incorporated by reference into any filing by us under the Securities Act of 1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
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ITEM 6: SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth our selected financial data on a historical basis. The following data should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and notes thereto and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except per share data) | |||||||||||||||||||
Real estate rental revenue | $ | 309,180 | $ | 291,730 | $ | 280,281 | $ | 268,672 | $ | 262,695 | |||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | 29,132 | $ | 1,153 | $ | (3,568 | ) | $ | 96,261 | $ | 66,528 | ||||||||
Discontinued operations: | |||||||||||||||||||
Income from operations of properties sold or held for sale | $ | 16,158 | $ | 24,477 | $ | 23,180 | $ | 23,027 | $ | 22,659 | |||||||||
Gain on sale of real estate | $ | 339,024 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||
Net income | $ | 383,550 | $ | 25,630 | $ | 19,612 | $ | 119,288 | $ | 89,187 | |||||||||
Net income attributable to the controlling interests | $ | 383,550 | $ | 25,630 | $ | 19,668 | $ | 119,339 | $ | 89,740 | |||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the controlling interests per share – diluted | $ | 0.36 | $ | 0.01 | $ | (0.05 | ) | $ | 1.33 | $ | 0.97 | ||||||||
Net income attributable to the controlling interests per share – diluted | $ | 4.75 | $ | 0.32 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 1.65 | $ | 1.31 | |||||||||
Total assets | $ | 2,628,328 | $ | 2,417,104 | $ | 2,359,426 | $ | 2,253,619 | $ | 2,191,168 | |||||||||
Amounts outstanding on line of credit | $ | 56,000 | $ | 188,000 | $ | 166,000 | $ | 120,000 | $ | 105,000 | |||||||||
Mortgage notes payable, net | $ | 47,074 | $ | 48,277 | $ | 81,624 | $ | 133,117 | $ | 400,813 | |||||||||
Notes payable, net | $ | 996,722 | $ | 995,397 | $ | 894,358 | $ | 843,084 | $ | 743,181 | |||||||||
Shareholders’ equity | $ | 1,411,726 | $ | 1,068,127 | $ | 1,094,971 | $ | 1,050,946 | $ | 835,649 | |||||||||
Cash dividends declared | $ | 96,964 | $ | 95,502 | $ | 92,834 | $ | 87,570 | $ | 82,003 | |||||||||
Cash dividends declared per share | $ | 1.20 | $ | 1.20 | $ | 1.20 | $ | 1.20 | $ | 1.20 |
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ITEM 7: MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
We provide Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) in addition to the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes to assist readers in understanding our results of operations and financial condition. We organize the MD&A as follows:
• | Overview. Discussion of our business outlook, operating results, investment activity, financing activity and capital requirements to provide context for the remainder of MD&A. |
Results of Operations. Discussion of our financial results comparing 2019 to 2018 and comparing 2018 to 2017.
• | Liquidity and Capital Resources. Discussion of our financial condition and analysis of changes in our capital structure and cash flows. |
• | Funds From Operations. Calculation of NAREIT Funds From Operations (“NAREIT FFO”), a non-GAAP supplemental measure to net income. |
• | Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates. Descriptions of accounting policies that reflect significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. |
When evaluating our financial condition and operating performance, we focus on the following financial and non-financial indicators:
• | Net operating income (“NOI”), calculated as set forth below under the caption "Results of Operations - Net Operating Income." NOI is a non-GAAP supplemental measure to net income. |
• | Funds From Operations (“NAREIT FFO”), calculated as set forth below under the caption “Funds from Operations.” NAREIT FFO is a non-GAAP supplemental measure to net income. |
• | Ending occupancy, calculated as occupied square footage as a percentage of total square footage as of the last day of that period. |
• | Leased percentage, calculated as the percentage of apartments leased for our multifamily properties and percentage of available physical net rentable area leased for our commercial properties. |
• | Leasing activity, including new leases, renewals and expirations. |
For purposes of evaluating comparative operating performance, we categorize our properties as “same-store”, “non-same-store” or discontinued operations. Same-store properties include properties that were owned for the entirety of the years being compared, and exclude properties under redevelopment or development and properties acquired, sold or classified as held for sale during the years being compared. We define development properties as those for which we have planned or ongoing major construction activities on existing or acquired land pursuant to an authorized development plan. We consider a property's development activities to be complete when the property is ready for its intended use. The property is categorized as same-store when it has been ready for its intended use for the entirety of the years being compared. We define redevelopment properties as those for which we have planned or ongoing significant development and construction activities on existing or acquired buildings pursuant to an authorized plan, which has an impact on current operating results, occupancy and the ability to lease space with the intended result of a higher economic return on the property. We categorize a redevelopment property as same-store when redevelopment activities have been complete for the majority of each year being compared.
Overview
Operating Results
Net income attributable to the controlling interests, NOI and NAREIT FFO for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | Change | % Change | |||||||||||
Net income attributable to the controlling interests | $ | 383,550 | $ | 25,630 | $ | 357,920 | 1,396.5 | % | ||||||
NOI (1) | $ | 193,600 | $ | 186,138 | $ | 7,462 | 4.0 | % | ||||||
NAREIT FFO (2) | $ | 134,118 | $ | 146,249 | $ | (12,131 | ) | (8.3 | )% | |||||
______________________________ | ||||||||||||||
32
The increase in net income attributable to the controlling interests is primarily due to higher gains on sale of real estate ($396.5 million) and higher NOI ($7.5 million), partially offset by higher depreciation and amortization expense ($24.4 million), lower income from discontinued operations ($8.3 million), higher real estate impairment charges ($6.5 million), higher interest expense ($3.2 million), higher general and administrative expenses ($2.3 million), and higher lease origination expenses ($1.7 million).
The higher NOI is primarily due to income from the multifamily acquisitions ($16.4 million), partially offset by the sales of 2445 M Street ($5.3 million), Quantico Corporate Center ($1.7 million), 1776 G Street ($0.7 million) and Braddock Metro Center ($0.2 million), and lower NOI from Arlington Tower ($0.7 million) and same-store properties ($0.3 million). The lower same-store NOI is explained in further detail beginning on page 34 (Results of Operations - 2019 Compared to 2018).
The decrease in NAREIT FFO primarily reflects lower income from discontinued operations, net of depreciation and amortization ($12.8 million), higher interest expense ($3.2 million) and higher general and administrative ($2.3 million) and lease origination ($1.7 million) expenses, partially offset by higher NOI ($7.5 million) and lower losses on extinguishment of debt ($0.4 million).
Investment and Financing Activity
Significant investment and financing transactions during 2019 included the following:
• | The disposition of Quantico Corporate Center, an office property in Stafford, Virginia, consisting of two office buildings totaling 272,000 square feet for a contract sales price of $33.0 million. |
• | The acquisition of the Assembly properties in Virginia and Maryland (collectively, the "Assembly Portfolio"), consisting of seven multifamily properties with a total of 2,113 units, for a contract purchase price of $461.2 million. In connection with the acquisition of these properties, we entered into a six-month, $450.0 million unsecured term loan facility (the “2019 Term Loan”). We repaid this term loan during the third quarter of 2019 using proceeds from the sales of retail properties (see note 6 to the consolidated financial statements). |
• | The acquisition of Cascade at Landmark, a 277-unit multifamily property in Alexandria, Virginia, for a contract purchase price of $69.8 million. |
• | The disposition of five retail shopping centers and three retail power centers in three separate transactions. We recognized an aggregate gain on sale of real estate of $339.0 million from these transactions. Prior to closing on the disposition of the five retail shopping centers (the "Shopping Center Portfolio"), we prepaid the mortgage note secured by Olney Village Center, incurring a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $0.8 million. |
• | The disposition of 1776 G Street, a 262,000 square foot office property in Washington, DC, for a contract sale price of $129.5 million. We recognized a gain on sale of real estate of $61.0 million related to this transaction. |
As of February 13, 2020, our Revolving Credit Facility has a borrowing capacity of $573.0 million. As of December 31, 2019, the interest rate on the facility was LIBOR plus 1.0% and LIBOR was 1.7% as of that date.
Capital Requirements
In January 2020, we prepaid the $45.6 million mortgage note payable secured by Yale West, recognizing a gain on extinguishment of debt of $0.5 million. Following this prepayment, we have no mortgage notes. Our $250.0 million of 4.95% 10-year unsecured notes are scheduled to mature in October 2020, but may be prepaid without penalty beginning in April 2020. We expect to have additional capital requirements as set forth on page 41 (Liquidity and Capital Resources - Capital Requirements).
Results of Operations
The discussion that follows is based on our consolidated results of operations for the three years ended December 31, 2019. The ability to compare one period to another is significantly affected by acquisitions completed and dispositions made during those years (see note 3 to the consolidated financial statements).
Net Operating Income
NOI, defined as real estate rental revenue less real estate expenses, is a non-GAAP measure. NOI is calculated as net income, less non-real estate revenue and the results of discontinued operations (including the gain on sale, if any), plus interest expense, depreciation and amortization, general and administrative expenses, lease origination expenses, real estate impairment and gain or loss on extinguishment of debt. We believe that NOI is useful as a performance measure because, when compared across periods, NOI reflects the impact on operations of trends in occupancy rates, rental rates and operating costs on an unleveraged basis, providing perspective not immediately apparent from net income. NOI excludes certain components from net income in order to provide results more closely
33
related to a property’s results of operations. For example, interest expense is not necessarily linked to the operating performance of a real estate asset. In addition, depreciation and amortization, because of historical cost accounting and useful life estimates, may distort operating performance at the property level. As a result of the foregoing, we provide NOI as a supplement to net income, calculated in accordance with GAAP. NOI does not represent net income or income from continuing operations, in either case calculated in accordance with GAAP. As such, it should not be considered an alternative to these measures as an indication of our operating performance. A reconciliation of NOI to net income follows.
2019 Compared to 2018
The following tables reconcile NOI to net income attributable to the controlling interests and provide the basis for our discussion of our consolidated results of operations and NOI in 2019 compared to 2018. All amounts are in thousands except percentage amounts.
Non-Same-Store | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Same-Store | Acquisitions (1) | Development/Redevelopment (2) | Held for Sale or Sold (3) | All Properties | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | $ Change | % Change | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Real estate rental revenue | $ | 234,946 | $ | 233,098 | $ | 1,848 | 0.8 | % | $ | 50,259 | $ | 22,389 | $ | 35 | $ | — | $ | 23,940 | $ | 36,243 | $ | 309,180 | $ | 291,730 | $ | 17,450 | 6.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Real estate expenses | 89,453 | 87,293 | 2,160 | 2.5 | % | 17,077 | 4,914 | 76 | 21 | 8,974 | 13,364 | 115,580 | 105,592 | 9,988 | 9.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NOI | $ | 145,493 | $ | 145,805 | $ | (312 | ) | (0.2 | )% | $ | 33,182 | $ | 17,475 | $ | (41 | ) | $ | (21 | ) | $ | 14,966 | $ | 22,879 | $ | 193,600 | $ | 186,138 | $ | 7,462 | 4.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Reconciliation to net income attributable to the controlling interests: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | (136,253 | ) | (111,826 | ) | (24,427 | ) | 21.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | (24,370 | ) | (22,089 | ) | (2,281 | ) | 10.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lease origination expenses | (1,698 | ) | — | (1,698 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Real estate impairment | (8,374 | ) | (1,886 | ) | (6,488 | ) | 344.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gain on sale of real estate | 59,961 | 2,495 | 57,466 | 2,303.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | (53,734 | ) | (50,501 | ) | (3,233 | ) | 6.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt | — | (1,178 | ) | 1,178 | (100.0 | )% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Discontinued operations (4): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income from properties sold or held for sale | 16,158 | 24,477 | (8,319 | ) | (34.0 | )% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gain on sale of real estate | 339,024 | — | 339,024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt | (764 | ) | — | (764 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | 383,550 | 25,630 | 357,920 | 1,396.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to the controlling interests | $ | 383,550 | $ | 25,630 | $ | 357,920 | 1,396.5 | % |
______________________________
(1) | Acquisitions: |
2019 Multifamily – Assembly Portfolio and Cascade at Landmark
2018 Office – Arlington Tower
(2) | Development/redevelopment properties: |
Multifamily development property – The Trove and land adjacent to Riverside Apartments
(3) | Sold (classified as continuing operations): |
2019 Office – Quantico Corporate Center and 1776 G Street
2018 Office – Braddock Metro Center and 2445 M Street
Held for sale (classified as continuing operations):
2019 Office – John Marshall II
(4) | Discontinued operations: |
2019 Retail – Wheaton Park, Bradlee Shopping Center, Shoppes of Foxchase, Gateway Overlook, Olney Village Center, Frederick County Square, Centre at Hagerstown and Frederick Crossing
Real Estate Rental Revenue
Real estate rental revenue is comprised of (a) minimum base rent, which includes rental revenues recognized on a straight-line basis, (b) revenue from the recovery of operating expenses from our tenants, (c) credit losses on lease related receivables, (d) revenue recognized from lease termination fees and (e) parking and other tenant charges such as percentage rents.
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Real estate rental revenue from same-store properties for the two years ended December 31, 2019 was as follows (in thousands, except percentage amounts):
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
Multifamily | $ | 98,455 | $ | 95,194 | $ | 3,261 | 3.4 | % | ||||||
Office | 117,501 | 119,842 | (2,341 | ) | (2.0 | )% | ||||||||
Other | 18,990 | 18,062 | 928 | 5.1 | % | |||||||||
Total same-store real estate rental revenue | $ | 234,946 | $ | 233,098 | $ | 1,848 | 0.8 | % |
• | Multifamily: Increase primarily due to higher rental rates ($2.5 million), lower rent abatements ($0.3 million), higher recoveries ($0.3 million) and higher parking income ($0.2 million). |
• | Office: Decrease primarily due to lower rental income ($2.6 million) due to lease expirations at Watergate 600 and 1220 19th Street and higher rent abatements ($1.1 million), partially offset by higher lease termination fees ($1.4 million). |
Real estate rental revenue from acquisitions increased due to the acquisition of Assembly Portfolio ($24.9 million) and Cascade at Landmark ($2.7 million) in 2019 and Arlington Tower ($0.2 million) in 2018.
Real estate rental revenue from held for sale or sold properties classified as continuing operations decreased due to the sale of 2445 M Street ($8.7 million) during the second quarter of 2018, Quantico Corporate Center ($2.7 million) during the second quarter of 2019, 1776 G Street ($0.7 million) during fourth quarter of 2019 and Braddock Metro Center ($0.4 million) during the first quarter of 2018. These were partially offset by higher real estate rental revenue at John Marshall II ($0.1 million).
Ending occupancy is calculated as occupied square footage indicated as a percentage of total square footage as of the last day of that period. Ending occupancy for properties classified as continuing operations for the two years ended December 31, 2019 was as follows:
December 31, 2019 | December 31, 2018 | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment | Same-Store | Non-Same-Store | Total | Same-Store | Non-Same-Store | Total | Same-Store | Non-Same-Store | Total | |||||||||||||||||
Multifamily | 94.9 | % | 94.6 | % | 94.8 | % | 94.8 | % | N/A | 94.8 | % | 0.1 | % | N/A | — | % | ||||||||||
Office | 88.5 | % | 94.0 | % | 89.6 | % | 93.6 | % | 89.5 | % | 92.3 | % | (5.1 | )% | 4.5 | % | (2.7 | )% | ||||||||
Other | 90.9 | % | N/A | 90.9 | % | 89.9 | % | N/A | 89.9 | % | 1.0 | % | N/A | 1.0 | % | |||||||||||
Total | 92.1 | % | 94.5 | % | 92.8 | % | 93.9 | % | 89.5 | % | 93.2 | % | (1.8 | )% | 5.0 | % | (0.4 | )% |
• | Multifamily: Increase in same-store ending occupancy was primarily due to higher ending occupancy at The Paramount, 3801 Connecticut Avenue and Roosevelt Towers, partially offset by lower ending occupancy at The Wellington. |
• | Office: Decrease in same-store ending occupancy was primarily due to lower ending occupancy at 1220 19th Street, Watergate 600 and 1227 25th Street. |
During 2019, we executed new and renewed leases in our office segment as follows:
Square Feet (in thousands) | Average Rental Rate (per square foot) | % Rental Rate Increase | Leasing Costs (1) (per square foot) | Free Rent (weighted average months) | ||||||||||||
Office | 414 | $ | 51.10 | 17.6 | % | $ | 96.69 | 6.4 |
______________________________
(1) | Consist of tenant improvements and leasing commissions. |
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Real Estate Expenses
Real estate expenses as a percentage of revenue for the two years ended December 31, 2019 were 37.4% and 36.2%, respectively.
Real estate expenses from same-store properties for the two years ended December 31, 2019 were as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
Multifamily | $ | 37,817 | $ | 37,214 | $ | 603 | 1.6 | % | ||||||
Office | 46,114 | 45,043 | 1,071 | 2.4 | % | |||||||||
Other | 5,522 | 5,036 | 486 | 9.7 | % | |||||||||
Total same-store real estate expenses | $ | 89,453 | $ | 87,293 | $ | 2,160 | 2.5 | % |
• | Multifamily: Increase primarily due to higher contract maintenance ($0.3 million), administrative ($0.1 million), repairs and maintenance ($0.1 million) and utility ($0.1 million) expenses. |
• | Office: Increase primarily due to higher real estate tax ($0.8 million) and administrative ($0.7 million) expenses, partially offset by lower utilities expenses ($0.2 million). |
Other Income and Expenses
Depreciation and Amortization: Increase primarily due to acquisitions of the Assembly Portfolio ($23.7 million) and Cascade at Landmark ($2.9 million), higher depreciation and amortization at same-store properties ($1.7 million) and placing into service a portion of the parking garage at The Trove development ($0.1 million) during 2019. These increases were partially offset by lower depreciation and amortization at Arlington Tower ($1.6 million) and John Marshall II ($0.2 million) and the dispositions of Quantico Corporate Center ($1.7 million), 2445 M Street ($0.4 million) and 1776 G Street ($0.1 million).
General and administrative expenses: Increase primarily due to higher incentive compensation expense ($1.8 million) and professional fees ($0.6 million).
Lease Origination Expenses: In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”), which amended existing lease accounting standards for both lessees and lessors (see note 2 to the consolidated financial statements). We adopted the new standard for the fiscal year beginning on January 1, 2019. Under ASU 2016-02, the FASB determined that only incremental costs or initial direct costs of executing a lease contract qualify for capitalization, while prior accounting standards allowed for the capitalization of indirect leasing costs. We incurred $1.7 million of indirect leasing expenses during 2019.
Real estate impairment: The real estate impairment charge of $8.4 million during the first quarter of 2019 reduced the carrying value of Quantico Corporate Center to its estimated fair value (see note 3 to the consolidated financial statements). During the first quarter of 2018, 2445 M Street met the criteria for classification as held for sale. We consequently recorded an impairment charge of $1.9 million during the first quarter of 2018 in order to reduce the carrying value of the property to its estimated fair value, less estimated selling costs.
Gain on sale of real estate: The gain during 2019 is due to the sale of 1776 G Street ($61.0 million), partially offset by a loss on the sale of Quantico Corporate Center ($1.0 million). The gain during 2018 is due to the sale of 2445 M Street.
Interest Expense: Interest expense by debt type for the two years ended December 31, 2019 was as follows (in thousands, except percentage amounts):
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
Debt Type | 2019 | 2018 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||
Notes payable | $ | 45,595 | $ | 39,818 | $ | 5,777 | 14.5 | % | ||||||
Mortgage notes payable | 2,074 | 3,283 | (1,209 | ) | (36.8 | )% | ||||||||
Line of credit | 9,279 | 9,491 | (212 | ) | (2.2 | )% | ||||||||
Capitalized interest | (3,214 | ) | (2,091 | ) | (1,123 | ) | 53.7 | % | ||||||
Total | $ | 53,734 | $ | 50,501 | $ | 3,233 | 6.4 | % |
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• | Notes payable: Increase primarily due to executing the 2019 Term Loan in April 2019 and a $250 million term loan in March 2018, which increased and replaced a $150 million term loan. |
• | Mortgage notes payable: Decrease primarily due to the repayment of the mortgage notes secured by Kenmore Apartments in 2018. |
• | Line of credit: Decrease primarily due to lower weighted average borrowings of $196.1 million during 2019, as compared to $230.9 million during 2018, partially offset by a higher weighted average interest rate of 3.34% during 2019, as compared to 2.96% during 2018. |
• | Capitalized interest: Increase primarily due to higher spending related to The Trove, the multifamily development adjacent to The Wellington, and the commencement in 2018 of interest capitalization on spending related to the multifamily development adjacent to Riverside Apartments. |
Loss on extinguishment of debt: We recognized a $1.2 million non-cash loss on extinguishment of debt during 2018 related to the write-off of unamortized loan origination costs associated with the refinancing of an existing $150 million seven-year unsecured term loan with a $250 million five-year unsecured term loan and the execution of an amended, extended and expanded $700 million unsecured revolving credit facility (see note 6 to the consolidated financial statements).
Discontinued operations:
Income from properties sold or held for sale: Decrease primarily due to the sale of the properties classified as discontinued operations during the third quarter of 2019.
Gain on sale of real estate: Increase due to gains on the sales of the Shopping Center Portfolio ($333.0 million) and Frederick Crossing/Frederick County Square ($9.5 million), partially offset by a loss on the sale of Centre at Hagerstown ($3.5 million).
Loss on extinguishment of debt: We recognized a $0.8 million loss on extinguishment of debt during 2019 related to the prepayment of the mortgage note secured by Olney Village Center prior to that property’s disposition as part of the Shopping Center Portfolio.
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2018 Compared to 2017
The following tables reconcile NOI to net income attributable to the controlling interests and provide the basis for our discussion of our consolidated results of operations and NOI in 2018 compared to 2017. All amounts are in thousands except percentage amounts.
Non-Same-Store | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Same-Store | Acquisitions (1) | Development/Redevelopment (2) | Held for Sale or Sold (3) | All Properties | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | $ Change | % Change | 2018 | 2017 | 2018 | 2017 | 2018 | 2017 | 2018 | 2017 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Real estate rental revenue | $ | 241,457 | $ | 233,704 | $ | 7,753 | 3.3 | % | $ | 41,234 | $ | 14,518 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 9,039 | $ | 32,059 | $ | 291,730 | $ | 280,281 | $ | 11,449 | 4.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Real estate expenses | 90,709 | 88,580 | 2,129 | 2.4 | % | 11,306 | 4,680 | 21 | — | 3,556 | 12,140 | 105,592 | 105,400 | 192 | 0.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NOI | $ | 150,748 | $ | 145,124 | $ | 5,624 | 3.9 | % | $ | 29,928 | $ | 9,838 | $ | (21 | ) | $ | — | $ | 5,483 | $ | 19,919 | $ | 186,138 | $ | 174,881 | $ | 11,257 | 6.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reconciliation to net income attributable to the controlling interests: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | (111,826 | ) | (101,430 | ) | (10,396 | ) | 10.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | (22,089 | ) | (22,580 | ) | 491 | (2.2 | )% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Real estate impairment | (1,886 | ) | (33,152 | ) | 31,266 | (94.3 | )% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gain on sale of real estate | 2,495 | 24,915 | (22,420 | ) | (90.0 | )% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | (50,501 | ) | (46,793 | ) | (3,708 | ) | 7.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other income | — | 507 | (507 | ) | (100.0 | )% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt | (1,178 | ) | — | (1,178 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax benefit (expense) | — | 84 | (84 | ) | (100.0 | )% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Discontinued operations (4): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income from properties sold or held for sale | 24,477 | 23,180 | 1,297 | 5.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | 25,630 | 19,612 | 6,018 | 30.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | 56 | (56 | ) | (100.0 | )% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to the controlling interests | $ | 25,630 | $ | 19,668 | $ | 5,962 | 30.3 | % |
______________________________
(1) | Acquisitions: |
2018 Office – Arlington Tower
2017 Office – Watergate 600
(2) | Development/redevelopment properties: |
Multifamily development property – land adjacent to Riverside Apartments
(3) | Sold: |
2018 Office – Braddock Metro Center and 2445 M Street
2017 Multifamily – Walker House Apartments
(4) | Discontinued operations: |
2019 Retail – Wheaton Park, Bradlee Shopping Center, Shoppes of Foxchase, Gateway Overlook, Olney Village Center, Frederick County Square, Centre at Hagerstown and Frederick Crossing
Real Estate Rental Revenue
Real estate rental revenue from same-store properties for the two years ended December 31, 2018 was as follows (in thousands, except percentage amounts):
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
Multifamily | $ | 95,194 | $ | 92,486 | $ | 2,708 | 2.9 | % | ||||||
Office | 128,201 | 123,625 | 4,576 | 3.7 | % | |||||||||
Other | 18,062 | 17,593 | 469 | 2.7 | % | |||||||||
Total same-store real estate rental revenue | $ | 241,457 | $ | 233,704 | $ | 7,753 | 3.3 | % |
• | Multifamily: Increase primarily due to higher rental income ($2.3 million), tenant fees ($0.1 million) and parking income ($0.1 million). |
• | Office: Increase primarily due to higher rental income ($3.6 million) and reimbursements ($0.7 million). |
Real estate rental revenue from acquisitions increased due to the acquisition of Arlington Tower ($22.4 million) in the first quarter of 2018 and Watergate 600 ($4.3 million) in the second quarter of 2017.
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Real estate rental revenue from held for sale or sold properties decreased due to the sales of Braddock Metro Center ($10.5 million) during the first quarter of 2018, 2445 M Street ($9.7 million) during the second quarter of 2018 and Walker House Apartments ($2.8 million) during the fourth quarter of 2017.
Ending occupancy represents occupied square footage indicated as a percentage of total square footage as of the last day of that period. Ending occupancy for properties classified as continuing operations for the two years ended December 31, 2018 was as follows:
December 31, 2018 | December 31, 2017 | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment | Same-Store | Non-Same-Store | Total | Same-Store | Non-Same-Store | Total | Same-Store | Non-Same-Store | Total | |||||||||||||||||
Multifamily | 94.8 | % | N/A | 94.8 | % | 94.1 | % | N/A | 94.1 | % | 0.7 | % | N/A | 0.7 | % | |||||||||||
Office | 91.7 | % | 95.1 | % | 92.3 | % | 92.0 | % | 84.0 | % | 90.1 | % | (0.3 | )% | 11.1 | % | 2.2 | % | ||||||||
Other | 89.9 | % | N/A | 89.9 | % | 88.3 | % | N/A | 88.3 | % | 1.6 | % | N/A | 1.6 | % | |||||||||||
Total | 93.1 | % | 95.1 | % | 93.2 | % | 92.7 | % | 84.0 | % | 91.7 | % | 0.4 | % | 11.1 | % | 1.5 | % |
• | Multifamily: The increase in same-store ending occupancy was primarily due to higher ending occupancy at The Ashby at McLean, Bennett Park and Clayborne Apartments, partially offset by lower ending occupancy at Bethesda Hill Apartments. |
• | Office: The decrease in same-store ending occupancy was primarily due to lower ending occupancy at 2000 M Street and 1600 Wilson Boulevard, partially offset by higher ending occupancy at Army Navy Building. |
During 2018, we executed new and renewed leases in our office segment as follows:
Square Feet (in thousands) | Average Rental Rate (per square foot) | % Rental Rate Increase | Leasing Costs (1) (per square foot) | Free Rent (weighted average months) | ||||||||||||
Office | 325 | $ | 49.22 | 10.3 | % | $ | 54.86 | 5.0 |
______________________________
(1) | Consist of tenant improvements and leasing commissions. |
Real Estate Expenses
Real estate expenses as a percentage of revenue for the two years ended December 31, 2018 were 36.2% and 37.6%, respectively.
Real estate expenses from same-store properties for the two years ended December 31, 2018 were as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
Multifamily | $ | 37,214 | $ | 36,349 | $ | 865 | 2.4 | % | ||||||
Office | 48,459 | 47,295 | 1,164 | 2.5 | % | |||||||||
Other | 5,036 | 4,936 | 100 | 2.0 | % | |||||||||
Total same-store real estate expenses | $ | 90,709 | $ | 88,580 | $ | 2,129 | 2.4 | % |
• | Multifamily: Increase primarily due to higher administrative ($0.7 million), custodial ($0.1 million) and utilities ($0.1 million) expenses. |
• | Office: Increase primarily due to higher bad debt ($0.3 million), repairs and maintenance ($0.3 million), utilities ($0.2 million) and custodial ($0.2 million) expenses. |
Other Expenses
Depreciation and Amortization: Increase primarily due to the acquisition of Arlington Tower ($13.9 million) and Watergate 600 ($4.3 million) and due to higher depreciation and amortization at same-store properties ($2.1 million), partially offset by the dispositions of 2445 M Street ($5.2 million), Braddock Metro Center ($4.4 million), and Walker House Apartments ($0.3 million).
General and Administrative Expenses: Decrease primarily due to lower expenses related to an information systems upgrade performed in 2017.
39
Real estate impairment: During the first quarter of 2018, 2445 M Street met the criteria for classification as held for sale. We consequently recorded an impairment charge of $1.9 million during that quarter to reduce the carrying value of the property to its estimated fair value, less estimated selling costs. The real estate impairment losses of $24.1 million and $9.1 million in 2017 reduced the carrying values of 2445 M Street and Braddock Metro Center, respectively (see note 3 to the consolidated financial statements).
Gain on sale of real estate: Gain during 2018 is due to completion of the sale of 2445 M Street. An amendment to the purchase and sale agreement executed during the second quarter of 2018 increased the contract sales price to $101.6 million. The gain during 2017 is due to the sale of Walker House Apartments for a contract sale price of $32.2 million.
Interest Expense: Interest expense by debt type for the two years ended December 31, 2018 was as follows (in thousands, except percentage amounts):
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
Debt Type | 2018 | 2017 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||
Notes payable | $ | 39,818 | $ | 37,487 | $ | 2,331 | 6.2 | % | ||||||
Mortgage notes payable | 3,283 | 4,063 | (780 | ) | (19.2 | )% | ||||||||
Line of credit | 9,491 | 6,207 | 3,284 | 52.9 | % | |||||||||
Capitalized interest | (2,091 | ) | (964 | ) | (1,127 | ) | 116.9 | % | ||||||
Total | $ | 50,501 | $ | 46,793 | $ | 3,708 | 7.9 | % |
• | Notes payable: Increase primarily due to executing the $250 million term loan in March 2018, which increased and replaced the $150 million term loan. |
• | Mortgage notes payable: Decrease primarily due to the repayment of the mortgage notes secured by Kenmore Apartments in 2018 and Army Navy Building in 2017. |
• | Line of credit: Increase primarily due to weighted average borrowings of $230.9 million and a weighted average interest rate of 2.96% during 2018, as compared to $179.6 million and 2.15%, respectively, during 2017. |
• | Capitalized interest: Increase primarily due to higher spending related to the Trove, the multifamily development adjacent to The Wellington, and the commencement in 2018 of interest capitalization on spending related to the multifamily development adjacent to Riverside Apartments. |
Loss on extinguishment of debt: We recognized a $1.2 million non-cash loss on extinguishment of debt during 2018 related to the write-off of unamortized loan origination costs associated with the refinancing of an existing $150 million seven-year unsecured term loan with a $250 million five-year unsecured term loan and the execution of an amended, extended and expanded $700 million unsecured revolving credit facility (see note 4 to the consolidated financial statements).
Discontinued operations:
Income from properties sold or held for sale: Increase primarily due to lower depreciation and amortization and lower interest expense at the properties classified as discontinued operations (see note 3 to the consolidated financial statements).
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Capital Structure
We manage our capital structure to reflect a long-term investment approach, generally seeking to match the cash flow of our assets with a mix of equity and various debt instruments. We expect that our capital structure will allow us to obtain additional capital from diverse sources that could include additional equity offerings of common shares, public and private secured and unsecured debt financings, asset dispositions, operating units and joint venture equity. Our ability to raise funds through the incurrence of debt and issuance of equity securities is dependent on, among other things, general economic conditions, general market conditions for REITs, our operating performance, our debt rating and the current trading price of our common shares. We analyze which source of capital we believe to be most advantageous to us at any particular point in time.
As of February 13, 2020, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $31.7 million and availability under our Revolving Credit Facility of $573.0 million. We currently expect that our potential sources of liquidity for acquisitions, development, redevelopment, expansion and renovation of properties, and operating and administrative expenses, may include:
• | Cash flow from operations; |
• | Borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility or other new short-term facilities; |
• | Issuances of our equity securities and/or common units in operating partnerships; |
• | Issuances of preferred shares; |
• | Proceeds from long-term secured or unsecured debt financings, including construction loans and term loans, or the issuance of debt securities; |
• | Investment from joint venture partners; and |
• | Net proceeds from the sale of assets. |
During 2020, we expect that we will have significant capital requirements, including the following items:
• | Funding dividends and distributions to our shareholders; |
• | Approximately $85 - $90 million to invest in our existing portfolio of operating assets, including approximately $20 - $25 million to fund tenant-related capital requirements and leasing commissions; |
• | Approximately $42.5 - $47.5 million to invest in our development and redevelopment projects; and |
• | Funding for potential property acquisitions throughout 2020, offset by proceeds from potential property dispositions. |
There can be no assurance that our capital requirements will not be materially higher or lower than the above expectations. We currently believe that we will generate sufficient cash flow from operations and potential property sales and have access to the capital resources necessary to fund our requirements in 2020. However, as a result of general market conditions in the greater Washington metro region, economic conditions affecting the ability to attract and retain tenants, rising interest rates or declines in our share price, unfavorable changes in the supply of competing properties, or our properties not performing as expected, we may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations and property sales or otherwise have access to capital on favorable terms, or at all. If we are unable to obtain capital from other sources, we may need to alter capital spending to be materially different than what is stated in the prior paragraph. If capital were not available, we may be unable to satisfy the distribution requirement applicable to REITs, make required principal and interest payments, make strategic acquisitions or make necessary and/or routine capital improvements or undertake improvement/redevelopment opportunities with respect to our existing portfolio of operating assets.
Debt Financing
We generally use secured or unsecured, corporate-level debt, including unsecured notes, our Revolving Credit Facility, bank term loans and mortgages, to meet our borrowing needs. Long-term, we generally use fixed rate debt instruments in order to match the returns from our real estate assets. If we issue unsecured debt in the future, we would seek to ladder the maturities of our debt to mitigate exposure to interest rate risk in any particular future year. We also utilize variable rate debt for short-term financing purposes. At times, our mix of variable and fixed rate debt may not suit our needs. At those times, we may use derivative financial instruments including interest rate swaps and caps, forward interest rate options or interest rate options in order to assist us in managing our debt mix. We may either hedge our variable rate debt to give it an effective fixed interest rate or hedge fixed rate debt to give it an effective variable interest rate.
In January 2020, we prepaid the $45.6 million mortgage note payable secured by Yale West, recognizing a gain on extinguishment of debt of $0.5 million.
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Our future debt principal payments are scheduled as follows (in thousands):
Year | Mortgage Notes Payable | Unsecured Notes Payable/Term Loans | Revolving Credit Facility | Total Debt | Average Interest Rate | ||||||||||||||
2020 | $ | 45,611 | (4) | $ | 250,000 | $ | — | $ | 295,611 | 4.9 | % | ||||||||
2021 | — | 150,000 | (1) | — | 150,000 | 2.7 | % | ||||||||||||
2022 | — | 300,000 | — | 300,000 | 4.0 | % | |||||||||||||
2023 | — | 250,000 | (2) | 56,000 | (3 | ) | 306,000 | 2.8 | % | ||||||||||
2024 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Thereafter | — | 50,000 | — | 50,000 | 7.4 | % | |||||||||||||
Scheduled principal payments | 45,611 | 1,000,000 | 56,000 | 1,101,611 | 3.9 | % | |||||||||||||
Scheduled mortgage note amortization payments | 43 | — | — | 43 | 3.8 | % | |||||||||||||
Premiums and discounts, net | 1,470 | (797 | ) | — | 673 | ||||||||||||||
Debt issuance costs, net | (50 | ) | (2,481 | ) | — | (2,531 | ) | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 47,074 | $ | 996,722 | $ | 56,000 | $ | 1,099,796 | 3.9 | % |
______________________________
(1) | WashREIT uses interest rate derivatives to effectively fix the $150.0 million term loan's variable interest rate at 2.72%. |
(2) | WashREIT uses interest rate derivatives to effectively fix the $250.0 million term loan's variable interest rate at 2.87%. |
(3) | Maturity date for the unsecured line of credit of March 2023 assumes election of option for two additional 6-month periods. |
(4) | In January 2020, WashREIT prepaid the existing mortgage note associated with Yale West. We incurred a gain on extinguishment of debt of $0.5 million associated with this prepayment |
The weighted average maturity for our debt is 2.5 years. If principal amounts due at maturity cannot be refinanced, extended or paid with proceeds of other capital transactions, such as new equity capital, our cash flow may be insufficient to repay all maturing debt. Prevailing interest rates or other factors at the time of a refinancing, such as possible reluctance of lenders to make commercial real estate loans, may result in higher interest rates and increased interest expense or inhibit our ability to finance our obligations.
From time to time, we may seek to repurchase and cancel our outstanding unsecured notes and term loans through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.
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Debt Covenants
Our Revolving Credit Facility contains financial and other covenants with which we must comply. Some of these covenants include:
• | ratio of total debt to total asset value of not more than 0.60 to 1.00 (subject to a higher level following material acquisitions); |
• | ratio of adjusted EBITDA (earnings before noncontrolling interests, interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation, amortization, acquisition costs, and extraordinary, unusual or nonrecurring gains and losses) to fixed charges of not less than 1.50 to 1.00; |
• | ratio of secured indebtedness to total asset value of not more than 0.40 to 1.00; |
• | ratio of adjusted net operating income from unencumbered properties satisfying certain criteria specified in the Credit Agreement to interest expense on unsecured indebtedness of not less than 1.75 to 1.00; and |
• | ratio of unsecured indebtedness to the unencumbered pool value of properties satisfying certain criteria specified in, and valued per the terms of, the Credit Agreement of not more than 0.60 to 1.00 (subject to a higher level following material acquisitions). |
Our unsecured notes contain covenants with which we must comply, including:
• | A maximum ratio of 65.0% of total indebtedness to total assets; |
• | A maximum ratio of 40.0% of secured indebtedness to total assets; |
• | A minimum ratio of 1.50 of our income available for debt service payments to required debt service payments; and |
• | A minimum ratio of 1.50 of total unencumbered assets to total unsecured indebtedness. |
Failure to comply with any of the covenants under our Revolving Credit Facility, unsecured notes or other debt instruments could result in a default under one or more of our debt covenants. This could cause our lenders to accelerate the timing of payments and could therefore have a material adverse effect on our business, operations, financial condition and liquidity. In addition, our ability to draw on our Revolving Credit Facility or incur other unsecured debt in the future could be restricted by the debt covenants.
As of December 31, 2019, we were in compliance with the covenants related to our then-existing mortgage notes, Revolving Credit Facility and unsecured notes.
Common Equity
We have authorized for issuance 100.0 million common shares, of which approximately 82.1 million shares were outstanding at December 31, 2019.
On May 4, 2018, we entered into eight separate equity distribution agreements (collectively, the “2018 Equity Distribution Agreements”) with each of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC, Capital One Securities, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. relating to the issuance of up to $250.0 million of our common shares from time to time. Issuances of our common shares are made at market prices prevailing at the time of issuance. We may use net proceeds from the issuance of common shares under this program for general business purposes, including, without limitation, working capital, the acquisition, renovation, expansion, improvement, development or redevelopment of income producing properties or the repayment of debt.
Our issuances and net proceeds on the 2018 Equity Distribution Agreements for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows (in thousands; except per share data):
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
2019 | 2018 | ||||||
Issuance of common shares | 1,859 | 1,165 | |||||
Weighted average price per share | $ | 30.00 | $ | 31.18 | |||
Net proceeds | $ | 54,916 | $ | 35,472 |
The 2018 Equity Distribution Agreements replaced our previous equity distribution agreements with Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and RBC Capital Markets LLC, dated June 23, 2015. We did not issue any common shares on the previous equity distribution agreements during 2018. For the year ended December 31, 2017, we issued 3.6 million common shares at a weighted average price per share of $32.06 for net proceeds of $113.2 million on the previous equity distribution agreements.
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We have a dividend reinvestment program, whereby shareholders may use their dividends and optional cash payments to purchase common shares. The common shares sold under this program may either be common shares issued by us or common shares purchased in the open market.
Our issuances and net proceeds on the dividend reinvestment program for the three years ended December 31, 2019 were as follows (in thousands; except per share data):
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Issuance of common shares | 173 | 81 | 80 | ||||||||
Weighted average price per share | $ | 27.58 | $ | 29.18 | $ | 32.25 | |||||
Net proceeds | $ | 4,755 | $ | 1,973 | $ | 2,576 |
Preferred Equity
Our board of trustees can, at its discretion, authorize the issuance of up to 10.0 million preferred shares. The ability to issue preferred equity provides WashREIT an additional financing tool that may be used to raise capital for future acquisitions or other business purposes. As of December 31, 2019, no preferred shares are issued and outstanding.
Capital Commitments
We will require capital for development and redevelopment projects currently underway and in the future. We are currently engaged in development activities for the ground-up development of a multifamily property (Trove) on land adjacent to The Wellington and predevelopment activities for the ground-up development of a multifamily property on land adjacent to Riverside Apartments. As of December 31, 2019, we had no outstanding contractual commitments related to our development and redevelopment projects, and expect to fund approximately $42.5 - $47.5 million of total development and redevelopment spending during 2020.
In addition to our development and redevelopment projects, we anticipate funding several major renovation projects in our portfolios during 2020, as follows (in thousands):
Office | $ | 8,214 | |
Multifamily | 23,112 | ||
Other | 534 | ||
Total | $ | 31,860 |
These projects include unit, common area and lobby renovations and roof replacements at multifamily properties; elevator modernizations, lobby renovations, HVAC replacements and garage and facade repairs at office properties; and roof and sprinklers replacements at retail properties. Not all of the anticipated spending had been committed via executed construction contracts at December 31, 2019. We expect to fund these projects using cash generated by our real estate operations, through borrowings on our Revolving Credit Facility, or raising additional debt or equity capital in the public market.
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Contractual Obligations
As of December 31, 2019, certain contractual obligations will require significant capital as follows (in thousands):
Payments due by Period | |||||||||||||||||||
Total | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 4-5 years | After 5 years | |||||||||||||||
Long-term debt(1) | $ | 1,215,946 | $ | 336,367 | $ | 813,266 | $ | 7,250 | $ | 59,063 | |||||||||
Purchase obligations(2) | 9,367 | 3,656 | 5,711 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Tenant-related capital(3) | 12,363 | 12,363 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Building capital(4) | 3,443 | 3,443 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Operating leases | 13,543 | 323 | 805 | 520 | 11,895 |
______________________________
(1) | See notes 5, 6 and 7 of the consolidated financial statements. Amounts include principal, interest and facility fees. |
(2) | Represents electricity and gas purchase agreements with terms through 2023. |
(3) | Committed tenant-related capital based on executed leases as of December 31, 2019. |
(4) | Committed building capital additions based on contracts in place as of December 31, 2019. |
We have various standing or renewable contracts with vendors. The majority of these contracts can be canceled with immaterial or no cancellation penalties, with the exception of our elevator maintenance, electricity and gas purchase agreements, which are included above on the purchase obligations line. Contract terms on leases that can be canceled are generally one year or less. We are currently committed to fund tenant-related capital improvements as described in the table above for executed leases. However, expected leasing levels could require additional tenant-related capital improvements which are not currently committed. We expect that total tenant-related capital improvements, including those already committed, will be approximately $20 - $25 million in 2020.
Historical Cash Flows
Cash flows from operations are an important factor in our ability to sustain our dividend at its current rate. If our cash flows from operations were to decline significantly, we may have to reduce our dividend. Consolidated cash flows for the three years ended December 31, 2019 were as follows (in thousands):
Year ended December 31, | Variance | ||||||||||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2019 vs. 2018 | 2018 vs. 2017 | |||||||||||||||
Cash provided by operating activities | $ | 130,923 | $ | 147,369 | $ | 130,626 | $ | (16,446 | ) | $ | 16,743 | ||||||||
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 61,036 | (38,942 | ) | (196,354 | ) | 99,978 | 157,412 | ||||||||||||
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (184,848 | ) | (113,410 | ) | 60,729 | (71,438 | ) | (174,139 | ) |
Net cash provided by operating activities decreased in 2019 as compared to 2018 primarily due to the sales of the Retail Portfolio during 2019 (see note 3 to the consolidated financial statements) and 2445 M Street in 2018, partially offset by the acquisition of the Assembly Portfolio and Cascade at Landmark during 2019. Net cash provided by operating activities increased in 2018 as compared to 2017 primarily due to the acquisitions of Arlington Tower in January 2018 and Watergate 600 in April 2017, partially offset by higher interest payments and the sales of 2445 M Street in June 2018, Braddock Metro Center in January 2018 and Walker House Apartments in October 2017.
Net cash provided by investing activities increased in 2019 as compared to 2018 primarily due to a higher volume of disposition activity during 2019, partially offset by a higher volume of acquisition activity and higher development expenditures during 2019. Net cash used in investing activities decreased in 2018 as compared to 2017 primarily due to a higher volume of disposition activity and lower volume of acquisition activity in 2018.
Net cash used in financing activities increased in 2019 as compared to 2018 primarily due to higher net repayments on the Revolving Credit Facility, partially offset by lower mortgage note repayments and higher proceeds from equity issuances. Net cash used in financing activities increased in 2018 as compared to 2017 due to lower proceeds from equity issuances, lower net borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facility, the repayment of the 2016 Term Loan and the repayments of a mortgage note secured by Kenmore Apartments and a mortgage note at Arlington Tower’s settlement during 2018, partially offset by proceeds from the 2018 Term Loan during 2018 and the repayment of the mortgage note secured by Army Navy Building during 2017.
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Capital Improvements and Development Costs
Our capital improvement, development and redevelopment costs for the three years ended December 31, 2019 were as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Accretive capital improvements and development costs: | |||||||||||
Acquisition related | $ | 9,158 | $ | 13,489 | $ | 24,556 | |||||
Expansions and major renovations | 25,008 | 26,045 | 14,629 | ||||||||
Development/redevelopment | 47,492 | 34,806 | 18,150 | ||||||||
Tenant improvements (including first generation leases) | 28,565 | 24,914 | 16,926 | ||||||||
Total accretive capital improvements (1) | 110,223 | 99,254 | 74,261 | ||||||||
Other capital improvements: | 5,725 | 6,622 | 4,404 | ||||||||
Total | $ | 115,948 | $ | 105,876 | $ | 78,665 |
______________________________
(1) | We consider these capital improvements to be accretive to revenue and not necessarily to net income. |
Included in the capital improvement and development costs listed above are capitalized interest in the amount of $3.2 million, $2.1 million and $1.0 million for the three years ended December 31, 2019, respectively, and capitalized employee compensation in the amount of $1.2 million, $2.7 million and $2.5 million for the three years ended December 31, 2019, respectively.
Accretive Capital Improvements
Acquisition Related Improvements: Acquisition related improvements are capital improvements to properties acquired during the preceding three years which were anticipated at the time we acquired the properties. These types of improvements were made in 2019 to Watergate 600, Arlington Tower, Cascade at Landmark and the Assembly Portfolio.
Expansions and Major Renovations: Expansion projects increase the rentable area of a property, while major renovation projects are improvements sufficient to increase the income otherwise achievable at a property. Expansions and major renovations during 2019 included common area, lobby and unit renovations at Riverside Apartments; roof replacement, common area renovations, unit renovations and facade repairs at The Wellington; heating system replacement, roof replacement and unit renovations at The Kenmore; balcony and roof replacement at Bethesda Hill Apartments; lobby renovations at 1227 25th Street; roof replacement at 3801 Connecticut Avenue; and elevator modernization at The Ashby.
Development/Redevelopment: Development costs represent expenditures for ground up development of new operating properties. Redevelopment costs represent expenditures for improvements intended to reposition properties in their markets and increase income than would be otherwise achievable. Development/redevelopment costs in 2019 primarily include development costs for the Trove, a multifamily development adjacent to The Wellington and predevelopment costs for a future multifamily development adjacent to Riverside Apartments.
Tenant Improvements: Tenant improvements are costs, such as space build-outs, associated with commercial lease transactions. Our average tenant improvement costs per square foot of space leased during the three years ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Office | $ | 69.99 | $ | 33.51 | $ | 62.28 |
The $36.48 increase in 2019 in tenant improvement costs per square foot of office space leased was primarily due to new leases at Watergate 600 and Monument II executed in 2019. The $28.77 decrease in 2018 in tenant improvement costs per square foot of office space leased was primarily due to tenant leases at Braddock Metro Center and Army Navy Building and a large lease renewal at 1775 Eye Street executed in 2017.
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Other Capital Improvements
Other capital improvements, also referred to as recurring capital improvements, are those not included in the above categories. Over time these costs will be recurring in nature to maintain a property's income and value. In our multifamily properties, this category includes improvements made as needed upon vacancy of an apartment. Such improvements totaled $3.2 million in 2019, averaging approximately $1,340 per apartment for the 42% of apartments which turned over relative to our total portfolio of apartment units. In our commercial properties and multifamily properties (aside from improvements related to apartment turnover), improvements include facade repairs, installation of new heating and air conditioning equipment, asphalt replacement, permanent landscaping, new lighting and new finishes. In addition, we incurred repair and maintenance expense of $5.7 million during 2019 to maintain the quality of our buildings.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2019 that are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements contained in this Form 10-K constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” or “potential” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases which are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to historical matters. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of WashREIT to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to:
(a)the risks associated with ownership of real estate in general and our real estate assets in particular;
(b)the economic health of the greater Washington Metro region;
(c)the risk of failure to enter into and/or complete contemplated acquisitions and dispositions, at all, within the price ranges anticipated and on the terms and timing anticipated;
(d)changes in the composition of our portfolio;
(e)fluctuations in interest rates;
(f)reductions in or actual or threatened changes to the timing of federal government spending;
(g)the risks related to use of third-party providers and joint venture partners;
(h)the ability to control our operating expenses;
(i)the economic health of our tenants;
(j)the supply of competing properties;
(k)shifts away from brick and mortar stores to e-commerce;
(l)the availability and terms of financing and capital and the general volatility of securities markets;
(m)compliance with applicable laws, including those concerning the environment and access by persons with disabilities;
(n)terrorist attacks or actions and/or cyber attacks;
(o)weather conditions and natural disasters;
(p)ability to maintain key personnel;
(q)failure to qualify and maintain our qualification as a REIT and the risks of changes in laws affecting REITs; and
(r)other factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors.”
While forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs, they are not guarantees of future performance. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could cause our future results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements, see the section entitled “Risk Factors.” We undertake no obligation to update our forward-looking statements or risk factors to reflect new information, future events, or otherwise.
Funds From Operations
NAREIT FFO is a widely used measure of operating performance for real estate companies. We provide NAREIT FFO as a supplemental measure to net income calculated in accordance with GAAP. Although NAREIT FFO is a widely used measure of operating performance for REITs, NAREIT FFO does not represent net income calculated in accordance with GAAP. As such, it should not be considered an alternative to net income as an indication of our operating performance. In addition, NAREIT FFO
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does not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP, nor does it represent cash available to pay distributions and should not be considered as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities, determined in accordance with GAAP, as a measure of our liquidity. In its 2018 NAREIT FFO White Paper Restatement, the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Inc. (“NAREIT”) defines NAREIT FFO as net income (computed in accordance with GAAP) excluding gains (or losses) associated with sales of properties; impairments of depreciable real estate, and real estate depreciation and amortization. We consider NAREIT FFO to be a standard supplemental measure for REITs because it facilitates an understanding of the operating performance of our properties without giving effect to real estate depreciation and amortization, which historically assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. Since real estate values have instead historically risen or fallen with market conditions, we believe that NAREIT FFO more accurately provides investors an indication of our ability to incur and service debt, make capital expenditures and fund other needs. Our NAREIT FFO may not be comparable to FFO reported by other REITs. These other REITs may not define the term in accordance with the current NAREIT definition or may interpret the current NAREIT definition differently.
The following table provides the calculation of our NAREIT FFO and a reconciliation of NAREIT FFO to net income for the three years ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Net income | $ | 383,550 | $ | 25,630 | $ | 19,612 | |||||
Adjustments: | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 136,253 | 111,826 | 101,430 | ||||||||
Real estate impairment | 8,374 | 1,886 | 33,152 | ||||||||
Gain on sale of depreciable real estate | (59,961 | ) | (2,495 | ) | (23,838 | ) | |||||
Discontinued operations: | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 4,926 | 9,402 | 10,626 | ||||||||
Gain on sale of depreciable real estate | (339,024 | ) | — | — | |||||||
NAREIT FFO | $ | 134,118 | $ | 146,249 | $ | 140,982 |
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
We base the discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. We evaluate these estimates on an on-going basis, including those related to estimated useful lives of real estate assets, estimated fair value of acquired leases, cost reimbursement income, bad debts, contingencies and litigation. We base the estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. We cannot assure you that actual results will not differ from those estimates.
We believe the following accounting estimates are the most critical to aid in fully understanding our reported financial results, and they require our most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, resulting from the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.
Accounting for Real Estate Acquisitions
We record acquired assets, including physical assets and in-place leases, and assumed liabilities, based on their fair values. We determine the estimated fair values of the assets and liabilities in accordance with current GAAP fair value provisions. We determine the fair values of acquired buildings on an “as-if-vacant” basis considering a variety of factors, including the replacement cost of the property, estimated rental and absorption rates, estimated future cash flows and valuation assumptions consistent with current market conditions. We determine the fair value of land acquired based on comparisons to similar properties that have been recently marketed for sale or sold.
The fair value of in-place leases consists of the following components: (a) the estimated cost to us to replace the leases, including foregone rents during the period of finding a new tenant and foregone recovery of tenant pass-throughs (referred to as “absorption cost”); (b) the estimated cost of tenant improvements, and other direct costs associated with obtaining a new tenant (referred to as “tenant origination cost”); (c) estimated leasing commissions associated with obtaining a new tenant (referred to as “leasing commissions”); (d) the above/at/below market cash flow of the leases, determined by comparing the projected cash flows of the
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leases in place, including consideration of renewal options, to projected cash flows of comparable market-rate leases (referred to as “net lease intangible”); and (e) the value, if any, of customer relationships, determined based on our evaluation of the specific characteristics of each tenant’s lease and our overall relationship with the tenant (referred to as “customer relationship value”). We discount the amounts used to calculate net lease intangibles using an interest rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired. We include tenant origination costs in income producing property on our balance sheet and amortize the tenant origination costs as depreciation expense on a straight-line basis over the useful life of the asset, which is typically the remaining life of the underlying leases. We classify leasing commissions and absorption costs as other assets and amortize leasing commissions and absorption costs as amortization expense on a straight-line basis over the remaining life of the underlying leases. We classify above market net lease intangible assets as other assets and amortize them on a straight-line basis as a decrease to real estate rental revenue over the remaining term of the underlying leases. We classify below market net lease intangible liabilities as other liabilities and amortize them on a straight-line basis as an increase to real estate rental revenue over the remaining term of the underlying leases. If any of the fair value of below market lease intangibles includes fair value associated with a renewal option, such amounts are not amortized until the renewal option is executed. If the renewal option is not executed, the related value is expensed at that time. Should a tenant terminate its lease prior to the expiration date, we accelerate the amortization of the unamortized portion of the tenant origination cost (if it has no future value), leasing commissions, absorption costs and net lease intangible associated with that lease over its new shorter term.
Credit Losses on Lease Related Receivables
Lease related receivables, which include contractual amounts accrued and unpaid from tenants and accrued straight-line rents receivable, are reduced for credit losses. Such amounts are recognized as a reduction to real estate rental revenues. We evaluate the collectability of lease receivables monthly using several factors including a lessee’s creditworthiness. We recognize the credit loss on lease related receivables when, in the opinion of management, collection of substantially all lease payments is not probable. When collectability is determined not probable, any lease income recognized subsequent to recognizing the credit loss is limited to the lesser of the lease income reflected on a straight-line basis or cash collected.
Real Estate Impairment
We recognize impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations, development assets or land held for future development, if indicators of impairment are present and the net undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. Estimates of undiscounted cash flows are based on forward-looking assumptions, including annual and residual cash flows and our estimated holding period for each property. Such assumptions involve a high degree of judgment and could be affected by future economic and market conditions. When determining if a property has indicators of impairment, we evaluate the property's occupancy, our expected holding period for the property, strategic decisions regarding the property's future operations or development and other market factors. If such carrying amount is in excess of the estimated undiscounted cash flows from the operation and disposal of the property, we would recognize an impairment loss equivalent to an amount required to adjust the carrying amount to its estimated fair value, calculated in accordance with current GAAP fair value provisions. Assets held for sale are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value less costs to sell.
U.S. Federal Income Taxes
Generally, and subject to our ongoing qualification as a REIT, no provisions for income taxes are necessary except for taxes on undistributed taxable income and taxes on the income generated by our taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”). Our TRSs are subject to corporate U.S. federal and state income tax on their taxable income at regular statutory rates, or as calculated under the alternative minimum tax, as appropriate. As of both December 31, 2019 and 2018, our TRSs had a deferred tax asset of $1.4 million that was fully reserved. As of both December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had deferred state and local tax liabilities of $0.6 million. These deferred tax liabilities are primarily related to temporary differences in the timing of the recognition of revenue, amortization and depreciation.
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ITEM 7A: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The principal material financial market risk to which we are exposed is interest rate risk. Our exposure to interest rate risk relates primarily to refinancing long-term fixed rate obligations, the opportunity cost of fixed rate obligations in a falling interest rate environment and our variable rate line of credit. We primarily enter into debt obligations to support general corporate purposes, including acquisition of real estate properties, capital improvements and working capital needs. We use interest rate swap arrangements to reduce our exposure to the variability in future cash flows attributable to changes in interest rates.
The table below presents principal, interest and related weighted average fair value interest rates by year of maturity, with respect to debt outstanding on December 31, 2019.
2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Thereafter | Total | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unsecured fixed rate debt (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Principal | $ | 250,000 | $ | 150,000 | $ | 300,000 | $ | 250,000 | $ | — | $ | 50,000 | $ | 1,000,000 | $ | 1,022,937 | |||||||||||||||
Interest payments | $ | 39,102 | $ | 23,665 | $ | 22,644 | $ | 7,807 | $ | 3,625 | $ | 12,688 | $ | 109,531 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest rate on debt maturities | 5.1 | % | 2.7 | % | 4.0 | % | 2.9 | % | — | % | 7.4 | % | 4.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Unsecured variable rate debt | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Principal | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 56,000 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 56,000 | $ | 56,000 | |||||||||||||||
Variable interest rate on debt maturities | 2.7 | % | 2.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage note | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Principal amortization (2) (30 year schedule) | $ | 45,654 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 45,654 | $ | 47,899 | |||||||||||||||
Interest payments | $ | 211 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 211 | |||||||||||||||||
Weighted average interest rate on principal amortization | 3.8 | % | 3.8 | % |
______________________________
(1) | Includes $150.0 million and $250.0 million term loans with floating interest rates. The interest rates on the $150.0 million and $250.0 million term loans are effectively fixed by interest rate swap arrangements at 2.7% and 2.9%, respectively. |
(2) | Excludes net discounts of $1.5 million as of December 31, 2019. The amount was prepaid in January 2020. We incurred a gain on extinguishment of debt of $0.5 million in association with this prepayment. |
We entered into the interest rate swap arrangements designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges to reduce our exposure to the variability in future cash flows attributable to changes in interest rates. Derivative instruments expose us to credit risk in the event of non-performance by the counterparty under the terms of the interest rate hedge agreement. We believe that we minimize our credit risk on these transactions by dealing with major, creditworthy financial institutions. As part of our ongoing control procedures, we monitor the credit ratings of counterparties and our exposure to any single entity, thus minimizing our credit risk concentration.
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The following table sets forth information pertaining to interest rate swap contracts in place as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and their respective fair values (dollars in thousands):
Notional Amount | Floating Index Rate | Fair Value as of: | ||||||||||||||||
Fixed Rate | Effective Date | Expiration Date | December 31, 2019 | December 31, 2018 | ||||||||||||||
$ | 75,000 | 1.619% | One-Month USD-LIBOR | 10/15/2015 | 3/15/2021 | $ | (28 | ) | $ | 1,367 | ||||||||
75,000 | 1.626% | One-Month USD-LIBOR | 10/15/2015 | 3/15/2021 | (34 | ) | 1,353 | |||||||||||
100,000 | 1.205% | One-Month USD-LIBOR | 3/31/2017 | 7/21/2023 | 1,218 | 5,270 | ||||||||||||
50,000 | 1.208% | One-Month USD-LIBOR | 3/31/2017 | 7/21/2023 | 607 | 2,648 | ||||||||||||
25,000 | 2.610% | One-Month USD-LIBOR | 6/29/2018 | 7/21/2023 | (917 | ) | (202 | ) | ||||||||||
25,000 | 2.610% | One-Month USD-LIBOR | 6/29/2018 | 7/21/2023 | (915 | ) | (200 | ) | ||||||||||
25,000 | 2.610% | One-Month USD-LIBOR | 6/29/2018 | 7/21/2023 | (917 | ) | (199 | ) | ||||||||||
25,000 | 2.610% | One-Month USD-LIBOR | 6/29/2018 | 7/21/2023 | (915 | ) | (198 | ) | ||||||||||
50,000 | 1.680% | One-Month USD-LIBOR | 4/1/2020 | 4/1/2030 | 844 | — | ||||||||||||
50,000 | 1.680% | One-Month USD-LIBOR | 4/1/2020 | 4/1/2030 | 844 | — | ||||||||||||
50,000 | 1.718% | One-Month USD-LIBOR | 4/1/2020 | 4/1/2030 | 1,018 | — | ||||||||||||
50,000 | 1.718% | One-Month USD-LIBOR | 4/1/2020 | 4/1/2030 | 1,018 | — | ||||||||||||
$ | 600,000 | $ | 1,823 | $ | 9,839 |
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ITEM 8: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 9: CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A: CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Securities Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2019. Based on the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
See the Report of Management in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
See the Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
During the three months ended December 31, 2019, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B: OTHER INFORMATION
In connection with its review and approval of named executive officer and trustee compensation, the Compensation Committee of the board of trustees (the “Compensation Committee”) conducts a competitive review of named executive officer compensation opportunities and trustee compensation arrangements. The Compensation Committee considers, in consultation with its independent compensation consultant, compensation data and practices of its peer group, as well as current market trends and practices generally, and, for the Company’s named executive officers, the Company’s pay-for-performance philosophy. Following this review, the Compensation Committee recommended that the board of trustees adopt several changes to named executive officer compensation arrangements and to non-employee trustee compensation arrangements, which proposals were subsequently adopted by the board of trustees, as described below.
Named Executive Officer Compensation
On February 14, 2020, the board of trustees adopted an Amended and Restated Executive Officer Short-Term Incentive Plan (the “STIP”) and an Amended and Restated Executive Officer Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”). Upon adoption by the board of trustees, both plans became effective for the performance periods beginning January 1, 2020. Among other changes, with the goal of further aligning our executive officers’ compensation with the interest of our shareholders, the revised STIP and LTIP shift award opportunities from the STIP to the LTIP in order to increase the portion of our executive compensation that is subject to long-term performance. Also on February 14, 2020, the board of trustees approved an increase in base salary for the Company’s named executive officers of 6% - 15%.
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STIP
Under the STIP, as revised, all named executive officers will have the opportunity to receive an annual cash bonus based on the achievement of certain performance measures that will be established for each performance period. Each year, the Compensation Committee will establish the threshold, target and high performance goals for each performance measure, as well as the weighting attributable to each such performance measure, with the aggregate weighting for all such performance measures to total 100%. Such performance measures will consist of one or more financial performance measures and, if determined by the Compensation Committee, individual performance measures.
Upon or following completion of a performance period, the degree of achievement of each financial performance measure will be determined by the Compensation Committee. The degree of achievement of any individual financial performance measures will be determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion with respect to the Chief Executive Officer, and by the Chief Executive Officer or other immediate supervisor in his or her discretion with respect to all other participants (subject to final approval by the Compensation Committee), and the Compensation Committee will evaluate the degree of achievement of the individual performance measures on a scale of below 1 (below threshold), 1 (threshold), 2 (target) or 3 (high) or any fractional number between 1 and 3.
Each participant’s total award under the STIP with respect to a performance period will be stated as a percentage of the participant’s annual base salary determined as of the first day of that performance period, which percentage will depend upon the participant’s position and the degree of achievement of threshold, target, and high performance goals for the performance period which, except as otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, will be as set forth in the table below:
Threshold | Target | High | |
President and Chief Executive Officer | 63% | 125% | 188% |
Executive Vice President | 48% | 93% | 160% |
Senior Vice President | 35% | 65% | 115% |
If a Change in Control (as defined in the STIP) occurs during a performance period while the participant is employed, the participant will receive a prorated award under the STIP calculated based on the actual levels of achievement of the prorated performance goals as of the date of the Change in Control.
LTIP
Under the LTIP, as revised, all named executive officers will have the opportunity to receive awards based on (i) the achievement of performance measures, which will be established for each performance period, and (ii) continued employment with the Company. The aggregate weighting for the performance measures and the time-based measures, as determined by the Compensation Committee, will total 100%. The performance measures will consist of one or more shareholder return measures and one or more strategic measures. The awards earned under the LTIP, if any, are payable in our common shares of beneficial interest. Each participant’s total award under the LTIP with respect to a performance period will be stated as a percentage of the participant’s annual base salary determined as of the beginning of that performance period, which percentage will depend upon the participant’s position and the degree of achievement of threshold, target, and high performance goals for the performance period which, except as otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, will be as set forth in the table below:
Threshold | Target | High | |
President and Chief Executive Officer | 198% | 275% | 440% |
Executive Vice President | 143% | 200% | 295% |
Senior Vice President | 100% | 143% | 207% |
Any time-based awards under the LTIP will be subject to a three-year vesting schedule, with any award vesting in one-third increments on each December 15 of the applicable performance period if the participant remains employed by the Company on each of such dates. The LTIP provides that following a performance period, 100% of any performance-based award will vest immediately upon grant.
Each year, the Compensation Committee will establish the threshold, target and high performance goals for each performance measures. Upon or following completion of a performance period, the degree of achievement of each performance measures will be determined by the Compensation Committee it its discretion.
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If a Change in Control (as defined in the LTIP) occurs during a performance period while the participant is employed, the LTIP provides that all time-based awards which are unvested will become vested, and the participant will receive a pro-rated portion of the shareholder return measure-based awards and the strategic measure-based awards will be calculated at target.
The descriptions of the STIP and LTIP provided herein are for summary purposes only and are qualified in their entirety by the full and complete Amended and Restated Executive Officer Short-Term Incentive Plan and Amended and Restated Executive Officer Long-Term Incentive Plan, which are filed as Exhibit 10.45 and Exhibit 10.46 hereto, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.
Trustee Compensation
On February 14, 2020, the board of trustees updated its trustee compensation arrangements for non-employee trustees, which will take effect immediately following the Company’s 2020 annual meeting of shareholders. The following is a summary of the updated non-employee trustee compensation arrangements, which are subject to modification at any time by the board of trustees:
• | Each non-employee trustee will receive an annual retainer of $55,000 in cash and $100,000 in equity. The equity grant is awarded 50% on December 15 of each calendar year and the remaining 50% on the earlier of the annual shareholders meeting date or May 15 of the following calendar year. The annual retainer for any new independent trustee will be prorated for the initial year. |
• | Each non-employee trustee who serves as a chair of the board of trustees' Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance/Nominating Committees will receive an additional annual retainer of $20,000, $15,000, and $14,000 respectively, in cash. The committee chair retainer for any new committee chair will be prorated for the initial year. |
• | Each member of the Audit Committee, other than the chair, will receive an additional $10,000 annual retainer, in cash, and each member of the Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance/Nominating Committee, other than the chairs, will receive an additional $7,500 annual retainer, in cash. |
•The lead independent trustee will receive an additional annual retainer of $50,000 in cash.
•No additional fee will be paid based on board of trustees or committee meeting attendance.
In lieu of receiving their annual retainer in cash, a non-employee trustee may elect to receive the annual retainer in the form of fully vested restricted share units.
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PART III
Certain information required by Part III is omitted from this Form 10-K in that we will file a definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A with respect to our 2020 Annual Meeting (the “Proxy Statement”) no later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K, and certain information included therein is incorporated herein by reference. Only those sections of the Proxy Statement which specifically address the items set forth herein are incorporated by reference. In addition, we have adopted a code of ethics that applies to all of our trustees, officers and employees, which can be reviewed and printed from our website www.washreit.com.
ITEM 10: DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
NAME | POSITION |
Trustees | |
Paul T. McDermott | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, WashREIT |
Edward S. Civera | Lead Independent Trustee, WashREIT; Retired Chairman, Catalyst Health Solutions, Inc. |
Benjamin S. Butcher | Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of STAG Industrial, Inc. |
William G. Byrnes | Retired Managing Director, Alex Brown & Sons |
Ellen M. Goitia | Retired Partner, KPMG |
Thomas H. Nolan, Jr. | Former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Spirit Realty Capital Inc. |
Vice Adm. Anthony L. Winns (RET.) | President, Middle East-Africa Region, Lockheed Martin Corporation |
Executive Officers | |
Stephen E. Riffee | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Taryn D. Fielder | Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary |
The other information required by this Item is hereby incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement.
ITEM 11: EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this Item is hereby incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement.
ITEM 12: SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this Item is hereby incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement.
ITEM 13: CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this Item is hereby incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement.
ITEM 14: PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this Item is hereby incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement.
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PART IV
ITEM 15: EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(A). The following documents are filed as part of this Form 10-K:
1. | Financial Statements | Page |
Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting | ||
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | ||
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting | ||
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 | ||
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 | ||
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 | ||
Consolidated Statements of Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 | ||
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 | ||
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | ||
2. | Financial Statement Schedules | |
Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts | ||
Schedule III – Consolidated Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation | ||
All other schedules are omitted because they are either not required or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto. | ||
3. | Exhibits: |
Incorporated by Reference | ||||||||||
Exhibit Number | Exhibit Description | Form | File Number | Exhibit | Filing Date | Filed Herewith | ||||
3.1 | DEF 14A | 001-06622 | B | 4/1/2011 | ||||||
3.2 | 8-K | 001-06622 | 3.1 | 6/7/2017 | ||||||
3.3 | 10-Q | 001-06622 | 3.2 | 7/31/2017 | ||||||
4.1 | 8-K | 001-06622 | (c) | 8/13/1996 | ||||||
4.2 | 8-K | 001-06622 | 99.1 | 2/25/1998 | ||||||
4.3 | 8-K | 001-06622 | 4.1 | 7/5/2007 | ||||||
4.4 | 8-K | 001-06622 | 4.1 | 9/30/2010 | ||||||
4.5 | 8-K | 001-06622 | 4.2 | 9/30/2010 | ||||||
4.6 | 8-K | 001-06622 | 4.1 | 9/17/2012 | ||||||
4.7 | 8-K | 001-06622 | 4.2 | 9/17/2012 | ||||||
4.8 | X | |||||||||
10.1* | 10-Q | 001-06622 | 10(j) | 11/14/2002 | ||||||
10.2* | 10-Q | 001-06622 | 10(k) | 11/14/2002 | ||||||
10.3* | 10-K | 001-06622 | 10(p) | 3/16/2006 | ||||||
10.4* | DEF 14A | 001-06622 | B | 4/9/2007 | ||||||
10.5* | 10-K | 001-06622 | 10(gg) | 2/29/2008 | ||||||
10.6* | 10-K | 001-06622 | 10(hh) | 2/29/2008 | ||||||
10.7* | 8-K | 001-06622 | 10(nn) | 7/27/2009 | ||||||
10.8* | 8-K | 001-06622 | 10.31 | 11/2/2010 | ||||||
10.9* | 8-K | 001-06622 | 10.32 | 11/2/2010 | ||||||
10.10* | 10-K | 001-06622 | 10.37 | 2/27/2013 |
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Incorporated by Reference | ||||||||||
Exhibit Number | Exhibit Description | Form | File Number | Exhibit | Filing Date | Filed Herewith | ||||
10.11* | 10-Q | 001-06622 | 10.45 | 5/9/2013 | ||||||
10.12* | 10-Q | 001-06622 | 10.46 | 5/9/2013 | ||||||
10.13* | 10-Q | 001-06622 | 10.47 | 5/9/2013 | ||||||
10.14* | 10-Q | 001-06622 | 10.53 | 11/1/2013 | ||||||
10.15* | 10-Q | 001-06622 | 10.54 | 11/1/2013 | ||||||
10.16* | 10-K | 001-06622 | 10.44 | 3/3/2014 | ||||||
10.17* | 10-K | 001-06622 | 10.45 | 3/3/2014 | ||||||
10.18* | 10-K | 001-06622 | 10.46 | 3/3/2014 | ||||||
10.19* | 10-Q | 001-06622 | 10.47 | 5/7/2014 | ||||||
10.20* | 10-Q | 001-06622 | 10.50 | 8/5/2014 | ||||||
10.21* | 10-Q | 001-06622 | 10.51 | 8/5/2014 | ||||||
10.22* | 10-Q | 001-06622 | 10.54 | 10/30/2014 | ||||||
10.23* | 10-K | 001-06622 | 10.52 | 3/2/2015 | ||||||
10.24* | 10-K | 001-06622 | 10.54 | 3/2/2015 | ||||||
10.25* | 10-K | 001-06622 | 10.55 | 3/2/2015 | ||||||
10.26* | 10-K | 001-06622 | 10.56 | 3/2/2015 | ||||||
10.27* | 10-Q | 001-06622 | 10.57 | 5/5/2015 | ||||||
10.28* | 10-Q | 001-06622 | 10.58 | 5/5/2015 | ||||||
10.29* | 10-Q | 001-06622 | 10.60 | 11/4/2015 | ||||||
10.30* | 10-Q | 001-06622 | 10.61 | 11/4/2015 | ||||||
10.31* | DEF 14A | 001-06622 | Annex A | 3/23/2016 | ||||||
10.32* | 10-K | 001-06622 | 10.49 | 2/20/2018 | ||||||
10.33* | 10-K | 001-06622 | 10.50 | 2/20/2018 | ||||||
10.34* | 10-Q | 001-06622 | 10.1 | 7/31/2017 | ||||||
10.35 | 10-K | 001-06622 | 10.52 | 2/20/2018 | ||||||
10.36 | 10-Q | 001-06622 | 10.53 | 5/1/2018 | ||||||
10.37* | 10-Q | 001-06622 | 10.54 | 4/30/2018 | ||||||
10.38* | 10-Q | 001-06622 | 10.1 | 4/29/2019 | ||||||
10.39* | 10-Q | 001-06622 | 10.2 | 4/29/2019 | ||||||
10.40* | 10-Q | 001-06622 | 10.3 | 4/29/2019 | ||||||
10.41 | 10-Q | 001-06622 | 10.1 | 7/29/2019 | ||||||
10.42 | 10-Q | 001-06622 | 10.2 | 7/29/2019 | ||||||
10.43 | 8-K | 001-06622 | 10.1 | 5/1/2019 | ||||||
10.44 | 8-K | 001-06622 | 10.1 | 7/26/2019 | ||||||
10.45* | X | |||||||||
10.46* | X | |||||||||
21 | X | |||||||||
23 | X |
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Incorporated by Reference | ||||||||||
Exhibit Number | Exhibit Description | Form | File Number | Exhibit | Filing Date | Filed Herewith | ||||
24 | X | |||||||||
31.1 | X | |||||||||
31.2 | X | |||||||||
31.3 | X | |||||||||
32 | X | |||||||||
101.INS | XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. | X | ||||||||
101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | X | ||||||||
101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | X | ||||||||
101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | X | ||||||||
101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | X | ||||||||
101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | X | ||||||||
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document and contained in Exhibit 101) |
* Management contracts or compensation plans or arrangements in which trustees or executive officers are eligible to participate.
In accordance with Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K, copies of certain instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of WashREIT or its subsidiaries are not filed herewith. Pursuant to this regulation, we hereby agree to furnish a copy of any such instrument to the SEC upon request.
ITEM 16: FORM 10-K SUMMARY
We have chosen not to include a Form 10-K Summary.
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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.
WASHINGTON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST
Date: February 18, 2020
By: /s/ Paul T. McDermott
Paul T. McDermott
President and Chief Executive 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 dates indicated.
Signature | Title | Date | ||
/s/ Paul T. McDermott | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | February 18, 2020 | ||
Paul T. McDermott | ||||
/s/ Edward S. Civera* | Lead Independent Trustee | February 18, 2020 | ||
Edward S. Civera | ||||
/s/ Benjamin S. Butcher* | Trustee | February 18, 2020 | ||
Benjamin S. Butcher | ||||
/s/ William G. Byrnes* | Trustee | February 18, 2020 | ||
William G. Byrnes | ||||
/s/ Ellen M. Goitia* | Trustee | February 18, 2020 | ||
Ellen M. Goitia | ||||
/s/ Thomas H. Nolan, Jr.* | Trustee | February 18, 2020 | ||
Thomas H. Nolan, Jr. | ||||
/s/ Anthony L. Winns* | Trustee | February 18, 2020 | ||
Anthony L. Winns | ||||
/s/ Stephen E. Riffee | Executive Vice President and | February 18, 2020 | ||
Stephen E. Riffee | Chief Financial Officer | |||
(Principal Financial Officer) | ||||
/s/ W. Drew Hammond | Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and | February 18, 2020 | ||
W. Drew Hammond | Treasurer | |||
(Principal Accounting Officer) |
* By: /s/ W. Drew Hammond through power of attorney
W. Drew Hammond
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MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON
INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management of Washington Real Estate Investment Trust (“WashREIT”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting and for the assessment of the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting. WashREIT’s internal control system over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of WashREIT’s principal executive and principal financial officers to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions.
In connection with the preparation of WashREIT’s annual consolidated financial statements, management has undertaken an assessment of the effectiveness of WashREIT’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued in 2013 by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the 2013 COSO Framework). Management’s assessment included an evaluation of the design of WashREIT’s internal control over financial reporting and testing of the operational effectiveness of those controls.
Based on this assessment, management has concluded that as of December 31, 2019, WashREIT’s internal control over financial reporting was effective at a reasonable assurance level regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited WashREIT’s consolidated financial statements included in this report, has issued an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of WashREIT’s internal control over financial reporting, a copy of which appears on page 63 of this annual report.
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees of Washington Real Estate Investment Trust
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Washington Real Estate Investment Trust and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes and financial statement schedules listed in the Index at Item 15(a) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), and our report dated February 18, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Impairment Assessment of Income Producing Properties | |
Description of the Matter | The Company had net income producing property of $2.3 billion as of December 31, 2019 and recognized an impairment charge of $8.4 million on real estate during the year ended December 31, 2019 as disclosed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements. As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, real estate is evaluated for recoverability based on estimated cash flows if there are indicators of potential impairment. Auditing the Company's impairment analysis involved a high degree of subjectivity due to the uncertainty around the Company’s estimated cash flows used in the impairment assessment. Estimated future cash flows are based on assumptions, including the projected annual and residual cash flows and the estimated holding period for individual properties, that are forward looking and could be affected by future economic and market conditions. |
61
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit | We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of controls over the Company’s process for assessing impairment of income producing properties. For example, we tested controls over management’s review of properties’ expected future cash flows, which is used to evaluate qualitative and quantitative indicators of impairment and in the recoverability evaluation, and we tested management’s review of the sensitivity of assumptions used in their impairment assessment. Our testing of the Company’s impairment assessment included, among other procedures, evaluating the significant assumptions and testing the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data used by the Company to develop its estimated future cash flows for individual income producing properties. We held discussions with management about the current status of potential transactions and about management’s judgments to understand the probability of future events that could affect the holding period and other cash flow assumptions for the properties. We searched for and evaluated information that corroborates or contradicts the Company’s assumptions. We also compared the significant assumptions to current industry, market and economic trends and to the historical results of the properties. |
Accounting for Acquisition of Real Estate Properties | |
Description of the Matter | During 2019, the Company completed a series of acquisitions encompassing eight multifamily properties, for a total purchase price of $531.5 million as disclosed in Notes 2 and 3 to the consolidated financial statements. These transactions were accounted for as asset acquisitions. Auditing the Company's accounting for these acquisitions was challenging due to the significant estimation required by management to determine the fair values of the acquired assets used to allocate costs of the acquisitions on a relative fair value basis. The significant estimation was primarily due to the sensitivity of the respective fair values to underlying assumptions. The significant assumptions used to estimate the values of the tangible and intangible assets included the replacement cost of the properties, estimated rental and absorption rates, estimated future cash flows and other valuation assumptions. |
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit | We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of controls over the Company’s acquisition and purchase price allocation process, including controls over management’s review of the significant assumptions described above. For example, we tested controls over management’s review of the valuation methodology, the purchase price allocation, and the significant assumptions used. To test the costs allocated to the tangible and intangible assets, we involved our valuation specialists and performed audit procedures that included, among others, evaluating the Company’s valuation methodologies, testing the significant assumptions described above and testing the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data. For example, we compared the significant assumptions to observable market data, including other properties within the same submarkets, and compared significant projected operating expenses used in the valuation to historical results of the other properties in the Company's existing multifamily portfolio. We also performed sensitivity analyses of the significant assumptions to evaluate the change in fair values resulting from the changes in assumptions. In addition, we compared the Company’s estimated fair values of acquired assets to independent estimates developed by our valuation specialist. |
/s/ Ernst & Young LLC
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2002.
Tysons, Virginia
February 18, 2020
62
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees of Washington Real Estate Investment Trust
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited Washington Real Estate Investment Trust and Subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Washington Real Estate Investment Trust and Subsidiaries (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the 2019 consolidated financial statements of the Company and our report dated February 18, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLC
Tysons, Virginia
February 18, 2020
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WASHINGTON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
December 31, | |||||||
2019 | 2018 | ||||||
Assets | |||||||
Land | $ | 566,807 | $ | 526,572 | |||
Income producing property | 2,392,415 | 2,055,349 | |||||
2,959,222 | 2,581,921 | ||||||
Accumulated depreciation and amortization | (693,610 | ) | (669,281 | ) | |||
Net income producing property | 2,265,612 | 1,912,640 | |||||
Properties under development or held for future development | 124,193 | 87,231 | |||||
Total real estate held for investment, net | 2,389,805 | 1,999,871 | |||||
Investment in real estate held for sale, net | 57,028 | 203,410 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 12,939 | 6,016 | |||||
Restricted cash | 1,812 | 1,624 | |||||
Rents and other receivables | 65,259 | 63,962 | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets | 95,149 | 123,670 | |||||
Other assets related to properties sold or held for sale | 6,336 | 18,551 | |||||
Total assets | $ | 2,628,328 | $ | 2,417,104 | |||
Liabilities | |||||||
Notes payable, net | $ | 996,722 | $ | 995,397 | |||
Mortgage notes payable, net | 47,074 | 48,277 | |||||
Line of credit | 56,000 | 188,000 | |||||
Accounts payable and other liabilities | 71,136 | 57,946 | |||||
Dividend payable | 24,668 | 24,022 | |||||
Advance rents | 9,353 | 9,965 | |||||
Tenant security deposits | 10,595 | 9,501 | |||||
Other liabilities related to properties sold or held for sale | 718 | 15,518 | |||||
Total liabilities | 1,216,266 | 1,348,626 | |||||
Equity | |||||||
Shareholders’ equity | |||||||
Preferred shares; $0.01 par value; 10,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding | — | — | |||||
Shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value; 100,000 shares authorized; 82,099 and 79,910 shares issued and outstanding, as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 respectively | 821 | 799 | |||||
Additional paid in capital | 1,592,487 | 1,526,574 | |||||
Distributions in excess of net income | (183,405 | ) | (469,085 | ) | |||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 1,823 | 9,839 | |||||
Total shareholders’ equity | 1,411,726 | 1,068,127 | |||||
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries | 336 | 351 | |||||
Total equity | 1,412,062 | 1,068,478 | |||||
Total liabilities and equity | $ | 2,628,328 | $ | 2,417,104 |
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
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WASHINGTON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Revenue | |||||||||||
Real estate rental revenue | $ | 309,180 | $ | 291,730 | $ | 280,281 | |||||
Expenses | |||||||||||
Real estate expenses | 115,580 | 105,592 | 105,400 | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 136,253 | 111,826 | 101,430 | ||||||||
Real estate impairment | 8,374 | 1,886 | 33,152 | ||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 24,370 | 22,089 | 22,580 | ||||||||
Lease origination expenses | 1,698 | — | — | ||||||||
286,275 | 241,393 | 262,562 | |||||||||
Other operating income | |||||||||||
Gain on sale of real estate | 59,961 | 2,495 | 24,915 | ||||||||
Real estate operating income | 82,866 | 52,832 | 42,634 | ||||||||
Other income (expense) | |||||||||||
Interest expense | (53,734 | ) | (50,501 | ) | (46,793 | ) | |||||
Other income | — | — | 507 | ||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt | — | (1,178 | ) | — | |||||||
Income tax benefit | — | — | 84 | ||||||||
(53,734 | ) | (51,679 | ) | (46,202 | ) | ||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations | 29,132 | 1,153 | (3,568 | ) | |||||||
Discontinued operations: | |||||||||||
Income from operations of properties sold or held for sale | 16,158 | 24,477 | 23,180 | ||||||||
Gain on sale of real estate | 339,024 | — | — | ||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt | (764 | ) | — | — | |||||||
Income from discontinued operations | 354,418 | 24,477 | 23,180 | ||||||||
Net income | 383,550 | 25,630 | 19,612 | ||||||||
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries | — | — | 56 | ||||||||
Net income attributable to the controlling interests | $ | 383,550 | $ | 25,630 | $ | 19,668 | |||||
Basic net income (loss) attributable to the controlling interests per share | |||||||||||
Continuing operations | $ | 0.36 | $ | 0.01 | $ | (0.05 | ) | ||||
Discontinued operations, including gain on sale of real estate | 4.39 | 0.31 | 0.30 | ||||||||
Net income attributable to the controlling interests per share | $ | 4.75 | $ | 0.32 | $ | 0.25 | |||||
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to the controlling interests per share | |||||||||||
Continuing operations | $ | 0.36 | $ | 0.01 | $ | (0.05 | ) | ||||
Discontinued operations, including gain on sale of real estate | 4.39 | 0.31 | 0.30 | ||||||||
Net income attributable to the controlling interests per share | $ | 4.75 | $ | 0.32 | $ | 0.25 | |||||
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic | 80,257 | 78,960 | 76,820 | ||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted | 80,335 | 79,042 | 76,820 |
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
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WASHINGTON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(IN THOUSANDS)
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Net income | $ | 383,550 | $ | 25,630 | $ | 19,612 | |||||
Other comprehensive income: | |||||||||||
Unrealized (loss) gain on interest rate hedges | (8,016 | ) | 420 | 1,808 | |||||||
Comprehensive income | 375,534 | 26,050 | 21,420 | ||||||||
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | 56 | ||||||||
Comprehensive income attributable to the controlling interests | $ | 375,534 | $ | 26,050 | $ | 21,476 |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
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WASHINGTON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(IN THOUSANDS)
Shares | Shares of Beneficial Interest at Par Value | Additional Paid in Capital | Distributions in Excess of Net Income | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Total Shareholders’ Equity | Non- controlling Interests in Subsidiary | Total Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2016 | 74,606 | $ | 746 | $ | 1,368,636 | $ | (326,047 | ) | $ | 7,611 | $ | 1,050,946 | $ | 1,116 | $ | 1,052,062 | ||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to the controlling interests | — | — | — | 19,668 | — | 19,668 | — | 19,668 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | — | — | — | — | (56 | ) | (56 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized gain on interest rate hedges | — | — | — | — | 1,808 | 1,808 | — | 1,808 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions to noncontrolling interests | — | — | (3,128 | ) | — | — | (3,128 | ) | (1,071 | ) | (4,199 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Contributions from noncontrolling interest | — | — | — | — | — | — | 376 | 376 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends | — | — | — | (92,834 | ) | — | (92,834 | ) | (92,834 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Equity offerings, net of issuance costs | 3,587 | 36 | 113,158 | — | — | 113,194 | — | 113,194 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued under Dividend Reinvestment Program | 80 | 1 | 2,575 | — | — | 2,576 | — | 2,576 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Share grants, net of forfeitures and tax withholdings | 237 | 2 | 2,739 | — | — | 2,741 | — | 2,741 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2017 | 78,510 | 785 | 1,483,980 | (399,213 | ) | 9,419 | 1,094,971 | 365 | 1,095,336 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to the controlling interests | — | — | — | 25,630 | — | 25,630 | — | 25,630 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized gain on interest rate hedges | — | — | — | — | 420 | 420 | — | 420 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions to noncontrolling interests | — | — | — | — | — | — | (14 | ) | (14 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends | — | — | — | (95,502 | ) | — | (95,502 | ) | — | (95,502 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Equity offerings, net of issuance costs | 1,165 | 11 | 35,461 | — | — | 35,472 | — | 35,472 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued under Dividend Reinvestment Program | 81 | 1 | 1,972 | — | — | 1,973 | — | 1,973 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Share grants, net of forfeitures and tax withholdings | 154 | 2 | 5,161 | — | — | 5,163 | — | 5,163 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2018 | 79,910 | 799 | 1,526,574 | (469,085 | ) | 9,839 | 1,068,127 | 351 | 1,068,478 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle (see note 4) | — | — | — | (906 | ) | — | (906 | ) | — | (906 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to the controlling interests | — | — | — | 383,550 | — | 383,550 | — | 383,550 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized loss on interest rate hedges | — | — | — | — | (8,016 | ) | (8,016 | ) | — | (8,016 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Distributions to noncontrolling interests | — | — | — | — | — | — | (15 | ) | (15 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends | — | — | — | (96,964 | ) | — | (96,964 | ) | — | (96,964 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Equity offerings, net of issuance costs | 1,859 | 18 | 54,898 | — | — | 54,916 | — | 54,916 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued under Dividend Reinvestment Program | 173 | 2 | 4,753 | — | — | 4,755 | — | 4,755 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Share grants, net of forfeitures and tax withholdings | 157 | 2 | 6,262 | — | — | 6,264 | — | 6,264 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2019 | 82,099 | $ | 821 | $ | 1,592,487 | $ | (183,405 | ) | $ | 1,823 | $ | 1,411,726 | $ | 336 | $ | 1,412,062 |
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
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WASHINGTON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES | |||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | |||||||||||
(IN THOUSANDS) | |||||||||||
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities | |||||||||||
Net income | $ | 383,550 | $ | 25,630 | $ | 19,612 | |||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||
Gain on sale of real estate | (398,985 | ) | (2,495 | ) | (24,915 | ) | |||||
Depreciation and amortization | 141,179 | 121,228 | 112,056 | ||||||||
Credit (gains) losses on lease related receivables | (10 | ) | 2,136 | 882 | |||||||
Deferred tax benefit | — | — | (84 | ) | |||||||
Real estate impairment | 8,374 | 1,886 | 33,152 | ||||||||
Share-based compensation expense | 7,743 | 6,746 | 4,771 | ||||||||
Amortization of debt premiums, discounts and deferred issuance costs | 3,195 | 2,101 | 1,897 | ||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt | 764 | 1,178 | — | ||||||||
Changes in other assets | (10,086 | ) | (8,674 | ) | (20,199 | ) | |||||
Changes in other liabilities | (4,801 | ) | (2,367 | ) | 3,454 | ||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 130,923 | 147,369 | 130,626 | ||||||||
Cash flows from investing activities | |||||||||||
Real estate acquisitions, net | (528,589 | ) | (106,400 | ) | (138,371 | ) | |||||
Capital improvements to real estate | (68,456 | ) | (71,070 | ) | (60,515 | ) | |||||
Development in progress | (47,492 | ) | (34,806 | ) | (18,150 | ) | |||||
Net cash received from sale of real estate | 706,064 | 174,297 | 30,798 | ||||||||
Real estate deposits, net | — | — | (6,250 | ) | |||||||
Non-real estate capital improvements | (491 | ) | (963 | ) | (3,866 | ) | |||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 61,036 | (38,942 | ) | (196,354 | ) | ||||||
Cash flows from financing activities | |||||||||||
Line of credit (repayments) borrowings, net | (132,000 | ) | 22,000 | 46,000 | |||||||
Principal payments – mortgage notes payable | (12,724 | ) | (170,081 | ) | (52,571 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from dividend reinvestment program | 4,755 | 1,973 | 2,576 | ||||||||
Repayments of unsecured term loan debt | (450,000 | ) | (150,000 | ) | — | ||||||
Proceeds from term loan | 450,000 | 250,000 | 50,000 | ||||||||
Payment of financing costs | (1,303 | ) | (5,650 | ) | (319 | ) | |||||
Dividends paid | (96,361 | ) | (95,059 | ) | (91,666 | ) | |||||
Distributions to noncontrolling interests | (15 | ) | (14 | ) | (4,199 | ) | |||||
Net proceeds from equity offerings | 54,916 | 35,472 | 113,194 | ||||||||
Payment of tax withholdings for restricted share awards | (2,116 | ) | (2,051 | ) | (2,286 | ) | |||||
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (184,848 | ) | (113,410 | ) | 60,729 | ||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 7,111 | (4,983 | ) | (4,999 | ) | ||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year | 7,640 | 12,623 | 17,622 | ||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year | $ | 14,751 | $ | 7,640 | $ | 12,623 | |||||
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WASHINGTON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES | |||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | |||||||||||
(IN THOUSANDS) | |||||||||||
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | |||||||||||
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest expense | $ | 50,999 | $ | 49,058 | $ | 45,730 | |||||
Cash paid for income taxes | — | — | 17 | ||||||||
Change in accrued capital improvements and development costs | 7,908 | (2,769 | ) | 3,264 | |||||||
Dividend payable | 24,668 | 24,022 | 23,581 | ||||||||
Operating partnership units issued with acquisition | — | — | 376 | ||||||||
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash: | |||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 12,939 | $ | 6,016 | $ | 9,847 | |||||
Restricted cash | 1,812 | 1,624 | 2,776 | ||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | 14,751 | $ | 7,640 | $ | 12,623 |
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
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WASHINGTON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019, 2018 AND 2017
NOTE 1: NATURE OF BUSINESS
Washington Real Estate Investment Trust (“WashREIT”), a Maryland real estate investment trust, is a self-administered equity real estate investment trust, successor to a trust organized in 1960. Our business consists of the ownership and operation of income-producing real estate properties in the greater Washington D.C. metro region. We own a portfolio of multifamily and commercial properties. During 2019, we acquired eight multifamily properties with a total of 2,390 units and sold eight retail properties (see note 3). The eight sold retail properties met the criteria for classification as discontinued operations. The remaining retail properties do not meet the qualitative or quantitative criteria for a reportable segment (see note 14). The acquisitions of multifamily properties and dispositions of retail properties are part of a strategic shift away from the retail sector to the multifamily sector. This strategic shift simplifies our portfolio to two reportable segments (multifamily and office) and reduces our exposure to future retail lease expirations.
U.S. Federal Income Taxes
We believe that we qualify as a REIT under Sections 856-860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and intend to continue to qualify as such. To maintain our status as a REIT, we are, among other things, required to distribute 90% of our REIT taxable income (which is, generally, our ordinary taxable income, with certain modifications), excluding any net capital gains and any deductions for dividends paid to our shareholders on an annual basis. When selling a property, we generally have the option of (a) reinvesting the sales proceeds of property sold, in a way that allows us to defer recognition of some or all taxable gain realized on the sale, (b) distributing gains to the shareholders with no tax to us or (c) treating net long-term capital gains as having been distributed to our shareholders, paying the tax on the gain deemed distributed and allocating the tax paid as a credit to our shareholders. During the three years ended December 31, 2019, we sold our interests in the following properties (in thousands):
Disposition Date | Property | Type | (Loss) Gain on Sale | ||
June 26, 2019 | Quantico Corporate Center (1) | Office | $ | (1,046 | ) |
July 23, 2019 | Shopping Center Portfolio (2) | Retail | 333,023 | ||
August 21, 2019 | Frederick Crossing and Frederick County Square | Retail | 9,507 | ||
August 27, 2019 | Centre at Hagerstown | Retail | (3,506 | ) | |
December 19, 2019 | 1776 G Street | Office | 61,007 | ||
Total 2019 | $ | 398,985 | |||
January 19, 2018 | Braddock Metro Center | Office | $ | — | |
June 28, 2018 | 2445 M Street | Office | 2,495 | ||
Total 2018 | $ | 2,495 | |||
October 23, 2017 | Walker House Apartments | Multifamily | $ | 23,838 | |
Total 2017 | $ | 23,838 |
______________________________
(1) | Consists of 925 and 1000 Corporate Drive. |
(2) | Consists of five retail properties: Gateway Overlook, Wheaton Park, Olney Village Center, Bradlee Shopping Center and Shoppes of Foxchase. |
Seven of the eight retail properties sold during 2019 were identified for deferred exchanges under Section 1031 of the Code (see note 3). We acquired eight multifamily replacement properties (see note 3) during 2019. The taxable gains for 1776 G Street, a portion of the Shopping Center Portfolio proceeds not reinvested in the deferred exchange, and Walker House Apartments were distributed to shareholders through quarterly dividends in their respective year of sale.
Generally, and subject to our ongoing qualification as a REIT, no provisions for income taxes are necessary except for taxes on undistributed taxable income and taxes on the income generated by our taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”). Our TRSs are subject to corporate federal and state income tax on their taxable income at regular statutory rates, or as calculated under the alternative
70
minimum tax, as appropriate. As of both December 31, 2019 and 2018, our TRSs had a deferred tax asset of $1.4 million that was fully reserved. As of both December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had deferred state and local tax liabilities of $0.6 million. These deferred tax liabilities are primarily related to temporary differences in the timing of the recognition of revenue, amortization and depreciation.
Beginning in 2018, ordinary taxable income per share is equal to the Section 199A dividend that was created by the TCJA. The following is a breakdown of the taxable percentage of our dividends for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 (unaudited):
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
Ordinary income/Section 199A dividends | 80 | % | 29 | % | 76 | % | ||
Return of capital | 20 | % | 71 | % | — | % | ||
Qualified dividends | — | % | — | % | 2 | % | ||
Unrecaptured Section 1250 gain | — | % | — | % | 8 | % | ||
Capital gain | — | % | — | % | 14 | % |
NOTE 2: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
The accompanying audited consolidated financial statements include the consolidated accounts of WashREIT and our subsidiaries and entities in which WashREIT has a controlling financial interest. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
We have prepared the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Use of Estimates in the Financial Statements
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
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Recent Accounting Standards
Standards Adopted
Standard/Description | Effective Date and Adoption Considerations | Effect on Financial Statements or Other significant Matters |
ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This standard amends existing lease accounting standards for both lessees and lessors. Lessees must classify most leases as either finance or operating leases. For lease contracts, or contracts with an embedded lease, with a duration of more than one year in which we are the lessee, the present value of future lease payments are recognized on our consolidated balance sheets as a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability. Lessors Lease contracts currently classified as operating leases are accounted for similarly to prior guidance. However, lessors are required to account for each lease and non-lease component, such as common area maintenance or tenant service revenues, of a contract separately. In July 2018, the FASB issued 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842) - Targeted Improvements (“ASU 2018-11”), which provides lessors optional transition relief from implementing this aspect of ASU 2016-02 if the following criteria are met: (1) both components have the same timing and pattern of revenue and (2) if accounted for separately, both components would be classified as an operating lease. Also, under ASU 2016-02, only incremental costs or initial direct costs of executing a lease contract qualify for capitalization, while prior accounting standards allowed for the capitalization of indirect leasing costs. | We adopted the new standard as of January 1, 2019. | We adopted ASU 2016-02 as of January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach and by applying the transitional practical expedients noted below. Under the modified retrospective approach, we recognized a cumulative effect adjustment of $0.9 million to distributions in excess of net income as of January 1, 2019 (see note 4 for further discussion of the impact of adoption on our consolidated financial statements). We did not elect the hindsight expedient, which would have allowed us to reevaluate lease terms in calculating lease liabilities as part of adoption. We elected not to bifurcate lease contracts into lease and non-lease components, since: (1) the timing and pattern of revenue is not materially different and the non-lease components are not the primary component of the lease, and (2) the lease component, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease. Accordingly, both lease and non-lease components are presented in “Real estate rental revenue” in our consolidated financial statements. The adoption of ASU 2016-02 did not result in a material change to our recognition of real estate rental revenue. Under ASU 2018-11, the FASB offered optional transition relief, if elected as a package, and applied consistently by an entity to all of its leases. Accordingly, upon adoption we elected, as a package, the practical expedients for all leases as follows: (1) we did not reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, (2) we did not reassess the lease classification for any expired or existing leases, and (3) we did not reassess initial direct costs for any existing leases under ASC 840. |
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New Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Effective
Standard/Description | Effective Date and Adoption Considerations | Effect on Financial Statements or Other significant Matters |
ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This standard requires financial assets measured at an amortized cost basis, including trade receivables, to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. This standard does not apply to receivables arising from operating leases accounted for in accordance with Topic 842. | We adopted the new standard as of January 1, 2020. | The adoption of the new standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. |
ASU 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software. This standard requires a customer in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract to follow the internal-use software guidance to determine which implementation costs to capitalize as assets. | We adopted the new standard as of January 1, 2020. | The adoption of the new standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. |
Revenue Recognition
We lease multifamily properties under operating leases with terms of generally one year or less. We lease commercial properties under operating leases with an average term of seven years. Substantially all commercial leases contain fixed escalations or, in some instances, changes based on the Consumer Price Index, which occur at specified times during the term of the lease. In certain commercial leases, variable lease income, such as percentage rent, is recognized when rents are earned. We recognize rental income and rental abatements from our multifamily and commercial leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Recognition of rental income commences when control of the leased space has been transferred to the tenant.
We recognize gains on sales of real estate when we have executed a contract for sale of the asset, transferred controlling financial interest in the asset to the buyer and determined that it is probable that we will collect substantially all of the consideration for the asset. Our real estate sale transactions typically meet these criteria at closing.
We recognize cost reimbursement income from pass-through expenses on an accrual basis over the periods in which the expenses were incurred. Pass-through expenses are comprised of real estate taxes, operating expenses and common area maintenance costs which are reimbursed by tenants in accordance with specific allowable costs per tenant lease agreements.
Parking revenues are derived from leases, monthly parking agreements and transient parking. We recognize parking revenues from leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term and monthly parking revenues as earned. We recognize transient parking revenue when our performance obligation is met.
Rents and Other Receivables
Lease related receivables, which include contractual amounts accrued and unpaid from tenants and accrued straight-line rents receivable, are reduced for credit losses. Such amounts are recognized as a reduction to real estate rental revenues. We evaluate the collectability of lease receivables monthly using several factors including a lessee’s creditworthiness. We recognize the credit loss on lease related receivables when, in the opinion of management, collection of substantially all lease payments is not probable. When collectability is determined not probable, any lease income recognized subsequent to recognizing the credit loss is limited to the lesser of the lease income reflected on a straight-line basis or cash collected. The adoption of ASU 2016-02 resulted in an adjustment to our opening distributions in excess of net income balance of $0.9 million, associated with lease related receivables where collection of substantially all operating lease payments was not probable as of January 1, 2019. Rents and other receivables on the consolidated balance sheet is net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2.4 million as of December 31, 2018.
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Debt Issuance Costs
We amortize external debt issuance costs using the effective interest rate method or the straight-line method which approximates the effective interest rate method, over the estimated life of the related debt. We record debt issuance costs related to notes and mortgage notes, net of amortization, on our consolidated balance sheets as an offset to their related debt. We record debt issuance costs related to revolving lines of credit on our consolidated balance sheets with Prepaid expenses and other assets, regardless of whether a balance on the line of credit is outstanding. We record the amortization of all debt issuance costs as interest expense.
Deferred Leasing Costs
We capitalize and amortize direct and incremental costs associated with the successful negotiation of leases, both external commissions and internal direct costs, on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective leases. We record the amortization of deferred leasing costs in Depreciation and amortization on the consolidated statements of operations. If an applicable lease terminates prior to the expiration of its initial lease term, we write off the carrying amount of the costs to amortization expense.
We capitalize and amortize against revenue leasing incentives associated with the successful negotiation of leases on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective leases. We record the amortization of deferred leasing incentives as a reduction of revenue. If an applicable lease terminates prior to the expiration of its initial lease term, we write off the carrying amount of the costs as a reduction of revenue.
Real Estate and Depreciation
We depreciate buildings on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives ranging from 28 to 50 years. We capitalize all capital improvements associated with replacements, improvements or major repairs to real property that extend its useful life and depreciate them using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 30 years. We also capitalize costs incurred in connection with our development projects, including interest incurred on borrowing obligations and other internal costs during periods in which qualifying expenditures have been made and activities necessary to get the development projects ready for their intended use are in progress. Capitalization of these costs begins when the activities and related expenditures commence and ceases when the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use, at which time the project is placed into service and depreciation commences. In addition, we capitalize tenant leasehold improvements when certain criteria are met, including when we supervise construction and will own the improvements. We depreciate all tenant improvements over the shorter of the useful life of the improvements or the term of the related tenant lease.
Real estate depreciation expense from continuing operations was $101.7 million, $82.9 million and $81.0 million during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
We charge maintenance and repair costs that do not extend an asset’s useful life to expense as incurred.
Interest expense from continuing operations and interest capitalized to real estate assets related to development and major renovation activities for the three years ended December 31, 2019 were as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Total interest incurred | $ | 56,948 | $ | 52,592 | $ | 47,757 | |||||
Capitalized interest | (3,214 | ) | (2,091 | ) | (964 | ) | |||||
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest | $ | 53,734 | $ | 50,501 | $ | 46,793 |
We recognize impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations, development assets or land held for future development, if indicators of impairment are present and the net undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. Estimates of undiscounted cash flows are based on forward-looking assumptions, including annual and residual cash flows and our estimated holding period for each property. Such assumptions involve a high degree of judgment and could be affected by future economic and market conditions. When determining if a property has indicators of impairment, we evaluate the property's occupancy, our expected holding period for the property, strategic decisions regarding the property's future operations or development and other market factors. If such carrying amount is in excess of the estimated undiscounted cash flows from the operation and disposal of the property, we would recognize an impairment loss equivalent to an amount required to adjust the carrying amount to its estimated fair value, calculated in accordance with current GAAP fair value provisions. Assets held for sale are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value less costs to sell.
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Acquisitions
The properties we acquire typically are not businesses as defined by ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805) - Clarifying the Definition of a Business. Per this definition, a set of transferred assets and activities is not a business when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets. We therefore account for such acquisitions as asset acquisitions. Acquisition costs are capitalized and identifiable assets (including physical assets and in-place leases), liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interests are measured by allocating the cost of the acquisition on a relative fair value basis. Acquisitions executed prior to our adoption of ASU 2017-01 as of January 1, 2017 were accounted for as business combinations.
We determine the fair values of acquired buildings on an “as-if-vacant” basis considering a variety of factors, including the replacement cost of the property, estimated rental and absorption rates, estimated future cash flows and valuation assumptions consistent with current market conditions. We determine the fair value of land acquired based on comparisons to similar properties that have been recently marketed for sale or sold.
The fair value of in-place leases consists of the following components – (a) the estimated cost to us to replace the leases, including foregone rents during the period of finding a new tenant and foregone recovery of tenant pass-throughs (referred to as “absorption cost”); (b) the estimated cost of tenant improvements, and other direct costs associated with obtaining a new tenant (referred to as “tenant origination cost”); (c) estimated leasing commissions associated with obtaining a new tenant (referred to as “leasing commissions”); (d) the above/at/below market cash flow of the leases, determined by comparing the projected cash flows of the leases in place, including consideration of renewal options, to projected cash flows of comparable market-rate leases (referred to as “net lease intangible”); and (e) the value, if any, of customer relationships, determined based on our evaluation of the specific characteristics of each tenant’s lease and our overall relationship with the tenant (referred to as “customer relationship value”). We have attributed no value to customer relationships as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
We discount the amounts used to calculate net lease intangibles using an interest rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired. We classify tenant origination costs as income producing property on our consolidated balance sheets and amortize the tenant origination costs as depreciation expense on a straight-line basis over the remaining life of the underlying leases. We classify leasing commissions and absorption costs as other assets and amortize leasing commissions and absorption costs as amortization expense on a straight-line basis over the remaining life of the underlying leases. We classify net lease intangible assets as other assets and amortize them on a straight-line basis as a decrease to real estate rental revenue over the remaining term of the underlying leases. We classify net lease intangible liabilities as other liabilities and amortize them on a straight-line basis as an increase to real estate rental revenue over the remaining term of the underlying leases. If any of the fair value of below market lease intangibles includes fair value associated with a renewal option, such amounts are not amortized until the renewal option is executed, else the related value is expensed at that time. Should a tenant terminate its lease prior to the expiration date, we accelerate the amortization of the unamortized portion of the tenant origination cost, leasing commissions, absorption costs and net lease intangible associated with that lease, over its new, shorter term.
Software Developed for Internal Use
The costs of software developed for internal use that qualify for capitalization are included with Prepaid expenses and other assets on our consolidated balance sheets. These capitalized costs include external direct costs utilized in developing or obtaining the applications and expenses for employees who are directly associated with the development of the applications. Capitalization of such costs begins when the preliminary project stage is complete and continues until the project is substantially complete and is ready for its intended purpose. Completed projects are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives.
Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations
We classify properties as held for sale when they meet the necessary criteria, which include: (a) senior management commits to a plan to sell the assets, (b) the assets are available for immediate sale in their present condition subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such assets, (c) an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the assets have been initiated, (d) the sale of the assets is probable, and transfer of the assets is expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale, within one year, (e) the assets are being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value and (f) actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn. Depreciation on these properties is discontinued at the time they are classified as held for sale, but operating revenues, operating expenses and interest expense continue to be recognized until the date of sale.
Revenues and expenses of properties that are either sold or classified as held for sale are presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented in the consolidated statements of operations if the dispositions represent a strategic shift that has (or will
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have) a major effect on our operations and financial results. Interest on debt that can be identified as specifically attributed to these properties is included in discontinued operations. If the dispositions do not represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on our operations and financial results, then the revenues and expenses of the properties that are classified as sold or held for sale are presented as continuing operations in the consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented.
Segments
We evaluate performance based upon net operating income from the combined properties in each segment. Our reportable operating segments are consolidations of similar properties. GAAP requires that segment disclosures present the measure(s) used by the chief operating decision maker for purposes of assessing segments’ performance. Net operating income is a key measurement of our segment profit and loss. Net operating income is defined as segment real estate rental revenue less segment real estate expenses.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash and commercial paper with original maturities of 90 days or less. We maintain cash deposits with financial institutions that at times exceed applicable insurance limits. We reduce this risk by maintaining such deposits with high quality financial institutions that management believes are credit-worthy.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash includes funds escrowed for tenant security deposits, real estate tax, insurance and mortgage escrows and escrow deposits required by lenders on certain of our properties to be used for future building renovations or tenant improvements.
Earnings Per Common Share
We determine “Basic earnings per share” using the two-class method as our unvested restricted share awards and units have non-forfeitable rights to dividends, and are therefore considered participating securities. We compute basic earnings per share by dividing net income attributable to the controlling interest less the allocation of undistributed earnings to unvested restricted share awards and units by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period.
We also determine “Diluted earnings per share” under the two-class method with respect to the unvested restricted share awards. We further evaluate any other potentially dilutive securities at the end of the period and adjust the basic earnings per share calculation for the impact of those securities that are dilutive. Our dilutive earnings per share calculation includes the dilutive impact of operating partnership units under the if-converted method and our share based awards with performance conditions prior to the grant date and all market condition awards under the contingently issuable method.
Stock Based Compensation
We currently maintain equity based compensation plans for trustees, officers and employees.
We recognize compensation expense for service-based share awards ratably over the period from the service inception date through the vesting period based on the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. We account for forfeitures as they occur. If an award's service inception date precedes the grant date, we initially measure compensation expense for awards with performance conditions at fair value at the service inception date based on probability of payout, and we remeasure compensation expense at subsequent reporting dates until all of the award’s key terms and conditions are known and the grant date is established. We amortize awards with performance conditions using the graded expense method. We measure compensation expense for awards with market conditions based on the grant date fair value, as determined using a Monte Carlo simulation, and we amortize the expense ratably over the requisite service period, regardless of whether the market conditions are achieved and the awards ultimately vest. Compensation expense for the trustee grants, which fully vest immediately, is fully recognized upon issuance based upon the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant.
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
We can recognize a tax benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that a particular tax position will be sustained upon examination or audit. To the extent that the “more likely than not” standard has been satisfied, the benefit associated with a tax position is measured as the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being recognized upon settlement. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we did not have any unrecognized tax benefits. We do not believe that there will be any material changes to our uncertain tax positions over the next twelve months.
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We are subject to federal income tax as well as income tax of the states of Maryland and Virginia, and the District of Columbia. However, as a REIT, we generally are not subject to income tax on our taxable income to the extent it is distributed as dividends to our shareholders.
Tax returns filed for 2015 through 2019 tax years are subject to examination by taxing authorities. We classify interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, if any, in our financial statements as a component of general and administrative expense.
Derivatives
We borrow funds at a combination of fixed and variable rates. Borrowings under our revolving credit facility and term loans bear interest at variable rates. Our interest rate risk management objectives are to minimize interest rate fluctuation on long-term indebtedness and limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows. To achieve these objectives, from time to time, we may enter into interest rate hedge contracts such as collars, swaps, caps and treasury lock agreements in order to mitigate our interest rate risk with respect to various debt instruments. We generally do not hold or issue these derivative contracts for trading or speculative purposes. The interest rate swaps we enter into are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. We assess effectiveness of our cash flow hedges both at inception and on an ongoing basis. The effective portion of changes in fair value of the interest rate swaps associated with our cash flow hedges is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Our cash flow hedges become ineffective if critical terms of the hedging instrument and the debt instrument such as notional amounts, settlement dates, reset dates, calculation period and LIBOR do not perfectly match. In addition, we evaluate the default risk of the counterparty by monitoring the creditworthiness of the counterparty. When ineffectiveness of a cash flow hedge exists, the ineffective portion of changes in fair value of the interest rate swaps associated with our cash flow hedges is recognized in earnings in the period affected.
NOTE 3: REAL ESTATE
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, our real estate investment portfolio classified as income producing property that is held and used, at cost, consists of properties as follows (in thousands):
December 31, | |||||||
2019 | 2018 | ||||||
Multifamily | $ | 1,469,011 | $ | 919,285 | |||
Office | 1,329,722 | 1,507,986 | |||||
Other (1) | 160,489 | 154,650 | |||||
$ | 2,959,222 | $ | 2,581,921 |
______________________________
(1) | Consists of the retail properties not classified as discontinued operations: Takoma Park, Westminster, Concord Centre, Chevy Chase Metro Plaza, 800 S. Washington Street, Randolph Shopping Center, Montrose Shopping Center and Spring Valley Village. |
Our results of operations are dependent on the overall economic health of our markets, tenants and the specific segments in which we own properties. All property types are affected by external economic factors, such as inflation, consumer confidence and unemployment rates, as well as changing tenant and consumer requirements.
As of December 31, 2019, no property accounted for more than approximately 10% of total assets. No single property or tenant accounted for more than 10% of the real estate rental revenue.
We have properties under development/redevelopment and held for current or future development. The cost of our real estate portfolio under development or held for future development as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 is as follows (in thousands):
December 31, | |||||||
2019 | 2018 | ||||||
Multifamily | $ | 123,071 | $ | 83,945 | |||
Office | 478 | 478 | |||||
Other | 644 | 2,808 | |||||
$ | 124,193 | $ | 87,231 |
As of December 31, 2019, we have invested $110.4 million, including the cost of acquired land, in The Trove, a multifamily development adjacent to The Wellington. We substantially completed major construction activities for The Trove garage levels
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1-5 during the third quarter of 2019 and placed into service assets totaling $12.3 million. We expect to place the remainder of Trove development cost into service during 2020. We have also invested $25.6 million, including the cost of acquired land, in a multifamily development adjacent to Riverside Apartments. In addition, there are several other projects with minor development activity in the multifamily and office segments.
Acquisitions
Our current strategy is to recycle legacy assets that lack the income growth potential we seek and to invest in high-quality assets with compelling value-add returns through redevelopment opportunities in our existing portfolio and acquisitions that meet our stringent investment criteria. We focus on properties inside the Washington metro region’s Beltway, near major transportation nodes and in areas with strong employment drivers and superior growth demographics.
Properties and land for development acquired during the three years ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:
Acquisition Date | Property | Type | # of units (unaudited) | Rentable Square Feet (unaudited) | Contract Purchase Price (in thousands) | ||||||||
April 30, 2019 | Assembly Portfolio - Virginia (1) | Multifamily | 1,685 | N/A | $ | 379,100 | |||||||
June 27, 2019 | Assembly Portfolio - Maryland (2) | Multifamily | 428 | N/A | 82,070 | ||||||||
July 23, 2019 | Cascade at Landmark | Multifamily | 277 | N/A | 69,750 | ||||||||
2,390 | $ | 530,920 | |||||||||||
January 18, 2018 | Arlington Tower | Office | N/A | 391,000 | $ | 250,000 | |||||||
April 4, 2017 | Watergate 600 | Office | N/A | 293,000 | $ | 135,000 |
______________________________
(1) | Consists of Assembly Alexandria, Assembly Manassas, Assembly Dulles, Assembly Leesburg, and Assembly Herndon. |
(2) | Consists of Assembly Germantown and Assembly Watkins Mill. The Assembly Portfolio - Virginia and Assembly Portfolio - Maryland properties are collectively the “Assembly Portfolio.” |
The purchases of the Assembly Portfolio and Cascade at Landmark were structured as exchanges under Section 1031 of the Code in a manner such that legal title was held by a 1031 exchange facilitator (an "Exchange Accommodator") until certain identified properties were sold and the deferred exchanges were completed. We retained all of the legal and economic benefits and obligations related to the Assembly Portfolio and Cascade at Landmark. As such, the Assembly Portfolio and Cascade at Landmark were considered to be variable interest entities until legal title was transferred to us upon completion of the 1031 exchanges, which occurred during the third quarter of 2019. We consolidated the assets and liabilities of the Assembly Portfolio and Cascade at Landmark because we determined that WashREIT was the primary beneficiary of these properties.
The results of operations from acquired operating properties are included in the consolidated statements of operations as of their acquisition dates.
The revenue and earnings of our acquisitions during their year of acquisition for the three years ended December 31, 2019 are as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Real estate rental revenue | $ | 27,641 | $ | 22,389 | $ | 14,518 | |||||
Net (loss) income | (10,167 | ) | 3,623 | 2,226 |
As discussed in note 2, we record the acquired physical assets (land, building and tenant improvements), in-place leases (absorption, tenant origination costs, leasing commissions, and net lease intangible assets/liabilities), and any other assumed liabilities on a relative fair value basis.
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We recorded the total cost of the above acquisitions as follows (in thousands):
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Land | $ | 92,391 | $ | 63,970 | $ | 45,981 | |||||
Buildings and improvements | 423,663 | 142,900 | 66,241 | ||||||||
Tenant origination costs | — | 13,625 | 12,084 | ||||||||
Leasing commissions/absorption costs | 15,474 | 27,465 | 23,161 | ||||||||
Net lease intangible assets | — | 3,142 | 498 | ||||||||
Net lease intangible liabilities | — | (545 | ) | (9,585 | ) | ||||||
Deferred tax liability | — | — | (560 | ) | |||||||
Total | $ | 531,528 | $ | 250,557 | $ | 137,820 |
As of December 31, 2019, the weighted remaining average life of the absorption costs was two months.
The difference in the total cost of the 2019 acquisitions of $531.5 million and the cash paid for the acquisitions per the consolidated statements of cash flows of $528.6 million is primarily due to credits received at settlement totaling $2.9 million.
The difference in the total contract purchase price of $250.0 million for the 2018 acquisition and cash paid for the acquisition per the consolidated statements of cash flows of $106.4 million is primarily due to a mortgage note assumed and repaid at settlement ($135.5 million), an acquisition deposit made during 2017 ($6.3 million), and a net credit to the buyer for certain expenditures ($2.4 million), partially offset by capitalized acquisition related costs ($0.6 million).
The difference in the total contract price of $135.0 million for the 2017 acquisition and cash paid for the acquisition per the consolidated statements of cash flows of $138.4 million is primarily due to capitalized acquisition-related costs ($2.8 million) and a net credit to the buyer for certain expenditures ($1.0 million), partially offset by the issuance of 12,124 operating partnership units (“Operating Partnership Units”) as part of the consideration ($0.4 million). The Operating Partnership Units are units in WashREIT Watergate 600 OP LP, a consolidated subsidiary of WashREIT. These Operating Partnership Units may be redeemed for either cash equal to the fair market value of a share of WashREIT common stock at the time of redemption (based on a 20-day average price) or, at the option of WashREIT, one registered or unregistered share of WashREIT common stock. In connection with the 2017 acquisition, we granted registration rights to the two contributors of the Watergate 600 property relating to the resale of any shares issued upon exchange of Operating Partnership Units pursuant to a shelf registration statement that we had an obligation to make available to the contributors approximately one year after the issuance of the Operating Partnership Units. This shelf registration statement was filed on March 8, 2018.
Balances, net of accumulated depreciation or amortization, as appropriate, of the components of the fair value of in-place leases at December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows (in thousands):
December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Carrying Value | Accumulated Amortization | Net | Gross Carrying Value | Accumulated Amortization | Net | ||||||||||||||||||
Tenant origination costs | $ | 50,155 | $ | 33,364 | $ | 16,791 | $ | 57,897 | $ | 36,570 | $ | 21,327 | |||||||||||
Leasing commissions/absorption costs | 122,348 | 92,401 | 29,947 | 114,354 | 77,194 | 37,160 | |||||||||||||||||
Net lease intangible assets | 15,183 | 11,964 | 3,219 | 16,353 | 11,947 | 4,406 | |||||||||||||||||
Net lease intangible liabilities | 29,836 | 20,854 | 8,982 | 31,124 | 20,016 | 11,108 | |||||||||||||||||
Below-market ground lease intangible asset | 12,080 | 2,282 | 9,798 | 12,080 | 2,093 | 9,987 |
Amortization of these combined components during the three years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense | $ | 27,123 | $ | 22,361 | $ | 13,996 | |||||
Real estate rental revenue increase, net | (924 | ) | (1,225 | ) | (776 | ) | |||||
$ | 26,199 | $ | 21,136 | $ | 13,220 |
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Amortization of these combined components over the next five years is projected to be as follows (in thousands):
Depreciation and amortization expense | Real estate rental revenue, net increase | Total | |||||||||
2020 | $ | 9,975 | $ | (406 | ) | $ | 9,569 | ||||
2021 | 8,576 | (547 | ) | 8,029 | |||||||
2022 | 8,078 | (736 | ) | 7,342 | |||||||
2023 | 6,032 | (974 | ) | 5,058 | |||||||
2024 | 5,264 | (862 | ) | 4,402 | |||||||
Thereafter | 18,611 | (2,238 | ) | 16,373 |
Properties Sold and Held for Sale
We intend to hold our properties for investment with a view to long-term appreciation, to engage in the business of acquiring, developing and owning our properties, and to make occasional sales of the properties that no longer meet our long-term strategy or return objectives and where market conditions for sale are favorable. The proceeds from the sales may be reinvested into other properties, used to fund development operations or to support other corporate needs, or distributed to our shareholders. Depreciation on these properties is discontinued when classified as held for sale, but operating revenues, other operating expenses and interest continue to be recognized through the date of sale.
We classified as held for sale or sold our interests in the following properties during the three years ended December 31, 2019:
Disposition Date | Property | Type | # of units (unaudited) | Rentable Square Feet (unaudited) | Contract Sale Price (in thousands) | (Loss) Gain on Sale (in thousands) | ||||||||||||
June 26, 2019 | Quantico Corporate Center (1) | Office | N/A | 272,000 | $ | 33,000 | $ | (1,046 | ) | |||||||||
July 23, 2019 | Shopping Center Portfolio (2) | Retail | N/A | 800,000 | 485,250 | 333,023 | ||||||||||||
August 21, 2019 | Frederick Crossing and Frederick County Square | Retail | N/A | 520,000 | 57,500 | 9,507 | ||||||||||||
August 27, 2019 | Centre at Hagerstown | Retail | N/A | 330,000 | 23,500 | (3,506 | ) | |||||||||||
December 19, 2019 | 1776 G Street | Office | N/A | 262,000 | 129,500 | 61,007 | ||||||||||||
N/A | John Marshall II | Office | N/A | 223,000 | 63,350 | N/A | ||||||||||||
Total 2019 | 2,407,000 | $ | 792,100 | $ | 398,985 | |||||||||||||
January 19, 2018 | Braddock Metro Center | Office | N/A | 356,000 | $ | 93,000 | $ | — | ||||||||||
June 28, 2018 | 2445 M Street | Office | N/A | 292,000 | 101,600 | 2,495 | ||||||||||||
Total 2018 | 648,000 | $ | 194,600 | $ | 2,495 | |||||||||||||
October 23, 2017 | Walker House Apartments | Multifamily | 212 | N/A | $ | 32,200 | $ | 23,838 | ||||||||||
Total 2017 | $ | 32,200 | $ | 23,838 |
______________________________
(1) | Consists of 925 and 1000 Corporate Drive. |
(2) | Consists of five retail properties: Gateway Overlook, Wheaton Park, Olney Village Center, Bradlee Shopping Center and Shoppes of Foxchase. |
We have fully transferred control of the assets associated with these disposed properties and do not have continuing involvement in the operations of these properties.
During the second quarter of 2019, we sold Quantico Corporate Center, an office property in Stafford, Virginia, consisting of two office buildings totaling 272,000 square feet, for a contract sale price of $33.0 million, recognizing a loss on sale of real estate of $1.0 million. Prior to the sale, due to the negotiations to sell the property, we evaluated Quantico Corporate Center for impairment and recognized an $8.4 million impairment charge during the first quarter of 2019 in order to reduce the carrying value of the property to its estimated fair value. We based this fair valuation on the expected sale price from a potential sale. There were few observable market transactions for similar properties. This fair valuation falls into Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy due to its reliance on a quoted price in a market that is not active.
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In June 2019, we entered into two separate purchase and sale agreements with two separate buyers to sell the Shopping Center Portfolio and the Power Center Portfolio (Frederick Crossing, Frederick County Square and Centre at Hagerstown). As of June 30, 2019, we received a non-refundable deposit from the potential buyer of the Shopping Center Portfolio and expected to receive a non-refundable deposit from the potential buyer of the Power Center Portfolio in July 2019. As of June 30, 2019, the properties in the Retail Portfolio (as defined below) met the criteria for classification as held for sale.
We closed on the Shopping Center Portfolio sale transaction on July 23, 2019, recognizing a gain on sale of real estate of $333.0 million. Prior to closing on the disposition of the Shopping Center Portfolio, we prepaid the mortgage note secured by Olney Village Center (a property in the Shopping Center Portfolio), incurring a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $0.8 million, which we recognized in the third quarter of 2019.
In the third quarter of 2019, the purchase and sale agreement to sell the Power Center Portfolio was amended to include only Frederick Crossing and Frederick County Square. We closed on the sales of these assets on August 21, 2019, recognizing a gain on sale of real estate of $9.5 million. Following the amendment to the purchase and sale agreement to sell the Power Center Portfolio, we marketed Centre at Hagerstown for sale and identified a separate buyer. We closed on the sale of this asset on August 27, 2019, recognizing a loss on sale of real estate of $3.5 million.
References to the “Retail Portfolio” include the Shopping Center Portfolio and the Power Center Portfolio. The disposition of the Retail Portfolio represents a strategic shift that had a major effect on our financial results and we have accordingly reported the Retail Portfolio as discontinued operations. The Retail Portfolio represents assets generating a majority of the revenue from our retail properties and we have determined that our retail line of business is no longer a reportable segment (see note 14).
In October 2019, we renewed and extended our lease with the World Bank at 1776 G Street NW, an office property in Washington, DC, through December 31, 2025. In December 2019, we sold the property to the World Bank for a contract sale price of $129.5 million, recognizing a gain on sale of real estate of $61.0 million.
In December 2019, we executed a purchase and sale agreement to sell John Marshall II for a contract sale price of $63.4 million. We anticipate settlement in the first quarter of 2020, however, there can be no assurances that this proposed sale will be consummated. Upon execution of the purchase and sale agreement, the property met the criteria for classification as held for sale.
During the first quarter of 2018, we sold Braddock Metro Center, a 356,000 square foot office property in Alexandria, Virginia for a contract sales price of $93.0 million. Due to then-ongoing negotiations to sell the property, we evaluated Braddock Metro Center for impairment and recognized a $9.1 million impairment charge during 2017 in order to reduce the carrying value of the property to its estimated fair value, less selling costs. We based this fair valuation on the expected sale price from a potential sale. There are few observable market transactions for similar properties. This fair valuation falls into Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy due to its reliance on a quoted price in a market that is not active.
During the first quarter of 2018, we executed a purchase and sale agreement to sell 2445 M Street, a 292,000 square foot office property in Washington, DC, for a contract sales price of $100.0 million, with settlement originally scheduled for the third quarter of 2018. During 2017, we evaluated 2445 M Street for impairment and recognized a $24.1 million impairment charge in order to reduce the carrying value of the property to its estimated fair value. Upon execution of the purchase and sale agreement, the property met the criteria for classification as held for sale. Due to the property’s classification as held for sale, we recorded an additional impairment charge of $1.9 million in the first quarter of 2018 in order to reduce the carrying value of the property to its estimated fair value, less estimated selling costs. We based this fair value on the expected sales price from a potential sale. There are few observable market transactions for similar properties. This fair valuation falls into Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy due to its reliance on a quoted price in a market that is not active. During the second quarter of 2018, we executed an amendment to the purchase and sale agreement which increased the contract sales price to $101.6 million and advanced the settlement date. On June 28, 2018, we sold 2445 M Street, recognizing a gain on sale of real estate of $2.5 million.
During the second quarter of 2017, we executed a purchase and sale agreement for the sale of Walker House Apartments, a 212- unit multifamily property in Gaithersburg, Maryland, for a contract sales price of $32.2 million. We closed on the sale during the fourth quarter of 2017, recognizing a gain on sale of $23.8 million.
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Discontinued Operations
The results of the Retail Portfolio are classified as discontinued operations and are summarized as follows (amounts in thousands, except for share data):
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Real estate rental revenue | $ | 28,200 | $ | 45,160 | $ | 44,797 | |||||
Real estate expenses | (6,803 | ) | (10,638 | ) | (10,251 | ) | |||||
Depreciation and amortization | (4,926 | ) | (9,402 | ) | (10,626 | ) | |||||
Interest expense | (313 | ) | (643 | ) | (740 | ) | |||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt | (764 | ) | — | — | |||||||
Gain on sale of real estate | 339,024 | — | — | ||||||||
Income from discontinued operations | $ | 354,418 | $ | 24,477 | $ | 23,180 | |||||
Basic net income per share | $ | 4.39 | $ | 0.31 | $ | 0.30 | |||||
Diluted net income per share | $ | 4.39 | $ | 0.31 | $ | 0.30 | |||||
Capital expenditures | $ | 809 | $ | 2,138 | $ | 1,601 |
All assets related to the Retail Portfolio were sold as of December 31, 2019. As of December 31, 2018, assets related to the Retail Portfolio were as follows (in thousands):
Land | $ | 88,087 | |
Income producing property | 216,577 | ||
304,664 | |||
Accumulated depreciation and amortization | (101,254 | ) | |
Income producing property, net | 203,410 | ||
Rents and other receivables | 9,898 | ||
Prepaid expenses and other assets | 8,653 | ||
Total assets | $ | 221,961 |
All liabilities related to the Retail Portfolio were sold as of December 31, 2019. As of December 31, 2018, liabilities related to the Retail Portfolio were as follows (in thousands):
Mortgage notes payable, net | $ | 11,515 | |
Accounts payable and other liabilities | 1,620 | ||
Advance rents | 1,771 | ||
Tenant security deposits | 612 | ||
Liabilities related to properties sold or held for sale | $ | 15,518 |
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NOTE 4: LEASE ACCOUNTING
Leasing as a Lessor
Future Minimum Rental Income
As of December 31, 2019, non-cancelable commercial operating leases provide for future minimum rental income from continuing operations as follows (in thousands):
2020 | $ | 139,053 | ||
2021 | 133,907 | |||
2022 | 120,491 | |||
2023 | 102,877 | |||
2024 | 91,253 | |||
Thereafter | 301,974 | |||
$ | 889,555 |
Apartment leases are not included as the terms are generally for one year or less. Rental income under most of these commercial leases increase in future years based on agreed-upon percentages or in some instances, changes in the Consumer Price Index.
Leasing as a Lessee
2000 M Street, an office property in Washington, DC, is subject to an operating ground lease with a remaining term of 51 years. Rental payments under this lease are subject to percentage rent variable payments, which are not included as part of our measurement of straight-line rental expense. We recognized straight-line rental expense of $0.3 million and variable rental payments of $0.9 million during each of the three years ended December 31, 2019.
Upon adoption of ASU 2016-02, we recognized a right-of-use asset (included in Income producing property) and lease liability (included in Accounts payable and other liabilities) of $4.2 million. We used a discount rate of approximately 5.9%, which was derived from our assessment of securitized rates for similar assets and credit quality. We recognized $0.3 million of right-of-use asset and lease liability amortization during 2019. In addition, as of January 1, 2019, we reclassified the associated below-market ground lease intangible asset of $10.0 million, net of accumulated amortization of $2.1 million, from Prepaid expenses and other assets to Income producing property on our consolidated balance sheets.
The following table sets forth the undiscounted cash flows of our scheduled obligations for future minimum payments on our operating ground lease as of December 31, 2019 and a reconciliation of those cash flows to the operating lease liability as of December 31, 2019 (in thousands):
2020 | $ | 260 | ||
2021 | 260 | |||
2022 | 260 | |||
2023 | 260 | |||
2024 | 260 | |||
Thereafter | 11,895 | |||
13,195 | ||||
Imputed interest | (9,225 | ) | ||
Lease liability | $ | 3,970 |
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NOTE 5: MORTGAGE NOTE PAYABLE
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had outstanding mortgage notes payable, collateralized by a building and related land from our portfolio, as follows (in thousands):
December 31, | |||||||||||||||
Properties | Assumption/Issuance Date (1) | Effective Interest Rate (2) | 2019 | 2018 | Payoff Date | ||||||||||
Yale West (3) | 2/21/2014 | 3.75 | % | $ | 45,654 | $ | 46,155 | 1/31/2020 | |||||||
Premiums and discounts, net | 1,470 | 2,187 | |||||||||||||
Debt issuance costs, net | (50 | ) | (65 | ) | |||||||||||
$ | 47,074 | $ | 48,277 |
______________________________
(1) | This mortgage was assumed with the acquisition of the collateralized property. We record mortgages assumed in an acquisition at fair value. |
(2) | Yield on the assumption/issuance date, including the effects of any premiums, discounts or fair value adjustments on the notes. |
(3) | The maturity date of the mortgage note was January 1, 2052, but was prepaid in January 2020. We incurred a gain on extinguishment of debt of $0.5 million in association with this prepayment. |
Except as noted above, principal and interest are payable monthly until the maturity date, at which time all unpaid principal and interest are payable in full.
Total cost basis of the above mortgaged properties was $77.4 million and $76.9 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
NOTE 6: UNSECURED LINES OF CREDIT PAYABLE
During the first quarter of 2018, we entered into an amended and restated credit agreement (“Credit Agreement”) which provides for a $700.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility (“Revolving Credit Facility”), the continuation of an existing $150.0 million unsecured term loan (“2015 Term Loan”) and an additional $250.0 million unsecured term loan (“2018 Term Loan”). The Revolving Credit Facility has a four-year term ending in March 2022, with two six-month extension options, and expands our prior $600.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility that was set to expire in June 2019. The Credit Agreement has an accordion feature that allows us to increase the facility up to $1.5 billion in the aggregate, to the extent the lenders agree to provide additional revolving loan commitments or term loans.
The 2015 Term Loan has a 5.5 year term and currently has an interest rate of one month LIBOR plus 110 basis points, based on WashREIT's current unsecured debt ratings. We entered into two interest rate swaps to effectively fix the interest rate at 2.7% (see note 8).
The 2018 Term Loan increases and replaces the $150.0 million unsecured term loan, initially entered into on July 22, 2016 (“2016 Term Loan”), that was scheduled to mature in July 2023. The 2018 Term Loan is scheduled to mature in July 2023 and bears interest at a rate of either one month LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 0.85% to 1.75% or the base rate plus a margin ranging from 0% to 0.75% (in each case depending upon WashREIT’s credit rating). We used the $100.0 million of additional proceeds from the 2018 Term Loan primarily to repay outstanding borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facility.
We had previously used interest rate derivatives to effectively fix the interest rate of the 2016 Term Loan. These interest rate derivatives now effectively fix the interest rate on a $150.0 million portion of the 2018 Term Loan at 2.31%. In March 2018, we entered into interest rate derivatives that commenced on June 29, 2018 to effectively fix the interest rate on the remaining $100.0 million of the 2018 Term Loan at 3.71%. The 2018 Term Loan has an all-in fixed interest rate of 2.87%.
The amount of the Revolving Credit Facility unused and available at December 31, 2019 was as follows (in thousands):
Committed capacity | $ | 700,000 | |
Borrowings outstanding | (56,000 | ) | |
Unused and available | $ | 644,000 |
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We executed borrowings and repayments on the Revolving Credit Facility during 2019 as follows (in thousands):
Balance at December 31, 2018 | $ | 188,000 | |
Borrowings | 687,000 | ||
Repayments | (819,000 | ) | |
Balance at December 31, 2019 | $ | 56,000 |
The Revolving Credit Facility bears interest at a rate of either one month LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 0.775% to 1.55% or the base rate plus a margin ranging from 0% to 0.55% (in each case depending upon WashREIT’s credit rating). The base rate is the highest of the administrative agent's prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.5% and the LIBOR market index rate plus 1.0%. In addition, the Revolving Credit Facility requires the payment of a facility fee ranging from 0.10% to 0.30% (depending on WashREIT’s credit rating) on the $700 million committed capacity, without regard to usage. As of December 31, 2019, the interest rate on the facility was LIBOR plus 1.00%, the one month LIBOR was 1.70% and the facility fee was 0.20%.
All outstanding advances for the Revolving Credit Facility are due and payable upon maturity in March 2022, unless extended pursuant to one or both of the two six-month extension options. Interest only payments are due and payable generally on a monthly basis.
For the three years ended December 31, 2019, we recognized interest expense (excluding facility fees) and facility fees as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Interest expense (excluding facility fees) | $ | 6,554 | $ | 6,843 | $ | 3,857 | |||||
Facility fees | 1,400 | 1,371 | 1,217 |
The Revolving Credit Facility contains and the prior unsecured credit facility that it replaced contained certain financial and non-financial covenants, all of which we have met as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. Included in these covenants are limits on our total indebtedness, secured and unsecured indebtedness and required debt service payments.
Information related to revolving credit facilities for the three years ended December 31, 2019 as follows (in thousands, except percentage amounts):
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Total revolving credit facilities at December 31 | $ | 700,000 | $ | 700,000 | $ | 600,000 | |||||
Borrowings outstanding at December 31 | 56,000 | 188,000 | 166,000 | ||||||||
Weighted average daily borrowings during the year | 196,074 | 230,934 | 179,633 | ||||||||
Maximum daily borrowings during the year | 300,000 | 429,000 | 252,000 | ||||||||
Weighted average interest rate during the year | 3.34 | % | 2.96 | % | 2.15 | % | |||||
Weighted average interest rate on borrowings outstanding at December 31 | 2.73 | % | 3.52 | % | 2.54 | % |
The covenants under our Revolving Credit Facility require us to insure our properties against loss or damage in amounts customarily maintained by similar businesses or as they may be required by applicable law. The covenants for the notes require us to keep all of our insurable properties insured against loss or damage at least equal to their then full insurable value. We have an insurance policy that has no terrorism exclusion, except for non-certified nuclear, chemical and biological acts of terrorism. Our financial condition and results of operations are subject to the risks associated with acts of terrorism and the potential for uninsured losses as the result of any such acts. Effective November 26, 2002, under this existing coverage, any losses caused by certified acts of terrorism would be partially reimbursed by the United States under a formula established by federal law. Under this formula, the United States pays 85% of covered terrorism losses exceeding the statutorily established deductible paid by the insurance provider, and insurers pay 10% until aggregate insured losses from all insurers reach $100 billion in a calendar year. If the aggregate amount of insured losses under this program exceeds $100 billion during the applicable period for all insured and insurers combined, then each insurance provider will not be liable for payment of any amount which exceeds the aggregate amount of $100 billion. On December 20, 2019, The Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2019 was signed into law, extending the program through December 31, 2027.
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NOTE 7: NOTES PAYABLE
Our unsecured notes and term loans outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows (in thousands):
Effective | December 31, | Payoff Date/ | |||||||||||||
Coupon/Stated Rate | Rate (1) | 2019 | 2018 | Maturity Date (2) | |||||||||||
10 Year Unsecured Notes | 4.95 | % | 5.05 | % | 250,000 | $ | 250,000 | 10/1/2020 | |||||||
2015 Term Loan | 1 Month LIBOR + 110 basis points | 2.72 | % | 150,000 | 150,000 | 3/15/2021 | |||||||||
10 Year Unsecured Notes | 3.95 | % | 4.02 | % | 300,000 | 300,000 | 10/15/2022 | ||||||||
2018 Term Loan (3) | 1 Month LIBOR + 110 basis points | 2.87 | % | 250,000 | 250,000 | 7/21/2023 | |||||||||
30 Year Unsecured Notes | 7.25 | % | 7.36 | % | 50,000 | 50,000 | 2/25/2028 | ||||||||
Total principal | 1,000,000 | 1,000,000 | |||||||||||||
Premiums and discounts, net | (797 | ) | (1,189 | ) | |||||||||||
Deferred issuance costs, net | (2,481 | ) | (3,414 | ) | |||||||||||
Total | $ | 996,722 | 995,397 |
______________________________
(1) | For fixed rate notes, the effective rate represents the yield on issuance date, including the effects of discounts on the notes. For variable rate notes, the effective rate represents the rate as fixed by interest rate derivatives (see note 8). |
(2) | No principal amounts are due prior to maturity. |
(3) | The 2018 Term Loan increased and replaced the 2016 Term Loan (see note 6). |
On April 30, 2019, we entered into a six-month, $450.0 million unsecured term loan facility (“2019 Term Loan”), maturing on October 30, 2019 with an option to extend for a six-month period. The 2019 Term Loan bore interest, at WashREIT’s option, at a rate of either LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 0.75% to 1.65% or the base rate plus a margin ranging 0.0% to 0.65% (in each case depending upon WashREIT’s credit rating). The base rate was the highest of the administrative agent’s prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.50% and the daily one-month LIBOR rate plus 1.0%. At WashREIT’s election, the 2019 Term Loan had an interest rate of one-week LIBOR plus 100 basis points, based on WashREIT’s current unsecured debt rating. The 2019 Term Loan was used to fund the acquisition of the Assembly Portfolio (see note 3). During the third quarter of 2019, we repaid the $450.0 million of borrowings on the 2019 Term Loan with proceeds from the sale of the Retail Portfolio (see note 3).
The required principal payments on the unsecured notes and term loans as of December 31, 2019 are as follows (in thousands):
2020 | $ | 250,000 | |
2021 | 150,000 | ||
2022 | 300,000 | ||
2023 | 250,000 | ||
2024 | — | ||
Thereafter | 50,000 | ||
$ | 1,000,000 |
Interest on these notes is payable semi-annually, except for the term loans, for which interest is payable monthly. These notes contain certain financial and non-financial covenants, all of which we have met as of December 31, 2019. Included in these covenants is the requirement to maintain a minimum level of unencumbered assets, as well as limits on our total indebtedness, secured indebtedness and required debt service payments.
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NOTE 8: DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
On September 15, 2015, we entered into two interest rate swap arrangements with a total notional amount of $150.0 million to swap the floating interest rate under the 2015 Term Loan (see note 7) to an all-in fixed interest rate of 2.72% starting on October 15, 2015 and extending until the maturity of the 2015 Term Loan on March 15, 2021.
On July 22, 2016, we entered into two forward interest rate swap arrangements with a total notional amount of $150.0 million to swap the floating interest rate under the 2016 Term Loan (see note 7) to an all-in fixed interest rate of 2.86%, starting on March 31, 2017 and extending until the scheduled maturity of the 2016 Term Loan on July 21, 2023.
On March 29, 2018, we entered into the $250.0 million 2018 Term Loan (see note 7) maturing on July 21, 2023, which increased and replaced the 2016 Term Loan. The interest rate swap arrangements that had effectively fixed the 2016 Term Loan now effectively fix the interest rate on a $150.0 million portion of the 2018 Term Loan at 2.31%. On March 29, 2018, we entered into four interest rate swap arrangements with a total notional amount of $100.0 million to effectively fix the interest rate on the remaining $100.0 million of the 2018 Term Loan at 3.71%, that commenced on June 29, 2018 and extending until the maturity of the 2018 Term Loan on July 21, 2023. The $250.0 million 2018 Term Loan has an all-in fixed interest rate of 2.87% (see note 6 and note 7).
In November 2019, we entered into four interest rate swap arrangements with a total notional amount of $200.0 million to reduce our exposure to adverse fluctuations in interest rates on the future debt to replace our $250.0 million of 4.95% 10-year unsecured notes maturing in 2020 (see note 7).
The interest rate swaps qualify as cash flow hedges and are recorded at fair value in accordance with GAAP, based on discounted cash flow methodologies and observable inputs. We record the effective portion of changes in fair value of the cash flow hedges in other comprehensive income. The resulting unrealized loss on the effective portions of the cash flow hedges was the only activity in other comprehensive income (loss) during the periods presented in our consolidated financial statements. We assess the effectiveness of our cash flow hedges both at inception and on an ongoing basis. The cash flow hedges were effective for 2019 and 2018 and hedge ineffectiveness did not impact earnings in 2019 and 2018.
The fair values of the interest rate swaps as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, are as follows (in thousands):
Aggregate Notional Amount | Effective Date | Fair Value | ||||||||||
Derivative Assets (Liabilities) | ||||||||||||
December 31, | ||||||||||||
Derivative Instrument | Maturity Date | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||
Interest rate swaps | $ | 150,000 | October 15, 2015 | March 15, 2021 | $ | (62 | ) | $ | 2,720 | |||
Interest rate swaps | 150,000 | March 31, 2017 | July 21, 2023 | 1,825 | 7,918 | |||||||
Interest rate swaps | 100,000 | June 29, 2018 | July 21, 2023 | (3,664 | ) | (799 | ) | |||||
Interest rate swaps | 200,000 | April 1, 2020 | April 1, 2030 | 3,724 | — | |||||||
$ | 600,000 | $ | 1,823 | $ | 9,839 |
We record interest rate swaps on our consolidated balance sheets with prepaid expenses and other assets when in a net asset position, and with accounts payable and other liabilities when in a net liability position. The interest rate swaps have been effective since inception. The gains or losses on the effective swaps are recognized in other comprehensive income, as follows (in thousands):
Year Ending December 31, | |||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Unrealized (loss) gain on interest rate hedges | $ | (8,016 | ) | $ | 420 | $ | 1,808 |
Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on our variable-rate debt. During the next twelve months, we estimate that $0.1 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense.
We have agreements with each of our derivative counterparties that contain a provision whereby we could be declared in default on our derivative obligations if repayment of the underlying indebtedness is accelerated by the lender due to our default on the indebtedness. As of December 31, 2019, the fair value of the derivative assets, including accrued interest, was $5.5 million, and the fair value of the derivative liabilities, including accrued interest, was $3.7 million. As of December 31, 2019, we have not
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posted any collateral related to these agreements.
Derivative instruments expose us to credit risk in the event of non-performance by the counterparty under the terms of the interest rate hedge agreement. We believe that we minimize our credit risk on these transactions by dealing with major, creditworthy financial institutions. We monitor the credit ratings of counterparties and our exposure to any single entity, thus minimizing our credit risk concentration.
NOTE 9: FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value
For assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, quantitative disclosures about the fair value measurements are required to be disclosed separately for each major category of assets and liabilities, as follows:
Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets
Level 2: Significant other observable inputs
Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs
The only assets or liabilities we had at December 31, 2019 and 2018 that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis are the assets held in the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP"), which primarily consists of investments in mutual funds, and the interest rate swaps (see note 8).
We base the valuations related to the SERP on assumptions derived from significant other observable inputs and accordingly these valuations fall into Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
The valuation of the interest rate swaps is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each interest rate swap. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the interest rate swaps, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities. The fair values of interest rate swaps are determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash payments (or receipts) and the discounted expected variable cash receipts (or payments). The variable cash payments (or receipts) are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves. To comply with the provisions of ASC 820, we incorporate credit valuation adjustments in the fair value measurements to appropriately reflect both our own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk. These credit valuation adjustments were concluded to not be significant inputs for the fair value calculations for the periods presented. In adjusting the fair value of our derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, we have considered the impact of netting and any applicable credit enhancements, such as the posting of collateral, thresholds, mutual puts and guarantees. The valuation of interest rate swaps fall into Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
The fair values of these assets and liabilities at December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows (in thousands):
December 31, 2019 | December 31, 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Fair Value | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SERP | $ | 1,792 | $ | — | $ | 1,792 | $ | — | $ | 1,364 | $ | — | $ | 1,364 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps | 5,549 | — | 5,549 | — | 10,638 | — | 10,638 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps | (3,726 | ) | — | (3,726 | ) | — | (799 | ) | — | (799 | ) | — |
Financial Assets and Liabilities Not Measured at Fair Value
The following disclosures of estimated fair value were determined by management using available market information and established valuation methodologies, including discounted cash flow models. Many of these estimates involve significant judgment. The estimated fair value disclosed may not necessarily be indicative of the amounts we could realize on disposition of the financial instruments. The use of different market assumptions or estimation methodologies could have an effect on the estimated fair value
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amounts. In addition, fair value estimates are made at a point in time and thus, estimates of fair value subsequent to December 31, 2019 may differ significantly from the amounts presented.
Below is a summary of significant methodologies used in estimating fair values and a schedule of fair values at December 31, 2019.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash include cash and commercial paper with original maturities of less than 90 days, which are valued at the carrying value, which approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments (Level 1 inputs).
Debt
Mortgage notes payable consist of instruments in which certain of our real estate assets are used for collateral. We estimate the fair value of the mortgage notes payable by discounting the contractual cash flows at a rate equal to the relevant treasury rates (with respect to the timing of each cash flow) plus credit spreads estimated through independent comparisons to real estate assets or loans with similar characteristics. Line of credit payable consist of bank facilities which we use for various purposes including working capital, acquisition funding and capital improvements. The line of credit advances and term loans with floating interest rates are priced at a specified rate plus a spread. We estimate the market value based on a comparison of the spreads of the advances to market given the adjustable base rate. We estimate the fair value of the notes payable by discounting the contractual cash flows at a rate equal to the relevant treasury rates (with respect to the timing of each cash flow) plus credit spreads derived using the relevant securities’ market prices. We classify these fair value measurements as Level 3 as we use significant unobservable inputs and management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices.
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the carrying values and estimated fair values of our financial instruments were as follows (in thousands):
December 31, | |||||||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||
Carrying Value | Fair Value | Carrying Value | Fair Value | ||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 12,939 | $ | 12,939 | $ | 6,016 | $ | 6,016 | |||||||
Restricted cash | 1,812 | 1,812 | 1,624 | 1,624 | |||||||||||
Mortgage notes payable | 47,074 | 47,899 | 48,277 | 48,368 | |||||||||||
Line of credit payable | 56,000 | 56,000 | 188,000 | 188,000 | |||||||||||
Notes payable | 996,722 | 1,022,937 | 995,397 | 1,015,210 |
The mortgage note secured by Olney Village Center was reclassified to Other liabilities related to properties held for sale prior to its prepayment during the third quarter of 2019 (see note 3). As of December 31, 2018, the carrying value and estimated fair value of the mortgage note secured by Olney Village Center were $11.5 million and $12.0 million, respectively.
NOTE 10: STOCK BASED COMPENSATION
WashREIT maintains short-term and long-term incentive plans that allow for stock-based awards to officers and non-officer employees. Stock based awards are provided to officers and non-officer employees, as well as trustees, under the Washington Real Estate Investment Trust 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan which allows for awards in the form of restricted shares, restricted share units, options, and other awards up to an aggregate of 2,400,000 shares over the ten year period in which the plan will be in effect. Restricted share units are converted into shares of our stock upon full vesting through the issuance of new shares. There were no options issued or outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
Short-Term Incentive Plan ("STIP")
Under the STIP, executive officers earn awards, payable 50% in cash and 50% in restricted shares, based on a percentage of salary and an achievement rating subject to the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the board of trustees in consideration of various performance conditions and other subjective factors during a one-year performance period. With respect to the 50% of the STIP award payable in restricted shares, the restricted shares will vest over a three-year period commencing on the January 1 following the end of the one-year performance period. Prior to the adoption of the 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan, stock based
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awards to officers, non-officer employees and trustees were issued under the Washington Real Estate Investment Trust 2007 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan which allowed for awards in the form of restricted shares, restricted share units, options and other awards up to an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares while the plan was in effect.
The grant date for the 50% of the STIP award payable in restricted shares is the date on which the Compensation Committee approves the STIP awards. We recognize compensation expense on this 50% when the grant date occurs at the end of the one-year period through the three-year vesting period.
Bonuses payable under the short-term incentive plans for non-executive officers and staff are payable 100% in cash.
Long-Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP")
Under the LTIP, executive officers earn awards payable, 75% in unrestricted shares and 25% in restricted shares, based on a percentage of salary and the achievement of certain market conditions. For performance periods beginning prior to January 1, 2018, LTIP performance was evaluated based 50% on absolute total shareholder return (“TSR”) and 50% on relative TSR over a three-year evaluation period with a new three-year period initiating under the existing plan each year. During the first quarter of 2018, we amended the LTIP for executive officers to eliminate the absolute TSR component and only utilize relative TSR in the measurement of market condition performance. Under the amended LTIP, relative TSR is evaluated 50% relative to a defined population of peer companies and 50% relative to the FTSE NAREIT Diversified Index. The amendment became effective for three-year performance periods commencing on or after January 1, 2018. The officers' total award opportunities under the LTIP stated as a percentage of base salary ranges from 80% to 150% at target level. The unrestricted shares vest immediately at the end of the three-year performance period, and the restricted shares vest over a one-year period commencing on the January 1 following the end of the three-year performance period.
We recognize compensation expense ratably (over three years for the 75% unrestricted shares and over four years for the 25% restricted shares) based on the grant date fair value, as determined using a Monte Carlo simulation, and regardless of whether the market conditions are achieved and the awards ultimately vest.
We use a binomial model which employs the Monte Carlo method as of the grant date to determine the fair value of the officer LTIP awards. For three-year performance periods commencing on or after January 1, 2018, the market condition performance measurement is based on total shareholder return relative to a defined population of peer companies (50% weighting) and relative to the FTSE NAREIT Diversified Index (50% weighting). The model evaluates the awards for changing total shareholder return over the term of the vesting, relative to the peer companies and relative to the FTSE NAREIT Diversified Index, and uses random simulations that are based on past stock characteristics as well as dividend growth and other factors for WashREIT and each of the peer companies. For three-year performance periods commencing prior to January 1, 2018, the market condition performance measurement was based on total shareholder return on an absolute basis (50% weighting) and relative to a defined population of peer companies (50% weighting).
The assumptions used to value the officer LTIP awards were as follows:
2019 Awards | 2018 Awards | 2017 Awards | ||||||
Expected volatility (1) | 18.1 | % | 17.9 | % | 18.5% - 18.7% | |||
Risk-free interest rate (2) | 2.4 | % | 2.4 | % | 1.5 | % | ||
Expected term (3) | 3 and 4 years | 3 and 4 years | 3 and 4 years | |||||
Share price at grant date | $23.00 | $26.06 | $30.84 - $32.69 |
(1) Expected volatility based upon historical volatility of our daily closing share price.
(2) Risk-free interest rate based on U.S. treasury constant maturity bonds on the measurement date with a maturity equal to the market condition performance period.
(3) Expected term based on the market condition performance period.
The calculated grant date fair value as a percentage of base salary for the officers for the three-year performance period that commenced in 2019 ranged from approximately 35% to 68% for the 50% of the LTIP based on TSR relative to a defined population of peer companies and from 39% to 74% for the 50% of the LTIP based on TSR relative to the FTSE NAREIT Diversified Index.
The calculated grant date fair value as a percentage of base salary for the officers for the three-year performance period that commenced in 2018 ranged from approximately 31% to 60% for the 50% of the LTIP based on TSR relative to a defined population of peer companies and from 35% to 68% for the 50% of the LTIP based on TSR relative to the FTSE NAREIT Diversified Index.
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The calculated grant date fair value as a percentage of base salary for the officers for the three-year performance period that commenced in 2017 ranged from approximately 37% to 67% for the 50% of the LTIP based on relative TSR and from 13% to 31% for the 50% of the LTIP based on absolute TSR.
During 2017, our chief executive officer was granted a one-time equity award of 100,000 restricted shares. None of the restricted shares vest until the fifth anniversary of the grant date, at which time 100% of the restricted shares will vest, subject to Mr. McDermott's continued employment with WashREIT until such vesting date.
Our non-executive officers and other employees earn restricted share unit awards under a long-term incentive plan for non-executive officers and staff based upon various percentages of their salaries and annual performance calculations. The restricted share unit awards vest ratably over three years from December 15 preceding the grant date based upon continued employment. We recognize compensation expense for these awards according to a graded vesting schedule over the three-year requisite service period.
During the first quarter of 2019, we amended the STIP for executive officers and the STIP and LTIP for non-executive officers and staff to replace the use of core funds available for distribution as a performance metric and performance goal, respectively, with a Leasing Target performance metric and performance goal. Leasing Target means the aggregate annual leasing target amount (measured in square feet of leasing space) as approved by the compensation committee of our board of trustees for a given performance period and performance year, respectively, with regards to our office and retail properties. The amendments became effective as of March 18, 2019 for performance periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019.
Restricted share awards made to retirement-eligible employees fully vest on the grant date. Employees are considered retirement-eligible when they are both over the age of 55 and have been employed by WashREIT for at least 20 years, or over the age of 65. We fully recognize compensation expense for such awards as of the grant date.
Trustee Awards
We award share based compensation to our trustees in the form of restricted shares which vest immediately and are restricted from sale for the period of the trustees' service. The value of share-based compensation for each trustee was $100,000 for each of three years ended December 31, 2019.
Total Compensation Expense
Total compensation expense recognized in the consolidated financial statements for each of the three years ended December 31, 2019 for all share based awards was $7.7 million, $6.7 million and $4.8 million, respectively, net of capitalized stock-based compensation expense of $0.2 million, $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
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Restricted Share Awards with Performance and Service Conditions
The activity for the three years ended December 31, 2019 related to our restricted share awards, excluding those subject to market conditions, was as follows:
Shares | Wtd Avg Grant Fair Value | |||||
Unvested at December 31, 2016 | 107,699 | $ | 26.47 | |||
Granted | 330,639 | 32.46 | ||||
Vested during year | (194,569 | ) | 30.50 | |||
Forfeited | (7,075 | ) | 27.43 | |||
Unvested at December 31, 2017 | 236,694 | 27.96 | ||||
Granted | 304,087 | 25.98 | ||||
Vested during year | (224,150 | ) | 27.40 | |||
Forfeited | (5,621 | ) | 29.43 | |||
Unvested at December 31, 2018 | 311,010 | 29.07 | ||||
Granted | 213,782 | 26.26 | ||||
Vested during year | (236,013 | ) | 27.43 | |||
Forfeited | (19,396 | ) | 26.60 | |||
Unvested at December 31, 2019 | 269,383 | 28.45 |
The total fair value of share grants vested for each of the three years ended December 31, 2019 was $6.5 million, $6.1 million and $5.9 million, respectively.
As of December 31, 2019, the total compensation cost related to non-vested share awards not yet recognized was $5.9 million, which we expect to recognize over a weighted average period of 22 months.
Restricted and Unrestricted Shares with Market Conditions
Stock based awards with market conditions under the LTIP were granted in 2019, 2018 and 2017 with fair market values, as determined using a Monte Carlo simulation, as follows (in thousands):
Grant Date Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2019 Awards | 2018 Awards | 2017 Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted | Unrestricted | Restricted | Unrestricted | Restricted | Unrestricted | ||||||||||||||||||
Relative Peer TSR | $ | 184 | $ | 552 | $ | 203 | $ | 608 | $ | 222 | $ | 666 | |||||||||||
Absolute/Index TSR (1) | 201 | 602 | 230 | 690 | 100 | 299 |
The unamortized value of these awards with market conditions as of December 31, 2019 was as follows (in thousands):
2019 Awards | 2018 Awards | 2017 Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted | Unrestricted | Restricted | Unrestricted | Restricted | Unrestricted | ||||||||||||||||||
Relative Peer TSR | $ | 138 | $ | 368 | $ | 85 | $ | 171 | $ | 44 | $ | — | |||||||||||
Absolute/Index TSR (1) | 151 | 401 | 96 | 194 | 20 | — |
______________________________
(1) | The performance conditions for the 2019 and 2018 awards were evaluated based on 50% on TSR relative to a defined population of peer companies and 50% on TSR relative to the FTSE NAREIT Diversified Index. The performance condition for the 2017 awards was evaluated based 50% on absolute TSR and 50% on relative TSR. |
NOTE 11: OTHER BENEFIT PLANS
We have a Retirement Savings Plan (the “401(k) Plan”), which permits all eligible employees to defer a portion of their compensation in accordance with the Code. Under the 401(k) Plan, we may make discretionary contributions on behalf of eligible employees. For each of the three years ended December 31, 2019, we made contributions to the 401(k) plan of $0.5 million, $0.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively.
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We have adopted non-qualified deferred compensation plans for the officers and members of the board of trustees. The plans allow for a deferral of a percentage of annual cash compensation and trustee fees. The plans are unfunded and payments are to be made out of the general assets of WashREIT. The deferred compensation liability was $0.9 million and $1.1 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
In November 2005, the board of trustees approved the establishment of a SERP for the benefit of officers. This is a defined contribution plan under which, upon a participant's termination of employment from WashREIT for any reason other than discharge for cause, the participant will be entitled to receive a benefit equal to the participant's accrued benefit times the participant's vested interest. We account for this plan in accordance with ASC 710-10 and ASC 320-10, whereby the investments are reported at fair value, and unrealized holding gains and losses are included in earnings. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the accrued benefit liability was $1.8 million and $1.4 million, respectively. For each of the three years ended December 31, 2019, we recognized current service cost of $0.2 million, $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively.
NOTE 12: EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
We determine “Basic earnings per share” using the two-class method as our unvested restricted share awards and units have non-forfeitable rights to dividends, and are therefore considered participating securities. We compute basic earnings per share by dividing net income attributable to the controlling interest less the allocation of undistributed earnings to unvested restricted share awards and units by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period.
We also determine “Diluted earnings per share” as the more dilutive of the two-class method or the treasury stock method with respect to the unvested restricted share awards. We further evaluate any other potentially dilutive securities at the end of the period and adjust the basic earnings per share calculation for the impact of those securities that are dilutive. Our dilutive earnings per share calculation includes the dilutive impact of operating partnership units under the if-converted method and our share based awards with performance conditions prior to the grant date and all market condition awards under the contingently issuable method.
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The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three years ended December 31, 2019 was as follows (in thousands; except per share data):
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Numerator: | |||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | 29,132 | $ | 1,153 | $ | (3,568 | ) | ||||
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | 56 | ||||||||
Allocation of losses (earnings) from continuing operations to unvested restricted share awards | (125 | ) | (526 | ) | (362 | ) | |||||
Adjusted income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the controlling interests | 29,007 | 627 | (3,874 | ) | |||||||
Income from discontinued operations, including gain on sale of real estate | 354,418 | 24,477 | 23,180 | ||||||||
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | — | ||||||||
Allocation of earnings from discontinued operations to unvested restricted share awards | (1,837 | ) | — | — | |||||||
Adjusted income from discontinued operations | 352,581 | 24,477 | 23,180 | ||||||||
Adjusted net income attributable to the controlling interests | $ | 381,588 | $ | 25,104 | $ | 19,306 | |||||
Denominator: | |||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic | 80,257 | 78,960 | 76,820 | ||||||||
Effect of dilutive securities: | |||||||||||
Operating partnership units | 12 | 12 | — | ||||||||
Employee restricted share awards | 66 | 70 | — | ||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted | 80,335 | 79,042 | 76,820 | ||||||||
Earnings per common share, basic: | |||||||||||
Continuing operations | $ | 0.36 | $ | 0.01 | $ | (0.05 | ) | ||||
Discontinued operations | 4.39 | 0.31 | 0.30 | ||||||||
Basic net income attributable to the controlling interests per common share | $ | 4.75 | $ | 0.32 | $ | 0.25 | |||||
Earnings per common share, diluted: | |||||||||||
Continuing operations | $ | 0.36 | $ | 0.01 | $ | (0.05 | ) | ||||
Discontinued operations | 4.39 | 0.31 | 0.30 | ||||||||
Diluted net income attributable to the controlling interests per common share | $ | 4.75 | $ | 0.32 | $ | 0.25 | |||||
Dividends declared per common share | $ | 1.20 | $ | 1.20 | $ | 1.20 |
NOTE 13: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Development Commitments
At December 31, 2019, we had no committed contracts outstanding with third parties in connection with our development and redevelopment projects.
Litigation
We are involved from time to time in various legal proceedings, lawsuits, examinations by various tax authorities and claims that have arisen in the ordinary course of business. Management believes that the resolution of any such current matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
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NOTE 14: SEGMENT INFORMATION
We evaluate real estate performance and allocate resources by property type and have two reportable segments: office and multifamily. Office properties provide office space for various types of businesses and professions. Multifamily properties provide rental housing for individuals and families throughout the Washington metro region. We previously had a retail segment consisting of grocery store-anchored neighborhood centers that include other small shop tenants and regional power centers with several junior box tenants. During 2019, we executed the sales of eight retail properties (see note 3). These properties met the criteria for classification as held for sale as of June 30, 2019 and are classified as discontinued operations. This strategic shift simplified our portfolio to two reportable segments (office and multifamily) and reduced our exposure to future retail lease expirations. The remaining retail properties do not meet the qualitative or quantitative criteria for a reportable segment, and are classified within “Corporate and other” on our segment disclosure tables. The dispositions of the eight retail properties are part of a strategic shift away from the retail sector.
Real estate rental revenue as a percentage of the total for each of the reportable operating segments for the three years ended December 31, 2019 was as follows:
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
Multifamily | 41 | % | 33 | % | 34 | % | ||
Office | 53 | % | 61 | % | 60 | % | ||
Corporate and other | 6 | % | 6 | % | 6 | % |
The percentage of income producing real estate assets classified as held and used, at cost, for each of the reportable operating segments as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:
December 31, | |||||
2019 | 2018 | ||||
Multifamily | 50 | % | 36 | % | |
Office | 45 | % | 58 | % | |
Corporate and other | 5 | % | 6 | % |
The accounting policies of each of the segments are the same as those described in note 2.
We evaluate performance based upon net operating income from the combined properties in each segment. Our reportable operating segments are consolidations of similar properties. GAAP requires that segment disclosures present the measure(s) used by the chief operating decision maker for purposes of assessing segments’ performance. Net operating income is a key measurement of our segment profit and loss. Net operating income is defined as segment real estate rental revenue less segment real estate expenses.
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The following tables present revenues, net operating income, capital expenditures and total assets for the three years ended December 31, 2019 from these segments, and reconciles net operating income of reportable segments to net income attributable to the controlling interests as reported (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
Office | Multifamily | Corporate and Other (1) | Consolidated | ||||||||||||
Real estate rental revenue | $ | 164,059 | $ | 126,131 | $ | 18,990 | $ | 309,180 | |||||||
Real estate expenses | 60,923 | 49,135 | 5,522 | 115,580 | |||||||||||
Net operating income | $ | 103,136 | $ | 76,996 | $ | 13,468 | $ | 193,600 | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization | (136,253 | ) | |||||||||||||
General and administrative | (24,370 | ) | |||||||||||||
Lease origination expenses | (1,698 | ) | |||||||||||||
Interest expense | (53,734 | ) | |||||||||||||
Real estate impairment | (8,374 | ) | |||||||||||||
Gain on sale of real estate | 59,961 | ||||||||||||||
Discontinued operations: | |||||||||||||||
Income from properties sold or held for sale | 16,158 | ||||||||||||||
Gain on sale of real estate | 339,024 | ||||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt | (764 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net income | 383,550 | ||||||||||||||
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | ||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to the controlling interests | $ | 383,550 | |||||||||||||
Capital expenditures | $ | 38,634 | $ | 25,779 | $ | 4,534 | $ | 68,947 | |||||||
Total assets | $ | 1,134,147 | $ | 1,340,634 | $ | 153,547 | $ | 2,628,328 |
Year Ended December 31, 2018 | |||||||||||||||
Office | Multifamily | Corporate and Other (1) | Consolidated | ||||||||||||
Real estate rental revenue | $ | 178,474 | $ | 95,194 | $ | 18,062 | $ | 291,730 | |||||||
Real estate expenses | 63,321 | 37,235 | 5,036 | 105,592 | |||||||||||
Net operating income | $ | 115,153 | $ | 57,959 | $ | 13,026 | $ | 186,138 | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization | (111,826 | ) | |||||||||||||
General and administrative | (22,089 | ) | |||||||||||||
Real estate impairment | (1,886 | ) | |||||||||||||
Interest expense | (50,501 | ) | |||||||||||||
Gain on sale of real estate | 2,495 | ||||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt | (1,178 | ) | |||||||||||||
Discontinued operations: | |||||||||||||||
Income from properties sold or held for sale | 24,477 | ||||||||||||||
Net income | 25,630 | ||||||||||||||
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | ||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to the controlling interests | $ | 25,630 | |||||||||||||
Capital expenditures | $ | 42,019 | $ | 25,117 | $ | 4,897 | $ | 72,033 | |||||||
Total assets | $ | 1,248,673 | $ | 792,170 | $ | 376,261 | $ | 2,417,104 |
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Year Ended December 31, 2017 | |||||||||||||||
Office | Multifamily | Corporate and Other (1) | Consolidated | ||||||||||||
Real estate rental revenue | $ | 167,438 | $ | 95,250 | $ | 17,593 | $ | 280,281 | |||||||
Real estate expenses | 62,824 | 37,640 | 4,936 | 105,400 | |||||||||||
Net operating income | $ | 104,614 | $ | 57,610 | $ | 12,657 | $ | 174,881 | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization | (101,430 | ) | |||||||||||||
General and administrative | (22,580 | ) | |||||||||||||
Casualty gain | (33,152 | ) | |||||||||||||
Interest expense | (46,793 | ) | |||||||||||||
Other income | 507 | ||||||||||||||
Gain on sale of real estate | 24,915 | ||||||||||||||
Income tax benefit | 84 | ||||||||||||||
Discontinued operations: | |||||||||||||||
Income from properties sold or held for sale | 23,180 | ||||||||||||||
Net income | 19,612 | ||||||||||||||
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | 56 | ||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to the controlling interests | $ | 19,668 | |||||||||||||
Capital expenditures | $ | 30,407 | $ | 27,980 | $ | 5,994 | $ | 64,381 | |||||||
Total assets | $ | 1,203,187 | $ | 767,279 | $ | 388,960 | $ | 2,359,426 |
______________________________
(1) | Includes the retail properties not classified as discontinued operations: Takoma Park, Westminster, Concord Centre, Chevy Chase Metro Plaza, 800 S. Washington Street, Randolph Shopping Center, Montrose Shopping Center and Spring Valley Village, and total assets and capital expenditures include all retail properties, including those classified as discontinued operations. |
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NOTE 15: SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
Unaudited financial data by quarter in each of the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows (in thousands, except for per share data):
Quarter(1), (2) | |||||||||||||||
First | Second | Third | Fourth | ||||||||||||
2019 | |||||||||||||||
Real estate rental revenue | $ | 71,434 | $ | 76,820 | $ | 80,259 | $ | 80,667 | |||||||
(Loss) income from continuing operations | $ | (10,443 | ) | $ | (6,191 | ) | $ | (8,432 | ) | $ | 54,198 | ||||
Net (loss) income | $ | (4,405 | ) | $ | 987 | $ | 332,770 | $ | 54,198 | ||||||
Net (loss) income attributable to the controlling interests | $ | (4,405 | ) | $ | 987 | $ | 332,770 | $ | 54,198 | ||||||
(Loss) income from continuing operations per share | |||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | (0.13 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | 0.66 | ||||
Diluted | $ | (0.13 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | 0.66 | ||||
Net income per share | |||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | (0.06 | ) | $ | 0.01 | $ | 4.14 | $ | 0.66 | ||||||
Diluted | $ | (0.06 | ) | $ | 0.01 | $ | 4.14 | $ | 0.66 | ||||||
2018 | |||||||||||||||
Real estate rental revenue | $ | 73,645 | $ | 75,344 | $ | 71,001 | $ | 71,740 | |||||||
(Loss) income from continuing operations | $ | (2,559 | ) | $ | 4,563 | $ | (547 | ) | $ | (304 | ) | ||||
Net income | $ | 3,299 | $ | 10,750 | $ | 5,893 | $ | 5,688 | |||||||
Net income attributable to the controlling interests | $ | 3,299 | $ | 10,750 | $ | 5,893 | $ | 5,688 | |||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations per share | |||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | 0.06 | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | — | |||||
Diluted | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | 0.06 | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | — | |||||
Net income per share | |||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.04 | $ | 0.14 | $ | 0.07 | $ | 0.07 | |||||||
Diluted | $ | 0.04 | $ | 0.13 | $ | 0.07 | $ | 0.07 |
______________________________
(1) | With regard to per share calculations, the sum of the quarterly results may not equal full year results due to rounding. |
(2) | The second quarter of 2019 includes a loss on sale of real estate of $1.0 million. The third and fourth quarters of 2019 include gains on sale of real estate of $339.0 million and $61.0 million, respectively. The second quarter of 2018 includes a gain on sale of real estate of $2.5 million. The first quarter of 2019 and first quarter of 2018 include real estate impairments of $8.4 million and $1.9 million, respectively. |
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NOTE 16: SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
On May 4, 2018, we entered into eight separate equity distribution agreements (collectively, the “2018 Equity Distribution Agreements”) with each of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC, Capital One Securities, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. relating to the issuance of up to $250.0 million of our common shares from time to time under our at-the-market program. Issuances of our common shares are made at market prices prevailing at the time of issuance. We may use net proceeds from the issuance of common shares under this program for general business purposes, including, without limitation, working capital, the acquisition, renovation, expansion, improvement, development or redevelopment of income producing properties or the repayment of debt. Our issuances and net proceeds on the 2018 Equity Distribution Agreements for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows (in thousands; except per share data):
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
2019 | 2018 | ||||||
Issuance of common shares | 1,859 | 1,165 | |||||
Weighted average price per share | $ | 30.00 | $ | 31.18 | |||
Net proceeds | $ | 54,916 | $ | 35,472 |
The 2018 Equity Distribution Agreements replaced our previous equity distribution agreements with Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and RBC Capital Markets LLC, dated June 23, 2015. We did not issue any common shares on the previous equity distribution agreements during 2018. For the year ended December 31, 2017, we issued 3.6 million common shares at a weighted average price per share of $32.06 for net proceeds of $113.2 million on the previous equity distribution agreements.
We have a dividend reinvestment program, whereby shareholders may use their dividends and optional cash payments to purchase common shares. The common shares sold under this program may either be common shares issued by us or common shares purchased in the open market. Net proceeds under this program are used for general corporate purposes.
Our issuances and net proceeds on the dividend reinvestment program for the three years ended December 31, 2019 were as follows (in thousands; except per share data):
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Issuance of common shares | 173 | 81 | 80 | ||||||||
Weighted average price per share | $ | 27.58 | $ | 29.18 | $ | 32.25 | |||||
Net proceeds | $ | 4,755 | $ | 1,973 | $ | 2,576 |
NOTE 17: DEFERRED COSTS
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, deferred leasing costs and deferred leasing incentives were included in prepaid expenses and other assets as follows (in thousands):
December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Carrying Value | Accumulated Amortization | Net | Gross Carrying Value | Accumulated Amortization | Net | ||||||||||||||||||
Deferred leasing costs | $ | 60,900 | $ | 29,580 | $ | 31,320 | $ | 63,659 | $ | 31,438 | $ | 32,221 | |||||||||||
Deferred leasing incentives | 18,926 | 11,133 | 7,793 | 22,801 | 12,311 | 10,490 |
Amortization, including write-offs, of deferred leasing costs and deferred leasing incentives for the three years ended December 31, 2019 were as follows (in thousands):
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Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Deferred leasing costs amortization | $ | 6,599 | $ | 5,881 | $ | 5,784 | |||||
Deferred leasing incentives amortization | 2,862 | 2,811 | 3,009 |
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SCHEDULE II
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019, 2018 AND 2017
(IN THOUSANDS)
Balance at Beginning of Year | Additions Charged to Expenses | Net Recoveries | Balance at End of Year | ||||||||||||
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets | |||||||||||||||
2019 | $ | 1,419 | $ | — | $ | (17 | ) | $ | 1,402 | ||||||
2018 | $ | 1,413 | $ | 6 | $ | — | $ | 1,419 | |||||||
2017 | $ | 2,882 | $ | — | $ | (1,469 | ) | $ | 1,413 |
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SCHEDULE III
Initial Cost (b) | Net Improvements (Retirement) since Acquisition | Gross Amounts at Which Carried at December 31, 2019 | Accumulated Depreciation at December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Properties | Location | Land | Buildings and Improvements | Land | Buildings and Improvements | Total (c) | Year of Construction | Date of Acquisition | Net Rentable Square Feet | Units | Depreciation Life (d) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Multifamily Properties | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3801 Connecticut Avenue | Washington, DC | $ | 420,000 | $ | 2,678,000 | $ | 19,357,000 | $ | 420,000 | $ | 22,035,000 | $ | 22,455,000 | $ | 13,543,000 | 1951 | Jan 1963 | 178,000 | 307 | 30 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Roosevelt Towers | Virginia | 336,000 | 1,996,000 | 13,659,000 | 336,000 | 15,655,000 | 15,991,000 | 11,418,000 | 1964 | May 1965 | 170,000 | 191 | 40 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Park Adams | Virginia | 287,000 | 1,654,000 | 13,636,000 | 287,000 | 15,290,000 | 15,577,000 | 11,178,000 | 1959 | Jan 1969 | 173,000 | 200 | 35 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Ashby at McLean (f) | Virginia | 4,356,000 | 17,102,000 | 27,319,000 | 4,356,000 | 44,421,000 | 48,777,000 | 29,047,000 | 1982 | Aug 1996 | 274,000 | 256 | 30 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bethesda Hill Apartments | Maryland | 3,900,000 | 13,412,000 | 16,545,000 | 3,900,000 | 29,957,000 | 33,857,000 | 21,017,000 | 1986 | Nov 1997 | 225,000 | 195 | 30 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bennett Park | Virginia | 2,861,000 | 917,000 | 81,896,000 | 4,774,000 | 80,900,000 | 85,674,000 | 40,308,000 | 2007 | Feb 2001 | 215,000 | 224 | 28 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Clayborne | Virginia | 269,000 | — | 31,374,000 | 699,000 | 30,944,000 | 31,643,000 | 16,971,000 | 2008 | Jun 2003 | 60,000 | 74 | 26 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Kenmore | Washington, DC | 28,222,000 | 33,955,000 | 18,109,000 | 28,222,000 | 52,064,000 | 80,286,000 | 17,415,000 | 1948 | Sep 2008 | 268,000 | 374 | 30 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Maxwell | Virginia | 12,787,000 | — | 38,145,000 | 12,848,000 | 38,084,000 | 50,932,000 | 11,018,000 | 2014 | Jun 2011 | 116,000 | 163 | 30 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Paramount (f) | Virginia | 8,568,000 | 38,716,000 | 3,101,000 | 8,568,000 | 41,817,000 | 50,385,000 | 11,261,000 | 1984 | Oct 2013 | 141,000 | 135 | 30 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Yale West (a) | Washington, DC | 14,684,000 | 62,069,000 | 1,688,000 | 14,684,000 | 63,757,000 | 78,441,000 | 13,442,000 | 2011 | Feb 2014 | 173,000 | 216 | 30 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Wellington | Virginia | 30,548,000 | 116,563,000 | 16,178,000 | 30,548,000 | 132,741,000 | 163,289,000 | 21,947,000 | 1960 | Jul 2015 | 600,000 | 711 | 30 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Trove (e) | Virginia | 15,000,000 | — | 93,941,000 | 2,250,000 | 106,692,000 | 108,942,000 | 146,000 | n/a | Jul 2015 | — | n/a | n/a | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Riverside Apartments | Virginia | 38,924,000 | 184,854,000 | 35,517,000 | 38,924,000 | 220,371,000 | 259,295,000 | 30,363,000 | 1971 | May 2016 | 1,001,000 | 1,222 | 30 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Riverside Apartments land parcel (e) | Virginia | 15,968,000 | — | 9,674,000 | — | 25,642,000 | 25,642,000 | — | n/a | May 2016 | — | n/a | n/a | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assembly Alexandria | Virginia | 23,942,000 | 93,672,000 | 1,931,000 | 23,942,000 | 95,603,000 | 119,545,000 | 2,595,000 | 1990 | Jun 2019 | 437,000 | 532 | 30 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assembly Manassas | Virginia | 13,586,000 | 68,802,000 | 617,000 | 13,586,000 | 69,419,000 | 83,005,000 | 2,015,000 | 1986 | Jun 2019 | 390,000 | 408 | 30 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assembly Dulles | Virginia | 12,476,000 | 66,852,000 | 535,000 | 12,476,000 | 67,387,000 | 79,863,000 | 1,913,000 | 2000 | Jun 2019 | 361,000 | 328 | 30 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assembly Leesburg | Virginia | 4,113,000 | 21,286,000 | 102,000 | 4,113,000 | 21,388,000 | 25,501,000 | 691,000 | 1986 | Jun 2019 | 124,000 | 134 | 30 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assembly Herndon | Virginia | 11,225,000 | 51,534,000 | 690,000 | 11,225,000 | 52,224,000 | 63,449,000 | 1,618,000 | 1991 | Jun 2019 | 221,000 | 283 | 30 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assembly Germantown | Maryland | 7,609,000 | 34,431,000 | 179,000 | 7,609,000 | 34,610,000 | 42,219,000 | 891,000 | 1990 | Jun 2019 | 211,000 | 218 | 30 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assembly Watkins Mill | Maryland | 7,151,000 | 30,851,000 | 210,000 | 7,151,000 | 31,061,000 | 38,212,000 | 756,000 | 1975 | Jun 2019 | 193,000 | 210 | 30 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cascade at Landmark | Virginia | 12,289,000 | 56,235,000 | 578,000 | 12,289,000 | 56,813,000 | 69,102,000 | 1,141,000 | 1988 | Sep 2019 | 273,000 | 277 | 30 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 269,521,000 | $ | 897,579,000 | $ | 424,981,000 | $ | 243,207,000 | $ | 1,348,875,000 | $ | 1,592,082,000 | $ | 260,694,000 | 5,804,000 | 6,658 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Office Buildings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1901 Pennsylvania Avenue | Washington, DC | $ | 892,000 | $ | 3,481,000 | $ | 20,595,000 | $ | 892,000 | $ | 24,076,000 | $ | 24,968,000 | $ | 18,613,000 | 1960 | May 1977 | 101,000 | 28 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||
515 King Street | Virginia | 4,102,000 | 3,931,000 | 9,264,000 | 4,102,000 | 13,195,000 | 17,297,000 | 7,112,000 | 1966 | Jul 1992 | 75,000 | 50 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1220 19th Street | Washington, DC | 7,803,000 | 11,366,000 | 16,634,000 | 7,803,000 | 28,000,000 | 35,803,000 | 18,859,000 | 1976 | Nov 1995 | 103,000 | 30 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1600 Wilson Boulevard | Virginia | 6,661,000 | 16,742,000 | 31,274,000 | 6,661,000 | 48,016,000 | 54,677,000 | 29,563,000 | 1973 | Oct 1997 | 170,000 | 30 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Silverline Center (f) | Virginia | 12,049,000 | 71,825,000 | 102,283,000 | 12,049,000 | 174,108,000 | 186,157,000 | 104,536,000 | 1972 | Nov 1997 | 549,000 | 30 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Courthouse Square | Virginia | — | 17,096,000 | 10,172,000 | — | 27,268,000 | 27,268,000 | 17,615,000 | 1979 | Oct 2000 | 120,000 | 30 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Monument II | Virginia | 10,244,000 | 65,205,000 | 12,332,000 | 10,244,000 | 77,537,000 | 87,781,000 | 35,474,000 | 2000 | Mar 2007 | 209,000 | 30 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2000 M Street | Washington, DC | — | 61,101,000 | 41,735,000 | — | 102,836,000 | 102,836,000 | 40,369,000 | 1971 | Dec 2007 | 232,000 | 30 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1140 Connecticut Avenue | Washington, DC | 25,226,000 | 50,495,000 | 18,799,000 | 25,226,000 | 69,294,000 | 94,520,000 | 24,486,000 | 1966 | Jan 2011 | 184,000 | 30 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1227 25th Street | Washington, DC | 17,505,000 | 21,319,000 | 11,454,000 | 17,505,000 | 32,773,000 | 50,278,000 | 11,315,000 | 1988 | Mar 2011 | 135,000 | 30 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
John Marshall II | Virginia | 13,490,000 | 53,024,000 | 9,534,000 | 13,490,000 | 62,558,000 | 76,048,000 | 19,020,000 | 1996 | Sep 2011 | 223,000 | 30 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fairgate at Ballston | Virginia | 17,750,000 | 29,885,000 | 7,203,000 | 17,750,000 | 37,088,000 | 54,838,000 | 12,571,000 | 1988 | Jun 2012 | 145,000 | 30 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Army Navy Building | Washington, DC | 30,796,000 | 39,315,000 | 13,201,000 | 30,796,000 | 52,516,000 | 83,312,000 | 13,078,000 | 1912 | Mar 2014 | 108,000 | 30 years |
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Initial Cost (b) | Net Improvements (Retirement) since Acquisition | Gross Amounts at Which Carried at December 31, 2019 | Accumulated Depreciation at December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Properties | Location | Land | Buildings and Improvements | Land | Buildings and Improvements | Total (c) | Year of Construction | Date of Acquisition | Net Rentable Square Feet | Units | Depreciation Life (d) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1775 Eye Street, NW | Washington, DC | 48,086,000 | 51,074,000 | 16,328,000 | 48,086,000 | 67,402,000 | 115,488,000 | 17,232,000 | 1964 | May 2014 | 189,000 | 30 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Watergate 600 | Washington, DC | 45,981,000 | 78,325,000 | 39,225,000 | 45,981,000 | 117,550,000 | 163,531,000 | 13,419,000 | 1972 | Apr 2017 | 293,000 | 30 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Arlington Tower | Virginia | 63,970,000 | 156,525,000 | 10,951,000 | 63,970,000 | 167,476,000 | 231,446,000 | 14,437,000 | 1980 | Jan 2018 | 391,000 | 30 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 304,555,000 | $ | 730,709,000 | $ | 370,984,000 | $ | 304,555,000 | $ | 1,101,693,000 | $ | 1,406,248,000 | $ | 397,699,000 | 3,227,000 |
Initial Cost (b) | Net Improvements (Retirement) since Acquisition | Gross Amounts at Which Carried at December 31, 2019 | Accumulated Depreciation at December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Properties | Location | Land | Buildings and Improvements | Land | Buildings and Improvements | Total (c) | Year of Construction | Date of Acquisition | Net Rentable Square Feet | Units | Depreciation Life (d) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail Centers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Takoma Park (f) | Maryland | $ | 415,000 | $ | 1,084,000 | $ | 289,000 | $ | 366,000 | $ | 1,423,000 | $ | 1,789,000 | $ | 1,205,000 | 1962 | Jul 1963 | 51,000 | 50 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Westminster | Maryland | 519,000 | 1,775,000 | 9,988,000 | 519,000 | 11,763,000 | 12,282,000 | 8,614,000 | 1969 | Sep 1972 | 150,000 | 37 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Concord Centre | Virginia | 413,000 | 850,000 | 7,415,000 | 413,000 | 8,265,000 | 8,678,000 | 4,036,000 | 1960 | Dec 1973 | 75,000 | 33 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chevy Chase Metro Plaza | Washington, DC | 1,549,000 | 4,304,000 | 8,377,000 | 1,549,000 | 12,681,000 | 14,230,000 | 8,287,000 | 1975 | Sep 1985 | 49,000 | 50 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
800 S. Washington Street | Virginia | 2,904,000 | 5,489,000 | 6,168,000 | 2,904,000 | 11,657,000 | 14,561,000 | 6,196,000 | 1955 | Jun 1998 | 46,000 | 30 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Randolph Shopping Center | Maryland | 4,928,000 | 13,025,000 | 1,200,000 | 4,928,000 | 14,225,000 | 19,153,000 | 6,846,000 | 1972 | May 2006 | 83,000 | 30 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Montrose Shopping Center (f) | Maryland | 11,612,000 | 22,410,000 | 2,604,000 | 11,020,000 | 25,606,000 | 36,626,000 | 11,856,000 | 1970 | May 2006 | 149,000 | 30 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Spring Valley Village | Washington, DC | 10,836,000 | 32,238,000 | 10,740,000 | 10,836,000 | 42,978,000 | 53,814,000 | 7,197,000 | 1941 | Oct 2014 | 92,000 | 30 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 33,176,000 | $ | 81,175,000 | $ | 46,781,000 | $ | 32,535,000 | $ | 128,598,000 | $ | 161,133,000 | $ | 54,237,000 | 695,000 |
Total | $ | 607,252,000 | $ | 1,709,463,000 | $ | 842,746,000 | $ | 580,297,000 | $ | 2,579,166,000 | $ | 3,159,463,000 | $ | 712,630,000 | 9,726,000 | 6,658 |
______________________________
a) | At December 31, 2019, our properties were encumbered by non-recourse mortgage amounts of $45.7 million on Yale West. Mortgage amounts exclude premiums and debt loan costs. |
b) | The purchase cost of real estate investments has been divided between land and buildings and improvements on the basis of management’s determination of the fair values. |
c) | At December 31, 2019, total land, buildings and improvements are carried at $1,917.8 million for federal income tax purposes. |
d) | The useful life shown is for the main structure. Buildings and improvements are depreciated over various useful lives ranging from 3 to 50 years. |
e) | As of December 31, 2019, WashREIT had under development multifamily properties, The Trove and Riverside Apartments land parcel. The value not yet placed into service at December 31, 2019 was $96.7 million and $25.6 million, respectively. |
f) | As of December 31, 2019, WashREIT had investments in various development, redevelopment and renovation projects, including The Ashby at McLean, Montrose Shopping Center, Silverline Center, Takoma Park and The Paramount. The total value of these projects, which has not yet been placed in service, is $1.9 million at December 31, 2019. |
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WASHINGTON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUMMARY OF REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
(IN THOUSANDS)
The following is a reconciliation of real estate assets and accumulated depreciation for the three years ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Real estate assets | |||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 2,973,816 | $ | 2,831,683 | $ | 2,725,635 | |||||
Additions: | |||||||||||
Property acquisitions (1) | 516,054 | 220,495 | 124,306 | ||||||||
Improvements (1) | 140,109 | 103,404 | 84,560 | ||||||||
Deductions: | |||||||||||
Impairment write-down | (24,432 | ) | (2,177 | ) | (81,982 | ) | |||||
Write-off of disposed assets | (7,430 | ) | (2,132 | ) | (2,655 | ) | |||||
Property sales | (438,654 | ) | (177,457 | ) | (18,181 | ) | |||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 3,159,463 | $ | 2,973,816 | $ | 2,831,683 | |||||
Accumulated depreciation | |||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 770,535 | $ | 690,417 | $ | 657,425 | |||||
Additions: | |||||||||||
Depreciation | 107,938 | 98,141 | 94,558 | ||||||||
Deductions: | |||||||||||
Impairment write-down | (16,058 | ) | (291 | ) | (48,830 | ) | |||||
Write-off of disposed assets | (2,173 | ) | (1,859 | ) | (1,708 | ) | |||||
Property sales | (147,612 | ) | (15,873 | ) | (11,028 | ) | |||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 712,630 | $ | 770,535 | $ | 690,417 |
______________________________
(1) | Includes non-cash accruals for capital items. |
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