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Lightstone Value Plus REIT I, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2009 September (Form 10-Q)

Unassociated Document

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009

OR

¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to

Commission file number 333-117367
LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Maryland
 
20-1237795
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

1985 Cedar Bridge Avenue, Suite 1
   
Lakewood, New Jersey
 
08701
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)

(732) 367-0129
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

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   þ  
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer   ¨
 
Accelerated filer   ¨
 
Non-accelerated filer    þ
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes  ¨  No þ

As of November 6, 2009, there were 31.5 million outstanding shares of common stock of Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc., including shares issued pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan.  

 
 

 

LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX
 
 
    
Page
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
    
 
   
   
Item 1.
Financial Statements
    
     
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2009 (unaudited) and December 31, 2008
3
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008
4
 
   
   
 
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity and Other Comprehensive Loss (unaudited) for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
5
 
   
   
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008
6
     
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
7
     
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
34
     
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
51
     
Item 4T.
Controls and Procedures
52
     
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
    
     
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
52
     
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
53
     
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
54
     
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
55
     
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
55
     
Item 5.
Other Information
55
   
 
Item 6.
Exhibits
56

 
2

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION, CONTINUED:
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED:

LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

  
 
September 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
   
(unaudited)
       
Assets
           
Investment property:
           
Land 
  $ 55,979,164     $ 65,050,624  
Building
    231,832,643       273,255,468  
Construction in progress
    347,181       3,318,021  
                 
Gross investment property
    288,158,988       341,624,113  
Less accumulated depreciation
    (14,051,674 )     (17,287,242 )
Net investment property
    274,107,314       324,336,871  
                 
Investments in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities   
    132,333,242       21,375,908  
Investment in affiliate, at cost   
    8,283,336       10,150,000  
Cash and cash equivalents   
    22,705,537       66,106,067  
Marketable securities
    879,996       11,450,565  
Restricted escrows
    7,185,113       7,773,705  
Tenant accounts receivable, net
    1,203,686       2,073,756  
Other accounts receivable, primarily escrow receivable
    17,763       1,238,894  
Note receivable, related party
    -       48,500,000  
Acquired in-place lease intangibles (net of accumulated amortization of $1,924,752 and $1,849,234, respectively)
    732,522       1,141,538  
Acquired above market lease intangibles (net of accumulated amortization of $813,675 and $710,720, respectively)
    274,155       439,939  
Deferred intangible leasing costs (net of accumulated amortization of $919,288 and $832,824, respectively)
    459,954       695,016  
Deferred leasing costs (net of accumulated amortization of $288,268 and $158,792, respectively)
    1,247,013       1,019,225  
Deferred financing costs (net of accumulated amortization of $931,225 and $634,612, respectively)
    1,461,347       1,723,093  
Interest receivable from related parties
    1,001,884       1,815,279  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    2,776,162       1,969,384  
                 
Total Assets
  $ 454,669,024     $ 501,809,240  
  
               
Liabilities and Equity
               
Mortgage payable
  $ 237,287,774     $ 239,243,982  
Note payable
    7,358,445       7,416,941  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    4,489,283       8,518,275  
Due to sponsor and other affiliates
    11,696,163       1,145,890  
Tenant allowances and deposits payable
    1,255,732       5,673,760  
Distributions payable
    5,519,406       -  
Prepaid rental revenues
    1,291,907       978,648  
Acquired below market lease intangibles (net of accumulated amortization of $2,476,823 and $2,258,021, respectively)
    752,008       1,204,434  
                 
Total Liabilities
    269,650,718       264,181,930  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Equity
               
Company's stockholders' equity:
               
                 
Preferred shares, $1 Par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized,  none outstanding
    -       -  
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized, 31,279,146 and 30,985,544 shares issued and outstanding, respectively   
    312,791       309,855  
Additional paid-in-capital   
    278,408,582       275,589,300  
Accumulated other comprehensive gain/(loss)
    364,582       (4,212,454 )
Accumulated distributions in addition to net loss   
    (135,255,187 )     (57,173,374 )
Total Company's stockholder’s equity
    143,830,768       214,513,327  
Noncontrolling interests
    41,187,538       23,113,983  
Total Equity
    185,018,306       237,627,310  
Total Liabilities and Equity   
  $ 454,669,024     $ 501,809,240  

The Company’s notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
3

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION, CONTINUED:  
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED:
 
LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)  

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30, 2009
   
September 30,
2008
   
September 30,
2009
 
September 30, 2008
 
                         
Revenues:
                       
Rental income
  $ 8,863,816     $ 9,191,180     $ 27,326,273     $ 26,841,456  
Tenant recovery income
    1,277,035       1,075,673       3,684,443       3,136,626  
                                 
Total revenues
    10,140,851       10,266,853       31,010,716       29,978,082  
                                 
Expenses:
                               
Property operating expenses
    4,029,502       4,712,463       11,907,805       12,951,925  
Real estate taxes
    1,093,325       1,030,937       3,319,905       3,117,564  
General and administrative costs
    1,891,522       1,335,185       5,818,245       8,299,384  
Impairment of long lived assets, net of gain on disposal
    44,960,800       -       44,960,800       -  
Depreciation and amortization
    2,694,337       2,136,873       7,568,009       6,539,587  
                                  
Total operating expenses
    54,669,486       9,215,458       73,574,764       30,908,460  
                                 
Operating (loss) income
    (44,528,635 )     1,051,395       (42,564,048 )     (930,378 )
                                 
Other income, net
    145,453       120,873       510,474       385,512  
Interest income
    1,038,464       1,550,433       3,076,695       3,528,156  
Interest expense
    (3,653,893 )     (3,492,802 )     (10,816,747 )     (10,473,022 )
Gain/(loss) on sale of marketable securities
    1,187,620       (7,454 )     343,724       (7,454 )
Other than temporary impairment - marketable securities
    -       (9,733,015 )     (3,373,716 )     (9,733,015 )
Loss from investments in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities
    (3,508,079 )     (676,194 )     (4,248,298 )     (2,236,511 )
                                 
                                 
Net loss
    (49,319,070 )     (11,186,764 )     (57,071,916 )     (19,466,712 )
                                 
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
    673,924       173       767,040       322  
                                 
                                 
Net loss attributable to Company's common shares
  $ (48,645,146 )   $ (11,186,591 )   $ (56,304,876 )   $ (19,466,390 )
                                 
Net loss per Company's common share, basic and diluted
  $ (1.55 )   $ (0.44 )   $ (1.80 )   $ (0.97 )
                                 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic and diluted
    31,297,445       25,464,696       31,204,618       20,058,683  

The Company’s notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
4

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION:    
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
  
LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE GAIN/(LOSS)
(UNAUDITED)

   
Preferred Shares
   
Common Shares
                               
   
Preferred
Shares
   
Amount
   
Common
Shares
   
Amount
   
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
   
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Gain/(Loss)
   
Accumulated
Distributions in
Excess of Net Loss
   
Total
Noncontrolling
Interests
   
Total
Equity
 
BALANCE,    December 31, 2008
    -     $ -       30,985,544     $ 309,855     $ 275,589,300     $ (4,212,454 )   $ (57,173,374 )   $ 23,113,983     $ 237,627,310  
                                                                         
Comprehensive loss:
                                                                       
Net loss
    -       -       -       -       -        -       (56,304,876 )     (767,040 )     (57,071,916 )
                                                                         
Unrealized gain on available for sale securities
    -       -       -       -       -        499,314       -       49,395       548,709  
                                                                         
Reclassification adjustment for loss realized in net loss
    -       -       -       -       -        4,077,722       -       (122 )     4,077,600  
Total comprehensive loss
                                                                    (52,445,607 )
                                                                         
Distributions declared
    -       -       -       -       -        -       (21,776,937 )     -       (21,776,937 )
                                                                         
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests
    -       -       -       -       -        -       -       (3,200,003 )     (3,200,003 )
Proceeds from special general partner interest units
    -       -       -       -       -        -       -       6,982,534       6,982,534  
                                                                         
Redemption and cancellation of shares
    -       -       (453,167 )     (4,532 )     (4,267,550 )                     -       (4,272,082 )
Shares issued from distribution reinvestment program
    -       -       746,769       7,468       7,086,832        -       -       -       7,094,300  
                                                                         
Issuance of equity in subsidiary in exchange for payment of acquisition fee (see Note 13)
    -       -       -       -       -        -       -       6,878,087       6,878,087  
                                                                         
Units issued to noncontrolling interest in exchange for investment in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entity
    -       -       -       -       -        -       -       78,988,411       78,988,411  
Note receivable secured by noncontrolling interest units
    -       -       -       -       -        -       -       (70,857,707 )     (70,857,707 )
BALANCE,  September 30, 2009
    -     $ -       31,279,146     $ 312,791     $ 278,408,582     $ 364,582     $ (135,255,187 )   $ 41,187,538     $ 185,018,306  

The Company’s notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
5

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION, CONTINUED:
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED:
 
LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)

   
Nine Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2008
 
             
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
           
Net loss
  $ (57,071,916 )   $ (19,466,712 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash  provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    7,140,070       6,100,190  
Impairment of long lived assets, net of gain on disposal
    44,960,800       -  
(Gain)/loss on sale of marketable securities
    (343,724 )     7,454  
Realized loss on impairment of marketable securities
    3,373,716       9,733,015  
Amortization of deferred financing costs
    284,657       368,625  
Amortization of deferred leasing costs
    427,939       439,397  
Amortization of above and below-market lease intangibles
    (286,641 )     (632,518 )
Equity in loss from investments in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities
    4,248,298       2,236,511  
Provision for bad debts
    785,987       990,613  
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Decrease/(increase) in prepaid expenses and other assets
    154,085       (1,567,703 )
Decrease/(increase) in tenant and other accounts receivable
    980,160       (1,032,029 )
Increase in tenant allowance and security deposits payable
    250,023       31,335  
Decrease)/increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (2,450,934 )     9,882,151  
Increase/(decrease) in due to sponsor
    132,485       (3,209,190 )
(Decrease)/increase in prepaid rental revenues
    313,259       (26,645 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    2,898,264       3,854,494  
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: 
               
Purchase of investment property, net
    (7,875,155 )     (22,656,237 )
Purchase of marketable securities
    -       (9,290,458 )
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities
    12,166,886       83,562  
Issuance of note receivables, related party
    -       (49,500,000 )
Investment in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entity
    -       (10,150,000 )
Distribution from investments in unconsolidated affiliate
    1,866,664       -  
Purchase of investment in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entity
    (18,997,677 )     -  
Funding of restricted escrows
    588,592       (407,832 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (12,250,690 )     (91,920,965 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: 
               
Proceeds from mortgage financing
    -       3,187,177  
Mortgage payments
    (2,014,703 )     (230,947 )
Payment of loan fees and expenses
    (22,911 )     (441,509 )
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
    -       152,146,559  
Redemption and cancellation of common stock
    (4,272,082 )     -  
Proceeds from issuance of special general partnership units
    6,982,534       12,292,129  
Payment of offering costs
    -       (15,853,449 )
Issuance of note receivable to noncontrolling interest
    (22,357,708 )     (17,640,000 )
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests
    (3,200,003 )     (482,697 )
Distributions paid to Company's common stockholders
    (9,163,231 )     (4,951,117 )
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (34,048,104 )     128,026,146  
                 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    (43,400,530 )     39,959,675  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    66,106,067       29,589,815  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 22,705,537     $ 69,549,490  
                 
Cash paid for interest
  $ 10,633,573     $ 10,667,126  
Dividends declared
  $ 21,776,937     $ 10,645,812  
Non cash purchase of investment property
  $ 232,952     $ 5,725,735  
Value of shares issued from distribution reinvestment program
  $ 7,094,300     $ 3,447,577  
                 
Issuance of equity for payment of acquisition fee obligation (See Note 13)
  $ 6,878,087     $ -  
                 
Issuance of units in exchange for investment in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities
  $ 78,988,411     $ 19,600,000  

The Company’s notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
6

 

LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

 
1.
Organization
 
Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“Lightstone REIT” and, together with the Operating Partnership (as defined below), the “Company”) was formed on June 8, 2004 and subsequently qualified as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) during the year ending December 31, 2006. The Company was formed primarily for the purpose of engaging in the business of investing in and owning commercial and residential real estate properties located throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

The Lightstone REIT is structured as an umbrella partnership real estate investment trust, or UPREIT, and substantially all of the Lightstone REIT’s current and future business is and will be conducted through Lightstone Value Plus REIT, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership formed on July 12, 2004 (the “Operating Partnership”). The Lightstone REIT is managed by Lightstone Value Plus REIT, LLC (the “Advisor”), an affiliate of the Lightstone Group (the “Sponsor”), under the terms and conditions of an advisory agreement. The Sponsor and Advisor are owned and controlled by David Lichtenstein, the Chairman of the Company’s board of directors and its Chief Executive Officer.

The Company commenced an initial public offering to sell a maximum of 30,000,000 shares of common shares on May 23, 2005, at a price of $10 per share (exclusive of 4 million shares available pursuant to the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan, 600,000 shares that could be obtained through the exercise of selling dealer warrants when and if issued and 75,000 shares that are reserved for issuance under the Company’s stock option plan). The Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (the “Registration Statement”) was declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933 on April 22, 2005, and on May 24, 2005, the Lightstone REIT began offering its common shares for sale to the public. Lightstone Securities, LLC (the “Dealer Manager”), an affiliate of the Sponsor, is serving as the dealer manager of the Company’s public offering (the “Offering”).
 
The Company sold 20,000 shares to the Advisor on July 6, 2004, for $10 per share. The Company invested the proceeds from this sale in the Operating Partnership, and as a result, held a 99.9% general partnership interest in the Operating Partnership.  

The Offering terminated on October 10, 2008 when all shares offered where sold.   However, the shares continued to be sold to existing stockholders pursuant to the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan.   As of September 30, 2009, cumulative gross offering proceeds of approximately $308.9 million, which includes redemptions and $14.8 million of proceeds from the dividend reinvestment plan, have been released to the Lightstone REIT and used for the purchase of a 98.4% general partnership interest in the common units of the Operating Partnership.
 
Noncontrolling Interest – Partners of Operating Partnership

On July 6, 2004, the Advisor also contributed $2,000 to the Operating Partnership in exchange for 200 limited partner units in the Operating Partnership. The limited partner has the right to convert operating partnership units into cash or, at the option of the Company, an equal number of common shares of the Company, as allowed by the limited partnership agreement.

Lightstone SLP, LLC, an affiliate of the Advisor, purchased special general partner interests (“SLP Units”) in the Operating Partnership at a cost of $100,000 per unit for each $1.0 million in offering subscriptions. As of September 30, 2009, the Company has received proceeds of $30.0 million from the sale of SLP Units, of which approximately $7.0 million was received during the three months ended March 31, 2009 and none thereafter.

On  June 26,  2008, the Operating Partnership issued (i) 96,000 units of common limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership (“Common Units”) and 18,240 Series A preferred limited partnership units in the Operating Partnership (the “Series A Preferred Units”) with an aggregate liquidation preference of $18,240,000 to Arbor Mill Run JRM, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Arbor JRM”) and (ii) 2,000 Common Units and 380 Series A Preferred Units with an aggregate liquidation preference of $380,000 to Arbor National CJ, LLC, a New York limited liability company (“Arbor CJ”) in exchange for a 22.54% membership interest in Mill Run LLC (Mill Run) (See Note 3). The total aggregate value of the Common Units and Series A Preferred Units issued by the Operating Partnership in exchange for the 22.54% membership interest in Mill Run was $19,600,000.

On March 30, 2009, the Operating Partnership issued 284,209 Common Units and 53,146 Series A Preferred Units with an aggregate liquidation preference of $53,146,000 to AR Prime Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“AR Prime”) in exchange for a 25% membership interest in Prime Outlets Acquisitions Company (“POAC”) (See Note 3).

 
7

 

LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

On August 25, 2009, the Operating Partnership issued  a total of 115,000 Common Units and 21,850 Series A Preferred Units with an aggregate liquidation preference of $21,850,000 to TRAC Central Jersey LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“TRAC”), Central Jersey Holdings II, LLC, a New York limited liability company (“Central Jersey”) and  JT Prime LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“JT Prime”), in exchange for an additional 14.26% membership interest in Mill Run and for an additional 15% membership interest in POAC (See Note 3).

See Note 13 for further discussion of noncontrolling interests.

Operating Partnership Activity
Through its Operating Partnership, the Company will seek to acquire and operate commercial, residential, and hospitality properties, principally in the United States. The Company’s commercial holdings will consist of retail (primarily multi-tenanted shopping centers), lodging (primarily extended stay hotels), industrial and office properties.   All such properties may be acquired and operated by the Company alone or jointly with another party. Since inception, the Company has completed the following acquisitions and investments:

2006
The Company completed the acquisition of the Belz Factory Outlet World in St. Augustine, Florida, four multi-family communities in Southeast Michigan, a retail power center and raw land in Omaha, Nebraska and a portfolio of industrial and office properties located in New Orleans, LA (5 industrial and 2 office properties), Baton Rouge, LA (3 industrial properties) and San Antonio, TX (4 industrial properties).

2007
 The Company has made an investment in a sub-leasehold interest in a ground lease to an office building located at 1407 Broadway in New York, NY, purchased a land parcel in Lake Jackson, TX on which it completed the development of a retail power center in the first quarter of 2008, an 8.5-acre parcel of undeveloped land, including development rights, which is intended to be used for further development of the adjacent Belz Factory Outlet World in St. Augustine, Florida, five apartment communities located in Tampa, FL (one property), Charlotte, North Carolina (two properties) and Greensboro, North Carolina (two properties), and two hotels located in Houston, TX .

2008
The Company has made a preferred equity contribution in exchange for membership interests of a wholly owned subsidiary of Park Avenue Funding, LLC, an affiliated real estate lending company and acquired a 22.54% interest in Mill Run, which consists of two retail properties located in Orlando, Florida.

2009
On March 30, 2009, the Company acquired a 25% interest in POAC which has a portfolio of 18 retail outlet malls and two development projects located in 15 different states across the United States.  On August 25, 2009, the Company acquired an additional 14.26% interest in Mill Run and an additional 15% interest in POAC.  As of September 30, 2009, the Company’s membership interest in Mill Run was 36.8% and 40% in POAC.

All of the acquired properties and development activities are managed by affiliates of Lightstone Value Plus REIT Management LLC (the “Property Manager”).

The Company’s Advisor, Property Manager and Dealer Manager are each related parties. Each of these entities has received compensation and fees for services related to the offering and will continue to receive compensation and fees and services for the investment and management of the Company’s assets. These entities will receive fees during the offering (which was completed on October 10, 2008), acquisition, operational and liquidation stages. The compensation levels during the offering, acquisition and operational stages are based on percentages of the offering proceeds sold, the cost of acquired properties and the annual revenue earned from such properties, and other such fees outlined in each of the respective agreements (See Note 14).
   
 
2.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Basis of Presentation
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries (over which Lightstone REIT exercises financial and operating control). As of September 30, 2009, the Company had a 98.4% general partnership interest in the common units of the Operating Partnership. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  

 
8

 

LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during a reporting period. The most significant assumptions and estimates relate to the valuation of real estate, depreciable lives of fixed assets, amortizable lives of intangibles, revenue recognition, the collectability of trade accounts receivable and the realizability of deferred tax assets. Application of these assumptions requires the exercise of judgment as to future uncertainties and, as a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.

The unaudited consolidated statements of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.  The December 31, 2008 consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.  For further information, refer to consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Investments in real estate entities where the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but does not exercise financial and operating control, are accounted for using the equity method.

 Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. All cash and cash equivalents are held in money market funds or commercial paper.  To date, the Company has not experienced any losses on its cash and cash equivalents.
 
Marketable Securities

Marketable securities consist of equity securities and corporate bonds that are designated as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value. Unrealized holding gains or losses are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains or losses resulting from the sale of these securities are determined based on the specific identification of the securities sold. An impairment charge is recognized when the decline in the fair value of a security below the amortized cost basis is determined to be other-than-temporary. We consider various factors in determining whether to recognize an impairment charge, including the duration and severity of any decline in fair value below our amortized cost basis, any adverse changes in the financial condition of the issuers’ and our intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value. The Board has authorized the Company from time to time to invest the Company’s available cash in marketable securities of real estate related companies. The Board of Directors has approved investments up to 30% of the Company’s total assets to be made at the Company’s discretion, subject to compliance with any REIT or other restrictions.  See Note 5.

Revenue Recognition
 
Minimum rents are recognized on a straight-line accrual basis, over the terms of the related leases. The capitalized above-market lease values and the capitalized below-market lease values are amortized as an adjustment to rental income over the initial lease term. Percentage rents, which are based on commercial tenants’ sales, are recognized once the sales reported by such tenants exceed any applicable breakpoints as specified in the tenants’ leases. Recoveries from commercial tenants for real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses, and from residential tenants for utility costs, are recognized as revenues in the period that the applicable costs are incurred.  Room revenue for the hotel properties are recognized as stays occur, using the accrual method of accounting. Amounts paid in advance are deferred until stays occur.
  
Accounts Receivable
 
The Company makes estimates of the uncollectability of its accounts receivable related to base rents, expense reimbursements and other revenues. The Company analyzes accounts receivable and historical bad debt levels, customer credit worthiness and current economic trends when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. In addition, tenants in bankruptcy are analyzed and estimates are made in connection with the expected recovery of pre-petition and post-petition claims. The Company’s reported net income or loss is directly affected by management’s estimate of the collectability of accounts receivable. The total allowance for doubtful accounts was approximately $0.3 million and $0.2 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.

 
9

 

LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

Investment in Real Estate
 
Accounting for Acquisitions
 
The fair value of the real estate acquired is allocated to the acquired tangible assets, consisting of land, building and tenant improvements, and identified intangible assets and liabilities, consisting of the value of above-market and below-market leases for acquired in-place leases and the value of tenant relationships, based in each case on their fair values. Purchase accounting is applied to assets and liabilities related to real estate entities acquired based upon the percentage of interest acquired. Fees incurred related to acquisitions are expensed as incurred within general and administrative costs within the consolidated statements of operation.  Transaction costs incurred related to the Company’s investment in unconsolidated real estate entities, accounted for under the equity method of accounting, and are capitalized as part of the cost of the investment.

Upon the acquisition of real estate operating properties, the Company estimates the fair value of acquired tangible assets and identified intangible assets and liabilities and assumed debt at the date of acquisition, based on evaluation of information and estimates available at that date. Based on these estimates, the Company allocates the initial purchase price to the applicable assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests, if any.  As final information regarding fair value of the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and noncontrolling interests is received and estimates are refined, appropriate adjustments are made to the purchase price allocation. The allocations are finalized as soon as all the information necessary is available and in no case later than within twelve months from the acquisition date.
   
In determining the fair value of the identified intangible assets and liabilities of an acquired property, above-market and below-market in-place lease values are recorded based on the present value (using an interest rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases and (ii) management’s estimate of fair market lease rates for the corresponding in-place leases, measured over a period equal to the remaining non-cancelable term of the lease. The capitalized above-market lease values and the capitalized below-market lease values are amortized as an adjustment to rental income over the initial non-cancelable lease term.
 
The aggregate value of in-place leases is determined by evaluating various factors, including an estimate of carrying costs during the expected lease-up periods, current market conditions and similar leases. In estimating carrying costs, management includes real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses, and estimates of lost rental revenue during the expected lease-up periods based on current market demand. Management also estimates costs to execute similar leases including leasing commissions, legal and other related costs. The value assigned to this intangible asset is amortized over the remaining lease terms ranging from one month to approximately 11 years. Optional renewal periods are not considered.
 
The aggregate value of other acquired intangible assets includes tenant relationships. Factors considered by management in assigning a value to these relationships include: assumptions of probability of lease renewals, investment in tenant improvements, leasing commissions and an approximate time lapse in rental income while a new tenant is located. The value assigned to this intangible asset is amortized over the remaining lease terms ranging from one month to approximately 11 years.
 
Carrying Value of Assets
 
The amounts to be capitalized as a result of periodic improvements and additions to real estate property, and the periods over which the assets are depreciated or amortized, are determined based on the application of accounting standards that may require estimates as to fair value and the allocation of various costs to the individual assets. Differences in the amount attributed to the assets can be significant based upon the assumptions made in calculating these estimates.
   
Impairment Evaluation   
 
Management evaluates the recoverability of its investments in real estate assets at the lowest identifiable level. Long-lived assets are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized only if the carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value.

 
10

 

LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

The Company evaluates the long-lived assets on a quarterly basis and will record an impairment charge when there is an indicator of impairment and the undiscounted projected cash flows are less than the carrying amount for a particular property. The estimated cash flows used for the impairment analysis and the determination of estimated fair value are based on the Company’s plans for the respective assets and the Company’s views of market and economic conditions. The estimates consider matters such as current and historical rental rates, occupancies for the respective properties and comparable properties, and recent sales data for comparable properties. Changes in estimated future cash flows due to changes in the Company’s plans or views of market and economic conditions could result in recognition of impairment losses, which, under the applicable accounting guidance, could be substantial.  See Note 7.
   
Depreciation and Amortization
 
Depreciation expense for real estate assets is computed based on the straight-line method using a weighted average composite life of thirty-nine years for buildings and improvements and five to ten years for equipment and fixtures. Expenditures for tenant improvements and construction allowances paid to commercial tenants are capitalized and amortized over the initial term of each lease, currently one month to 11 years. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.
 
Deferred Costs
 
The Company capitalizes initial direct costs.  The costs are capitalized upon the execution of the loan or lease and amortized over the initial term of the corresponding loan or lease. Amortization of deferred loan costs begins in the period during which the loan was originated. Deferred leasing costs are not amortized to expense until the earlier of the store opening date or the date the tenant’s lease obligation begins.
 
Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliated Real Estate Entities

The Company evaluates all joint venture arrangements for consolidation.  The percentage interest in the joint venture, evaluation of control and whether a variable interest entity (“VIE”) exists are all considered in determining if the arrangement qualifies for consolidation.

The Company accounts for its investments in unconsolidated real estate entities using the equity or cost method of accounting.  Under the equity method, the cost of an investment is adjusted for the Company’s share of equity in net income or loss beginning on the date of acquisition and reduced by distributions received.  The income or loss of each joint venture investor is allocated in accordance with the provisions of the applicable operating agreements.  The allocation provisions in these agreements may differ from the ownership interest held by each investor.  Differences between the carrying amount of the Company’s investment in the respective joint venture and the Company’s share of the underlying equity of such unconsolidated entities are amortized over the respective lives of the underlying assets as applicable.   These items are reported as a single line item in the consolidated statements of operations as income or loss from investments in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities.  Under the cost of accounting, the dividends earned from the underlying entities are recorded to interest income.

The Company annually reviews its investment in unconsolidated real estate entities for other than temporary declines in market value.  Any decline that is not considered temporary will result in the recording of an impairment charge to the investment.

Income Taxes

The Company made an election in 2006 to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (a “REIT”) under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), beginning with its first taxable year, which ended December 31, 2005.
 
The Company elected and qualified to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code in conjunction with the filing of the 2006 federal tax return. To maintain its status as a REIT, the Company must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of its ordinary taxable income to stockholders. As a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to federal income tax on taxable income that it distributes to its stockholders. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it will then be subject to federal income taxes on its taxable income at regular corporate rates and will not be permitted to qualify for treatment as a REIT for federal income tax purposes for four years following the year during which qualification is lost unless the Internal Revenue Service grants the Company relief under certain statutory provisions. Such an event could materially adversely affect the Company’s net income and net cash available for distribution to stockholders. Through September 30, 2009, the Company has complied with the requirements for maintaining its REIT status.

 
11

 

LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

The Company has net operating loss carryforwards for Federal income tax purposes through the year ended December 31, 2006. The availability of such loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2026. As the Company does not consider it likely that it will realize any future benefit from its loss carry-forward, any deferred asset resulting from the final determination of its tax loss carryforwards will be fully offset by a valuation allowance of the same amount.

In 2007, to maintain the Company’s qualification as a REIT, the Company engages in certain activities through LVP Acquisitions Corp. (“LVP Corp”), a wholly-owned taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”).  As such, the Company is subject to federal and state income and franchise taxes from these activities.

As of September 30, 2009, the Company had no material uncertain income tax positions. The tax years 2005 through 2008 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject.
 
Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their fair values because of the short maturity of these instruments. The fair value of the mortgage debt and notes payable as of September 30, 2009 was approximately $237.7 million compared to the book value of approximately $244.7 million. The fair value of the mortgage debt and notes payable as of December 31, 2008 was approximately $239.8 million compared to the book value of approximately $246.7 million. The fair value of the mortgage debt and notes payable was determined by discounting the future contractual interest and principal payments by a market interest rate.

Accounting for Derivative Financial Investments and Hedging Activities.

The Company may enter into derivative financial instrument transactions in order to mitigate interest rate risk on a related financial instrument. We may designate these derivative financial instruments as hedges and apply hedge accounting. The Company will account for derivative and hedging activities, following Topic 815 - “Derivative and Hedging” in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”).  The Company records all derivative instruments at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet.

Derivative instruments designated in a hedge relationship to mitigate exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, will be considered cash flow hedges. The Company will formally document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as our risk- management objective and strategy for undertaking each hedge transaction. The Company will periodically review the effectiveness of each hedging transaction, which involves estimating future cash flows. Cash flow hedges will be accounted for by recording the fair value of the derivative instrument on the consolidated balance sheet as either an asset or liability, with a corresponding amount recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity. Amounts will be reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss) to the consolidated statement of operations in the period or periods the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. Derivative instruments designated in a hedge relationship to mitigate exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, will be considered fair value hedges.  The effective portion of the derivatives gain or loss is initially reported as a component of other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into earnings when the transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss is reported in earnings immediately.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has a stock-based incentive award plan for our directors.  The Company accounts for the incentive award plan in accordance with Topic 718 – “Compensation-Stock Compensation” in the ASC.  Awards are granted at the fair market value on the date of the grant with fair value estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model, which incorporates assumptions surrounding the volatility, dividend yield, the risk-free interest rate, expected life, and the exercise price as compared to the underlying stock price on the grant date.  The tax benefits associated with these share-based payments are classified as financing activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows as required under previous regulations.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company had no material compensation costs related to the incentive award plan.

Concentration of Risk
 
The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit accounts, which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits.  The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.  The Company believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.

 
12

 

LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

Net Loss per Share
 
Net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. As of September 30, 2009, the Company has 27,000 options issued and outstanding, and does not have any warrants outstanding. As such, the numerator and the denominator used in computing both basic and diluted net loss per share allocable to common stockholders for each year presented are equal due to the net operating loss.  The 27,000 options are not included in the dilutive calculation as they are anti dilutive as a result of the net  loss attributable to Company’s common shares. 
 
New Accounting Pronouncements
  
 In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 141R, a revision of SFAS No. 141, “Accounting for Business Combinations,” which was primarily codified into Topic 805 – “Business Combinations” in the ASC.  This standard establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer shall recognize and measure in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree and goodwill acquired in a business combination. One significant change includes expensing acquisition fees instead of capitalizing these fees as part of the purchase price.  This will impact the Company’s recording of acquisition fees associated with the purchase of wholly-owned entities on a prospective basis.  This statement is effective for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008.  The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2009 and the adoption of this statement did not have a material effect on the consolidated results of operations or financial position.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements an amendment to ARB No. 51” which was primarily codified into Topic 810 - “Consolidation” in the ASC.  This standard establishes and expands accounting and reporting standards for minority interests, which will be recharacterized as noncontrolling interests, in a subsidiary and the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. The Company will also be required to present net income allocable to the noncontrolling interests and net income attributable to the stockholders of the Company separately in its consolidated statements of operations. Prior to the implementation of  this standard, noncontrolling interests (minority interests) were reported between liabilities and stockholders’ equity in the Company’s statement of financial position and the related income attributable to minority interests was reflected as an expense/income in arriving at net income/loss. This standard requires retroactive adoption of the presentation and disclosure requirements for existing minority interests. All other requirements of this standard are to be applied prospectively. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2009 and the presentation and disclosure requirements were applied retrospectively. Other than the change in presentation of noncontrolling interests, the adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the consolidated results of operations or financial position.

In February 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. FAS 157-2 which provides for a one-year deferral of the effective date of SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,”  which was primarily codified into Topic 820 - “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” in the ASC.  This guidance is for non-financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a nonrecurring basis, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis.  The Company adopted this guidance and it did not have a material impact to the Company’s financial position or consolidated results of operations.

In November 2008, the FASB ratified EITF Issue No.  08-6, “Equity Method Investment Accounting Considerations”, which was primarily codified into Topic 323 – “Investments-Equity Method” in the ASC.  This guidance clarifies the accounting for certain transactions and impairment considerations involving equity method investments and is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008 to be applied on a prospective basis. The Company adopted the provisions of this standard on January 1, 2009.  The adoption of this guidance changed the Company’s accounting for transaction costs related to equity investments.  Prior to the adoption of this guidance, the Company expensed these transaction costs to general and administrative expense as incurred.  Beginning January 1, 2009,  transaction costs incurred related to the Company’s investment in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities accounted for under the equity method of accounting  are capitalized as part of the cost of  the investment.  For the three  and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company capitalized $13.3 million and $25.8 million, respectively of transaction costs incurred during the related period related to its investments in POAC and Mill Run (see Note 3).

 
13

 

LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

In April 2009, FASB, issued FASB Staff Position, or FSP, No. FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments, which was primarily codified into Topic 320 – “Investments-Debt and Equity Securities” in the ASC.  This guidance is intended to provide greater clarity to investors about the credit and noncredit component of an other-than-temporary impairment event and to more effectively communicate when an other-than-temporary impairment event has occurred.  The guidance applies to fixed maturity securities only and requires separate display of losses related to credit deterioration and losses related to other market factors.  When an entity does not intend to sell the security and it is more likely than not that an entity will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis, it must recognize the credit component of an other-than-temporary impairment in earnings and the remaining portion in other comprehensive income.  In addition, upon adoption of the guidance, an entity will be required to record a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the beginning of the period of adoption to reclassify the noncredit component of a previously recognized other-than-temporary impairment from retained earnings to accumulated other comprehensive income.  The guidance is effective for the Company for the quarter ended June 30, 2009.  The Company adopted the guidance during the quarter ended June 30, 2009 and the adoption did not have a material effect on the consolidated results of operations or financial position.

In May 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165, “Subsequent Events”, which was primarily codified into Topic 855 - “Subsequent Events” in the ASC. This standard sets forth: 1) the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements; 2) the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements; and 3) the disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company adopted the standard in the quarter ended June 30, 2009. The standard did not impact the consolidated results of operations or financial position. See Note 17.

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 168, "The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles", which was primarily codified into Topic 105 - "Generally Accepted Accounting Standards" in the ASC. This standard will become the single source of authoritative nongovernmental U.S. GAAP, superseding existing FASB, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, EITF, and other related accounting literature. This standard condenses the thousands of GAAP pronouncements into approximately 90 accounting topics and displays them using a consistent structure. Also included is relevant Securities and Exchange Commission guidance organized using the same topical structure in separate sections. This guidance became effective for financial statements issued for reporting periods that ended after September 15, 2009. Beginning in the third quarter of 2009, this guidance impacts the Company's financial statements and related disclosures as all references to authoritative accounting literature reflect the newly adopted codification.

The Company has determined that all other recently issued accounting pronouncements will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows, or do not apply to its operations.

 
3.
Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliated Real Estate Entities
  
The entities listed below are partially owned by the Company.  The Company accounted for these investments under the equity method of accounting as the Company exercises significant influence, but does not control these entities. A summary of the Company’s investments in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 is as follows:

             
As of
 
Real Estate Entity
 
Dates Acquired
 
Ownership
%
   
September 30,
2009
   
December 31,
2008
 
Prime Outlets Acquistions Company
 
March 30, 2009 & August 25, 2009
    40.00 %   $ 92,271,514     $ -  
Mill Run LLC
 
June 26, 2008 & August 25, 2009
    36.80 %     39,275,600       19,279,406  
1407 Broadway Mezz II LLC
 
January 4, 2007
    49.00 %     786,128       2,096,502  
Total Investments in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities
              $ 132,333,242     $ 21,375,908  

Prime Outlets Acquisitions Company

On March 30, 2009, the Operating Partnership acquired a 25% membership interest in POAC from AR Prime in exchange for units in the Operating Partnership (see Note 1).  The acquisition price before transaction costs for the 25% membership interest in POAC was approximately $356 million, $56 million in the form of equity and approximately $300 million in the form of indebtedness secured by the POAC properties (18 retail outlet malls and two development projects).

 
14

 

LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

On August 25, 2009, the Operating Partnership acquired an additional 15% membership interest in POAC from JT Prime in exchange for units in the Operating Partnership (see Note 1).  The acquisition price before transaction costs for the 15% membership interest in POAC was approximately $195 million, $17 million in the form of equity and approximately $178 million in the form of indebtedness secured by the POAC properties.

As of September 30, 2009, the Operating Partnership owns a 40% membership interest in POAC (“POAC Interest”).  The POAC Interest is a non-managing interest, with certain consent rights with respect to major decisions. An affiliate of The Lightstone Group, the Company’s sponsor, is the majority owner and manager of POAC.  Profit and cash distributions will be allocated in accordance with each investor’s ownership percentage.

As the Company has recorded this investment in accordance with the equity method of accounting, the indebtedness is not included in the Company’s investment.   In connection with the transaction, our advisor charged an acquisition fee equal to 2.75% of the acquisition price, or approximately $15.4 million, of which $5.6 million was recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2009 related to the acquisition of the 15% membership interest in POAC (See Note 13). In addition, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company incurred additional transactions costs related to accounting, brokerage, legal and other transaction fees of $5.3 million and $8.0 million respectively.  The total transaction costs incurred during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 of $10.9 million and $23.4 million, respectively were capitalized as part of the cost of the Company’s investment in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entity.  Prior to January 1, 2009, the Company incurred and expensed to general and administrative expense transaction costs associated with the investment in POAC of $2.2 million.  Total transactions fees associated with the acquisition of the POAC Interest including the advisor acquisition fee as of September 30, 2009 were $25.6 million.

See Note 13 for discussion of loans issued in connection with the contribution of the POAC Interest and see Note 16 for discussion of the tax protection agreement.

Mill Run Interest

On June 26, 2008, the Operating Partnership acquired a 22.54% membership interest in Mill Run from Arbor JRM and Arbor CJ in exchange for units in the Operating Partnership (see Note 1).  The acquisition price before transaction costs for the 22.54% membership interest in Mill Run was approximately $85 million, $19.6 million in the form of equity and approximately $65.4 million in the form of indebtedness, which matures November 2010 and is secured by the Mill Run properties.

On August 25, 2009, the Operating Partnership acquired an additional 14.26% membership interest in Mill Run from TRAC and Central Jersey in exchange for units in the Operating Partnership (see Note 1).  The acquisition price before transaction costs for the 14.26% membership interest in Mill Run was approximately $56.0 million, $6.0 million in the form of equity, approximately $39.6 million in the form of indebtedness, which matures November 2010 and is secured by the Mill Run properties, plus $10.4 million assumption of TRAC and Central Jersey member interest loans due to Mill Run. These member interest loans are recorded as part of due to sponsor and other affiliates in the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2009. Any distributions to the Company from Mill Run related to the 14.26% membership interest will require the Company to make an equal amount of mandatory repayment on the member interest loans.

As of September 30, 2009, the Operating Partnership owns a 36.8% membership interest in Mill Run (“Mill Run Interest”).  The Mill Run Interest includes Class A and B membership shares and is a non-managing interest, with consent rights with respect to certain major decisions. The Company’s sponsor is the managing member and owns 55% of Mill Run LLC.  Profit and cash distributions will be allocated in accordance with each investor’s ownership percentage after consideration of Class B members adjusted capital balance.

As the Company has recorded this investment in accordance with the equity method of accounting, the indebtedness is not included in the Company’s investment.   In connection with the transaction, our advisor charged an acquisition fee equal to 2.75% of the acquisition price, or approximately $3.6 million, of which $1.3 million was recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2009 related to the acquisition of the 14.26% membership interest in Mill Run (See Note 13). In addition, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company incurred additional transactions costs related to accounting, brokerage, legal and other transaction fees of $1.1 million.  The total transaction costs incurred during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 of $2.4 million were capitalized as part of the cost of the Company’s investment in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entity.  Prior to January 1, 2009, the Company incurred and expensed to general and administrative expense transaction costs associated with the investment in Mill Run of $4.1 million.  Total transactions fees associated with the acquisition of the Mill Run Interest including the advisor acquisition fee as of September 30, 2009 were $8.8 million.

 
15

 

LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

See Note 13 for discussion loans issued in connection with the contribution of the Mill Run Interest and see Note 16 for discussion of the tax protection agreement.

In connection with the contribution of the 14.26% membership interest in Mill Run and the 15% membership interest in POAC, the Company entered into certain letter agreements with the owners of the membership interests of JT Prime, TRAC and Central Jersey pursuant to which the Company agreed to pay an aggregate amount equal to $6.0 million in consideration for certain restrictive covenants and for brokerage services received by the Company in connection with the contribution of the 14.26% membership interest in Mill Run and the 15% membership interest in POAC.  The $6.0 million related to these agreements are included in the total transactions fees discussed above.  $1.1million of the $6.0 million is included in the total transaction fees of $8.8 million for the Mill Run Interest and $4.9 million of the $6.0 million is included in the total transaction fees of $25.6 million for the POAC Interest discussed above.
 
1407 Broadway
 
On January 4, 2007, the Company, through LVP 1407 Broadway LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Operating Partnership, entered into a joint venture with an affiliate of the Sponsor (the “Joint Venture”). On the same date, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary acquired a sub-leasehold interest in a ground lease to an office building located at 1407 Broadway, New York, New York (the “Sublease Interest”).

Initial equity from the Sponsor, the Company’s co-venturer totaled $13.5 million (representing a 51% ownership interest).  The Company’s initial capital investment of $13.0 million (representing a 49% ownership interest) was funded with proceeds from the Company’s common stock offering.  The acquisition was funded through a combination of $26.5 million of capital and a $106.0 million advance on a $127.3 million variable rate mortgage loan funded by Lehman Brothers Holding, Inc. (“Lehman”).  This mortgage loan matures on January 9, 2010.  The mortgage loan has two one-year extension options for a fee of 0.125% of the amount of the respective loan for each extension, which the Company plans to exercise. Additionally, Lehman will receive a 35% net profit interest in the project, which is contingent upon a capital transaction, as defined as any transaction involving the sale, assignment, transfer, liquidation, condemnation or settlement in lieu thereof, disposition, financing, refinancing or any other conversion to cash of all or any portion of the property or equity or membership interests in Borrower, directly, other than the leasing of space for occupancy and/or any other transaction with respect to the Property or the direct or indirect ownership interests in Borrower outside the ordinary course of business.  To date, the Lender did not share in any net profits of the project.  All other income and cash distributions will be allocated in accordance with each investor’s ownership percentage of the venture.  The Joint Venture plans to continue an ongoing renovation project at the property that consists of lobby, elevator and window redevelopment projects.

Under the mortgage loan, the Joint Venture has available credit of approximately $10.5 million, as of September 30, 2009.  See Note 16.

The original investment was $13.0 million and will be subsequently adjusted for cash contributions and distributions, and the Company’s share of earnings and losses. The Company and the co-venturer contributed an additional $0.6 million in 2007. In addition, during 2008, the Company and the co-venturer each received a distribution of approximately $1.2 million. Earnings for each investment are recognized in accordance with this investment agreement and where applicable, based upon an allocation of the investment’s net assets at book value as if the investment was hypothetically liquidated at the end of each reporting period.

Combined Financial Information

The Company’s carrying value of its Mill Run Interest and POAC Interest differs from its share of member’s equity reported in the condensed combined balance sheet of the unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities due to the Company’s cost of its investments in excess of the historical net book values of the unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities.  The Company’s additional basis allocated to depreciable assets is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lives of the appropriate assets.    The Company’s POAC Interest additional basis allocation to depreciable assets is a preliminary estimate and could change based upon the final fair value to net book value analysis, which is expected to be completed within twelve months from the date of acquisition.

 
16

 

LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

The following table represents the condensed combined income statement for unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities for the three and nine month period ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008:

   
For the Three Months Ended
   
For the Nine Months Ended
 
                         
   
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2008 (1)
   
September 30, 2009 (2)
   
September 30, 2008 (3)
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
 
Revenue
  $ 66,917,202     $ 20,057,911     $ 152,836,646     $ 39,738,193  
                                 
Property operating expenses
    35,419,965       10,720,876       76,653,506       23,772,362  
Depreciation and amortization
    16,534,485       5,491,540       36,369,984       12,112,701  
                                 
Operating income
    14,962,752       3,845,495       39,813,156       3,853,130  
                                 
Interest expense and other, net
    (15,334,759 )     (4,918,293 )     (31,898,077 )     (8,127,027 )
Net (loss)/income
  $ (372,007 )   $ (1,072,798 )   $ 7,915,079     $ (4,273,897 )
                                 
The Company's share of net income/(loss), net of excess basis depreciation of $2.9 million, zero, $5.4 million and zero, respectively
  $ (3,508,079 )   $ (676,194 )   $ (4,248,298 )   $ 2,236,511  

(1)  
Amounts include the three months ended September 30, 2008 for 1407 Broadway Mezz II LLC and Mill Run LLC.
(2)  
Amounts include the nine months ended September 30, 2009 for 1407 Broadway Mezz II LLC and Mill Run LLC plus the period March 30, 2009 through September 30, 2009 related to Prime Outlets Acquisitions Company.
(3)  
Amounts include the nine months ended September 30, 2008 for 1407 Broadway Mezz II LLC and the period June 26, 2008 through September 30, 2008 for Mill Run LLC.

The following table represents the condensed combined balance sheet for the unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

   
As of
   
As of
 
   
September 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008 (1)
 
   
(unaudited)
 
             
Real estate, at cost, net
  $ 1,166,060,976     $ 381,016,535  
Intangible assets, net
    17,827,431       5,500,334  
Cash and restricted cash
    73,497,484       18,146,318  
Other assets
    63,702,505       34,736,039  
                 
Total Assets
  $ 1,321,088,396     $ 439,399,226  
                 
Mortgage note payable (2)
  $ 1,576,272,795     $ 396,971,167  
Other liabilities
    60,145,904       40,661,034  
Member capital
    (315,330,303 )     1,767,025  
                 
Total liabilities and members' capital
  $ 1,321,088,396     $ 439,399,226  

(1)  
Amounts include the combined balance sheets for 1407 Broadway Mezz II LLC and Mill Run LLC.
(2)  
As of September 30, 2009, the Company’s portion of the $1.6 billion mortgage note payable outstanding is approximately $632.3 million.

 
17

 

LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

 
4.
Investment in Affiliate

 Park Avenue Funding

On April 16, 2008, the Company made a preferred equity contribution of $11.0 million (the “Contribution”) to PAF-SUB LLC (“PAF”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Park Avenue Funding LLC (“Park Avenue”), in exchange for membership interests of PAF with certain rights and preferences described below (the “Preferred Units”). Park Avenue is a real estate lending company making loans, including first or second mortgages, mezzanine loans and collateral pledges of mortgages, to finance real estate transactions. Property types considered include multi-family, office, industrial, retail, self-storage, parking and land. Both PAF and Park Avenue are affiliates of our Sponsor.
 
PAF’s limited liability company agreement was amended on April 16, 2008 to create the Preferred Units and admit the Company as a member. The Preferred Units are entitled to a cumulative preferred distribution at the rate of 10% per annum, payable quarterly. In the event that PAF fails to pay such distribution when due, the preferred distribution rate will increase to 17% per annum. The Preferred Units are redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time at the option of the Company upon at least 180 days’ prior written notice (the “Redemption”). In addition, the Preferred Units are entitled to a liquidation preference senior to any distribution upon dissolution with respect to other equity interests of PAF in an amount equal to (x) the Contribution plus any accrued but unpaid distributions less (y) any Redemption payments.

In connection with the Contribution, the Company and Park Avenue entered into a guarantee agreement on April 16, 2008, whereby Park Avenue unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees payment of the Redemption amounts when due (the “Guarantee”). Also, Park Avenue agrees to pay all costs and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the enforcement of the Guarantee.

The Company does not have any voting rights for this investment, and does not have significant influence over this investment. The Company accounts for this investment under the cost method. Total accrued distributions related to this investment totaled $0.1 million at September 30, 2009 and $0.3 million at December 31, 2008, and are included in interest receivable from related parties.   Through September 30, 2009, the Company received redemption payments from PAF of $2.7 million, of which $1.9 million was received during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  As of September 30, 2009, the Company’s investment in PAF is $8.3 million and is included in investment in affiliate, at cost in the consolidated balance sheet.

 
5.
Marketable Securities and Fair Value Measurements

The following is a summary of the Company’s available for sale securities at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

   
As of September 30, 2009
   
As of December 31, 2008
 
   
Adjusted Cost
   
Unrealized Gain
   
Fair Value
   
Adjusted Cost
   
Unrealized
Gain/(Loss)
   
Fair Value
 
Corporate Bonds
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 9,508,760     $ 147,740     $ 9,656,500  
Equity Securities, primarily REITs
    466,141       413,855       879,996       6,154,259       (4,360,194 )     1,794,065  
                                                 
Total Marketable Securities - available for sale
  $ 466,141     $ 413,855     $ 879,996     $ 15,663,019     $ (4,212,454 )   $ 11,450,565  

The Company, in 2008, during the three months ended September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2008 recorded a write down of $9.7 million and $0.1 million, respectively for other than temporary declines on certain available-for-securities.  During the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Company’s marketable securities and the overall REIT market continued to experience significant declines, which increased the duration and magnitude of the Company’s unrealized losses.  The overall challenges in the economic environment, including near term prospects for certain of the Company’s securities makes a recovery period difficult to project.  Although the Company has the ability to hold these securities until potential recovery, the Company believes certain of the losses for these securities are other than temporary.  As a result, during the three months ended June 30, 2009, the Company recorded a write-down of $3.4 million for other than temporary declines on certain available-for-sale securities, which are included in Other than temporary impairment – marketable securities on the consolidated statements of operations to reflect the additional reduction from 2008 that is considered to be other than temporary. During the three months ended September 30, 2009, no additional impairment charge has been recorded.

 
18

 

LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The standard describes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value:

   
Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
   
 
   
Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
     
   
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2009 are as follows:

   
Fair Value Measurement Using
       
As of September 30, 2009
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Corporate bonds
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Equity Securities, primiarily REITs
    879,996     $ -     $ -     $ 879,996  
Total Marketable securities - available for sale
  $ 879,996     $ -     $ -     $ 879,996  

The Company did not have any other significant financial assets or liabilities, which would require revised valuations that are recognized at fair value.

 
6.
Intangible Assets

At September 30, 2009, the Company had intangible assets relating to above-market leases from property acquisitions, intangible assets related to leases in place at the time of acquisition, intangible assets related to leasing costs, and intangible liabilities relating to below-market leases from property acquisitions.
 
The following table sets forth the Company’s intangible assets/ (liabilities) as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

   
At September 30, 2009
   
At December 31, 2008
 
   
Cost
   
Accumulated
Amortization
   
Net
   
Cost
   
Accumulated
Amortization
   
Net
 
                                     
Acquired in-place lease intangibles
  $ 2,657,274     $ (1,924,752 )   $ 732,522     $ 2,990,772     $ (1,849,234 )   $ 1,141,538  
                                                 
Acquired above market lease intangibles
    1,087,830       (813,675 )     274,155       1,150,659       (710,720 )     439,939  
                                                 
Deferred intangible leasing costs
    1,379,242       (919,288 )     459,954       1,527,840       (832,824 )     695,016  
                                                 
Acquired below market lease intangibles
    (3,228,831 )     2,476,823       (752,008 )     (3,462,455 )     2,258,021       (1,204,434 )

 
19

 

LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

During the three and nine months ended  September 30, 2009, the Company wrote off fully amortized acquired intangible assets of approximately $0.3 million and  $0.8 million, respectively, resulting in a reduction of cost and accumulated amortization of intangible assets at September 30, 2009 compared to the December 31, 2008.  There were no additions during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009.

The following table presents the projected amortization benefit of the acquired above market lease costs and the below market lease costs during the next five years and thereafter at September 30, 2009:

 
Balance
2009
   
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
Thereafter
   
Total
 
Amortization expense/(benefit) of:
                                                       
                                                         
Acquired above market lease value
  $ 39,297     $ 96,735     $ 52,826     $ 23,379     $ 14,425     $ 47,493     $ 274,155  
                                                         
Acquired below market lease value
    (102,403 )     (264,789 )     (125,832 )     (87,911 )     (86,625 )     (84,448 )     (752,008 )
                                                         
Projected future net rental income increase
  $ (63,106 )   $ (168,054 )   $ (73,006 )   $ (64,532 )   $ (72,200 )   $ (36,955 )   $ (477,853 )

 Amortization benefit of acquired above and below market lease values is included in total revenues in our consolidated statements of operations was $0.1 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively and was $0.2 million and $0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

The following table presents the projected amortization expense of the acquired in-place lease intangibles and acquired leasing costs during the next five years and thereafter at September 30, 2009:

 
Balance
2009
   
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
2013
 
Thereafter
   
Total
 
Amortization expense of:
                                                       
                                                         
Acquired in-place leases value
  $ 97,638     $ 219,186     $ 109,287     $ 72,836     $ 66,883     $ 166,692     $ 732,522  
                                                         
Deferred intangible leasing costs value
    57,202     $ 138,354     $ 76,368     $ 46,358     $ 41,219     $ 100,453       459,954  
                                                         
Projected future amortization expense
  $ 154,840     $ 357,540     $ 185,655     $ 119,194     $ 108,102     $ 267,145     $ 1,192,476  

Actual total amortization expense included in depreciation and amortization expense in our consolidated statements of operations was $0.2 million, and $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively and was $0.8million, and $1.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 
7.
Impairment of Long- Lived Assets

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company recorded an asset impairment charge of $45.2 million primarily related to the impairment within the multi-family segment of $43.2 million associated with the five properties within the Camden portfolio and $2.0 million within the retail segment associated with our Brazos Crossing power center.  The Company identified certain indicators of impairment related to these properties such as negative cash flow expectations and change in management’s expectations regarding the length of the holding period, which occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2009.   These indicators did not exist during the Company’s prior reviews of the properties through June 30, 2009. The Company performed a cash flow valuation analysis and determined that the carrying value of the property exceeded the weighted probability of their undiscounted cash flows.  Therefore, the Company has recorded an impairment charge of $45.2 million related to these properties consisting of the excess carrying value of the asset over its estimated fair values as part of line item impairment of long lived assets, net of gain on disposal within the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.  The fair value for these assets was determined to be $60.0 million. The Company’s debt obligations outstanding on these properties are approximately $86.7 million. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company did not record an impairment charge.

 
20

 
LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

 
8.
Future Minimum Rentals

As of September 30, 2009, the approximate fixed future minimum rentals from the Company’s commercial real estate properties are as follows for the remainder of 2009 and thereafter:

Remainder of
2009
   
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
Thereafter
   
Total
 
                                                     
$ 3,209,866     $ 11,224,304     $ 9,086,765     $ 7,603,283     $ 6,412,516     $ 21,828,582     $ 59,365,316  

Pursuant to the lease agreements, tenants of the property may be required to reimburse the Company for some or all of the particular tenant's pro rata share of the real estate taxes and operating expenses of the property. Such amounts are not included in the future minimum lease payments above, but are included in tenant recovery income on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

 
9.
Mortgages Payable

Mortgages payable, totaling approximately $237.3 million and $239.2 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, consists of the following:

                 
Loan Amount as of
 
Property
 
Interest Rate
 
Maturity Date
 
Amount Due at
Maturity
   
September 30,
2009
   
December 31,
2008
 
                           
St. Augustine
   
6.09
%
April 2016
  $ 23,747,523     $ 26,487,724     $ 26,738,211  
Southeastern Michigan Multi Family Properties
    5.96
%
July 2016
    38,138,605       40,725,000       40,725,000  
Oakview Plaza
    5.49 %
January 2017
    25,583,137       27,500,000       27,500,000  
Gulf Coast Industrial Portfolio
    5.83 %
February 2017
    49,556,985       53,025,000       53,025,000  
Houston Extended Stay Hotels (Two Individual Loans)
 
LIBOR + 4.50
%
April 2010
    10,018,750       10,281,250       11,986,971  
Camden Multi Family Properties - (Five Individual Loans)
    5.44 %
December 2014
    74,955,771       79,268,800       79,268,800  
Total mortgage obligations
            $ 222,000,771     $ 237,287,774     $ 239,243,982  

LIBOR at September 30, 2009 and at December 31, 2008 was 0.24563% and 0.43625%, respectively.  Monthly installments of principal and interest are required throughout the remainder of its stated term for the St. Augustine loan and the Houston Extended Stay Hotels loans.  Monthly installments of interest only are required through the first 60 months (through July 2011) for the Southeastern Michigan multi-family properties, through the first 60 months (through November 2012) for the Oakview Plaza loan, through the first 60 months (through March 2012) for the Gulf Coast Industrial Portfolio loan, and through the first 48 months (through December 2010) for the Camden Multi-Family properties’ loans and monthly installments of principal and interest are required throughout the remainder of its stated term.  Each of the loans is secured by acquired real estate and is non-recourse to the Company, with the exception of the Houston Extended Stay Hotels loan which is 35% recourse to the Company.
 
The following table shows the mortgage debt maturing during the next five years and thereafter at September 30, 2009:

Remainder of
2009
   
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
Thereafter
   
Total
 
                                                     
$ 175,065     $ 10,553,276     $ 1,586,957     $ 2,781,012     $ 3,107,355     $ 219,084,109     $ 237,287,774  
 
21

 
LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
 
Pursuant to the Company’s loan agreements, escrows in the amount of approximately $7.2 million were held in restricted escrow accounts at September 30, 2009. These escrows will be released in accordance with the loan agreements as payments of real estate taxes, insurance and capital improvement transactions, as required. Our mortgage debt also contains clauses providing for prepayment penalties.

Lightstone Holdings, LLC (“Guarantor”), a company wholly owned by the Advisor, has guaranteed to the extent of a $27.2 million mortgage loan on the St. Augustine, Florida property, the payment of losses that the lender (“Wachovia”) may sustain as a result of fraud, misappropriation, misuse of loan proceeds or other acts of misconduct by the Company and/or its principals or affiliates.  Such losses are recourse to the Guarantor under the guaranty regardless of whether Wachovia has attempted to procure payment from the Company or any other party.  Further, in the event of the Company's voluntary bankruptcy, reorganization or insolvency, or the interference by the Company or its affiliates in any foreclosure proceedings or other remedy exercised by Wachovia, the Guarantor has guaranteed the payment of any unpaid loan amounts.  The Company has agreed, to the maximum extent permitted by its Charter, to indemnify Guarantor for any liability that it incurs under this guaranty.
 
In connection with the acquisition of the Hotels, the Houston Partnership along with ESD #5051 - Houston - Sugar Land, LLC and ESD #5050 - Houston - Katy Freeway, LLC, its wholly owned subsidiaries (the “Houston Borrowers”) secured a mortgage loan from Bank of America, N.A. in the principal amount of $12.85 million which matured on April 16, 2009.  At maturity, this mortgage loan agreement was amended extending the term for one-year to April 16, 2010 on a principal amount of $10,500,000.  The amended mortgage loan bears interest on a daily basis expressed as a floating rate equal to the lesser of (i) the maximum non-usurious rate of interest allowed by applicable law or (ii) the British Bankers Association Libor Daily Floating Rate plus one hundred seventy-five basis points (4.50%) per annum rate and requires monthly installments of interest plus a principal payment of $43,750. The remaining principal balance, together with all accrued and unpaid interest and all other amounts payable there under will be due on April 16, 2010.  The mortgage loan is secured by the Hotels and is guaranteed by the Company.  The weighted average interest rate related to this variable interest rate loan for three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was 4.77% and 3.75%, respectively.

On November 16, 2007, in connection with the acquisition of the Camden Properties, the Company through its wholly owned subsidiaries obtained from Fannie Mae five substantially similar fixed rate mortgages aggregating $79.3 million (the “Loans”). The Loans have a 30 year amortization period, mature in 7 years, and bear interest at a fixed rate of 5.44% per annum. The Loans require monthly installments of interest only through the first three years and monthly installments of principal and interest throughout the remainder of their stated terms. The Loans will mature on December 1, 2014, at which time a balance of approximately $75.0 million will be due.  During October 2009, the Company decided to not make its required debt service payments of $0.2 million on two of these five loans, which had an outstanding principal balance of $42.3 million as of September 30, 2009.  The Company determined that future debt service payments on these loans would no longer be economically beneficial to the Company based upon the current and expected future performance of the locations associated with these two loans.   The Company is in current discussions with the lender regarding its default status and potential future remedies.  For the three months ended September 30, 2009, the Company recorded an impairment charge on long lived assets of $43.2 million associated with all five properties within the Camden portfolio.    See Note 7.

Interest costs capitalized related to the renovation and expansion projects during the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 amounted to zero and $0.2 million, respectively and during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 amounted to zero and $0.5 million, respectively.

 
10.
Note Payable    
 
On December 5, 2007, the Company entered into a construction loan to fund the development of the Brazos Crossing Power Center, in Lake Jackson, Texas.  The loan allowed the Company to draw up to $8.2 million, and requires monthly installments of interest only through the first 12 months and bears interest at the greater of 6.75% or 150 basis points (1.5%) in excess of LIBOR.  For the second twelve months, principal payments shall be made in monthly installments in amounts equal to one-twelfth of the principal component of an annual amortization of the principal of the loan on the basis of an assumed interest rate of 6.82% and a thirty year term.  The loan is secured by acquired real estate and is guaranteed by the Company, in certain events.  The balance at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was $7.4 million. The construction phase of the loan matured on December 4, 2008.  The Company exercised its right to convert the loan from the construction phase to the term phase.  The term phase of the loan matures on December 4, 2009.  The weighted average interest rate for three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was 6.75%.

The agreement also required the Company to obtain an interest rate cap of LIBOR at 6.0% for the term of the loan. Due to the fact that interest rates were below the 6.0% interest rate cap, the interest rate cap had a zero fair value at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
 
22

 
LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
 
 
11.
Distributions Payable
 
On September 17, 2009, the Company declared a dividend for the three-month period ending September 30, 2009 of $5.5 million. The dividend was calculated based on stockholders of record each day during this three-month period at a rate of $0.0019178 per day, and equaled a daily amount that, if paid each day for a 365-day period, would equal a 7.0% annualized rate based on a share price of $10.00. The September 30, 2009 dividend was paid in full in October 2009 using a combination of cash ($3.1 million) and shares ($2.4 million) which represents 0.3 million shares of the Company’s common stock issued pursuant to the Company’s Distribution Reinvestment Program, at a discounted price of $9.50 per share.  

 
12.
Company’s Stockholders’ Equity
 
Preferred Shares
 
Shares of preferred stock may be issued in the future in one or more series as authorized by the Lightstone REIT’s board of directors. Prior to the issuance of shares of any series, the board of directors is required by the Lightstone REIT’s charter to fix the number of shares to be included in each series and the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each series. Because the Lightstone REIT’s board of directors has the power to establish the preferences, powers and rights of each series of preferred stock, it may provide the holders of any series of preferred stock with preferences, powers and rights, voting or otherwise, senior to the rights of holders of our common stock. The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Lightstone REIT, including an extraordinary transaction (such as a merger, tender offer or sale of all or substantially all of our assets) that might provide a premium price for holders of the Lightstone REIT’s common stock. As of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Lightstone REIT had no outstanding preferred shares.
 
Common Shares
 
All of the common stock being offered by the Lightstone REIT will be duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable. Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of stock and to the provisions of its charter regarding the restriction on the ownership and transfer of shares of our stock, holders of the Lightstone REIT’s common stock will be entitled to receive distributions if authorized by the board of directors and to share ratably in the Lightstone REIT’s assets available for distribution to the stockholders in the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up.
 
Each outstanding share of the Lightstone REIT’s common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding common stock can elect all of the directors then standing for election, and the holders of the remaining common stock will not be able to elect any directors.

Holders of the Lightstone REIT’s common stock have no conversion, sinking fund, redemption or exchange rights, and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of its securities. Maryland law provides that a stockholder has appraisal rights in connection with some transactions. However, the Lightstone REIT’s charter provides that the holders of its stock do not have appraisal rights unless a majority of the board of directors determines that such rights shall apply. Shares of the Lightstone REIT’s common stock have equal dividend, distribution, liquidation and other rights.
 
Under its charter, the Lightstone REIT cannot make some material changes to its business form or operations without the approval of stockholders holding at least a majority of the shares of our stock entitled to vote on the matter. These include (1) amendment of its charter, (2) its liquidation or dissolution, (3) its reorganization, and (4) its merger, consolidation or the sale or other disposition of its assets. Share exchanges in which the Lightstone REIT is the acquirer, however, do not require stockholder approval. The Lightstone REIT had approximately 31.3 million and 31.0 million shares of common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.
 
23

 
LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
 
Dividends

 The Board of Directors of the Lightstone REIT declared a dividend for each quarter in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. The dividends have been calculated based on stockholders of record each day during this three-month period at a rate of $0.0019178 per day, which, if paid each day for a 365-day period, would equal a 7.0% annualized rate based on a share price of $10.00.

The amount of dividends distributed to our stockholders in the future will be determined by our Board of Directors and is dependent on a number of factors, including funds available for payment of dividends, our financial condition, capital expenditure requirements and annual distribution requirements needed to maintain our status as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code.

Stock-Based Compensation

We have adopted a stock option plan under which our independent directors are eligible to receive annual nondiscretionary awards of nonqualified stock options. Our stock option plan is designed to enhance our profitability and value for the benefit of our stockholders by enabling us to offer independent directors stock based incentives, thereby creating a means to raise the level of equity ownership by such individuals in order to attract, retain and reward such individuals and strengthen the mutuality of interests between such individuals and our stockholders.

We have authorized and reserved 75,000 shares of our common stock for issuance under our stock option plan. The board of directors may make appropriate adjustments to the number of shares available for awards and the terms of outstanding awards under our stock option plan to reflect any change in our capital structure or business, stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets.

Our stock option plan provides for the automatic grant of a nonqualified stock option to each of our independent directors, without any further action by our board of directors or the stockholders, to purchase 3,000 shares of our common stock on the date of each annual stockholder’s meeting.  In July 2007, August 2008 and September 2009, options to purchase 3,000 shares were granted to each of our three independent directors at the annual stockholders meeting on the respective dates.   As of September 30, 2009, options to purchase 27,000 shares of stock were outstanding, 9,000 were fully vested, at an exercise price of $10. Through September 30, 2009, there were no forfeitures related to stock options previously granted.

The exercise price for all stock options granted under the stock option plan will be fixed at $10 per share until the termination of the Lightstone REIT’s initial public offering which occurred in October 2008, and thereafter the exercise price for stock options granted to the independent directors will be equal to the fair market value of a share on the last business day preceding the annual meeting of stockholders. The term of each such option will be 10 years. Options granted to non-employee directors will vest and become exercisable on the second anniversary of the date of grant, provided that the independent director is a director on the board of directors on that date. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Lightstone REIT’s stock option plan to the contrary, no stock option issued pursuant thereto may be exercised if such exercise would jeopardize the Lightstone REIT’s status as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code.

Compensation expense associated with our stock option plan was not material for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.  

 
13.
Noncontrolling Interests
 
The noncontrolling interests of the Company holds units in the Operating Partnership.  These units include SLP units, limited partner units, Series A Preferred Units and Common Units.

Share Description
See Note 14 for discussion of rights related to SLP units.  The limited partner and Common Units of the Operating Partnership have similar rights as those of the Company’s stockholders including distribution rights.

The Series A Preferred Units holders are entitled to receive cumulative preferential distributions equal to an annual rate 4.6316%, if and when declared by the Company. The Series A Preferred Units have no mandatory redemption or maturity date. The Series A Preferred Units are not redeemable by the Operating Partnership prior to the Lockout Date of June 26, 2013. On or after the Lockout Date, the Series A Preferred Units may be redeemed at the option of the Operating Partnership (which notice may be delivered prior to the Lockout Date as long as the redemption does not occur prior to the Lockout Date), in whole but not in part, on thirty (30) days’ prior written notice at the option of the Operating Partnership, at a redemption price per Series A Preferred Unit equal to the sum of the Series A Liquidation Preference plus an amount equal to all distributions (whether or not earned or declared) accrued and unpaid thereon to the date of redemption, and the redemption price shall be payable in cash. During any redemption notice period, the holders of the Series A Preferred Units shall retain any conversion rights with respect to the Series A Preferred Units. The Series A Preferred Units shall not be subject to any sinking fund or other obligation of the Operating Partnership to redeem or retire the Series A Preferred Units.
 
24

 
LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
 
Distributions

During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company paid distributions to noncontrolling interests of $3.2 million.  In addition, as of September 30, 2009, the total distributions declared and not paid to noncontrolling interests was $1.5 million, which were subsequently paid during October 2009.

Note Receivable due from Noncontrolling Interests

In connection with the contribution of the Mill Run and POAC membership interests, the Company made loans to Arbor JRM, Arbor CJ, AR Prime, TRAC, Central Jersey and JT Prime (collectively, “Noncontrolling Interest Borrowers”) in the aggregate principal amount of $88.5 million (the “Noncontrolling Interest Loans”), of which $20.7 million was issued during the three months ended September 30, 2009 and $22.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  These loans are payable semi-annually and accrue interest at an annual rate of 4%. The loans mature through September 2017 and contain customary events of default and default remedies.  The loans require the noncontrolling interest borrowers to prepay their respective loans in full upon redemption of the Series A Preferred Units by the Operating Partnership.  The loans are secured by the Series A Preferred Units and Common Units issued in connection with the respective contribution of the Mill Run and the POAC membership interests, as such these loans are classified as a reduction to Noncontrolling interests in the consolidated balance sheet.

 Accrued interest related to these loans totaled $0.9 million at September 30, 2009 and $1.4 million at December 31, 2008, and is included in interest receivable from related parties in the consolidated balance sheet.

Noncontrolling Interest of Subsidiary within the Operating Partnerships

On August 25, 2009, the Operating Partnership acquired an additional 15% membership interest in POAC and an additional 14.26% membership interest in Mill Run.  In connection with the transactions, the Advisor charged an acquisition fee equal to 2.75% of the acquisition price, which was approximately $6.9 million ($5.6 million related POAC and $1.3 million related to Mill Run, see Note 3).  On August 25, 2009, the Operating Partnership contributed its investments of the 15% membership interest in POAC and the 14.26% membership interest in Mill Run to the newly formed PRO-DFJV Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“PRO”) in exchange for a 99.99% managing membership interest in PRO.  In addition, Lightstone REIT contributed $2,900 cash for a 0.01% non- managing membership interest in PRO.  As the Operating Partnership is the managing member with control, PRO is consolidated into the results and financial position of the Company.   On September 15, 2009, the Advisor accepted, in lieu of a cash payment of $6.9 million for the acquisition fee, a 19.17% profit membership interest in PRO and assigned its rights to receive payment to the Sponsor, who assigned the same to David Lichtenstein.  Under the terms of the operating agreement of PRO, the 19.17% profit membership interest will not receive any distributions until the Operating Partnership and Lightstone REIT receive distributions equivalent to their capital contributions of approximately $29.0 million, then the 19.17% profit membership interest shall receive distributions to $6.9 million.  Any remaining distributions shall be split between the three members in proportion to their profit interests.
 
25

 
LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
 
 
14.
Related Party Transactions    

The Lightstone REIT has agreements with the Dealer Manager, Advisor and Property Manager to pay certain fees, as follows, in exchange for services performed by these entities and other affiliated entities. The Lightstone REIT’s ability to secure financing and subsequent real estate operations are dependent upon its Advisor, Property Manager, Dealer Manager and their affiliates to perform such services as provided in these agreements. 

Fees
 
Amount
Selling Commission
 
The Dealer Manager was paid up to 7% of the gross offering proceeds, or approximately $21.0 million, before reallowance of commissions earned by participating broker-dealers.
     
Dealer
Management Fee
 
The Dealer Manager was paid up to 1% of gross offering proceeds, or approximately $3.0 million, before reallowance to participating broker-dealers.
     
Reimbursement of
Offering Expenses
 
Reimbursement of all offering costs, including the commissions and dealer management fees indicated above, up to $30 million based upon maximum offering of 30 million shares. The Lightstone REIT sold a special general partnership interest in the Operating Partnership to Lightstone SLP, LLC (an affiliate of the Sponsor) and applied all the sales proceeds to offset such costs.
     
Acquisition Fee
 
The Advisor will be paid an acquisition fee equal to 2.75% of the gross contract purchase price (including any mortgage assumed) of each property purchased. The Advisor will also be reimbursed for expenses that it incurs in connection with the purchase of a property. The Lightstone REIT anticipates that acquisition expenses will be between 1% and 1.5% of a property's purchase price, and acquisition fees and expenses are capped at 5% of the gross contract purchase price of the property. The actual amounts of these fees and reimbursements depend upon results of operations and, therefore, cannot be determined at the present time. However, $33,000,000 may be paid as an acquisition fee and for the reimbursement of acquisition expenses if the maximum offering is sold, assuming aggregate long-term permanent leverage of approximately 75%.
     
Property Management - Residential/Retail/
Hospitality
 
The Property Manager will be paid a monthly management fee of up to 5% of the gross revenues from residential, hospitality and retail properties. Lightstone REIT may pay the Property Manager a separate fee for i) the development of, ii) the one-time initial rent-up or iii) the leasing-up of newly constructed properties in an amount not to exceed the fee customarily charged in arm’s length transactions by others rendering similar services in the same geographic area for similar properties as determined by a survey of brokers and agents in such area.
 
26

 
LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
 
Fees
 
Amount
Property Management - Office/Industrial
 
The Property Manager will be paid monthly property management and leasing fees of up to 4.5% of gross revenues from office and industrial properties. In addition, the Lightstone REIT may pay the Property Manager a separate fee for the one-time initial rent-up or leasing-up of newly constructed properties in an amount not to exceed the fee customarily charged in arm’s length transactions by others rendering similar services in the same geographic area for similar properties as determined by a survey of brokers and agents in such area.
     
Asset Management Fee
 
The Advisor or its affiliates will be paid an asset management fee of 0.55% of the Lightstone REIT’s average invested assets, as defined, payable quarterly in an amount equal to 0.1375 of 1% of average invested assets as of the last day of the immediately preceding quarter.
     
Reimbursement of Other expenses
 
For any year in which the Lightstone REIT qualifies as a REIT, the Advisor must reimburse the Lightstone REIT for the amounts, if any, by which the total operating expenses, the sum of the advisor asset management fee plus other operating expenses paid during the previous fiscal year exceed the greater of 2% of average invested assets, as defined, for that fiscal year, or, 25% of net income for that fiscal year. Items such as property operating expenses, depreciation and amortization expenses, interest payments, taxes, non-cash expenditures, the special liquidation distribution, the special termination distribution, organization and offering expenses, and acquisition fees and expenses are excluded from the definition of total operating expenses, which otherwise includes the aggregate expense of any kind paid or incurred by the Lightstone REIT.
     
   
The Advisor or its affiliates will be reimbursed for expenses that may include costs of goods and services, administrative services and non-supervisory services performed directly for the Lightstone REIT by independent parties.
 
Lightstone SLP, LLC, an affiliate of our Sponsor, has purchased SLP units in the Operating Partnership. These SLP units, the purchase price of which will be repaid only after stockholders receive a stated preferred return and their net investment, will entitle Lightstone SLP, LLC to a portion of any regular distributions made by the Operating Partnership. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, distributions of $2.1 million were declared and distributions of $1.6 million were paid related to the SLP units and are part of noncontrolling interests. Since inception through September 30, 2009, cumulative distributions declared were $3.9 million, of which $3.4 million have been paid.  Such distributions, paid current at a 7% annualized rate of return to Lightstone SLP, LLC through September 30, 2009 and will always be subordinated until stockholders receive a stated preferred return, as described below.
 
27

 
LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
 
The special general partner interests will also entitle Lightstone SLP, LLC to a portion of any liquidating distributions made by the Operating Partnership. The value of such distributions will depend upon the net sale proceeds upon the liquidation of the Lightstone REIT and, therefore, cannot be determined at the present time. Liquidating distributions to Lightstone SLP, LLC will always be subordinated until stockholders receive a distribution equal to their initial investment plus a stated preferred return, as described below:
 
Operating Stage  
   
Distributions  
 
Amount of Distribution
   
   
7% stockholder Return Threshold
 
Once a cumulative non-compounded return of 7% return on their net investment is realized by stockholders, Lightstone SLP, LLC is eligible to receive available distributions from the Operating Partnership until it has received an amount equal to a cumulative non-compounded return of 7% per year on the purchase price of the special general partner interests. “Net investment” refers to $10 per share, less a pro rata share of any proceeds received from the sale or refinancing of the Lightstone REIT’s assets.
   
   
12% Stockholder Return Threshold
 
Once a cumulative non-compounded return of 12% per year is realized by stockholders on their net investment (including amounts equaling a 7% return on their net investment as described above), 70% of the aggregate amount of any additional distributions from the Operating Partnership will be payable to the stockholders, and 30% of such amount will be payable to Lightstone SLP, LLC.
   
   
Returns in Excess of 12%
 
After the 12% return threshold is realized by stockholders and Lightstone SLP, LLC, 60% of any remaining distributions from the Operating Partnership will be distributable to stockholders, and 40% of such amount will be payable to Lightstone SLP, LLC.
 
Liquidating Stage
Distributions
 
Amount of Distribution
     
7% Stockholder Return Threshold
 
Once stockholders have received liquidation distributions, and a cumulative non-compounded 7% return per year on their initial net investment, Lightstone SLP, LLC will receive available distributions until it has received an amount equal to its initial purchase price of the special general partner interests plus a cumulative non-compounded return of 7% per year.
     
12% Stockholder Return Threshold
 
Once stockholders have received liquidation distributions, and a cumulative non-compounded return of 12% per year on their initial net investment (including amounts equaling a 7% return on their net investment as described above), 70% of the aggregate amount of any additional distributions from the Operating Partnership will be payable to the stockholders, and 30% of such amount will be payable to Lightstone SLP, LLC.
     
Returns in Excess of 12%
 
After stockholders and Lightstone LP, LLC have received liquidation distributions, and a cumulative non-compounded return of 12% per year on their initial net investment, 60% of any remaining distributions from the Operating Partnership will be distributable to stockholders, and 40% of such amount will be payable to Lightstone SLP, LLC.
 
28

 
LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
 
The Lightstone REIT pursuant to the related party arrangements described above has recorded the following amounts the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:

   
For the Three Months Ended
   
For the Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
2009
   
September 30,
2008
   
September 30,
2009
   
September 30,
2008
 
   
(unaudited)
 
Acquisition fees
  $ 6,878,087     $ -     $ 16,656,847     $ 2,336,565  
Asset management fees
    1,259,999       560,170       3,064,827       1,582,009  
Property management fees
    447,564       432,814       1,371,798       1,264,879  
Acquisition expenses reimbursed to Advisor
    -       -       902,753       1,265,528  
Development fees and leasing commissions
    106,187       645,455       311,518       1,041,795  
Total
  $ 8,691,837     $ 1,638,439     $ 22,307,743     $ 7,490,776  

See Notes 3, 4 and 13 for other related party transactions.

 
15.
Segment Information

The Company currently operates in four business segments as of September 30, 2009: (i) retail real estate, (ii) residential multifamily real estate, (iii) industrial real estate and (iv) hospitality. The Company’s advisor and its affiliates provide leasing, property and facilities management, acquisition, development, construction and tenant-related services for its portfolio. The Company’s revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were exclusively derived from activities in the United States. No revenues from foreign countries were received or reported. The Company had no long-lived assets in foreign locations as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.  Unallocated assets, revenues and expenses relate to corporate related accounts.

The Company evaluates performance based upon net operating income from the combined properties in each real estate segment.

Selected results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, and total assets as of September 30, 2009 and 2008 regarding the Company’s operating segments are as follows:

   
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2009
 
   
(unaudited)
 
   
Retail
   
Multi Family
   
Industrial
   
Hospitality
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
                                     
Total revenues
  $ 2,716,180     $ 4,627,957     $ 1,972,123     $ 824,591     $ -     $ 10,140,851  
                                                 
Property operating expenses
    783,074       2,345,321       429,430       471,290       387       4,029,502  
Real estate taxes
    304,095       487,743       249,318       52,169       -       1,093,325  
General and administrative costs
    (75,813 )     179,389       17,112       7,913       1,762,921       1,891,522  
                                                 
Net operating income (loss)
    1,704,824       1,615,504       1,276,263       293,219       (1,763,308 )     3,126,502  
                                                 
Impairment of long lived assets, net of (gain) on disposal
    2,002,465       43,196,149       (237,814 )     -       -       44,960,800  
Depreciation and amortization
    1,125,310       831,287       616,112       121,628       -       2,694,337  
Operating income (loss)
  $ (1,422,951 )   $ (42,411,932 )   $ 897,965     $ 171,591     (1,763,308 )   $ (44,528,635 )
                                                 
Total purchases of investment property
  $ (40,848 )   $ 321,735     $ 294,311     $ 28,927     $ (237,809 )   $ 366,316  
                                                 
As of September 30, 2009:
                                               
Total Assets
  $ 103,185,064     $ 98,686,912     $ 73,332,797     $ 17,881,137     $ 161,583,114     $ 454,669,024  
 
29

 
LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
 
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2008
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
Retail
   
Multi Family
   
Industrial
   
Hospitality
Unallocated
   
Total
 
                                     
Total revenues
  $ 2,070,368     $ 5,180,930     $ 1,948,375     $ 1,067,180     $ -     $ 10,266,853  
                                                 
Property operating expenses
    699,427       2,510,043       716,383       786,610       -       4,712,463  
Real estate taxes
    225,310       521,371       241,072       43,184       -       1,030,937  
General and administrative costs
    1,244       596,693       15,931       16,199       705,118       1,335,185  
                                                 
Net operating income
    1,144,387       1,552,823       974,989       221,187       (705,118 )     3,188,268  
                                                 
Depreciation and amortization
    583,477       746,018       690,773       116,605       -       2,136,873  
                                                 
Operating income (loss)
  $ 560,910     $ 806,805     $ 284,216     $ 104,582     $ (705,118 )   $ 1,051,395  
                                                 
Total purchases of investment property
  $ 14,596,105     $ 144,485     $ 49,179     $ 318,809     $ -     $ 15,108,578  
                                                 
As of September 30, 2008
                                               
                                                 
Total Assets
  $ 98,219,074     $ 143,406,072     $ 79,222,007     $ 18,425,287     $ 168,683,873     $ 507,956,313  

 Selected results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 regarding the Company’s operating segments are as follows:

 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
 
   
(unaudited)
 
 
Retail
   
Multi Family
   
Industrial
   
Hospitality
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
                                     
Total revenues
  $ 8,286,105     $ 14,274,745     $ 5,669,103     $ 2,780,763     $ -     $ 31,010,716  
                                                 
Property operating expenses
    2,307,344       6,849,739       1,376,381       1,373,954       387       11,907,805  
Real estate taxes
    913,741       1,528,560       715,744       161,860       -       3,319,905  
General and administrative costs
    106,237       684,706       14,972       11,247       5,001,083       5,818,245  
                                                 
Net operating income (loss)
    4,958,783       5,211,740       3,562,006       1,233,702       (5,001,470 )     9,964,761  
                                                 
Impairment of long lived assets, net of (gain) on disposal
    2,002,465       43,196,149       (237,814 )     -       -       44,960,800  
Depreciation and amortization
    2,967,080       2,363,090       1,881,238       355,771       830       7,568,009  
Operating income (loss)
  $ (10,762 )   $ (40,347,499 )   $ 1,918,582     $ 877,931     $ (5,002,300 )   $ (42,564,048 )
                                                 
Total purchases of investment property
  $ 1,243,056     $ 1,006,597     $ 534,173     $ (525,442 )   $ (237,809 )   $ 2,020,575  

 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008
 
   
(unaudited)
 
 
Retail
   
Multi Family
   
Industrial
   
Hospitality
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
                                     
Total revenues
  $ 6,079,080     $ 15,262,432     $ 5,900,433     $ 2,736,137     $ -     $ 29,978,082  
                                                 
Property operating expenses
    1,983,111       7,519,823       1,785,204       1,663,787       -       12,951,925  
Real estate taxes
    676,327       1,566,345       736,053       138,839       -       3,117,564  
General and administrative costs
    43,215       858,278       74,725       24,234       7,298,932       8,299,384  
                                                 
Net operating income (loss)
    3,376,427       5,317,986       3,304,451       909,277       (7,298,932 )     5,609,209  
                                                 
Depreciation and amortization
    1,780,757       2,225,018       2,202,144       331,668       -       6,539,587  
                                                 
Operating income (loss)
  $ 1,595,670     $ 3,092,968     $ 1,102,307     $ 577,609     $ (7,298,932 )   $ (930,378 )
                                                 
Total purchases of investment property
  $ 19,732,982     $ 337,844     $ 496,295     $ 2,089,115     $ -     $ 22,656,236  
 
30

 
LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
 
 
16.
Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Proceedings 
From time to time in the ordinary course of business, the Lightstone REIT may become subject to legal proceedings, claims or disputes.

On March 29, 2006, Jonathan Gould, a former member of our Board of Directors and Senior Vice-President-Acquisitions, filed a lawsuit against us in the District Court for the Southern District of New York. The suit alleges, among other things, that Mr. Gould was insufficiently compensated for his services to us as director and officer. Mr. Gould sought damages of (i) up to $11,500,000 or (ii) a 2.5% ownership interest in all properties that we acquire and an option to acquire up to 5% of the membership interests of Lightstone SLP, LLC. We filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. After review of the motion to dismiss, counsel for Mr. Gould represented that Mr. Gould was dropping his claim for ownership interest in the properties we acquire and his claim for membership interests. Mr. Gould’s counsel represented that he would be suing only under theories of quantum merit and unjust enrichment seeking the value of work he performed.  Counsel for the Lightstone REIT made motion to dismiss Mr. Gould’s complaint, which was granted by Judge Sweeney.  Mr. Gould has filed an appeal of the decision dismissing his case, which is pending.   Management believes that this suit is frivolous and entirely without merit and intends to defend against these charges vigorously.

On January 4, 2007, 1407 Broadway Real Estate LLC ("Office Owner"), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of 1407 Broadway Mezz II LLC ("Mezz II"), consummated the acquisition of a sub-leasehold interest (the "Sublease Interest") in an office building located at 1407 Broadway, New York, New York (the "Office Property"). Mezz II is a joint venture between LVP 1407 Broadway LLC ("LVP LLC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of our operating partnership, and Lightstone 1407 Manager LLC ("Manager"), which is wholly owned by David Lichtenstein, the Chairman of our Board of Directors and our Chief Executive Officer, and Shifra Lichtenstein, his wife.
 
 The Sublease Interest was acquired pursuant to a Sale and Purchase of Leasehold Agreement with Gettinger Associates, L.P. ("Gettinger"). In July 2006, Abraham Kamber Company, as Sublessor under the sublease ("Sublessor"), served two notices of default on Gettinger (the "Default Notices"). The first alleged that Gettinger had failed to satisfy its obligations in performing certain renovations and the second asserted numerous defaults relating to Gettinger's purported failure to maintain the Office Property in compliance with its contractual obligations.

In response to the Default Notices, Gettinger commenced legal action and obtained an injunction that extends its time to cure any default, prohibits interference with its leasehold interest and prohibits Sublessor from terminating its sublease pending resolution of the litigation. A motion by Sublessor for partial summary judgment, alleging that certain work on the Office Property required its prior approval, was denied by the Supreme Court, New York County. Subsequently, by agreement of the parties, a stay was entered precluding the termination of the Sublease Interest pending a final decision on Sublessor's claim of defaults under the Sublease Interest. In addition, the parties stipulated to the intervention of Office Owner as a party to the proceedings. The parties have been directed to engage in and complete discovery. We consider the litigation to be without merit.
 
Prior to consummating the acquisition of the Sublease Interest, Office Owner received a letter from Sublessor indicating that Sublessor would consider such acquisition a default under the original sublease, which prohibits assignments of the Sublease Interest when there is an outstanding default there under. On February 16, 2007, Office Owner received a Notice to Cure from Sublessor stating the transfer of the Sublease Interest occurred in violation of the Sublease given Sublessor's position that Office Seller is in default. Office Owner will commence and vigorously pursue litigation in order to challenge the default, receive an injunction and toll the termination period provided for in the Sublease.

On September 4, 2007, Office Owner commenced a new action against Sublessor alleging a number claims, including the claims that Sublessor has breached the sublease and committed intentional torts against Office Owner by (among other things) issuing multiple groundless default notices, with the aim of prematurely terminating the sublease and depriving Office Owner of its valuable interest in the sublease.  The complaint seeks a declaratory judgment that Office Owner has not defaulted under the sublease, damages for the losses Office Owner has incurred as a result of Sublessor’s wrongful conduct, and an injunction to prevent Sublessor from issuing further default notices without valid grounds or in bad faith.
 
31

 
LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
 
Office Owner is the borrower under a Loan Agreement dated January 4, 2007 and amended on September 10, 2007 and April 17, 2009 with Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (“Lehman”).  Pursuant to that loan agreement, Lehman agreed to loan to Office Owner a total of $127,250,000, of which as of September 30, 2009 $10,453,737 remains left to fund.  Lehman has not funded six monthly draws commencing with the April 21, 2009 draw, and the aggregate amount of these draws  are well within Office Owner’s borrowing limits.  In addition, Lehman has claimed that it has assigned certain of its interests in the loan to Swedbank AB and Lehman Brothers Bankhaus AG, although Lehman has provided no signed documentation evidencing the transfers.  In response to the foregoing, Office Owner filed a  motion on November 5, 2009  in Lehman’s bankruptcy case, asking the Bankruptcy Court to enter an order compelling Lehman to comply with its obligations to lend, or alternatively, to grant Office Owner relief from the bankruptcy stay to declare Lehman in default of the loan and related documents, suspend payments under the loan and related net profits interest, seek a replacement  lender for the remaining unfunded portion of the loan, and pursue other remedies.  
 
As of the date hereof, we are not a party to any other material pending legal proceedings.
  
Tax Protection Agreement
 In connection with the contribution of the Mill Run Interest (see Note 3) and the POAC Interest (See Note 3), the Operating Partnership entered into Tax Protection Agreements with each of Arbor JRM, Arbor CJ, AR Prime, TRAC, Central Jersey and JT Prime (collectively, the “Contributors”). Under these Tax Protection Agreements, the Operating Partnership is required to indemnify each of Arbor JRM, Arbor CJ, TRAC and Central Jersey with respect to the Mill Run Properties, and AR Prime and JT Prime, with respect to the POAC Properties, from June 26, 2008 for Arbor JRM, Arbor CJ and AR Prime and from August 25, 2009 for TRAC, Central Jersey and JT Prime to June 26, 2013 for, among other things, certain income tax liability that would result from the income or gain which Arbor JRM, Arbor CJ, TRAC, Central Jersey on the one hand, or AR Prime, JT Prime, on the other hand, would recognize upon the Operating Partnership’s failure to maintain the current level of debt encumbering the Mill Run Properties or the POAC Properties, respectively, or the sale or other disposition by the Operating Partnership of the Mill Run Properties, the Mill Run Interest, the POAC Properties, or the POAC Interest (each, an “Indemnifiable Event”). Under the terms of the Tax Protection Agreements, the Operating Partnership is indemnifying the Contributors for certain income tax liabilities based on income or gain which the Contributors are deemed to be required to include in their gross income for federal or state income tax purposes (assuming the Contributors are subject to tax at the highest regional, federal, state and local tax rates imposed on individuals residing in New York City) as a result of an Indemnifiable Event. This indemnity covers income taxes, interest and penalties and is required to be made on a "grossed up" basis that effectively results in the Contributors receiving the indemnity payment on a net, after-tax basis. The amount of the potential tax indemnity to the Contributors under the Tax Protection Agreements, including a gross-up for taxes on any such payment, using current tax rates, is estimated to be approximately $155.9 million.

Each Tax Protection Agreement imposes certain restrictions upon the Operating Partnership relating to transactions involving the Mill Run Properties and the POAC Properties which could result in taxable income or gain to the Contributors. The Operating Partnership may not dispose or transfer any Mill Run Property or any POAC Property without first proving that the Operating Partnership possesses the requisite liquidity, including the proceeds from any such transaction, to make any payments that would come due pursuant to the Tax Protection Agreement. However, the Operating Partnership may take the following actions: (i) (A) as to the POAC Properties, commencing with the period one year and thirty-one days following the date of the Tax Protection Agreement, the Operating Partnership can sell on an annual basis part or all of any of the POAC Properties with an aggregate value of ten percent (10%) or less of the total value of the POAC Properties as of the date of contribution (and any amounts of the ten percent (10%) value not sold can be applied to sales in future years); and (B) as to the Mill Run Properties either the same ten percent (10%) test as set forth above in (i)(A) with respect to the Mill Run Properties or the sale of the property known by Design Outlet Center; and (ii) the Operating Partnership can enter into a non-recognition transaction with either the consent of the Contributors or an opinion from an independent law or accounting firm stating that it is “more likely than not” that the transaction will not give rise to current taxable income or gain.

Investment Company Act of 1940
 
The Investment Company Act of 1940 places restrictions on the capital structure and business activities of companies registered thereunder. The Company intends to conduct its operations so that it will not be subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940. However, based upon changes in the valuation of the Company’s portfolio of investments as of September 30, 2009, including with respect to certain investment securities the Company currently holds, the Company may be deemed to have become an inadvertent investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.  The Company is currently evaluating its response to this development, including the availability of exemptive or other relief under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the Company intends to take affirmative steps to ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
 
32

 
LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
 
If the Company fails to maintain an exemption or exclusion from registration as an investment company, the Company could, among other things, be required either (a) to substantially change the manner in which the Company conducts its operations to avoid being required to register as an investment company, or (b) to register as an investment company, either of which could have an adverse effect on the Company and the market price of its common stock. If the Company were required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Company would become subject to substantial regulation with respect to its capital structure (including its ability to use leverage), management, operations, transactions with affiliated persons (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940), portfolio composition, including restrictions with respect to diversification and industry concentration and other matters. In addition, if the SEC or a court takes the view that the Company has operated and continues to operate as an unregistered investment company in violation of the Investment Company Act of 1940, and does not provide the Company with a sufficient period to either register as an investment company, obtain exemptive relief, or divest itself of investment securities and/or acquire non-investment securities, the Company may be subject to significant potential penalties and certain of the contracts to which it is a party may be voidable.
 
The Company intends to continue to monitor its compliance with the exemptions under the Investment Company Act of 1940 on an ongoing basis.

 
17.
Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated subsequent events for the period from September 30, 2009, the date of these financial statements, through November 16, 2009, which represents the date these financial statements are being filed with the SEC.  Pursuant to the requirements of Topic 855 – “Subsequent Events” in the ASC, the Company disclosed its voluntary choosing to not make its October 2009 monthly debt service in payment of $0.2 million related to two loans with a total outstanding principal balance of $42.3 million, see Note 9.  There were not any other events or transactions occurring during this subsequent event reporting period that require recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.  The Company evaluated all events and transactions that occurred subsequent to September 30, 2009 through November 16, 2009.  During this period, no other material subsequent events came to the Company’s attention.
 
33


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION, CONTINUED:  
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
 
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the accompanying financial statements of Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and the notes thereto. As used herein, the terms “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation, and, as required by context, Lightstone Value Plus REIT, L.P. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, which we collectively refer to as “the Operating Partnership.”
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
Certain information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains, and other materials filed or to be filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, contain or will contain, forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, including, among others, statements regarding our possible or assumed future results of our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans and objectives, are forward-looking statements. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and members of our management team, as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based, and generally are identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “seeks,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “should” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements.

Such statements are based on assumptions and expectations which may not be realized and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which cannot be predicted with accuracy and some of which might not even be anticipated. Future events and actual results, financial and otherwise, may differ from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements.

Risks and other factors that might cause differences, some of which could be material, include, but are not limited to, economic and market conditions, competition, tenant or joint venture partner(s) bankruptcies, failure to increase tenant occupancy and operating income, rejection of leases by tenants in bankruptcy, financing and development risks, construction and lease-up delays, cost overruns, the level and volatility of interest rates, the rate of revenue increases versus expense increases, the financial stability of various tenants and industries, the failure of the Company (defined herein) to make additional investments in real estate properties, the failure to upgrade our tenant mix, restrictions in current financing arrangements, the failure to fully recover tenant obligations for common area maintenance (“CAM”), insurance, taxes and other property expenses, the failure of the Lightstone REIT to continue to qualify as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”), the failure to refinance debt at favorable terms and conditions, an increase in impairment charges, loss of key personnel, failure to achieve earnings/funds from operations targets or estimates, conflicts of interest with the Advisor and its affiliates, failure of joint venture relationships, significant costs related to environmental issues as well as other risks listed from time to time in this Form 10-Q, our Form 10-K, our Registration Statement on Form S-11 (File No. 333-117367), as the same may be amended and supplemented from time to time, and in the Company’s other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
 
We believe these forward-looking statements are reasonable; however, undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations. All written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us, or persons acting on our behalf, are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Further, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results over time unless required by law.
 
34

 
  Overview

Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (the “Lightstone REIT” or “Company”) intends to acquire and operate commercial, residential and hospitality properties, principally in the United States. Principally through the Lightstone Value Plus REIT, LP, (the “Operating Partnership”), our acquisitions may include both portfolios and individual properties. We expect that our commercial holdings will consist of retail (primarily multi-tenanted shopping centers), lodging (primarily extended stay hotels), industrial and office properties and that our residential properties will be principally comprised of ‘‘Class B’’ multi-family complexes.

 We do not have employees. We entered into an advisory agreement dated April 22, 2005 with Lightstone Value Plus REIT LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which we refer to as the “Advisor,” pursuant to which the Advisor supervises and manages our day-to-day operations and selects our real estate and real estate related investments, subject to oversight by our board of directors. We pay the Advisor fees for services related to the investment and management of our assets, and we will reimburse the Advisor for certain expenses incurred on our behalf.

Beginning with the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company qualified to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (a “REIT”), under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). To qualify as a REIT, the Company must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of its ordinary taxable income to stockholders. As a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to federal income tax on taxable income that it distributes to its stockholders. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it will then be subject to federal income taxes on its taxable income at regular corporate rates and will not be permitted to qualify for treatment as a REIT for federal income tax purposes for four years following the year during which qualification is lost unless the Internal Revenue Service grants the Company relief under certain statutory provisions. Such an event could materially adversely affect the Company’s net income and net cash available for distribution to stockholders. As of September 30, 2009, the Company has complied with the requirements for maintaining its REIT status.

To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we engage in certain activities through LVP Acquisitions Corp. (“LVP Corp”), a wholly-owned taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”). As such, we are subject to federal and state income and franchise taxes from these activities.

Acquisitions and Investment Strategy

We intend to acquire fee interests in multi-tenanted, community, power and lifestyle shopping centers, and in malls located in highly trafficked retail corridors, high-barrier to entry markets, and sub- markets with constraints on the amount of additional property supply. Additionally, we seek to acquire mid-scale, extended stay lodging properties and multi-tenanted industrial properties located near major transportation arteries and distribution corridors; multi-tenanted office properties located near major transportation arteries; and market-rate, middle market multifamily properties at a discount to replacement cost. We do not intend to invest in single family residential properties; leisure home sites; farms; ranches; timberlands; unimproved properties not intended to be developed; or mining properties.

Investments in real estate will be made through the purchase of all or part of a fee simple ownership, or all or part of a leasehold interest. We may also purchase limited partnership interests, limited liability company interests and other equity securities. We may also enter into joint ventures with affiliated entities for the acquisition, development or improvement of properties as well as general partnerships, co-tenancies and other participations with real estate developers, owners and others for the purpose of developing, owning and operating real properties. We will not enter into a joint venture to make an investment that we would not be permitted to make on our own. Not more than 10% of our total assets will be invested in unimproved real property. For purposes of this paragraph, “unimproved real properties” does not include properties acquired for the purpose of producing rental or other operating income, properties under construction and properties for which development or construction is planned within one year. Additionally, we will not invest in contracts for the sale of real estate unless in recordable form and appropriately recorded.

Through September 30, 2009, Lightstone REIT has completed eight acquisitions: the Belz Factory Outlet World, a retail outlet shopping mall in St. Augustine, Florida, on March 31, 2006; four multi-family communities in Southeast Michigan on June 29, 2006; the Oakview Plaza, a retail shopping mall located in Omaha, Nebraska, on December 21, 2006 a portfolio of 12 industrial and 2 office buildings in Louisiana and Texas, on February 1, 2007; and a land parcel in Lake Jackson, TX, intended for immediate development as a power retail center, on June 29, 2007, two hotels in Houston, Texas on October 17, 2007, five multi family apartment communities, one in Tampa, Florida, two in Greensboro, North Carolina and two in Charlotte, North Carolina on November 16, 2007, and an industrial building in Sarasota, Florida on November 13, 2007.
 
35

 
In addition, as of September 30, 2009, Lightstone REIT has acquired three investments in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities: a 49% equity interest in a joint venture, formed to purchase a sub-leasehold interest in a ground lease to an office building in New York, NY, on January 4, 2007; a 36.8% membership interest in a limited liability corporation which owns two factory outlet centers in Orlando, Florida, of which 22.54% was acquired on June 26, 2008 and 14.26% was acquired on August 25, 2009; and  a 40% membership interest in an affiliated limited liability company which owns 18 factory outlet centers located in 15 different states in the United States, of which 25% was acquired on March 30, 2009 and 15% was acquired on August 25, 2009.  In addition on April 16, 2008, Lightstone REIT made a preferred equity contribution in exchange for membership interests of a wholly owned subsidiary of Park Avenue Funding, LLC, an affiliated real estate lending company.

Although we are not limited as to the geographic area where we may conduct our operations, we intend to invest in properties located near the existing operations of our Sponsor, in order to achieve economies of scale where possible. Our Sponsor currently maintains operations throughout the United States (Hawaii, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming excluded), the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada.

We may finance our property acquisitions through a variety of means, including but not limited to individual non-recourse mortgages and through the exchange of an interest in the property for limited partnership units of the Operating Partnership. We plan to own substantially all of our assets and conduct our operations through the Operating Partnership.
 
Current Environment

The slowdown in the economy coupled with continued job losses and/or lack of job growth leads us to be cautious regarding the expected performance of 2009 for our commercial as well as multifamily residential properties.  In addition, the effect of the current economic downturn is having an impact on many retailers nationwide, including tenants of our commercial properties.  There have been many national retail chains that have filed for bankruptcy.  Analysts expect that more retailers will file for bankruptcy during 2009.  In addition to those who have filed, or may file, bankruptcy, many retailers have announced store closings and a slowdown in their expansion plans. For multifamily residential properties, in general, evictions have increased and requests for rent reductions and abatements are becoming more frequent.

U.S. and global credit and equity markets have recently undergone significant disruption, making it difficult for many businesses to obtain financing on acceptable terms or at all. As a result of this disruption, in general there has been an increase in the costs associated with the borrowings and refinancing as well as limited availability of funds for refinancing.  If these conditions continue or worsen, our cost of borrowing may increase and it may be more difficult to refinance debt obligations as they come due in the ordinary course.  Our best course of action may be to work with existing lenders to renegotiate an interim extension until the credit markets improve.  See notes 9 and 10 of notes to consolidated financial statements for discussion of maturity dates of our debt obligations.

As a result of the current environment and the direct impact it is having to certain properties, we recorded an impairment charge to our long-lived assets of $45.2 million which represents the excess of carrying value compared to fair value during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009.  This charge is netted with a gain on disposal in the line item impairment of long-lived assets, net of gain on disposal within our consolidated statements of operations. In addition, during October 2009, we choose not to make our required debt service payments of $0.2 million on two of the five loans within the Camden portfolio, which had an outstanding principal balance of $42.3 million as of September 30, 2009.  We determined that future debt service payments on these loans would no longer be economically beneficial to us based upon the current and expected future performance of the locations associated with these two loans.   We are in current discussions with the lender regarding our default status and potential future remedies.   See Notes 7 and 9 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Our operating results are impacted by the health of the North American economies.  Our business and financial performance, including collection of our accounts receivable, recoverability of assets including investments, may be adversely affected by current and future economic conditions, such as a reduction in the availability of credit, financial markets volatility, and recession.

We are not aware of any other material trends or uncertainties, favorable or unfavorable, other than national economic conditions affecting real estate generally, that may be reasonably anticipated to have a material impact on either capital resources or the revenues or income to be derived from the acquisition and operation of real estate and real estate related investments, other than those referred to in this Form 10-Q.
 
36


Portfolio Summary –

                     
Annualized Revenues based
 
       
Year Built (Range of
 
Leasable Square
 
Percentage Occupied as
   
on rents at
 
   
Location
 
years built)
 
Feet
 
of September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2009
 
Wholly-Owned Real Estate Properties:
                       
                         
Retail
                       
Wholly-owned:
                       
St. Augustine Outlet Mall
 
St. Augustine, FL
 
1998
    337,732     84.2 %
4.4 million
 
Oakview Power Center
 
Omaha, NE
 
1999 - 2005
    177,103     99.3 %
2.3 million
 
Brazos Crossing Power Center
 
Lake Jackson, TX
 
2007-2008
    61,213     100.0 %
0.8 million
 
   
Subtotal wholly-owned
          576,048     90.5 %      
                               
Unconsolidated Affiliated Real Estate Entities:
                             
Orlando Outlet & Design Center
 
Orlando, FL
 
1991-2008
    978,254     92.8 %
28.2 million
 
                               
Prime Outlets Acquisition Company (18 retail outlet malls)
 
Various
          6,394,158     93.4 %
118.6 million
 
   
Subtotal unconsolidated affiliated real estate
                   
   
entities
          7,372,412     93.4 %      
       
Retail Total
    7,948,460     9.2 %      
                               
Industrial
                             
7 Flex/Office/Industrial Bldgs from the Gulf Coast Industrial
                             
Portfolio
 
New Orleans, LA
 
1980-2000
    339,700     84.4 %
3.0 million
 
4 Flex/Industrial Bldgs from the Gulf Coast Industrial
                         
 
 
Portfolio
 
San Antonio, TX
 
1982-1986
    484,255     70.2 %
1.9 million
 
3 Flex/Industrial Buildings from the Gulf Coast Industrial
                             
Portfolio
 
Baton Rouge, LA
 
1985-1987
    182,792     96.2 %
1.2 million
 
Sarasota Industrial Property
 
Sarasota, FL
 
1992
    276,316     4.2 %
0.1 million
 
       
Industrial Total
    1,283,063     63.5 %      

               
Percentage Occupied as
   
Annualized Revenues based
 
       
Year Built (Range of
     
of
   
on rents at
 
Residential:
 
Location
 
years built)
 
Leasable Units
 
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2009
 
                         
Michigan Apt's (Four Multi-Family Apartment Buildings)
 
Southeast MI
 
1965-1972
    1,017     86.3 %
7.4 million
 
   
Greensboro/Charlotte, NC &
                         
Southeast Apt's (Five Multi-Family Apartment Buildings)
 
Tampa, FL
 
1980-1987
    1,576     92.7 %
11.0 million
 
       
Residential Total
    2,593     90.2 %      
 
               
Percentage Occupied for
     
               
the
 
Revenue per Available
 
           
Year to date
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Room through September
 
   
Location
 
Year Built
 
Available Rooms
 
September 30, 2009
 
30, 2009
 
Wholly-Owned Operating Properties:
                       
Sugarland and Katy Highway Extended Stay Hotels
 
Houston, TX
 
1998
 
79,443
 
69.4
% $ 34.55  

               
Percentage Occupied as
     
Annualized Revenues based
 
           
Leasable Square
 
of
     
on rents at
 
   
Location
 
Year Built
 
Feet
 
September 30, 2009
     
September 30, 2009
 
                           
Unconsolidated Affiliated Real Estate Entities-Office:
                         
1407 Broadway
 
New York, NY
 
1952
 
1,114,695
 
80.7
 
31.8 million
 

37


Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we implemented new accounting standards which changed the accounting for business combinations and investments under the equity method, as well as the reporting of noncontrolling interests, formerly titled minority interests.  See New Accounting Pronouncements below for discussion of impact to our policies.  These were the only changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 to our critical accounting policies as reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
Inflation
 
Our long-term leases are expected to contain provisions to mitigate the adverse impact of inflation on our operating results. Such provisions will include clauses entitling us to receive scheduled base rent increases and base rent increases based upon the consumer price index.  In addition, our leases are expected to require tenants to pay a negotiated share of operating expenses, including maintenance, real estate taxes, insurance and utilities, thereby reducing our exposure to increases in cost and operating expenses resulting from inflation.  

Treatment of Management Compensation and Expense Reimbursements
 
Management of our operations is outsourced to our Advisor and certain other affiliates of our Sponsor. Fees related to each of these services are accounted for based on the nature of such service and the relevant accounting literature. Fees for services performed that represent period costs of the Lightstone REIT are expensed as incurred. Such fees include acquisition fees associated with the purchase of interests in affiliated real estate entities; asset management fees paid to our Advisor and property management fees paid to our Property Manager.  These fees are expensed or capitalized to the basis of acquired assets, as appropriate.
 
Our Property Manager may also perform fee-based construction management services for both our re-development activities and tenant construction projects. These fees are considered incremental to the construction effort and will be capitalized to the associated real estate project as incurred. Costs incurred for tenant construction will be depreciated over the shorter of their useful life or the term of the related lease. Costs related to redevelopment activities will be depreciated over the estimated useful life of the associated project.
 
Leasing activity at our properties has also been outsourced to our Property Manager. Any corresponding leasing fees we pay will be capitalized and amortized over the life of the related lease.

Expense reimbursements made to both our Advisor and Property Manager will be expensed or capitalized to the basis of acquired assets, as appropriate.
 
Income Taxes   
 
We elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code in conjunction with the filing of our 2006 federal tax return. In order to qualify as a REIT, an entity must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of its annual ordinary taxable income to stockholders. REITs are generally not subject to federal income tax on taxable income that they distribute to their stockholders. It is our intention to adhere to these requirements and maintain our REIT status. As a REIT, we still may be subject to certain state, local and foreign taxes on our income and property and to federal income and excise taxes on our undistributed taxable income.

We have net operating loss carryforwards for Federal income tax purposes through the year ended December 31, 2006. The availability of such loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2026. As we do not consider it likely that we will realize any future benefit from our loss carry-forward, any deferred asset resulting from the final determination of our tax loss carryforwards will be fully offset by a valuation allowance of the same amount.

In 2007, to maintain our qualification as a REIT, we engage in certain activities through LVP Acquisitions Corp. (“LVP Corp”), a wholly-owned taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”). As such, we are subject to federal and state income and franchise taxes from these activities.

As of September 30, 2009, the Company had no material uncertain income tax positions. The tax years 2005 through 2008 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject.

 
38

 

Results of Operations
 
The Company’s primary financial measure for evaluating each of its properties is net operating income (“NOI”).  NOI represents rental income less property operating expenses, real estate taxes and general and administrative expenses.  The Company believes that NOI is helpful to investors as a supplemental measure of the operating performance of a real estate company because it is a direct measure of the actual operating results of the company’s properties.

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 vs. September 30, 2008

Consolidated

Revenues
 
Total revenues decreased by $0.2 million to $10.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $10.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008.  The decrease is primarily related to a decline of approximately $0.6 million within our Multi Family segment due to increased rent concessions during the current period compared to the same period a year ago.  In addition, our Hospitality segment declined by $0.2 million due to lower occupancy rates during 2009 as a result of higher than normal demand in 2008 which resulted after Hurricane Ike.  The decrease is offset by an increase of $0.6 million within our Retail segment primarily associated with the expansion at our St. Augustine Outlet Mall, which was substantially completed in November 2008.

Property operating expenses
 
Property operating expenses decreased by $0.7 million to approximately $4.0 million, for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $4.7 million for the same period in 2008 primarily as a result of a decline in insurance expense.  During the three months ended September 30, 2008, we recorded insurance deductible charges of approximately $0.5 million related to damage sustained at various locations from Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, which did not occur in the current year.

Real estate taxes
 
Real estate taxes increased slightly by $0.1 million to $1.1 million, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 primarily due to an increase within our Retail segment.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative costs increased by $0.6 million to $1.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $1.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2008 due to an increase in asset management fees of $0.7 million due to an increase in our average asset value compared to a year ago as well as additional accounting and consulting fees associated with increased activity over the prior year and valuation analysis.   Our total bad debt expense recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2009 declined by $0.5 million compared to a year ago, predominately within our multifamily residential properties, which offset a portion of the increase in other general and administrative costs.

Impairment on long lived assets, net of  gain on disposal
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2009, we recorded an asset impairment charge of $45.2 million primarily related to the impairment within the multi-family segment of $43.2 million associated with the five properties within the Camden portfolio and $2.0 million within the retail segment associated with our Brazos Crossing power center.  In addition, we recorded $0.2 million gain on disposal of assets offsetting the $45.2 asset impairment charge.

  We identified certain indicators of impairment related to the properties within our Camden portfolio and our Brazos Crossing power center such as negative cash flow expectations and change in management’s expectations regarding the length of the holding period, which occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2009.  These indicators did not exist during our prior reviews of the properties through June 30, 2009. We performed a cash flow valuation analysis and determined that the carrying value of the property exceeded the weighted probability of their undiscounted cash flows.  Therefore, we recorded an impairment charge of $45.2 million related to these properties consisting of the excess carrying value of the asset over its estimated fair values as part of impairment of long lived assets, net of gain on disposal within the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.  The fair value for these assets was determined to be approximately $60.0 million.   Our debt obligations outstanding on these properties are approximately $86.7 million (See note 9 of the notes to consolidated financial statements).  If we should extinguish the debt obligations associated with these properties, we should realize a gain on extinguishment at that time based upon the difference in the recorded fair value of assets and the debt obligations outstanding.  For the three months ended September 30, 2008, we did not record an impairment charge.
 
39

 
Depreciation and Amortization
 
Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $0.6 million to $2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to same period in 2008 primarily due to additional depreciation expense recorded for our St. Augustine Outlet, which substantially completed its expansion during November 2008.
 
Interest income
 
Interest income declined by $0.5 million primarily due to a decrease in interest and dividends on our money market and marketable securities investments due to a decline in interest rates compared to the same period in the prior year as well as decline in average cash invested of approximately $17.3 million.

Interest expense
 
Interest expense, including amortization of deferred financing costs, increased by $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 2008. The increase is due to interest capitalized of $0.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2008 compared to $0 during 2009.

Gain/(loss) on sale of marketable securities
 
 Gain/(loss) on sale of marketable securities increased by $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2008 due to timing of sales of securities and the difference in adjusted cost basis compared to proceeds received on sale. During the three months ended September 30, 2009, we sold marketable securities for a gain of $1.2 million.  During the three months ended September 30, 2008, we sold securities for a slight loss.

Other than temporary impairment – marketable securities

During the three months ended September 30, 2008, we recorded a non-cash charge of $9.7 million related to a decline in value of certain investment securities which were determined to be other than temporary.  No such impairments were recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2009 (See note 5 of notes to consolidated financial statements).

Loss from investments in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities

Our loss from investment in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was $3.5 million compared to a $0.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2008.   The change of $2.8 million is due to the addition of our portion of the loss related to our investment in POAC and the additional depreciation expense recorded of $2.2 million related to the difference in our cost of the POAC investment in excess of POAC’s historical net book values.

Noncontrolling interests

The loss allocated to Noncontrolling interests relates to the interest in the Operating Partnership held by our Sponsor as well as common units held by our limited partners (See Note 1 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements).

Segment Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 compared to September 30, 2008

Retail Segment

               
Variance
 
   
For the Three Months Ended
   
Increase/(Decrease)
 
   
September 30,
 
September 30,
             
   
2009
   
2008
   
$
   
%
   
(unaudited)
               
Revenue
  $ 2,716,180     $ 2,070,368     $ 645,812       31.2 %
NOI
    1,704,824       1,144,387       560,437       49.0 %
Average Occupancy Rate for period
    91.0 %     86.1 %             5.7 %

Revenue increased $0.6 million to $2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2008 primarily as a result of additional revenues of $0.8 million associated with the expansion at our St. Augustine Outlet Center.
 
40

Net operating income increased by $0.6 million to $1.7 million primarily as a result of the increase in revenue offset by increased property expenses associated with maintaining the additional leasable square feet at our St. Augustine Outlet center as a result of the expansion.

Multi Family Segment

               
Variance
 
   
For the Three Months Ended
   
Increase/(Decrease)
 
   
September 30,
 
September 30,
             
   
2009
 
2008
   
$
   
%
 
   
(unaudited)
             
Revenue
  $ 4,627,957     $ 5,180,930     $ (552,973 )     -10.7 %
NOI
    1,615,504       1,552,823       62,681       4.0 %
Average Occupancy Rate for period
    89.0 %     89.8 %             -0.9 %
 
Revenue decreased by $0.6 million to $4.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2008. As a result of the current economic environment, the number of job losses has increased which is negatively impacting this segment. In order to assist current tenants and to attract new tenants, we have increased rent concessions during the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.  The rent concessions provided to tenants is approximately one additional month compared to a year ago and decreased total revenue by approximately $0.3 million.  The reminder of the decrease is a result of the decline in the average occupancy rate.

Net operating income increased slightly to $1.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 from the three months ended September 30, 2008.  The increase is a result a decline in repairs and maintenance expense compared to the prior year and a lower bad debt expense incurred during the 2009 period of approximately $0.4 million which offset the decline in revenue.

Industrial Segment

               
Variance
 
   
For the Three Months Ended
   
Increase/(Decrease)
 
   
September 30,
 
September 30,
             
   
2009
 
2008
   
$
   
%
 
   
(unaudited)
             
Revenue
  $ 1,972,123     $ 1,948,375     $ 23,748       1.2 %
NOI
    1,276,263       974,989       301,274       30.9 %
Average Occupancy Rate for period
    64.3 %     66.8 %             -3.7 %

Net operating income increased by $0.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three months September 30, 2008 on constant revenues during the periods.  The NOI increase is primarily due to a decline in insurance expense.  During the three months ended September 30, 2008, we recorded insurance deductible charges of approximately $0.2 million related to damage sustained at various locations from Hurricanes Gustav, which did not occur in the current year.

Hospitality

               
Variance
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
   
Increase/(Decrease)
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
             
 
2009
 
2008
   
$
   
%
 
 
(unaudited)
             
Revenue
  $ 824,591     $ 1,067,180     $ (242,589 )     -22.7 %
NOI
    293,219       221,187       72,032       32.6 %
Average Occupancy Rate for period
    65.0 %     72.4 %             -10.2 %
Average Revenue per Available Room for period
  $ 30.90     $ 39.58     $ (9.00 )     -22.7 %

Revenue decreased by $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2008.  The Hospitality segment during the three months ended September 30, 2008 experienced unusual demand for their rooms due to the damage caused by Hurricane Ike, which displaced area residents from their homes.

 
41

 

Net operating income increased by $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 partially as a result of lower insurance expense offset by the decline in revenue.  During the three months ended September 30, 2008, we recorded insurance deductible charges of approximately $0.3 million related to damage sustained at various locations from Hurricanes Ike, which did not occur in the current year.

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 vs. September 30, 2008

Consolidated

Revenues
 
Total revenues increased by $1.0 million to $31.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $30.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The increase is related to additional revenues of $2.2 million within our Retail segment primarily associated with our Brazos Crossing Power Center, which opened during March 2008 and the expansion at our St. Augustine Outlet Mall, which was substantially completed in November 2008.  This increase was offset by a decline of approximately $1.0 million within our Multi Family segment due to increased rent concessions during the current period compared to the same period a year ago.

Property operating expenses
 
Property operating expenses decreased by $1.1 million to approximately $11.9 million, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $13.0 million for the same period in 2008 primarily as a result of a decline in insurance expense.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, we recorded insurance deductible charges of approximately $0.5 million related to damage sustained at various locations from Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, which did not occur in the current year.  In addition, our repair and maintenance expense within our Multi Family segment declined.  In the prior year, this segment incurred additional costs associated due to a significant turnover in tenants at the beginning of 2008.

Real estate taxes
 
Real estate taxes increased by $0.2 million to approximately $3.3 million, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 primarily due to an increase within our Retail segment as a result of the grand opening of our Brazos Crossing Power Center as well as the recent expansion at our St. Augustine Outlet Mall.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative costs decreased by $2.5 million to $5.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $8.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 primarily due to a reduction of $4.1 million in acquisition fees expensed, including closing costs, related to our investment in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities. These type of costs were expensed during 2008 and effective January 1, 2009, in accordance with accounting guidance,  these type of costs incurred during 2009 were capitalized as part of the investment as discussed above in 2009 Acquisitions and Investments section.   Offsetting this decline was an increase of $1.5 million related to asset management fees due to an increase in the average asset value at September 30, 2009 compared to September 30, 2008.

Impairment on long lived assets, net of gain on disposal
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recorded an asset impairment charge of $45.2 million primarily related to the impairment within the multi-family segment of $43.2 million associated with the five properties within the Camden portfolio and $2.0 million within the retail segment associated with our Brazos Crossing power center.  In addition, we recorded $0.2 million gain on disposal of assets offsetting the $45.2 asset impairment charge.

We identified certain indicators of impairment related to the properties within our Camden portfolio and our Brazos Crossing power center such as negative cash flow expectations and change in management’s expectations regarding the length of the holding period, which occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2009.  These indicators did not exist during our prior reviews of the properties through June 30, 2009. We performed a cash flow valuation analysis and determined that the carrying value of the property exceeded the weighted probability of their undiscounted cash flows.  Therefore, we recorded an impairment charge of $45.2 million related to these properties consisting of the excess carrying value of the asset over its estimated fair values as part of impairment of long lived assets, net of gain on disposal within the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.  The fair value for these assets was determined to be approximately $60.0 million.   Our debt obligations outstanding on these properties are  approximately $86.7 million (See note 9 of the notes to consolidated financial statements).  If we should extinguish the debt obligations associated with these properties, we should realize a gain on extinguishment at that time based upon the difference in the recorded fair value of assets and the debt obligations outstanding.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, we did not record an impairment charge.

 
42

 

Depreciation and Amortization
 
Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $1.0 million to $7.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to same period in 2008 primarily due to depreciation expense recorded for our Brazos Crossing Power Center, which opened in March 2008, and our St. Augustine Outlet, which substantially completed its expansion during November 2008.
 
Interest income
 
Interest income declined by $0.5 million primarily due to a decrease in interest and dividends on our money market and marketable securities investments due to a decline in interest rates compared to the same period in the prior year as well as decline in average cash invested of approximately $6.0 million.

Interest expense
 
Interest expense, including amortization of deferred financing costs, increased by $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 2008. The increase is due to interest capitalized of $0.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to $0 during 2009.

Gain/(loss) on sale of marketable securities
 
Gain/(loss) on sale of marketable securities increased by $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008 due to timing of sales of securities and the difference in adjusted cost basis compared to proceeds received on sale. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we sold marketable securities for a net gain of $0.3 million.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, we sold securities for a slight loss.

Other than temporary impairment – marketable securities

During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recorded a non-cash charge of $3.4 million related to a decline in value of certain investment securities which were determined to be other than temporary and during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 we recorded an impairment charge of $9.7 million.  (See note 5 of notes to consolidated financial statements).

Loss from investments in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities

Our loss from investment in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $4.2 million compared to a $2.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2008.   This account represents our portion of the net income/loss of our three investments in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities, 1407 Broadway, Mill Run and POAC.  The majority of the additional loss recorded represents the additional depreciation expense recorded of $5.4 million associated with the difference in our cost of these investments in excess of their historical net book values during 2009 compared to 2008 primarily related to timing of acquisitions (See note 3 of notes to consolidated financial statements).  Offsetting this additional charge is a higher dollar amount of income allocated to us from our  Mill Run investment compared to 2008 due to timing of acquisition (June 2008) and lower interest expense due to lower libor rates.

Noncontrolling interests

The loss allocated to Noncontrolling interests relates to the interest in the Operating Partnership held by our Sponsor as well as common units held by our limited partners (See Note 1 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements).

 
43

 

Segment Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 compared to September 30, 2008

Retail Segment
 
       
Variance
 
 
For the Nine Months Ended
   
Increase/(Decrease)
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
             
 
2009
 
2008
   
$
   
%
 
   
(unaudited)
             
Revenue
  $ 8,286,105     $ 6,079,080     $ 2,207,025       36.3 %
NOI
    4,958,783       3,376,427       1,582,356       46.9 %
Average Occupancy Rate for period
    89.9 %     89.9 %             0.0 %

Revenue increased $2.2 million to $8.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008 primarily as a result of additional revenues of $2.0 million associated with the expansion at our St. Augustine Outlet Center and the remaining increase is associated the opening of our Brazos Crossing Power Center during March 2008.   The average occupancy rate per period remained the same for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 2008 and revenue increased as a result of an increase of approximately 87,000 in leasable square feet at our St. Augustine Outlet center as part of the expansion which was substantially completed in November 2008.

Net operating income increased by $1.6 million to $5.0 million primarily as a result of the increase in revenue offset by increased property expenses associated with our Brazos Crossing Power Center being open for a full quarter in 2009 compared to 2008 and additional costs associated with maintaining the additional leasable square feet at our St. Augustine Outlet center as a result of the expansion.

Multi Family Segment

 
For the Nine Months Ended
   
Variance
Increase/(Decrease)
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
             
 
2009
 
2008
   
$
   
%
 
 
(unaudited)
             
Revenue
  $ 14,274,745     $ 15,262,432     $ (987,687 )     -6.5 %
NOI
    5,211,740       5,317,986       (106,246 )     -2.0 %
Average Occupancy Rate for period
    88.8 %     87.5 %             1.5 %
 
Revenue decreased by $1.0 million to $14.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008.   As a result of the current economic environment, the number of job losses has increased which is negatively impacting this segment.  In order to assist current tenants and to attract new tenants, we have increased rent abatements during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.  The rent concessions provided to tenants is approximately one additional month compared to a year ago and decreased total revenue by approximately $0.8 million.

Net operating income decreased by $0.1 million to $5.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from $5.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  The decrease is a result of the decline in revenue of $1.0 million plus higher bad debt expense incurred during the 2009 period of approximately $0.2 million offset by a decrease in repair and maintenance costs during 2009 due to significant turnover in tenants at the beginning of 2008 and lower utilities due to lower rates than the prior year.

 
44

 

Industrial Segment

               
Variance
 
 
For the Nine Months Ended
   
Increase/(Decrease)
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
             
 
2009
 
2008
   
$
   
%
 
 
(unaudited)
             
Revenue
  $ 5,669,103     $ 5,900,433     $ (231,330 )     -3.9 %
NOI
    3,562,006       3,304,451       257,555       7.8 %
Average Occupancy Rate for period
    65.8 %     69.4 %             -5.2 %

Revenue decreased by $0.2 million to $5.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008 as a result of a decline in the average occupancy rate and a reduction in tenant recoveries of $0.2 million.  The reduction in tenant recoveries is due to lower property expenses incurred that are reimbursed by the tenants during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the 2008 period.

Net operating income increased by $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008 as a result of a decline in insurance expense of $0.3 million and bad debt expense of $0.1 million.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, we recorded insurance deductible charges of approximately $0.2 million related to damage sustained at various locations from Hurricanes Gustav, which did not occur in the current year.

Hospitality

               
Variance
 
 
For the Nine Months Ended
   
Increase/(Decrease)
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
             
 
2009
 
2008
   
$
   
%
 
 
(unaudited)
             
Revenue
  $ 2,780,763     $ 2,736,137     $ 44,626       1.6 %
NOI
    1,233,702       909,277       324,425       35.7 %
Average Occupancy Rate for period
    69.4 %     65.4 %             6.1 %
Average Revenue per Available Room for period
  $ 34.55     $ 33.97     $ 1.00       2.9 %

Net operating income increased by $0.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months September 30, 2008 on constant revenues during the periods.  The NOI increase is primarily due to a decline in insurance expense.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, we recorded insurance deductible charges of approximately $0.3 million related to damage sustained at various locations from Hurricanes Ike, which did not occur in the current year.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources   
 
Overview:
 
We intend that rental revenue will be the principal source of funds to pay operating expenses, debt service, capital expenditures and dividends, excluding non-recurring capital expenditures. To the extent that our cash flow from operating activities is insufficient to finance non-recurring capital expenditures such as property acquisitions, development and construction costs and other capital expenditures, we are dependent upon the net proceeds received from our public offering to conduct such proposed activities. We have financed such activities through debt and equity financings.   We expect that future financing will be through debt financings and proceeds from our dividend reinvestment plan.  The capital required to purchase real estate investments has been obtained from our offering and from any indebtedness that we may incur in connection with the acquisition and operations of any real estate investments thereafter.
 
We expect to meet our short-term liquidity requirements generally through funds received in our public offering, working capital, and net cash provided by operating activities. We frequently examine potential property acquisitions and development projects and, at any given time, one or more acquisitions or development projects may be under consideration. Accordingly, the ability to fund property acquisitions and development projects is a major part of our financing requirements. We expect to meet our financing requirements through funds generated from our public offering and long-term and short-term borrowings.

 
45

 

 Our public offering terminated on October 10, 2008 when all shares offered where sold.   However, the shares continued to be sold to existing stockholders pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan.  For the three and a nine months ended September 30, 2009, we received proceeds from our dividend reinvestment plan of $2.4 million and $7.1 million, respectively.  Our cumulative gross offering proceeds through September 30, 2009 were $308.9 million, which includes redemptions and $14.8 million of proceeds from the dividend reinvestment plan since its inception.

We intend to utilize leverage in acquiring our properties. The number of different properties we will acquire will be affected by numerous factors, including, the amount of funds available to us. When interest rates on mortgage loans are high or financing is otherwise unavailable on terms that are satisfactory to us, we may purchase certain properties for cash with the intention of obtaining a mortgage loan for a portion of the purchase price at a later time.

 Our source of funds in the future will primarily be the net proceeds of our offering, operating cash flows and borrowings. We believe that these cash resources will be sufficient to satisfy our cash requirements for the foreseeable future, and we do not anticipate a need to raise funds from other than these sources within the next twelve months.

We currently have $237.3 million of outstanding mortgage debt, and an additional $7.4 million of outstanding notes payable. We intend to limit our aggregate long-term permanent borrowings to 75% of the aggregate fair market value of all properties unless any excess borrowing is approved by a majority of the independent directors and is disclosed to our stockholders. We may also incur short-term indebtedness, having a maturity of two years or less.

Our charter provides that the aggregate amount of borrowing, both secured and unsecured, may not exceed 300% of net assets in the absence of a satisfactory showing that a higher level is appropriate, the approval of our board of directors and disclosure to stockholders. Net assets means our total assets, other than intangibles, at cost before deducting depreciation or other non-cash reserves less our total liabilities, calculated at least quarterly on a basis consistently applied. Any excess in borrowing over such 300% of net assets level must be approved by a majority of our independent directors and disclosed to our stockholders in our next quarterly report to stockholders, along with justification for such excess. As of September 30, 2009, our total borrowings represented 96.3% of net assets.
 
Borrowings may consist of single-property mortgages as well as mortgages cross-collateralized by a pool of properties. Such mortgages may be put in place either at the time we acquire a property or subsequent to our purchasing a property for cash. In addition, we may acquire properties that are subject to existing indebtedness where we choose to assume the existing mortgages. Generally, though not exclusively, we intend to seek to encumber our properties with debt, which will be on a non-recourse basis. This means that a lender’s rights on default will generally be limited to foreclosing on the property. However, we may, at our discretion, secure recourse financing or provide a guarantee to lenders if we believe this may result in more favorable terms. When we give a guaranty for a property owning entity, we will be responsible to the lender for the satisfaction of the indebtedness if it is not paid by the property owning entity.

We intend to obtain level payment financing, meaning that the amount of debt service payable would be substantially the same each year. Accordingly, we expect that some of the mortgages on our property will provide for fixed interest rates. However, we expect that most of the mortgages on our properties will provide for a so-called “balloon” payment and that certain of our mortgages will provide for variable interest rates. Any mortgages secured by a property will comply with the restrictions set forth by the Commissioner of Corporations of the State of California.
 
We may also obtain lines of credit to be used to acquire properties. These lines of credit will be at prevailing market terms and will be repaid from offering proceeds, proceeds from the sale or refinancing of properties, working capital or permanent financing. Our Sponsor or its affiliates may guarantee the lines of credit although they will not be obligated to do so. We may draw upon the lines of credit to acquire properties pending our receipt of proceeds from our initial public offering. We expect that such properties may be purchased by our Sponsor’s affiliates on our behalf, in our name, in order to avoid the imposition of a transfer tax upon a transfer of such properties to us.

In addition to making investments in accordance with our investment objectives, we expect to use our capital resources to make certain payments to our Advisor, our Dealer Manager, and our Property Manager during the various phases of our organization and operation. During our organizational and offering stage, these payments included payments to our Dealer Manager for selling commissions and the dealer manager fee, and payments to our Advisor for the reimbursement of organization and offering costs. During the acquisition and development stage, these payments will include asset acquisition fees and asset management fees, and the reimbursement of acquisition related expenses to our Advisor.  During the operational stage, we will pay our Property Manager a property management fee and our Advisor an asset management fee. We will also reimburse our Advisor and its affiliates for actual expenses it incurs for administrative and other services provided to us. Additionally, the Operating Partnership may be required to make distributions to Lightstone SLP, LLC, an affiliate of the Advisor.

 
46

 

The following table represents the fees incurred associated with the payments to our Advisor, our Dealer Manager, and our Property Manager for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:

   
For the Three Months Ended
   
For the Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
2009
   
September 30,
2008
   
September 30,
2009
   
September 30,
2008
 
   
(unaudited)
 
Acquisition fees
  $ 6,878,087     $ -     $ 16,656,847     $ 2,336,565  
Asset management fees
    1,259,999       560,170       3,064,827       1,582,009  
Property management fees
    447,564       432,814       1,371,798       1,264,879  
Acquisition expenses reimbursed to Advisor
    -       -       902,753       1,265,528  
Development fees and leasing commissions
    106,187       645,455       311,518       1,041,795  
Total
  $ 8,691,837     $ 1,638,439     $ 22,307,743     $ 7,490,776  

As of September 30, 2009, we had approximately $22.7 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand and $0.9 million of marketable securities. Our cash and cash equivalents on hand and our marketable securities resulted primarily from proceeds from our Offering.

    Summary of Cash Flows
 
The following summary discussion of our cash flows is based on the consolidated statements of cash flows and is not meant to be an all-inclusive discussion of the changes in our cash flows for the periods presented below:
 
 
Nine Months
   
Nine Months
 
 
Ended September 30,
   
Ended September 30,
 
 
2009
   
2008
 
 
(unaudited)
 
Cash flows provided by operating activities
  $ 2,898,264     $ 3,854,494  
Cash flows used in investing activities
    (12,250,690 )     (91,920,965 )
Cash flows (used in) provided by  financing activities
    (34,048,104 )     128,026,146  
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    (43,400,530 )     39,959,675  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period
    66,106,067       29,589,815  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period
  $ 22,705,537     $ 69,549,490  
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, our principal source of cash flow was derived from proceeds from the issuance of SLP units and the operation of our rental properties. We intend that our properties will provide a relatively consistent stream of cash flow that provides us with resources to fund operating expenses, debt service and quarterly dividends.

Our principal demands for liquidity are our property operating expenses, real estate taxes, insurance, tenant improvements, leasing costs, acquisition and development activities, debt service and distributions to our stockholders and noncontrolling interests. The principal sources of funding for our operations are operating cash flows, the sale of properties, and the issuance of equity and debt securities and the placement of mortgage loans.

Operating activities

During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, cash flows provided by operating activities decreased by $1.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 to $2.9 million compared to the same period a year ago.  The decline driven by timing of accounts payable offset by the increase of $3.7 million in net income, adjusted for non cash charges.

Investing activities

Cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 of $12.3 million relates to the following:
 
·
$19.0 million of the transaction costs paid related to our investments in POAC and Mill Run.
 
·
$7.9 million related to the funding of investment property purchases, of which $4.9 million relates to funding of tenant allowances.  These additional tenant allowances relate to the timing of payments associated with our St. Augustine Outlet Mall expansion.  We expect additional tenant allowances to be funded during 2009.
 
·
Offsetting these outflows, we received $12.2 million related to proceeds from sale of marketable securities and proceeds from maturity of corporate bonds.

 
47

 

Cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 of $91.9 million resulted primarily from the following:
 
·
$49.5 million note receivable issued in connection to the signing of a material agreement to enter into a contribution and conveyance agreement to acquire a 25% interest in POAC;
 
·
A preferred equity contribution of $11.0 million into a real estate lending company which is an affiliate of our Sponsor offset by redemptions payments received of $0.9 million.
 
·
$22.7 million on investments in real estate, primarily related to the renovation and expansion project at our St. Augustine Outlet Mall; and
 
·
$9.2 million in net purchases of marketable securities and corporate bonds.

Financing activities

Cash used in financing activities of $34.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 primarily related to (i) the  payments of distributions to common shareholders and noncontrolling interests of $12.4 million; (ii) $2.0 million of principal payments on debt primarily associated with the pay down of $1.2 million related to the amendment to the hotels  loan.  The original loan matured in April 2009; (iii) $22.4 million issuance of note receivable to noncontrolling interest (see Note 13 of notes to consolidated financial statements for further discussion); (iv) and $4.3 million associated with redemption of common shares during the period.  These outflows were offset by proceeds from issuance of special general partnership interest units (“SLP Units”) of $7.0 million.

Cash provided by financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 of $128.0 million is primarily from the issuance of common stock ($152.1 million), proceeds from issuance of SLP units ($12.3 million), offset by the payment of offering costs ($15.9 million); distribution paid to common shareholders and noncontrolling interests of $5.4 million and the issuance of a note receivable ($17.6 million) entered into in connection with our investment in Mill Run (two retail outlet malls in Orlando, Florida).

We anticipate that adequate cash will be available to fund our operating and administrative expenses, regular debt service obligations, and the payment of dividends in accordance with REIT requirements in both the short and long-term.    We believe our current balance sheet position is financially sound, however due to the current weakness in and unpredictability of the capital and credit markets we can give no assurance that affordable access to capital will exist when our debt maturities occur.  

Contractual Obligations  

The following is a summary of our contractual obligations outstanding over the next five years and thereafter as of September 30, 2009.

Contractual Obligations
 
Remainder of
2009
   
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
Thereafter
   
Total
 
                                                         
Mortgage Payable 1
  $ 175,065     $ 10,553,276     $ 1,586,957     $ 2,781,012     $ 3,107,355     $ 219,084,109     $ 237,287,774  
Note Payable2
    7,358,445       -       -       -       -       -       7,358,445  
Interest Payments3
    3,482,106       13,261,753       13,067,707       12,980,592       12,772,092       27,751,042       83,315,292  
                                                         
Total Contractual Obligations
  $ 11,015,616     $ 23,815,029     $ 14,654,664     $ 15,761,604     $ 15,879,447     $ 246,835,151     $ 327,961,511  

 
1)
These amounts represent mortgage payable obligations outstanding as of September 30, 2009.
 
2)
Amount represents note payable obligation outstanding as of September 30, 2009.
 
3)
These amounts represent future interest payments related to mortgage and note payable obligations based on the fixed and variable interest rates specified in the associated debt agreement.  All variable rate debt agreements are based on the one month LIBOR rate.  For purposes of calculating future interest amounts on variable interest rate debt the one month LIBOR rate as of September 30, 2009 was used.

Certain of our debt agreements require the maintenance of certain ratios, including debt service coverage.  We have historically been and currently are in compliance with all of our debt covenants.  We expect to remain in compliance with all our existing debt covenants; however, should circumstances arise that would cause us to be in default, the various lenders would have the ability to accelerate the maturity on our outstanding debt.

 
48

 

Funds from Operations

We consider Funds from Operations, or FFO, a widely accepted and appropriate measure of performance for a REIT.  FFO provides a non-GAAP supplemental measure to compare our performance and operations to other REIT’s.  Due to certain unique operating characteristics of real estate companies, The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Inc. (NAREIT) has promulgated a standard known as FFO, which it believes more accurately reflects the operating performance of a REIT such as ours.  As defined by NAREIT, FFO means net income computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding gains (or losses) from sales of operating property, plus depreciation and amortization and after adjustment for unconsolidated partnership and joint ventures in which the REIT holds an interest.  We have adopted the NAREIT definition of computing FFO.

We believe that FFO and FFO available to common shares are helpful to investors as supplemental measures of the operating performance of a real estate company, because they are recognized measures of performance by the real estate industry and by excluding gains or losses related to dispositions of depreciable property and excluding real estate depreciation (which can vary among owners of identical assets in similar condition based on historical cost accounting and useful life estimates), FFO and FFO available to common shares can help compare the operating performance of a company’s real estate between periods or as compared to different companies. FFO and FFO available to common shares do not represent net income, net income available to common shares or net cash flows from operating activities in accordance with GAAP. Therefore, FFO and FFO available to common shares should not be exclusively considered as alternatives to net income, net income available to common shares or net cash flows from operating activities as determined by GAAP or as measures of liquidity. The Company’s calculation of FFO and FFO available to common shares may differ from other real estate companies due to, among other items, variations in cost capitalization policies for capital expenditures and, accordingly, may not be comparable to such other real estate companies.
 
Below is a reconciliation of net loss to FFO for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:

 
For the Three Months
Ended September 30,
   
For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
 
(unaudited)
         
(unaudited)
       
Net loss
  $ (49,319,070 )   $ (11,186,764 )   $ (57,071,916 )   $ (19,466,712 )
Adjustments:
                               
Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets
    2,694,337       2,136,873       7,568,009       6,539,587  
Equity in depreciation and amortization for unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities
    8,287,673       1,915,249       16,700,083       5,126,014  
Gain on disposal of investment property
    (237,808 )     -       (237,808 )     -  
FFO
    (38,574,868 )     (7,134,642 )     (33,041,632 )     (7,801,111 )
Less:  FFO attributable to noncontrolling interests
    527,109       110       487,200       101  
FFO attributable to Company's common shares
  $ (38,047,759 )   $ (7,134,532 )   $ (32,554,432 )   $ (7,801,010 )
                                 
FFO per Company's common share, basic and diluted
  $ (1.22 )   $ (0.28 )   $ (1.04 )   $ (0.39 )
                                 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic and diluted
    31,297,445       25,464,696       31,204,618       20,058,683  

 Included in FFO for the three months ended September 30, 2009 are non cash related item of $45.2 million related to the impairment charge on long lived assets offset by the gain on sale of marketable securities of $1.2 million.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2009,  non cash related items included in FFO are $45.2 million related to the impairment charge on long lived assets,  $3.4 million related to an other than temporary impairment charge for marketable securities offset by $0.3 million gain related to the sale of equity securities.

 
49

 

   Included in FFO for the three months ended September 30, 2008, $9.7 million related to an other than temporary impairment charge for marketable securities.   Included in FFO for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 are acquisition fees expensed of $4.1 million associated with the investment in Mill Run and non cash charge of $9.7 million related to an other than temporary impairment charge for marketable securities. Effective January 1, 2009, under current accounting guidance, these acquisitions fees associated with investments under the equity method are recorded as part of the cost of the investment and not expensed through the consolidated statements of operations.

For the three months ended September 30, 2009, 100% of our distributions declared for the period to our common shareholders were funded or will be funded with funds from operations, adjusted for non cash related items.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, approximately 93% of our distributions to our common shareholders were funded or will be funded with funds from operations, adjusted for non cash related items and 7% were funded or will be funded from the uninvested proceeds from the sale of shares from our offering.
 
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
 In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 141R, a revision of SFAS No. 141, “Accounting for Business Combinations,” which was primarily codified into Topic 805 – “Business Combinations” in the ASC.  This standard establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer shall recognize and measure in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree and goodwill acquired in a business combination. One significant change includes expensing acquisition fees instead of capitalizing these fees as part of the purchase price.  This will impact the Company’s recording of acquisition fees associated with the purchase of wholly-owned entities on a prospective basis.  This statement is effective for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008.  The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2009 and the adoption of this statement did not have a material effect on the consolidated results of operations or financial position.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements an amendment to ARB No. 51” which was primarily codified into Topic 810 - “Consolidation” in the ASC.  This standard establishes and expands accounting and reporting standards for minority interests, which will be recharacterized as noncontrolling interests, in a subsidiary and the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. The Company will also be required to present net income allocable to the noncontrolling interests and net income attributable to the stockholders of the Company separately in its consolidated statements of operations. Prior to the implementation of  this standard, noncontrolling interests (minority interests) were reported between liabilities and stockholders’ equity in the Company’s statement of financial position and the related income attributable to minority interests was reflected as an expense/income in arriving at net income/loss. This standard requires retroactive adoption of the presentation and disclosure requirements for existing minority interests. All other requirements of this standard are to be applied prospectively. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2009 and the presentation and disclosure requirements were applied retrospectively. Other than the change in presentation of noncontrolling interests, the adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the consolidated results of operations or financial position.

In February 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. FAS 157-2 which provides for a one-year deferral of the effective date of SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,”  which was primarily codified into Topic 820 - “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” in the ASC.  This guidance is for non-financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a nonrecurring basis, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis.  The Company adopted this guidance and it did not have a material impact to the Company’s financial position or consolidated results of operations.

In November 2008, the FASB ratified EITF Issue No.  08-6, “Equity Method Investment Accounting Considerations”, which was primarily codified into Topic 323 – “Investments-Equity Method” in the ASC.  This guidance clarifies the accounting for certain transactions and impairment considerations involving equity method investments and is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008 to be applied on a prospective basis. The Company adopted the provisions of this standard on January 1, 2009.  The adoption of this guidance changed the Company’s accounting for transaction costs related to equity investments.  Prior to the adoption of this guidance, the Company expensed these transaction costs to general and administrative expense as incurred.  Beginning January 1, 2009,  transaction costs incurred related to the Company’s investment in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities accounted for under the equity method of accounting  are capitalized as part of the cost of  the investment.  For the three  and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company capitalized $13.3 million and $25.8 million, respectively of transaction costs incurred during the related period related to its investments in POAC and Mill Run (see Note 3).

 
50

 

In April 2009, FASB, issued FASB Staff Position, or FSP, No. FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments, which was primarily codified into Topic 320 – “Investments-Debt and Equity Securities” in the ASC.  This guidance is intended to provide greater clarity to investors about the credit and noncredit component of an other-than-temporary impairment event and to more effectively communicate when an other-than-temporary impairment event has occurred.  The guidance applies to fixed maturity securities only and requires separate display of losses related to credit deterioration and losses related to other market factors.  When an entity does not intend to sell the security and it is more likely than not that an entity will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis, it must recognize the credit component of an other-than-temporary impairment in earnings and the remaining portion in other comprehensive income.  In addition, upon adoption of the guidance, an entity will be required to record a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the beginning of the period of adoption to reclassify the noncredit component of a previously recognized other-than-temporary impairment from retained earnings to accumulated other comprehensive income.  The guidance is effective for the Company for the quarter ended June 30, 2009.  The Company adopted the guidance during the quarter ended June 30, 2009 and the adoption did not have a material effect on the consolidated results of operations or financial position.

In May 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165, “Subsequent Events”, which was primarily codified into Topic 855 - “Subsequent Events” in the ASC.  This standard sets forth: 1) the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements; 2) the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements; and 3) the disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company adopted the standard in the quarter ended June 30, 2009. The standard did not impact the consolidated results of operations or financial position. See Note 17 to the notes of the consolidated financial statements.

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 168, "The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles", which was primarily codified into Topic 105 - "Generally Accepted Accounting Standards" in the ASC. This standard will become the single source of authoritative nongovernmental U.S. GAAP, superseding existing FASB, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, EITF, and other related accounting literature. This standard condenses the thousands of GAAP pronouncements into approximately 90 accounting topics and displays them using a consistent structure. Also included is relevant Securities and Exchange Commission guidance organized using the same topical structure in separate sections. This guidance became effective for financial statements issued for reporting periods that ended after September 15, 2009. Beginning in the third quarter of 2009, this guidance impacts the Company's financial statements and related disclosures as all references to authoritative accounting literature reflect the newly adopted codification.

The Company has determined that all other recently issued accounting pronouncements will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows, or do not apply to its operations.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
 
Market risk includes risks that arise from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices, equity prices and other market changes that affect market sensitive instruments. In pursuing our business plan, we expect that the primary market risk to which we will be exposed is interest rate risk.
 
We may be exposed to the effects of interest rate changes primarily as a result of borrowings used to maintain liquidity and fund the expansion and refinancing of our real estate investment portfolio and operations. Our interest rate risk management objectives will be to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings, prepayment penalties and cash flows and to lower overall borrowing costs while taking into account variable interest rate risk. To achieve our objectives, we may borrow at fixed rates or variable rates. We may also enter into derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps and caps in order to mitigate our interest rate risk on a related financial instrument. We will not enter into derivative or interest rate transactions for speculative purposes. As of September 30, 2009, we had an interest rate cap agreement outstanding for LIBOR at 6.0% related to our note payable obligation as per our debt agreement. At September 30, 2009, the fair value of this interest rate cap agreement was zero.  We did not have any other swap or derivative agreements outstanding.

We also hold equity securities for general investment return purposes.  We regularly review the market prices of these investments for impairment purposes.  As of September 30, 2009, a hypothetical adverse 10% movement in market values would result in a hypothetical loss in fair value of approximately $0.1 million.

 
51

 

The following table shows the mortgage and note payable obligations maturing during the next five years and thereafter at September 30, 2009:

   
Remainder of
2009
   
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
Thereafter
   
Total
 
                                                         
Mortgage Payable
  $ 175,065     $ 10,553,276     $ 1,586,957     $ 2,781,012     $ 3,107,355     $ 219,084,109     $ 237,287,774  
Note Payable
    7,358,445       -       -       -       -       -       7,358,445  
                                                         
Total maturities
  $ 7,533,510     $ 10,553,276     $ 1,586,957     $ 2,781,012     $ 3,107,355     $ 219,084,109     $ 244,646,219  

As of September 30, 2009, approximately $17.6 million, or 7%, of our debt (mortgage and note payable obligations combined) are variable rate instruments and our interest expense associated with these instruments is, therefore, subject to changes in market interest rates.  A 1% adverse movement (increase in LIBOR) would increase annual interest expense by approximately $0.2 million.

The fair value of the mortgage debt and notes payable as of September 30, 2009 was approximately $237.7 million compared to the book value of approximately $244.7 million.  The fair value of the mortgage debt and notes payable as of December 31, 2008 was approximately $239.8 million compared to the book value of approximately $246.7 million.
 
In addition to changes in interest rates, the value of our real estate and real estate related investments is subject to fluctuations based on changes in local and regional economic conditions and changes in the creditworthiness of lessees, which may affect our ability to refinance our debt if necessary. As of September 30, 2009, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements.

 We cannot predict the effect of adverse changes in interest rates on our debt and, therefore, our exposure to market risk, nor can we provide any assurance that long-term debt will be available at advantageous pricing. Consequently, future results may differ materially from the estimated adverse changes discussed above.

ITEM 4T. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
 
As of the end of the period covered by this report, management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon, and as of the date of, the evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file and submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when required.
 
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. There were no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses identified in the evaluation, and therefore, no corrective actions were taken.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION:
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS  

From time to time in the ordinary course of business, the Lightstone REIT may become subject to legal proceedings, claims or disputes.

On March 29, 2006, Jonathan Gould, a former member of our Board of Directors and Senior Vice-President-Acquisitions, filed a lawsuit against us in the District Court for the Southern District of New York. The suit alleges, among other things, that Mr. Gould was insufficiently compensated for his services to us as director and officer. Mr. Gould sought damages of (i) up to $11,500,000 or (ii) a 2.5% ownership interest in all properties that we acquire and an option to acquire up to 5% of the membership interests of Lightstone SLP, LLC. We filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. After review of the motion to dismiss, counsel for Mr. Gould represented that Mr. Gould was dropping his claim for ownership interest in the properties we acquire and his claim for membership interests. Mr. Gould’s counsel represented that he would be suing only under theories of quantum merit and unjust enrichment seeking the value of work he performed.  Counsel for the Lightstone REIT made motion to dismiss Mr. Gould’s complaint, which was granted by Judge Sweeney.  Mr. Gould has filed an appeal of the decision dismissing his case, which is pending.   Management believes that this suit is frivolous and entirely without merit and intends to defend against these charges vigorously.

 
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On January 4, 2007, 1407 Broadway Real Estate LLC ("Office Owner"), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of 1407 Broadway Mezz II LLC ("Mezz II"), consummated the acquisition of a sub-leasehold interest (the "Sublease Interest") in an office building located at 1407 Broadway, New York, New York (the "Office Property"). Mezz II is a joint venture between LVP 1407 Broadway LLC ("LVP LLC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of our operating partnership, and Lightstone 1407 Manager LLC ("Manager"), which is wholly owned by David Lichtenstein, the Chairman of our Board of Directors and our Chief Executive Officer, and Shifra Lichtenstein, his wife.
 
 The Sublease Interest was acquired pursuant to a Sale and Purchase of Leasehold Agreement with Gettinger Associates, L.P. ("Gettinger"). In July 2006, Abraham Kamber Company, as Sublessor under the sublease ("Sublessor"), served two notices of default on Gettinger (the "Default Notices"). The first alleged that Gettinger had failed to satisfy its obligations in performing certain renovations and the second asserted numerous defaults relating to Gettinger's purported failure to maintain the Office Property in compliance with its contractual obligations.

In response to the Default Notices, Gettinger commenced legal action and obtained an injunction that extends its time to cure any default, prohibits interference with its leasehold interest and prohibits Sublessor from terminating its sublease pending resolution of the litigation. A motion by Sublessor for partial summary judgment, alleging that certain work on the Office Property required its prior approval, was denied by the Supreme Court, New York County. Subsequently, by agreement of the parties, a stay was entered precluding the termination of the Sublease Interest pending a final decision on Sublessor's claim of defaults under the Sublease Interest. In addition, the parties stipulated to the intervention of Office Owner as a party to the proceedings. The parties have been directed to engage in and complete discovery. We consider the litigation to be without merit.
 
Prior to consummating the acquisition of the Sublease Interest, Office Owner received a letter from Sublessor indicating that Sublessor would consider such acquisition a default under the original sublease, which prohibits assignments of the Sublease Interest when there is an outstanding default there under. On February 16, 2007, Office Owner received a Notice to Cure from Sublessor stating the transfer of the Sublease Interest occurred in violation of the Sublease given Sublessor's position that Office Seller is in default. Office Owner will commence and vigorously pursue litigation in order to challenge the default, receive an injunction and toll the termination period provided for in the Sublease.

On September 4, 2007, Office Owner commenced a new action against Sublessor alleging a number claims, including the claims that Sublessor has breached the sublease and committed intentional torts against Office Owner by (among other things) issuing multiple groundless default notices, with the aim of prematurely terminating the sublease and depriving Office Owner of its valuable interest in the sublease.  The complaint seeks a declaratory judgment that Office Owner has not defaulted under the sublease, damages for the losses Office Owner has incurred as a result of Sublessor’s wrongful conduct, and an injunction to prevent Sublessor from issuing further default notices without valid grounds or in bad faith.

Office Owner is the borrower under a Loan Agreement dated January 4, 2007 and amended on September 10, 2007 and April 17, 2009 with Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (“Lehman”).  Pursuant to that loan agreement, Lehman agreed to loan to Office Owner a total of $127,250,000, of which as of September 30, 2009 $10,453,737 remains left to fund.  Lehman has not funded six monthly draws commencing with the April 21, 2009 draw, and the aggregate amount of these draws  are well within Office Owner’s borrowing limits.  In addition, Lehman has claimed that it has assigned certain of its interests in the loan to Swedbank AB and Lehman Brothers Bankhaus AG, although Lehman has provided no signed documentation evidencing the transfers.  In response to the foregoing, Office Owner filed a  motion on November 5, 2009  in Lehman’s bankruptcy case, asking the Bankruptcy Court to enter an order compelling Lehman to comply with its obligations to lend, or alternatively, to grant Office Owner relief from the bankruptcy stay to declare Lehman in default of the loan and related documents, suspend payments under the loan and related net profits interest, seek a replacement  lender for the remaining unfunded portion of the loan, and pursue other remedies

As of the date hereof, we are not a party to any other material pending legal proceedings.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Except as described below, there have been no material changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 to the risk factors discussed in Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
Our operations could be restricted if we become subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940.
 
We intend to conduct our operations so that we will  not be subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940. We may therefore have to forego certain investments that could produce a more favorable return. Should we fail to qualify for an exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, we would be subject to numerous restrictions under this Act, which would have a material adverse affect on our ability to deliver returns to our stockholders.

 
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Our intention is that neither we nor our operating partnership will be considered an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, and we do not intend to engage in the types of business that characterize an investment company under that law. We intend that investments in real estate will generally represent the substantial majority of our business. While a company that owns investment securities having a value exceeding 40 percent of its total assets could be considered an investment company, we believe that if we make investments in joint ventures they will be structured so that they are not considered “investment securities” for purposes of the law.
 
Based upon changes in the valuation of our portfolio of investments as of September 30, 2009 described in Item 5. Other Information, including with respect to certain investment securities we currently hold, we may be deemed to have  inadvertently become an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.  We are currently evaluating our response to this development, including the availability of exemptive or other relief under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and we intend to take affirmative steps to comply with applicable regulatory requirements. However, if an examination of our investments by the SEC or a court should deem us to hold investment securities in excess of the amount that would require us to register under the Investment Company Act of 1940, we could be deemed to be an investment company and be subject to additional restrictions.
 
If we fail to maintain an exemption or exclusion from registration as an investment company, we could, among other things, be required either (a) to substantially change the manner in which we conduct our operations to avoid being required to register as an investment company, or (b) to register as an investment company, either of which could have an adverse effect on us and the market price of our common stock. If we were required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, we would become subject to substantial regulation with respect to our capital structure (including our ability to use leverage), management, operations, transactions with affiliated persons (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940), portfolio composition, including restrictions with respect to diversification and industry concentration and other matters.  In addition, if the SEC or a court takes the view that we have operated and continue to operate as an unregistered investment company in violation of the Investment Company Act of 1940, and does not provide us with a sufficient period to either register as an investment company, obtain exemptive relief, or divest of our investment securities and/or acquire non-investment securities, we may be subject to significant potential penalties and certain of the contracts to which we are a party may be voidable.
 
We intend to continue to monitor our compliance with the exemptions under the Investment Company Act of 1940 on an ongoing basis.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
During the period covered by this Form 10-Q, we did not sell any equity securities that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, and we did repurchase approximately 0.2 million shares.

On April 22, 2005, our Registration Statement on Form S-11 (File No. 333-117367), covering a public offering, which we refer to as the “Offering,” of up to 30,000,000 common shares for $10 per share (exclusive of 4,000,000 shares available pursuant to the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan, 600,000 shares that could be obtained through the exercise of selling dealer warrants when and if issued, and 75,000 shares that are reserved for issuance under the Company’s stock option plan) was declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933. On October 17, 2005, the Company’s filing of a Post-Effective Amendment to its Registration Statement was declared effective. The Post-Effective Amendment reduced the minimum offering from 1,000,000 shares of common stock to 200,000 shares of common stock.
 
The Offering terminated on October 10, 2008 when all shares offered where sold.   However, shares continued to be sold to existing stockholders pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan.   As of September 30, 2009, cumulative gross offering proceeds were approximately $308.9 million, which includes redemptions and $14.8 million of proceeds from the dividend reinvestment plan since its inception.  Below is a summary of the expenses we incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the registered securities.  As the offering is closed as of October 2008, we will not have any future expenses.

Type of Expense Amount    
     
Underwriting discounts and commissions
  $ 23,847,655  
Other expenses paid to non-affiliates              
    6,340,647  
Total  offering expenses                 
  $ 30,188,302  

 
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With net offering proceeds of $308.9 million as of September 30, 2009, and mortgage debt in the amount of $237.3 million, and note payable obligation of $7.4 million outstanding as of September 30, 2009, we acquired approximately $451.3 million in real estate investments and related assets. Cumulatively, we have used the net offering proceeds as follows:

   
At September 30, 2009
 
Construction of plant, building and facilities                 
  $ 32,749,953  
Purchase of real estate interests      
    215,766,037  
Repayment of indebtedness                      
    2,410,821  
Cash and cash equivalents (as of September 30, 2009)
    22,705,537  
Gross Temporary investments (as of September 30, 2009)                      
    2,173,554  
Other uses
    33,103,772  
         
Total uses                     
  $ 308,909,674  

As of November 6, 2009, we have sold approximately 31.5 million shares at an aggregate of price of approximately $311.3 million, which includes proceeds from our Dividend Reinvestment Plan and redemptions.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
 
None.
  
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
Our annual meeting of shareholders was held on September 17, 2009.  The shareholders voted on one proposal related to board of director nominees.  The shareholders elected to the board all five director nominees for a term expiring at the 2010 annual meeting or until their successors are elected and qualify, with the vote of each director being reflected below:

Nominee
 
For
   
Withheld
 
David Lichtenstein (Director)
    16,051,169       381,711  
Edwin J. Glickman (Independent Director)
    16,062,768       370,112  
George R. Whittemore (Independent Director)
    16,070,378       362,503  
Shawn R. Tominus (Independent Director)
    16,070,209       362,671  
Bruno de Vinck ( Director)
    16,065,488       367,392  
 
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.
 
There is no established public trading market for our shares of common stock.  In order for qualified plans to report account values as required by ERISA, beginning with the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, we will be providing an estimated share value on an annual basis.   We are required to report the annual statement of value to our shareholder as part of our December 31, 2009 reporting; however, we performed an interim valuation in light of the current economic conditions, as well as, current asset impairment charges that we recorded through the nine months ended September 30, 2009 (See Notes 5 and 7 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements).   As of November 16, 2009, the value for shareholders is estimated to be $9.97 per share.
 
The value for shareholder is only an estimate and may not reflect the actual value of our shares. The value is based on the estimated value of each share of common stock based as of the close of our quarter ended September 30, 2009.  The board of directors, in part, relied upon a third party source and advice in arriving at this estimated value, which reflects, among other things, the impact of the recent adverse trends in the economy and the real estate industry.  The value represents an average price per share within a range of prices we estimated utilizing various assumptions.  Our estimated value of $9.97 per share is also within the range estimated by our third party source. 
 
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION, CONTINUED:  
 
We cannot assure that:
 
 
·
this estimate of value could actually be realized by us or by our shareholders upon liquidation;

 
·
shareholders could realize this estimate of value if they were to attempt to sell their shares of common stock now or in the future;

 
·
this estimate of value reflects the price or prices at which our common stock would or could trade if it were listed on a national stock exchange or included for quotation on a national market system; or the annual statement of value complies with any reporting and disclosure or annual valuation requirements under ERISA or other applicable law.
 
In conjunction with our estimate of the value of a share of our stock for purposes of ERISA, the board of directors reconfirmed the purchase price under our distribution reinvestment program as $9.50 per share.  Under our distribution reinvestment program, a shareholder may acquire, from time to time, additional shares of our stock by reinvesting cash distributions payable by us to such shareholder, without incurring any brokerage commission, fees or service charges. 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number
 
 
Description
     
31.1*
 
Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2*
 
Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1*
 
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Pursuant to SEC Release 34-47551 this Exhibit is furnished to the SEC and shall not be deemed to be “filed.”
32.2*
 
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Pursuant to SEC Release 34-47551 this Exhibit is furnished to the SEC and shall not be deemed to be “filed.”
 
*Filed herewith

 
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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.
 
 
LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE
INVESTMENT TRUST, INC.
   
Date: November 16, 2009
By:  
/s/ David Lichtenstein
 
David Lichtenstein
 
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
Date: November 16, 2009
By:  
/s/ Donna Brandin
 
Donna Brandin
 
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)

 
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