Amortization Expense
Amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $12.8 million, compared to $12.2 million for the same period in 2022, an increase of $0.6 million. The increase resulted primarily from the recognition of a full nine months of amortization expense in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 from acquisitions that were completed during the nine months ended September 30, 2022, partially offset by the impact of property dispositions.
Interest Expense
Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $23.9 million, compared to $17.2 million for the same period in 2022, an increase of $6.7 million. This increase was due to higher average borrowings as well as increased interest rates during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022.
The weighted average interest rate of our debt for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was 4.22% compared to 3.18% for the same period in 2022. Additionally, the weighted average interest rate and term of our debt was 3.78% and 3.1 years at September 30, 2023.
Income Before Gain on Sale of Investment Properties
Income before gain on sale of investment properties for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $5.6 million, compared to $11.4 million for the same period in 2022, a decrease of $5.8 million.
Gain on Sale of Investment Properties
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we completed three dispositions. In August 2023, we sold a medical office building located in North Charleston, South Carolina receiving gross proceeds of $10.1 million, resulting in a gain of $2.3 million. In June 2023, we sold a portfolio of four medical office buildings located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma receiving gross proceeds of $66.0 million, resulting in a gain of $12.8 million. In March 2023, we sold a medical office building located in Jacksonville, Florida receiving gross proceeds of $4.4 million, resulting in a gain of $0.5 million.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we sold a medical office building located in Germantown, Tennessee receiving gross proceeds of $17.9 million, resulting in a gain of $6.8 million.
Net Income
Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $21.2 million, compared to $18.1 million for the same period in 2022, an increase of $3.1 million.
Assets and Liabilities
As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, our principal assets consisted of investments in real estate, net, of $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively. We completed one acquisition during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and sold six medical office buildings through three disposition transactions. Our liquid assets consisted primarily of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash of $7.6 million and $14.5 million, as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
The decrease in our cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash balances to $7.6 million as of September 30, 2023, compared to $14.5 million as of December 31, 2022, was primarily due to net repayments on our Credit Facility using funds from our property dispositions, funds used to pay dividends to our common and preferred stockholders and holders of OP Units and LTIP Units, and funds used for capital expenditures on existing real estate investments, partially offset by net proceeds received from the sale of investment properties and net cash provided by operating activities.
The decrease in our total liabilities to $668.9 million as of September 30, 2023 compared to $744.2 million as of December 31, 2022, was primarily the result of lower net borrowings outstanding.