Easterly Government Properties, Inc. (DEA) FY 2023 MD&A

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

You should read the following discussion of our results of operations and financial condition in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 and the sections entitled “Risk Factors,” “Forward Looking Statements,” “Business,” and “Properties” contained elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections about our industry, business and future financial results. Our actual results could differ materially from the results contemplated by these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in the sections of this Annual Report on Form 10-K entitled “Risk Factors” and “Forward Looking Statements.”

Overview

References to “Easterly,” “we,” “our,” “us” and “our company” refer to Easterly Government Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation, together with our consolidated subsidiaries including Easterly Government Properties LP, a Delaware limited partnership, which we refer to herein as our operating partnership. We present certain financial information and metrics “at Easterly Share,” which is calculated on an entity-by-entity basis. “At Easterly Share” information, which we also refer to as being “at share,” “pro rata,” “our pro rata share” or “our share” is not, and is not intended to be, a presentation in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

We are an internally managed real estate investment trust, or REIT, focused primarily on the acquisition, development and management of Class A commercial properties that are leased to U.S. Government agencies that serve essential functions. We generate substantially all of our revenue by leasing our properties to such agencies, either directly or through the U.S. General Services Administration, which we refer to herein as the GSA. Our objective is to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns for our stockholders over the long term through dividends and capital appreciation.

We focus primarily on acquiring, developing and managing U.S. Government-leased properties that are essential to supporting the mission of the tenant agency and strive to be a partner of choice for the U.S. Government, working closely with the tenant agency to meet its needs and objectives. We may also consider other potential opportunities to add properties to our portfolio, including acquiring properties leased to state and local governments with strong creditworthiness and other opportunities that directly or indirectly support the mission of select government agencies. As of December 31, 2023, we wholly owned 81 operating properties and nine operating properties through an unconsolidated joint venture (the “JV”) in the United States encompassing approximately 8.8 million leased square feet (8.3 million pro rata), including 88 operating properties that were leased primarily to U.S. Government tenant agencies, one operating property entirely leased to tenant agencies of a U.S. state government and one operating property that was entirely leased to a private tenant. As of December 31, 2023, our operating properties were 97% leased. For purposes of calculating percentage leased, we exclude from the denominator total square feet that was unleased and to which we attributed no value at the time of acquisition. In addition, we wholly owned one property under development that we expect will encompass approximately 0.2 million leased square feet upon completion.

Our operating partnership holds substantially all of our assets and conducts substantially all of our business. We are the sole general partner of our operating partnership and owned approximately 93.8% of the aggregate limited partnership interests in our operating partnership, which we refer to herein as common units, as of December 31, 2023. We have elected to be taxed as a REIT and believe that we have operated and have been organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2015.

Acquisitions

39

On October 3, 2023, we acquired a 95,273 leased square foot Class A facility located in Anaheim, California. The building was renovated in 2020. The facility is 100% leased by tenant agencies of the state of California for beneficial use of the Employment Development Department and Department of Industrial Relations and has lease expirations ranging from 2033 to 2034.

On October 3, 2023, we acquired a 91,185 leased square foot Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) facility in Atlanta, Georgia. The building was renovated to suit in 2023. The facility is primarily leased to the GSA for beneficial use of the Customs and Border Protection and Transportation Security Administration agencies and has lease expirations ranging from 2031 to 2038.

On October 19, 2023, we acquired a 35,005 leased square foot Judiciary of the U.S. Government (“JUD”) courthouse in Newport News, Virginia. The building is a build-to-suit courthouse completed in 2008. The facility is leased to the GSA for beneficial use of JUD with a lease expiration of July 2033.

Investment in unconsolidated real estate venture

On October 13, 2021, we formed the JV with a global investor to fund the acquisition of a portfolio of ten properties anticipated to encompass 1,214,165 leased square feet (the “VA Portfolio”) that would be 100% leased to the Veterans Affairs (“VA”). We own a 53.0% interest in the JV, subject to preferred allocations as provided in the JV agreement. During the years ended 2022 and 2021, the JV closed on eight of the ten properties included in the Portfolio Acquisition.

On September 22, 2023, the JV acquired a 69,276 square foot VA outpatient facility located in Corpus Christi, Texas. The building is a build-to-suit property that was completed during 2022. The outpatient facility is leased to the VA and has a lease expiration of November 2042. The facility is the ninth of ten properties to be acquired in the previously announced the VA Portfolio. We anticipate the JV will acquire the tenth and final property in the VA Portfolio in 2024.

Results of Operations

Comparison of Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022

The financial information presented below summarizes the results of operations of our company for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Revenues

Total revenues decreased $6.4 million to $287.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $293.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.

40

The $10.6 million decrease in Rental income is primarily attributable to the disposal of ten operating properties during the year ended December 31, 2022 offset by an increase in revenues from the three operating properties acquired since December 31, 2022 and a full period of operations from the three operating properties acquired during the year ended December 31, 2022.

The $3.0 million increase in Tenant reimbursements is primarily attributable to an increase in tenant project reimbursements.

The $0.7 million increase in Asset management income is attributable to the fee earned by us for asset management of the JV from the one property acquired since December 31, 2022 and a full period of operations from the four properties acquired during the year ended December 31, 2022.

The $0.5 million increase in Other income is primarily attributable to an increase in interest income.

Expenses

Total expenses increased by $0.4 million to $222.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $222.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.

The $5.2 million increase in Property operating expenses is primarily attributable to an increase in tenant reimbursable projects.

The $0.4 million decrease in Real estate taxes is also primarily attributable to the disposal of ten operating properties during the year ended December 31, 2022, offset by the three operating properties acquired since December 31, 2022 as well as a full period of operations from the three operating properties acquired during the year ended December 31, 2022.

Additionally, the $7.0 million decrease in Depreciation and amortization is primarily attributable to the disposal of ten operating properties during the year ended December 31, 2022 and a decrease in amortization related to fully amortized lease intangibles, offset by three operating properties acquired since December 31, 2022, as well as a full period of operations from the three operating properties acquired during the year ended December 31, 2022.

The $2.3 million increase in Corporate and general administrative costs was primarily due to an increase in employee costs.

Income from unconsolidated real estate venture

The $2.1 million increase in Income from unconsolidated real estate venture is primarily attributable to our pro rata share of operations from the one operating property acquired by the JV since December 31, 2022 and a full period of operations from the four operating properties acquired by the JV during the year ended December 31, 2022.

Interest expense, net

Interest expense, net increased by $1.8 million to $49.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $47.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase is primarily attributable to higher weighted average borrowings and interest rates on our swapped term loans.

Gain on the sale of operating properties

In the fourth quarter of 2022, we recognized a Gain on the sale of operating properties totaling $13.6 million which was attributable to the disposition of a portfolio of ten properties. No dispositions were made during the year ended December 31, 2023.

Impairment loss

In the third quarter of 2022, we recognized an impairment loss totaling approximately $5.5 million for our ICE – Otay property and reduced its carrying value to its estimated fair value, which declined due to the changes in expected cash flows related to the

41

tenant's lease expiration in 2022. ICE – Otay is a 47,919 rentable square foot office building located in San Diego, California. No impairment charges were incurred during the year ended December 31, 2023.

Comparison of Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021

Information pertaining to fiscal year 2021 was included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 on page 42 under Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on February 28, 2023.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We anticipate that our cash flows from the sources listed below will provide adequate capital for the next 12 months for all anticipated uses, including all scheduled principal and interest payments on our outstanding indebtedness, current and anticipated tenant improvements, development activities at FDA – Atlanta, planned and possible acquisitions of properties, including the final VA Portfolio property through the JV, stockholder distributions to maintain our qualification as a REIT and other capital obligations associated with conducting our business. At December 31, 2023, we had approximately $21.9 million available in cash and cash equivalents and there was approximately $370.9 million available under our revolving credit facility.

Our primary expected sources of capital are as follows:

•
cash and cash equivalents;

•
operating cash flow;

•
distribution of cash flows from the JV;

•
available borrowings under our revolving credit facility;

•
issuance of long-term debt;

•
issuance of equity, including under our ATM Programs (as described below); and

•
asset sales.

Our short-term liquidity requirements consist primarily of funds to pay for the following:

•
development and redevelopment activities, including major redevelopment, renovation or expansion programs at FDA – Atlanta and other individual properties;

•
property acquisitions under contract, including our JV share of the remaining Portfolio Acquisition properties;

•
tenant improvements allowances and leasing costs;

•
recurring maintenance and capital expenditures;

•
debt repayment requirements;

•
corporate and administrative costs;

•
interest payments on our outstanding indebtedness;

•
interest swap payments;

•
distribution payments; and

•
repurchases of common stock under our share repurchase program.

Our long-term liquidity needs, in addition to recurring short-term liquidity needs as discussed above, consist primarily of funds necessary to pay for acquisitions, non-recurring capital expenditures, and scheduled debt maturities. Although we may be able to anticipate and plan for certain of our liquidity needs, unexpected increases in uses of cash that are beyond our control and which affect our financial condition and results of operations may arise, or our sources of liquidity may be fewer than, and the funds available from such sources may be less than, anticipated or required. As of the date of this filing, there were no known commitments or events that would have a material impact on our liquidity.

42

Equity

Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3

We expect to file an automatic universal shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC following the filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The registration statement will be deemed automatically effective and provide for the registration of unspecified amounts of securities. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to complete any offerings of securities in the future under such registration statement, once filed.

Offering of Common Stock on a Forward Basis

On August 11, 2021, we completed an underwritten public offering of 6,300,000 shares of common stock offered on a forward basis. In connection with the offering, we also entered into separate forward sale agreements with each of the forward purchasers (the “Forward Sales Agreements”), pursuant to which the forward purchasers borrowed and sold to the underwriters an aggregate of 6,300,000 shares of our common stock. On December 28, 2021, we issued 3,991,000 shares of our common stock for net proceeds of $85.0 million, which shares were issued in partial settlement of the Forward Sales Agreements entered into in connection with the underwritten public offering. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we issued 2,309,000 shares of common stock under the Forward Sale Agreements and received net cash proceeds of approximately $46.8 million. As of December 31, 2023, all shares of common stock under the Forward Sales Agreements had been issued and settled.

ATM Programs

We entered into separate equity distribution agreements on each of December 20, 2019 (the “2019 ATM Program”) and June 22, 2021 (the “2021 ATM Program” and, together with the 2019 ATM Program, the “ATM Programs”) with various financial institutions pursuant to which we may issue and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $300.0 million under each ATM Program from time to time in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be “at the market” offerings as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act. Under each of the ATM Programs, we may enter into one or more forward transactions (each, a “forward sale transaction”) under separate master forward sale confirmations and related supplemental confirmations with each of the various financial institutions party to the respective ATM Program for the sale of shares of our common stock on a forward basis.

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to issuances under the 2019 ATM Program in each fiscal quarter for the year ended December 31, 2023 (amounts in thousands except share amounts):

(1)
Shares issued by us, which were all issued in settlement of forward sales transactions. Additionally, as of December 31, 2023, we had entered into a forward sales transaction under the 2019 ATM Program for the sale of an additional 500,000 shares of our common stock that have not yet been settled. Subject to our right to elect net share settlement, we expect to physically settle the forward sales transaction by December 2024, the maturity date, as set forth in the applicable forward sale transaction placement notice. Assuming the forward sales transaction is physically settled in full utilizing a net weighted average initial forward sales price of $13.52 per share, we expect to receive net proceeds of approximately $6.8 million, after deducting offering costs, subject to adjustments in accordance with the applicable forward sale transaction. We accounted for the forward sale transactions as equity.

No sales of shares of our common stock were made under the 2021 ATM Program during the year ended December 31, 2023.

We used the net proceeds received from such sales for general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2023, we had approximately $300.0 million of gross sales of our common stock available under the 2021 ATM Program and $80.6 million of gross sales of our common stock available under the 2019 ATM Program.

43

Share Repurchase Program

On April 28, 2022, our board of directors authorized a share repurchase program whereby we may repurchase up to 4,538,994 shares of our common stock, or approximately 5% of our outstanding shares as of the authorization date. We are not required to purchase shares under the share repurchase program, but may choose to do so in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions at times and amounts based on our evaluation of market conditions and other factors.

No repurchases of shares of our common stock were made under the share repurchase program during the year ended December 31, 2023.

Debt

Indebtedness Outstanding

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our outstanding indebtedness as of December 31, 2023 (dollars in thousands):

(1)
At December 31, 2023, the USD SOFR with a five day lookback (“S”) was 5.31%. The current interest rate is not adjusted to include the amortization of deferred financing fees or debt issuance costs incurred in obtaining debt or any unamortized fair market value premiums. The spread over the applicable rate for each of our $450.0 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility (our “revolving credit facility”), our $200.0 million senior unsecured term loan facility (as amended, our “2018 term loan

44

facility”) and our $100.0 million senior unsecured term loan facility (our “2016 term loan facility”) is based on our consolidated leverage ratio, as set forth in the respective loan agreements.

(2)
Our revolving credit facility had available capacity of $370.9 million at December 31, 2023, with an accordion feature that permits us to request additional lender commitments for up to $250.0 million of additional capacity, subject to the satisfaction of customary terms and conditions.

(3)
Our revolving credit facility has two six-month as-of-right extension options subject to certain conditions and the payment of an extension fee.

(4)
Entered into one interest rate swap with an effective date of September 29, 2023 with a notional value of $100.0 million to effectively fix the interest rate at 5.05% annually, based on our consolidated leverage ratio, as defined in our 2016 term loan facility agreement.

(5)
On January 23, 2024, we entered into the seventh amendment to the 2016 term loan facility agreement to extend the maturity date of the loan to January 30, 2025.

(6)
Entered into two interest rate swaps with an effective date of June 23, 2023 with an aggregate notional value of $200.0 million to effectively fix the interest rate at 5.39% annually, based on our consolidated leverage ratio, as defined in our 2018 term loan facility agreement.

(7)
Effective interest rates are as follows: VA – Golden 5.03%, USFS II – Albuquerque 3.92%, ICE – Charleston 3.93%, VA – Loma Linda 3.78%, CBP – Savannah 4.12%, USCIS – Kansas City 2.05%.

On January 26, 2023, we used $15.7 million of available cash to extinguish the mortgage note obligation on DEA – Pleasanton.

On February 3, 2023, we entered into three SOFR-based interest rate swaps each with a notional value of $100.0 million that were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk. Two of the interest rate swaps, with an aggregate notional value of $200.0 million, became effective in June 2023. The third swap, with a notional value of $100.0 million, became effective in September 2023. For more information on our interest rate swaps, see Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

On May 30, 2023, we entered into the third amendment to our second amended and restated credit agreement, dated as of July 23, 2021, and into the sixth amendment to our senior unsecured term loan agreement, dated as of September 29, 2016. These amendments added a daily simple SOFR-based option to the term SOFR-based floating interest rate option as a benchmark rate for borrowings denominated in U.S. dollars for all purposes under the credit and term loan agreements, including, in each case, a credit spread adjustment of 0.10%.

On July 20, 2023, we exercised in full the $50.0 million delayed draw option on our 2018 term loan facility, increasing our 2018 term loan facility commitments from $150.0 million to $200.0 million, and transferred $50.0 million of our interest rate swap with a notional value of $100.0 million from our revolving credit facility to the $50.0 million delayed draw.

On January 2, 2024, the margin spreads under our credit facility agreement were reduced by 1 basis point as a result of achieving our sustainability metric percentage.

On January 23, 2024, we entered into the seventh amendment to our senior unsecured term loan agreement, dated as of September 29, 2016, to extend the maturity date of our 2016 term loan facility from March 29, 2024 to January 30, 2025.

See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on our revolving credit facility, our 2018 term loan facility and our 2016 term loan facility.

Our revolving credit facility, term loan facilities, notes payable, and mortgage notes payable are subject to ongoing compliance with a number of financial and other covenants. As of December 31, 2023, we were in compliance with all applicable financial covenants.

The chart below details our debt capital structure as of December 31, 2023 (dollars in thousands):

45

(1)
Our 2016 term loan facility and 2018 term loan facility are swapped to be fixed and as such are included as fixed rate debt in the table above.

Material Cash Commitments

The following table shows our material cash commitments as of December 31, 2023:

(1)
Due to the long-term nature of certain construction and development contracts included in this line, the amounts reported in the table represent our estimate of the timing for the related obligations being paid.

Additionally, we have a commitment to fund $5.0 million of advancements through a loan receivable. These commitments are expected to be funded over the next year and are dependent upon the borrower’s election to use the commitments.

Unconsolidated Real Estate Venture

We consolidate entities in which we have a controlling interest or are the primary beneficiary in a variable interest entity. From time to time, we may have off-balance sheet unconsolidated real estate ventures and other unconsolidated arrangements with varying structures.

As of December 31, 2023, our investment in the JV was $284.5 million. As of December 31, 2023, we committed capital, net of return of over committed capital, to the JV totaling $291.7 million and have a remaining capital commitment of $46.6 million. None of the properties owned by the JV are encumbered by mortgage indebtedness.

Dividend Policy

In order to qualify as a REIT, we are required to distribute to our stockholders, on an annual basis, at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains. We anticipate distributing all of our taxable income. We expect to make quarterly distributions to our stockholders in a manner intended to satisfy this requirement. Prior to making any distributions for U.S. federal tax purposes or otherwise, we must first satisfy our operating and debt service obligations. It is possible that it would be necessary to utilize cash reserves, liquidate assets at unfavorable prices or incur additional indebtedness in order to make required distributions. It is also possible that our board of directors could decide to make required distributions in part by using shares of our common stock.

A summary of dividends declared by the board of directors per share of common stock and per common unit of our operating partnership at the date of record is as follows:

46

We use long-term investment partnership units in our operating partnership, which we refer to herein as LTIP units, as a form of performance-based award and service-based award for annual long-term incentive equity compensation. LTIP units are convertible into common units upon the satisfaction of certain conditions. Prior to the end of the performance period as set forth in the applicable LTIP unit award, holders of performance-based LTIP units are entitled to receive dividends per LTIP unit equal to 10% of the dividend paid per common unit of our operating partnership. After the end of the performance period, the number of LTIP units, both vested and unvested, that LTIP award recipients have earned, if any, are entitled to receive dividends in an amount per LTIP unit equal to dividends, both regular and special, payable per common unit of our operating partnership. Holders of LTIP units that are not subject to the attainment of performance goals are entitled to receive dividends per LTIP unit equal to 100% of the dividend paid per common unit beginning on the grant date.

Cash Flow

Comparison of Cash Flow for the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022

The following table sets forth a summary of cash flows for our company for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

Operating Activities

We generated $114.5 million and $125.9 million of cash from operating activities during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 included $101.7 million in net cash from rental activities net of expenses, distributions from investment in unconsolidated real estate venture of $10.2 million and $2.6 million related to the changes in tenant accounts receivables, prepaid expense and other assets, deferred revenue associated with operating leases, principal payments on operating lease obligations and accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities. Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 included $121.4 million in net cash from rental activities net of expenses and distributions from investment in unconsolidated real estate venture of $6.4 million offset by $1.9 million related to the changes in tenant accounts receivables, prepaid expense and other assets, deferred revenue associated with operating leases, principal payments on operating lease obligations and accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities.

Investing Activities

We used $127.0 million and $69.1 million in cash for investing activities during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily included $63.4 million in real estate acquisitions and deposits, $28.1 million in additions to operating properties, $17.8 million in additions to development properties and $17.7 million in investment in unconsolidated real estate venture, offset by $0.1 million in distributions from investment in unconsolidated real estate venture. Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 primarily included $143.8 million in investment in unconsolidated real estate venture, $93.7 million in real estate acquisitions and deposits, $22.6 million in additions to operating properties and $12.4 million in additions to development properties, offset by $202.4 million in proceeds from sale of operating properties, net and $1.0 million in distributions from investment in unconsolidated real estate venture.

Financing Activities

We generated $17.2 million and used $59.7 million in cash from financing activities during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Net cash generated in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 included $112.4 million in dividends, $20.0 million in mortgage debt repayment and $0.4 million in payment of deferred offering costs offset by $86.5 million in gross proceeds from issuance of shares of our common stock, $50.0 million delayed draw on our 2018 term loan and $13.5 million in net draws under the revolving credit facility. Net cash used by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 included $109.2 million in dividends, $10.9 million in mortgage debt repayment, and $0.1 million in payment of deferred offering costs offset by $51.0 million in net draws under the revolving credit facility and $9.5 million in gross proceeds from issuance of shares of our common stock.

47

Comparison of Cash Flow for the Years Ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021

Information pertaining to fiscal year 2021 was included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 on page 49 under Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, which was filed with SEC on February 28, 2023.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We use and present FFO and Core FFO as supplemental measures of our performance. The summary below describes our use of FFO and Core FFO and provides information regarding why we believe these measures are meaningful supplemental measures of our performance and reconciles these measures from net income, presented in accordance with GAAP.

Funds From Operations and Core Funds From Operations

FFO is a supplemental measure of our performance. We present FFO calculated in accordance with the current National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“Nareit”) definition set forth in the Nareit FFO White Paper – Restatement 2018. FFO includes the REIT’s share of FFO generated by unconsolidated affiliates. In addition, we present Core FFO for certain other adjustments that we believe enhance the comparability of our FFO across periods and to the FFO reported by other publicly traded REITs. FFO is a supplemental performance measure that is commonly used in the real estate industry to assist investors and analysts in comparing results of REITs.

FFO is defined by Nareit as net income (calculated in accordance with GAAP), excluding:

•
Depreciation and amortization related to real estate.

•
Gains and losses from the sale of certain real estate assets.

•
Gains and losses from change in control.

•
Impairment write-downs of certain real estate assets and investments in entities when the impairment is directly attributable to decreases in the value of depreciable real estate held by the entity.

We present FFO because we consider it an important supplemental measure of our operating performance, and we believe it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of REITs, many of which present FFO when reporting results.

We adjust FFO to present Core FFO as an alternative measure of our operating performance, which, when applicable, excludes items which we believe are not representative of ongoing operating results, such as liability management related costs (including losses on extinguishment of debt and modification costs), catastrophic event charges, depreciation of non-real estate assets, and the unconsolidated real estate venture’s allocated share of these adjustments. In future periods, we may also exclude other items from Core FFO that we believe may help investors compare our results. We believe Core FFO more accurately reflects the ongoing operational and financial performance of our core business.

FFO and Core FFO are presented as supplemental financial measures and do not fully represent our operating performance. Other REITs may use different methodologies for calculating FFO and Core FFO or use other definitions of FFO and Core FFO and, accordingly, our presentation of these measures may not be comparable to other REITs. Neither FFO nor Core FFO is intended to be a measure of cash flow or liquidity. Please refer to our financial statements, prepared in accordance with GAAP, for purposes of evaluating our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

48

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of our net income to FFO and Core FFO for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 (dollars in thousands):

49

Factors That May Influence Future Results of Operations

Revenue

Our revenues primarily arise from the rental of space to tenants in our properties and tenant reimbursements, which include reimbursement for operating expenses, which are determined by the base year operating expenses and are subject to reimbursement in subsequent years based on changes in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. Our revenue also includes amounts due from tenants for real estate taxes, projects and other reimbursements. Real estate taxes over the base year are reimbursed by the tenant.

Substantially all of our rental income comes from U.S. Government tenants. We expect that leases to agencies of the U.S. Government will continue to be our primary source of revenues for the foreseeable future. Due to such concentration, adverse events or conditions that affect the U.S. Government could have a more negative effect on our financial condition and operations than if our tenant base was more diverse. However, positive or negative changes in conditions in local markets, such as changes in economic or other conditions, employment rates, local tax and budget conditions, recession, competition for real property investments in these markets, uncertainty about the future and other factors are significantly less likely to impact our overall performance.

Operating Expenses

Our operating expenses generally consist of repairs and maintenance, utilities, roads and grounds, property management fees, insurance, janitorial and other operating expenses. Factors that may impact our ability to control these operating expenses include increases in utilities, increases in third party management expenses, increases in insurance premiums, increases in repair and maintenance costs and expenses related to inclement weather. Additionally, the cost of compliance with zoning and building codes as well as local, state and federal tax laws may impact our expenses. As a public company our annual general and administrative expenses are meaningfully higher due to legal, insurance, accounting, audit and other expenses related to corporate governance, SEC reporting, other compliance matters and the costs of operating as a public company. Increases in costs from any of the foregoing factors may adversely affect our future results and cash flows. Circumstances such as declines in market rental rates or increased competition may cause revenues to decrease, although the expenses of owning and operating a property will not necessarily decline. For certain of our properties, expenses may vary with occupancy, while costs arising from our property investments, interest expense and general maintenance will not be materially reduced even if a property is not fully occupied. As a result, our future cash flow and results of operations may be adversely affected and losses could be incurred if revenues decrease in the future.

Cost of Funds and Interest Rates

We expect future changes in interest rates will impact our overall performance. We manage and may continue to manage our market risk on variable rate debt by entering into interest rate swap agreements or similar instruments, subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Although we may seek to cost-effectively manage our exposure to future rate increases through such means, a portion of our overall debt may at various times float at then current rates.

Development Activities

As of December 31, 2023, we had one property under development. We intend to continue to engage in development and redevelopment activities with respect to our properties, including build-to-suit new developments and redevelopments for existing U.S. Government tenant agencies. These development activities may include some risks such as:

•
the availability and timely receipt of zoning and other regulatory approvals;

•
development costs exceeding expectations;

•
cost overruns and untimely completion of construction (including risks beyond our control, such as weather or labor conditions, or material shortages);

•
the inability to complete construction and leasing of a property on schedule, resulting in increased debt service expense and development and redevelopment costs; and

•
the availability and pricing of financing on favorable terms or at all.

Inflation

Substantially all of our leases provide for operating expense escalation. We believe inflationary increases in expenses may be at least partially offset by the contractual expense escalations described above. We do not believe inflation has had a material impact on our historical financial position or results of operations.

50

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to use judgment in the application of accounting policies, including making estimates and assumptions. We base these estimates, judgments, and assumptions on historical experience, current trends, and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. If our judgment or interpretation of the facts and circumstances relating to various transactions had been different, or different assumptions were made, it is possible that different accounting policies would have been applied, resulting in different financial results or a different presentation of our financial statements.

Below is a discussion of the accounting policies that we consider critical to an understanding of our financial condition and operating results that may require complex or significant judgment in their application or require estimates about matters which are inherently uncertain. A discussion of our significant accounting policies, which utilize these critical accounting estimates, can be found in Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies,” of our consolidated financial statements.

Real Estate Properties Acquired

When we acquire properties, we allocate the purchase price to numerous tangible and intangible components. Our process for determining the allocation to these components requires many estimates and assumptions, including the following: (1) determination of market land, rental, discount and capitalization rates; (2) estimation of leasing and tenant improvement costs associated with the remaining term of acquired leases; (3) assumptions used in determining the in-place lease and if-vacant value including the rental rates, period of time that it would take to lease vacant space and estimated tenant improvement and leasing costs; and (4) allocation of the if-vacant value between land and building. A change in any of the above key assumptions can materially change not only the presentation of acquired properties in our consolidated financial statements but also our reported results of operations.

We completed acquisitions of three wholly owned properties for an aggregate purchase price of $63.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. We completed acquisitions of three wholly owned properties for an aggregate purchase price of $108.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. These transactions were accounted for as asset acquisitions, and the purchase price of each was allocated based on the relative fair value of the asset acquired and liabilities assumed.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We regularly evaluate whether events or changes in circumstances have occurred that could indicate an impairment in the value of long-lived assets. If there is an indication that the carrying value of an asset is not recoverable, we estimate the projected undiscounted cash flows to determine whether an asset may be impaired. We estimate fair value through an evaluation of recent financial performance and projected discounted cash flows using standard industry valuation techniques. Fair value estimates are made as of a specific point in time, are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment. We determine the amount of any impairment loss by comparing the historical carrying value to estimated fair value. Upon determination that an impairment has occurred, a write-down is recognized to reduce the carrying amount to its estimated fair value.

In addition to consideration of impairment upon the events or changes in circumstances described above, we regularly evaluate the remaining lives of our long-lived assets. If we change our estimate of the remaining lives, we allocate the carrying value of the affected assets over their revised remaining lives.

On a quarterly basis, we assess the recoverability of the carrying amount of our real estate and related intangibles. Our assessment resulted in the remeasurement of ICE – Otay in the third quarter of 2022, which was written down to its estimated fair value and was classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Our estimate of the fair value was based on a combination of a pending offer from a third party to acquire the property and a discounted cash flow analysis. We used two significant unobservable inputs in the various scenarios, which were the cash flow discount rate (ranging from 6.25%-9.00%) and average price per square foot of comparable sales in the market ($109.08-$185.90). There is no assurance that we will sell ICE – Otay on the terms proposed or at all. The remeasurement resulted in an impairment loss of $5.5 million, which is included in "Impairment loss" in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

As of December 31, 2023, no impairment related to our long-lived assets was identified.

Impairment of Unconsolidated Real Estate Venture

We account for our investment in the unconsolidated real estate venture under the equity method. Under the equity method of accounting, we initially recognize our investment at cost and subsequently adjust the carrying amount of the investment for our share of the earnings or losses, distributions received, and other-than-temporary impairments.

51

Our unconsolidated real estate venture is evaluated for impairment when conditions exist that may indicate that the decrease in the carrying amount of our investment has occurred and is other than temporary. Triggering events or impairment indicators for our unconsolidated real estate venture include, recurring operating losses of an investee, absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investee, the ability of an investee to sustain an earnings capacity, a carrying amount that exceeds the fair value of the investment and that decline in fair value is other-than-temporary. Upon determination that an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred, a write-down is recognized to reduce the carrying amount of investment to its estimated fair value. Fair value estimates are made as of a specific point in time, are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgement.

As of December 31, 2023, the carrying amount of our investment in our unconsolidated real estate venture was $284.5 million, or approximately 9.9% of our total assets. As of December 31, 2022, the carrying amount of our investment in our unconsolidated real estate venture was $271.6 million, or approximately 9.6% of our total assets. During the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, no other-than-temporary impairment related to our unconsolidated real estate venture was identified.