UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 1-K
ANNUAL REPORT
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO REGULATION A OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019
Fundrise East Coast Opportunistic REIT, LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Commission File Number:024-10566
| Delaware | 30-0889118 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
| 11 Dupont Circle NW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC (Address of principal executive offices) | 20036 (Zip Code) |
(202) 584-0550
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
Common Shares
(Title of each class of securities issued pursuant to Regulation A)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2
Part II.
STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
We make statements in this Annual Report on Form 1-K (“Annual Report”) that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. The words “outlook,” “believe,” “estimate,” “potential,” “projected,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “may,” “could” and similar expressions or statements regarding future periods are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to differ materially from any predictions of future results, performance or achievements that we express or imply in this Annual Report or in the information incorporated by reference into this Annual Report.
The forward-looking statements included in this Annual Report are based upon our current expectations, plans, estimates, assumptions and beliefs that involve numerous risks and uncertainties. Assumptions relating to the foregoing involve judgments with respect to, among other things, future economic, competitive and market conditions and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond our control. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, our actual results and performance could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects include, but are not limited to:
| · | our ability to effectively deploy the proceeds raised in our initial and subsequent offerings (the “Offering(s)”); |
| · | our ability to attract and retain shareholders to the online investment platform located atwww.fundrise.com (the “Fundrise Platform”) of Rise Companies Corp. (our “Sponsor”); |
| · | risks associated with breaches of our data security; |
| · | public health crises, pandemics and epidemics, such as those caused by new strains of viruses such as H5N1 (avian flu), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and, most recently, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19); |
| · | changes in economic conditions generally and the real estate and securities markets specifically; |
| · | limited ability to dispose of assets because of the relative illiquidity of real estate investments; |
| · | increased interest rates and operating costs; |
| · | intense competition in the real estate market that may limit our ability to attract or retain tenants or re-lease space; |
| · | defaults on or non-renewal of leases by tenants; |
| · | our failure to obtain necessary outside financing; |
| · | decreased rental rates or increased vacancy rates; |
| · | the risk associated with potential breach or expiration of a ground lease, if any; |
| · | difficulties in identifying properties to complete, and consummating, real estate acquisitions, developments, joint ventures and dispositions; |
| · | our failure to successfully operate acquired properties and operations; |
| · | exposure to liability relating to environmental and health and safety matters; |
| · | changes in real estate and zoning laws and increases in real property tax rates; |
| · | failure of acquisitions to yield anticipated results; |
| · | risks associated with derivatives or hedging activity; |
| · | our level of debt and the terms and limitations imposed on us by our debt agreements; |
| · | the need to invest additional equity in connection with debt refinancings as a result of reduced asset values; |
| · | our ability to retain our executive officers and other key personnel of our advisor, our property manager and their affiliates; |
| · | expected rates of return provided to investors; |
3
| · | the ability of our Sponsor and its affiliates to source, originate and service our loans and other assets, and the quality and performance of these assets; our ability to retain and hire competent employees and appropriately staff our operations; |
| · | legislative or regulatory changes impacting our business or our assets (including changes to the laws governing the taxation of REITs and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) guidance related to Regulation A (“Regulation A”) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”)); |
| · | changes in business conditions and the market value of our assets, including changes in interest rates, prepayment risk, operator or borrower defaults or bankruptcy, and generally the increased risk of loss if our investments fail to perform as expected; |
| · | our ability to implement effective conflicts of interest policies and procedures among the various real estate investment opportunities sponsored by our Sponsor; |
| · | our ability to access sources of liquidity when we have the need to fund redemptions of common shares in excess of the proceeds from the sales of our common shares in our continuous offering and the consequential risk that we may not have the resources to satisfy redemption requests; |
| · | our failure to maintain our status as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”); |
| · | our compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws, including the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and other laws; and |
| · | changes to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). |
Any of the assumptions underlying forward-looking statements could be inaccurate. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements included in this Annual Report. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this Annual Report and the risk that actual results will differ materially from the expectations expressed in this Annual Report will increase with the passage of time. Except as otherwise required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date of this Annual Report, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or any other reason. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included in this Annual Report, including, without limitation, the risks described under “Risk Factors,” the inclusion of such forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the objectives and plans set forth in this Annual Report will be achieved.
4
| Item 1. | Business |
Fundrise East Coast Opportunistic REIT, LLC is a Delaware limited liability company formed on November 19, 2015 to originate, invest in and manage a diversified portfolio primarily consisting of investments in multifamily rental properties and development projects located in the states of Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, as well as the metropolitan statistical areas (“MSAs”) of Washington, DC and Philadelphia, PA, with such investments consisting of equity interests in such properties or debt, as well as commercial real estate debt securities and other select real estate-related assets, where the underlying assets primarily consist of such properties. Operations commenced on October 25, 2016. We define development projects to include a range of activities from major renovation and lease-up of existing buildings to ground up construction. While we intend to primarily invest in multifamily rental properties and development projects located in the states of Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, as well as the MSAs of Washington, DC and Philadelphia, PA, we may invest in other asset classes as well as other locations, depending on the availability of suitable investment opportunities. We may also invest in commercial real estate-related debt securities (including commercial mortgage-backed securities, or CMBS, collateralized debt obligations, or CDOs, and REIT senior unsecured debt) and other real estate-related assets. We may make our investments through majority-owned subsidiaries, some of which may have rights to receive preferred economic returns. The use of the terms “Fundrise East Coast Opportunistic REIT,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” in this Annual Report refer to Fundrise East Coast Opportunistic REIT, LLC unless the context indicates otherwise.
As a limited liability company, we have elected to be taxed as a C corporation. Commencing with the taxable year ending December 31, 2016, the Company operates in a manner intended to qualify for treatment as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, our portfolio was comprised of approximately $78.6 million and $56.8 million, respectively, of gross capital deployed in real estate investments, that in the opinion of Fundrise Advisors, LLC (our “Manager”) meets our investment objectives. SeeItem 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Recent Developments for information concerning our investments since December 31, 2019. We will seek to create and maintain a portfolio of multifamily rental properties and development project investments that generate a low volatility income stream of attractive and consistent cash distributions. Our focus on investing in debt and equity instruments will emphasize the payment of current returns to investors and preservation of invested capital as our primary investment objectives, as well as emphasizing capital appreciation from our investments, as is typically the case with strategies focused exclusively on opportunistic or equity oriented investments.
We are externally managed by our Manager, which is an investment adviser registered with the SEC, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of our Sponsor, the parent company of Fundrise, LLC, our affiliate. Fundrise, LLC owns and operates the Fundrise Platform that allows investors to hold interests in real estate opportunities that may have been historically difficult to access for some investors. Our Manager has the authority to make all of the decisions regarding our investments, subject to the limitations in our operating agreement and the direction and oversight of our Manager’s investment committee. Our Sponsor also provides asset management, marketing, investor relations and other administrative services on our behalf. Accordingly, we do not currently have any employees nor do we currently intend to hire any employees who will be compensated directly by us.
Investment Strategy
We intend to originate, acquire, asset manage, operate, selectively leverage, syndicate and opportunistically sell multifamily rental properties and development projects through the acquisition of equity interests in such properties or debt (including senior mortgage loans, subordinated mortgage loans (“B-Notes”), mezzanine loans, and participations in such loans), as well as commercial real estate debt securities and other real estate-related assets, where the underlying assets primarily consist of such properties. Our management has extensive experience investing in numerous types of properties. While we focus our investments primarily in multifamily rental properties and development projects, in the event that appropriate investment opportunities are not available, we may acquire a wide variety of commercial properties, including office, industrial, retail, recreation and leisure, single-tenant residential and other real properties. These properties may be existing, income-producing properties, newly constructed properties or properties under development or construction and may include multifamily rental properties purchased for conversion into condominiums and single-tenant properties that may be converted for multifamily use. We focus on acquiring properties with significant possibilities for capital appreciation, such as those requiring development, redevelopment or repositioning, those located in markets with high growth potential and those available from sellers who are distressed or face time-sensitive deadlines. We also may invest in real estate-related securities, including securities issued by other real estate companies, either for investment or in change of control transactions completed on a negotiated basis or otherwise, and in bridge and mezzanine loans that may lead to an opportunity to purchase a real estate interest. In addition, to the extent that our Manager and its investment committee determines that it is advantageous, we also may make or invest in commercial mortgage-backed securities, mortgage loans and Code Section 1031 tenant-in-common interests. Our portfolio of real estate debt investments is secured primarily by U.S. based collateral, primarily multifamily rental properties and development projects, and diversified by security type.
5
For real estate debt investments, our Manager intends to directly structure, underwrite and originate many of the debt products in which we invest, as doing so provides for the best opportunity to manage our borrower and partner relationships and optimize the terms of our investments. Our proven underwriting process, which our management team has successfully developed over their extensive real estate careers in a variety of market conditions and implemented at our Sponsor, involves comprehensive financial, structural, operational and legal due diligence of our borrowers and partners in order to optimize pricing and structuring and mitigate risk. We feel the current and future market environment for the acquisition of property for development projects (including any existing or future government-sponsored programs) provides a wide range of opportunities to generate compelling investments with strong risk-return profiles for our shareholders.
In executing on our business strategy, we believe that we benefit from our Manager’s affiliation with our Sponsor given our Sponsor’s strong track record and extensive experience and capabilities as an online real estate origination and funding platform. These competitive advantages include:
| · | our Sponsor’s experience and reputation as a leading real estate investment manager, which historically has given it access to a large investment pipeline similar to our targeted assets and the key market data we use to underwrite and portfolio manage assets; |
| · | our Sponsor’s direct and online origination capabilities, which are amplified by a proprietary technology platform, business process automation, and a large user base, of which a significant portion are seeking capital for real estate projects; |
| · | our Sponsor’s relationships with financial institutions and other lenders that originate and distribute commercial real estate debt and other real estate-related products and that finance the types of assets we intend to acquire and originate; |
| · | our Sponsor’s experienced portfolio management team which actively monitors each investment through an established regime of analysis, credit review and protocol; and |
| · | our Sponsor’s management team, which has a successful track record of making commercial real estate investments in a variety of market conditions. |
Investment Objectives
Our primary investment objectives are:
| · | to realize growth in the value of our investment within approximately five years from the one-year anniversary of the initial qualification of our Offering; |
| · | to grow net cash from operations so that an increasing amount of cash flow is available for distributions to investors over the long term; |
| · | to pay attractive and consistent cash distributions; |
| · | to enable investors to realize a return on their investment by beginning the process of liquidating and distributing cash to investors within approximately five years from the one year anniversary of the initial qualification of our Offering, or providing liquidity through alternative means such as in-kind distributions of our own securities or other assets; and |
| · | to preserve, protect and return shareholders’ capital contributions. |
We cannot assure you that we will attain these objectives or that the value of our assets will not decrease. Furthermore, within our investment objectives and policies, our Manager has substantial discretion with respect to the selection of specific investments and the purchase and sale of our assets. Our Manager’s investment committee will review our investment guidelines at least annually to determine whether our investment guidelines continue to be in the best interests of our shareholders.
6
Competition
Our net income depends, in large part, on our ability to source, acquire and manage investments with attractive risk-adjusted yields. We compete with many other entities engaged in real estate investment activities, including individuals, corporations, bank and insurance company investment accounts, other REITs, private real estate funds, and other entities engaged in real estate investment activities as well as online lending platforms that compete with the Fundrise Platform, many of which have greater financial resources and lower costs of capital available to them than we have. In addition, there are numerous REITs with asset acquisition objectives similar to ours, and others may be organized in the future, which may increase competition for the investments suitable for us. Competitive variables include market presence and visibility, amount of capital to be invested per project and underwriting standards. To the extent that a competitor is willing to risk larger amounts of capital in a particular transaction or to employ more liberal underwriting standards when evaluating potential investments than we are, our investment volume and profit margins for our investment portfolio could be impacted. Our competitors may also be willing to accept lower returns on their investments and may succeed in buying the assets that we have targeted for acquisition. Although we believe that we are well positioned to compete effectively in each facet of our business, there is enormous competition in our market sector and there can be no assurance that we will compete effectively or that we will not encounter increased competition in the future that could limit our ability to conduct our business effectively.
Risk Factors
We face risks and uncertainties that could affect us and our business as well as the real estate industry generally. These risks are outlined under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in our latest offering circular filed with the SEC (the “Offering Circular”) which may be accessedhere, as the same may be updated from time to time by our future filings under Regulation A. In addition, new risks may emerge at any time and we cannot predict such risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect our financial performance. These risks could result in a decrease in the value of our common shares.
7
| Item 2. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes thereto contained in this Annual Report. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates, and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in theStatements Regarding Forward-Looking Information. Unless otherwise indicated, latest results discussed below are as of December 31, 2019.
Offering Results
We have offered, are offering, and will continue to offer up to $50.0 million in common shares in our Offerings in any rolling twelve month period. The Offering is being conducted as a continuous offering pursuant to Rule 251(d)(3) of Regulation A, meaning that while the offering of securities is continuous, active sales of securities may occur sporadically over the term of the Offering. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had raised total gross offering proceeds of approximately $87.3 million and $56.6 million, respectively, from settled subscriptions (including the $100,000 received in the private placements to our Sponsor, Rise Companies Corp., and Fundrise, L.P., an affiliate of our Sponsor), and had settled subscriptions in our Offering and private placements for an aggregate of approximately 8,411,000 and 5,569,000, respectively, of our common shares. Assuming the settlement for all subscriptions received as of December 31, 2019, approximately 1,234,000 of our previously qualified common shares remained available for sale under our Offering.
We expect to offer common shares in our Offering until we raise the maximum amount permitted based on the maximum number of common shares we are able to qualify under Regulation A at any given time, unless terminated by our Manager at an earlier time. Until December 31, 2017, the per share purchase price for our common shares was $10.00, an amount that was arbitrarily determined by our Manager. Thereafter, the per share purchase price is subject to adjustment every fiscal quarter and, as of January 1st, April 1st, July 1st and October 1st of each year (or as soon as commercially reasonable and announced by us thereafter), will equal the greater of (i) $10.00 per share or (ii) the sum of our net asset value (“NAV”) divided by the number of our common shares outstanding as of the end of the prior fiscal quarter (“NAV per share”).
Below is the quarterly NAV per share, as determined in accordance with our valuation policies. Linked in the table is the relevant Form 1-U detailing each NAV evaluation method, incorporated by reference herein.
| Date | NAV Per Share | Link | ||||
| December 31, 2017 | $ | 10.18 | Form 1-U | |||
| March 31, 2018 | $ | 10.26 | Form 1-U | |||
| June 30, 2018 | $ | 10.51 | Form 1-U | |||
| September 30, 2018 | $ | 10.65 | Form 1-U | |||
| December 31, 2018 | $ | 10.65 | Form 1-U | |||
| March 31, 2019 | $ | 10.82 | Form 1-U | |||
| June 30, 2019 | $ | 10.87 | Form 1-U | |||
| October 1, 2019 | $ | 10.91 | Form 1-U | |||
| December 31, 2019 | $ | 11.31 | Form 1-U | |||
| March 31, 2020 | $ | 11.24 | Form 1-U | |||
Distributions
To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we will be required to make aggregate annual distributions to our shareholders of at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding net capital gain), and to avoid federal income and excise taxes on retained taxable income and gains we must distribute 100% of such income and gains annually. Our Manager may authorize distributions in excess of those required for us to maintain REIT status and/or avoid such taxes on retained taxable income and gains depending on our financial condition and such other factors as our Manager deems relevant. Provided we have sufficient available cash flow, we intend to authorize and declare distributions based on daily record dates and pay distributions on a quarterly or other periodic basis. We have not established a minimum distribution level.
8
While we are under no obligation to do so, we have in the past and expect in the future to declare and pay distributions quarterly in arrears; however, our Manager may declare other periodic distributions as circumstances dictate. In order that investors may generally begin receiving distributions immediately upon our acceptance of their subscription, we expect to authorize and declare distributions based on daily record dates.
When calculated on a tax basis, distributions were made 68% from ordinary income and 32% from return of capital for the year ended December 31, 2019.
On January 12, 2017, we paid our first distribution to shareholders for the distribution period of November 1, 2016 through November 30, 2016. In addition, our Manager has declared daily distributions for shareholders of record as of the close of business on each day from December 1, 2016 through April 30, 2020, as shown in the table below. Linked in the table is the relevant Form 1-U detailing each distribution.
| Distribution Period | Daily Distribution Amount/Common Share | Date of Declaration | Payment Date(1) | Annualized Yield(2) | Link | |||||
| 11/01/2016 – 11/30/2016 | 0.0008219178 | 10/26/2016 | 01/12/2017 | 3.00% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 12/01/2016 – 12/31/2016 | 0.0013698630 | 11/30/2016 | 01/12/2017 | 5.00% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 01/01/2017 – 03/31/2017 | 0.0022602740 | 12/31/2016 | 04/12/2017 | 8.25% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 04/01/2017 – 06/30/2017 | 0.0023972603 | 03/21/2017 | 07/11/2017 | 8.75% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 07/01/2017 – 09/30/2017 | 0.0023972603 | 06/26/2017 | 10/09/2017 | 8.75% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 10/01/2017 – 12/31/2017 | 0.0021917808 | 09/28/2017 | 01/09/2018 | 8.00% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 01/01/2018 – 01/31/2018 | 0.0021917810 | 12/22/2017 | 04/11/2018 | 8.00% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 02/01/2018 – 02/28/2018 | 0.0021917808 | 01/26/2018 | 04/11/2018 | 8.00% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 03/01/2018 – 03/31/2018 | 0.0019178082 | 02/27/2018 | 04/11/2018 | 7.00% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 04/01/2018 – 04/30/2018 | 0.0019178082 | 03/28/2018 | 07/09/2018 | 7.00% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 05/01/2018 – 05/31/2018 | 0.0019178082 | 04/30/2018 | 07/09/2018 | 7.00% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 06/01/2018 – 06/30/2018 | 0.0019178082 | 05/29/2018 | 07/09/2018 | 7.00% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 07/01/2018 – 07/31/2018 | 0.0019178082 | 06/28/2018 | 10/08/2018 | 7.00% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 08/01/2018 – 08/31/2018 | 0.0021917808 | 07/27/2018 | 10/08/2018 | 8.00% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 09/01/2018 – 09/30/2018 | 0.0021917808 | 08/24/2018 | 10/08/2018 | 8.00% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 10/01/2018 – 10/31/2018 | 0.0021917808 | 09/26/2018 | 01/07/2019 | 8.00% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 11/01/2018 – 11/30/2018 | 0.0021917808 | 10/29/2018 | 01/07/2019 | 8.00% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 12/01/2018 – 12/31/2018 | 0.0020547945 | 11/29/2018 | 01/07/2019 | 7.50% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 01/01/2019 – 01/31/2019 | 0.0017808219 | 12/27/2018 | 04/08/2019 | 6.50% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 02/01/2019 – 02/28/2019 | 0.0019178082 | 01/30/2019 | 04/08/2019 | 7.00% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 03/01/2019 – 03/31/2019 | 0.0023287671 | 02/28/2019 | 04/08/2019 | 8.50% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 04/01/2019 – 04/30/2019 | 0.0020547945 | 03/28/2019 | 07/11/2019 | 7.50% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 05/01/2019 – 05/31/2019 | 0.0020547945 | 04/30/2019 | 07/11/2019 | 7.50% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 06/01/2019 – 06/30/2019 | 0.0020547945 | 05/30/2019 | 07/11/2019 | 7.50% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 07/01/2019 – 07/31/2019 | 0.0020547945 | 06/28/2019 | 10/09/2019 | 7.50% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 08/01/2019 – 08/31/2019 | 0.0019178082 | 07/30/2019 | 10/09/2019 | 7.00% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 09/01/2019 – 10/01/2019 | 0.0019178082 | 08/29/2019 | 10/09/2019 | 7.00% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 10/02/2019 – 10/31/2019 | 0.0020547945 | 10/01/2019 | 01/13/2020 | 7.50% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 11/01/2019 – 11/30/2019 | 0.0017808219 | 10/31/2019 | 01/13/2020 | 6.50% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 12/01/2019 – 12/31/2019 | 0.0023287671 | 11/26/2019 | 01/13/2020 | 8.50% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 01/01/2020 – 01/31/2020 | 0.0020547945 | 12/23/2019 | 04/09/2020 | 7.50% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 02/01/2020 – 02/29/2020 | 0.0019863014 | 01/29/2020 | 04/09/2020 | 7.25% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 03/01/2020 – 03/31/2020 | 0.0023287671 | 02/26/2020 | 04/09/2020 | 8.50% | Form 1-U | |||||
| 04/01/2020 – 04/30/2020 | 0.0013698630 | 03/30/2020 | 07/21/2020 | 5.00% | Form 1-U | |||||
| Weighted Average | 0.0020651999(3) | - | - | 7.54%(4) |
| (1) | Dates presented are the dates on which the distributions were, or are, scheduled to be distributed; actual distribution dates may vary. |
| (2) | Annualized yield numbers represent the annualized yield amount of each distribution calculated on an annualized basis at the then current rate, assuming a $10.00 per share purchase price. While the Manager is under no obligation to do so, each annualized basis return assumes that the Manager would declare distributions in the future similar to the distributions for each period presented, and there can be no assurance that the Manager will declare such distributions in the future or, if declared, that such distributions would be of a similar amount. |
9
| (3) | Weighted average daily distribution amount per common share is calculated as the average of the daily declared distribution amounts from November 1, 2016 through April 30, 2020. | |
| (4) | Weighted average annualized yield is calculated as the annualized yield of the average daily distribution amount for the periods presented, using a $10.00 per share purchase price. |
Any distributions that we make directly impacts our NAV by reducing the amount of our assets. Our goal is to provide a reasonably predictable and stable level of current income, through quarterly or other periodic distributions, while at the same time maintaining a fair level of consistency in our NAV. Over the course of your investment, your distributions plus the change in NAV per share (either positive or negative) will produce your total return.
Our distributions will generally constitute a return of capital to the extent that they exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To the extent that a distribution is treated as a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it will reduce a holder’s adjusted tax basis in the holder’s shares, and to the extent that it exceeds the holder’s adjusted tax basis will be treated as gain resulting from a sale or exchange of such shares.
Redemption Plan
Although we do not intend to list our common shares for trading on a stock exchange or other trading market, we have adopted a redemption plan designed to provide our shareholders with limited liquidity for their investment in our shares. Through December 31, 2019, our redemption plan provided that, on a monthly basis, after observing a mandatory 60-day waiting period, a shareholder could obtain liquidity as described in detail in our Offering Circular. Our Manager may, in its sole discretion, amend, suspend, or terminate the redemption plan at any time, including to protect our operations and our non-redeemed shareholders, to prevent an undue burden on our liquidity, to preserve our status as a REIT, following any material decrease in our NAV, or for any other reason.
As of December 31, 2019, approximately 703,000 common shares had been submitted for redemption and 100% of such redemption requests have been honored.
Effective as of January 1, 2020, we have adopted revisions to our Redemption Plan to implement quarterly instead of monthly redemption requests, and the elimination of the 60-day waiting period. Further, our new policy includes the provision for separate redemption rights in the case of death or “qualifying disability” that eliminates any penalty for redemption in such circumstances and permits the redemption of shares at 100% of the per share price of our common shares in effect at the time of the redemption request.
Effective as of March 31, 2020, our Manager has determined to (i) suspend the processing and payment of redemptions under our redemption plan until further notice, and (ii) delay the consideration and processing of all outstanding redemption requests until further notice. At this time, investors may continue to submit redemption requests, but should know that such redemption requests may not be processed and, ultimately, may be rejected.
Accordingly, all redemption requests, including outstanding redemption requests as of March 31, 2020, may be, at a later date, either (i) considered and processed or (ii) rejected. We intend to reinstate the processing and payment of redemptions under our redemption plan as soon as business prudence allows, but can make no assurances as to when such redemptions will resume.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our accounting policies have been established to conform with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to use judgment in the application of accounting policies, including making estimates and assumptions. These judgments may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Management believes that we have made these estimates and assumptions in an appropriate manner and in a way that accurately reflects our financial condition. We continually test and evaluate these estimates and assumptions using our historical knowledge of the business, as well as other factors, to ensure that they are reasonable for reporting purposes. However, actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions. If our judgment or interpretation of the facts and circumstances relating to various transactions had been different, it is possible that different accounting policies would have been applied, thus resulting in a different presentation of the financial statements.
10
We believe our critical accounting policies govern the significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements. Please refer to Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, included in our financial statements contained in this report, for a more thorough discussion of our accounting policies and procedures.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The Financial Accounting Standards Board has released several Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) that may have an impact on our financial statements. SeeRecent Accounting Pronouncements inNote 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policiesin the financial statements for discussion of the relevant ASUs. We are currently evaluating the impact of the various ASUs on our financial statements and determining our plan for adoption.
Extended Transition Period
Under Section 107 of the JOBS Act, we are permitted to use the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. This permits us to delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to use the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until the earlier of the date that we (i) are no longer an emerging growth company or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B). By electing to extend the transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards, these financial statements may not be comparable to companies that adopt accounting standard updates upon the public business entity effective dates.
Sources of Operating Revenues and Cash Flows
We primarily generate revenues from interest income on our real estate debt investments. Additionally, we receive cash flow distributions from investments in equity method investees. We may also seek to acquire investments which generate attractive returns without any leverage. SeeNote 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Revenue Recognition in our financial statements for further detail.
Results of Operations
On October 25, 2016, we commenced operations upon our satisfying the $1.0 million minimum offering requirement (not including the $100,000 received in the private placements to our Sponsor and Fundrise, L.P.). For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had total net income of approximately $2.4 million and $2.0 million, respectively.
Revenue
Interest Income
For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, we earned interest income of approximately $3.5 million and $1.8 million from our real estate debt investments, respectively. The increase in interest income is primarily attributable to the increase in real estate debt investments that had a full year of interest income for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the prior year, and the increase in capital available to be deployed into real estate investments for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Equity in Earnings (Losses)
For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had equity in earnings (losses) of approximately $(471,000) and $637,000 from our equity method investees, respectively. The decrease in equity in earnings is primarily attributable to net losses incurred by our equity method investees and first year transaction costs associated with closing on new investments in equity method investees.
Expenses
General and Administrative
For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, we incurred general and administrative expenses of approximately $220,000 and $209,000, respectively, which includes auditing and professional fees, organizational costs and other costs associated with operating our business.
11
Asset Management and Other Fees – Related Party
For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, we incurred asset management fees of approximately $591,000 and $351,000 from our investments, respectively. The increase in the amount of asset management fees is primarily attributable to an increase in NAV, as the asset management fee is calculated as a percentage of NAV beginning in 2018. The overall increase in NAV is due to additional capital raised through our offering and the appreciation of certain investments in equity method investees.
Our Investments
As of December 31, 2019, we had entered into the following investments. See “Recent Developments” for a description of investments we have made since December 31, 2019.Note: the use of the term “controlled subsidiary” is not intended to conform with U.S. GAAP definition and does not correlate to a subsidiary that would require consolidation under U.S. GAAP.
| Senior Secured Loans | Location | Type of Property | Date of Acquisition | Interest Rate (1) | Maturity Date (2) | Total Commitment (3) | LTV (4) | LTC (5) | Overview (Form 1-U) | |||||||||||||||||
| Element Charlotte Senior Loan | Charlotte, NC | Multifamily | 03/26/2018 | 11.0 | % | 03/22/2020 | $ | 6,575,815 | 78.0 | % | 82.3 | % | Initial | |||||||||||||
| (1) | Interest Rate refers to the projected the annual interest rate on each senior loan. The interest rate presented does not distinguish between interest that is paid current and interest that accrues to the maturity date, nor does it include any increases in interest rate that may occur in the future. | |
| (2) | Maturity Date refers to the initial maturity date of each senior loan, and does not take into account any extensions that may be available. | |
| (3) | Total Commitment refers to the total commitment made by the Company to fund the senior loan, not all of which may have been funded on the acquisition date. | |
| (4) | LTV, or loan-to-value ratio, is the approximate amount of the total commitment amount plus any other debt on the asset, divided by the anticipated future value of the underlying asset at stabilization as determined by our Manager. LTVs presented are as of the date of acquisition by the Company, and have not been subsequently updated. There can be no assurance that such value will be achieved. We generally use LTV for properties that are generating cash flow. | |
| (5) | LTC, or loan-to-cost ratio, is the approximate amount of the total commitment plus any other debt on the asset, divided by the anticipated cost to complete the project. We generally use LTC for properties that are subject to construction. LTCs presented are as of the date of acquisition by the Company, and have not been subsequently updated. There can be no assurance that the anticipated completion cost will be achieved. |
| Real Property and Controlled Subsidiaries (Preferred Equity Investments) | Location | Type of Property | Date of Acquisition | Annual Return (1) | Redemption Date (2) | Total Commitment (3) | LTV (4) | LTC (5) | Overview (Form 1- U) | |||||||||||||||||
| Sandtown Controlled Subsidiary | Atlanta, GA | Multifamily | 11/21/2016 | 12.5 | % | 07/02/2022 | $ | 5,000,000 | 87.0 | % | 82.0 | % | Initial | |||||||||||||
| RSE TWO Controlled Subsidiary | Indian Land, SC | Multifamily | 08/30/2017 | 13.0 | % | 08/30/2021 | $ | 6,000,000 | - | 76.8 | % | Initial | ||||||||||||||
| RSE Waypoint Controlled Subsidiary | Odessa, FL | Multifamily | 10/30/2017 | 11.0 | % | 10/30/2020 | $ | 5,670,000 | - | 68.0 | % | Initial | ||||||||||||||
| Valor 19th St Controlled Subsidiary | Washington, DC | Multifamily | 11/30/2017 | 17.0 | % | 10/26/2025 | $ | 270,000 | 96.7 | % | - | Initial | ||||||||||||||
| RSE GJ Controlled Subsidiary | Atlanta, GA | Multifamily | 05/01/2018 | 11.5 | % | 05/01/2023 | $ | 5,000,000 | - | 80.7 | % | Initial | ||||||||||||||
| RSE Waypoint Hackensack Controlled Subsidiary | Hackensack, NJ | Multifamily | 08/16/2018 | 11.3 | % | 02/16/2022 | $ | 3,750,000 | - | 73.6 | % | Initial | ||||||||||||||
| Harbour Island Controlled Subsidiary | Tampa, FL | Multifamily | 11/08/2019 | 9.6 | % | 11/08/2026 | $ | 4,000,000 | 85.0 | % | - | Initial | ||||||||||||||
| (1) | Annual Return refers to the projected annual preferred economic return that we are entitled to receive with priority payment over the other equity invested in the property. The annual return presented does not distinguish between returns that are paid current and those that accrue to the redemption date, nor does it include any increases in annual return that may occur in the future. | |
| (2) | Redemption Date refers to the initial or redemption date of each asset, and does not take into account any extensions that may be available. | |
| (3) | Total Commitment refers to the total commitment made by the Company in acquiring the asset, not all of which may have been funded on the acquisition date. | |
| (4) | LTV, or loan-to-value ratio, is the approximate amount of the total commitment amount plus any other debt on the asset, divided by the anticipated future value of the underlying asset at stabilization as reasonably determined by our Manager. There can be no assurance that such value will be achieved. We generally use LTV for properties that are generating cash flow. |
12
| (5) | LTC, or loan-to-cost ratio, is the approximate amount of the total commitment plus any other debt on the asset, divided by the anticipated cost to complete the project. We generally use LTC for properties that are under construction. There can be no assurance that the anticipated completion cost will be achieved. |
| Real Property Controlled Subsidiaries (JV Equity Investments) | Location | Property Type | Date of Acquisition | Purchase Price (1) | Overview (Form 1-U) | ||||||||
| RSE REM Controlled Subsidiary | Orlando, FL | Multifamily | 11/30/2016 | $ | 7,650,000 | Initial | Update 1 Update 2 Update 3 | ||||||
| RSE Insight Controlled Subsidiary | Arlington, VA | Multifamily | 01/17/2017 | $ | 6,502,187 | Initial | Update 1 Update 2 | ||||||
| RSE Northpoint - Persimmon Controlled Subsidiary | Alexandria, VA | Multifamily | 04/27/2018 | $ | 10,257,055 | Initial | N/A | ||||||
| RSE Verse Controlled Subsidiary | Royal Palm Beach, FL | Multifamily | 12/10/2018 | $ | 5,100,000 | Initial | N/A | ||||||
| RSE Mezza Controlled Subsidiary | Jacksonville, FL | Multifamily | 06/17/2019 | $ | 13,177,500 | Initial | N/A | ||||||
| Hampton Station Controlled Subsidiary | Greenville, SC | Multifamily/Retail | 08/16/2019 | $ | 5,071,222 | Initial | N/A | ||||||
| (1) | Purchase Price refers to the total price paid by us for our pro rata share of the equity in the controlled subsidiary. |
As of December 31, 2019, the Company's investments in companies that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting included the initial contribution to National Lending, LLC(“National Lending”) in exchange for ownership interests.SeeNote 7, Related Party Arrangements for further information regarding National Lending, LLC.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We require capital to fund our investment activities and operating expenses. Our capital sources may include net proceeds from our Offering, cash flow from operations, net proceeds from asset repayments and sales, borrowings under credit facilities, other term borrowings and securitization financing transactions.
We are dependent upon the net proceeds from our Offering to conduct our operations. We obtain the capital required to primarily originate, invest in and manage a diversified portfolio of real estate investments and conduct our operations from the proceeds of our Offering and from secured or unsecured financings from banks and other lenders and from any undistributed funds from our operations. As of December 31, 2019, we had deployed approximately $80.8 million for eighteen investments and had approximately $3.5 million in cash and cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2019, we anticipate that proceeds from our Offering will provide sufficient liquidity to meet future funding commitments and costs of operations.
We receive distributions from our equity method investees that represent cash flow from operations from the investment. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, we received cash distributions of approximately $1.8 million and $7.5 million, respectively.
We may employ leverage to enhance total returns to our shareholders through a combination of senior financing on our real estate acquisitions, secured facilities, and capital markets financing transactions. We currently have outstanding fund level debt of approximately $6.0 million and $0 as of April 21, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Our targeted portfolio-wide leverage after we have acquired an initial substantial portfolio of diversified investments is between 50%-85% of the greater of the cost (before deducting depreciation or other non-cash reserves) or fair market value of our assets. During the period when we are acquiring our initial portfolio, we may employ greater leverage on individual assets (that will also result in greater leverage of the initial portfolio) in order to quickly build a diversified portfolio of multifamily rental properties and development project assets. We seek to secure conservatively structured leverage that is long-term, non-recourse, non-mark-to-market financing to the extent obtainable on a cost-effective basis. To the extent a higher level of leverage is employed it may come either in the form of government-sponsored programs or other long-term, non-recourse, non-mark-to-market financing. Our Manager may from time to time modify our leverage policy in its discretion in light of then-current economic conditions, relative costs of debt and equity capital, market values of our assets, general conditions in the market for debt and equity securities, growth and acquisition opportunities or other factors. However, other than during our initial period of operations, it is our policy to not borrow more than 85% of the greater of cost (before deducting depreciation or other non-cash reserves) or fair market value of our assets. We cannot exceed the leverage limit of our leverage policy unless any excess in borrowing over such level is approved by our Manager’s investment committee.
13
Having completed our initial Offering, we face additional challenges in order to ensure liquidity and capital resources on a long-term basis. If we are unable to raise additional funds from the issuance of common shares, we will make fewer investments resulting in less diversification in terms of the type, number and size of investments we make. We may be subject to more fluctuations based on the performance of the specific assets we acquire. Further, we have certain direct and indirect operating expenses. Our inability to raise substantial funds would increase our fixed operating expenses as a percentage of gross income and would limit our ability to make distributions.
Additionally, because certain of our investments include both current interest payments and interest paid-in kind upon redemption of our investments, there may be differences between net income from operations and cash flow generated from our investments.
Outlook and Recent Trends
As a result of the global outbreak of a new strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, economic uncertainties have arisen that continue to have an adverse impact on economic and market conditions. The global impact of the outbreak has been rapidly evolving, and the outbreak presents material uncertainty and risk with respect to the Company’s future performance and future financial results. The Company is unable to quantify the impact COVID-19 may have on its future financial results at this time.
While we are encouraged by the stability of residential real estate markets, the country has entered a period of a high degree of uncertainty and volatility as a result of the impact of COVID-19. Although that is likely to mean a period of economic stress, broadly speaking, we believe the Fundrise East Coast Opportunistic REIT is well positioned to withstand potential economic shocks or slowdown in the economy. First, approximately 95% of the Company’s real estate assets are invested in stabilized rental property and apartment development. Housing, like food, is a basic good rather than a discretionary expense so should perform more resiliently in a downturn. Second, the approximately 10% of our real estate invested in new apartment development (in Odessa, FL and Hackensack, NJ) are structured as preferred equity in a mezzanine position (i.e., senior to the common equity), with each project having more than $20 million (25%) in equity junior to our positions. Moreover, Starkey Ranch, in Odessa, has completed construction and is nearly fully leased up and stabilized. Third, for all apartment acquisitions, our management team has consistently sought to lock in long-term, fixed interest rates and in-place loan extensions in order to protect against the risk that credit markets freeze or become disrupted, a situation which is now becoming increasingly probable. Our belief is the portfolio of apartments is likely to be more stable than most other assets.
Lastly, the current interest rate environment has dramatically eased as a result of the Federal Reserve materially lowering rates. Capital markets expect the Federal Reserve to continue to inject more liquidity into the market (similar to previous quantitative easing). Historically when the market recovers, hard assets, such as real estate, see an increase in value as a result of the expanded monetary base.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements.
Related Party Arrangements
For further information regarding “Related Party Arrangements,” please seeNote 7,Related Party Arrangements in our financial statements.
Investments
The following table summarizes the real estate investments acquired by the Company since December 31, 2019 (through April 21, 2020):
| Real Property and Controlled Subsidiaries | Location | Type of Property | Approx. Square Footage at Acquisition | Date of Acquisition | Approx. Acquisition Cost | Projected Hold Period | Overview (Form 1-U) | |||||||||||
| E66 Controlled Subsidiary | Springfield, VA | Industrial | 168,000 | 01/15/2020 | $ | 15,738,000 | 10 years | Initial | ||||||||||
The following table summarizes the real estate investments repaid to the Company since December 31, 2019 (through April 21, 2020):
| Senior Secured Loans | Location | Type of Property | Date of Acquisition | Maturity Date (1) | Total Commitment (2) | Overview (Form 1-U) | ||||||||
| Element Charlotte Senior Loan (3) | Charlotte, NC | Multifamily | 03/26/2018 | 03/22/2020 | $ | 6,575,815 | Update | |||||||
14
| (1) | Maturity Date refers to the initial maturity date of each senior loan, and does not take into account any extensions that may be available. | |
| (2) | Total Commitment refers to the total commitment made by the Company to fund the senior loan, not all of which may have been funded on the acquisition date. | |
| (3) | On January 15, 2020, the outstanding principal and interest on the Element Charlotte Senior Loan was repaid in full. |
Other
| Event | Date | Description | ||
| Declaration of February 2020 Distributions | 01/29/2020 | On January 29, 2020, our Manager declared a daily distribution of $0.0019863014 per share for shareholders of record as of the close of business on each day of the period commencing on February 1, 2020 and ending on February 29, 2020. More information can be foundhere. | ||
| Declaration of March 2020 Distributions | 02/26/2020 | On February 26, 2020, our Manager declared a daily distribution of $0.0023287671 per share for shareholders of record as of the close of business on each day of the period commencing on March 1, 2020 and ending on March 31, 2020. More information can be foundhere. | ||
| Declaration of April 2020 Distributions | 03/31/2020 | On March 31, 2020, our Manager declared a daily distribution of $0.0013698630 per share for shareholders of record as of the close of business on each day of the period commencing on April 1, 2020 and ending on April 30, 2020. More information can be foundhere. | ||
| Share Purchase Price Update | 01/01/2020 | Beginning on January 1, 2020 the per share purchase price of our common shares was updated to $11.31 due to a quarterly change in NAV. More information can be found here. | ||
| Share Purchase Price Update | 04/01/2020 | Beginning on April 1, 2020 the per share purchase price of our common shares was updated to $11.24 due to a quarterly change in NAV. More information can be found here. | ||
| Status of our Offering | 04/21/2020 | As of April 21, 2020, we had raised total gross offering proceeds of approximately $102.6 million from settled subscriptions (including the $100,000 received in the private placements to our Sponsor and Fundrise, LP, an affiliate of our Sponsor), and had settled subscriptions in our Offering and private placements for an aggregate of approximately 9,768,000 of our common shares. | ||
| Revisions to the Redemption Plan | 01/01/2020 | On December 31, 2019, we filed an offering circular supplement pursuant to Rule 253(g)(2), revising our Redemption Plan to reflect the following changes effective January 1, 2020: (1) quarterly instead of monthly redemption requests and elimination of the 60-day waiting period; and (2) separate redemption rights in the case of death or “qualifying disability” that eliminate any penalty for redemption in such circumstances and permit the redemption of shares at 100% of the per share price for our common shares in effect at the time of the redemption request. | ||
| 03/31/2020 | Effective as of March 31, 2020, our Manager has determined to (i) suspend the processing and payment of redemptions under our redemption plan until further notice, and (ii) delay the consideration and processing of all outstanding redemption requests until further notice. At this time, investors may continue to submit redemption requests, but should know that such redemption requests may not be processed and, ultimately, may be rejected. Accordingly, all redemption requests, including outstanding redemption requests as of March 31, 2020, may be, at a later date, either (i) considered and processed or (ii) rejected. We intend to reinstate the processing and payment of redemptions under our redemption plan as soon as business prudence allows, but can make no assurances as to when such redemptions will resume. | |||
| January 2020 Contribution to National Lending | 01/15/2020 | On January 15, 2020, the Company made an additional contribution of $386,000 to National Lending, bringing its total contributions to approximately $2.6 million. | ||
| March 2020 Contribution to National Lending | 03/23/2020 | On March 23, 2020 the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Operating Agreement with National Lending, which increased the contribution for partnership interest from 3% to 5% of a partner’s assets under management. Per the Amended and Restated Operating Agreement with National Lending, the Company will assess its required contribution amount as of July 15, 2020. As of March 23, 2020, the additional amount to get to 5% of assets under management for the Company was approximately $2.4 million. The Company chose to pay a partial installment on March 23, 2020. Accordingly, the Company made an additional contribution of $1.2 million to National Lending, bringing its total contributions to approximately $3.8 million for 8.13% ownership in National Lending as of March 23, 2020. | ||
January 2020 Note from National Lending | 01/15/2020 | On January 15, 2020, National Lending issued a promissory note to the Company in the principal amount of $13.0 million. The note bears a 3.00% interest rate and matures on January 15, 2021. As of April 21, 2020, there is outstanding principal of $4.0 million and accrued interest outstanding of approximately $50,000 related to the promissory note with National Lending. | ||
April 2020 Note from National Lending | 04/08/2020 | On April 8, 2020, National Lending issued a promissory note to the Company in the principal amount of $2.0 million. The note bears a 1.00% interest rate and matures on April 8, 2021. As of April 21, 2020, there is outstanding principal of $2.0 million and accrued interest outstanding of approximately $1,000 related to the promissory note with National Lending. |
15
| Item 3. | Directors and Officers |
Our Manager
We operate under the direction of our Manager, which is responsible for directing the management of our business and affairs, managing our day-to-day affairs, and implementing our investment strategy. Our Manager has established an investment committee that makes decisions with respect to all acquisitions and dispositions. The Manager and its officers and directors are not required to devote all of their time to our business and are only required to devote such time to our affairs as their duties require.
We follow investment guidelines adopted by our Manager and the investment and borrowing policies set forth in our Offering Circular unless they are modified by our Manager. Our Manager may establish further written policies on investments and borrowings and will monitor our administrative procedures, investment operations and performance to ensure that the policies are fulfilled. Our Manager may change our investment objectives at any time without approval of our shareholders.
Our Manager performs its duties and responsibilities pursuant to our Operating Agreement. Our Manager maintains a contractual, as opposed to a fiduciary relationship, with us and our shareholders. Furthermore, we have agreed to limit the liability of our Manager and to indemnify our Manager against certain liabilities.
Executive Officers of Our Manager
As of the date of this Annual Report, the executive officers of our Manager and their positions and offices are as follows:
| Name | Age | Position | ||
| Benjamin S. Miller | 43 | Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | ||
| Brandon T. Jenkins | 34 | Chief Operating Officer | ||
| Bjorn J. Hall | 39 | General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary |
Benjamin S. Miller currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of our Manager and has served as Chief Executive Officer and a Director of our Sponsor since its inception on March 14, 2012. As of the date of this Annual Report, Mr. Miller is also serving as Interim Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of our Manager. Prior to Rise Companies Corp., Mr. Miller had been a Managing Partner of the real estate company WestMill Capital Partners from October 2010 to June 2012, and before that, was President of Western Development Corporation one of the largest mixed-use real estate companies in the Washington, DC metro area, from April 2006 to October 2010, after joining the company in early 2005 as its Chief Operating Officer. From 2003 until 2005, Mr. Miller was an Associate and part of the founding team of Democracy Alliance, a progressive investment collaborative. In 2001, Mr. Miller co-founded and was a Managing Partner of US Nordic Ventures, a private equity and operating company that works with Scandinavian green building firms to penetrate the U.S. market. Mr. Miller has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania.
Brandon T. Jenkins currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of our Manager and has served in such capacities with the Sponsor since February of 2014, prior to which time he served as Head of Product Development and Director of Real Estate which he continues to do currently. Additionally, Mr. Jenkins has served as Director of Real Estate for WestMill Capital Partners since March of 2011. Previously, Mr. Jenkins spent two and a half years as an investment advisor and sales broker at Marcus & Millichap, the largest real estate investment sales brokerage in the country. Prior to his time in brokerage, Mr. Jenkins also worked for Westfield Corporation, a leading shopping center owner. Mr. Jenkins earned his Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and Economics from Duke University.
Bjorn J. Hall currently serves as the General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary of our Manager and has served in such capacities with our Sponsor since February 2014. Prior to joining our Sponsor in February 2014, Mr. Hall was a counsel at the law firm of O’Melveny & Myers LLP, where he was a member of the Corporate Finance and Securities Group. Mr. Hall has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Dakota and received a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.
Compensation of Executive Officers
Each of the executive officers of our Sponsor also serves as an executive officer of our Manager. Each of these individuals receives compensation for his services, including services performed for us on behalf of our Manager, from our Sponsor. As executive officers of our Manager, these individuals serve to manage our day-to-day affairs, oversee the review, selection and recommendation of investment opportunities, service acquired investments and monitor the performance of these investments to ensure that they are consistent with our investment objectives. Although we indirectly bear some of the costs of the compensation paid to these individuals, through fees and reimbursements we pay to our Manager, we do not pay any compensation directly to these individuals.
Compensation of our Manager
For information regarding the compensation of our Manager, please see “Management Compensation” in our Offering Circular andNote 7, Related Party Arrangements – Fundrise Advisors, LLC, Manager in our financial statements.
16
| Item 4. | Security Ownership of Management and Certain Securityholders |
Principal Shareholders
The following table sets forth the approximate beneficial ownership of our common shares as of March 15, 2020 for each person or group that holds more than 5.0% of our common shares, for each director and executive officer of our Manager and for the directors and executive officers of our Manager as a group. To our knowledge, each person that beneficially owns our common shares has sole voting and disposition power with regard to such shares.
| Name of Beneficial Owner (1)(2) | Number of Shares Beneficially Owned | Percent of All Shares | ||||||
| Benjamin S. Miller | 503 | * | ||||||
| Brandon T. Jenkins | 8 | * | ||||||
| Bjorn J. Hall | 151 | * | ||||||
| All directors and executive officers of our Manager as a group (3 persons) | 662 | * | ||||||
| * | Represents less than 1.0% of our outstanding common shares. |
| (1) | Under SEC rules, a person is deemed to be a “beneficial owner” of a security if that person has or shares “voting power,” which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security. A person also is deemed to be a beneficial owner of any securities which that person has a right to acquire within 60 days. Under these rules, more than one person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the same securities and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities as to which he or she has no economic or pecuniary interest. |
| (2) | Each listed beneficial owner, person or entity has an address in care of our principal executive offices at 11 Dupont Circle NW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20036. |
| Item 5. | Interest of Management and Others in Certain Transactions |
For further details, please seeNote 7,Related Party Arrangements inItem 7,Financial Statements.
| Item 6. | Other Information |
None.
17
| Item 7. | Financial Statements |
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF
Fundrise East Coast Opportunistic REIT, LLC
| Independent Auditor’s Report | F-1 |
| Balance Sheets | F-2 |
| Statements of Operations | F-3 |
| Statements of Members’ Equity | F-4 |
| Statements of Cash Flows | F-5 |
| Notes to Financial Statements | F-6 to F-20 |
18
To the Members
Fundrise East Coast Opportunistic REIT, LLC
Report on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying financial statements of Fundrise East Coast Opportunistic REIT, LLC (the Company), which comprise the balance sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related statements of operations, members’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes to the financial statements.
Management’s Responsibility for the Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; this includes the design, implementation and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Auditor’s Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Opinion
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Fundrise East Coast Opportunistic REIT, LLC as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/ RSM US LLP
McLean, Virginia
April 21, 2020
F-1
Fundrise East Coast Opportunistic REIT, LLC
Balance Sheets
(Amounts in thousands, except share data)
As of December 31, | As of December 31, | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 3,507 | $ | 4,064 | ||||
| Interest receivable | 195 | 16 | ||||||
| Other assets | 21 | 3 | ||||||
| Accrued interest, PIK | 2,654 | 664 | ||||||
| Real estate debt investments | 30,204 | 26,913 | ||||||
| Investments in equity method investees | 39,431 | 20,914 | ||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 76,012 | $ | 52,574 | ||||
| LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 81 | $ | 75 | ||||
| Due to related party | 192 | 165 | ||||||
| Settling subscriptions | 35 | 194 | ||||||
| Redemptions payable | 492 | 229 | ||||||
| Distributions payable | 1,944 | 1,296 | ||||||
| Interest paid in advance reserve | 689 | 1,339 | ||||||
| Total Liabilities | $ | 3,433 | $ | 3,298 | ||||
| Commitments and Contingencies | ||||||||
| Members’ Equity: | ||||||||
| Common shares; unlimited shares authorized; 8,410,951 and 5,569,475 shares issued and 7,707,837 and 5,297,764 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively | 86,219 | 55,592 | ||||||
| Redemptions - common shares | (7,231 | ) | (2,715 | ) | ||||
| Retained Earnings (Accumulated deficit) | (6,409 | ) | (3,601 | ) | ||||
| Total Members’ Equity | 72,579 | 49,276 | ||||||
| Total Liabilities and Members’ Equity | $ | 76,012 | $ | 52,574 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-2
Fundrise East Coast Opportunistic REIT, LLC
Statements of Operations
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
For the Year Ended December 31, 2019 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 | |||||||
| Income (loss) | ||||||||
| Interest income | $ | 3,509 | $ | 1,812 | ||||
| Equity in earnings (losses) | (471 | ) | 637 | |||||
| Other income | 146 | 93 | ||||||
| Total income (loss) | 3,184 | 2,542 | ||||||
| Expenses | ||||||||
| Asset management and other fees – related party | 591 | 351 | ||||||
| General and administrative expenses | 220 | 209 | ||||||
| Total expenses | 811 | 560 | ||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 2,373 | $ | 1,982 | ||||
| Net income (loss) per common share | $ | 0.35 | $ | 0.46 | ||||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | 6,748,242 | 4,308,023 | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-3
Fundrise East Coast Opportunistic REIT, LLC
Statements of Members’ Equity
(Amounts in thousands, except share data)
| Common Shares | Retained Earnings (Accumulated | Total Members’ | ||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | deficit) | Equity | |||||||||||||
| December 31, 2017 | 2,768,319 | $ | 26,785 | $ | (2,232 | ) | $ | 24,553 | ||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of common shares | 2,748,373 | 28,415 | - | 28,415 | ||||||||||||
| Offering costs | - | (126 | ) | - | (126 | ) | ||||||||||
| Distributions declared on common shares | - | - | (3,351 | ) | (3,351 | ) | ||||||||||
| Redemptions of common shares | (218,928 | ) | (2,197 | ) | - | (2,197 | ) | |||||||||
| Net income (loss) | - | - | 1,982 | 1,982 | ||||||||||||
| December 31, 2018 | 5,297,764 | 52,877 | (3,601 | ) | 49,276 | |||||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of common shares | 2,841,495 | 30,677 | - | 30,677 | ||||||||||||
| Offering costs | - | (50 | ) | - | (50 | ) | ||||||||||
| Distributions declared on common shares | - | - | (5,181 | ) | (5,181 | ) | ||||||||||
| Redemptions of common shares | (431,422 | ) | (4,516 | ) | - | (4,516 | ) | |||||||||
| Net income (loss) | - | - | 2,373 | 2,373 | ||||||||||||
| December 31, 2019 | 7,707,837 | $ | 78,988 | $ | (6,409 | ) | $ | 72,579 | ||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-4
Fundrise East Coast Opportunistic REIT, LLC
Statements of Cash Flows
(Amounts in thousands)
| For the Year Ended December 31, 2019 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 | |||||||
| OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 2,373 | $ | 1,982 | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | ||||||||
| Equity in (earnings) losses | 471 | (637 | ) | |||||
| Changes in assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Net (increase) decrease in interest receivable | (179 | ) | (14 | ) | ||||
| Net (increase) decrease in other assets | (18 | ) | - | |||||
| Net (increase) decrease in accrued interest, PIK | (1,990 | ) | (581 | ) | ||||
| Net increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses | 6 | 19 | ||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in due to related party | 70 | 3 | ||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in interest paid in advance reserve | (650 | ) | (261 | ) | ||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 83 | 511 | ||||||
| INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
| Investment in real estate debt investments | (8,088 | ) | (21,345 | ) | ||||
| Repayment of real estate debt investments | 4,797 | 1,303 | ||||||
| Investment in equity method investees | (20,765 | ) | (15,755 | ) | ||||
| Distributions received from equity method investees | 1,777 | 7,475 | ||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (22,279 | ) | (28,322 | ) | ||||
| FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of common shares | 30,176 | 27,655 | ||||||
| Proceeds from settling subscriptions | 35 | 194 | ||||||
| Cash paid for shares redeemed | (4,253 | ) | (2,011 | ) | ||||
| Distributions paid | (4,226 | ) | (2,368 | ) | ||||
| Offering costs | (50 | ) | (46 | ) | ||||
| Reimbursements to related party | (43 | ) | (920 | ) | ||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 21,639 | 22,504 | ||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | (557 | ) | (5,307 | ) | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year | 4,064 | 9,371 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of year | $ | 3,507 | $ | 4,064 | ||||
| SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH ACTIVITY: | ||||||||
| Distributions payable | $ | 1,944 | $ | 1,296 | ||||
| Redemptions payable | $ | 492 | $ | 229 | ||||
| Distributions reinvested in Fundrise East Coast Opportunistic REIT, LLC through programs offered by Fundrise Advisors, LLC | $ | 307 | $ | 383 | ||||
| Interest paid in advance reserve holdback | $ | - | $ | 1,600 | ||||
| Offering costs payable | $ | 1 | $ | - | ||||
| Offering costs accrued | $ | - | $ | 42 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-5
Fundrise East Coast Opportunistic REIT, LLC
Notes to Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
| 1. | Formation and Organization |
Fundrise East Coast Opportunistic REIT, LLC was formed on November 19, 2015, as a Delaware limited liability company and substantially commenced operations on October 25, 2016. As used herein, the “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to Fundrise East Coast Opportunistic REIT, LLC except where the context otherwise requires.
The Company was organized primarily to originate, invest in and manage a diversified portfolio of real estate loans, real estate, and may also invest in real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related assets. The Company may make its investments through majority-owned subsidiaries, some of which may have rights to receive preferred economic returns.
The Company’s business is externally managed by Fundrise Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”), a Delaware limited liability company and an investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Subject to certain restrictions and limitations, the Manager is responsible for managing the Company’s affairs on a day-to-day basis and for identifying and making acquisitions and investments on behalf of the Company.
We believe we have operated in such a manner as to qualify as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for federal income tax purposes for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. We hold substantially all of our assets directly, and as of December 31, 2019 have not established an operating partnership or any taxable REIT subsidiary or qualified REIT subsidiary, though we may form such entities as required in the future to facilitate certain transactions that might otherwise have an adverse impact on our status as a REIT.
The Offering is being conducted as a continuous offering pursuant to Rule 251(d)(3) of Regulation A, meaning that while the offering of securities is continuous, active sales of securities may happen sporadically over the term of an Offering. A maximum of $50.0 million of the Company’s common shares may be sold to the public in its Offering in any given twelve-month period. However, each Offering is subject to qualification by the SEC. The Manager has the authority to issue an unlimited number of common shares. Most recently, the Company qualified $17.9 million of shares on October 30, 2019, which represents the value of shares available to be offered as of the date of its most recent offering circular out of the rolling 12-month maximum offering amount of $50.0 million.
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, after redemptions, the Company has net common shares outstanding of approximately 7,708,000 and 5,298,000, respectively, including common shares to Rise Companies Corp. (the “Sponsor”), the owner of the Manager. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Sponsor owned 600 common shares. In addition, as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, Fundrise, L.P., an affiliate of the Sponsor, has purchased an aggregate of 9,500 common shares at $10.00 per share in a private placement for an aggregate purchase price of $95,000. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the total amount of equity outstanding by the Company on a gross basis was approximately $80.1 million and $53.9 million, respectively, and the total amount of settling subscriptions was approximately $35,000 and $194,000, respectively. These amounts were based on a $10.91 and $10.65 per share price, respectively.
The Company’s Manager, Fundrise Advisors, LLC, has established various plans by which individual clients of the Manager may elect to have distributions received from eREITs and eFunds reinvested across such individual client’s Fundrise portfolio according to such individual client's selected preferences (“Reinvestment Plans”). Shares purchased through such Reinvestment Plans are done so at the effective price at the time of distribution issuance. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, approximately $307,000 and $383,000, respectively, of distributions declared by the Company have been reinvested directly into the Company through such Reinvestment Plans.
| 2. | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting and conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and Article 8 of Regulation S-X of the rules and regulations of the SEC.
F-6
Principles of Consolidation
We consolidate entities when we own, directly or indirectly, a majority interest in the entity or are otherwise able to control the entity. We consolidate variable interest entities (“VIEs”) in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810,Consolidation, if we are the primary beneficiary of the VIE as determined by our power to direct the VIE’s activities and the obligation to absorb its losses or the right to receive its benefits, which are potentially significant to the VIE. A VIE is broadly defined as an entity with one or more of the following characteristics: (a) the total equity investment at risk is insufficient to finance the entity’s activities without additional subordinated financial support; (b) as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk lack (i) the ability to make decisions about the entity’s activities through voting or similar rights, (ii) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, or (iii) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity; or (c) the equity investors have voting rights that are not proportional to their economic interests, and substantially all of the entity’s activities either involve, or are conducted on behalf of, an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights.
Estimates
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents may consist of money market funds, demand deposits and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
Cash may at times exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation deposit insurance limit of $250,000 per institution. The Company mitigates credit risk by placing cash with major financial institutions. To date, the Company has not experienced any losses with respect to cash.
Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share is calculated on the basis of weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to members by the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the year.
Interest Paid in Advance Reserve
When a real estate debt investment is funded net of an interest reserve holdback, and is held by the Company, the Company accounts for the holdback funds by classifying them as an interest paid in advance reserve. As interest is incurred by the borrower, the Company recognizes interest income and reduces the interest paid in advance reserve until such time that the reserve is exhausted or the real estate debt investment redeems. Any remaining interest paid in advance reserve balance will be applied to the real estate debt investment balance upon redemption.
Organizational and Offering Costs
Organizational and offering costs of the Company were initially paid by the Manager on behalf of the Company. Organizational costs include all expenses incurred by the Company in connection with its formation. Offering costs represent costs incurred by the Company in the qualification of the Offering and the marketing and distribution of common shares. Costs included in the marketing and distribution of common shares, include, without limitation, expenses for printing, amending offering statements or supplementing offering circulars, mailing and distributing costs, telephones, internet and other telecommunications costs, all advertising and marketing expenses, charges of experts and fees, expenses and taxes related to the filing, registration and qualification of the sale of shares under federal and state laws, including taxes and fees, and accountants’ and attorneys’ fees. Pursuant to the Company’s amended and restated operating agreement (the “Operating Agreement”), the Company is obligated to reimburse the Manager, or its affiliates, as applicable, for organizational and offering costs paid by them on behalf of the Company. The Manager decided that the Company shall only reimburse the Manager for the organizational and offering costs subject to a minimum net asset value (“NAV”), as described below.
F-7
After the Company has reached a NAV greater than $10.00 per share (“Hurdle Rate”), the Company is obligated to start reimbursing the Manager, without interest, for organizational and offering costs incurred, both, before and after the date that the Hurdle Rate was reached. The total amount payable to the Manager will be based on the dollar amount that the NAV exceeds the Hurdle Rate, multiplied by the number of shares outstanding. Reimbursement payments will be made in monthly installments, but the aggregate monthly amount reimbursed shall not exceed 0.50% of the aggregate gross offering proceeds from the Offering provided. No reimbursement shall be made if the reimbursement would cause the NAV to be less than the Hurdle Rate. If the sum of the total unreimbursed amount of such organizational and offering costs, plus new costs incurred since the last reimbursement payment, exceeds the reimbursement limit described above for the applicable monthly installment, the excess will be eligible for reimbursement in subsequent months (subject to the 0.50% limit), calculated on an accumulated basis, until the Manager has been reimbursed in full.
The Company recognizes a liability for organizational costs and offering costs payable to the Manager when it is probable and estimable that a liability has been incurred in accordance with ASC 450, Contingencies. As a result, there will be no liability recognized until the Company reaches the Hurdle Rate. Upon the Company’s NAV exceeding the Hurdle Rate, it will recognize a liability with a corresponding reduction to equity for offering costs, and a liability and a corresponding expense to general and administrative expenses for organizational costs.
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Manager had incurred cumulative organizational and offering costs of approximately $962,000 on behalf of the Company. The Hurdle Rate was met as of December 31, 2017, so approximately $962,000 of offering costs were reimbursed or were reimbursable to the Manager as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 the Company reimbursed the Manager approximately $42,000 and $920,000, respectively, in offering costs. As such, approximately $0 and $42,000 or organizational and offering costs remained payable as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company directly incurred cumulative offering costs of approximately $99,000 and $50,000, respectively.
Settling Subscriptions
Settling subscriptions presented on the balance sheets represent equity subscriptions for which funds have been received but common shares have not yet been issued. Under the terms of the Offering Circular for our common shares, subscriptions will be accepted or rejected within thirty days of receipt by us. Once a subscription agreement is accepted, settlement of the shares may occur up to fifteen days later, depending on the volume of subscriptions received; however, we generally issue shares the later of five business days from the date that an investor’s subscription is approved by our Manager or when funds settle in our bank account. We rely on our Automated Clearing House (ACH) provider to notify us that funds have settled for this purpose, which may differ from the time that cash is posted to our bank statement.
Investments in Equity Method Investees
If it is determined that we do not have a controlling interest in a joint venture through our financial interest in a variable interest entity (“VIE”) or through our voting interest in a voting interest entity and we have the ability to provide significant influence, the equity method of accounting is used. Under this method, the investment, originally recorded at cost, is adjusted to recognize our share of net earnings or losses of the affiliate as they occur, with losses limited to the extent of our investment in, advances to, and commitments to the investee.
The Company evaluates its investment in equity method investees for impairment quarterly or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that there may be an other-than-temporary decline in value. To do so, the Company would calculate the estimated fair value of the investment using various valuation techniques, including, but not limited to, discounted cash flow models, the Company’s intent and ability to retain its investment in the entity, the financial condition and long-term prospects of the entity, and the expected term of the investment. If the Company determined any decline in value is other-than-temporary, the Company would recognize an impairment charge to reduce the carrying value of its investment to fair value. No impairment losses were recorded related to equity method investees for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
Real Estate Debt Investments
Our real estate debt investments are classified as held to maturity, as we have both the intent and ability to hold these investments until maturity. Accordingly, these assets are carried at cost, net of unamortized loan origination costs and fees, discounts, repayments and unfunded commitments, if applicable, unless such loans or investments are deemed to be impaired. The Company’s real estate debt investments are subject to quarterly analysis for potential loan impairment.
F-8
A debt related investment is impaired when, based on current information and events (including economic, industry and geographical factors), it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due, both principal and interest, according to the contractual terms of the agreement. When an investment is deemed impaired, the impairment is measured based on the expected future cash flows discounted at the investment’s effective interest rate. As a practical expedient, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASC Topic 310,Receivables, which permits a creditor to measure an observable market price for the impaired debt related investment as an alternative to discounting expected future cash flows. Regardless of the measurement method, a creditor should measure impairment based on the fair value of the collateral when the creditor determines that foreclosure is probable. A real estate debt investment is also considered impaired if its terms are modified in a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”). A TDR occurs when we grant a concession to a borrower in financial difficulty by modifying the original terms of the loan. Impairments on TDR loans are generally measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the effective interest rate of the original loan. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, no real estate debt investments were considered impaired. As such, no impairment losses were recorded related to real estate debt investments during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
We have certain investments that are legally structured as equity investments in majority-owned subsidiaries with rights to receive preferred economic returns (referred to throughout these Notes as “preferred equity” investments). We report these investments as real estate debt securities when the common equity holders have a contractual obligation to redeem our preferred equity interest at a specified date.
Share Redemptions
Share repurchases are recorded as a reduction of common share par value under our redemption plan, pursuant to which we may elect to redeem shares at the request of our members, subject to certain exceptions, conditions, and limitations. The maximum number of shares purchasable by us in any period depends on a number of factors and is at the discretion of our Manager.
Through December 31, 2019 the Company’s redemption plan provided that, on a monthly basis, an investor had the opportunity to obtain liquidity monthly, following a minimum 60-day waiting period after submitting their redemption request. Pursuant to the Company’s redemption plan, a member may only (a) have one outstanding redemption request at any given time and (b) request that we redeem up to the lesser of 5,000 shares or $50,000 worth of shares per each redemption request. In addition, the redemption plan is subject to certain liquidity limitations, which may fluctuate depending on the liquidity of the real estate assets held by the Company. Redemptions are also subject to declining discounts on the redemption price over the course of the time the member has held the shares being redeemed.
In light of the SEC’s current guidance on redemption plans, we generally intend to limit redemptions in any calendar month to shares whose aggregate value (based on the repurchase price per share in effect as of the redemption date) is less than or equal to 0.50% of the NAV of all of our outstanding shares as of the first day of such calendar month, and generally intend to limit the amount redeemed in any calendar quarter to shares whose aggregate value (based on the repurchase price per share in effect as of the redemption date) is 1.25% of the NAV of all of our outstanding shares as of first day of the last month of such calendar quarter (e.g., March 1, June 1, September 1, or December 1), with excess capacity carried over to later calendar quarters in that calendar year. However, as we intend to make a number of real estate investments of varying terms and maturities, our Manager may elect to increase or decrease the number of common shares available for redemption in any given month or quarter, as these real estate assets are paid off or sold, but we generally do not intend to redeem more than 5.00% of the common shares outstanding during any calendar year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we are not obligated to redeem common shares under the redemption plan.
In addition, our Manager may, in its sole discretion, amend, suspend, or terminate the redemption plan at any time without prior notice, including to protect our operations and our non-redeemed members, to prevent an undue burden on our liquidity, to preserve our status as a REIT, following any material decrease in our NAV, or for any other reason. However, in the event that we amend, suspend or terminate our redemption plan, we will file an offering circular supplement and/or Form 1-U, as appropriate, and post such information on the Fundrise Platform to disclose such amendment. Our Manager may also, in its sole discretion, decline any particular redemption request if it believes such action is necessary to preserve our status as a REIT.
Therefore, a member may not have the opportunity to make a redemption request prior to any potential termination of the Company’s redemption plan.
F-9
Income Taxes
As a limited liability company, we have elected to be taxed as a C corporation. Commencing with the taxable year ending December 31, 2016, the Company operates in a manner intended to qualify for treatment as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. To qualify as a REIT, the Company must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of the Company’s annual REIT taxable income to its members (which is computed without regard to the distributions paid deduction or net capital gain and which does not necessarily equal net income as calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles). As a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax to the extent it distributes qualifying distributions to its members. Even if the Company qualifies for taxation as a REIT, it may be subject to certain state and local taxes on its income and property, and federal income and excise taxes on its undistributed income. No material provisions have been made for federal income taxes in the accompanying financial statements during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. No gross deferred tax assets or liabilities have been recorded as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
All tax periods since inception remain open to examination by the major taxing authorities in all jurisdictions where we are subject to taxation.
Revenue Recognition
Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis and any related premium, discount, origination costs and fees are amortized over the life of the investment using the effective interest method. Interest income is recognized on real estate debt investments classified as held to maturity securities, and investments in joint ventures that are accounted for using the cost method if the terms of the equity investment includes terms that are akin to interest on a debt instrument.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 provides a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. ASU No. 2014-09 requires an entity to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 for one year, which would make the guidance effective for the Company’s first fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company adopted this standard under the modified retrospective approach, effective January 1, 2019.After performing an assessment, we determined that the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact or require an initial transition adjustment on our financial statements.
In November 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Updated 2016-18 (“ASU 2016-18”)Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash, which clarifies the presentation requirements of restricted cash within the statement of cash flows. The changes in restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents during the period should be included in the beginning and ending cash and cash equivalents balance reconciliation on the statement of cash flows. When cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents are presented in more than one-line item within the statement of financial position, an entity shall calculate a total cash amount in a narrative or tabular format that agrees to the amount shown on the statement of cash flows. Details on the nature and amounts of restricted cash should also be disclosed. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period, and the Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2019. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 (“ASU 2016-01”),Financial Instruments – Overall, which changes the accounting for equity investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option, and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. The FASB also clarifies the guidance related to the valuation allowance assessment when recognizing deferred tax assets resulting from unrealized losses on available-for-sale debt securities. The guidance was effective for annual reporting periods (including interim periods within those periods) beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2019. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 (“ASU 2016-02”),Leases, which changes the accounting for leases for both lessors and lessees. The guidance requires lessees to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for virtually all of their leases, including leases embedded in other contractual arrangements, among other changes. In July 2019, the FASB voted to delay the fiscal year effective date of this standard by one year, and in November 2019, the FASB voted to delay the interim period effective date by one year. The standard will now be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020, and for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. We are currently assessing the impact of this update on the presentation of these financial statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 (“ASU 2016-13”),Financial Instruments-Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires the measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost. ASU 2016-13 replaces the existing incurred loss impairment model with an expected loss methodology, which will result in more timely recognition of credit losses. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2020. In November 2019, the FASB voted to delay the effective date of this standard by two years. The standard will now be effective for annual reporting periods (including interim periods within those periods) beginning after December 15, 2022, with early adoption permitted. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on our financial statements.
F-10
Extended Transition Period
Under Section 107 of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, we are permitted to use the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) for complying with new or revised accounting standards. This permits us to delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to use the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards that have difference effective dates for public and private companies until the earlier of the date that we (i) are no longer an emerging growth company or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B). By electing to extend the transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards, these financial statements may not be comparable to companies that adopt accounting standard updates upon the public business entity effective dates.
| 3. | Investments in Equity Method Investees |
The table below presents the activity of the Company’s investments in equity method investees as of and for the periods presented(amounts in thousands):
| Investments in Equity Method Investees: | For the Year Ended December 31, 2019 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 | ||||||
| Beginning balance | $ | 20,914 | $ | 11,997 | ||||
| New investments in equity method investees | 20,765 | 15,755 | ||||||
| Distributions received | (1,777 | ) | (7,475 | ) | ||||
| Equity in earnings (losses) of equity method investees | (471 | ) | 637 | |||||
| Ending balance | $ | 39,431 | $ | 20,914 | ||||
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company’s material investments in companies that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting consist of the following:
| (1) | Acquired in 2016, a 75% non-controlling member interest in Lake Ellenor, LLC, whose activities are carried out through the following wholly-owned asset: Enclave at Lake Ellenor, a garden-style multifamily complex in Orlando, FL, built in 1973. | |
| (2) | Acquired in 2017, a 95% non-controlling member interest in Fundrise Insight Two, LLC, whose activities are carried out through the following wholly-owned asset: Tyroll Hills Apartments, a garden-style multifamily property in Arlington, VA. | |
| (3) | Acquired in 2018, a 38% non-controlling member interest in 100 SR-RSE JV, LLC, whose activities are carried out through the following wholly-owned asset: The Mark Apartments, a multifamily complex in Alexandria, VA. | |
| (4) | Acquired in 2018, a 26.5% non-controlling member interest in Verse JV LP, whose activities are carried out through the following wholly-owned asset: Verse at Royal Palm Beach, a multifamily complex in Royal Palm Beach, FL. | |
| (5) | Acquired in 2019, a 58% non-controlling member interest in Mezza JV LP, whose activities are carried out through the following wholly-owned asset: Mezza Apartments, a garden-style multi-family complex in Jacksonville, FL. | |
| (6) | Acquired in 2019, a 88.6% non-controlling member interest in Hampton Station Holdings, LLC, whose activities are carried out through the following wholly-owned asset: Hampton Station, a multi-tenant building and a development site for multi-family apartments in Greenville, SC. | |
| (7) | Acquired in 2019, a 11.7% non-controlling member interest in National Lending, LLC(“National Lending”), whose activities are further described inNote 7, Related Party Arrangements. |
As of and for the year ending December 31, 2019, the condensed financial position and results of operations of the Company’s material equity basis investments are summarized below(amounts in thousands):
| Condensed balance sheet information: | Enclave at Lake As of December 31, 2019 | Fundrise Insight As of December 31, 2019 | 100 SR-RSE JV, LLC As of December 31, 2019 | Verse JV LP As of December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||
| Real estate assets, net | $ | 29,102 | $ | 19,535 | $ | 50,697 | $ | 45,500 | ||||||||
| Other assets | 591 | 535 | 3,265 | 686 | ||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 29,693 | $ | 20,070 | $ | 53,962 | $ | 46,186 | ||||||||
| Mortgage notes payable | $ | 26,849 | $ | 15,380 | $ | 29,580 | $ | 27,381 | ||||||||
| Other liabilities | 1,172 | 194 | 340 | 294 | ||||||||||||
| Equity | 1,672 | 4,496 | 24,042 | 18,511 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and equity | $ | 29,693 | $ | 20,070 | $ | 53,962 | $ | 46,186 | ||||||||
| Company's equity investment | $ | 785 | $ | 4,271 | $ | 10,078 | $ | 4,765 | ||||||||
F-11
| Condensed balance sheet information (continued): | Mezza JV LP As of December 31, 2019 | Hampton Station As of December 31, 2019 | National Lending, LLC As of December 31, 2019 | |||||||||
| Real estate assets, net | $ | 59,400 | $ | 9,643 | $ | - | ||||||
| Other assets | 1,699 | 239 | 19,313 | |||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 61,099 | $ | 9,882 | $ | 19,313 | ||||||
| Mortgage notes payable | $ | 39,261 | $ | 4,167 | $ | - | ||||||
| Other liabilities | 432 | 220 | - | |||||||||
| Equity | 21,406 | 5,495 | 19,313 | |||||||||
| Total liabilities and equity | $ | 61,099 | $ | 9,882 | $ | 19,313 | ||||||
| Company's equity investment | $ | 12,416 | $ | 4,861 | $ | 2,255 | ||||||
| Condensed income statement information: | Enclave at Lake December 31, 2019 | Fundrise Insight Year Ended December 31, 2019 | 100 SR-RSE JV, | Verse JV LP | ||||||||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 4,374 | $ | 2,203 | $ | 4,220 | $ | 3,646 | ||||||||
| Total expenses | 4,126 | 2,485 | 5,157 | 3,952 | ||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 248 | $ | (282 | ) | $ | (937 | ) | $ | (306 | ) | |||||
| Company’s equity in income (loss) | $ | 186 | $ | (268 | ) | $ | - | $ | (81 | ) | ||||||
| Company’s share of origination costs within equity | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||||
| Condensed income statement information (continued): | Mezza JV LP From June 17, 2019 (Inception) to December 31, 2019 | Hampton Station Holdings, LLC From August 16, 2019 (Inception) to December 31, 2019 | National Lending, From July 15, 2019 (Inception) to December 31, 2019 | |||||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 3,179 | $ | 254 | $ | 242 | ||||||
| Total expenses | 2,965 | 428 | 27 | |||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 214 | $ | (174 | ) | $ | 215 | |||||
| Company's equity in income (loss) | $ | 124 | $ | (165 | ) | $ | 26 | |||||
| Company’s share of origination costs within equity | $ | (248 | ) | $ | (45 | ) | $ | - | ||||
As of and for the year ending December 31, 2018, the condensed financial position and results of operations of the Company’s material equity basis investments are summarized below(amounts in thousands):
F-12
| Enclave at Lake Ellenor, LLC | Fundrise Insight Two LLC | 100 SR- RSE JV, LLC | Verse JV LP | |||||||||||||
| Condensed balance sheet information: | As of December 31, 2018 | As of December 31, 2018 | As of December 31, 2018 | As of December 31, 2018 | ||||||||||||
| Real estate assets, net | $ | 27,914 | $ | 19,929 | $ | 51,674 | $ | 43,801 | ||||||||
| Other assets | 1,536 | 439 | 3,572 | 1,885 | ||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 29,450 | $ | 20,368 | $ | 55,246 | $ | 45,686 | ||||||||
| Mortgage notes payable | $ | 26,809 | $ | 15,361 | $ | 29,476 | $ | 26,200 | ||||||||
| Other liabilities | 289 | 211 | 792 | 409 | ||||||||||||
| Equity | 2,352 | 4,796 | 24,978 | 19,077 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and equity | $ | 29,450 | $ | 20,368 | $ | 55,246 | $ | 45,686 | ||||||||
| Company’s equity investment | $ | 1,292 | $ | 4,556 | $ | 10,078 | $ | 4,988 | ||||||||
| Enclave at Lake Ellenor, LLC | Fundrise Insight Two LLC | 100 SR- RSE JV, LLC | Verse JV LP | |||||||||||||
| Condensed income statement information: | For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 | From April 27, to December 31, | From November 1, to December 31, | ||||||||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 3,947 | $ | 2,200 | $ | 2,362 | $ | 575 | ||||||||
| Total expenses | 3,508 | 2,150 | 3,622 | 647 | ||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 439 | $ | 50 | $ | (1,260 | ) | $ | (72 | ) | ||||||
| Company’s equity in earnings (losses) of investee | $ | 330 | $ | 47 | $ | 550 | $ | (9 | ) | |||||||
| Company’s share of origination costs within equity | $ | - | $ | - | $ | (179 | ) | $ | (102 | ) | ||||||
| 4. | Real Estate Debt Investments |
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, none of our real estate debt investments are considered impaired, and no impairment charges have been recorded in these financial statements. The following table describes our real estate investment activity(amounts in thousands):
| Real Estate Debt investments: | For the Year Ended December 31, 2019 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 | ||||||
| Beginning balance | $ | 26,913 | $ | 5,271 | ||||
| Investments(1) | 8,088 | 22,945 | ||||||
| Principal repayments(2) | (4,797 | ) | (1,303 | ) | ||||
| Ending balance | $ | 30,204 | $ | 26,913 | ||||
| (1) | Investments as of December 31, 2019 include one preferred equity investment added during the year ended December 31, 2019. Investments as of December 31, 2018 include two preferred equity and one senior loan investment added during the year ended December 31, 2018. | |
| (2) | The principal repayment as of December 31, 2019 includes partial repayment from one senior debt instrument during the year ended December 31, 2019. The principal repayment as of December 31, 2018 includes partial repayment from one senior debt instrument during the year ended December 31, 2018. |
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no discount or origination costs or fees that were includable in the carrying value of our real estate debt investments.
Accrued interest, PIK, represents accruable interest payable by related real estate debt investments upon maturity.
The following table presents the Company’s investments in real estate debt investments, as of December 31, 2019(dollar amounts in thousands):
F-13
| Asset Type | Number | Principal Amountor Cost (1) | Future Funding Commitments | Carrying Value | ||||||||||||
| Preferred Equity | 7 | $ | 29,689 | $ | - | $ | 29,689 | |||||||||
| Senior Debt | 1 | 515 | - | 515 | ||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2019 | 8 | $ | 30,204 | $ | - | $ | 30,204 | |||||||||
| (1) | For debt and preferred equity investments, this only includes the stated amount of funds disbursed to date and interest that was contractually converted to principal. |
The following table presents the Company’s investments in real estate debt investments, as of December 31, 2018(dollar amounts in thousands):
| Asset Type | Number | Principal Amountor Cost (1) | Future Funding Commitments | Carrying Value | ||||||||||||
| Preferred Equity | 6 | $ | 23,647 | $ | 2,044 | $ | 23,647 | |||||||||
| Senior Debt | 1 | 3,266 | 2,006 | 3,266 | ||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2018 | 7 | $ | 26,913 | $ | 4,050 | $ | 26,913 | |||||||||
| (1) | For debt and preferred equity investments, this only includes the stated amount of funds disbursed to date and interest that was contractually converted to principal. |
The following table presents certain information about the Company’s investments in real estate debt investments, as of December 31, 2019, by contractual maturity grouping(dollar amounts in thousands):
| Asset Type | Number | Amounts Maturing Within One Year | Amounts Maturing After One Year Through Five Years | Amounts Maturing After Five Years Through Ten Years | Amounts Maturing After Ten Years | |||||||||||||||
| Preferred Equity | 7 | $ | 5,670 | $ | 19,749 | $ | 4,270 | $ | - | |||||||||||
| Senior Debt | 1 | 515 | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2019 | 8 | $ | 6,185 | $ | 19,749 | $ | 4,270 | $ | - | |||||||||||
The following table presents certain information about the Company’s investments in real estate debt investments, as of December 31, 2018, by contractual maturity grouping(dollar amounts in thousands):
| Asset Type | Number | Amounts Maturing Within One Year | Amounts Maturing After One Year Through Five Years | Amounts Maturing After Five Years Through Ten Years | Amounts Maturing After Ten Years | |||||||||||||||
| Preferred Equity | 6 | $ | - | $ | 23,377 | $ | 270 | $ | - | |||||||||||
| Senior Debt | 1 | - | 3,266 | - | - | |||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2018 | 7 | $ | - | $ | 26,643 | $ | 270 | $ | - | |||||||||||
Credit Quality Monitoring
The Company’s real estate debt investments that earn interest based on debt-like terms are typically secured by senior liens on real estate properties, mortgage payments, mortgage loans, or interests in entities that have preferred interests in real estate similar to the interests just described. The Company evaluates its real estate debt investments at least quarterly and differentiates the relative credit quality principally based on: (i) whether the borrower is currently paying contractual debt service or guaranteed preferred equity payments in accordance with its contractual terms; and (ii) whether the Company believes the borrower will be able to perform under its contractual terms in the future, as well as the Company’s expectations as to the ultimate recovery of principal at maturity. The Company considered investments for which it expects to receive full payment of contractual principal and interest payments as “performing.” As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, all investments were considered to be performing. In the event that an investment is deemed other than performing, the Company will evaluate the instrument for any required impairment.
F-14
| 5. | Distributions |
Distributions are calculated based on members of record each day during the distribution period.
The table below outlines the Company’s total distributions declared to members and distributions relating to the Sponsor and its affiliates for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 (all tabular amounts are in thousands except per share data):
| Members | Related Parties(1) | |||||||||||||||||
| Distributions for the Period: | Daily Distribution Per-Share Amount | Total Declared | Date of Declaration | Total Paid/Reinvested as of December 31, 2019 | Payment Date | Total Declared | ||||||||||||
| February 1, 2019 through February 28, 2019 | 0.0019178082 | $ | 303 | 1/30/2019 | $ | 303 | 4/10/2019 | $ | 1 | |||||||||
| March 1, 2019 through March 31, 2019 | 0.0023287671 | 427 | 2/28/2019 | 427 | 4/10/2019 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| April 1, 2019 through April 30, 2019 | 0.0020547945 | 379 | 3/28/2019 | 379 | 7/11/2019 | - | ||||||||||||
| May 1, 2019 through May 31, 2019 | 0.0020547945 | 413 | 4/30/2019 | 413 | 7/11/2019 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| June 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019 | 0.0020547945 | 417 | 5/30/2019 | 417 | 7/11/2019 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| July 1, 2019 through July 31, 2019 | 0.0020547945 | 439 | 6/28/2019 | 439 | 10/9/2019 | - | ||||||||||||
| August 1, 2019 through August 31, 2019 | 0.0019178082 | 427 | 7/30/2019 | 427 | 10/9/2019 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| September 1, 2019 through October 1, 2019 | 0.0019178082 | 441 | 8/29/2019 | 441 | 10/9/2019 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| October 2, 2019 through October 31, 2019 | 0.0020547945 | 466 | 10/1/2019 | - | 1/13/2020 | - | ||||||||||||
| November 1, 2019 through November 30, 2019 | 0.0017808219 | 413 | 10/31/2019 | - | 1/13/2020 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| December 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019 | 0.0023287671 | 559 | 11/26/2019 | - | 1/13/2020 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| January 1, 2020 through January 31, 2020 | 0.0020547945 | 492 | (2) | 12/23/2019 | - | 4/9/2020 | - | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 5,176 | $ | 3,246 | $ | 8 | ||||||||||||
| Members | Related Parties(1) | |||||||||||||||||
| Distributions for the Period: | Daily Distribution Per-Share Amount | Total Declared | Date of Declaration | Total Paid/Reinvested as of December 31, 2018 | Payment Date | Total Declared | ||||||||||||
| February 1, 2018 through February 28, 2018 | 0.0021917808 | $ | 201 | 1/26/2018 | $ | 201 | 4/11/2018 | $ | 1 | |||||||||
| March 1, 2018 through March 31, 2018 | 0.0019178082 | 213 | 2/27/2018 | 213 | 4/11/2018 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| April 1, 2018 through April 30, 2018 | 0.0019178082 | 227 | 3/28/2018 | 227 | 7/9/2018 | - | ||||||||||||
| May 1, 2018 through May 31, 2018 | 0.0019178082 | 253 | 4/30/2018 | 253 | 7/9/2018 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| June 1, 2018 through June 30, 2018 | 0.0019178082 | 251 | 5/29/2018 | 251 | 7/9/2018 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| July 1, 2018 through July 31, 2018 | 0.0019178082 | 268 | 6/28/2018 | 268 | 10/8/2018 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| August 1, 2018 through August 31, 2018 | 0.0021917808 | 317 | 7/27/2018 | 317 | 10/8/2018 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| September 1, 2018 through September 30, 2018 | 0.0021917808 | 316 | 8/24/2018 | 316 | 10/8/2018 | - | ||||||||||||
| October 1, 2018 through October 31, 2018 | 0.0021917808 | 335 | 9/26/2018 | - | 1/7/2019 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| November 1, 2018 through November 30, 2018 | 0.0021917808 | 334 | 10/29/2018 | - | 1/7/2019 | |||||||||||||
| December 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018 | 0.0020547945 | 334 | 11/29/2018 | - | 1/7/2019 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| January 1, 2019 through January 31, 2019 | 0.0021917810 | 293 | (3) | 12/27/2018 | - | 4/10/2019 | - | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 3,342 | $ | 2,046 | $ | 8 | ||||||||||||
| (1) | Total distributions declared to related parties are included in total distributions declared to all members. | |
| (2) | The liability for the January 2020 distribution was estimated based on the daily distribution per-share amount multiplied by the number of members as of the date of the preparation of the December 31, 2019 financial statements, and is scheduled to be paid within three weeks after the end of March 2020. | |
| (3) | The liability for the January 2019 distribution was estimated based on the daily distribution per-share amount multiplied by the number of members as of the date of the preparation of the December 31, 2018 financial statements. This amount was subsequently determined to be approximately $300,000. |
F-15
| 6. | Fair Value of Financial Instruments |
We are required to disclose an estimate of fair value of our financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate the value. The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount at which such financial instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced sale or liquidation. For certain of our financial instruments, fair values are not readily available since there are no active trading markets as characterized by current exchanges by willing parties.
We determine the fair value of certain investments in accordance with the fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs. The fair value hierarchy includes the following three levels based on the objectivity of the inputs, which were used for categorizing the assets or liabilities for which fair value is being measured and reported:
Level 1 – Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 – Significant other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices for similar items in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar items in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable such as interest rate and yield curves, and market-corroborated inputs).
Level 3 – Valuation generated from model-based techniques that use inputs that are significant and unobservable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect estimates of inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques include use of option pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies or similar techniques, which incorporate management’s own estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the instrument or valuations that require significant management judgment or estimation.
As of December 31, 2019, the Company’s significant financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, interest receivable, and real estate debt investments. With the exception of real estate debt investments, the carrying amount of the Company’s financial instruments approximates their fair values due to their short-term nature. The aggregate fair value of our real estate debt investments including PIK interest is based on unobservable Level 3 inputs which management has determined to be its best estimate of current market values. The methods utilized generally included a discounted cash flow method (an income approach) and recent investment method (a market approach). Significant inputs and assumptions include the market-based interest or preferred return rate, loan to value ratios, and expected repayment and prepayment dates.
As a result of this assessment, as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, management estimated the fair value of our real estate debt investments including PIK interest to be approximately $32.9 million and $27.6 million, respectively.
| 7. | Related Party Arrangements |
Fundrise Advisors, LLC, Manager
The Manager and certain affiliates of the Manager will receive fees and compensation in connection with the Company’s Offering, and the acquisition, management and sale of the Company’s real estate investments.
The Manager is reimbursed for organizational and offering expenses incurred in conjunction with the Offering upon meeting the Hurdle Rate. SeeNote 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Organizational and Offering Costs for the amount of organizational and offering costs incurred and payable for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
The Company will reimburse the Manager for actual expenses incurred on behalf of the Company in connection with the selection, acquisition or origination of an investment, to the extent not reimbursed by the borrower, whether or not the Company ultimately acquires or originates the investment. The Company will reimburse the Manager for out-of-pocket expenses paid to third parties in connection with providing services to the Company. This does not include the Manager’s overhead, employee costs borne by the Manager, utilities or technology costs. Expense reimbursements payable to the Manager also may include expenses incurred by the Sponsor in the performance of services pursuant to a shared services agreement between the Manager and the Sponsor, including any increases in insurance attributable to the management or operation of the Company. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Manager incurred approximately $56,000 and $27,000 of costs on our behalf, respectively. Of these amounts, approximately $12,000 and $7,000 were due and payable as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
An asset management fee of one-fourth of 0.85% is owed quarterly to the manager. The Manager may in its sole discretion waive its asset management fee, in whole or in part. The Manager will forfeit any portion of the asset management fee that is waived. Beginning January 1, 2018, this fee has been based on our NAV at the end of each prior quarter.
During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, we have incurred asset management fees of approximately $591,000 and $351,000, respectively. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, approximately $175,000 and $110,000, respectively, of asset management fees remain payable to the Manager.
F-16
Additionally, the Company is required to pay the Manager for servicing any non-performing asset. The Company is required to reimburse the Manager for actual expenses incurred on our behalf in connection with the special servicing of non-performing assets. The Manager will determine, in its sole discretion, whether an asset is non-performing. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Manager has not designated any asset as non-performing and no special servicing fees have been incurred or paid to the Manager.
The Company will also reimburse the Manager for actual expenses incurred on our behalf in connection with the liquidation of any of our equity investments in real estate. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, no equity investments had been disposed of, and accordingly no disposition fees were incurred.
Fundrise Lending, LLC
As an alternative means of acquiring loans or other investments for which we do not yet have sufficient funds, and in order to comply with certain state lending requirements, Fundrise Lending, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of our Sponsor, Rise Companies Corp., or its affiliates may close and fund a loan or other investment prior to it being acquired by us. This allows us the flexibility to deploy our offering proceeds as funds are raised. We then will acquire such investment at a price equal to the fair market value of the loan or other investment (including reimbursements for servicing fees and accrued interest, if any), so there is no mark-up (or mark-down) at the time of our acquisition. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company purchased zero and one investments, respectively, that were owned by Fundrise Lending, LLC.
For situations where our Sponsor, Manager or their affiliates have a conflict of interest with us that is not otherwise covered by an existing policy we have adopted or a transaction is deemed to be a “principal transaction”, the Manager has appointed an independent representative (the “Independent Representative”) to protect the interests of the members and review and approve such transactions. Any compensation payable to the Independent Representative for serving in such capacity on our behalf will be payable by us. Principal transactions are defined as transactions between our Sponsor, Manager or their affiliates, on the one hand, and us or one of our subsidiaries, on the other hand. Our Manager is only authorized to execute principal transactions with the prior approval of the Independent Representative and in accordance with applicable law. Such prior approval may include but not be limited to pricing methodology for the acquisition of assets and/or liabilities for which there are no readily observable market prices. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, fees of approximately $13,000 and $15,000, respectively, were paid to the Independent Representative as compensation for those services.
Fundrise, L.P., Member
Fundrise, L.P. is a member of the Company and held 9,500 shares, as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. One of our Sponsor’s wholly-owned subsidiaries is the general partner of Fundrise, L.P.
As an alternative means of acquiring loans or other investments for which we do not yet have sufficient funds, Fundrise L.P. may provide capital to Fundrise Lending, LLC for the purposes of acquiring investments where there would otherwise be insufficient capital. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, Fundrise, L.P. did not provide capital to Fundrise Lending, LLC for the purposes of acquiring investments on behalf of the Company.
Rise Companies Corp, Member and Sponsor
Rise Companies Corp. is a member of the Company and held 600 common shares as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Sponsor incurred approximately $15,000 and $12,000 of costs on our behalf, respectively. Of these amounts, approximately $5,000 and $6,000 were due and payable as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Investment in National Lending, LLC
In July 2019, our Manager formed a self-sustaining lending entity, National Lending, LLC (“National Lending”), which is financed by each of the eREITs affiliated with our Sponsor. National Lending is managed by an independent manager (the “Independent Manager”) through a management agreement at a market rate that is customary for the industry. Each eREIT contributes an amount to National Lending in exchange for ownership interests, generally not to exceed 3% of its assets under management to National Lending. National Lending then may provide short-term bridge financing through promissory notes to any of the eREITs who have contributed in order to maintain greater liquidity and better finance their individual real estate investment strategies. The promissory notes bear a market rate of interest and are generally repaid via the capital raised by each of the borrowing eREITs’ Offerings. All transactions between National Lending and the borrowers are reviewed by the Independent Manager. As of and for the year ended December 31, 2019, we have contributed $2.2 million to National Lending and have not entered into any promissory notes with National Lending.
F-17
| 8. | Economic Dependency |
Under various agreements, the Company has engaged or will engage Fundrise Advisors, LLC and its affiliates to provide certain services that are essential to the Company, including asset management services, asset acquisition and disposition decisions, the sale of the Company’s common shares available for issue, as well as other administrative responsibilities for the Company including accounting services and investor relations. As a result of these relationships, the Company is dependent upon Fundrise Advisors, LLC and its affiliates. In the event that these companies were unable to provide the Company with the respective services, the Company would be required to find alternative providers of these services.
| 9. | Commitments and Contingencies |
Legal Proceedings
As of the date of the financial statements we are not currently named as a defendant in any active or pending litigation. However, it is possible that the company could become involved in various litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of our business. Although we are unable to predict with certainty the eventual outcome of any litigation, management is not aware of any litigation likely to occur that we currently assess as being significant to us.
| 10. | Subsequent Events |
In connection with the preparation of the accompanying financial statements, we have evaluated events and transactions occurring through April 21, 2020, for potential recognition or disclosure.
Offering
As of April 21, 2020, we had raised total gross offering proceeds of approximately $102.6 million from settled subscriptions (including the $100,000 received in the private placements to our Sponsor and Fundrise, L.P., an affiliate of our Sponsor), and had settled subscriptions in our Offering and private placements for a gross aggregate of approximately 9,768,000 of our common shares.
New Investments
As of April 21, 2020, the Company has made one additional investment and borrowers have drawn additional funds in the amount of approximately $18.9 million.
Principal Repayments
As of April 21, 2020, the Company received partial repayments for one real estate debt investment in the amount of approximately $515,000 plus outstanding interest.
Additional Contributions to and Notes from National Lending, LLC
On January 15, 2020, the Company contributed an additional $386,000 to National Lending in accordance with the subscription agreement, for a total cumulative contribution of approximately $2.6 million, which is equivalent to approximately 10.5% ownership as of January 15, 2020.
On March 23, 2020, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Operating Agreement with National Lending, which increased the contribution for partnership interest from 3% to 5% of a partner’s assets under management. Per the Amended and Restated Operating Agreement with National Lending, the Company will assess its required contribution amount as of July 15, 2020. As of March 23, 2020, the additional amount to get to 5% of assets under management for the Company was approximately $2.4 million. The Company chose to pay a partial installment on March 23, 2020. Accordingly, the Company made an additional contribution of approximately $1.2 million to National Lending, bringing its total contributions to approximately $3.8 million, which is equivalent to approximately 8.13% ownership as of April 21, 2020.
On January 15, 2020, National Lending issued a promissory note to the Company in the principal amount of $13.0 million. The note bears a 3.00% interest rate and matures on January 15, 2021. As of April 21, 2020, there is outstanding principal of $4.0 million and accrued interest outstanding of approximately $50,000 related to the promissory note with National Lending.
On April 8, 2020, National Lending issued a promissory note to the Company in the principal amount of $2.0 million. The note bears a 1.00% interest rate and matures on April 8, 2021. As of April 21, 2020, there is outstanding principal of $2.0 million and accrued interest outstanding of approximately $1,000 related to the promissory note with National Lending.
F-18
Revisions to the Redemption Plan
Effective as of January 1, 2020, we have adopted revisions to our Redemption Plan to implement quarterly instead of monthly redemption requests, and the elimination of the 60-day waiting period. Further, our new policy includes the provision for separate redemption rights in the case of death or “qualifying disability” that eliminates any penalty for redemption in such circumstances and permits the redemption of shares at 100% of the per share price for our common shares in effect at the time of the redemption request.
Effective as of March 31, 2020, our Manager has determined to (i) suspend the processing and payment of redemptions under our redemption plan until further notice, and (ii) delay the consideration and processing of all outstanding redemption requests until further notice. At this time, investors may continue to submit redemption requests. However, such redemption requests may not be processed and, ultimately, may be rejected.
Accordingly, all redemption requests, including outstanding redemption requests as of March 31, 2020, may be, at a later date, either (i) considered and processed or (ii) rejected. We intend to reinstate the processing and payment of redemptions under our redemption plan as soon as business prudence allows, but can make no assurances as to when such redemptions will resume.
Coronavirus Impact
As a result of the global outbreak of a new strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, economic uncertainties have arisen that continue to have an adverse impact on economic and market conditions. The global impact of the outbreak has been rapidly evolving, and the outbreak presents material uncertainty and risk with respect to the Company’s performance and financial results, such as the potential negative impact to occupancy and corresponding rental income from its investments in equity method investees or interest receivable from its real estate debt investments. The Company is unable to quantify the impact COVID-19 may have on its financial results at this time.
F-19
| Item 8. | Exhibits |
INDEX OF EXHIBITS
| ** | Filed herewith |
| * | Filed previously |
19
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Regulation A, the issuer has duly caused this Annual Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Washington, D.C. on April 21, 2020.
| Fundrise East Coast Opportunistic REIT, LLC | ||||
| By: | Fundrise Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, its Manager | |||
| By: | /s/ Benjamin S. Miller | |||
| Name: | Benjamin S. Miller | |||
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |||
Pursuant to the requirements of Regulation A, this Annual Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the issuer in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature | Title | Date | ||
| /s/ Benjamin S. Miller | Chief Executive Officer of | April 21, 2020 | ||
| Benjamin S. Miller | Fundrise Advisors, LLC | |||
| (Principal Executive Officer) | ||||
| /s/ Benjamin S. Miller | Interim Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of | April 21, 2020 | ||
| Benjamin S. Miller | Fundrise Advisors, LLC | |||
| (Principal Financial Officer and | ||||
| Principal Accounting Officer) |
20
