Costs and expenses—Interest expense increased to $29.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 from $28.8 million for the same period in 2021. Our weighted average cost of debt was 4.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to 4.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The average balance of our outstanding debt was $2.51 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and $2.61 billion for the same period in 2021.
Real estate expense increased to $10.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 from $8.7 million for the same period in 2021. The increase was primarily due to an increase in expenses at certain of our hotel operating properties that have increased operations from the prior year, which was partially offset by asset sales.
Depreciation and amortization decreased to $1.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 from $2.4 million for the same period in 2021.
General and administrative expense includes payroll and related costs, performance-based compensation, public company costs and occupancy costs. General and administrative expenses decreased to $1.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 from $21.4 million for the same period in 2021. The decrease in 2022 was due primarily to a $19.3 million decrease in performance-based compensation. Our primary forms of performance-based compensation are our iPIP Plans and our annual bonus pool (refer to Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements for more information on the iPIP Plans). In addition, illustrative examples of our iPIP Plans may be found in our 2021 definitive proxy statement which is publicly available on the SEC’s website.
The provision for loan losses was $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to a recovery of loan losses of $3.6 million for the same period in 2021. The provision for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 resulted from the accretion on our held-to-maturity security. The recovery of loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2021 resulted from the reversal of Expected Loss allowances on loans that repaid in full in the first quarter 2021 and from an improving macroeconomic forecast on commercial real estate markets since December 31, 2020.
The provision for losses on net investment in leases for the three months ended March 31, 2022 resulted from the macroeconomic forecast on commercial real estate markets.
Other expense was $0.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and $0.3 million for the same period in 2021. Other expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 consisted primarily of legal costs.
Income from sales of real estate—During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we recorded $0.5 million of income from sales of real estate primarily from the sale of Ground Leases. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we recorded $0.6 million of income from sales of real estate from the sale of residential condominiums.
Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net—During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we incurred losses on early extinguishment of debt of $1.4 million resulting from the repayment of our senior term loan in connection with our Net Lease Sale (refer to Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements).
Earnings from equity method investments—Earnings from equity method investments increased to $25.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 from $11.8 million for the same period in 2021. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we recognized $17.0 million of income from our equity method investment in SAFE and $8.0 million of net aggregate income from our remaining equity method investments. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we recognized $11.4 million of income from our equity method investment in SAFE and $0.4 million of net aggregate income from our remaining equity method investments.
Income tax (expense) benefit—Income tax benefit of $0.7 million was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and related primarily to refunds due us for alternative minimum taxes paid in prior periods.
Net income from discontinued operations—In March 2022, we closed on the sale of the majority of our net lease properties owned directly and through ventures. Our net lease assets were comprised of office, entertainment and industrial properties located in the United States. Our net lease assets associated with our Ground Lease businesses were not included in the sale. Net income from discontinued operations represents the operating results from the net lease assets that are not