Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, or USPAP, the real estate appraisal industry standards created by The Appraisal Foundation. The Stanger Appraisal Report was reviewed, approved, and signed by an individual with the professional designation of MAI licensed in the state where each real property is located. The use of the reports is subject to the requirements of the Appraisal Institute relating to review by its duly authorized representatives. In preparing its Reports, Stanger did not, and was not requested to, solicit third-party indications of interest for the Company’s common stock in connection with possible purchases thereof or the acquisition of all or any part of the Company.
Stanger collected reasonably available material information that it deemed relevant in appraising the Company’s real estate properties. Stanger relied in part on property-level information provided by the Company, including: (i) historical and projected operating revenues and expenses; (ii) unit mixes; (iii) rent rolls; and (iv) information regarding recent or planned capital expenditures.
In conducting its investigation and analyses, Stanger took into account customary and accepted financial and commercial procedures and considerations as it deemed relevant. Although Stanger reviewed information supplied or otherwise made available by the Company for reasonableness, Stanger assumed and relied upon the accuracy and completeness of all such information and of all information supplied or otherwise made available to Stanger by any other party and did not independently verify any such information. Stanger has assumed that any operating or financial forecasts and other information and data provided to or otherwise reviewed by or discussed with Stanger were reasonably prepared in good faith on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the Company’s management and/or the Board. Stanger relied on the Company to advise it promptly if any information previously provided became inaccurate or was required to be updated during the period of their review.
In performing its analyses, Stanger made numerous other assumptions as of various points in time with respect to industry performance, general business, economic, and regulatory conditions, and other matters, many of which are beyond its control and the Company’s control. Stanger also made assumptions with respect to certain factual matters. For example, unless specifically informed to the contrary, Stanger assumed that the Company has clear and marketable title to each real estate property appraised, that no title defects exist, that any improvements were made in accordance with law, that no hazardous materials are present or were present previously, that no significant deed restrictions exist, and that no changes to zoning ordinances or regulations governing use, density, or shape are pending or being considered. Furthermore, Stanger’s analyses, opinions, and conclusions were necessarily based upon market, economic, financial, and other circumstances and conditions existing as of or prior to the date of the Stanger Appraisal Report, and any material change in such circumstances and conditions may affect Stanger’s analyses and conclusions. The Stanger Appraisal Report contains other assumptions, qualifications, and limitations that qualify the analyses, opinions, and conclusions set forth therein. Furthermore, the prices at which the Company’s real estate properties may actually be sold could differ from Stanger’s analyses.
Stanger is actively engaged in the business of appraising commercial real estate properties similar to those owned by the Company in connection with public securities offerings, private placements, business combinations, and similar transactions. The Company does not believe that there are any material conflicts of interest between Stanger, on the one hand, and the Company, and their affiliates, on the other hand. The Company engaged Stanger, with approval from the Committee, to deliver its Reports to assist in the net asset value calculation and Stanger received compensation for those efforts. In addition, the Company has agreed to indemnify Stanger against certain liabilities arising out of this engagement. A special committee of the Board previously engaged Stanger to serve as a financial advisor in connection with the Company’s acquisition of Strategic Storage Growth Trust, Inc., Strategic Storage Trust IV, Inc., Strategic Storage Growth Trust II, Inc. and the Managed REIT Platform acquired from Strategic Asset Management I, LLC (f/k/a SmartStop Asset Management, LLC) (“SAM”) and Stanger provided fairness opinions in connection with certain of those transactions, for which Stanger was paid usual and customary fees. In addition, Stanger was previously engaged by the Committee and performed a net asset value calculation for the Company for the periods ended June 30, 2021, December 31, 2019 and March 31, 2019. In 2021, Stanger was also engaged to provide other financial advisory services to the Company. Finally, Stanger served as a financial advisor in the negotiation and closing of the Series A Preferred Stock by Extra Space Storage LP, a subsidiary of Extra Space Storage Inc. Stanger may from time to time in the future perform other services for the Company or its managed REITs, so long as such other services do not adversely affect the independence of Stanger as certified in the applicable Stanger Appraisal Report.
Although Stanger considered any comments received from the Company relating to their Reports, the final appraised value ranges of the Company’s real estate properties were determined by Stanger for the Stanger Appraised Properties. The Reports are addressed solely to the Committee to assist it in calculating and recommending to the Board an Estimated Per Share NAV of the Company’s common stock. The Reports are not addressed to the public, may not be relied upon by any other person to establish an Estimated Per Share NAV of the Company’s common stock, and do not constitute a recommendation to any person to purchase or sell any shares of the Company’s common stock.