Whitestone REIT - Quarter Report: 2023 September (Form 10-Q)

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share data)

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

⁽¹⁾    The Company acquired common shares held by employees who tendered owned common shares to satisfy the tax withholding on the lapse of certain restrictions on restricted common shares.

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The use of the words “we,” “us,” “our,” “Company” or “Whitestone” refers to Whitestone REIT and our consolidated subsidiaries, except where the context otherwise requires.

1.  INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The consolidated financial statements included in this report are unaudited; however, amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements as of that date.  The unaudited consolidated financial statements as of and for the period ended September 30, 2023 have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information on a basis consistent with the annual audited consolidated financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q.

The consolidated financial statements presented herein reflect all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position of Whitestone and our subsidiaries as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, and the results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the consolidated statements of changes in equity for the three and nine months ended   September 30, 2023 and 2022 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.  All of these adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.  The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for a full year.  The statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto which are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Business.  Whitestone was formed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) pursuant to the Texas Real Estate Investment Trust Act on August 20, 1998.  In July 2004, we changed our state of organization from Texas to Maryland pursuant to a merger where we merged directly with and into a Maryland REIT formed for the sole purpose of the reorganization and the conversion of each of the outstanding common shares of beneficial interest of the Texas entity into 1.42857 common shares of beneficial interest of the Maryland entity.  We serve as the general partner of Whitestone REIT Operating Partnership, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”), which was formed on December 31, 1998 as a Delaware limited partnership.  We currently conduct substantially all of our operations and activities through the Operating Partnership.  As the general partner of the Operating Partnership, we have the exclusive power to manage and conduct the business of the Operating Partnership, subject to certain customary exceptions.  As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, Whitestone wholly owned 56 and 57 commercial properties, respectively, in and around Austin, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Phoenix and San Antonio.

As of September 30, 2023, these properties consist of:

Consolidated Operating Portfolio

Redevelopment, New Acquisitions Portfolio

Acquired properties are categorized in the new acquisitions portfolio until the earlier of 90% occupancy or 18 months of ownership.

As of September 30, 2023, we, through our investment in Pillarstone Capital REIT Operating Partnership LP (“Pillarstone” or “Pillarstone OP”), owned a majority interest in eight properties that do not meet our Community Centered Property® strategy containing approximately 0.9 million square feet of gross leasable area (the “Pillarstone Properties”). We own 81.4% of the total outstanding units of Pillarstone OP, which we account for using the equity method.

2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

Basis of Consolidation.  We are the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership and possess full legal control and authority over the operations of the Operating Partnership. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we owned a majority of the partnership interests in the Operating Partnership. Consequently, the accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Operating Partnership.

Noncontrolling interest in the accompanying consolidated financial statements represents the share of equity and earnings of the Operating Partnership allocable to holders of partnership interests other than us. Net income or loss is allocated to noncontrolling interests based on the weighted-average percentage ownership of the Operating Partnership during the period. Issuance of additional common shares of beneficial interest in Whitestone (the “common shares”) and units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership that are convertible into cash or, at our option, common shares on a one-for-one basis (the “OP units”) changes the percentage of ownership interests of both the noncontrolling interests and Whitestone.

Equity Method. In accordance with ASU 2014-09 (“Topic 606”) and ASC 610, “Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets,” the Company recognizes its investment in Pillarstone OP under the equity method.

Basis of Accounting.  Our financial records are maintained on the accrual basis of accounting whereby revenues are recognized when earned and expenses are recorded when incurred.

Use of Estimates.   The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates that we use include the estimated fair values of properties acquired, the estimated useful lives for depreciable and amortizable assets and costs, the grant date fair value of common share units included in share-based compensation expense, the estimated allowance for doubtful accounts, the estimated fair value of interest rate swaps, the estimates supporting our impairment analysis for the carrying values of our real estate assets, and the estimates made regarding Pillarstone REIT Operating Partnership LP’s financial condition and results of operations.  Actual results could differ from those estimates. 

Reclassifications.  We have reclassified certain prior period amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements in order to be consistent with the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on net income, total assets, total liabilities or equity.

Restricted Cash. We classify all cash pledged as collateral to secure certain obligations and all cash whose use is limited as restricted cash. During 2015, pursuant to the terms of our $15.1 million 4.99% Note, due January 6, 2024 (see Note 7 (Debt)), which is collateralized by our Anthem Marketplace property, we were required by the lenders thereunder to establish a cash management account controlled by the lenders to collect all amounts generated by our Anthem Marketplace property in order to collateralize such promissory note.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. We utilize derivative financial instruments, principally interest rate swaps, to manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. We have established policies and procedures for risk assessment, and the approval, reporting and monitoring of derivative financial instruments. We recognize our interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges with the effective portion of the changes in fair value recorded in comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged transaction affects earnings. Any ineffective portion of a cash flow hedges’ change in fair value is recorded immediately into earnings. Our cash flow hedges are determined using Level 2 inputs under ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” Level 2 inputs represent quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable. As of September 30, 2023, we consider our cash flow hedges to be highly effective.

Development Properties. Land, buildings and improvements are recorded at cost. Expenditures related to the development of real estate are carried at cost which includes capitalized carrying charges and development costs. Carrying charges (interest, real estate taxes, loan fees, and direct and indirect development costs related to buildings under construction) are capitalized as part of construction in progress. The capitalization of such costs ceases when the property, or any completed portion, becomes available for occupancy. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, approximately $ 142,000 and $ 85,000 in interest expense and real estate taxes, respectively, were capitalized, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, approximately $ 413,000 and $ 230,000 in interest expense and real estate taxes, respectively, were capitalized. For the three months ended September 30, 2022, approximately $ 112,000 and $ 72,000 in interest expense and real estate taxes, respectively, were capitalized, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 approximately $ 316,000 and $ 222,000 in interest expense and real estate taxes, respectively, were capitalized. 

Share-Based Compensation.  From time to time, we award nonvested restricted common share awards or restricted common share unit awards, which may be converted into common shares, to executive officers and employees under our 2018 Long-Term Equity Incentive Ownership Plan (the “2018 Plan”).  Awarded shares and units vest when certain performance conditions are met.  We recognize compensation expense when achievement of the performance conditions is probable based on management’s most recent estimates using the fair value of the shares as of the grant date.  We recognized $ 1,083,000 and $ 943,000 in share-based compensation net of forfeitures for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and we recognized $ 2,712,000 and $ 455,000 in share-based compensation net of forfeitures for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. On January 18, 2022, the Board of Trustees terminated James Mastandrea, with cause, from his position as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Mastandrea was also replaced as Chairman of the Board. Following his termination, the Board of Trustees appointed Dave Holeman, previously our Chief Financial Officer, as Chief Executive Officer. In early 2022, the Company also replaced its Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Acquisitions and Asset Management. As a result of these changes, we recognized a reduction of share-based compensation of $2.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 due to forfeitures. We recognize forfeitures as they occur.

Noncontrolling Interests.  Noncontrolling interests are the portion of equity in a subsidiary not attributable to a parent. Accordingly, we have reported noncontrolling interests in equity on the consolidated balance sheets but separate from Whitestone’s equity.  On the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, subsidiaries are reported at the consolidated amount, including both the amount attributable to Whitestone and noncontrolling interests.  The consolidated statements of changes in equity is included for quarterly financial statements, including beginning balances, activity for the period and ending balances for shareholders’ equity, noncontrolling interests and total equity.

Accrued Rents and Accounts Receivable. Included in accrued rents and accounts receivable are base rents, tenant reimbursements and receivables attributable to recording rents on a straight-line basis. We review the collectability of charges under our tenant operating leases on a regular basis, taking into consideration changes in factors such as the tenant’s payment history, the financial condition of the tenant, business conditions in the industry in which the tenant operates and economic conditions in the area where the property is located. We recognize an adjustment to rental revenue if we deem it probable that the receivable will not be collected. Our review of collectability under our operating leases includes any accrued rental revenues related to the straight-line method of reporting rental revenue. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had an allowance for uncollectible accounts of $14.2 million and $13.8 million, respectively. During both the three months ending September 30, 2023 and 2022, we recorded an adjustment to rental revenue for bad debt, exclusive of straight-line rent reserve adjustments, resulting in a $0.4 million decrease in revenue for both periods, and during the nine months ending September 30, 2023 and 2022, we recorded an adjustment to rental revenue for bad debt, exclusive of straight-line rent reserve adjustment, in the amount of a $1.0 million and $0.6 million, respectively. Both adjustments resulted in a decrease in revenue. The three months ended September 30, 2023 included 17 cash basis tenants, resulting in an increase to rental revenue for straight-line rent adjustments of $0.03 million and a decrease to rental revenue for bad debt adjustments of $0.2 million, and the three months ended September 30, 2022 included 77 cash basis tenants, resulting in a decrease to rental revenue for straight-line rent adjustments of $0.03 million and an increase to rental revenue for bad debt adjustments of $0.2 million, respectively. The nine months ended September 30, 2023 included 17 cash basis tenants, resulting in a decrease to rental revenue for straight-line rent adjustments of $0.1 million and a decrease to rental revenue for bad debt adjustments of $0.5 million, and the nine months ended September 30, 2022 included 77 cash basis tenants, resulting in decreases to rental revenue for bad debt and straight-line rent adjustments of $0.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

Revenue Recognition. All leases on our properties are classified as operating leases, and the related rental income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related leases. Differences between rental income earned and amounts due per the respective lease agreements are capitalized or charged, as applicable, to accrued rents and accounts receivable. Percentage rents are recognized as rental income when the thresholds upon which they are based have been met.  Recoveries from tenants for taxes, insurance, and other operating expenses are recognized as revenues in the period the corresponding costs are incurred. We combine lease and nonlease components in lease contracts, which includes combining base rent, recoveries, and percentage rents into a single line item, Rental, within the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. Additionally, we have tenants who pay real estate taxes directly to the taxing authority. We exclude these costs paid directly by the tenant to third parties on our behalf from revenue recognized and the associated property operating expense.

Other property income primarily includes amounts recorded in connection with management fees and lease termination fees. Pillarstone OP paid us management fees for property management, leasing and day-to-day advisory and administrative services. The management agreement with Pillarstone OP was terminated on August 18, 2022. We recognize lease termination fees in the year that the lease is terminated and collection of the fee is probable. Amounts recorded within other property income are accounted for at the point in time when control of the goods or services transfers to the customer and our performance obligation is satisfied.

Reverse 1031 Exchange. From time to time, we  may acquire properties utilizing a reverse like-kind exchange under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code (“Reverse 1031 Exchange”) in order to defer taxable gains on the subsequent sale of real estate properties. On June 12, 2023, we acquired Arcadia Towne Center for a total purchase price of approximately $25.5 million in cash and net prorations as part of a Reverse 1031 Exchange. On June 30, 2023 we sold Westchase and Sunridge and received net proceeds of $13.4 million. The acquired property and the net proceeds from the sold properties are in the possession of a limited liability company whose legal equity interest is owned by a qualified intermediary engaged to execute the Reverse 1031 Exchange until the Reverse 1031 Exchange is completed or terminated. The limited liability company was deemed to be a variable interest entity (“VIE”) for which we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary as we have the ability to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact its economic performance and we have all of the risks and rewards of ownership. As such, the VIE, including the acquired property and net proceeds, was included in our consolidated financial statements as a consolidated VIE until legal title and net proceeds were transferred to us upon the completion of the Reverse 1031 Exchange on July 12, 2023. 

See our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 for further discussion on significant accounting policies.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements. 

In March 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting” (“ASU 2020-04”), which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by the discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or by another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. In January 2021, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2021-01, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope” (“ASU 2021-01”), which clarified the scope and application of the original guidance. We have elected this option and adopted ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01 effective September 2022.  There was no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financials statements as a result of adopting this guidance. 

3.  LEASES 

As a Lessor. All leases on our properties are classified as noncancelable operating leases, and the related rental income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related leases. Differences between rental income earned and amounts due per the respective lease agreements are capitalized or charged, as applicable, to accrued rents and accounts receivable. Percentage rents are recognized as rental income when the thresholds upon which they are based have been met.  Recoveries from tenants for taxes, insurance, and other operating expenses are recognized as revenues in the period the corresponding costs are incurred. We combine lease and nonlease components in lease contracts, which includes combining base rent, recoveries, and percentage rents into a single line item, Rental, within the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

A summary of minimum future rents to be received (exclusive of renewals, tenant reimbursements, contingent rents, and collectability adjustments under Topic 842) under noncancelable operating leases in existence as of September 30, 2023 is as follows (in thousands):

As a Lessee. We have office space, automobile, and office machine leases, which qualify as operating leases, with remaining lease terms of one to five years.  As of September 30, 2023, the Company had one ground lease with the lease term of 99 years. The lease is classified as a finance lease. The ground lease provides for variable rental payments based on CPI adjustment. 

The following table summarizes the fixed, future minimum rental payments, excluding variable costs, which are discounted by our weighted average incremental borrowing rates to calculate the lease liabilities for our operating leases in which we are the lessee (in thousands):

For the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the total lease costs for operating leases were $ 23,000 and $ 122,000, respectively, and for the finance lease were $ 21,000 and $0, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the total lease costs for operating leases were $ 64,000 and $552,000 respectively, and for the finance lease were $72,000 and $0, respectively. The weighted average remaining lease term for our operating leases and our finance lease was 2.4 and 98 years, respectively, at September 30, 2023. We do not include renewal options in the lease term for calculating the lease liability unless we are reasonably certain we will exercise the option or the lessor has the sole ability to exercise the option. The weighted average incremental borrowing rate was 4.9% for our operating leases and 6% for our finance lease at September 30, 2023.

4. ACCRUED RENTS AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET

Accrued rents and accounts receivable, net consists of amounts accrued, billed and due from tenants, allowance for doubtful accounts and other receivables as follows (in thousands):

5. UNAMORTIZED LEASE COMMISSIONS, LEGAL FEES AND LOAN COSTS

Costs which have been deferred consist of the following (in thousands):

6. INVESTMENT IN REAL ESTATE PARTNERSHIP

On December 8, 2016, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into a Contribution Agreement (the “Contribution Agreement”) with Pillarstone OP and Pillarstone Capital REIT (“Pillarstone REIT”) pursuant to which we contributed all of the equity interests in four of our wholly-owned subsidiaries that, at the time, owned 14 non-core properties that did not fit our Community Centered Property® strategy (the “Pillarstone Properties”), to Pillarstone OP for aggregate consideration of approximately $84 million, consisting of (1) approximately $18.1 million of Class A units representing limited partnership interests in Pillarstone OP (“Pillarstone OP Units”) and (2) the assumption of approximately $65.9 million of liabilities (collectively, the “Contribution”).

In connection with the Contribution, Whitestone TRS, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company (“Whitestone TRS”), entered into a management agreement with the entities that own the contributed Pillarstone Properties (collectively, the “Management Agreements”). Pursuant to the Management Agreements, Whitestone TRS agreed to provide certain property management, leasing and day-to-day advisory and administrative services. The management agreement was terminated on August 18, 2022.  Prior to the termination of the Management Agreement, we reported approximately $144,000 in property management fee income on a quarterly basis. 

In connection with the Contribution, on December 8, 2016, the Operating Partnership entered into a Tax Protection Agreement with Pillarstone REIT and Pillarstone OP pursuant to which Pillarstone OP agreed to indemnify the Operating Partnership for certain tax liabilities resulting from its recognition of income or gain prior to December 8, 2021 if such liabilities result from a transaction involving a direct or indirect taxable disposition of all or a portion of the Pillarstone Properties or if Pillarstone OP fails to maintain and allocate to the Operating Partnership for taxation purposes minimum levels of liabilities as specified in the Tax Protection Agreement, the result of which causes such recognition of income or gain and the Company incurs taxes that must be paid to maintain its REIT status for federal income tax purposes.

We rely on reporting from Pillarstone OP’s general partner, Pillarstone Capital REIT (“PRLE”), for financial information regarding the Company’s investment in Pillarstone OP.  PRLE is a public company that is delinquent in its SEC reporting obligations, having yet to file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, and its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. Despite numerous attempts by us to obtain this information as required by the limited partnership agreement between Pillarstone Capital REIT and Whitestone REIT Operating Partnership, PRLE has failed to produce such information. As a result, we have relied on other publicly available information as a basis to estimate the net income, depreciation and amortization, and other metrics used in our financial reporting.  We also estimated certain expenses, such as legal and professional fees based on information publicly disclosed by PRLE, allocating such expenses based on what we believe can be charged to Pillarstone OP and which expenses cannot be charged to Pillarstone OP pursuant to the limited partnership agreement between Pillarstone Capital REIT and Whitestone REIT Operating Partnership.  We have requested for PRLE to characterize the fees and notify us of which fees they intend to charge to Pillarstone OP, but PRLE has not provided the information.  To the extent PRLE provides updated financial information as required and requested, we will adjust our financial reporting for Pillarstone OP as appropriate. There can be no assurance that PRLE actual financial results will not differ materially from our estimates.

The table below presents the real estate partnership investment in which the Company holds an ownership interest (in thousands):

The table below presents the Company’s share of net income (loss) from its investment in the real estate partnership which is included in equity (deficit) in earnings of real estate partnership, net on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (in thousands):

Summarized financial information for the Company’s investment in real estate partnership is as follows (in thousands):

The amortization of the basis difference between the cost of investment and the Company’s share of underlying net book value for both of the three months ended  September 30, 2023 and 2022 is $ 27,000 and for both of the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 is $ 81,000. The Company amortized the difference into equity in earnings of real estate partnership on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

The Company has evaluated its guarantee to Pillarstone OP pursuant to ASC 460, “Guarantees,” and has determined the guarantee to be a performance guarantee, for which ASC 460 contains initial recognition and measurement requirements, and related disclosure requirements. The Company is obligated in two respects: (i) a noncontingent liability, which represents the Company’s obligation to stand ready to perform under the terms of the guarantee in the event that the specified triggering event(s) occur; and (ii) the contingent liability, which represents the Company’s obligation to make future payments if those triggering events occur. The fair value of our loan guarantee to Pillarstone OP is estimated on a Level 3 basis (as provided by ASC 820), using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow analysis based on a discount rate, discounting the loan balance. The Company recognized a noncontingent liability of $462,000 at the inception of the guarantee at fair value which is recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, net of accumulated amortization. The Company will amortize the guarantee liability into income over seven years. For the three months ended  September 30, 2023 and 2022, the amortization of the guarantee liability was approximately $ 0 and $ 9,000, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the amortization of the guarantee liability was $ 18,000 and $ 28,000, respectively.  The Company has a limited guarantee on Pillarstone OP's loan for its Uptown Tower property located in Dallas, Texas, with an aggregate principal amount of $14.4 million as of September 30, 2023.  The guarantee is a so-called "bad boy" carve-out guarantee, which is generally only applicable if and when the borrower engages in acts such as fraud, prohibited transfers, breaches of material representations, environmental matters, and bankruptcy.  The debt matured on October 4, 2023, and is currently in default, as Pillarstone OP failed to refinance the loan.  The loan is also secured by the Uptown Tower property.  While the Company has not recorded a contingent liability, there remains the possibility that the acts of Pillarstone OP could result in liability to us under the guarantee.  On October 24, 2023, the lender provided notice of a planned foreclosure sale on December 5, 2023.  The lender is claiming that an additional sum of $4.6 million is due which includes default interest of approximately $6.3 million and net credits from escrowed funds and other charges of approximately $1.7 million.  The default interest charges are in dispute, and we believe that the value of Uptown Tower exceeds the total amount claimed by the lender.    

7. DEBT 

Certain subsidiaries of Whitestone are the borrowers under various financing arrangements. These subsidiaries are separate legal entities, and their respective assets and credit are not available to satisfy the debt of Whitestone or any of its other subsidiaries.

Debt consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

On March 22, 2019, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into a Note Purchase and Guarantee Agreement (the “Note Agreement”) together with certain subsidiary guarantors as initial guarantor parties thereto (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”) and The Prudential Insurance Company of America and the various other purchasers named therein (collectively, the “Purchasers”) providing for the issuance and sale of $100 million of senior unsecured notes of the Operating Partnership, of which (i) $50 million are designated as 5.09% Series A Senior Notes due March 22, 2029 (the “Series A Notes”) and (ii) $50 million are designated as 5.17% Series B Senior Notes due March 22, 2029 (the “Series B Notes” and, together with the Series A Notes, the “Notes”) pursuant to a private placement that closed on March 22, 2019 (the “Private Placement”). Obligations under the Notes are unconditionally guaranteed by the Company and by the Subsidiary Guarantors.

On December 16, 2022, Whitestone REIT (the “Company”) and its operating partnership, Whitestone REIT Operating Partnership, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”), amended its Note Purchase and Guarantee Agreement originally executed on  March 22, 2019 (the “Existing Note Agreement”), pursuant to the terms and conditions of an Amendment No. 1 to Note Purchase and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2022 (the Existing Note Purchase Agreement, as so amended, the “Amended Note Agreement”), by and among the Company and the Operating Partnership, together with certain subsidiary guarantors as initial guarantor parties thereto and The Prudential Insurance Company of America and the various other purchasers named therein.

Neither the term of the Existing Note Agreement, the interest rate, nor the principal amounts, were amended. The purpose of the amendment is to conform certain covenants and defined terms contained in the Amended Note Agreement with the Company’s recently amended unsecured credit facility with the lenders party thereto, Bank of Montreal, as administrative agent, Truist Bank, as syndication agent, and BMO Capital Markets Corp., Truist Bank, Capital One, National Association, and U.S. Bank National Association, as co-lead arrangers and joint book runners.

The principal of the Series A Notes began to amortize on March 22, 2023 with annual principal payments of approximately $7.1 million. The principal of the Series B Notes will begin to amortize on March 22, 2025 with annual principal payments of $10.0 million. The Notes will pay interest quarterly on the 22nd day of March, June, September and December in each year until maturity.

The Operating Partnership may prepay at any time all, or from time to time part of, the Notes, in an amount not less than $1,000,000 in the case of a partial prepayment, at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid, plus a make-whole amount. The make-whole amount is equal to the excess, if any, of the discounted value of the remaining scheduled payments with respect to the Notes being prepaid over the aggregate principal amount of such Notes (as described in the Note Agreement). In addition, in connection with a Change of Control (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement), the Operating Partnership is required to offer to prepay the Notes at 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon.

The Note Agreement contains representations, warranties, covenants, terms and conditions customary for transactions of this type and substantially similar to the Operating Partnership’s existing senior revolving credit facility, including limitations on liens, incurrence of investments, acquisitions, loans and advances and restrictions on dividends and certain other restricted payments. In addition, the Note Agreement contains certain financial covenants substantially similar to the Operating Partnership’s existing senior revolving credit facility, including the following:

In addition, the Note Agreement contains a financial covenant requiring that maximum unsecured indebtedness not exceed the ratio of unsecured indebtedness to unencumbered asset pool of 0.60 to 1.00. That covenant is substantially similar to the borrowing base concept contained in the Operating Partnership’s existing senior revolving credit facility.

The Note Agreement also contains default provisions, including defaults for non-payment, breach of representations and warranties, insolvency, non-performance of covenants, cross-defaults with other indebtedness and guarantor defaults. The occurrence of an event of default under the Note Agreement could result in the Purchasers accelerating the payment of all obligations under the Notes. The financial and restrictive covenants and default provisions in the Note Agreement are substantially similar to those contained in the Operating Partnership’s existing credit facility.

Net proceeds from the Private Placement were used to refinance existing indebtedness. The Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The Notes were sold in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

On September 16, 2022, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into an unsecured credit facility (the “2022 Facility”) with the lenders party thereto, Bank of Montreal, as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”), Truist Bank, as syndication agent, and BMO Capital Markets Corp., Truist Bank, Capital One, National Association, and U.S. Bank National Association, as co-lead arrangers and joint book runners. The 2022 Facility amended and restated the Company's previous unsecured revolving credit facility, dated January 31, 2019 (the “2019 Facility”). 

The 2022 Facility is comprised of the following two tranches:

Borrowings under the 2022 Facility accrue interest (at the Operating Partnership's option) at a Base Rate or an Adjusted Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus an applicable margin based upon our then existing leverage. As of September 30, 2023, the interest rate on the 2022 Revolver was 7.03%. Based on our current leverage ratio, the revolver has initial interest rate of SOFR plus 1.60% and a 10 basis point credit spread adjustment. In addition, we entered into interest rate swaps to fix the interest rates on the Term Loan. The Term Loan with the swaps has the following interest rates:

The 2022 Facility also has a pricing provision where the applicable margin can be adjusted by an aggregate 0.02% per annum based on the Company’s performance on certain sustainability performance targets. Base Rate means, for any day, the higher of: (a) the Administrative Agent’s prime commercial rate, (b) the sum of (i) the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for such day, plus (ii) 0.50%, or (c) the sum of (i) Adjusted Term SOFR for a one-month tenor in effect on such day plus (ii) 1.10%.  Adjusted Term SOFR means, for any such day, the sum of (i) the SOFR-based term rate for the day two (2) business days prior and (ii) 0.10%.

The 2022 Facility includes an accordion feature that will allow the Operating Partnership to increase the borrowing capacity by $200.0 million, upon the satisfaction of certain conditions. As of September 30, 2023, subject to any potential future paydowns or increases in the borrowing base, we have $112.5 million remaining availability under the 2022 Revolver. As of September 30, 2023, $402.5 million was drawn on the 2022 Facility and our unused borrowing capacity was $112.5 million, assuming that we use the proceeds of the 2022 Facility to acquire properties, or to repay debt on properties, that are eligible to be included in the unsecured borrowing base. The Company used $379.5 million of proceeds from the 2022 Facility to repay amounts outstanding under the 2019 Facility.

The Company, each direct and indirect material subsidiary of the Operating Partnership and any other subsidiary of the Operating Partnership that is a guarantor under any unsecured ratable debt will serve as a guarantor for funds borrowed by the Operating Partnership under the 2022 Facility. The 2022 Facility contains customary terms and conditions, including, without limitation, customary representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants including, without limitation, information reporting requirements, limitations on investments, acquisitions, loans and advances, mergers, consolidations and sales, incurrence of liens, dividends and restricted payments. In addition, the 2022 Facility contains certain financial covenants including the following:

We serve as the guarantor for funds borrowed by the Operating Partnership under the 2022 Facility. The 2022 Facility contains customary terms and conditions, including, without limitation, affirmative and negative covenants such as information reporting requirements, maximum secured indebtedness to total asset value, minimum EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization or extraordinary items) to fixed charges, and maintenance of a minimum net worth. The 2022 Facility also contains customary events of default with customary notice and cure, including, without limitation, nonpayment, breach of covenant, misrepresentation of representations and warranties in a material respect, cross-default to other major indebtedness, change of control, bankruptcy and loss of REIT tax status.

As of September 30, 2023, our $137.0 million in secured debt was collateralized by five properties with a carrying value of $212.9 million.  Our loans contain restrictions that would require the payment of prepayment penalties for the acceleration of outstanding debt and are secured by deeds of trust on certain of our properties and by assignment of the rents and leases associated with those properties. As of September 30, 2023, we were in compliance with all loan covenants.

Scheduled maturities of our outstanding debt as of September 30, 2023 were as follows (in thousands):

8.  DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The fair value of our interest rate swaps is as follows (in thousands):

On March 31, 2023, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into an interest rate swap of $50 million (“Revolver Swap”) with Bank of Montreal that fixed the unhedged SOFR portion of the variable rate debt at 3.71%. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement governing the interest rate swap, Bank of Montreal assigned $10.0 million of the swap to U.S. Bank, $10.0 million of the swap to Capital One, $12.5 million of the swap to SunTrust Bank, and $2.5 million of the swap to Associated Bank. The swap began on March 31, 2023 and will mature on September 16, 2026. We designated the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge with the effective portion of the changes in fair value recorded in comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged transaction affects earnings. The Company does not expect any amount of the existing gains or losses to be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months.

On   September 16, 2022, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered an interest rate swap with Bank of Montreal that fixed the unhedged SOFR portion of Term Loan under the 2022 Facility at 3.32%. The notional amount of the swap begins at $100 million on  October 29, 2022, and increases to $265 million on   February 1, 2024, maturing on   January 31, 2028. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement governing the interest rate swap, Bank of Montreal assigned beginning and ending notionals of $20.7 million and $54.8 million of the swap, respectively, to U.S. Bank, National Association, beginning and ending notionals of $25.4 million and $67.2 million of the swap, respectively, to Truist Bank, beginning and ending notionals of $20.7 million and $54.8 million of the swap, respectively, to Capital One, National Association, and beginning and ending notionals of $5.9 million and $15.7 million of the swap, respectively, to Associated Bank. See Note 7 (Debt) for additional information regarding the 2022 Facility. We designated the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge with the effective portion of the changes in fair value recorded in comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged transaction affects earnings. The Company does not expect any amount of the existing gains or losses to be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months.

On  January 31, 2019, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into an interest rate swap of $165 million with Bank of Montreal that fixed the LIBOR portion of our $165 million term loan under the 2019 Facility at 2.43%. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement governing the interest rate swap, Bank of Montreal assigned $32.6 million of the swap to U.S. Bank, National Association, $29.4 million of the swap to Regions Bank, $40.0 million of the swap to SunTrust Bank, and $15.0 million of the swap to Associated Bank. Effective September 7, 2022, Regions Bank novated $29.4 million of the swap to Bank of Montreal.  See Note 7 (Debt) for additional information regarding the 2019 Facility. The swap began on  February 8, 2021 and will mature on  January 31, 2024. Effective September 16, 2022, our contracts indexed to LIBOR were converted to SOFR. We have designated the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge with the effective portion of the changes in fair value to be recorded in comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value, if any, will be recognized directly in earnings. The Company does not expect any amount of the existing gains or losses to be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months.

A summary of our interest rate swap activity is as follows (in thousands): 

9.  EARNINGS PER SHARE 

Basic earnings per share for our common shareholders is calculated by dividing net income excluding the net income attributable to unvested restricted common shares and the net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, by our weighted average common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing the net income attributable to common shareholders, excluding the net income attributable to unvested restricted common shares and the net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, by the weighted average number of common shares including any dilutive unvested restricted common shares.

Certain of our performance-based restricted common shares are considered participating securities that require the use of the two-class method for the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share.  During the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022,693,595 and 752,327 OP units, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive, and during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, 694,054 and 752,634 OP units, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive.