Whitestone REIT (WSR) FY 2022 MD&A

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

You should read the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  For more detailed information regarding the basis of presentation for the following information, you should read the notes to our audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Overview of Our Company

We are a fully integrated real estate company that owns and operates commercial properties in culturally diverse markets in major metropolitan areas.  Founded in 1998, we are internally managed with a portfolio of commercial properties in Texas, Arizona and Illinois.

In October 2006, we adopted a strategic plan to acquire, redevelop, own and operate Community Centered Properties®.  We define Community Centered Properties® as visibly located properties in established or developing culturally diverse neighborhoods in our target markets.  We market, lease, and manage our centers to match tenants with the shared needs of the surrounding neighborhood.  Those needs may include specialty retail, grocery, restaurants and medical, educational and financial services.  Our goal is for each property to become a Whitestone-branded retail community that serves a neighboring five-mile radius around our property.  We employ and develop a diverse group of associates who understand the needs of our multicultural communities and tenants.

As of December 31, 2022, we wholly-owned 57 commercial properties consisting of:

Consolidated Operating Portfolio

Redevelopment, New Acquisitions Portfolio

As of December 31, 2022, we had an aggregate of 1,477 tenants.  We have a diversified tenant base with our largest tenant comprising only 2.2% of our total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2022.  Lease terms for our properties range from less than one year for smaller tenants to more than 15 years for larger tenants.  Our leases generally include minimum monthly lease payments and tenant reimbursements for taxes, insurance and maintenance.  We completed 321 new and renewal leases during 2022, totaling 932,529square feet and $118.3 million in total lease value.

We employed 75 full-time employees as of December 31, 2022.  As an internally managed REIT, we bear our own expenses of operations, including the salaries, benefits and other compensation of our employees, office expenses, legal, accounting and investor relations expenses and other overhead costs.

Real Estate Partnership

As of December 31, 2022, we, through our investment in Pillarstone OP, owned a majority interest in eight properties that do not meet our Community Centered Property® strategy containing approximately 0.9 million square feet of GLA (the “Pillarstone Properties”). We own 81.4% of the total outstanding units of Pillarstone OP, which we account for using the equity method. We also managed the day-to-day operations of Pillarstone OP pursuant to a management agreement, which was terminated on August 18, 2022.

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Market Conditions and COVID-19

COVID-19

The global health crisis caused by COVID-19 and the related responses intended to control its spread may continue to adversely affect business activity, particularly relating to our retail tenants, across the markets in which we operate. In light of the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are unable to predict the extent that its impact will have on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Inflation

We anticipate that the majority of our leases will continue to be triple-net leases or otherwise provide that tenants pay for increases in operating expenses and will contain provisions that we believe will mitigate the effect of inflation. In addition, many of our leases are for terms of less than five years, which allows us to adjust rental rates to reflect inflation and other changing market conditions when the leases expire. Consequently, increases due to inflation, as well as ad valorem tax rate increases, generally do not have a significant adverse effect upon our operating results.

Refer to “Item 1A - Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.

How We Derive Our Revenue

Substantially all of our revenue is derived from rents received from leases at our properties. We had total revenues of approximately $ 139,421,000 for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to $ 125,365,000 for the year ended December 31, 2021, an increase of $ 14,056,000, or 11%.

Known Trends in Our Operations; Outlook for Future Results

Rental Income

We expect our rental income to increase year-over-year due to the addition of properties and rent increases on renewal leases. The amount of net rental income generated by our properties depends principally on our ability to maintain the occupancy rates of currently leased space and to lease currently available space, newly acquired properties with vacant space, and space available from unscheduled lease terminations. The amount of rental income we generate also depends on our ability to maintain or increase rental rates in our submarkets. Included in our adjustments to rental revenue for the years ending December 31, 2022 and 2021, were bad debt adjustments of $0.6 million and $0.1 million, respectively, and a straight-line rent reserve adjustments of $0.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively, related to credit loss for the conversion of 80 and 59 tenants, respectively, to cash basis revenue as a result of COVID-19 collectability analysis.

Scheduled Lease Expirations

We tend to lease space to smaller businesses that desire shorter term leases. As of December 31, 2022, approximately 30% of our GLA was subject to leases that expire prior to December 31, 2024.  Over the last three years, we have renewed expiring leases with respect to approximately 70% of our GLA. We routinely seek to renew leases with our existing tenants prior to their expiration and typically begin discussions with tenants as early as 18 months prior to the expiration date of the existing lease. Inasmuch as our early renewal program and other leasing and marketing efforts target these expiring leases, we hope to re-lease most of that space prior to expiration of the leases. In the markets in which we operate, we obtain and analyze market rental rates through review of third-party publications, which provide market and submarket rental rate data and through inquiry of property owners and property management companies as to rental rates being quoted at properties that are located in close proximity to our properties and we believe display similar physical attributes as our nearby properties. We use this data to negotiate leases with new tenants and renew leases with our existing tenants at rates we believe to be competitive in the markets for our individual properties. Due to the short term nature of our leases, and based upon our analysis of market rental rates, we believe that, in the aggregate, our current leases are at market rates. Market conditions, including new supply of properties, and macroeconomic conditions in our markets and nationally affecting tenant income, such as employment levels, business conditions, interest rates, tax rates, fuel and energy costs and other matters, could adversely impact our renewal rate and/or the rental rates we are able to negotiate. We continue to monitor our tenants’ operating performances as well as overall economic trends to evaluate any future negative impact on our renewal rates and rental rates, which could adversely affect our cash flow and ability to make distributions to our shareholders.

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Property Acquisitions and Dispositions

We seek to acquire commercial properties in high-growth markets. Our acquisition targets are properties that fit our Community Centered Properties® strategy, primarily in and around Phoenix, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio and Houston.  We may acquire properties in other high growth cities in the future. We have extensive relationships with community banks, attorneys, title companies and others in the real estate industry, which we believe enables us to take advantage of these market opportunities and maintain an active acquisition pipeline. We market, lease and manage our centers to match tenants with the shared needs of the surrounding neighborhood.  Those needs may include specialty retail, grocery and restaurants as well as medical, educational and financial services.  Our goal is for each property to become a Whitestone-branded business center or retail community that serves a neighboring five-mile radius around our property.

Property Acquisitions.

On December 21, 2022, we acquired Lake Woodlands Crossing, a property that meets our Community Centered Property® strategy, for $22.5 million in cash and net prorations. Lake Woodlands Crossing, a 60,246 square foot property, was 89.3% leased at the time of purchase and is located in The Woodlands, Texas.

On December 2, 2022 we acquired Dana Park Pad, a property that meets our Community Centered Property® strategy, for $4.9 million in cash and net prorations. Dana Park Pad, a 12,000 square foot property, was 100% leased at the time of purchase and is located in the Mesa submarket of Phoenix, Arizona.

Property Dispositions. We seek to continually upgrade our portfolio by opportunistically selling properties that do not have the potential to meet our Community Centered Property® strategy and redeploying the sale proceeds into properties that better fit our strategy. Some of our properties that we own (the “non-core properties”) may not fit our Community Centered Property® strategy, and we may look for opportunities to dispose of these properties as we continue to execute our strategy.

On November 30, 2022, we completed the sale of Pima Norte, located in Carefree, Arizona, for $3.3 million. We recorded a loss on sale of $4.0 million.

On November 21, 2022, we completed the sale of Spoerlein Commons Pad, located in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, for $2.2 million. We recorded a gain on sale of $0.7 million.

On November 16, 2022, we completed the sale of Desert Canyon, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, for $9.3 million. We recorded a gain on sale of $5.1 million.

On November 14, 2022, we completed the sale of Gilbert Tuscany Village Hard Corner, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, for $2.5 million. We recorded a gain on sale of $0.8 million.

On November 10, 2022, we completed the sale of South Richey, located in Houston, Texas, for $13.1 million. We recorded a gain on sale of $9.9 million.

On October 31, 2022, we completed the sale of Bissonnet Beltway Plaza, located in Houston, Texas, for $5.4 million. We recorded a gain on sale of $4.4 million.

We have not included 2022 sold properties in discontinued operations as they did not meet the definition of discontinued operations.

On December 8, 2016, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into a Contribution Agreement (the “Contribution Agreement”) with Pillarstone and Pillarstone REIT pursuant to which we contributed all of the equity interests in four of our wholly-owned subsidiaries that, at the time, owned 14 non-core properties (the “Pillarstone Properties”) that did not fit our Community Centered Property® strategy, to Pillarstone for aggregate consideration of approximately $84 million, consisting of (1) approximately $18.1 million of Class A units representing limited partnership interests in Pillarstone (“Pillarstone OP Units”) and (2) the assumption of approximately $65.9 million of liabilities (collectively, the “Contribution”).

As of December 31, 2022, we owned approximately 81.4% of the total outstanding Pillarstone OP Units, which we account for under the equity method. See Note 4 Investment in Real Estate Partnership to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for more information on our accounting treatment of our investment in Pillarstone OP.

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Leasing Activity

As of December 31, 2022, we wholly-owned 57 properties with 5,060,899 square feet of GLA, which were approximately 94% occupied. The following is a summary of the Company’s leasing activity for the year ended December 31, 2022:

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our short-term liquidity requirements consist primarily of distributions to holders of our common shares and OP units, including those required to maintain our REIT status and satisfy our current quarterly distribution target of $0.12 per share and OP unit, recurring expenditures, such as repairs and maintenance of our properties, non-recurring expenditures, such as capital improvements and tenant improvements, debt service requirements, and, potentially, acquisitions of additional properties.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, our cash provided from operating activities was $44.4 million and our total dividends and distributions paid were $23.3 million. Therefore, we had cash flow from operations in excess of distributions of approximately $21.1 million. The 2022 Facility included a $250 million unsecured borrowing capacity under a revolving credit facility. The 2022 Facility also included an accordion feature that allowed the Operating Partnership to increase the borrowing capacity by $200 million, upon the satisfaction of certain conditions. We anticipate that cash flows from operating activities and our borrowing capacity under the 2022 Facility will provide adequate capital for our distributions, working capital requirements, anticipated capital expenditures and scheduled debt payments in the short term. We also believe that cash flows from operating activities and our borrowing capacity will allow us to make all distributions required for us to continue to qualify to be taxed as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.

Our long-term capital requirements consist primarily of maturities under our longer-term debt agreements, development and redevelopment costs, and potential acquisitions. We expect to meet our long-term liquidity requirements with net cash from operations, long-term indebtedness, sales of common shares, issuance of OP units, sales of underperforming and non-core properties and other financing opportunities, including debt financing. We believe we have access to multiple sources of capital to fund our long-term liquidity requirements, including the incurrence of additional debt and the issuance of additional equity. However, our ability to incur additional debt will be dependent on a number of factors, including our degree of leverage, the value of our unencumbered assets and borrowing restrictions that may be imposed by lenders. As of December 31, 2022, subject to any potential future paydowns or increases in the borrowing base, we have $146.4 million remaining availability under the revolving credit facility.

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Our ability to access the capital markets will be dependent on a number of factors as well, including general market conditions for REITs and market perceptions about our Company. In light of the dynamics in the capital markets impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic slowdown, our access to capital may be diminished. Despite these potential challenges, we believe we have sufficient access to capital for the foreseeable future, but we can provide no assurance that such capital will be available to us on attractive terms or at all.

On April 30, 2020, the Company entered into a loan in the principal amount of $1,733,510 from U.S. Bank National Association, one of the Company’s existing lenders, pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP Loan”) of the CARES Act. The PPP Loan was set to mature on May 6, 2022 (the “Maturity Date”), and accrued interest at 1.00% per annum and could be prepaid in whole or in part without penalty. Pursuant to the CARES Act, the Company applied for and was granted forgiveness for all of the PPP Loan. Forgiveness was determined by the U.S. Small Business Administration based on the use of loan proceeds for payroll costs, mortgage interest, rent or utility costs and the maintenance of employee and compensation levels. The Company used all proceeds from the PPP Loan to retain employees and maintain payroll and make mortgage payments, lease payments and utility payments to support business continuity throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Pursuant to the guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 405-20, “Liabilities - Extinguishment of Liabilities,” the Company recognized a $1,734,000 gain for the PPP Loan forgiveness during the year ended December 31, 2020 based on the legal release from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

On May 20, 2022, our universal shelf registration statement on Form S-3 was declared effective by the SEC, which registers the issuance and sale by us of up to $500 million in securities from time to time, including common shares, preferred shares, debt securities, depositary shares and subscription rights.

On September 9, 2022, we entered into eleven equity distribution agreements for an at-the-market equity distribution program (the “2022 equity distribution agreements”) providing for the issuance and sale of up to an aggregate of $100 million of the Company’s common shares pursuant to our Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-264881). Actual sales will depend on a variety of factors determined by us from time to time, including (among others) market conditions, the trading price of our common shares, capital needs and our determinations of the appropriate sources of funding for us, and will be made in transactions that will be deemed to be “at-the-market” offerings as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act. We have no obligation to sell any of our common shares and can at any time suspend offers under the 2022 equity distribution agreements or terminate the 2022 equity distribution agreements.

We expect that our rental income will increase as we continue to acquire additional properties, subsequently increasing our cash flows generated from operating activities. We intend to finance the continued acquisition of such additional properties through equity issuances and through debt financing.

Our capital structure includes non-recourse secured debt that we assumed or originated on certain properties. We may hedge the future cash flows of certain debt transactions principally through interest rate swaps with major financial institutions.

As discussed in Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, pursuant to the term of our $15.1 million 4.99% Note, due January 6, 2024 (see Note 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements), which is collateralized by our Anthem Marketplace property, we were required by the lenders thereunder to establish a cash management account controlled by the lenders to collect all amounts generated by our Anthem Marketplace property in order to collateralize such promissory note. Amounts in the cash management account are classified as restricted cash.

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Cash and Cash Equivalents

We had cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash of approximately $6,355,000 at December 31, 2022, as compared to $15,914,000 at December 31, 2021.  The decrease of $9,559,000 was primarily the result of the following:

Sources of Cash

Uses of Cash

We place all cash in short-term, highly liquid investments that we believe provide appropriate safety of principal.

Equity Offerings

On May 20, 2022, our universal shelf registration statement on Form S-3 was declared effective by the SEC, which registers the issuance and sale by us of up to $500 million in securities from time to time, including common shares, preferred shares, debt securities, depositary shares and subscription rights.

On September 9, 2022, we entered into eleven equity distribution agreements for an at-the-market equity distribution program (the “2022 equity distribution agreements”) providing for the issuance and sale of up to an aggregate of $100 million of the Company’s common shares pursuant to our Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-264881). Actual sales will depend on a variety of factors determined by us from time to time, including (among others) market conditions, the trading price of our common shares, capital needs and our determinations of the appropriate sources of funding for us, and were made in transactions that will be deemed to be “at-the-market” offerings as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act. We have no obligation to sell any of our common shares and can at any time suspend offers under the 2022 equity distribution agreements or terminate the 2022 equity distribution agreements.

We have used and anticipate using net proceeds from common shares issued pursuant to the 2022 equity distribution agreements for general corporate purposes, which may include acquisitions of additional properties, the repayment of outstanding indebtedness, capital expenditures, the expansion, redevelopment and/or re-tenanting of properties in our portfolio, working capital and other general purposes.

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Debt

Debt consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

On April 30, 2020, the Company entered into a loan in the principal amount of $1,733,510 from U.S. Bank National Association, one of the Company’s existing lenders, pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP Loan”) of the CARES Act. The PPP Loan was set to mature on May 6, 2022 (the “Maturity Date”), and accrued interest at 1.00% per annum and could be prepaid in whole or in part without penalty. Pursuant to the CARES Act, the Company applied for and was granted forgiveness for all of the PPP Loan. Forgiveness was determined by the U.S. Small Business Administration based on the use of loan proceeds for payroll costs, mortgage interest, rent or utility costs and the maintenance of employee and compensation levels. Pursuant to the guidance in FASB ASC 405-20, “Liabilities - Extinguishment of Liabilities,” the Company recognized a $1,734,000 gain for the PPP Loan forgiveness during the year ended December 31, 2020 based on the legal release from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

On March 22, 2019, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into a Note Purchase and Guarantee Agreement (the “Note Agreement”) together with certain subsidiary guarantors as initial guarantor parties thereto (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”) and The Prudential Insurance Company of America and the various other purchasers named therein (collectively, the “Purchasers”) providing for the issuance and sale of $100 million of senior unsecured notes of the Operating Partnership, of which (i) $50 million are designated as 5.09% Series A Senior Notes due March 22, 2029 (the “Series A Notes”) and (ii) $50 million are designated as 5.17% Series B Senior Notes due March 22, 2029 (the “Series B Notes” and, together with the Series A Notes, the “Notes”) pursuant to a private placement that closed on March 22, 2019 (the “Private Placement”). Obligations under the Notes are unconditionally guaranteed by the Company and by the Subsidiary Guarantors.

On December 16, 2022, Whitestone REIT (the “Company”) and its operating partnership, Whitestone REIT Operating Partnership, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”), amended its Note Purchase and Guarantee Agreement originally executed on  March 22, 2019 (the “Existing Note Agreement”), pursuant to the terms and conditions of an Amendment No. 1 to Note Purchase and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2022 (the Existing Note Purchase Agreement, as so amended, the “Amended Note Agreement”), by and among the Company and the Operating Partnership, together with certain subsidiary guarantors as initial guarantor parties thereto and The Prudential Insurance Company of America and the various other purchasers named therein.

Neither the term of the Existing Note Agreement, the interest rate, nor the principal amounts, were amended. The purpose of the amendment is to conform certain covenants and defined terms contained in the Amended Note Agreement with the Company’s recently amended unsecured credit facility with the lenders party thereto, Bank of Montreal, as administrative agent, Truist Bank, as syndication agent, and BMO Capital Markets Corp., Truist Bank, Capital One, National Association, and U.S. Bank National Association, as co-lead arrangers and joint book runners.

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The principal of the Series A Notes will begin to amortize on March 22, 2023 with annual principal payments of approximately $7.1 million. The principal of the Series B Notes will begin to amortize on March 22, 2025 with annual principal payments of $10.0 million. The Notes will pay interest quarterly on the 22nd day of March, June, September and December in each year until maturity.

The Operating Partnership may prepay at any time all, or from time to time part of, the Notes, in an amount not less than $1,000,000 in the case of a partial prepayment, at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid, plus a make-whole amount. The make-whole amount is equal to the excess, if any, of the discounted value of the remaining scheduled payments with respect to the Notes being prepaid over the aggregate principal amount of such Notes (as described in the Note Agreement). In addition, in connection with a Change of Control (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement), the Operating Partnership is required to offer to prepay the Notes at 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon.

The Note Agreement contains representations, warranties, covenants, terms and conditions customary for transactions of this type and substantially similar to the Operating Partnership’s existing senior revolving credit facility, including limitations on liens, incurrence of investments, acquisitions, loans and advances and restrictions on dividends and certain other restricted payments. In addition, the Note Agreement contains certain financial covenants substantially similar to the Operating Partnership’s existing senior revolving credit facility, including the following:

In addition, the Note Agreement contains a financial covenant requiring that maximum unsecured indebtedness not exceed the ratio of unsecured indebtedness to unencumbered asset pool of 0.60 to 1.00. That covenant is substantially similar to the borrowing base concept contained in the Operating Partnership’s existing senior revolving credit facility.

The Note Agreement also contains default provisions, including defaults for non-payment, breach of representations and warranties, insolvency, non-performance of covenants, cross-defaults with other indebtedness and guarantor defaults. The occurrence of an event of default under the Note Agreement could result in the Purchasers accelerating the payment of all obligations under the Notes. The financial and restrictive covenants and default provisions in the Note Agreement are substantially similar to those contained in the Operating Partnership’s existing credit facility.

Net proceeds from the Private Placement were used to refinance existing indebtedness. The Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The Notes were sold in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

On September 16, 2022, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into an unsecured credit facility (the “2022 Facility”) with the lenders party thereto, Bank of Montreal, as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”), Truist Bank, as syndication agent, and BMO Capital Markets Corp., Truist Bank, Capital One, National Association, and U.S. Bank National Association, as co-lead arrangers and joint book runners. The 2022 Facility amended and restated the Company's previous unsecured revolving credit facility, dated January 31, 2019 (the “2019 Facility”).

The 2022 Facility is comprised of the following two tranches:

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Borrowings under the 2022 Facility accrue interest (at the Operating Partnership's option) at a Base Rate or an Adjusted Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus an applicable margin based upon our then existing leverage. As of December 31, 2022, the interest rate on the 2022 Revolver was 5.79%. Based on our current leverage ratio, the revolver has initial interest rate of SOFR plus 1.60% and a 10 basis point credit spread adjustment. In addition, we entered into interest rate swaps to fix the interest rates on the Term Loan. The Term Loan with the swaps has the following interest rates:

The 2022 Facility also has a pricing provision where the applicable margin can be adjusted by an aggregate 0.02% per annum based on the Company’s performance on certain sustainability performance targets. Base Rate means, for any day, the higher of: (a) the Administrative Agent’s prime commercial rate, (b) the sum of (i) the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for such day, plus (ii) 0.50%, or (c) the sum of (i) Adjusted Term SOFR for a one-month tenor in effect on such day plus (ii) 1.10%.  Adjusted Term SOFR means, for any such day, the sum of (i) the SOFR-based term rate for the day two (2) business days prior and (ii) 0.10%.

The 2022 Facility includes an accordion feature that will allow the Operating Partnership to increase the borrowing capacity by $200.0 million, upon the satisfaction of certain conditions. As of December 31, 2022, subject to any potential future paydowns or increases in the borrowing base, we have $146.4 million remaining availability under the 2022 Revolver. As of December 31, 2022, $368.5 million was drawn on the 2022 Facility and our unused borrowing capacity was $146.4 million, assuming that we use the proceeds of the 2022 Facility to acquire properties, or to repay debt on properties, that are eligible to be included in the unsecured borrowing base. The Company used $379.5 million of proceeds from the 2022 Facility to repay amounts outstanding under the 2019 Facility.

The Company, each direct and indirect material subsidiary of the Operating Partnership and any other subsidiary of the Operating Partnership that is a guarantor under any unsecured ratable debt will serve as a guarantor for funds borrowed by the Operating Partnership under the 2022 Facility. The 2022 Facility contains customary terms and conditions, including, without limitation, customary representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants including, without limitation, information reporting requirements, limitations on investments, acquisitions, loans and advances, mergers, consolidations and sales, incurrence of liens, dividends and restricted payments. In addition, the 2022 Facility contains certain financial covenants including the following:

The 2022 Facility also contains customary events of default with customary notice and cure, including, without limitation, nonpayment, breach of covenant, misrepresentation of representations and warranties in a material respect, cross-default to other major indebtedness, change of control, bankruptcy and loss of REIT tax status. If an event of default occurs and is continuing under the 2022 Facility, the lenders may, among other things, terminate their commitments under the 2022 Facility and require the immediate payment of all amounts owed thereunder.

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As of December 31, 2022, our $157.5 million in secured debt was collateralized by seven properties with a carrying value of $243.1 million.  Our loans contain restrictions that would require the payment of prepayment penalties for the acceleration of outstanding debt and are secured by deeds of trust on certain of our properties and by assignment of the rents and leases associated with those properties. As of December 31, 2022, we were in compliance with all loan covenants.

Scheduled maturities of our outstanding debt as of December 31, 2022 were as follows (in thousands):

Capital Expenditures

We continually evaluate our properties’ performance and value. We may determine it is in our shareholders’ best interest to invest capital in properties we believe have potential for increasing value. We also may have unexpected capital expenditures or improvements for our existing assets. Additionally, we intend to continue investing in similar properties outside of Texas and Arizona in cities with exceptional demographics to diversify market risk, and we may incur significant capital expenditures or make improvements in connection with any properties we may acquire.

The following is a summary of the Company’s capital expenditures, excluding property acquisitions, for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):

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Contractual Obligations

As of December 31, 2022, we had the following contractual obligations (see Note 8 of our accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion regarding the specific terms of our debt):

Distributions

U.S. federal income tax law generally requires that a REIT distribute annually to its shareholders at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains, and that it pay tax at regular corporate rates on any taxable income that it does not distribute. We currently, and intend to continue to, accrue distributions quarterly and make distributions in three monthly installments following the end of each quarter. For a discussion of our cash flow as compared to dividends, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

The timing and frequency of our distributions are authorized and declared by our board of trustees in exercise of its business judgment based upon a number of factors, including:

Any distributions we make will be at the discretion of our board of trustees and we cannot provide assurance that our distributions will be made or sustained in the future.

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On February 10, 2021, the Company announced an increase to its quarterly distribution to $0.1075 per common share and OP units, equal to a monthly distribution of $0.035833, beginning with the March 2021 distribution. On February 22, 2022, the Company announced an increase to its quarterly distribution to 0.12 per commons share and OP unit, equal to a monthly distribution of $0.04, beginning with the April 2022 distribution.

During 2022, we paid distributions to our common shareholders and OP unit holders of $23.3 million, compared to $19.7 million in 2021.  Common shareholders and OP unit holders receive monthly distributions.  Payments of distributions are declared quarterly and paid monthly.  The distributions paid to common shareholders and OP unit holders were as follows (in thousands, except per share data) for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:

Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements.  We prepared these financial statements in conformity with GAAP.  The preparation of these financial statements required us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.  We based our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances.  Our results may differ from these estimates.  Currently, we believe that our accounting policies do not require us to make estimates using assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain.  For a better understanding of our accounting policies, you should read Note 2 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements in conjunction with this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

We have described below the critical accounting policies that we believe could impact our consolidated financial statements most significantly.

Revenue Recognition.  All leases on our properties are classified as operating leases, and the related rental income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related leases.  Differences between rental income earned and amounts due per the respective lease agreements are capitalized or charged, as applicable, to accrued rents and accounts receivable. Percentage rents are recognized as rental income when the thresholds upon which they are based have been met.  Recoveries from tenants for taxes, insurance, and other operating expenses are recognized as revenues in the period the corresponding costs are incurred. We combine lease and nonlease components in lease contracts, which includes combining base rent, recoveries, and percentage rents into a single line item, Rental, within the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Additionally, we have tenants who pay real estate taxes directly to the taxing authority. We exclude these costs paid directly by the tenant to third parties on our behalf from revenue recognized and the associated property operating expense.

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Other property income primarily includes amounts recorded in connection with management fees and lease termination fees. Pillarstone OP paid us management fees for property management, leasing and day-to-day advisory and administrative services. Their obligations were satisfied over time. Pillarstone OP was billed monthly and typically paid quarterly. Revenues were governed by the Management Agreements (as defined in Note 4 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements). The management agreement was terminated on August 18, 2022. Additionally, we recognize lease termination fees in the year that the lease is terminated and collection of the fee is probable. Amounts recorded within other property income are accounted for at the point in time when control of the goods or services transfers to the customer and our performance obligation is satisfied.

Equity Method. In accordance with Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09 (“Topic 606”) and ASC 610, “Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets,” the Company recognizes its investment in Pillarstone OP under the equity method.

Development Properties.  Land, buildings and improvements are recorded at cost. Expenditures related to the development of real estate are carried at cost which includes capitalized carrying charges and development costs. Carrying charges (interest, real estate taxes, loan fees, and direct and indirect development costs related to buildings under construction), are capitalized as part of construction in progress. The capitalization of such costs ceases when the property, or any completed portion, becomes available for occupancy. For the year ended December 31, 2022, approximately $ 455,000 and $ 281,000 in interest expense and real estate taxes, respectively, were capitalized. For the year ended December 31, 2021, approximately $414,000 and $291,000 in interest expense and real estate taxes, respectively, were capitalized. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately $481,000 and $306,000 in interest expense and real estate taxes, respectively, were capitalized.

Acquired Properties and Acquired Lease Intangibles.  We allocate the purchase price of the acquired properties to land, building and improvements, identifiable intangible assets and to the acquired liabilities based on their respective fair values at the time of purchase. Identifiable intangibles include amounts allocated to acquired out-of-market leases, the value of in-place leases, the value of the ground lease and customer relationship value, if any. We determine fair value based on estimated cash flow projections that utilize appropriate discount and capitalization rates and available market information. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a number of factors including the historical operating results, known trends and specific market and economic conditions that may affect the property. Factors considered by management in our analysis of determining the as-if-vacant property value include an estimate of carrying costs during the expected lease-up periods considering market conditions, and costs to execute similar leases. In estimating carrying costs, management includes real estate taxes, insurance and estimates of lost rentals at market rates during the expected lease-up periods, tenant demand and other economic conditions. Management also estimates costs to execute similar leases including leasing commissions, tenant improvements, legal and other related expenses. Intangibles related to out-of-market leases and in-place lease value are recorded as acquired lease intangibles and are amortized as an adjustment to rental revenue or amortization expense, as appropriate, over the remaining terms of the underlying leases. Premiums or discounts on acquired out-of-market debt are amortized to interest expense over the remaining term of such debt. The Company also utilizes valuations from independent real estate appraisal firms.

Depreciation.  Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of 3 to 43 years for improvements and buildings.  Tenant improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method over the life of the improvement or remaining term of the lease, whichever is shorter.

Impairment.  We review our properties for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets, including accrued rental income, may not be recoverable through operations. The first step of the impairment test is to determine whether an indicator of impairment is present. If an indicator of impairment is present, we determine whether an impairment in value has occurred by comparing the estimated future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges), including the estimated residual value of the property, with the carrying cost of the property.  If impairment is indicated, a loss will be recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of the property exceeds its fair value.  Management has determined that there has been no impairment in the carrying value of our real estate assets as of December 31, 2022.

Accrued Rents and Accounts Receivable. Included in accrued rents and accounts receivable are base rents, tenant reimbursements and receivables attributable to recording rents on a straight-line basis. We review the collectability of charges under our tenant operating leases on a regular basis, taking into consideration changes in factors such as the tenant’s payment history, the financial condition of the tenant, business conditions in the industry in which the tenant operates and economic conditions in the area where the property is located including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tenants’ businesses and financial condition. We recognize an adjustment to rental revenue if we deem it probable that the receivable will not be collected. Our review of collectability under our operating leases includes any accrued rental revenues related to the straight-line method of reporting rental revenue.  As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, we had an allowance for uncollectible accounts of $13.8 million and $14.9 million, respectively. For the years ending December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, we recorded an adjustment to rental revenue in the amount of $1.2 million, $(0.1) million and $5.6 million, respectively. Included in the adjustment to rental revenue for the years ending December 31, 2022 and 2021, was a bad debt adjustment of $0.6 million and $0.1 million, respectively, and a straight-line rent reserve adjustment of $0.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively, related to credit loss for the conversion of 80 and 59 tenants, respectively, to cash basis revenue as a result of COVID-19 collectability analysis.

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Unamortized Lease Commissions and Loan Costs.  Leasing commissions are amortized using the straight-line method over the terms of the related lease agreements.  Loan costs are amortized on the straight-line method over the terms of the loans, which approximates the interest method.  Costs allocated to in-place leases whose terms differ from market terms related to acquired properties are amortized over the remaining life of the respective leases.

Prepaids and Other Assets.  Prepaids and other assets include escrows established pursuant to certain mortgage financing arrangements for real estate taxes and insurance and acquisition deposits which include earnest money deposits on future acquisitions.

Federal Income Taxes.  We elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 1999.  As a REIT, we generally are not subject to federal income tax on income that we distribute to our shareholders.  If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to federal income tax on our taxable income at regular corporate rates.  We believe that we are organized and operate in such a manner as to qualify to be taxed as a REIT, and we intend to operate so as to remain qualified as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.

State Taxes.  We are subject to the Texas Margin Tax which is computed by applying the applicable tax rate (1% for us) to the profit margin, which, generally, will be determined for us as total revenue less a 30% standard deduction.  Although the Texas Margin Tax is not an income tax, FASB ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”) applies to the Texas Margin Tax.  As of December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, we recorded a margin tax provision of $0.4 million, $0.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments.  Our financial instruments consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts and notes payable.  The carrying value of cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable are representative of their respective fair values due to their short-term nature.  The fair value of our long-term debt, consisting of fixed rate secured notes, variable rate secured notes and an unsecured revolving credit facility aggregate to approximately $579.7 million and $643.6 million as compared to the book value of approximately $626.0 million and $643.6 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The fair value of our long-term debt is estimated on a Level 2 basis (as provided by ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”), using a discounted cash flow analysis based on the borrowing rates currently available to us for loans with similar terms and maturities, discounting the future contractual interest and principal payments.

The fair value of our loan guarantee to Pillarstone OP is estimated on a Level 3 basis (as provided by ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”), using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow analysis based on a discount rate, discounting the loan balance. The fair value of the loan guarantee is $0.1 million and $0.1 million as compared to the book value of approximately $0.1 million and $0.1 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Disclosure about fair value of financial instruments is based on pertinent information available to management as of December 31, 2022 and 2021. Although management is not aware of any factors that would significantly affect the fair value amounts, such amounts have not been comprehensively revalued for purposes of these financial statements since December 31, 2022, and current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. We utilize derivative financial instruments, principally interest rate swaps, to manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. We have established policies and procedures for risk assessment, and the approval, reporting and monitoring of derivative financial instruments. We recognize our interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges with the effective portion of the changes in fair value recorded in comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged transaction affects earnings. Any ineffective portion of a cash flow hedge’s change in fair value is recorded immediately into earnings. Our cash flow hedges are determined using Level 2 inputs under ASC 820. Level 2 inputs represent quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable. As of December 31, 2022, we consider our cash flow hedges to be highly effective.

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements. In April 2020, the FASB issued guidance on the application of Topic 842, relating to concessions being made by lessors in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance notes that it would be acceptable for entities to make an election to account for lease concessions relating to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic consistent with how those concessions would be accounted for under Topic 842 as though enforceable rights and obligations for those concessions existed, even if such enforceable rights and obligations are not explicitly contained in the lease contract. Thus, for concessions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, an entity would not have to analyze each contract to determine whether enforceable rights and obligations for concessions exist in the contract, and would have the option to apply, or not to apply, the general lease modification guidance in Topic 842 as it stands. We have elected this option to account for lease concessions relating to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic consistent with how those concessions would be accounted for under Topic 842 as though enforceable rights and obligations for those concessions existed. Therefore, such concessions are not accounted for as a lease modification under Topic 842.

In March 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting” (“ASU 2020-04”), which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by the discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or by another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. In January 2021, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2021-01, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope” (“ASU 2021-01”), which clarified the scope and application of the original guidance. We have elected this option and adopted ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01 effective September 2022. There was no material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statement as a result of adopting this guidance.

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Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2022 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2021

The following table provides a general comparison of our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 (dollars in thousands, except per share data):

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We define “Same Stores” as properties that have been owned for the entire period being compared. For purposes of comparing the year ended December 31, 2022 to the year ended December 31, 2021, Same Stores include properties owned during the entire period from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022. We define “Non-Same Stores” as properties acquired since the beginning of the period being compared and properties that have been sold, but not classified as discontinued operations.

Revenues. The primary components of revenue are detailed in the table below (in thousands, except percentages):

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Operating expenses. The primary components of operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 are detailed in the table below (in thousands, except percentages):

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Other expenses (income). The primary components of other expenses (income) for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 are detailed in the table below (in thousands, except percentages):

Equity in earnings of real estate partnership. Our estimated equity in earnings of real estate partnership, which is generated from our 81.4% ownership of Pillarstone OP, decreased $370,000 from $609,000 for the year ended December 31, 2021 to $239,000 for the year ended December 31, 2022. Please refer to Note 4 (Investment in Real Estate Partnership) to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for more information regarding our investment in Pillarstone OP.

Gain on sale of property from discontinued operations. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we recognized a $1.8 million gain in connection with the sale of three office buildings we completed on December 31, 2014. We provided seller-financing for the office buildings, Zeta, Royal Crest and Featherwood, and deferred the gain until principal payments on the seller-financed loans were received. The purchaser of the office buildings paid the remaining principal balance of $1.8 million during 2021. As of December 31, 2022, we have recognized all the deferred gains associated with the three office buildings.

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Same Store net operating income. The components of Same Store net operating income is detailed in the table below (in thousands):

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Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020

For a discussion and comparison of the results of our operations for the year ended December 31, 2021 with the year ended December 31, 2020, refer to “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations” in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the SEC on March 11, 2022.

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Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Funds From Operations (NAREIT) (“FFO”) and Normalized FFO

The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) defines FFO as net income (loss) available to common shareholders computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding depreciation and amortization related to real estate, gains or losses from the sale of certain real estate assets, gains and losses from change in control, and 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 calculate FFO in a manner consistent with the NAREIT definition and also include adjustments for our unconsolidated real estate partnership.

Normalized Funds from Operations (“Normalized FFO”) is a non-GAAP measure. We define Normalized FFO as FFO excluding extinguishment of debt costs and gain on loan forgiveness.

Management uses FFO as a supplemental measure to conduct and evaluate our business because there are certain limitations associated with using GAAP net income (loss) alone as the primary measure of our operating performance.

Historical cost accounting for real estate assets in accordance with GAAP implicitly assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time.  Because real estate values instead have historically risen or fallen with market conditions, management believes that the presentation of operating results for real estate companies that use historical cost accounting is insufficient by itself.  In addition, securities analysts, investors and other interested parties use FFO as the primary metric for comparing the relative performance of equity REITs.

FFO and Normalized FFO should not be considered as an alternative to net income or other measurements under GAAP, as an indicator of our operating performance or to cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities as a measure of liquidity.  FFO and Normalized FFO does not reflect working capital changes, cash expenditures for capital improvements or principal payments on indebtedness. Although our calculation of FFO is consistent with that of NAREIT, there can be no assurance that FFO and Normalized FFO presented by us is comparable to similarly titled measures of other REITs.

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Below are the calculations of FFO and Normalized FFO and the reconciliations to net income, which we believe is the most comparable GAAP financial measure (in thousands):

Property Net Operating Income (“NOI”)

NOI: Net Operating Income: Management believes that NOI is a useful measure of our property operating performance. We define NOI as operating revenues (rental and other revenues) less property and related expenses (property operation and maintenance and real estate taxes). Other REITs may use different methodologies for calculating NOI and, accordingly, our NOI may not be comparable to other REITs. Because NOI adjusts for general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, equity in earnings of real estate partnership, interest expense, interest dividend and other investment income, provision for income taxes, gain or loss on sale of property from discontinued operations, management fee, net of related expenses, gain or loss on sale or disposal of assets, gain on loan forgiveness, our pro rata share of NOI of equity method investments and net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, it provides a performance measure that, when compared year-over-year, reflects the revenues and expenses directly associated with owning and operating commercial real estate properties and the impact to operations from trends in occupancy rates, rental rates and operating costs, providing perspective not immediately apparent from net income. We use NOI to evaluate our operating performance since NOI allows us to evaluate the impact that factors such as occupancy levels, lease structure, lease rates and tenant base have on our results, margins and returns. In addition, management believes that NOI provides useful information to the investment community about our property and operating performance when compared to other REITs since NOI is generally recognized as a standard measure of property performance in the real estate industry. However, NOI should not be viewed as a measure of our overall financial performance since it does not reflect general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, interest expense, interest income, provision for income taxes and gain or loss on sale or disposition of assets, the level of capital expenditures and leasing costs necessary to maintain the operating performance of our properties.

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Below is the calculation of NOI and the reconciliation to net income, which we believe is the most comparable GAAP financial measure (in thousands):

Taxes

We elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 1999.  As a REIT, we generally are not subject to federal income tax on income that we distribute to our shareholders.  If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to federal income tax on our taxable income at regular corporate rates.  We believe that we are organized and operate in a manner to qualify and be taxed as a REIT, and we intend to operate so as to remain qualified as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Guarantees We may guarantee the debt of a real estate partnership primarily because it allows the real estate partnership to obtain funding at a lower cost than could be obtained otherwise. This results in a higher return for the real estate partnership on its investment, and a higher return on our investment in the real estate partnership. We may receive a fee from the real estate partnership for providing the guarantee. Additionally, when we issue a guarantee, the terms of the real estate partnership’s partnership agreement typically provide that we may receive indemnification from the real estate partnership or have the ability to increase our ownership interest. See Note 4 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for information related to our guarantees of our real estate partnership’s debt as of December 31, 2022 and 2021.