FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY - Quarter Report: 2022 July (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒  No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files). Yes ☒  No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

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 Exchange Act). Yes ☐  No ☒

As of September 14, 2022, the number of shares of common stock outstanding was 6,863,744.

FIRST REAL ESTATE

INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY, INC.

 

INDEX

 

Part I: Financial Information

Item 1: Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

NINE AND THREE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 2022 AND 2021

(Unaudited)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

NINE AND THREE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 2022 AND 2021

(Unaudited)

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

NINE AND THREE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 2022

(Unaudited)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

NINE AND THREE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 2021

(Unaudited)

* Represents the issuance of treasury shares to retired Director for share units earned.

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

NINE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 2022 AND 2021

(Unaudited)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 1 - Basis of presentation:

First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey was organized on November 1, 1961 as a New Jersey Business Trust. On July 1, 2021, First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey completed the change of its form of organization from a New Jersey real estate investment trust to a Maryland corporation (the “Reincorporation”) which was approved by its stockholders at the annual meeting of stockholders held on May 6, 2021. The Reincorporation changed the law applicable to First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey’s affairs from New Jersey law to Maryland law and was accomplished by the merger of First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey with and into its wholly owned subsidiary, First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey, Inc. (“FREIT”, “Trust”, “us”, “we”, “our” or the “Company”), a Maryland corporation. As a result of the Reincorporation, the separate existence of First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey ceased and FREIT succeeded to all the business, properties, assets and liabilities of First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey. Holders of shares of beneficial interest in First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey received one newly issued share of common stock of FREIT for each share of First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey owned by them, without any action of stockholders required and all treasury stock held by First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey was retired.

FREIT is organized and will continue to operate in such a manner as to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and its stock is traded on the over-the-counter market under the trading symbol FREVS.

The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements and pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, certain information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements have been omitted. It is the opinion of management that all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included, and that all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.

The consolidated results of operations for the nine and three-month periods ended July 31, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or any other period. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in FREIT’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2021.

Reclassification:

Certain prior year cash flow line items have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Note 2 - Recently issued accounting standard:

In March 2020 and January 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2020-04 “Reference Rate Reform (ASC 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting”, and ASU 2021-01 “Reference Rate Reform (ASC 848): Scope” which provides temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform in contracts and other transactions that reference the London Interbank Offered Rate or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform, if certain criteria are met. ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01 are effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. We currently do not anticipate the need to modify our existing debt agreements as a result of reference rate reform in the current year, however if any modification is executed as a result of reference rate reform, the Company will elect the optional expedient available under ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01, which allows entities to account for the modification as if the modification was not substantial. We will disclose the nature of and reason for electing the optional expedient in each interim and annual financial statement period if and when applicable through December 31, 2022.

Note 3 – Dividends and earnings per share:

The FREIT Board of Directors (“Board”) did not declare a dividend in the third quarter of Fiscal 2022. Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to common equity (numerator) by the weighted average number of shares and vested share units (See Note 14) outstanding during each period (denominator). The calculation of diluted earnings per share is similar to that of basic earnings per share, except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional shares that would have been outstanding if all potentially dilutive shares, such as those issuable upon the exercise of stock options, were issued during the period using the Treasury Stock method. Under the Treasury Stock method, the assumption is that the proceeds received upon exercise of the options, including the unrecognized stock option compensation expense attributable to future services, are used to repurchase FREIT’s stock at the average market price during the period, thereby increasing the number of shares to be added in computing diluted earnings per share. For the nine and three months ended July 31, 2022, the outstanding stock options increased the average dilutive shares outstanding by approximately 72,000 and 74,000 shares, respectively, with an impact of approximately $0.05 and $0.00, respectively, on earnings per share. For the nine and three months ended July 31, 2021, the outstanding stock options increased the average dilutive shares outstanding by approximately 2,000 and 4,000 shares, respectively, with no impact on earnings per share. There were no anti-dilutive shares for the nine and three months ended July 31, 2022. There were approximately 268,000 anti-dilutive shares for both the nine and three months ended July 31, 2021, respectively. Anti-dilutive shares consist of out-of-the money stock options under the Equity Incentive Plan (See Note 13).

Note 4 - Interest rate cap and swap contracts:

In accordance with “Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging ("ASC 815")”, FREIT has been accounting for the Damascus Centre, LLC (“Damascus Centre”), FREIT Regency, LLC (“Regency”), Wayne PSC, LLC (“Wayne PSC”) and Station Place on Monmouth (“Station Place”) interest rate swaps and the Grande Rotunda, LLC (“Grande Rotunda”) interest rate cap as cash flow hedges marking these contracts to market, taking into account present interest rates compared to the contracted fixed rate over the life of the contract and recording the unrealized gain or loss on the swaps and cap in comprehensive income. On December 30, 2021, the Rotunda property owned by Grande Rotunda was sold, a portion of the proceeds from the sale was used to pay off the $116.5 million then outstanding balance of the underlying loan and the corresponding interest rate cap on this loan matured with no settlement due at maturity. On January 10, 2022, the property owned by Damascus Centre was sold and a portion of the proceeds from the sale was used to pay off the $18.2 million then outstanding balance of the underlying loan and the corresponding swap breakage fees of approximately $213,000 related to the early termination of the interest rate swap contracts on this loan which was included as interest expense on the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of income for the nine months ended July 31, 2022. (See Note 7 for further details on the sales of these properties.) On June 17, 2022, Wayne PSC terminated its interest rate swap contract on its underlying loan held with People’s United Bank, which had a maturity date of October 2026, for a settlement amount of approximately $1.4 million. People’s United Bank held the proceeds from this settlement in escrow until the underlying loan was paid off in July 2022 and has been included as a realized gain on interest rate swap termination on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income for the nine and three months ended July 31, 2022. (See Note 9 for further details.)

For the nine and three months ended July 31, 2022, FREIT recorded an unrealized gain of approximately $2,408,000 and unrealized loss of $1,393,000, respectively, in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income representing the change in the fair value of these cash flow hedges during such periods. For the nine and three months ended July 31, 2021, FREIT recorded an unrealized gain of approximately $1,441,000 and unrealized loss of $234,000, respectively, in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income representing the change in the fair value of these cash flow hedges during such period. As of July 31, 2022, there was an asset of approximately $116,000 for the Regency swap and a liability of approximately $16,000 for the Station Place swap. As of October 31, 2021, there was a liability of approximately $278,000 for the Damascus Centre swaps, $348,000 for the Wayne PSC swap, $750,000 for the Regency swap, $932,000 for the Station Place swap and $0 for the Grande Rotunda interest rate cap.

The fair values are based on observable inputs (level 2 in the fair value hierarchy as provided by authoritative guidance).

Note 5 – Investment in tenancy-in-common:

On February 28, 2020, FREIT reorganized its subsidiary S and A Commercial Associates Limited Partnership (“S&A”) from a partnership into a tenancy-in-common form of ownership (“TIC”). Prior to this reorganization, FREIT owned a 65% membership interest in S&A, which owned 100% of the Pierre Towers property located in Hackensack, New Jersey through its 100% interest in Pierre Towers, LLC. Pursuant to the TIC agreement, FREIT ultimately acquired a 65% undivided interest in the Pierre Towers property, which was formerly owned by S&A. Based on the guidance of Accounting Standards Codification 810, “Consolidation”, FREIT’s investment in the TIC is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. While FREIT’s effective ownership percentage interest in the Pierre Towers property remained unchanged after the reorganization to a TIC, FREIT no longer had a controlling interest as the TIC is now under joint control.

FREIT’s investment in the TIC was approximately $18.9 million and $19.4 million at July 31, 2022 and October 31, 2021, respectively. For the nine and three months ended July 31, 2022, FREIT recognized a loss on investment in TIC of approximately $99,000 and a gain on investment in TIC of approximately $57,000, respectively, in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income. For the nine and three months ended July 31, 2021, FREIT recognized a loss on investment in TIC of approximately $245,000 and $100,000, respectively, in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income.

Hekemian & Co., Inc. (“Hekemian & Co.”) manages the Pierre Towers property based on a management agreement between the owners of the TIC and Hekemian & Co. dated as of February 28, 2020 and will expire on February 28, 2023. The management agreement is for a term of one year and will renew for successive one (1) year terms upon the unanimous approval of the TIC owners prior to the expiration of the then-current term unless Hekemian & Co. delivers written notice of termination of this management agreement, which notice must be delivered at least sixty (60) days prior to the end of the then-current term.

The management agreement requires the payment of management fees equal to 5% of rents collected. Management fees charged to operations were approximately $298,000 and $101,000 for the nine and three months ended July 31, 2022, respectively, and $280,000 and $93,000 for the nine and three months ended July 31, 2021, respectively. The Pierre Towers property also uses the resources of the Hekemian & Co. insurance department to secure various insurance coverages for its property. Hekemian & Co. is paid a commission for these services. Such commissions were charged to operations and amounted to approximately $40,000 for the nine and three months ended July 31, 2022 and $47,000 and $37,000 for the nine and three months ended July 31, 2021, respectively.

The following table summarizes the balance sheets of the Pierre Towers property as of July 31, 2022 and October 31, 2021, accounted for by the equity method:

The following table summarizes the statements of operations of the Pierre Towers property for the nine and three months ended July 31, 2022 and 2021, accounted for by the equity method:

Note 6 – Termination of Purchase and Sale Agreement:

On February 4, 2022, the Superior Court of New Jersey, Monmouth County (“Court”) entered an Order with respect to summary judgment motions filed by the parties in connection with litigation between certain affiliates of FREIT (the “Sellers” or “Defendant”) and Sinatra Properties, LLC (“Sinatra” or “Plaintiff”). The litigation relates to a Purchase and Sale Agreement entered into on January 14, 2020 (“PSA”) between the Sellers and Sinatra involving the sale by the Sellers of 100% of their ownership interests in six (6) real properties held by the Sellers.

The February 4, 2022 Order provided as follows:

(1)

The Court finds that the Plaintiff’s have breached the subject contract and the Court dismisses all claims for relief filed by the Plaintiff in this suit. The Court dismissed the Complaint and dismisses the Lis Pendens.

(2)

The Court finds that the liquidated damage provision of the contract is not enforceable and the Court Orders that the $15 million held in escrow be returned to the Plaintiff.

(3)

The Court dismisses the Counterclaims and Third Party Complaint. All pleadings are dismissed.

On May 31, 2022, Sinatra filed a Motion for Reconsideration with the Court, requesting that the Court reconsider its February 4, 2022 Order and, among other things, (a) grant Sinatra’s motion for summary judgment, and (b) reverse the Court’s findings that (1) Sinatra breached the PSA, (2) the Sellers did not breach the PSA and (3) the Court’s dismissal of the Complaint and Lis Pendens.

On July 8, 2022, the Court denied Sinatra’s Motion for Reconsideration.

Through the quarter ended July 31, 2022, the $15 million deposit has not been included in income in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income. Legal costs attributed to the legal proceeding between FREIT and certain of its affiliates and Sinatra Properties, LLC have been incurred in the amount of approximately $1,135,000 and $243,000 for the nine and three months ended July 31, 2022, respectively, and $1,842,000 and $733,000, for the nine and three months ended July 31, 2021, respectively, and are included in operating expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

The Sellers have been evaluating the February 4, 2022 Order and their rights and remedies with respect thereto. The Sellers continue to believe that the allegations set forth in the Complaint filed by Sinatra and in the Answer to Counterclaims and Third-Party Complaint and Affirmative Defenses filed by Sinatra and Kushner Realty Acquisition LLC, are without merit.

Note 7 – Maryland property dispositions:

On November 22, 2021, certain affiliates (the “Maryland Sellers”) of FREIT entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Maryland Purchase and Sale Agreement”) with MCB Acquisition Company, LLC (the “Maryland Purchaser”), a third party, pursuant to which the Maryland Sellers agreed to sell three properties to the Maryland Purchaser. The properties consisted of retail and office space and a residential apartment community owned by Grande Rotunda, LLC (the “Rotunda Property”), a shopping center owned by Damascus Centre, LLC (the “Damascus Property”), and a shopping center owned by WestFREIT Corp. (the “Westridge Square Property”). FREIT owns 100% of its subsidiary, WestFREIT Corp. (“WestFREIT”), a 60% interest in Grande Rotunda, LLC (“Grande Rotunda”), the joint venture that owned the Rotunda Property, and a 70% interest in Damascus Centre, LLC (“Damascus Centre”), the joint venture that owned the Damascus Property.

The original purchase price for the Rotunda Property, the Damascus Property and the Westridge Square Property (collectively the “Maryland Properties”) under the Maryland Purchase and Sale Agreement was reduced by $2,723,000 from $267,000,000 to $248,750,269, after giving effect to the $15,526,731 escrow deposit described below. This reduction in the sales price of $2,723,000 was to account for improvements and repairs to the Maryland Properties and miscellaneous items identified by the Maryland Purchaser in the course of its due diligence inspection. Additionally, the Maryland Purchaser was obligated under the Maryland Purchase and Sale Agreement to deposit a total of $15,526,731 in escrow with respect to certain leases at the Maryland Properties, which have not been executed or where the rent commencement date has not occurred or economic obligations of the Maryland Sellers under certain leases remain unpaid. Although there can be no assurance, a portion of the $15,526,731 escrow deposit (the “Maryland Purchaser Escrow Payment”) may be paid to the Maryland Sellers depending upon the outcome of construction and leasing activities at the Maryland Properties. The Maryland Purchaser Escrow Payment Agreement provides for among other things, monthly disbursements from escrow to the Maryland Purchaser related to the aforementioned tenant lease agreements until the earlier of (i) the rent commencement date of the respective tenant lease agreements or (ii) 5-years from the date of the agreement. Release and amounts of escrowed funds to FREIT, generally, is contingent on the success and timing of future leasing activities at the Maryland Properties.

On December 30, 2021, the sale of the Rotunda Property, which had a net book value of approximately $136.1 million, was consummated by Grande Rotunda and the Maryland Purchaser for a purchase price of $191,080,598. Grande Rotunda received net proceeds from the sale of approximately $36.5 million (inclusive of approximately $0.7 million in funds released from the Maryland Purchaser Escrow Payment during the second quarter of Fiscal 2022), after payment of related mortgage debt in the amount of $116.5 million, payment of loans (including interest) to each of the partners in Grande Rotunda (FREIT with a 60% interest and Rotunda 100, LLC (“Rotunda 100”) with a 40% interest) in the amount of approximately $31 million, with FREIT receiving approximately $27.7 million, and certain transactional expenses and transfer taxes including a brokerage fee due to Hekemian & Co. of approximately $4.8 million (See Note 8). In addition, the Maryland Purchaser deposited a total of $14,026,401 of the Maryland Purchaser Escrow Payment in escrow with respect to certain leases at the Rotunda Property, which have not been executed or where the rent commencement date has not occurred or economic obligations of Grande Rotunda under certain leases remain unpaid. As of July 31, 2022, approximately $710,000 of these funds has been released from escrow to Grande Rotunda. The escrow and related gain on sale were reduced by approximately $1.2 million due to a change in estimate in the second quarter of Fiscal 2022 related to a change in the timing of anticipated rent commencement dates for certain tenants, which will reduce the escrowed funds available to be released to Grande Rotunda. Approximately $6.3 million of remaining funds are held in a post-closing escrow for rents anticipated to be fully released in Fiscal 2023 and are included in “Funds held in post-closing escrow” on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of July 31, 2022. The net proceeds from the sale were distributed to the partners in Grande Rotunda with FREIT receiving approximately $21.4 million based on its 60% interest in Grande Rotunda. The sale of the Rotunda Property resulted in a net gain of approximately $50 million (as adjusted) which includes approximately $7 million of proceeds released and anticipated to be released from funds held in escrow, a write-off of the straight-line rent receivable of approximately $1.8 million and a write-off of unamortized lease commissions of approximately $1.1 million. As of July 31, 2022, secured loans including accrued interest made by certain members in Rotunda 100 of approximately $5.3 million were repaid to FREIT.

On January 7, 2022, the sale of the Westridge Square Property, which had a net book value of approximately $11.5 million, was consummated by WestFREIT and the Maryland Purchaser for a purchase price of $20,984,604. WestFREIT received net proceeds from the sale of approximately $0.1 million (inclusive of approximately $0.8 million in funds released from the Maryland Purchaser Escrow Payment during the second quarter of Fiscal 2022), after payment of related mortgage debt in the amount of approximately $21.1 million and certain transactional expenses and transfer taxes including a brokerage fee due to Hekemian & Co. of approximately $0.5 million (See Note 8). In addition, the Maryland Purchaser deposited a total of $1,015,396 of the Maryland Purchaser Escrow Payment in escrow with respect to certain leases at the Westridge Square Property, which had not been executed or where the rent commencement date had not occurred or economic obligations of WestFREIT under certain leases remained unpaid. As of July 31, 2022, approximately $821,000 of these funds have been released from escrow with no remaining funds held in post-closing escrow for rents anticipated to be released. The sale of the Westridge Square Property resulted in a net gain of approximately $8.7 million, which includes approximately $0.8 million of proceeds released from funds held in escrow, a write-off of the straight-line rent receivable of approximately $0.5 million and a write-off of unamortized lease commissions of approximately $0.3 million.

On January 10, 2022, the sale of the Damascus Property, which had a net book value of approximately $24.6 million, was consummated by Damascus Centre and the Maryland Purchaser for a purchase price of $36,685,067. Damascus Centre received net proceeds from the sale of approximately $17.3 million (inclusive of approximately $0.4 million in funds released from the Maryland Purchaser Escrow Payment during the second quarter of Fiscal 2022), after payment of related mortgage debt in the amount of approximately $18.2 million and the corresponding swap breakage fees of approximately $213,000 related to the early termination of the interest rate swap contracts on this loan and certain transactional expenses and transfer taxes including a brokerage fee due to Hekemian & Co. of approximately $0.9 million (See Note 8). In addition, the Maryland Purchaser deposited a total of $484,934 of the Maryland Purchaser Escrow Payment in escrow with respect to certain leases at the Damascus Property, which had not been executed or where the rent commencement date had not occurred or economic obligations of Damascus Centre under certain leases remained unpaid. As of July 31, 2022, approximately $415,000 of these funds have been released from escrow with no remaining funds held in post-closing escrow for rents anticipated to be released. The net proceeds from the sale were distributed to the partners in Damascus Centre with FREIT receiving approximately $11.8 million based on its 70% interest in Damascus Centre. The sale of the Damascus Property resulted in a net gain of approximately $10.1 million, which includes approximately $0.4 million of proceeds released from funds held in escrow, a write-off of the straight-line rent receivable of approximately $0.6 million and a write-off of unamortized lease commissions of approximately $0.3 million.

In summary, the sale of the Maryland Properties having a total net book value of $172.2 million was consummated by the Maryland Sellers and the Maryland Purchaser for a purchase price of $248,750,269, after giving effect to the $15,526,731 Maryland Purchaser Escrow Payment. This sale resulted in net proceeds of approximately $53.9 million (inclusive of approximately $1.9 million in funds released from the Maryland Purchaser Escrow Payment during the second quarter of Fiscal 2022), after payment of related mortgage debt in the amount of $155.8 million and the corresponding swap breakage fees of approximately $213,000 related to the early termination of the interest rate swap contracts on the Damascus Property loan, payment of loans (including interest) to each of the partners in Grande Rotunda in the amount of approximately $31 million and certain transactional expenses and transfer taxes including brokerage fees due to Hekemian & Co. of approximately $6.2 million. As of July 31, 2022, approximately $1,946,000 of the Maryland Purchaser Escrow Payment has been released from escrow to the Maryland Sellers. The escrow and related gain on sale were reduced by approximately $1.2 million due to a change in the second quarter of Fiscal 2022 related to a change in the timing of anticipated rent commencement dates for certain tenants, which will reduce the escrowed funds available to be released to Grande Rotunda. Approximately $6.3 million of remaining funds are held in a post-closing escrow for rents anticipated to be fully released in Fiscal 2023 and are included in “Funds held in post-closing escrow” on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of July 31, 2022. The sale of the Maryland Properties resulted in a net gain of approximately $68.8 million (as adjusted) (with a consolidated impact to FREIT of approximately $45.6 million) which includes approximately $8.2 million of proceeds released and anticipated to be released from funds held in escrow, a write-off of the straight-line rent receivable of approximately $2.9 million and a write-off of unamortized lease commissions of approximately $1.7 million.

As the disposal of the Maryland Properties did not represent a strategic shift that would have a major impact on FREIT’s operations or financial results, the properties’ operations were not reflected as discontinued operations in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

Note 8 - Management agreement, fees and transactions with related party:

Hekemian & Co. currently manages all the properties owned by FREIT and its affiliates, except for the office building at the Rotunda Property, which was sold on December 30, 2021 and was formerly managed by an independent third party management company. The management agreement between FREIT and Hekemian & Co. dated as of November 1, 2001 (“Management Agreement”) expires on October 31, 2023 and is automatically renewed for successive periods of two years unless either party gives not less than six (6) months prior notice of non-renewal.

The Management Agreement requires the payment of management fees equal to 4% to 5% of rents collected. Such fees charged to operations were approximately $1,108,000 and $1,587,000 for the nine months ended July 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $318,000 and $525,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. In addition, the Management Agreement provides for the payment to Hekemian & Co. of leasing commissions, as well as the reimbursement of certain operating expenses, such as payroll and insurance costs, incurred on behalf of FREIT. Such commissions and reimbursements amounted to approximately $515,000 and $385,000 for the nine months ended July 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $167,000 and $130,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. FREIT also uses the resources of the Hekemian & Co. insurance department to secure various insurance coverages for its properties and subsidiaries. Hekemian & Co. is paid a commission for these services. Such commissions were charged to operations and amounted to approximately $164,000 and $181,000 for the nine months ended July 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $105,000 and $110,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

From time to time, FREIT engages Hekemian & Co., or certain affiliates of Hekemian & Co., to provide additional services, such as consulting services related to development, property sales and financing activities of FREIT. Separate fee arrangements are negotiated between Hekemian & Co. and FREIT with respect to such additional services. Such fees incurred for the nine and three months ended July 31, 2022 were approximately $6,388,000 and $94,000, respectively. Fees incurred during Fiscal 2022 related to commissions to Hekemian & Co. for the following: $4,777,000 for the sale of the Rotunda Property; $917,000 for the sale of the Damascus Property; $525,000 for the sale of the Westridge Square Property; $94,000 for the refinancing of the loan on the Preakness Shopping Center; and $75,000 for the refinancing of the loan on the Boulders property. The commissions related to the sale of the Rotunda Property, the Damascus Property and the Westridge Square Property were charged against the gain on sale of the Maryland Properties (See Note 7) in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of income for the nine months ended July 31, 2022. The commissions for the refinancing of the loan on the Boulders property and on the Preakness Shopping Center were deferred mortgage costs included in the unamortized debt issuance costs in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of July 31, 2022. Such fees incurred for the nine and three months ended July 31, 2021 were approximately $236,500 and $0, respectively. Fees incurred during Fiscal 2021 related to commissions to Hekemian & Co. for the following: $150,000 for the extension of the Grande Rotunda loan; $54,000 for the extension and modification of the WestFREIT loan; and $32,500 for the renewal of FREIT’s line of credit.

Robert S. Hekemian, Jr., Chief Executive Officer, President and a Director of FREIT, is the Chief Executive Officer of Hekemian & Co. David B. Hekemian, a Director of FREIT, is the President of Hekemian & Co. Allan Tubin, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of FREIT, is the Chief Financial Officer of Hekemian & Co.

Director fee expense and/or executive compensation (including interest and dividends) incurred by FREIT for the nine months ended July 31, 2022 and 2021 was approximately $429,000 and $350,000, respectively, for Robert S. Hekemian, Jr., $30,000 and $23,000, respectively, for Allan Tubin and $43,000 and $42,000, respectively, for David Hekemian. Director fee expense and/or executive compensation (including interest and dividends) incurred by FREIT for the three months ended July 31, 2022 and 2021 was approximately $150,000 and $118,000, respectively, for Robert S. Hekemian, Jr., $10,000 and $8,000, respectively, for Allan Tubin and $13,000 and $15,000, respectively, for David Hekemian (See Note 14). Such costs are included within operating expenses on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income.

The equity owners of Rotunda 100, which owns a 40% minority equity interest in Grande Rotunda, are principally employees of Hekemian & Co. To incentivize the employees of Hekemian & Co., FREIT advanced, only to employees of Hekemian & Co., up to 50% of the amount of the equity contributions that the Hekemian & Co. employees were required to invest in Rotunda 100. These advances were in the form of secured loans that bear interest at rates that float at 225 basis points over the ninety (90) day LIBOR, as adjusted each November 1, February 1, May 1 and August 1. These loans were secured by the Hekemian & Co. employees’ interests in Rotunda 100 and were full recourse loans. On December 7, 2017, the Board approved a further extension of the previously amended maturity dates of these loans to the date or dates upon which distributions of cash are made by Grande Rotunda to its members as a result of a refinancing or sale of Grande Rotunda or the Rotunda Property. The aggregate outstanding principal balance and accrued but unpaid interest of the Rotunda 100 notes was approximately $4,000,000 and $1,292,000, respectively, at October 31, 2021. On

December 30, 2021, the Rotunda Property was sold and the net sales proceeds were distributed to the partners in Grande Rotunda. (See Note 7 for further details.) As of July 31, 2022, approximately $5.3 million of the secured loans receivable (including accrued interest) were repaid to FREIT with no outstanding balance remaining of principal or interest related to the Rotunda 100 notes.

In Fiscal 2017, Grande Rotunda incurred substantial expenditures at the Rotunda Property related to retail tenant improvements, leasing costs and operating expenditures which, in the aggregate, exceeded revenues as the property was still in the rent up phase and the construction loan held with Wells Fargo at that time was at its maximum level, with no additional funding available to draw. Accordingly, during Fiscal 2017 the equity owners in Grande Rotunda contributed their respective pro-rata share of any cash needs through loans to Grande Rotunda. In Fiscal 2021, Grande Rotunda repaid $7 million to the equity owners in Grande Rotunda based on their respective pro-rata share resulting in a loan repayment to Rotunda 100 of approximately $2.8 million. As of October 31, 2021, Rotunda 100 had funded Grande Rotunda with approximately $3.3 million (including interest) which was included in “Due to affiliate” on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. On December 30, 2021, the Rotunda Property was sold and Grande Rotunda repaid approximately $31 million to the equity owners in Grande Rotunda resulting in a loan repayment to Rotunda 100 of approximately $3.3 million. As of July 31, 2022, all loans were repaid in full to each of the partners.

FREIT owns a 40% equity interest in Wayne PSC and H-TPKE, LLC (“H-TPKE”) owns a 60% equity interest in Wayne PSC. An aggregate of approximately 73% of the membership interests in H-TPKE is controlled by: Robert S. Hekemian, Jr., the Chief Executive Officer, President and a Director of FREIT and a shareholder and officer of Hekemian & Co.; David B. Hekemian, a Director of FREIT and a shareholder and officer of Hekemian & Co.; the late Robert S. Hekemian, the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and consultant to FREIT and a former shareholder and former officer of Hekemian & Co.; members of the families of Robert S. Hekemian, Jr., David B. Hekemian and the late Robert S. Hekemian; and other employees of Hekemian & Co. On March 10, 2022, the equity owners in Wayne PSC, H-TPKE and FREIT, each entered into a grid promissory note for funding up to $600,000 and $400,000, respectively, based on each owner’s respective pro-rata share. During May 2022, Wayne PSC required funding by each of the partners totaling $500,000, with each owner contributing its respective pro-rata share of Wayne PSC. As such, H-TPKE funded $300,000 and FREIT funded $200,000. Wayne PSC repaid these loans in full (including accrued interest) to each of the equity owners from the net proceeds received from the refinancing of the loan on the Preakness Shopping Center in July 2022 (See Note 9).

Note 9 – Mortgage financings and line of credit:

On August 19, 2022, Westwood Hills, LLC, exercised its right, pursuant to the loan agreement, to extend the term of its $25 million loan on its property located in Westwood, New Jersey, maturing on October 1, 2022, for two (2) additional six (6) month periods on the same terms and conditions as stated in the loan agreement.

On July 22, 2022, Wayne PSC refinanced its $22.1 million loan (inclusive of deferred interest of approximately $136,000), which would have matured on October 1, 2026, on its Preakness Shopping center located in Wayne, New Jersey with a new loan held by ConnectOne Bank in the amount of $25,000,000. This loan is interest-only based on a fixed interest rate of 5% and has a term of three years with a maturity date of August 1, 2025. Additionally, an interest reserve escrow was established at closing representing twelve months of interest of $1,250,000, which can be used to pay monthly interest on this loan with a requirement to replenish the escrow account back to $1,250,000 when the balance in the escrow account is reduced to three months of interest. This refinancing resulted in (i) annual debt service savings of approximately $340,000 due to interest-only payments; (ii) an increase in the interest rate from a fixed interest rate of 3.625% to a fixed interest rate of 5%; and (iii) net refinancing proceeds of approximately $1.1 million which can be used for capital expenditures and general corporate purposes. As part of the refinancing, Wayne PSC terminated the interest rate swap contract on the underlying loan resulting in a realized gain on the swap breakage of approximately $1.4 million, which has been recorded as a realized gain on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income for the nine and three months ended July 31, 2022. (See Note 4 for additional details)

On December 30, 2021, FREIT refinanced its $14.4 million loan (which would have matured on February 1, 2022) on its Boulders property located in Rockaway, New Jersey with a new loan held by ConnectOne Bank in the amount of $7,500,000, with additional funding available to be drawn upon in the amount of $7,500,000 for corporate needs. This loan is interest-only and has a maturity date of January 1, 2024 with the option of FREIT to extend for one year from the maturity date, subject to certain provisions of the loan agreement. This refinancing will provide annual debt service savings of approximately $1,173,000 as a result of the reduction in the principal amount, a reduction in the annual interest rate from a fixed rate of 5.37% to a fixed rate of 2.85% and interest-only payments being required under this new loan.

FREIT’s revolving line of credit provided by the Provident Bank was renewed for a three-year term ending on October 31, 2023. Draws against the credit line can be used for working capital needs and standby letters of credit. Draws against the credit line are secured by mortgages on FREIT’s Franklin Crossing Shopping Center in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey and retail space in Glen Rock, New Jersey. The total line of credit is $13 million and the interest rate on the amount outstanding is based on a floating interest rate of prime minus 25 basis points with a floor of 3.75%. As of July 31, 2022 and October 31, 2021, there was no amount outstanding and $13 million was available under the line of credit.

Note 10 – Fair value of long-term debt:

The following table shows the estimated fair value and net carrying value of FREIT’s long-term debt at July 31, 2022 and October 31, 2021:

Fair values are estimated based on market interest rates at July 31, 2022 and October 31, 2021 and on a discounted cash flow analysis. Changes in assumptions or estimation methods may significantly affect these fair value estimates. The fair value is based on observable inputs (level 2 in the fair value hierarchy as provided by authoritative guidance).

Note 11 – Segment information:

FREIT has determined that it has two reportable segments: commercial properties and residential properties. These reportable segments offer different types of space, have different types of tenants, and are managed separately because each requires different operating strategies and management expertise. The commercial segment is comprised of five (5) properties, excluding the Rotunda Property, the Westridge Square Property and the Damascus Property, which were sold on December 30, 2021, January 7, 2022 and January 10, 2022, respectively. The residential segment is comprised of six (6) properties, excluding the Icon at the Rotunda Property, which was sold on December 30, 2021. (See Note 7 for further details.)

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1 in FREIT’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021. The chief operating and decision-making group responsible for oversight and strategic decisions of FREIT's commercial segment, residential segment and corporate/other is comprised of FREIT’s Board.

FREIT, through its chief operating and decision making group, assesses and measures segment operating results based on net operating income ("NOI"). NOI, a standard used by real estate professionals, is based on operating revenue and expenses directly associated with the operations of the real estate properties, but excludes: deferred rents (straight lining), depreciation, financing costs and other items. NOI is not a measure of operating results or cash flows from operating activities as measured by GAAP, and is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs and should not be considered an alternative to cash flows as a measure of liquidity.

Real estate rental revenue, operating expenses, NOI and recurring capital improvements for the reportable segments are summarized below and reconciled to condensed consolidated net income attributable to common equity for the nine and three-month periods ended July 31, 2022 and 2021. Asset information is not reported since FREIT does not use this measure to assess performance.

Note 12 – Income taxes:

FREIT has elected to be treated as a REIT for federal income tax purposes and as such intends to distribute at least 90% of its ordinary taxable income (to maintain its status as a REIT) and 100% of its capital gains to its stockholders as dividends for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2022. FREIT distributed 99% of its ordinary taxable income to its stockholders as dividends for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021. Accordingly, no provision for federal or state income taxes related to such ordinary taxable income and such gains were recorded in FREIT’s condensed consolidated financial statements for the nine and three months ended July 31, 2022 and 2021.

As of July 31, 2022, FREIT had no material uncertain income tax positions. The tax years subsequent to and including the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions.

Note 13 – Equity Incentive Plan:

As of July 31, 2022, 442,060 shares are available for issuance under the FREIT Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).

The following table summarizes stock option activity for the nine and three-month periods ended July 31, 2022 and 2021:

For the nine and three month periods ended July 31, 2022, compensation expense related to stock options vested amounted to approximately $15,000 and $5,000, respectively. For the nine and three month periods ended July 31, 2021, compensation expense related to stock options vested amounted to approximately $35,000 and $11,000, respectively. At July 31, 2022, there was approximately $16,000 of unrecognized compensation cost relating to outstanding non-vested stock options to be recognized over the remaining weighted average vesting period of approximately 0.9 years. The aggregate intrinsic value of options vested and expected to vest and options exercisable at July 31, 2022 was approximately $1,901,000 and $1,825,000, respectively.

Note 14 – Deferred fee plan:

On September 4, 2014, the Board approved amendments, effective November 1, 2014, to the FREIT Deferred Fee Plan for its executive officers and directors, one of which provides for the issuance of share units payable in FREIT shares in respect of (i) deferred amounts of all director fees on a prospective basis; (ii) interest on director fees deferred prior to November 1, 2014 (payable at a floating rate, adjusted quarterly, based on the average 10-year Treasury Bond interest rate plus 150 basis points); and (iii) dividends payable in respect of share units allocated to participants in the Deferred Fee Plan as a result of deferrals described above. The number of share units credited to a participant’s account will be determined by the closing price of FREIT shares on the date as set forth in the Deferred Fee Plan.

On November 4, 2021 (the “Adoption Date”), the Board approved the termination of the Deferred Fee Plan resulting in the termination of the deferral of fees on December 31, 2021 with any subsequent fees earned by a participant being paid in cash. Consistent with the termination of the Deferred Fee Plan, payment related to each participant’s cash account (in the form of a cash lump sum payment) and share unit account (in the form of the issuance of common stock) must be made to each participant no earlier than twelve (12) months and one day after, and no later than twenty-four (24) months, after the Adoption Date. Any interest earned on the participant’s cash account along with dividends (if any) earned on share units, will continue to accrue in share units on each participant’s account until final payment is made.

For the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2022 and 2021, the aggregate amounts of deferred director fees together with related interest and dividends were approximately $126,600 and $356,000, respectively, which have been paid through the issuance of 5,163 and 20,328 vested FREIT share units, respectively, based on the closing price of FREIT shares on the dates as set forth in the Deferred Fee Plan.

For the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2022 and 2021, FREIT has charged as expense approximately $91,300 and $332,000, respectively, representing deferred director fees and interest, and the balance of approximately $35,300 and $24,000, respectively, representing dividends payable in respect of share units allocated to Plan participants, has been charged to equity.

The Deferred Fee Plan, as amended, provides that cumulative fees together with accrued interest deferred as of November 1, 2014 would be paid in a lump sum or in annual installments over a period not to exceed 10 years, at the election of the participant. As of July 31, 2022 and October 31, 2021, approximately $1,366,000 and $1,454,000, respectively, of fees has been deferred together with accrued interest of approximately $951,000 and $1,021,000, respectively.

Note 15 – Rental Income:

Commercial tenants:

Fixed lease income under our commercial operating leases generally includes fixed minimum lease consideration, which is accrued on a straight-line basis over the terms of the leases. Variable lease income includes consideration based on sales, as well as reimbursements for real estate taxes, maintenance, insurance and certain other operating expenses of the properties.

Minimum fixed lease consideration (in thousands of dollars) under non-cancelable tenant operating leases for each of the next five years and thereafter, excluding variable lease consideration and rents from tenants for which collectability is deemed to be constrained, for the years ending October 31, as of July 31, 2022, is as follows:

The above amounts assume that all leases which expire are not renewed and, accordingly, neither month-to-month nor rentals from replacement tenants are included.

Minimum future rentals do not include contingent rentals, which may be received under certain leases on the basis of percentage of reported tenants' sales volume. Rental income that is contingent on future events is not included in income until the contingency is resolved. Contingent rentals included in income for the nine and three-month periods ended July 31, 2022 and 2021 were not material.

Residential tenants:

Lease terms for residential tenants are usually one to two years.

Note 16 – COVID-19 Pandemic:

The Company continues to monitor changes in the collectability assessment of its tenant receivables resulting from the lingering effects that the COVID-19 pandemic and preventive measures taken to mitigate the spread had on some of its commercial tenants. For the nine and three months ended July 31, 2022, rental revenue deemed uncollectible of approximately $0.5 million and $0.4 million (with a consolidated impact to FREIT of approximately $0.3 million and $0.1 million), respectively, was classified as a reduction in rental revenue based on our assessment of the probability of collecting substantially all of the remaining rents for certain tenants. For the nine and three months ended July 31, 2021, rental revenue deemed uncollectible of approximately $1.2 million and $0.3 million (with a consolidated impact to FREIT of approximately $0.7 million and $0.1 million), respectively, was classified as a reduction in rental revenue based on our assessment of the probability of collecting substantially all of the remaining rents for certain tenants. During the period beginning March 2020 through October 31, 2021, FREIT has applied, net of amounts subsequently paid back by tenants, an aggregate of approximately $397,000 of security deposits from its commercial tenants to outstanding receivables due. For the nine and three months ended July 31, 2022, there were no security deposits from its commercial tenants applied to outstanding receivables due. On a case by case basis, FREIT has offered rent abatements totaling approximately $9,000 and $0 (with a consolidated impact to FREIT of approximately $9,000 and $0) for the nine and three months ended July 31, 2022, respectively, and $135,000 and $34,000 (with a consolidated impact to FREIT of approximately $91,000 and $20,000) for the nine and three months ended July 31, 2021, respectively. There were no significant deferrals of rent over a specified time period offered to its commercial tenants for the nine and three months ended July 31, 2022 and 2021. FREIT currently remains in active discussions and negotiations with these impacted retail tenants.

Note 17 – Subsequent Event:

On August 4, 2022, FREIT’s Board declared a special, extraordinary, non-recurring cash distribution of approximately $51.5 million, or $7.50 per share, which was paid on August 30, 2022, to stockholders of record on August 16, 2022 (with an ex-dividend date of August 31, 2022). This distribution represents most of the after-tax proceeds of FREIT’s extraordinary sale of its portfolio of Maryland properties. On August 4, 2022, in connection with the Board’s approval of the special, extraordinary, non-recurring cash distribution (“Extraordinary Distribution”), the Compensation Committee of the Board recommended and the Board approved that (i) the option exercise price of options outstanding under the Plan be adjusted, by reason of the Extraordinary Distribution, in accordance with the terms of the Plan; and (ii) the exercise price of options outstanding under the Plan should be reduced by an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (x) the average of the closing price of FREIT’s shares, as reported by Yahoo Finance, for each business day during the period of five (5) business days prior to the ex-dividend date relating to the Extraordinary Distribution (August 31, 2022), over (y) the average of the closing price of FREIT’s shares, as reported by Yahoo Finance, for each business day during the period of five (5) business days following the ex-dividend date relating to the Extraordinary Distribution. (See Note 7 for additional details.) On September 9, 2022, the Board determined that the amount of the reduction in exercise price for options outstanding under the Plan is $7.50 per share. In addition, $18.68 per share will be used as the share price for determining the number of share units to be distributed to participants in the Deferred Fee Plan in connection with the Extraordinary Distribution.

 

Item 2: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

 

 

OVERVIEW

FREIT is an equity real estate investment trust (“REIT”) that is self-administered and externally managed. FREIT owns a portfolio of residential apartment and commercial properties. FREIT’s revenues consist primarily of rental income and other related revenues from its residential and commercial properties and additional rents derived from operating commercial properties. FREIT’s properties are primarily located in northern New Jersey and New York.

Maryland Property Dispositions:

On November 22, 2021, certain affiliates (the “Maryland Sellers”) of FREIT entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Maryland Purchase and Sale Agreement”) with MCB Acquisition Company, LLC (the “Maryland Purchaser”), a third party, pursuant to which the Maryland Sellers agreed to sell three properties to the Maryland Purchaser. The properties consisted of retail and office space and a residential apartment community owned by Grande Rotunda, LLC (the “Rotunda Property”), a shopping center owned by Damascus Centre, LLC (the “Damascus Property”), and a shopping center owned by WestFREIT Corp. (the “Westridge Square Property”). FREIT owns 100% of its subsidiary, WestFREIT Corp. (“WestFREIT”), a 60% interest in Grande Rotunda, LLC (“Grande Rotunda”), the joint venture that owned the Rotunda Property, and a 70% interest in Damascus Centre, LLC (“Damascus Centre”), the joint venture that owned the Damascus Property.

The original purchase price for the Rotunda Property, the Damascus Property and the Westridge Square Property (collectively the “Maryland Properties”) under the Maryland Purchase and Sale Agreement was reduced by $2,723,000 from $267,000,000 to $248,750,269, after giving effect to the $15,526,731 escrow deposit described below. This reduction in the sales price of $2,723,000 was to account for improvements and repairs to the Maryland Properties and miscellaneous items identified by the Maryland Purchaser in the course of its due diligence inspection. Additionally, the Maryland Purchaser was obligated under the Maryland Purchase and Sale Agreement to deposit a total of $15,526,731 in escrow with respect to certain leases at the Maryland Properties, which have not been executed or where the rent commencement date has not occurred or economic obligations of the Maryland Sellers under certain leases remain unpaid. Although there can be no assurance, a portion of the $15,526,731 escrow deposit (the “Maryland Purchaser Escrow Payment”) may be paid to the Maryland Sellers depending upon the outcome of construction and leasing activities at the Maryland Properties. The Maryland Purchaser Escrow Payment Agreement provides for among other things, monthly disbursements from escrow to the Maryland Purchaser related to the aforementioned tenant lease agreements until the earlier of (i) the rent commencement date of the respective tenant lease agreements or (ii) 5-years from the date of the agreement. Release

and amounts of escrowed funds to FREIT, generally, is contingent on the success and timing of future leasing activities at the Maryland Properties.

The sale of the Maryland Properties having a total net book value of $172.2 million, was consummated by the Maryland Sellers and the Maryland Purchaser for a purchase price of $248,750,269, after giving effect to the $15,526,731 Maryland Purchaser Escrow Payment. This sale resulted in net proceeds of approximately $53.9 million (inclusive of approximately $1.9 million in funds released from the Maryland Purchaser Escrow Payment during the second quarter of Fiscal 2022), after payment of related mortgage debt in the amount of $155.8 million and the corresponding swap breakage fees of approximately $213,000 related to the early termination of the interest rate swap contracts on the Damascus Property loan, payment of loans (including interest) to each of the partners in Grande Rotunda in the amount of approximately $31 million and certain transactional expenses and transfer taxes including brokerage fees due to Hekemian & Co. of approximately $6.2 million. As of July 31, 2022, approximately $1,946,000 of the Maryland Purchaser Escrow Payment has been released from escrow to the Maryland Sellers. The escrow and related gain on sale were reduced by approximately $1.2 million due to a change in estimate in the second quarter of Fiscal 2022 related to a change in the timing of anticipated rent commencement dates for certain tenants, which will reduce the escrowed funds available to be released to Grande Rotunda. Approximately $6.3 million of remaining funds are held in a post-closing escrow for rents anticipated to be fully released in Fiscal 2023 and are included in “Funds held in post-closing escrow” on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of July 31, 2022. The sale of the Maryland Properties resulted in a net gain of approximately $68.8 million (as adjusted) (with a consolidated impact to FREIT of approximately $45.6 million) which includes approximately $8.2 million of proceeds released and anticipated to be released from funds held in escrow, a write-off of the straight-line rent receivable of approximately $2.9 million and a write-off of unamortized lease commissions of approximately $1.7 million.

On August 4, 2022, FREIT’s Board of Directors (“Board”) declared a special, extraordinary, non-recurring cash distribution of approximately $51.5 million, or $7.50 per share, which was paid on August 30, 2022, to stockholders of record on August 16, 2022 (with an ex-dividend date of August 31, 2022). This distribution represents most of the after-tax proceeds of FREIT’s extraordinary sale of its portfolio of Maryland properties.

See Note 7 to FREIT’s condensed consolidated financial statements for additional details on the sale of the Maryland properties.

The economic and financial environment: The U.S. unemployment rate is 3.5% as of July 2022, which is the lowest since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in February 2020. The annual inflation rate in the U.S. still remains high at 8.5% in July 2022, which is the highest since the 1980’s, which is primarily driven by soaring food prices and energy costs, labor shortages and supply disruptions. The Federal Reserve continues to raise interest rates, which has led to uncertainties in the financing market and a volatile economy.

Residential Properties: Our residential properties continue to generate positive cash flow while average rents on turned units (apartments which were vacated and then re-leased to new tenants) from 2021 to 2022 continues to increase across the portfolio. Additionally, the rate of increase on renewals for existing tenants has also been robust. Should this trend continue, we believe the increase will contribute meaningfully to FREIT’s income over time. However, it is uncertain what impact the significant rise in inflation and rising interest rates may have on these properties over the next year.

Commercial Properties: While our retail properties have stabilized form the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, certain of our properties still have not attained pre pandemic operating levels despite some recovery in brick and mortar retail. Additionally, the significant rise in inflation and rising interest rates could have an impact on the operating and financial performance of our commercial properties.

Debt Financing Availability: Financing has been available to FREIT and its affiliates. (See Note 6 to FREIT’s condensed consolidated financial statements.)

On August 19, 2022, Westwood Hills, LLC, exercised its right, pursuant to the loan agreement, to extend the term of its $25 million loan on its property located in Westwood, New Jersey, maturing on October 1, 2022, for two (2) additional six (6) month periods on the same terms and conditions as stated in the loan agreement.

On July 22, 2022, Wayne PSC, LLC refinanced its $22.1 million loan (inclusive of deferred interest of approximately $136,000), which would have matured on October 1, 2026, on its Preakness Shopping center located in Wayne, New Jersey with a new loan held by ConnectOne Bank in the amount of $25,000,000. This loan is interest-only based on a fixed interest rate of 5% and has a term of three years with a maturity date of August 1, 2025. Additionally, an interest reserve escrow was established at closing representing twelve months of interest of $1,250,000, which can be used to pay monthly interest on this loan with a requirement to replenish the escrow account back to $1,250,000 when the balance in the escrow account is reduced to three months of interest. This refinancing resulted in (i) annual debt service savings of approximately $340,000 due to interest-only payments; (ii) an increase in the interest rate from a fixed interest rate of 3.625% to a fixed interest rate of 5%; and (iii) net refinancing proceeds of approximately $1.1 million which can be used for capital expenditures and general corporate purposes. As part of the refinancing, Wayne PSC terminated the interest rate swap contract on the underlying loan resulting in a realized gain on the swap breakage of approximately $1.4 million, which has been recorded as a realized gain on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income for the nine and three months ended July 31, 2022. (See Note 4 to FREIT’s condensed consolidated financial statements for additional details.)

On December 30, 2021, FREIT refinanced its $14.4 million loan (which would have matured on February 1, 2022) on its Boulders property located in Rockaway, New Jersey with a new loan held by ConnectOne Bank in the amount of $7,500,000, with additional funding available to be drawn upon in the amount of $7,500,000 for corporate needs. This loan is interest-only and has a maturity date of January 1, 2024 with the option of FREIT to extend for one year from the maturity date, subject to certain provisions of the loan agreement. This refinancing will provide annual debt service savings of approximately $1,173,000 as a result of the reduction in the principal amount, a reduction in the annual interest rate from a fixed rate of 5.37% to a fixed rate of 2.85% and interest-only payments being required under this new loan.

Operating Cash Flow: FREIT expects that cash provided by operating activities and cash reserves will be adequate to cover mandatory debt service payments (including payments of interest, but excluding balloon payments which are expected to be refinanced and/or extended), real estate taxes, recurring capital improvements at its properties and other needs to maintain its status as a REIT for at least a period of one year from the date of filing of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

 

 

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Pursuant to the SEC disclosure guidance for "Critical Accounting Policies," the SEC defines Critical Accounting Policies as those that require the application of management's most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments, often because of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods.

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, the preparation of which takes into account estimates based on judgments and assumptions that affect certain amounts and disclosures. Accordingly, actual results could differ from these estimates. The accounting policies and estimates used, which are outlined in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021, have been applied consistently as of July 31, 2022, and for the nine and three months ended July 31, 2022 and 2021. We believe that the following accounting policies or estimates require the application of management's most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments.

Revenue Recognition: Base rents, additional rents based on tenants' sales volume and reimbursement of the tenants' share of certain operating expenses are generally recognized when due from tenants. The straight-line basis is used to recognize base rents under leases if they provide for varying rents over the lease terms. Straight-line rents receivable represent unbilled rents receivable to the extent straight-line rents exceed current rents billed in accordance with lease agreements. Before FREIT can recognize revenue, it is required to assess, among other things, its collectability.

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets: FREIT assesses the carrying value of long-lived assets periodically, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of certain assets may not be recoverable. When FREIT determines that the carrying value of long-lived assets may be impaired, the measurement of any impairment is based on a projected discounted cash flow method determined by FREIT's management. While FREIT believes that our discounted cash flow methods are reasonable, different assumptions regarding such cash flows may significantly affect the measurement of impairment.

Real Estate Development Costs: It is FREIT’s policy to capitalize pre-development costs, which generally include legal and professional fees and other directly related third-party costs. Real estate taxes and interest costs incurred during the development and construction phases are also capitalized. FREIT ceases capitalization of these costs when the project or portion thereof becomes operational, or when construction has been postponed. In the event of postponement, capitalization of these costs will recommence once construction on the project resumes.

See Note 2 to FREIT’s condensed consolidated financial statements for recently issued accounting standards.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Real estate revenue for the nine months ended July 31, 2022 (“Current Nine Months”) decreased 36.4% to $24,223,000, compared to $38,100,000 for the nine months ended July 31, 2021 (“Prior Year’s Nine Months”). For the three months ended July 31, 2022 (“Current Quarter”) real estate revenue decreased 44.5% to $6,959,000, compared to $12,542,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2021 (“Prior Year’s Quarter”).

The decrease in revenue for the Current Nine Months was primarily attributable to the following: (a) a decrease of approximately $14.5 million attributed to the Maryland Properties sold; (b) a decrease from the commercial segment of approximately $0.3 million, excluding the Maryland Properties sold, primarily attributed to approximately $0.2 million in rental revenue being deemed uncollectible and classified as a reduction in rental revenue in the Current Nine Months and a $0.1 million decrease resulting from a decline in the average occupancy rate to 67.1% from 69.1% in the Prior Year’s Nine Months; offset by (c) an increase from the residential segment of approximately $0.9 million, excluding the Icon at the Rotunda Property sold, driven by an increase in base rents across all properties and an increase in the average occupancy rate to 98.4% from 97.2% in the Prior Year’s Nine Months.

The decrease in revenue for the Current Quarter was primarily attributable to the following: (a) a decrease of approximately $6 million attributed to the Maryland Properties sold; offset by (b) an increase from the residential segment of approximately $0.3 million, excluding the Icon at the Rotunda Property sold, primarily driven by an increase in base rents across all properties and an increase in the average occupancy rate to 97.8% from 97.3% in the Prior Year’s Quarter; and (c) an increase from the commercial segment of approximately $0.1 million, excluding the Maryland Properties sold, primarily attributed to the recognition of revenue due to collections from a constrained tenant.

Net income attributable to common equity (“net income-common equity”) for the Current Nine Months and Current Quarter was net income of $46,546,000 ($6.61 per share basic and $6.56 per share diluted) and $1,121,000 ($0.16 per share basic and diluted), compared to net income of $776,000 ($0.11 per share basic and diluted) and $209,000 ($0.03 per share basic and diluted), for the Prior Year’s comparable periods, respectively.

The schedule below provides a detailed analysis of the major changes that impacted net income-common equity for the nine and three months ended July 31, 2022 and 2021:

NON-GAAP NET INCOME COMPONENTS		Nine Months Ended												Three Months Ended
		July 31,												July 31,
		2022				2021				Change				2022				2021				Change
		(In Thousands of Dollars)												(In Thousands of Dollars)
Income from real estate operations:
Commercial properties		$	3,274			$	9,728			$	(6,454	)		$	988			$	3,338			$	(2,350	)
Residential properties			9,015				11,794				(2,779	)			2,643				3,827				(1,184	)
Total income from real estate operations			12,289				21,522				(9,233	)			3,631				7,165				(3,534	)
Financing costs:
Fixed rate mortgages			(3,545	)			(4,348	)			803				(1,114	)			(1,445	)			331
Floating rate mortgages			(1,550	)			(3,873	)			2,323				(333	)			(1,292	)			959
Interest rate swap contracts breakage fee			(213	)			—				(213	)			—				—				—
Other - Corporate interest			(108	)			(183	)			75				(28	)			(43	)			15
Mortgage cost amortization			(813	)			(838	)			25				(299	)			(270	)			(29	)
Total financing costs			(6,229	)			(9,242	)			3,013				(1,774	)			(3,050	)			1,276
Investment income			183				88				95				119				29				90
General & administrative expenses:
Accounting fees			(367	)			(374	)			7				(116	)			(110	)			(6	)
Legal and professional fees			(1,322	)			(1,929	)			607				(312	)			(752	)			440
Directors fees			(792	)			(710	)			(82	)			(259	)			(245	)			(14	)
Stock option expense			(15	)			(35	)			20				(5	)			(11	)			6
Corporate expenses			(611	)			(1,095	)			484				(219	)			(295	)			76
Total general & administrative expenses			(3,107	)			(4,143	)			1,036				(911	)			(1,413	)			502
Depreciation			(3,257	)			(6,948	)			3,691				(723	)			(2,315	)			1,592
(Loss) Gain on investment in tenancy-in-common			(99	)			(245	)			146				57				(100	)			157
Adjusted net (loss) income			(220	)			1,032				(1,252	)			399				316				83
Net gain on sale of Maryland properties			68,771				—				68,771				—				—				—
Net realized gain on Wayne PSC interest rate swap termination			1,415				—				1,415				1,415				—				1,415
Net income			69,966				1,032				68,934				1,814				316				1,498
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries			(23,420	)			(256	)			(23,164	)			(693	)			(107	)			(586	)
Net income attributable to common equity		$	46,546			$	776			$	45,770			$	1,121			$	209			$	912

The condensed consolidated results of operations for the Current Nine Months and Current Quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or any other period. The table above includes income from real estate operations, which is a non-GAAP financial measure and is not a measure of operating results or cash flow as measured by GAAP, and is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs.

Adjusted net (loss) income for the Current Nine Months and Current Quarter was net loss of $220,000 (($0.03) per share basic and diluted) and net income of $399,000 ($0.06 per share basic and diluted), compared to net income of $1,032,000 ($0.15 per share basic and diluted) and $316,000 ($0.05 per share basic and diluted), for the Prior Year’s comparable periods. Adjusted net (loss) income is a non-GAAP measure, which management believes is a useful and meaningful gauge to investors of our operating performance, since it excludes the impact of unusual and infrequent items specifically: a gain on sale of Maryland properties in Fiscal 2022; a realized gain on the Wayne PSC interest rate swap contract termination in Fiscal 2022.

The decrease in adjusted net income for the Current Nine Months was primarily driven by the following: (a) a decrease of approximately $3.5 million (with a consolidated impact to FREIT of approximately $2.5 million) attributed to the Maryland Properties sold; offset by (b) a decrease in general and administrative expenses (“G&A”) of approximately $1 million primarily driven by reincorporation expenses of approximately $0.5 million incurred in the Prior Year’s Nine Months and a decline in legal costs of approximately $0.6 million primarily attributed to the legal proceeding between FREIT and certain of its affiliates and Sinatra Properties, LLC; (c) an increase in revenue of approximately $0.6 million (with a consolidated impact to FREIT of approximately $0.7 million), excluding the Maryland Properties sold; (d) a decrease in interest expense of approximately $0.3 million attributed to the refinancing of the loan on the Boulders property in the Current Nine Months resulting in a reduction in the interest rate and principal balance of the loan; (e) a decrease in the reserve for uncollectible rents of approximately $0.3 million (with a consolidated impact to FREIT of approximately $0.2 million), excluding the Maryland Properties sold, primarily due to rental revenue being deemed uncollectible and classified as a reduction in rental revenue in the Current Nine Months; and (f) a decrease in loss on investment in tenancy-in-common of approximately $0.2 million.

The increase in adjusted net income for the Current Quarter was primarily driven by the following: (a) a decrease in G&A of approximately $0.5 million primarily driven by a decline in legal costs attributed to the legal proceeding between FREIT and certain of its affiliates and Sinatra Properties, LLC; (b) a decrease in loss on investment in tenancy-in-common of approximately $0.2 million; (c) a decrease in repairs and maintenance of approximately $0.1 million (with a consolidated impact to FREIT of approximately $0.1 million); (d) a decrease in interest expense of approximately $0.1 million attributed to the refinancing of the loan on the Boulders property resulting in a reduction in the interest rate and principal balance of the loan; and (e) an increase in investment income of approximately $0.1 million resulting from a higher interest rate and cash balance in Fiscal 2022 due to the sale of the Maryland Properties; offset by (f) a decrease of approximately $1 million (with a consolidated impact to FREIT of approximately $0.8 million) attributed to the Maryland Properties sold. (Refer to the segment disclosure below for a more detailed discussion of the financial performance of FREIT’s commercial and residential segments.)

SEGMENT INFORMATION

The following tables set forth comparative net operating income ("NOI") data for FREIT’s real estate segments and reconciles the NOI to condensed consolidated net income-common equity for the Current Nine Months and Current Quarter as compared to the Prior Year’s comparable periods (see below for definition of NOI):

 

		Commercial																Residential																Combined
		Nine Months Ended																Nine Months Ended																Nine Months Ended
		July 31,								Increase (Decrease)								July 31,								Increase (Decrease)								July 31,
		2022				2021				$				%				2022				2021				$				%				2022				2021
		(In Thousands)																(In Thousands)																(In Thousands)
Rental income		$	6,624			$	13,410			$	(6,786	)			-50.6%			$	15,496			$	19,686			$	(4,190	)			-21.3%			$	22,120			$	33,096
Reimbursements			1,793				4,544				(2,751	)			-60.5%				20				123				(103	)			-83.7%				1,813				4,667
Other			28				345				(317	)			-91.9%				287				217				70				32.3%				315				562
Total revenue			8,445				18,299				(9,854	)			-53.8%				15,803				20,026				(4,223	)			-21.1%				24,248				38,325
Operating expenses			5,146				8,346				(3,200	)			-38.3%				6,788				8,232				(1,444	)			-17.5%				11,934				16,578
Net operating income		$	3,299			$	9,953			$	(6,654	)			-66.9%			$	9,015			$	11,794			$	(2,779	)			-23.6%				12,314				21,747
Average Occupancy % *			67.1%				69.1%								-2.0%				98.4%				97.2%								1.2%

 

	Reconciliation to condensed consolidated net income-common equity:
	Deferred rents - straight lining			(25	)			(225	)
	Investment income			183				88
	General and administrative expenses			(3,107	)			(4,143	)
	Loss on investment in tenancy-in-common			(99	)			(245	)
	Depreciation			(3,257	)			(6,948	)
	Net gain on sale of Maryland properties			68,771				—
	Net realized gain on Wayne PSC interest rate swap termination			1,415				—
	Financing costs			(6,229	)			(9,242	)
	Net income			69,966				1,032
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries			(23,420	)			(256	)
	Net income attributable to common equity		$	46,546			$	776

 

		Commercial																Residential																Combined
		Three Months Ended																Three Months Ended																Three Months Ended
		July 31,								Increase (Decrease)								July 31,								Increase (Decrease)								July 31,
		2022				2021				$				%				2022				2021				$				%				2022				2021
		(In Thousands)																(In Thousands)																(In Thousands)
Rental income		$	1,618			$	4,423			$	(2,805	)			-63.4%			$	4,663			$	6,545			$	(1,882	)			-28.8%			$	6,281			$	10,968
Reimbursements			561				1,425				(864	)			-60.6%				(3	)			45				(48	)			-106.7%				558				1,470
Other			—				37				(37	)			-100.0%				84				79				5				6.3%				84				116
Total revenue			2,179				5,885				(3,706	)			-63.0%				4,744				6,669				(1,925	)			-28.9%				6,923				12,554
Operating expenses			1,227				2,535				(1,308	)			-51.6%				2,101				2,842				(741	)			-26.1%				3,328				5,377
Net operating income		$	952			$	3,350			$	(2,398	)			-71.6%			$	2,643			$	3,827			$	(1,184	)			-30.9%				3,595				7,177
Average Occupancy % *			65.9%				68.3%								-2.4%				97.8%				97.3%								0.5%

 

	Reconciliation to condensed consolidated net income-common equity:
	Deferred rents - straight lining			36				(12	)
	Investment income			119				29
	General and administrative expenses			(911	)			(1,413	)
	Gain (Loss) on investment in tenancy-in-common			57				(100	)
	Depreciation			(723	)			(2,315	)
	Net realized gain on Wayne PSC interest rate swap termination			1,415				—
	Financing costs			(1,774	)			(3,050	)
	Net income			1,814				316
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries			(693	)			(107	)
	Net income attributable to common equity		$	1,121			$	209

 

*	Average occupancy rate excludes the Rotunda Property, the Damascus Property and the Westridge Square Property from all periods presented as the properties were sold in the Current Six Months. See Note 7 to FREIT’s condensed consolidated financial statements for further details.

 

NOI is based on operating revenue and expenses directly associated with the operations of the real estate properties, but excludes deferred rents (straight lining), depreciation, financing costs and other items. FREIT assesses and measures segment operating results based on NOI.

Same Property NOI: FREIT considers same property net operating income (“Same Property NOI”) to be a useful supplemental non-GAAP measure of its operating performance. FREIT defines same property within both the commercial and residential segments to be those properties that FREIT has owned and operated for both the current and prior periods presented, excluding those properties that FREIT acquired, sold or redeveloped during those periods. Any newly acquired property that has been in operation for less than

a year, any property that is undergoing a major redevelopment but may still be in operation at less than full capacity, and/or any property that has been sold is not considered same property.

NOI and Same Property NOI are non-GAAP financial measures and are not measures of operating results or cash flow as measured by GAAP, and are not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs and should not be considered an alternative to cash flows as a measure of liquidity.

 

COMMERCIAL SEGMENT

The commercial segment contains five (5) separate properties, excluding the Rotunda Property, the Westridge Square Property and the Damascus Property, which were sold on December 30, 2021, January 7, 2022 and January 10, 2022, respectively. Three of these properties are multi-tenanted retail centers, one is a single tenanted retail center located in Glen Rock, New Jersey and one is single tenanted on land located in Rockaway, New Jersey owned by FREIT from which it receives monthly rental income from a tenant who has built and operates a bank branch on the land. (See Note 7 to FREIT’s condensed consolidated financial statements for additional details on the sale of the Maryland properties.)

As indicated in the tables above under the caption Segment Information, total revenue from FREIT’s commercial segment for the Current Nine Months and Current Quarter decreased by 53.8% and 63%, respectively, and NOI decreased by 66.9% and 71.6%, respectively, as compared to the Prior Year’s comparable periods. Average occupancy for all commercial properties, excluding the Maryland properties sold, for the Current Nine Months and Current Quarter decreased by 2% and 2.4%, respectively, as compared to the Prior Year’s comparable periods.

The decline in revenue for the Current Nine Months was primarily attributable to the following: (a) a decrease of approximately $9.5 million (excluding an increase in the straight-line rent receivable of approximately $0.1 million) attributed to the Maryland Properties sold; and (b) a decrease of approximately $0.4 million, excluding the Maryland Properties sold, primarily attributed to rental revenue being deemed uncollectible and classified as a reduction in rental revenue in the Current Nine Months and a decline in the average occupancy rate to 67.1% from 69.1% in the Prior Year’s Nine Months. The decrease in NOI for the Current Nine Months was primarily attributable to the following: (a) a decrease of approximately $6.6 million attributed to the Maryland Properties sold; (b) a decline in revenue of approximately $0.4 million, excluding the Maryland Properties sold; offset by (c) a decline in snow removal costs of approximately $0.1 million, excluding the Maryland Properties sold; and (d) a decrease in the reserve for uncollectible rents of approximately $0.1 million, excluding the Maryland Properties sold, primarily due to rental revenue being deemed uncollectible and classified as a reduction in rental revenue in the Current Nine Months.

The decline in revenue for the Current Quarter was primarily attributable to the Maryland Properties sold. The decrease in NOI for the Current Quarter was primarily attributable to the following: (a) a decrease of approximately $2.5 million attributed to the Maryland Properties sold; (b) an increase in the reserve for uncollectible rents of approximately $0.1 million, excluding the Maryland Properties sold; offset by (c) a decline in repairs and maintenance costs of approximately $0.1 million, excluding the Maryland Properties sold.

Same Property Operating Results: FREIT’s commercial segment currently contains five (5) same properties. (See definition of same property under Segment Information above.) The Rotunda property, the Westridge Square Property and the Damascus Property were excluded from same property results for all periods presented because these properties were sold in the Current Nine Months. Same property revenue for the Current Nine Months and Current Quarter decreased by 5.4% and increased by 2.4%, respectively, and same property NOI decreased by 2.2% and increased by 6.6%, respectively, as compared to the Prior Year’s comparable periods. The changes resulted from the factors discussed in the immediately preceding paragraph.

Leasing: The following table reflects leasing activity at FREIT’s commercial properties for comparable leases (leases executed for spaces in which there was a tenant at some point during the previous twelve-month period) and non-comparable leases for the Current Nine Months (excluding any leases executed for the Rotunda Property, the Westridge Square Property and the Damascus Property, which were sold in the Current Nine Months):

 

RETAIL:		Number of Leases				Lease Area (Sq. Ft.)				Weighted Average Lease Rate (per Sq. Ft.)				Weighted Average Prior Lease Rate (per Sq. Ft.)				% Increase (Decrease)				Tenant Improvement Allowance (per Sq. Ft.)  (a)				Lease Commissions (per Sq. Ft.)  (a)
Comparable leases (b)			7				95,154			$	6.65			$	7.67				-13.3%			$	—			$	0.03
Non-comparable leases			5				11,875			$	26.37				N/A				N/A			$	1.07			$	1.32
Total leasing activity			12				107,029

 

(a) These leasing costs are presented as annualized costs per square foot and are allocated uniformly over the initial lease term.

(b) This includes new tenant leases and/or modifications/extensions/renewals of existing tenant leases.  

RESIDENTIAL SEGMENT

FREIT currently operates six (6) multi-family apartment buildings or complexes totaling 792 apartment units, excluding the Icon at the Rotunda Property, which was sold on December 30, 2021 (see Note 7 to FREIT’s condensed consolidated financial statements) and the Pierre Towers property, which was converted to a TIC (see Note 5 to FREIT’s condensed consolidated financial statements).

As indicated in the tables above under the caption Segment Information, total revenue from FREIT’s residential segment for the Current Nine Months and Current Quarter decreased by 21.1% and 28.9%, respectively, and NOI decreased by 23.6% and 30.9%, respectively, as compared to the Prior Year’s comparable periods. Average occupancy for all residential properties, except the Icon property sold, for the Current Nine Months and Current Quarter increased by 1.2% and 0.5%, respectively, as compared to the Prior Year’s comparable periods.

The decrease in revenue for the Current Nine Months was primarily attributable to the following: (a) a decrease of approximately $5.1 million attributed to the Icon at the Rotunda Property sold; offset by (b) an increase of approximately $0.9 million, excluding the Icon at the Rotunda Property sold, primarily driven by an increase in base rents across all properties and an increase in the average occupancy rate to 98.4% from 97.2% in the Prior Year’s Nine Months. The decrease in NOI for the Current Nine Months was primarily attributable to the following: (a) a decrease of approximately $3.6 million attributed to the Icon at the Rotunda Property sold; offset by (b) an increase in revenue of approximately $0.9 million, excluding the Icon at the Rotunda Property; and (c) a decrease in the reserve for uncollectible rents of approximately $0.2 million, excluding the Maryland Properties sold.

The decrease in revenue for the Current Quarter was primarily attributable to the following: (a) a decrease of approximately $2.2 million attributed to the Icon at the Rotunda Property sold; offset by (b) an increase of approximately $0.3 million, excluding the Icon at the Rotunda Property sold, primarily driven by an increase in base rents across all properties and an increase in the average occupancy rate to 97.8% from 97.3% in the Prior Year’s Quarter. The decrease in NOI for the Current Quarter was primarily attributable to the following: (a) a decrease of approximately $1.5 million attributed to the Icon at the Rotunda Property sold; (b) an increase in the reserve for uncollectible rents of approximately $0.1 million, excluding the Maryland Properties sold; offset by (c) an increase of approximately $0.3 million in revenue, excluding the Icon at the Rotunda Property sold.

Same Property Operating Results: FREIT’s residential segment currently contains six (6) same properties. (See definition of same property under Segment Information above.) The Icon at the Rotunda property was excluded from same property results for all periods presented because this property was sold in the Current Nine Months. Same property revenue for the Current Nine Months and Current Quarter increased by 7.1% and 6.8%, respectively, and same property NOI increased by 11.2% and 12.7%, respectively, as compared to the Prior Year’s comparable periods. The changes resulted from the factors discussed in the immediately preceding paragraph.

FREIT’s residential revenue is principally composed of monthly apartment rental income. Total rental income is a factor of occupancy and monthly apartment rents. Monthly average residential rents, (excluding from both periods presented for comparability purposes the Icon at the Rotunda property, which was sold in the Current Nine Months), at the end of the Current Quarter and the Prior Year’s Quarter were $2,006 and $1,913, respectively. A 1% decline in annual average occupancy, or a 1% decline in average rents from current levels, results in an annual revenue decline of approximately $191,000 and $184,000, respectively.

Capital expenditures: Since all of FREIT’s apartment communities, with the exception of the Boulders, Regency and Station Place properties, were constructed more than 25 years ago, FREIT tends to spend more in any given year on maintenance and capital improvements than may be spent on newer properties. Funds for these capital projects are available from cash flow from the property's operations and cash reserves.

 

 

FINANCING COSTS

 

		Nine Months Ended July 31,								Three Months Ended July 31,
		2022				2021				2022				2021
		(In Thousands of Dollars)								(In Thousands of Dollars)
Fixed rate mortgages (a):
1st Mortgages
Existing		$	3,383			$	4,348			$	1,024			$	1,445
New			162				—				90				—
Variable rate mortgages:
1st Mortgages
Existing			1,550				3,873				333				1,292
New			—				—				—				—
Interest rate swap contracts breakage fee			213								—				—
Other			108				183				28				43
Total financing costs, gross			5,416				8,404				1,475				2,780
Amortization of mortgage costs			813				838				299				270
Total financing costs, net		$	6,229			$	9,242			$	1,774			$	3,050

 

(a) Includes the effect of interest rate swap contracts which effectively convert the floating interest rate to a fixed interest rate over the term of the loan.  

Total financing costs for the Current Nine Months decreased by approximately $3,013,000, or 32.6%, compared to the Prior Year’s Nine Months which was primarily attributable to the following: (a) a decline of approximately $3,137,000 attributed to the pay-down of the loans outstanding on the Maryland Properties sold in the Current Nine Months; (b) a decrease of approximately $278,000 attributed to the refinancing of the loan on the Boulders property in the Current Nine Months resulting in a reduction in the interest rate from 5.37% to 2.85% and in the principal balance from approximately $14.4 million to $7.5 million; offset by (c) an increase of approximately $213,000 attributed to a breakage fee on the early termination of the interest rate swap contracts relating to the underlying loan on the Damascus property, which was repaid from the net proceeds of the sale of the Damascus property in the Current Nine Months; and (d) an increase of approximately $148,000 related to the write-off of deferred mortgage costs on the Wayne PSC mortgage loan previously held with People’s United Bank which was refinanced with a new lender in July of 2022.

Total financing costs for the Current Quarter decreased by approximately $1,276,000, or 41.8%, compared to the Prior Year’s Quarter which was primarily attributable to the following: (a) a decline of approximately $1,377,000 attributed to the pay-down of the loans outstanding on the Maryland Properties sold; offset by (b) an increase of approximately $148,000 related to the write-off of deferred mortgage costs on the Wayne PSC mortgage loan previously held with People’s United Bank which was refinanced with a new lender in July of 2022.

(See Note 7 to FREIT’s condensed consolidated financial statements for additional details on the sale of the Maryland properties.)

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

G&A for the Current Nine Months and Current Quarter was approximately $3,107,000 and $911,000, respectively, compared to $4,143,000 and $1,413,000, respectively, for the Prior Year’s comparable periods. The primary components of G&A are legal and professional fees, directors’ fees, corporate expenses and accounting/auditing fees. The decrease in G&A for the Current Nine Months was primarily driven by reincorporation expenses of approximately $0.5 million incurred in the Prior Year’s Nine Months and a decline in legal costs of approximately $0.6 million primarily attributed to the legal proceeding between FREIT and certain of its affiliates and Sinatra Properties, LLC. The decrease in G&A for the Current Quarter was primarily driven by a decline in legal costs attributed to the legal proceeding between FREIT and certain of its affiliates and Sinatra Properties, LLC.

DEPRECIATION

Depreciation expense for the Current Nine Months and Current Quarter was approximately $3,257,000 and $723,000, respectively, compared to $6,948,000 and $2,315,000, respectively, for the Prior Year’s comparable periods. The decline in depreciation expense for the Current Nine Months and Current Quarter was primarily attributable the sale of the Maryland Properties. (See Note 7 to FREIT’s condensed consolidated financial statements for additional details on the sale of the Maryland properties.)

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $5.8 million for the Current Nine Months compared to net cash provided by operating activities of approximately $10.2 million for the Prior Year’s Nine Months. FREIT expects that cash provided by operating activities and cash reserves will be adequate to cover mandatory debt service payments (including payments of interest, but excluding balloon payments which are expected to be refinanced and/or extended), real estate taxes, dividends, recurring capital improvements at its properties and other needs to maintain its status as a REIT for at least a period of one year from the date of filing of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

As of July 31, 2022, FREIT had cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash totaling $107.6 million, compared to $39 million at October 31, 2021. The increase in cash in the Current Nine Months was primarily attributable to approximately $250.4 million in net cash provided by investing activities including capital expenditures and $5.8 million in net cash provided by operating activities offset by approximately $187.6 million in net cash used in financing activities. The increase in cash of approximately $68.6 million was primarily attributed to the following: (a) a distribution of net proceeds received from the sale of the Rotunda Property of approximately $54.4 million (inclusive of a loan repayment from Grande Rotunda of approximately $27.7 million and repayment of secured loans receivable including accrued interest by certain members in Rotunda 100 of approximately $5.3 million); (b) a distribution of net proceeds received from the sale of the Damascus Property of approximately $11.8 million; (c) net proceeds received from the sale of the Westridge Square Property of approximately $0.1 million; (d) anticipated funds to be released of approximately $6.3 million and funds released of approximately $1.9 million from the funds held in post-closing escrow for rents related to the sale of the Maryland Properties; (e) net proceeds received from the refinancing of the Wayne PSC loan of approximately $2.5 million; offset by (f) a loan pay-down including closing costs of approximately $7.6 million attributed to the refinancing of the loan on the Boulders property; and (g) dividends paid in the Current Nine Months the amount of approximately $2.1 million. (See Note 7 to FREIT’s condensed consolidated financial statements for additional details on the sale of the Maryland properties.)

Credit Line: FREIT’s revolving line of credit provided by Provident Bank was renewed for a three-year term ending on October 31, 2023. Draws against the credit line can be used for working capital needs and standby letters of credit. Draws against the credit line are secured by mortgages on FREIT’s Franklin Crossing Shopping Center in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey and retail space in Glen

Rock, New Jersey. The total line of credit is $13 million and the interest rate on the amount outstanding is based on a floating interest rate of prime minus 25 basis points with a floor of 3.75%. As of July 31, 2022 and October 31, 2021, there was no amount outstanding and $13 million was available under the line of credit.

Dividend: The FREIT Board of Directors (“Board”) declared dividends of approximately $1,407,000 ($0.20 per share) to stockholders of record during Fiscal 2022. The Board did not declare a dividend in the third quarter of Fiscal 2022. On August 4, 2022, FREIT’s Board declared a special, extraordinary, non-recurring cash distribution of approximately $51.5 million, or $7.50 per share, which was paid on August 30, 2022, to stockholders of record on August 16, 2022 (with an ex-dividend date of August 31, 2022). (See Note 7 to FREIT’s condensed consolidated financial statements for additional details.) The Board will continue to evaluate the dividend on a quarterly basis.

As of July 31, 2022, FREIT’s aggregate outstanding mortgage debt was $139.6 million, which bears a weighted average interest rate of 4.28% and an average life of approximately 2.7 years. FREIT’s mortgages are subject to amortization schedules that are longer than the terms of the mortgages. As such, balloon payments (unpaid principal amounts at the mortgage due date) for all mortgage debt will be required as follows:

 

Fiscal Year		2022	2023	2024	2025	2026	2027	2028	2029
($ in millions)
Mortgage "Balloon" Payments		$0.0 (A)	$42.1	$16.5	$38.9	$0.0	$0.0	$10.5	$26.0
	(A)	On August 19, 2022, Westwood Hills, LLC, exercised its right, pursuant to the loan agreement, to extend the term of its $25 million loan on its property located in Westwood, New Jersey, which matures on October 1, 2022, for two (2) additional six (6) month periods on the same terms and conditions as stated in the loan agreement.

The following table shows the estimated fair value and net carrying value of FREIT’s long-term debt at July 31, 2022 and October 31, 2021:

 

($ in Millions)		July 31, 2022		October 31, 2021
Fair Value		$136.8		$301.6
Carrying Value, Net		$138.3		$299.9

 

Fair values are estimated based on market interest rates at July 31, 2022 and October 31, 2021 and on a discounted cash flow analysis. Changes in assumptions or estimation methods may significantly affect these fair value estimates. The fair value is based on observable inputs (level 2 in the fair value hierarchy as provided by authoritative guidance).

FREIT expects to refinance the individual mortgages with new mortgages or exercise extension options when their terms expire. To this extent, FREIT has exposure to interest rate risk. If interest rates, at the time any individual mortgage note is due, are higher than the current fixed interest rate, higher debt service may be required, and/or refinancing proceeds may be less than the amount of mortgage debt being retired. For example, at July 31, 2022, a 1% interest rate increase would reduce the fair value of FREIT’s debt by $3.4 million, and a 1% decrease would increase the fair value by $3.6 million.

FREIT continually reviews its debt levels to determine if additional debt can prudently be utilized for property acquisitions for its real estate portfolio that will increase income and cash flow to stockholders.

On August 19, 2022, Westwood Hills, LLC, exercised its right, pursuant to the loan agreement, to extend the term of its $25 million loan on its property located in Westwood, New Jersey, maturing on October 1, 2022, for two (2) additional six (6) month periods on the same terms and conditions as stated in the loan agreement.

On July 22, 2022, Wayne PSC refinanced its $22.1 million loan (inclusive of deferred interest of approximately $136,000), which would have matured on October 1, 2026, on its Preakness Shopping center located in Wayne, New Jersey with a new loan held by ConnectOne Bank in the amount of $25,000,000. This loan is interest-only based on a fixed interest rate of 5% and has a term of three years with a maturity date of August 1, 2025. Additionally, an interest reserve escrow was established at closing representing twelve months of interest of $1,250,000, which can be used to pay monthly interest on this loan with a requirement to replenish the escrow account back to $1,250,000 when the balance in the escrow account is reduced to three months of interest. This refinancing resulted in (i) annual debt service savings of approximately $340,000 due to interest-only payments; (ii) an increase in the interest rate from a fixed interest rate of 3.625% to a fixed interest rate of 5%; and (iii) net refinancing proceeds of approximately $1.1 million which can be used for capital expenditures and general corporate purposes. As part of the refinancing, Wayne PSC terminated the interest rate swap contract on the underlying loan resulting in a realized gain on the swap breakage of approximately $1.4 million, which has been recorded as a realized gain on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income for the nine and three months ended July 31, 2022.

On December 30, 2021, FREIT refinanced its $14.4 million loan (which would have matured on February 1, 2022) on its Boulders property located in Rockaway, New Jersey with a new loan held by ConnectOne Bank in the amount of $7,500,000, with additional funding available to be drawn upon in the amount of $7,500,000 for corporate needs. This loan is interest-only and has a maturity date of January 1, 2024 with the option of FREIT to extend for one year from the maturity date, subject to certain provisions of the loan agreement. This refinancing will provide annual debt service savings of approximately $1,173,000 as a result of the reduction in the principal amount, a reduction in the annual interest rate from a fixed rate of 5.37% to a fixed rate of 2.85% and interest-only payments being required under this new loan.

Interest rate swap contracts: To reduce interest rate volatility, FREIT uses a “pay fixed, receive floating” interest rate swap to convert floating interest rates to fixed interest rates over the term of a certain loan. FREIT enters into these swap contracts with a counterparty that is usually a high-quality commercial bank. In essence, FREIT agrees to pay its counterparties a fixed rate of interest on a dollar amount of notional principal (which generally corresponds to FREIT’s mortgage debt) over a term equal to the term of the mortgage notes. FREIT’s counterparties, in return, agree to pay FREIT a short-term rate of interest - generally LIBOR - on that same notional amount over the same term as the mortgage notes.

FREIT has variable interest rate loans secured by its Damascus Centre, Regency, Wayne PSC and Station Place properties. To reduce interest rate fluctuations, FREIT entered into interest rate swap contracts for each of these loans. These interest rate swap contracts effectively converted variable interest rate payments to fixed interest rate payments. The contracts were based on a notional amount of approximately $16,200,000 ($14,671,000 at July 31, 2022) for the Regency swap and a notional amount of approximately $12,350,000 ($11,806,000 at July 31, 2022) for the Station Place swap. On January 10, 2022, the property owned by Damascus Centre was sold and a portion of the proceeds from the sale was used to pay off the $18.2 million then outstanding balance of the underlying loan and the corresponding swap breakage fees of approximately $213,000 related to the early termination of the interest rate swap contracts on this loan which was included as interest expense on the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of income for the nine months ended July 31, 2022. (See Note 7 to FREIT’s condensed consolidated financial statements for further details on the sale of this property.) On June 17, 2022, Wayne PSC terminated its interest rate swap contract on its underlying loan held with People’s United Bank, which had a maturity date of October 2026, for a settlement amount of approximately $1.4 million. People’s United Bank held the proceeds from this settlement in escrow until the underlying loan was paid off in July 2022 and has been included as a realized gain on interest rate swap termination on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income for the nine and three months ended July 31, 2022. (See Note 9 to FREIT’s condensed consolidated financial statements for further details.)

Interest rate cap contract: To limit exposure on interest rate volatility, FREIT uses an interest rate cap contract to cap a floating interest rate at a set pre-determined rate. FREIT enters into cap contracts with a counterparty that is usually a high-quality commercial bank. In essence, so long as the floating interest rate is below the cap rate, FREIT agrees to pay its counterparties a variable rate of interest on a dollar amount of notional principal (which generally corresponds to FREIT’s mortgage debt). Once the floating interest rate rises above the cap rate, FREIT’s counterparties, in return, agree to pay FREIT a short-term rate of interest above the cap on that same notional amount.

FREIT had a variable interest rate loan secured by its Rotunda Property. As part of the refinancing of Grande Rotunda’s construction loan with a new loan from Aareal Capital Corporation, Grande Rotunda had purchased an interest rate cap contract on LIBOR for the full amount that could have been drawn on this loan of $121.9 million, capping the one-month LIBOR rate at 3% for the first two years of this loan which matured on March 5, 2020. On February 28, 2020, Grande Rotunda had purchased an interest rate cap on LIBOR, with an effective date of March 5, 2020, for the full amount that could have been drawn on this loan of $121.9 million, capping the one-month LIBOR rate at 3% for one year, maturing on March 5, 2021. Effective February 6, 2021, Grande Rotunda exercised the first extension option on this loan with a balance of approximately $118.5 million, extending the loan one year with a new maturity date of February 6, 2022. Additionally, Grande Rotunda purchased an interest rate cap contract on LIBOR, with an effective date of March 5, 2021, for the loan amount of approximately $118.5 million, capping the one-month LIBOR rate at 3% for one year expiring on February 6, 2022. On December 30, 2021, the Rotunda Property owned by Grande Rotunda was sold, a portion of the proceeds from the sale was used to pay off the $116.5 million then outstanding balance of the underlying loan and the corresponding interest rate cap on this loan matured with no settlement due at maturity. (See Note 7 to FREIT’s condensed consolidated financial statements for further details.)

In accordance with ASU 2017-12, “Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities to Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging ("ASC 815")”, FREIT marks-to-market its interest rate swap and cap contracts. As the floating interest rate varies from time-to-time over the term of the contract, the value of the contract will change upward or downward. If the floating rate is higher than the fixed rate, the value of the contract goes up and there is a gain and an asset. If the floating rate is less than the fixed rate, there is a loss and a liability. The interest rate swaps and cap are accounted for as cash flow hedges with the corresponding gains or losses on these contracts not affecting FREIT’s condensed consolidated statement of operations; changes in the fair value of these cash flow hedges will be reported in other comprehensive income and appear in the equity section of the condensed consolidated balance sheet. This gain or loss represents the economic consequence of liquidating fixed rate swaps or the cap contract and replacing them with like-duration funding at current market rates, something we would likely never do. Periodic cash settlements of these contracts will be accounted for as an adjustment to interest expense.

FREIT has the following derivative-related risks with its interest rate swap and cap contracts (“contract”): 1) early termination risk, and 2) counterparty credit risk.

Early Termination Risk: If FREIT wants to terminate its contract before maturity, it would be bought out or terminated at market value; i.e., the difference in the present value of the anticipated net cash flows from each of the contract’s parties. If current variable interest rates are significantly below FREIT’s fixed interest rate payments, this could be costly. Conversely, if interest rates rise above FREIT’s fixed interest payments and FREIT elected early termination, FREIT would realize a gain on termination. At July 31, 2022, the contract for Regency was in FREIT’s favor and the contract for Station Place was in the counterparties’ favor. If FREIT had terminated these contracts at that date, it would have realized a gain of approximately $116,000 for the Regency swap and a loss of $16,000 for the Station Place swap all of which have been included in FREIT’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as at July 31, 2022. The change in the fair value for the contract (gain or loss) during such period has been included in comprehensive income (loss) and for the nine and three months ended July 31, 2022, FREIT recorded an unrealized gain of approximately $2,408,000 and unrealized loss of $1,393,000, respectively, in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. For the nine and three months ended July 31, 2021, FREIT recorded an unrealized gain of approximately $1,441,000 and unrealized loss of $234,000, respectively, in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Counterparty Credit Risk: Each party to a contract bears the risk that its counterparty will default on its obligation to make a periodic payment. FREIT reduces this risk by entering into a contract only with major financial institutions that are experienced market makers in the derivatives market.

 

ADJUSTED FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS

Funds From Operations (“FFO”) is a non-GAAP measure defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”). FREIT does not include distributions from equity/debt/capital gain sources in its computation of FFO. Although many consider FFO as the standard measurement of a REIT’s performance, FREIT modified the NAREIT computation of FFO to include other adjustments to GAAP net income that are not considered by management to be the primary drivers of its decision making process. These adjustments to GAAP net income are straight-line rents and recurring capital improvements on FREIT’s residential apartments. The modified FFO computation is referred to as Adjusted Funds From Operations (“AFFO”). FREIT believes that AFFO is a superior measure of its operating performance. FREIT computes FFO and AFFO as follows:

 

		For the Nine Months Ended July 31,								For the Three Months Ended July 31,
		2022				2021				2022				2021
		(In Thousands, Except Per Share)								(In Thousands, Except Per Share)
Funds From Operations ("FFO") (a)
Net income		$	69,966			$	1,032			$	1,814			$	316
Depreciation of consolidated properties			3,257				6,948				723				2,315
Amortization of deferred leasing costs			107				363				19				131
Distributions to non-controlling interests			(735	)			(960	)			(210	)			(450	)
Net gain on sale of Maryland properties			(68,771	)			—				—				—
Adjustment to loss on investment in tenancy-in-common for depreciation			1,062				1,055				355				352
Net realized gain on Wayne PSC interest rate swap termination			(1,415	)			—				(1,415	)			—
FFO		$	3,471			$	8,438			$	1,286			$	2,664
Per Share - Basic and Diluted		$	0.49			$	1.20			$	0.18			$	0.38
(a) As prescribed by NAREIT.
Adjusted Funds From Operations ("AFFO")
FFO		$	3,471			$	8,438			$	1,286			$	2,664
Deferred rents (Straight lining)			25				225				(36	)			12
Capital Improvements - Apartments			(401	)			(438	)			(195	)			(258	)
AFFO		$	3,095			$	8,225			$	1,055			$	2,418
Per Share - Basic and Diluted		$	0.44			$	1.17			$	0.15			$	0.34
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Basic			7,038				7,016				7,040				7,022
Diluted			7,110				7,018				7,114				7,026

FFO and AFFO do not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP, and therefore should not be considered a substitute for net income as a measure of results of operations or for cash flow from operations as a measure of liquidity. Additionally, the application and calculation of FFO and AFFO by certain other REITs may vary materially from that of FREIT, and therefore FREIT’s FFO and AFFO may not be directly comparable to those of other REITs.

INFLATION

Inflation can impact the financial performance of FREIT in various ways. FREIT’s commercial tenant leases normally provide that the tenants bear all or a portion of most operating expenses, which can reduce the impact of inflationary increases on FREIT. Apartment leases are normally for a one-year term, which may allow FREIT to seek increased rents as leases renew or when new tenants are obtained, subject to prevailing market conditions.

 

Item 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

See “Commercial Segment”, “Residential Segment” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” under Item 2 above for a detailed discussion of FREIT’s quantitative and qualitative market risk disclosures.

 

Item 4: Controls and Procedures

At the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of FREIT’s disclosure controls and procedures. This evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with participation of FREIT’s management, including FREIT’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, who concluded that FREIT’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of July 31, 2022. There has been no change in FREIT’s internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, FREIT’s internal control over financial reporting.

Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in FREIT’s reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in FREIT’s reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including FREIT’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

 

Part II: Other Information

 

Item 1: Legal Proceedings

On February 4, 2022, the Superior Court of New Jersey, Monmouth County (“Court”) entered an Order with respect to summary judgment motions filed by the parties in connection with litigation between certain affiliates of FREIT (the “Sellers” or “Defendant”) and Sinatra Properties, LLC (“Sinatra” or “Plaintiff”). The litigation relates to a Purchase and Sale Agreement entered into on January 14, 2020 (“PSA”) between the Sellers and Sinatra involving the sale by the Sellers of 100% of their ownership interests in six (6) real properties held by the Sellers.

The February 4, 2022 Order provided as follows:

(1) The Court finds that the Plaintiff’s have breached the subject contract and the Court dismisses all claims for relief filed by the Plaintiff in this suit. The Court dismissed the Complaint and dismisses the Lis Pendens.

(2) The Court finds that the liquidated damage provision of the contract is not enforceable and the Court Orders that the $15 million held in escrow be returned to the Plaintiff.

(3) The Court dismisses the Counterclaims and Third Party Complaint. All pleadings are dismissed.

On May 31, 2022, Sinatra filed a Motion for Reconsideration with the Court, requesting that the Court reconsider its February 4, 2022 Order and, among other things, (a) grant Sinatra’s motion for summary judgment, and (b) reverse the Court’s findings that (1) Sinatra breached the PSA, (2) the Sellers did not breach the PSA and (3) the Court’s dismissal of the Complaint and Lis Pendens.

On July 8, 2022, the Court denied Sinatra’s Motion for Reconsideration.

The Sellers have been evaluating the February 4, 2022 Order and their rights and remedies with respect thereto. The Sellers continue to believe that the allegations set forth in the Complaint filed by Sinatra and in the Answer to Counterclaims and Third-Party Complaint and Affirmative Defenses filed by Sinatra and Kushner Realty Acquisition LLC, are without merit.

 

Item 1A: Risk Factors

There were no material changes in any risk factors previously disclosed in FREIT’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2021, that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 28, 2022.

 

Item 6: Exhibits

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit 31.1 - Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 31.2 - Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 32.1 - Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

Exhibit 32.2 - Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

 

Exhibit 101 - The following materials from FREIT’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 31, 2022, are formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (“iXBRL”): (i) condensed consolidated balance sheets; (ii) condensed consolidated statements of income; (iii) condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income; (iv) condensed consolidated statements of equity; (v) condensed consolidated statements of cash flows; and (vi) notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements 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.

 

	FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT
	TRUST OF NEW JERSEY, INC.
	(Registrant)
Date: September 14, 2022
	/s/ Robert S. Hekemian, Jr.
	(Signature)
	Robert S. Hekemian, Jr.
	President and Chief Executive Officer
	(Principal Executive Officer)
	/s/ Allan Tubin
	(Signature)
	Allan Tubin
	Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
	(Principal Financial/Accounting Officer)