As of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, the Company had $15,534,239 and $31,913,045 of cash and cash equivalents, respectively.
During the three months ended March 31, 2005, cash decreased by $16,378,806. The main component of the overall decrease was $61,578,027 used in the investing activities of the Company. The activities relate mainly to the acquisition of multifamily apartment communities as well as the acquisition of partnership interests that own such communities and capital expenditures related to the rehabilitation of the Company’s properties. The acquisitions were partially offset by other investing activities, which included distributions from the Mortgage Funds. The investing activities were partially offset by an increase of approximately $43,482,459 provided by financing activities, principally from proceeds of new mortgage loans which were partially offset by payments of principal on existing mortgage loans and distributions to our preferred shareholders and the increase of approximately $1,716,762 provided by the operating activities of the Company.
The Company’s principal liquidity demands are expected to be distributions to our preferred and common shareholders and Operating Partnership unitholders, capital improvements, rehabilitation projects and repairs and maintenance for the properties, acquisition of additional properties, and debt repayments.
The Company intends to meet its short-term liquidity requirements through net cash flows provided by operating activities and cash distributions from its investments, including the Company’s investments in the Mortgage Funds. The Company considers its ability to generate cash to be adequate to meet all operating requirements and make distributions to its stockholders in accordance with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to REITs.
The Company intends to meet its long-term liquidity requirements through distributions of principal from its investments in the Mortgage Funds and property debt financing. The Company may seek to expand its purchasing power through the use of joint venture relationships with other companies. Management has not concluded that the sale of any properties in the Company’s portfolio would be beneficial strategically or otherwise, although we cannot be certain that no such dispositions will actually occur.
The Company plans to obtain mortgages on its Waters on Brompton and Berkshire at Westchase properties in the next quarter, which will provide the Company with additional liquidity.
The Company is actively pursuing new financing in the form of a line of credit in an amount up to $25 million. If successful, proceeds from the line of credit will be used to accelerate the property acquisitions and the funding of rehabilitation projects at the Company’s existing properties. The Company currently expects that repayment of any advances from a line would be funded by proceeds from conventional mortgages on the newly acquired properties and the potential re-financing of existing properties, including those properties undergoing substantial rehabilitation projects.
The Company’s mortgage debt on its Seasons of Laurel property is due in 2009, which includes the additional $20,378,000 of mortgage debt obtained in fiscal year 2003 that is coterminous with the first mortgage. Total long term obligations due in 2009 are $70,704,263, which the Company plans to pay through the refinancing of the respective property, although we cannot be certain that such financing will be available.
Capital Expenditures
The Company incurred $853,834 and $802,181 in recurring capital expenditures during the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Recurring capital expenditures typically include items such as appliances, carpeting, flooring, HVAC equipment, kitchen and bath cabinets, site improvements and various exterior building improvements.
The Company incurred $851,889 and $1,548,653 in renovation related capital expenditures during the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Renovation related capital expenditures generally include capital expenditures of a significant non-recurring nature, where the Company expects to see a financial return on the expenditure or where the Company believes the expenditure preserves the status of a property within its sub-market.
In April 2003, the Company began a significant renovation project at its Seasons of Laurel property. The renovation involved substantial upgrades to the kitchens and bathrooms in all of the property’s 1,088 apartment units and was originally expected to cost approximately $8,100,000, or $7,444 per apartment unit. In 2004, the original contractor sent notification to the Company of its desire to renegotiate the contract. As a result of that notification, the Company sought new bids from several contractors and ultimately dismissed the original contractor and awarded the contract to a new company based on the new bids. The current cost estimate is now approximately $8,450,000, an increase of approximately 5% over the original cost estimate. As of March 31, 2005, the project is approximately 63% complete, approximately $4,780,000 of costs has been incurred to date and the project continues to be on track to meet the adjusted cost estimate. During 2004, the Company also completed construction on the new fitness center at Seasons of Laurel. The Company currently anticipates spending, and has budgeted, approximately $3,000,000 for continued renovations to the Seasons of Laurel property in 2005 in accordance with the renovation project currently in process.
In January 2004, the Company authorized the renovation of 252 apartment units at its Hannibal Grove property to provide for in-unit washer and dryer hookups. The total cost of the project is expected to be approximately $1,455,000, or $5,775 per apartment unit, and is expected to be completed by August 2005. As of March 31, 2005, the project is approximately 35% complete, approximately $393,000 has been spent to date and the project is on track to meet the original cost estimate. The Company believes the renovations are necessary to maintain the property’s competitiveness in its sub-market and that the property will also achieve significant growth in rental rates as a result of the renovations. The Company currently anticipates spending, and has budgeted, approximately $850,000 in 2005 for continued spending on the project.
In addition to the washer and dryer program, the Company has renovated 27 apartment units at its Hannibal Grove property at a cost of approximately $540,000. These units were renovated as part of test programs to determine if the market would be willing to pay a premium for renovated apartment units. Management has evaluated the results of the test programs, including testing the potential to achieve specific rent premium levels. The Company is currently considering whether to move forward with the full property renovation project.
In May 2005, the Company authorized the interior renovation of 216 apartments units as well as significant renovation to the exterior siding and decks of its Yorktowne property. The interior renovation will include the replacement and upgrade of the kitchens, bathrooms and doors of each unit. The total cost of the project is currently estimated at approximately $3,500,000. As of March 31, 2005, construction on the project has not yet started. In approving the rehabilitation project, the Company believes the renovations will yield significant growth in rental rates and are required to maintain the its competitiveness in its sub-market.
Also in May 2005, the Company authorized the renovation of its newly acquired Berkshires on Brompton property. The renovations at the 362 unit property will include significant rehabilitation to the interior and exterior common areas as well as interior unit renovations. The total cost of the project is currently estimated at approximately $5,100,000, of which approximately $1,400,000, or $3,724 per unit, is for interior unit renovation.
The Company is currently evaluating renovation strategies at other properties in its portfolio, including the replacement of windows at three properties and the replacement of HVAC systems at another. Total preliminary cost estimates for these smaller scale rehabilitation projects range from $1,000,000 to $1,800,000 and the work is
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expected to start in mid-2005. As of March 31, 2005, the Company has not committed to these projects but believes there is sufficient economic benefit to implementing the programs and is prepared to move forward.
Acquisitions
On February 15, 2005, the Operating Partnership, through its newly formed and wholly owned subsidiary, BIR Westchester West, L.L.C., consummated the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding limited and general partner interests of BRI Westchester Limited Partnership, the fee simple owner of Westchester West Apartments, a 345 unit multifamily apartment community located in Silver Spring, Maryland, from BRH Westchester, L.L.C. and BRI OP Limited Partnership (collectively, the “Seller”). The Seller is an affiliate of the Company. The purchase price, which was agreed upon through arms-length negotiations, was $39,250,000, subject to normal operating pro rations. The acquisition was approved by the audit committee of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company, which is comprised solely of directors who are independent under applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the American Stock Exchange. The purchase price and related closing costs were funded in part through a $29,500,000 first mortgage and available cash. The first mortgage has a fixed interest rate of 5.03% for a term of ten years.
On March 1, 2005, the Operating Partnership, through a newly formed and wholly owned subsidiary, BIR Brompton Limited Partnership, consummated the acquisition of 100% of the fee simple interest of Waters on Brompton, a 362 unit multifamily apartment community located in Houston, Texas, from an unaffiliated third party. The Company will operate the property under the name Berkshires on Brompton. The acquisition was consummated pursuant to a winning bid placed on the property at foreclosure auction. The successful bid was $14,400,000 and was immediately paid from available cash. The Company is currently seeking financing that, if obtained, would be collateralized by the property.
On March 30, 2005, the Operating Partnership, through a newly formed and wholly owned subsidiary, BIR Westchase Limited Partnership, completed the acquisition of Antilles Apartment Homes, a 324 unit multifamily apartment community located in Houston, Texas, from Trivest Westpark L.P, (“Trivest”), the fee simple owner of the property. The Company will operate the property under the name The Berkshires at Westchase Apartments. Trivest is not an affiliate of the Company. The purchase price was $9,900,000, and was subject to normal operating pro rations. The purchase price was immediately paid from available cash. The Company is currently seeking financing that, if obtained, would be collateralized by the property.
Declaration of Dividends and Distributions
On March 25, 2003, the Board declared a dividend at an annual rate of 9% on the stated liquidation preference of $25 per share of the outstanding shares of the 9% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, which is payable quarterly in arrears, on February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15 of each year to shareholders of record in the amount of $0.5625 per share per quarter.
On May 10, 2005, the Board authorized the general partner of the Operating Partnership to distribute a quarterly distribution of $250,000 from its operating cash flows to common general and common limited partners, payable on May 15, 2005. On the same day, the Board also declared a common dividend of $0.004656 per share on the Company’s Class B common stock payable concurrently with the Operating Partnership distributions.
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Results of Operations and Financial Condition
During the quarter ended March 31, 2005, the Company’s portfolio increased from 18 to 21 properties (the “Total Property Portfolio”). As a result of significant changes in the Total Portfolio over time, the consolidated financial statements show considerable changes in revenue and expenses from period to period. The Company does not believe that its period-to-period financial data are comparable. Therefore, the comparison of operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 reflect changes attributable to the properties that were owned by the Company throughout each period presented (the “Same Property Portfolio”).
Net Operating Income (“NOI”) may fall within the definition of "non-GAAP financial measure" as stated in Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC and, as a result, the Company may be required to include in this report a statement disclosing the reasons why management believes that presentation of this measure provides useful information to investors. The Company believes NOI is a measures of operating results that is useful to investors to analyze the performance of a real estate company because it provides a direct measure of the operating results of the Company's multifamily apartment communities. The Company also believes it is a useful measure to facilitate the comparison of operating performance among competitors.
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Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2005 to the three months ended March 31, 2004.
The table below reflects selected operating information for the Same Property Portfolio and the Total Property Portfolio. The Same Property Portfolio consists of the 8 properties acquired or placed in service on or prior to January 1, 2004 and owned through March 31, 2005. The Total Property Portfolio includes the effect of the additional multifamily apartment communities acquired after January 1, 2003.
| Same Property Portfolio | | Total Property Portfolio |
| Three months March 31, | | Three months March 31, |
| 2005 | | 2004 | | Increase/ (Decrease) | | % Change | | 2005 | | 2004 | | Increase/ (Decrease) | | % Change |
Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Rental | $8,556,401 | | $ 8,304,763 | | 251,638 | | 3.03% | | $13,692,514 | | $8,832,565 | | 4,859,949 | | 55.02% |
Interest | 15,711 | | 7,956 | | 7,755 | | 97.47% | | 105,554 | | 251,818 | | (146,264) | | (55.08)% |
Utility reimbursement | 143,048 | | 135,734 | | 7,314 | | 5.39% | | 214,698 | | 135,734 | | 78,964 | | 58.18% |
Other | 339,836 | | 298,467 | | 41,369 | | 13.86% | | 503,394 | | 342,997 | | 160,397 | | 46.76% |
Total revenue | 9,054,996 | | 8,746,920 | | | | | | 14,516,160 | | 9,563,114 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating Expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating | 2,275,901 | | 2,274,199 | | 1,702 | | 0.07% | | 3,756,976 | | 2,457,112 | | 1,299,864 | | 52.90% |
Maintenance | 560,480 | | 572,238 | | (11,758) | | (2.05)% | | 913,011 | | 594,686 | | 318,325 | | 53.53% |
Real estate taxes | 1,029,176 | | 996,310 | | 32,866 | | 3.30% | | 1,624,609 | | 1,073,682 | | 550,927 | | 51.31% |
General and administrative | 133,842 | | 144,769 | | (10,927) | | (7.55)% | | 867,662 | | 349,134 | | 518,528 | | 148.52% |
Management fees | 355,190 | | 340,903 | | 14,287 | | 4.19% | | 975,218 | | 621,494 | | 353,724 | | 56.92% |
Total operating expenses | 4,354,589 | | 4,328,419 | | | | | | 8,137,476 | | 5,096,108 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Operating Income | 4,700,407 | | 4,418,501 | | | | | | 6,378,684 | | 4,467,006 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation | 2,730,403 | | 2,432,484 | | 297,919 | | 12.25% | | 4,410,419 | | 2,703,381 | | 1,707,038 | | 63.14% |
Amortization of acquired in-place leases and tenant relationships | - | | - | | - | | - | | 1,062,817 | | 454,637 | | 608,180 | | 133.77% |
Interest | 2,709,266 | | 2,612,390 | | 96,876 | | 3.71% | | 3,938,656 | | 2,699,803 | | 1,238,853 | | 45.89% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total non-operating expenses | 5,439,669 | | 5,044,874 | | | | | | 9,411,892 | | 5,857,821 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) before minority interest in properties, equity in loss of Multifamily Joint Venture, equity in income of Mortgage Funds, minority common interest in Operating Partnership and gain on transfer of property to Multifamily Joint Venture | $(739,262) | | $ (626,373) | | | | | | $(3,033,208) | | $(1,390,815) | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2005 to the three months ended March 31, 2004. (Same Property Portfolio).
Revenue
Revenue increased due mainly to the success of the ongoing rehabilitation project at the Seasons of Laurel property. Prior year decreases in rent reversed in the current quarter as newly renovated units continue to become available for lease at higher rent levels. Revenue increased approximately $192,000 at Season of Laurel while an increase in concessions, $188,000, was offset by a decrease in vacancies of $191,000. Walden Pond continues to experience a soft market and general lack of economic growth, which has prevented increases in rental rates and resulted in increased vacancies over the same period of the prior year. The St Marin/Karrington and The Gables Apartments are new additions to the Same Property Portfolio for the current reporting period. St Marin/Karrington rents increases period over period and results also benefited from a decrease in vacancies, which were partially offset by increased concession at the property. The Gables rents remained consistent in 2005 from the same period of 2004. Overall revenues at Gables decreased by approximately $50,000, which relates to an increase in vacancies at the property due mainly to record single family home sales in the surrounding market. Revenues at the remaining properties in the Same Property Portfolio decreased slightly from the same period of 2004 partially offsetting the increase described above.
Increases in interest, utility reimbursement and other revenue of approximately $56,000, or 12.8%, is primarily attributable to normal operating fluctuations that resulted in an increase in other revenue, consisting primarily of the various fees charged to tenants and potential tenants, including late fees, parking fees, pet fees, laundry fees, application fees and other similar items.
Operating Expenses
Overall operating expenses were consistent with the same period of 2004. Modest increases in utility costs were offset by savings in payroll and benefits and liability insurance. The Seasons of Laurel property contributed significantly to the utility increases as it experienced higher utility consumption in 2005 over the same period of 2004. Most of the other properties in the Same Property Portfolio also experienced an increase in utility costs, but to a lesser degree than the Seasons of Laurel property.
Maintenance expense decreased slightly by $11,758 in 2005 as compared to the same period of 2004 and is due mainly to reduced snow removal and landscaping costs in the comparable periods. Other recurring maintenance costs were consistent with the same period of 2004 as the Company continues to proactively maintain its properties to increase, and in some cases maintain, its occupancy rates and lower its vacancies and rental concession requirements.
Real estate taxes increased $32,866 in 2005 over 2004, and are primarily related to the escalation of property valuations for properties in the Same Property Portfolio. The Company continues to review increases in assessed values on its properties and will contest and seek arbitration on any increase in assessed value that it considers to be unreasonable. The Company currently expects the general trend in real estate taxes to continue upward as local and state governments persist in using real estate taxes to support decreased revenues.
General and administrative expenses decreased slightly by $10,927 and are related to normal operating fluctuations of the properties in the Same Property Portfolio.
Management fees of the Same Property Portfolio increased slightly based on the increased revenues of the Same Property Portfolio. The asset management fee rate of 0.40% of the fair market value of the properties in the portfolio remained constant period over period.
Non Operating Expenses
Depreciation expense of the Same Property Portfolio increased $297,919 due to related increases in the Same Property Portfolio fixed asset basis as compared to the comparable period of the prior year. The fixed asset additions were driven primarily by rehabilitation projects ongoing at the Seasons of Laurel property, and, to a lesser degree, the Hannibal Grove property and the renovation project completed at the Windward Lakes property in 2004.
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Interest expense in 2005 increased $96,876 over 2004 for properties in the Same Property Portfolio. The increase is attributable mainly to the refinancing of mortgages on the Century, Dorsey’s and Hannibal Grove properties in November of 2004 at higher principal levels than the extinguished loans, which were partially offset by the reduced interest rates obtained on the increased level of debt.
Mortgage Debt to Fair Market Value of Real Estate Assets
The Company’s total mortgage debt summary and debt maturity schedule, as of March 31, 2005, is as follows:
Mortgage Debt Summary |
| | | |
| $ | | Weighted Average Rate |
| | | |
Collateralized - Fixed Rate | $310,458,606 | | 5.11% |
Collateralized - Variable | 3,289,263 | | 4.29% |
Total Debt Maturity Schedule as of March 31, 2005 | $313,747,869 | | 5.10% |
| | | |
Debt Maturity Summary | | | |
Year | $ | | % of Total |
2005 | $ 1,216,536 | | 0.39% |
2006 | 2,506,583 | | 0.80% |
2007 | 4,708,327 | | 1.50% |
2008 | 5,075,925 | | 1.62% |
2009 | 70,704,263 | | 22.54% |
Thereafter | 229,536,235 | | 73.15% |
Total | $313,747,869 | | 100.00% |
| | | | |
The Company’s “Mortgage Debt-to-Fair Market Value of Real Estate Assets” as of March 31, 2005, is presented in the following table. Fair market value of real estate assets are based on management’s best estimate of current value for properties purchased in prior years or purchase price for properties acquired within the current year. The following information is presented in lieu of information regarding the Company’s “Debt-to-Total Market Capitalization Ratio”, which is a commonly used measure in our industry, because the Company’s market capitalization is not readily determinable since there was no public market for its common equity during the periods presented in this report.
The information regarding “Mortgage Debt-to-Fair Value of Real Estate Assets” is presented to allow investors to calculate our loan-to-value ratios in a manner consistent with those used by management and others in our industry, including those used by our current and potential lenders. Management uses this information when making decisions about financing or refinancing properties. Management also uses fair market value information when making decisions about selling assets as well as evaluating acquisition opportunities within markets where we have assets. The most directly comparable financial measure of our property value, calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, is net book value, shown on the
2
balance sheet as multifamily apartment communities, net of accumulated depreciation. At March 31, 2005, the aggregate net book value of our real estate assets was $321,068,452.
Mortgage Debt-to-Fair Market Value of Real Estate Assets |
as of March 31, |
| | | | |
| | 2005 | | |
| | | | |
Fair Market Value | | $ 508,629,000 | | |
| | | | |
Mortgage Debt | | $ 313,748,000 | | |
| | | | |
Loan-to-Value | | 61.69% | | |
Funds From Operations
The Company has adopted the revised definition of Funds from Operations (“FFO”) adopted by the Board of Governors of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”). Management considers FFO to be an appropriate measure of performance of an equity REIT. We calculate FFO by adjusting net income (loss) (computed in accordance with GAAP, including non-recurring items), for gains (or losses) from sales of properties, real estate related depreciation and amortization, and adjustment for unconsolidated partnerships and ventures. Management believes that in order to facilitate a clear understanding of the historical operating results of the Company, FFO should be considered in conjunction with net income as presented in the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein. Management considers FFO to be a useful measure for reviewing the comparative operating and financial performance of the Company because, by excluding gains and losses related to sales of previously depreciated operating real estate assets and excluding real estate asset depreciation and amortization (which can vary among owners of identical assets in similar condition based on historical cost accounting and useful life estimates), FFO can help one compare the operating performance of a company’s real estate between periods or as compared to different companies.
The Company’s calculation of FFO may not be directly comparable to FFO reported by other REITs or similar real estate companies that have not adopted the term in accordance with the current NAREIT definition or that interpret the current NAREIT definition differently. FFO should not be considered as an alternative to net income (determined in accordance with GAAP) as an indication of our performance. FFO does not represent cash generated from operating activities determined in accordance with GAAP and is not a measure of liquidity or an indicator of our ability to make cash distributions. We believe that to further understand our performance, FFO should be compared with our reported net income and considered in addition to cash flows in accordance with GAAP, as presented in our consolidated financial statements.
The following table presents a reconciliation of GAAP net loss to FFO for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004:
| Three Months ended March 31, |
| 2005 | | 2004 |
Net loss | $(1,788,429) | | $ (1,059,590) |
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Add: | | | |
Depreciation of real property | 3,530,852 | | 1,998,050 |
Minority interest in Operating Partnership | - | | - |
Minority interest in properties | - | | 45,942 |
Amortization of acquired in-place leases and tenant relationships | 1,062,817 | | 454,637 |
Equity in loss of Multifamily Venture | 43,174 | | - |
Funds from operations of Multifamily Venture | 97,382 | | - |
Less: | | | |
Minority members share of Multifamily Venture funds | | | |
from operations | (49,390) | | - |
Minority interest in properties | (201,914) | | - |
Minority interest in properties share of funds from | | | |
operations | (60,204) | | (81,184) |
Funds from Operations | $2,634,288 | | $ 1,357,855 |
| | | |
Environmental Issues
There are no recorded amounts resulting from environmental liabilities because there are no known contingencies with respect to environmental liabilities. The Company obtains environmental audits through various sources, including lender evaluations and acquisition due diligence, for each of its properties at various intervals throughout a property’s life. The Company has not been advised by any third party as to the existence of, nor has it identified on its own, any material liability for site restoration or other costs that may be incurred with respect to any of its properties.
Inflation and Economic Conditions
Substantially all of the leases at the initial properties are for a term of one year or less, which enables the Company to seek increased rents for new leases or upon renewal of existing leases. These short-term leases minimize the potential adverse effect of inflation on rental income, although residents may leave without penalty at the end of their lease terms and may do so if rents are increased significantly.
The Company believes the multifamily sector will benefit from the ongoing economic recovery and favorable current demographic trends. While the apartment sector has experienced slower growth over the past four years due to rising unemployment and a significant renter migration to single family homes, a reversal of both trends is now expected to spur an apartment recovery. The economic recovery is generating increased job growth which typically translates into household formation and rising apartment occupancy. The Company feels, for single family homebuyers over the next several years, increasing housing costs and potentially higher interest rates may make purchases increasingly expensive and out of reach. In addition, we believe the projected demographic trends strongly favor the multifamily sector, driven primarily by the initial wave of echo boomers (age 20 to 29), the fastest growing segment of the population, and an increasing number of immigrants who are typically renters by necessity.
ITEM 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK |
The Company’s mortgage notes are primarily fixed rate instruments, therefore the majority of the Company’s debt is not sensitive to changes in the capital market except upon maturity. The table below provides information about the Company’s financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates, specifically debt obligations.
The table presents principal cash flows and related weighted average interest rates by expected maturity dates for the mortgage notes payable as of March 31, 2005.
Mortgage Debt, Including Current Portion Maturing In |
4
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | Thereafter | Total |
| | | | | | | |
Fixed Rate Debt | $1,179,826 | $2,450,009 | $4,649,242 | $5,014,603 | $70,639,835 | $226,525,091 | $310,458,606 |
Average Interest Rate | 5.36% | 5.25% | 5.13% | 5.13 % | 5.52% | 4.86% | |
Variable Rate debt | $36,710 | $56,574 | $59,085 | $61,322 | $64,428 | $3,011,144 | $3,289,263 |
Average Interest Rate Variable | 4.29%
| 4.29%
| 4.29%
| 4.29%
| 4.29%
| 4.29%
|
|
The level of market rate interest risk remained relatively consistent from December 31, 2004 to March 31, 2005.
As of March 31, 2005, approximately 1% of the Company’s outstanding mortgage debt is at variable interest rates. The Company estimates that the effect of a 1% increase or decrease in interest rates would not have a material impact on interest expense as substantially all of the outstanding mortgage debt is at fixed interest rates.
ITEM 4. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report on Form 10-Q. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were (1) designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report was being prepared, and (2) effective, in that they provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
No changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2005 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
On May 10, 2005, the Board approved an amendment to the advisory services agreement to provide for the payment of a construction management fee to the Advisor for the management of rehabilitation and renovation projects at the Company’s properties. The fee, in the amount of 7.5%, will be paid on projects with construction costs in excess of $15,000 up to $10 million and 5% for costs in excess of $10 million. The fee will be paid on the total cost of such projects, excluding capital expense items and soft costs, including legal, architectural, design and collateral material service fees. The agreement is effective as of January 1, 2005. Construction management fees for projects ongoing from January 1,
5
2005 through March 31, 2005 would have amounted to approximately $67,000. No amounts related to the construction management fee have been accrued as of March 31, 2005.
31.1 | Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant of 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
31.2 | Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
32 | Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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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.
BERKSHIRE INCOME REALTY, INC. |
May 16, 2005 | /s/ David C. Quade |
| David C. Quade | |
| President and Chief Financial Officer | |
| | | | |
May 16, 2005 | /s/ Christopher M. Nichols | |
| Christopher M. Nichols | |
| Vice President and Principal Accounting Officer |
| | | | |
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