FREIT is an equity real estate investment trust (“REIT”) that owns a portfolio of residential apartment and commercial properties. Our revenues consist primarily of fixed rental income from our residential and commercial properties and additional rent in the form of expense reimbursements derived from our income producing commercial properties. We also receive income from our 40% owned Affiliate, Westwood Hills, LLC which owns a residential apartment property and from our 40% owned affiliate Wayne PSC, LLC that owns the Preakness Shopping Center. Our policy has been to acquire real property for long-term investment.
In December 2003, the FASB issued revised FIN 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51.” (“FIN 46R”). FIN 46R requires the consolidation of an entity in which an enterprise absorbs a majority of the entity’s expected losses, receives a majority of the entity’s expected residual returns, or both, as a result of ownership, contractual or other financial interests in the entity (variable interest entities, or “VIEs”). Currently, entities are generally consolidated by an enterprise when it has a controlling financial interest through ownership or a majority voting interest in the entity. FIN 46R is applicable for financial statements of public entities that have interests in VIEs or potential VIEs referred to as special-purpose entities for periods ending after December 31, 2003. Applications by public entities for all other types of entities are required in financial statements for periods ending after March 15, 2004.
In accordance with the definition of related parties as defined in paragraph 16 of FIN 46R and the guidance in paragraph 4h, it is the belief of the management of FREIT that FIN 46R is applicable to all of FREIT’s majority and minority owned affiliates.
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No.123 (R) “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” SFAS 123 (R) establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. This Statement focuses primarily on accounting for transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in share-based payment transactions. SFAS 123 (R) requires that the fair value of such equity instruments be recognized as an expense in the historical financial statements as services are performed. Prior to SFAS 123 (R), only certain pro forma disclosures of fair value were required. SFAS 123 (R) shall be effective for FREIT as of the beginning of the first interim or annual reporting period that begins after December 15, 2005. The adoption of this new accounting pronouncement is not expected to have a material impact on FREIT’s consolidated financial statements.
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SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Pursuant to the SEC disclosure guidance for “Critical Accounting Policies,” the SEC defines Critical Accounting Policies as those that require the application of Management’s most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments, often because of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods.
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, the preparation of which takes into account estimates based on judgments and assumptions that affect certain amounts and disclosures. Accordingly, actual results could differ from these estimates. The accounting policies and estimates used, which are outlined in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2004, have been applied consistently as at July 31, 2005 and October 31, 2004, and for the nine and three months ended July 31, 2005 and 2004. We believe that the following accounting policies or estimates require the application of Management’s most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments:
Revenue Recognition: Base rents, additional rents based on tenants’ sales volume and reimbursement of the tenants’ share of certain operating expenses are generally recognized when due from tenants. The straight-line basis is used to recognize base rents under leases if they provide for varying rents over the lease terms. Straight-line rents represent unbilled rents receivable to the extent straight-line rents exceed current rents billed in accordance with lease agreements. Before FREIT can recognize revenue, it is required to assess, among other things, its collectibility. If we incorrectly determine the collectibility of revenue, our net income and assets could be overstated.
Real Estate: Real estate is carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. As at July 31, 2005, FREIT’s carrying amount of its real estate, net of depreciation, is $190.5 million. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Depreciation requires an estimate by management of the useful life of each property and improvement as well as an allocation of the costs associated with a property to its various components. If FREIT does not allocate these costs appropriately or incorrectly estimates the useful lives of its real estate, depreciation expense may be misstated.
When we acquire real estate assets, we assess the fair value of the acquired assets (in accordance with Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) Nos. 141 and 142) and allocate the purchase price to the asset’s components - land, building, leases, etc. - based on these assessments. FREIT assesses fair value based on estimated cash flow projections that utilize appropriate discount and capitalization rates and available market information, or independent appraisals. Initial valuation assessments are subject to change until such information is finalized no later than six months from the acquisition date.
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets: We periodically assess the carrying value of long-lived assets whenever we determine that events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. When FREIT determines that the carrying value of long-lived assets may be impaired, the measurement of any impairment is based on a projected discounted cash flow method determined by FREIT’s management. While we believe that our discounted cash flow methods are reasonable, different assumptions regarding such cash flows may significantly affect the measurement of impairment.
In October 2001, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” SFAS No. 144 requires the reporting of discontinued operations to include components of an entity that have either been disposed of or are classified as held for sale. FREIT has adopted SFAS No. 144. During 2004 FREIT sold its Olney, MD property. FREIT has reclassified the operations of this property as Discontinued Operations for fiscal year 2004. The adoption of SFAS No. 144 did not have an impact on net income, but only impacted the presentation of this property within the consolidated statements of income.
Overview
We believe that income from continuing operations, which excludes the operations of Only Town Center (“OTC”), is the most significant element of net income. Accordingly, all references and comparisons refer to income from continuing operations unless otherwise stated.
All references to per share amounts are on a diluted basis unless otherwise indicated and have been restated for the March 31, 2004 two-for-one stock split.
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Results of Operations:
Nine and three months ended July 31, 2005 and 2004
Revenues for the nine months ended July 31, 2005 (“Current Nine Months”) increased 11.8% to $24,521,000 compared to $21,938,000 for the nine months ended July 31, 2004 (“Prior Year’s Nine Months”). Revenues for the three months ended July 31, 2005 (“Current Quarter”) increased 4.5% to $8,328,000 from $7,969,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2004 (“Prior Year’s Quarter”). The increases in revenues from the prior periods are wholly attributable to the operations at The Pierre that was acquired in April 2004 (see chart below).
Income from continuing operations declined 2.9% to $3,635,000 for the Current Nine Months from $3,745,000 for the Prior Year’s Nine Months. For the Current Quarter income from continuing operations increased slightly to $1,226,000 from $1,216,000 for the Prior Year’s Quarter.
In June 2004 FREIT’s subsidiary, S And A, sold the OTC. This sale resulted in a gain for financial statement purposes of approximately $12.8 million, which was reported during the third quarter of fiscal 2004. The operations of OTC, less the share attributable to the minority interest, have been classified as income from Discontinued Operations for the Prior Year’s nine and three months ended July 31, 2004.
The consolidated results of operations for the nine and three months ended July 31, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
SEGMENT INFORMATION
The following table sets forth comparative operating data for FREIT’s real estate segments from continuing operations:
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| Commercial
|
---|
| Nine Months Ended
| | | | Three Months Ended
| | | |
---|
| July 31,
| | Increase (Decrease)
| July 31,
| | Increase (Decrease)
|
---|
| 2005 | | 2004 | | $ | | % | | 2005 | | 2004 | | $ | | % | |
---|
| (in thousands)
| | | (in thousands)
| | |
---|
Rental revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Same Properties | | | $ | 12,546 | | $ | 12,603 | | $ | (57 | ) | | -0.5 | % | $ | 4,256 | | $ | 4,032 | | $ | 224 | | | 5.6 | % |
New Properties | | | | 111 | | | — | | | 111 | | | | | | 111 | | | — | | | 111 | | | | |
|
| |
| |
Total Revenues | | | | 12,657 | | | 12,603 | | | 54 | | | 0.4 | % | | 4,367 | | | 4,032 | | | 335 | | | 8.3 | % |
| | |
Operating expenses | | |
Same Properties | | | | 4,176 | | | 4,220 | | | (44 | ) | | -1.0 | % | | 1,396 | | | 1,289 | | | 107 | | | 8.3 | % |
New Properties | | | | 35 | | | | | | 35 | | | | | | 35 | | | — | | | 35 | | | | |
|
| |
| |
Total Expenses | | | | 4,211 | | | 4,220 | | | (9 | ) | | -0.2 | % | | 1,431 | | | 1,289 | | | 142 | | | 11.0 | % |
|
| |
| |
| | |
Net operating income | | | $ | 8,446 | | $ | 8,383 | | $ | 63 | | | 0.8 | % | $ | 2,936 | | $ | 2,743 | | $ | 193 | | | 7.0 | % |
|
| |
| |
Average | | |
Occupancy % | | | | 92.6 | % | | 91.8 | % | | | | | 0.8 | % | | 92.4 | % | | 94.3 | % | | | | | -1.9 | % |
|
| |
| | |
| |
| |
| | |
| |
| Residential
|
---|
| Nine Months Ended
| | | | Three Months Ended
| | | |
---|
| July 31,
| | Increase (Decrease)
| July 31,
| | Increase (Decrease)
|
---|
| 2005 | | 2004 | | $ | | % | | 2005 | | 2004 | | $ | | % | |
---|
| (in thousands)
| | | (in thousands)
| | |
---|
Rental Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Same properties | | | $ | 7,552 | | $ | 7,478 | | $ | 74 | | | 1.0 | % | $ | 2,516 | | $ | 2,515 | | $ | 1 | | | 0.0 | % |
New properties | | | | 4,078 | | | 1,621 | | | 2,457 | | | 151.6 | % | | 1,366 | | | 1,341 | | | 25 | | | 2 | % |
|
| |
| |
Total Revenues | | | | 11,630 | | | 9,099 | | $ | 2,531 | | | 27.8 | % | | 3,882 | | | 3,856 | | $ | 26 | | | 0.7 | % |
| | |
Operating expenses | | |
Same properties | | | | 3,109 | | | 3,261 | | | (152 | ) | | -4.7 | % | | 988 | | | 1,049 | | | (61 | ) | | -5.8 | % |
New properties | | | | 2,049 | | | 707 | | | 1,342 | | | 189.8 | % | | 806 | | | 588 | | | 218 | | | 37.1 | % |
|
| |
| |
Total Expenses | | | | 5,158 | | | 3,968 | | | 1,190 | | | 30.0 | % | | 1,794 | | | 1,637 | | | 157 | | | 9.6 | % |
|
| |
| |
| | |
Net operating income | | | $ | 6,472 | | $ | 5,131 | | $ | 1,341 | | | 26.1 | % | $ | 2,088 | | $ | 2,219 | | $ | (131 | ) | | -5.9 | % |
|
| |
| |
Average | | |
Occupancy % | | | | 93.4 | % | | 94.5 | % | | | | | -1.1 | % | | 90.6 | % | | 95.0 | % | | | | | -4.4 | % |
|
| |
| | |
| |
| |
| | |
| |
| Nine Months Ended
| | Three Months Ended
| |
---|
| July 31,
| | July 31,
| |
---|
| 2005
|
| 2004
| | 2005
|
| 2004
| |
---|
Reconciliation to | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
consolidated net income: | | |
Segment NOI: | | |
Commercial | | | $ | 8,446 | | $ | 8,383 | | $ | 2,936 | | $ | 2,743 | |
Residential | | | | 6,472 | | | 5,131 | | | 2,088 | | | 2,219 | |
|
| |
| |
Total | | | | 14,918 | | | 13,514 | | | 5,024 | | | 4,962 | |
Deferred rents | | | | 227 | | | 235 | | | 77 | | | 80 | |
Net investment income | | | | 173 | | | 127 | | | 54 | | | 38 | |
Gen’l and admin. Exp | | | | (602 | ) | | (540 | ) | | (172 | ) | | (207 | ) |
SOX 404 compliance (a) | | | | (123 | ) | | | | | (123 | ) |
Depreciation | | | | (3,138 | ) | | (2,702 | ) | | (1,053 | ) | | (1,122 | ) |
Financing costs | | | | (7,327 | ) | | (6,577 | ) | | (2,420 | ) | | (2,445 | ) |
Minority interest | | | | (493 | ) | | (312 | ) | | (161 | ) | | (90 | ) |
|
| |
| |
Net income from | | |
continuing operations | | | | 3,635 | | | 3,745 | | | 1,226 | | | 1,216 | |
Discontinued operations | | | | — | | | 10,021 | | | — | | | 9,685 | |
|
| |
| |
Net income | | | $ | 3,635 | | $ | 13,766 | | $ | 1,226 | | $ | 10,901 | |
|
| |
| |
(a) | See Note 4- Segment information, and below - General And Administrative Expenses. |
The above table details the comparative NOI for FREIT’s Commercial and Residential Segments, and reconciles the combined NOI to consolidated net income. NOI is based on operating revenue and expenses directly associated with the operations of the real estate properties, but excludes deferred rents (straight lining), depreciation, and financing costs. FREIT assesses and measures segment operating results based on NOI. NOI is not a measure of operating results or cash flow as measured by generally accepted accounting principles, and is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs and should not be considered an alternative to cash flows as a measure of liquidity.
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COMMERCIAL SEGMENT
FREIT’s commercial properties for continuing operations consist of eight properties (including the acquisition of The Rotunda on July 19, 2005) totaling approximately 1,147,000 sq. ft. of retail space and 119,000 sq. ft. of office space. Seven are multi-tenanted retail centers and one is a single tenanted store. In addition, FREIT has leased land and receives rental income from a tenant who has built and operates a bank branch on land FREIT owns in Rockaway, NJ.
As indicated in the above table revenues from our same properties declined .5% and NOI is down .1% for the Current Nine Months compared to the Prior Year’s Nine Months. The decline was caused by one time adjustment to commercial tenant’s reimbursable charge backs resulting in reduced revenues and income. Revenue and net operating income for the Prior Year’s Nine Months includes a one-time item of $308,000 representing the gain from a lease termination payment made by a former tenant located at FREIT’s Westridge Square shopping center. (See Note 4-”Segment information”, to the financial statements.)
For the same properties Current Quarter revenues and NOI increased 5.6% and 4.3%, respectively. The increases are attributable to higher expense reimbursement received during the Current Quarter compared to Prior Year’s Quarter.
ACQUISITION
On July 19, 2005 FREIT’s 60% owned affiliate, Grande Rotunda, LLC closed on the purchase of The Rotunda, a mixed-use property in Baltimore, MD. See Note 5- Acquisitions and Discontinued Operations. The operations of The Rotunda have been included in operations for the period from acquisition to July 31, 2005.
ASSET SALE
On June 22, 2004, S And A closed on its contract for the sale of the OTC in Olney, Maryland. The sale price for the property was $28.2 million. The property was acquired in April 2000 for approximately $15.5 million. During the third quarter of fiscal 2004 FREIT recognized a gain of approximately $12.8 million from the sale. The operations of OTC have been classified as Discontinued Operations.
RESIDENTIAL SEGMENT
FREIT operates nine (9) multi-family apartment communities totaling 986 apartment units. The NOI of our residential properties is summarized in the above table.
On April 16, 2004, S And A closed on the purchase of The Pierre apartments. The Pierre is a 269-unit high-rise apartment building located in Hackensack, N.J. The contract purchase price for The Pierre was approximately $44 million. This amount, together with estimated transaction costs of approximately $2 million, resulted in total acquisition costs of approximately $46.0 million. The acquisition costs were financed in part by a mortgage loan in the approximate amount of $30 million and the balance of approximately $16 million in cash.
During the Current Nine Months NOI from Same Properties (properties operated since the start of fiscal 2004) increased 5.4% or $226,000. This increase resulted from a modest increase (1%) in revenues and decreases in operating expenses (4.7%) during the Current Nine Months. Average occupancy for Same Properties decreased slightly to 94.1% for the Current Nine Months from 95.1% for the Prior Year’s Nine Months. The decrease in occupancy was offset by slightly higher rent collections and reduced occupancy, resulting in an increase in NOI. Average occupancy at The Pierre, the 269 unit high-rise apartment house in Hackensack, NJ, for the Current Nine Months was 91.6%. As apartments at The Pierre turnover, they are being refurbished. While we have experienced a spike in vacancies during the last fiscal quarter, we continue to be optimistic that the rental housing demand will continue to improve throughout the balance of this fiscal year.
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Our residential revenue is principally composed of monthly apartment rental income. Total rental income is a factor of occupancy and monthly apartment rents. A 1% decline in annual average occupancy, or a 1% decline in average rents, results in an annual revenue decline of approximately $165,000 and $144,000 respectively.
DEPRECIATION
Depreciation expense increased approximately 16% ($436,000) during the Current Nine Months and decreased .6% ($69,000) during the Current Quarter compared to the prior reported periods, respectively, over the Prior Year’s Nine Months and Prior Year’s Quarter. The increase was principally attributable to the acquisition of The Pierre in April 2004.
FINANCING COSTS
Financing Costs (as detailed in the table below) for the Current Nine Month period increased $750,000 (11.4%) to $7,327,000 from $6,577,000 for the Prior Year’s Nine Months. The increase is principally attributable to the increased financing costs on The Pierre property ($939,000), which was acquired in April 2004, and onThe Rotunda ($44,000), which was acquired on July 19, 2005, and the pre-payment fee paid the mortgage holder on the Damascus property when the $2.3 million mortgage on the property was prepaid.
| | Nine Months Ended July 31,
| | Three Months Ended July 31,
| |
---|
| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2005
| | 2004
| |
---|
| | (thousands or dollars) | |
---|
| | | Fixed rate Mortgages | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 1st Mortgages | | |
| | | Existing | | | $ | 5,199 | | $ | 5,353 | | $ | 1,715 | | $ | 1,771 | |
| | | Prepaid | | | | 46 | | | 170 | | | — | | | 55 | |
| | | New (1) | | | | 1,418 | | | 479 | | | 500 | | | 408 | |
| | | 2nd Mortgages | | |
| | | Existing | | | | 359 | | | 366 | | | 119 | | | 122 | |
| | | New (1) | | | | 44 | | | | | | 19 | | | — | |
| | | Other | | | | 67 | | | 65 | | | 26 | | | 45 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | | | | | | 7,133 | | | 6,433 | | | 2,379 | | | 2,401 | |
| | | Amortization of | | |
| | | Mortgage Costs | | | | 127 | | | 144 | | | 41 | | | 44 | |
| | | Prepayment Fee | | | | 67 | | | | | | — | | | — | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| | | Total Financing Costs From | | |
| | | Continuing Operations | | | $ | 7,327 | | $ | 6,577 | | $ | 2,420 | | $ | 2,445 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
(1) | Mortgages not in place at beginning of fiscal 2004. |
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
For the Current Nine Months and Current Quarter, General and Administrative Expenses increased $185,000 (34%) to $725,000 and $88,000 (42.5%) to $295,000, respectively. The principal reason for the increases was the Sarbanes-Oxley Act accounting compliance costs aggregating $123,000 during the Current Nine Months and Current Quarter. These costs, expected to reach approximately $200,000 - $225,000 in fiscal 2005, will for the most part, not be on-going. However, overall on-going accounting costs will be higher than experienced historically to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
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FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS (“FFO”)
FFO is considered by many as a standard measurement of a REIT’s performance. We compute FFO as follows (in thousands of dollars):
| Nine Months Ended
| | Three Months Ended
| |
---|
| July 31,
| | July 31,
| |
---|
| 2005
| | 2004
| | 2005
| | 2004
| |
---|
| | |
Net income | | | $ | 3,635 | | $ | 13,766 | | $ | 1,226 | | $ | 10,901 | |
Depreciation | | | | 3,138 | | | 2,702 | | | 1,053 | | | 1,122 | |
Amortization of deferred mortgage costs | | | | 127 | | | 144 | | | 41 | | | 44 | |
Mortgage prepayment penalty | | | | 67 | | | | | | — | | | — | |
Deferred rents - straight-lining | | | | (224 | ) | | (235 | ) | | (74 | ) | | (66 | ) |
Capital improvements - Apartments | | | | (650 | ) | | (646 | ) | | (221 | ) | | (444 | ) |
Discontinued operations | | | | | | | (10,021 | ) | | — | | | (9,685 | ) |
Minority interests: | | |
Equity in earnings of affiliates | | | | 493 | | | 312 | | | 161 | | | 90 | |
Distributions to minority interest | | | | (558 | ) | | (649 | ) | | (271 | ) | | (239 | ) |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
Funds From Operations | | | $ | 6,028 | | $ | 5,373 | | $ | 1,915 | | $ | 1,723 | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
FFO does not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and therefore should not be considered a substitute for net income as a measure of results of operations or for cash flow from operations as a measure of liquidity. Additionally, the application and calculation of FFO by certain other REITs may vary materially from that of FREIT’s, and therefore FREIT’s FFO and the FFO of other REITs may not be directly comparable.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our financial condition remains strong. Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities was $6 million for the Current Nine Months compared to $8.7 million for the Prior Year’s Nine Months (reflecting the Olney sale). We expect that cash provided by operating activities will be adequate to cover mandatory debt service payments, recurring capital improvements and dividends necessary to retain qualification as a REIT (90% of taxable income).
As at July 31, 2005, we had cash and cash equivalents totaling $7.6 million compared to $18.8 million at October 31, 2004, and $14.3 million at April 30, 2005. During the Current Nine Month period we used approximately $2.3 million of our cash reserves to prepay the 9.25% mortgage on the Damascus property, $5.1 million for the acquisition of The Rotunda, and approximately $2.4 million on development and construction activities, and capital improvements.
Credit Line:
On February 4, 2005, FREIT replaced its expired $14 million line of credit with an $18 million line of credit. The line of credit is for three years but can be cancelled by the bank, at its will, at each anniversary date. Draws against the credit line can be used for general corporate purposes, for property acquisitions, construction activities, and letters of credit (See below). Draws against the credit line are secured by mortgages on FREIT’s Franklin Crossing Shopping Center, Franklin Lakes, NJ, retail space in Glen Rock, NJ, Lakewood Apartments, Lakewood, NJ, and Grandview Apartments, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ. Interest rates on
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draws will be set at the time of each draw for 30, 60, or 90-day periods, based on our choice of the prime rate or at 175 basis points over the 30, 60, or 90-day LIBOR rates at the time of the draws.
We’ve started the construction of 129 apartment rental units in Rockaway, NJ. The total capital required for this project is estimated at $17.7 million (exclusive of the value of the land). Through July 31, 2005 approximately $1.1 million has been expended. FREIT has received a $20.7 million financing commitment from an institutional lender to provide construction financing that will be converted into a permanent mortgage loan when construction is completed. The loan will bear interests as follows: during the construction loan period at 140 basis points over LIBOR on all construction advances, and when the loan is converted to a permanent loan, interest to be fixed at 5.37% over the 15 year life of the permanent loan. This loan is expected to close during September 2005.
During January 2005 we utilized our credit line for the issuance of a $2 million Letter of Credit for the benefit of the Township of Rockaway to secure our obligations to the Township in connection with this construction project. The Letter of Credit guarantees FREIT’s completion of off-site improvements. We expect construction to be completed in eighteen months with initial occupancy estimated to begin during early 2006.
It is FREIT’s intention to redevelop and expand its Damascus Shopping Center. The total capital requirement for this project is estimated at $13 million, which will be financed, in part, from construction and mortgage financing and, in part, from funds available in our institutional money market investments.
At July 31, 2005, FREIT’s aggregate outstanding mortgage debt was $167.2 million and bears a weighted average interest rate of 6.2%, and an average life of approximately 7.1 years. FREIT’s fixed rate mortgages are subject to amortization schedules that are longer than the term of the mortgages. As such, balloon payments (unpaid principal amounts at mortgage due date) for all mortgage debt will be required as follows:
| Fiscal Year
| $ Millions
| |
---|
| | | 2007 | | | $ | 15.7 | |
| | | 2008 | | | $ | 28.4 | |
| | | 2010 | | | $ | 12.3 | |
| | | 2013 | | | $ | 8.0 | |
| | | 2014 | | | $ | 26.1 | |
| | | 2016 | | | $ | 24.6 | |
| | | 2019 | | | $ | 28.3 | |
The following table shows the estimated fair value and carrying value of our long-term debt at July 31, 2005 and October 31, 2004:
|
| |
| | July 31, | | October 31, | |
---|
|
| |
| | 2005
| | 2004
| |
---|
| (In Millions)
| | |
---|
| | Fair Value | | $172.8 | | $158.1 | |
| | Carrying Value | | $167.2 | | $148.2 | |
|
| |
Fair values are estimated based on market interest rates at July 31, 2005 and October 31, 2004 and on discounted cash flow analysis. Changes in assumptions or estimation methods may significantly affect these fair value estimates.
FREIT expects to re-finance the individual mortgages with new mortgages when their terms expire. To this extent we have exposure to interest rate risk on our fixed rate debt obligations. If interest rates, at the time any
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individual mortgage note is due, are higher than the current fixed interest rate, higher debt service may be required, and/or re-financing proceeds may be less than the amount of mortgage debt being retired. For example, at July 31, 2005 a 1% interest rate increase would reduce the fair value of our debt by $5.8 million, and a 1% decrease would increase the fair value by $6.2 million.
We believe that the values of our properties will be adequate to command re-financing proceeds equal to, or higher, than the mortgage debt to be re-financed. We continually review our debt levels to determine if additional debt can prudently be utilized for property acquisition additions to our real estate portfolio that will increase income and cash flow to shareholders.
Interest rate swap contract: To reduce interest rate volatility, FREIT uses “pay fixed, receive floating” interest rate swaps to convert floating interest rates to fixed interest rates over the terms of certain loans. We enter into these swap contracts with a counterparty that is usually a high-quality commercial bank.
In essence, we agree to pay our counterparty a fixed rate of interest on a dollar amount of notional principal (which corresponds to our mortgage debt) over a term equal to the terms of the mortgage note. Our Counterparty, in return, agrees to pay us a short-term rate of interest - generally LIBOR - on that same notional amount over the same term as our mortgage note.
FASB 133 requires us to mark-to-market fixed pay interest rate swaps. As the floating interest rate varies from time-to-time over the term of the contract, the value of the contract will change upward or downward. If the floating rate is higher than the fixed rate, the value of the contract goes up and there is a gain and an asset. If the floating rate is less than the fixed rate, there is a loss and a liability. These gains or losses will not affect our income statement. Changes in the fair value of these swap contracts will be reported in earnings of other comprehensive income and appear in the equity section of our balance sheet. This gain or loss represents the economic consequence of liquidating our fixed rate swap contracts and replacing them with like-duration funding at current market rates, something we would likely never do.
FREIT had a variable interest rate mortgage securing its Patchogue, NY property. To reduce interest rate fluctuations FREIT entered into an interest rate swap contract. This rate swap contract effectively converted variable interest rate payments to fixed interest rate payments. The contract was initially based on a notional amount of approximately $6,769,000 ($6,384,000 at July 31, 2005). FREIT has the following derivative-related risks with its swap contract: 1) early termination risk, and 2) Counterparty credit risk.
Early Termination Risk: If FREIT wants to terminate its swap contract before maturity, it would be bought out or terminated at market value; i.e., the difference in the present value of the anticipated net cash flows from each of the swap’s parties. If current variable interest rates are significantly below FREIT’s fixed interest rate payments, this could be costly. Conversely, if interest rates rise above FREIT’s fixed interest payments and FREIT wished early termination, FREIT would realize a gain on termination. At July 31, 2005, FREIT’s swap contract was in-the-money. If FREIT had terminated its contract at that date it would have realized a gain of about $49,000. This amount has been included as an asset in FREIT’s balance sheet as at July 31, 2005, and the change (gain or loss) between reporting periods included in comprehensive income.
Counterparty Credit Risk: Each party to a swap contract bears the risk that its Counterparty will default on its obligation to make a periodic payment. FREIT reduces this risk by entering swap contracts only with major financial institutions that are experienced market makers in the derivatives market.
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INFLATION
Inflation can impact the financial performance of FREIT in various ways. Our retail tenant leases normally provide that the tenants bear all or a portion of most operating expenses, which can reduce the impact of inflationary increases on FREIT. Apartment leases are normally for a one-year term, which may allow us to seek increased rents as leases renew or when new tenants are obtained.
Item 3: Quantitative And Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” above.
Item 4: Controls and Procedures
As at the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of FREIT’s disclosure controls and procedures. This evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with participation of FREIT’s management, including FREIT’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, who concluded that FREIT’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective. There has been no change in FREIT’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during FREIT’s last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, FREIT’s internal control over financial reporting.
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in FREIT’s reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in FREIT’s reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including FREIT’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Part II Other Information
None
Item 6. Exhibits
None
Exhibit Index
Exhibit 31.1 Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 31.2 Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
Exhibit 32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
Exhibit 32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
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Page 22
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| FIRST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OF NEW JERSEY (Registrant) | |
Date: September 9, 2005
| /s/ Robert S. Hekemian —————————————— (Signature) Robert S. Hekemian Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer | |
| /s/ Donald W. Barney —————————————— (Signature) Donald W. Barney President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial/Accounting Officer) | |