10-K 1 wsr10k2012-12tobefiled.htm 10-K WSR 10K (2012-12) to be filed


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
____________________________________

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)
x     ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012
OR
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ____________ to ____________
Commission File Number: 001-34855
______________________________

WHITESTONE REIT

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Maryland
 
76-0594970
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Organization)
 
Identification No.)
 
 
 
2600 South Gessner, Suite 500, Houston, Texas
 
77063
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (713) 827-9595
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value $0.001 per share
 
New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o        Accelerated filer x        Non-accelerated filer o        Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No x
The aggregate market value of the common shares held by nonaffiliates of the registrant as of June 29, 2012 (the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter) was $163,615,328 based on the closing price of common shares of $13.81 per share as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.
As of March 11, 2013, the registrant had 16,991,629 common shares of beneficial interest, $0.001 par value per share, outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: We incorporate by reference in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K portions of our definitive proxy statement for our 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed subsequently with the Securities and Exchange Commission.




WHITESTONE REIT
FORM 10-K
Year Ended December 31, 2012


 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
Item 1A.
 
Item 1B. 
 
Item 2.   
 
Item 3.    
 
Item 4.       
 
 
 

 



Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this report to the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” are to Whitestone REIT and its consolidated subsidiaries.


Forward-Looking Statements

 
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements, including discussion and analysis of our financial condition, anticipated capital expenditures required to complete projects, amounts of anticipated cash distributions to our shareholders in the future and other matters. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but are the intent, belief or current expectations of our management based on its knowledge and understanding of our business and industry. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the use of terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “potential,” “predicts,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates” or the negative of such terms and variations of these words and similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, are difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements.
 
Forward-looking statements that were true at the time made may ultimately prove to be incorrect or false. You are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect our management’s view only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K include:
 
•
the imposition of federal taxes if we fail to qualify as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") in any taxable year or forego an opportunity to ensure REIT status;
 
•
uncertainties related to the national economy, the real estate industry in general and in our specific markets;
 
•
legislative or regulatory changes, including changes to laws governing REITs;
 
•
adverse economic or real estate developments in Texas, Arizona or Illinois;
 
•
increases in interest rates and operating costs;
 
•
inability to obtain necessary outside financing;
 
•
litigation risks;
 
•
lease-up risks;
 
•
inability to obtain new tenants upon the expiration of existing leases;
 
•
inability to generate sufficient cash flows due to market conditions, competition, uninsured losses, changes in tax or other applicable laws; and
 
•
the need to fund tenant improvements or other capital expenditures out of operating cash flow.
 
The forward-looking statements should be read in light of these factors and the factors identified in the “Risk Factors” section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.



PART I
 
Item 1.  Business.
 
General
 
We are a Maryland REIT engaged in owning and operating commercial properties in culturally diverse markets in major metropolitan areas. Founded in 1998, we changed our state of organization from Texas to Maryland in December 2003.  We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
 
We are internally managed and, as of December 31, 2012, we owned a real estate portfolio of 51 properties containing approximately 4.3 million square feet of gross leasable area, located in Texas, Arizona and Illinois.  Our property portfolio has a gross book value of approximately $410 million and book equity, including noncontrolling interests, of approximately $173 million as of December 31, 2012.
 
Our common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share, are currently traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") under the ticker symbol "WSR."  Our offices are located at 2600 South Gessner, Suite 500, Houston, Texas 77063.  Our telephone number is (713) 827-9595 and we maintain a website at www.whitestonereit.com.
 
Our Strategy
 
In October 2006, our current management team joined the company and 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 business center or 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.
Our primary business objective is to increase shareholder value by acquiring, owning and operating Community Centered Properties. The key elements of our strategy include:
 
•
Strategically Acquiring Properties.

◦
Seeking High Growth Markets. We seek to strategically acquire commercial properties in high-growth markets. Our acquisition targets are located in densely populated, culturally diverse neighborhoods, primarily in and around Phoenix, Chicago, Dallas, San Antonio and Houston.

◦
Diversifying Geographically. Our current portfolio is concentrated in Houston. We believe that continued geographic diversification in markets where we have substantial knowledge and experience will help offset the economic risk from a single market concentration. We intend to continue to focus our expansion efforts on the Phoenix, Chicago, Dallas and San Antonio markets. We believe our management infrastructure and capacity can accommodate substantial growth in those markets. We may also pursue opportunities in other Southwestern and Western regions that are consistent with our Community Centered Property strategy.

◦
Capitalizing on Availability of Distressed Assets. We believe that during the next several years there will continue to be excellent opportunities in our target markets to acquire quality properties at historically attractive prices. We intend to acquire distressed assets directly from owners or financial institutions holding foreclosed real estate and debt instruments that are either in default or on bank watch lists. Many of these assets may benefit from our corporate strategy and our management team’s experience in turning around distressed properties, portfolios and companies. We have extensive relationships with community banks, attorneys, title companies, and others in the real estate industry with whom we regularly work to identify properties for potential acquisition.
 

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•
Redeveloping and Re-tenanting Existing Properties. We “turn around” properties and seek to add value through renovating and re-tenanting our properties to create Whitestone-branded Community Centered Properties. We seek to accomplish this by (1) stabilizing occupancy, with per property occupancy goals of 90% or higher; (2) adding leasable square footage to existing structures; (3) developing and building on excess land; (4) upgrading and renovating existing structures; and (5) investing significant effort in recruiting tenants whose goods and services meet the needs of the surrounding neighborhood.
 
•
Recycling Capital for Greater Returns. 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 were acquired prior to the tenure of our current management team 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.
 
•
Prudent Management of Capital Structure. We currently have 24 properties that are not mortgaged. We may seek to add mortgage indebtedness to existing and newly acquired unencumbered properties to provide additional capital for acquisitions. As a general policy, we intend to maintain a ratio of total indebtedness to undepreciated book value of real estate assets that is less than 60%. As of December 31, 2012, our ratio of total indebtedness to undepreciated book value of real estate assets was 47%.
 
•
Investing in People. We believe that our people are the heart of our culture, philosophy and strategy. We continually focus on developing associates who are self-disciplined and motivated and display at all times a high degree of character and competence. We provide them with equity incentives to align their interests with those of our shareholders.
 
Our Structure
 
Substantially all of our business is conducted through Whitestone REIT Operating Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership organized in 1998 (the “Operating Partnership”).  We are the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership.  As of December 31, 2012, we owned a 96.1% interest in the Operating Partnership.

As of December 31, 2012, we owned a real estate portfolio consisting of 51 properties located in three states.  As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, our Operating Portfolio Occupancy Rate was 87% based on gross leasable area. We define Operating Portfolio Occupancy Rate as physical occupancy on all properties, excluding (i) new acquisitions, through the earlier of attainment of 90% occupancy or 18 months of ownership, and (ii) properties that are undergoing significant redeveloping or re-tenanting.

We take a very hands-on approach to ownership, and directly manage the operations and leasing of our properties.  Substantially all of our revenues consist of base rents received under long-term leases.  For the year ended December 31, 2012, our total revenues were approximately $46.6 million.  Approximately 62% of our existing leases contain “step up” rental clauses that provide for increases in the base rental payments.
 
As of December 31, 2012, we had two properties that when combined, accounted for more than 10% of total gross revenue and real estate assets.  Uptown Tower is an office building located in Dallas, Texas that accounted for 7.8% of our total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2012.  Uptown Tower also accounted for  4.5% of our real estate assets, net of accumulated depreciation, for the year ended December 31, 2012.  Village Square at Dana Park, or Dana Park, a retail community purchased on September 21, 2012 and located in the Mesa submarket of Phoenix, Arizona, accounted for 3.3% of our total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2012. Dana Park also accounted for 13.0% of our real estate assets, net of accumulated depreciation, for the year ended December 31, 2012. Of our 51 properties, 30 are located in the Houston, Texas metropolitan area.
 
Economic Factors

The recent economic recession continues to negatively impact the volume of real estate transactions, occupancy levels, tenants’ ability to pay rent and cap rates. Each of these factors could negatively impact the value of public real estate companies, including ours.  However, the vast majority of our retail properties are located in densely populated metropolitan areas and are occupied by tenants that generally provide basic necessity-type items and services and tend to be less affected by economic changes.  Furthermore, our portfolio is primarily positioned in metropolitan areas in Texas that have been impacted less by the economic slow down compared to other metropolitan areas.


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Competition
 
All of our properties are located in areas that include competing properties.  The amount of competition in a particular area could impact our ability to acquire additional real estate, sell current real estate, lease space and the amount of rent we are able to charge.  We may be competing with owners, developers and operators, including, but not limited to, real estate investors, other REITs, insurance companies and pension funds.

Should we decide to dispose of a property, we may compete with third-party sellers of similar types of commercial properties for suitable purchasers, which may result in our receiving lower net proceeds from a sale or in our not being able to dispose of such property at a time of our choosing due to the lack of an acceptable return. In operating and managing our properties, we compete for tenants based upon a number of factors including, but not limited to, location, rental rates, security, flexibility, expertise to design space to meet prospective tenants' needs and the manner in which the property is operated, maintained and marketed. We may be required to provide rent concessions, incur charges for tenant improvements and other inducements, or we may not be able to timely lease vacant space, all of which would adversely impact our results of operations.

Many of our competitors have greater financial and other resources than us and also may have more operating experience. Generally, there are other neighborhood and community retail centers within relatively close proximity to each of our properties. There is, however, no dominant competitor in the Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Phoenix or Chicago metropolitan areas. Our retail tenants also face increasing competition from outlet malls, internet discount shopping clubs, catalog companies, direct mail and telemarketing.
 
Compliance with Governmental Regulations
 
Under various federal and state environmental laws and regulations, as an owner or operator of real estate, we may be required to investigate and clean up certain hazardous or toxic substances, asbestos-containing materials, or petroleum product releases at our properties. We may also be held liable to a governmental entity or to third parties for property damage and for investigation and cleanup costs incurred by those parties in connection with the contamination. In addition, some environmental laws create a lien on the contaminated site in favor of the government for damages and costs it incurs in connection with the contamination. The presence of contamination or the failure to remediate contaminations at any of our properties may adversely affect our ability to sell or lease the properties or to borrow using the properties as collateral. We could also be liable under common law to third parties for damages and injuries resulting from environmental contamination coming from our properties.

We will not purchase any property unless we are generally satisfied with the environmental status of the property. We may obtain a Phase I environmental site assessment, which includes a visual survey of the building and the property in an attempt to identify areas of potential environmental concerns, visually observing neighboring properties to assess surface conditions or activities that may have an adverse environmental impact on the property, and contacting local governmental agency personnel and performing a regulatory agency file search in an attempt to determine any known environmental concerns in the immediate vicinity of the property. A Phase I environmental site assessment does not generally include any sampling or testing of soil, groundwater or building materials from the property.
 
We believe that our properties are in compliance in all material respects with all federal, state and local ordinances and regulations regarding the handling, discharge and emission of hazardous or toxic substances. During the re-financing of twenty-one of our properties in late 2008 and early 2009, Phase I environmental site assessments were completed at those properties. These assessments revealed that five of the twenty-one properties currently or previously had a dry cleaning facility as a tenant. Since release of chlorinated solvents can occur as a result of dry cleaning operations, a Phase II subsurface investigation was conducted at the five identified properties, and all such investigations revealed the presence of chlorinated solvents. Based on the findings of the Phase II subsurface investigations, we promptly applied for entry into the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Dry Cleaner Remediation Program, or DCRP, for four of the identified properties and were accepted. Upon entry, and continued good standing with the DCRP, the DCRP administers the Dry Cleaning Remediation fund to assist with remediation of contamination caused by dry cleaning solvents. The response actions associated with the ongoing investigation and subsequent remediation, if necessary, have not been determined at this time.

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However, we believe that the costs of such response actions will be immaterial, and therefore no liability has been recorded in our financial statements. We have not been notified by any governmental authority, and are not otherwise aware, other than the five identified properties described above, of any material noncompliance, liability or claim relating to hazardous or toxic substances in connection with any of our present or former properties. Nevertheless, it is possible that the environmental assessments conducted thus far and currently available to us do not reveal all potential environmental liabilities. It is also possible that subsequent investigations will identify material contamination or other adverse conditions, that adverse environmental conditions have arisen subsequent to the performance of the environmental assessments, or that there are material environmental liabilities of which management is unaware.
 
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, all places of public accommodation are required to meet certain federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. Our properties must comply with the ADA to the extent that they are considered “public accommodations” as defined by the ADA. The ADA may require removal of structural barriers to access by persons with disabilities in public areas of our properties where such removal is readily achievable. We believe that our properties are in substantial compliance with the ADA and that we will not be required to make substantial capital expenditures to address the requirements of the ADA. In addition, we will continue to assess our compliance with the ADA and to make alterations to our properties as required.
 
Employees
 
As of December 31, 2012, we had 68 employees.

Materials Available on Our Website

Copies of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports, as well as Reports on Forms 3, 4 and 5 regarding our officers, trustees or 10% beneficial owners, filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a), 15(d) or 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) are available free of charge through our website (www.whitestonereit.com) as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file the material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  We have also made available on our website copies of our Audit Committee Charter, Compensation Committee Charter, Nominating and Governance Committee Charter, Insider Trading Compliance Policy, and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Policy.  In the event of any changes to these charters, the code or guidelines, revised copies will also be made available on our website.  You may also read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549.  Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC as we do. The website address is http://www.sec.gov. Materials on our website are not part of our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Financial Information
 
Additional financial information related to the Company is included in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

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Item 1A.  Risk Factors.
 
In addition to the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the following risk factors should be considered carefully in evaluating our business.  Our business, financial condition, results of operations or the trading price of our common shares could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks.  Please note that additional risks not presently known to us or which we currently consider immaterial may also impair our business and operations.
 
Risks Associated with Real Estate
 
Recent market disruptions may significantly and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
 
The U.S. economy is still experiencing weakness from recent economic conditions, which resulted in increased unemployment, weakening of tenant financial condition, large-scale business failures and tight credit markets. Our results of operations may be sensitive to changes in overall economic conditions that impact tenant leasing practices. Adverse economic conditions affecting tenant income, such as employment levels, business conditions, interest rates, tax rates, fuel and energy costs and other matters, could reduce overall tenant leasing or cause tenants to shift their leasing practices. In addition, periods of economic slowdown or recession, rising interest rates or declining demand for real estate, or the public perception that any of these events may occur, could result in a general decline in rents or an increased incidence of defaults under existing leases. Although the U.S. economy is beginning to emerge from the recent recession, high levels of unemployment have persisted, and rental rates and valuations for retail space have not fully recovered to pre-recession levels and may not for a number of years. At this time, it is difficult to determine the breadth and duration of the impact of the economic and financial market problems and the many ways in which they could affect our tenants and our business in general. A general reduction in the level of tenant leasing could adversely affect our ability to maintain our current tenants and gain new tenants, affecting our growth and profitability. Accordingly, continuation or further worsening of these difficult financial and macroeconomic conditions could have a significant adverse effect on our cash flows, profitability, results of operations and the trading price of our common shares.

Real estate property investments are illiquid due to a variety of factors and therefore we may not be able to dispose of properties when appropriate or on favorable terms.
 
Our strategy includes opportunistically selling properties that do not have the potential to meet our Community Centered Property strategy. However, real estate property investments generally cannot be disposed of quickly. In addition, the Code imposes certain restrictions on the ability of a REIT to dispose of properties that are not applicable to other types of real estate companies. Therefore, we may not be able to vary our portfolio in response to economic or other conditions promptly or on favorable terms, which could cause us to incur extended losses, reduce our cash flows and adversely affect distributions to shareholders.
 
We cannot predict whether we will be able to sell any property for the price or on the terms set by us or whether any price or other terms offered by a prospective purchaser would be acceptable to us. We also cannot predict the length of time needed to find a willing purchaser and to close the sale of a property. To the extent we are unable to sell any properties for our book value, we may be required to take a non-cash impairment charge or loss on the sale, either of which would reduce our net income.
 
We may be required to expend funds and time to correct defects or to make improvements before a property can be sold. We cannot assure you that we will have funds available to correct those defects or to make those improvements, which may impede our ability to sell a property. Further, we may agree to transfer restrictions that materially restrict us from selling a property for a period of time or impose other restrictions, such as a limitation on the amount of debt that can be placed or repaid on that property. These transfer restrictions would impede our ability to sell a property even if we deem it necessary or appropriate. These facts and any others that would further contribute to the illiquid character of real estate properties and impede our ability to respond to adverse changes in the performance of our properties may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, our ability to make distributions to our shareholders and the trading price of our common shares.
 

5

Our business is dependent upon our tenants successfully operating their businesses, and their failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our ability to successfully and profitably operate our business.
 
We depend on our tenants to operate their businesses in a manner which generates revenues sufficient to allow them to meet their obligations to us, including their obligations to pay rent, maintain certain insurance coverage, pay real estate taxes and maintain the properties in a manner so as not to jeopardize their operating licenses or regulatory status. The ability of our tenants to fulfill their obligations under our leases may depend, in part, upon the overall profitability of their operations. Cash flow generated by certain tenant businesses may not be sufficient for a tenant to meet its obligations to us. Our financial position could be weakened and our ability to fulfill our obligations under our indebtedness could be limited if a number of our tenants were unable to meet their obligations to us or failed to renew or extend their relationship with us as their lease terms expire, or if we were unable to lease or re-lease our properties on economically favorable terms. These adverse developments could arise due to a number of factors, including those described in the risk factors discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Turmoil in capital markets could adversely impact acquisition activities and pricing of real estate assets.
 
Volatility in capital markets could adversely affect acquisition activities by impacting certain factors, including the tightening of underwriting standards by lenders and credit rating agencies and the significant inventory of unsold collateralized mortgage backed securities in the market. These factors directly affect a lender's ability to provide debt financing as well as increase the cost of available debt financing. As a result, we may not be able to obtain favorable debt financing in the future or at all. This may impair our ability to acquire properties or result in future acquisitions generating lower overall economic returns, which may adversely affect our results of operations and distributions to shareholders. Furthermore, any turmoil in the capital markets could adversely impact the overall amount of capital available to invest in real estate, which may result in price or value decreases of real estate assets.
 
The value of investments in our common shares will be directly affected by general economic and regulatory factors we cannot control or predict.
 
Investments in real estate typically involve a high level of risk as the result of factors we cannot control or predict. One of the risks of investing in real estate is the possibility that our properties will not generate income sufficient to meet operating expenses or will generate income and capital appreciation, if any, at rates lower than those anticipated or available through investments in comparable real estate or other investments. The following factors may affect income from properties and yields from investments in properties and are generally outside of our control:
 
•
conditions in financial markets;
 
•
over-building in our markets;
 
•
a reduction in rental income as the result of the inability to maintain occupancy levels;
 
•
adverse changes in applicable tax, real estate, environmental or zoning laws;
 
•
changes in general economic conditions;
 
•
a taking of any of our properties by eminent domain;
 
•
adverse local conditions (such as changes in real estate zoning laws that may reduce the desirability of real estate in the area);
 
•
acts of God, such as hurricanes, earthquakes or floods and other uninsured losses;
 
•
changes in supply of or demand for similar or competing properties in an area;
 
•
changes in interest rates and availability of permanent debt capital, which may render the sale of a property difficult or unattractive; and
 
•
periods of high interest rates, inflation or tight money supply.
 

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Some or all of these factors may affect our properties, which could adversely affect our operations and ability to pay dividends to shareholders.

We may face significant competition in our efforts to acquire financially distressed properties and debt.
 
Our acquisition strategy includes acquiring distressed commercial real estate, and we could face significant competition from other investors, REITs, hedge funds, private equity funds and other private real estate investors with greater financial resources and access to capital than us. Therefore, we may not be able to compete successfully for investments. In addition, the number of entities and the amount of purchasers competing for suitable investments may increase, all of which could result in competition for accretive acquisition opportunities and adversely affect our business plan and our ability to maintain our current dividend rate.

All of our properties are subject to property taxes that may increase in the future, which could adversely affect our cash flow.
 
Our properties are subject to property taxes that may increase as property tax rates change and as the properties are assessed or reassessed by taxing authorities. As the owner of the properties we are ultimately responsible for payment of the taxes to the government. If property taxes increase, our tenants may be unable to make the required tax payments, ultimately requiring us to pay the taxes. In addition, we will generally be responsible for property taxes related to any vacant space in our properties.

Our assets may be subject to impairment charges.
 
We periodically evaluate our real estate investments and other assets for impairment indicators. The judgment regarding the existence of impairment indicators is based on factors such as market conditions, tenant performance and legal structure. If we determine that a significant impairment has occurred, we would be required to make an adjustment to the net carrying value of the asset, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and funds from operations in the period in which the write-off occurs.
 
Compliance or failure to comply with laws requiring access to our properties by disabled persons could result in substantial cost.
 
The ADA and other federal, state and local laws generally require public accommodations be made accessible to disabled persons. Noncompliance could result in the imposition of fines by the government or the award of damages to private litigants. These laws may require us to modify our existing properties. These laws may also restrict renovations by requiring improved access to such buildings by disabled persons or may require us to add other structural features which increase our construction costs. Legislation or regulations adopted in the future may impose further burdens or restrictions on us with respect to improved access by disabled persons. We may incur unanticipated expenses that may be material to our financial condition or results of operations to comply with ADA and other federal, state and local laws, or in connection with lawsuits brought by private litigants.
 
We face intense competition, which may decrease, or prevent increases of, the occupancy and rental rates of our properties.
 
We compete with a number of developers, owners and operators of commercial real estate, many of whom own properties similar to ours in the same markets in which our properties are located. If our competitors offer space at rental rates below current market rates, or below the rental rates we currently charge our tenants, we may lose existing or potential tenants and we may be pressured to reduce our rental rates below those we currently charge or to offer more substantial rent abatements, tenant improvements, early termination rights or below-market renewal options in order to retain tenants when our tenants' leases expire. This competitive environment could have a material adverse effect on our ability to lease our properties or any newly developed or acquired property, as well as on the rents charged.
 

7

Risks Associated with Our Operations
 
Because a majority of our gross leasable area is in the Houston metropolitan area, an economic downturn in the Houston metropolitan area could adversely impact our operations and ability to pay dividends to our shareholders.
 
The majority of our assets and revenues are currently derived from properties located in the Houston metropolitan area. As of December 31, 2012, we had 55% of our gross leasable area in Houston. Our results of operations are directly contingent on our ability to attract financially sound commercial tenants. A significant economic downturn in the Houston metropolitan area may adversely impact our ability to locate and retain financially sound tenants and could have an adverse impact on our tenants' revenues, costs and results of operations and may adversely affect their ability to meet their obligations to us. Likewise, we may be required to lower our rental rates to attract desirable tenants in such an environment. Consequently, because of the geographic concentration among our current assets, if the Houston metropolitan area experiences an economic downturn, our operations and ability to pay dividends to our shareholders could be adversely impacted.
 
We lease our properties to approximately 1,100 tenants, with leases for approximately 10% to 20% of our gross leasable area expiring annually. Each year we face the risk of non-renewal of a material percentage of our leases and the cost of re-leasing a significant amount of our available space, and our failure to meet leasing targets and control the cost of re-leasing our properties could adversely affect our rental revenue, operating expenses and results of operations.
 
The nature of our business model warrants shorter term leases to smaller, non-national tenants, and substantially all of our revenues consist of base rents received under these leases. As of December 31, 2012, approximately 34% of the aggregate gross leasable area of our properties is subject to leases that expire prior to December 31, 2014. We are subject to the risk that:
 
•
tenants may choose not to, or may not have the financial resources to, renew these leases;
 
•
we may experience significant costs associated with re-leasing a significant amount of our available space;
 
•
we may not be able to easily re-lease the space subject to these leases, which may cause us to fail to meet our leasing targets or control the costs of re-leasing; and
 
•
the terms of any renewal or re-lease may be less favorable than the terms of the current leases.
 
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. While our early renewal program and other leasing and marketing efforts target these expiring leases, and while we hope to re-lease most of that space prior to expiration of the leases at rates comparable to or slightly in excess of the current rates, market conditions, including new supply of properties, and macroeconomic conditions in our markets and nationally could adversely impact our renewal rate and/or the rental rates we are able to negotiate. If any of these risks materialize, our rental revenue, operating expenses and results of operations could be adversely affected.
 
Many of our tenants are small businesses, which may have a higher risk of bankruptcy or insolvency.
 
Many of our tenants are small businesses that depend primarily on cash flows from their businesses to pay their rent and without other resources could be at a higher risk of bankruptcy or insolvency than larger, national tenants. If tenants are unable to comply with the terms of our leases, we may be forced to modify the leases in ways that are unfavorable to us. Alternatively, the failure of a tenant to perform under a lease could require us to declare a default, repossess the space and find a suitable replacement tenant. There is no assurance that we would be able to lease the space on substantially equivalent or better terms than the prior lease, or at all, or successfully reposition the space for other uses.
  
If one or more of our tenants files for bankruptcy relief, the Bankruptcy Code provides that a debtor has the option to assume or reject the unexpired lease within a certain period of time. For example, on November 10, 2008, one of our tenants, Circuit City, which leased space at one of our properties and represented approximately 1.1% of our total rent for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. The tenant elected to reject our lease.


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Any bankruptcy filing by or relating to one or more of our tenants could bar all efforts by us to collect pre-bankruptcy debts from that tenant or seize its property. A tenant bankruptcy could also delay our efforts to collect past due balances under the lease and could ultimately preclude collection of all or a portion of these sums. It is possible that we may recover substantially less than the full value of any unsecured claims we hold, if any. Furthermore, dealing with a tenant's bankruptcy or other default may divert management's attention and cause us to incur substantial legal and other costs. The bankruptcy or insolvency of a number of smaller tenants may have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations, our ability to make distributions to our shareholders and the trading price of our common shares.
  
Uninsured losses relating to real property or excessively expensive premiums for insurance coverage may adversely affect our returns.
 
We attempt to adequately insure all of our properties to cover casualty losses. However, there are types of losses, generally catastrophic in nature, such as losses due to wars, acts of terrorism, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, pollution or environmental matters, which are uninsurable or not economically insurable, or may be insured subject to limitations, such as large deductibles or co-payments. Our current geographic concentration in the Houston metropolitan area potentially increases the risk of damage to our portfolio due to hurricanes. Insurance risks associated with potential terrorism acts could sharply increase the premiums we pay for coverage against property and casualty claims. In some instances, we may be required to provide other financial support, either through financial assurances or self-insurance, to cover potential losses. We cannot assure you that we will have adequate coverage for these losses. Also, to the extent we must pay unexpectedly large insurance premiums, we could suffer reduced earnings that would result in less cash to be distributed to shareholders.
 
Discovery of previously undetected environmentally hazardous conditions may adversely affect our operating results.
 
Under various federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations, a current or previous owner or operator of real property may be liable for the cost of removal or remediation of hazardous or toxic substances on, under or in its property. The costs of removal or remediation could be substantial. These laws often impose liability whether or not the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of any hazardous or toxic substances. Environmental laws also may impose restrictions on the manner in which property may be used or businesses may be operated, and these restrictions may require substantial expenditures. Environmental laws provide for sanctions in the event of noncompliance and may be enforced by governmental agencies or, in certain circumstances, by private parties. Certain environmental laws and common law principles could be used to impose liability for release of and exposure to hazardous substances, including asbestos containing materials into the air. In addition, third parties may seek recovery from owners or operators of real properties for personal injury or property damage associated with exposure to released hazardous substances. The cost of defending against claims of liability, of compliance with environmental regulatory requirements, of remediating any contaminated property, or of paying personal injury claims could materially adversely affect our business, assets or results of operations and, consequently, amounts available for distributions to our shareholders.

Certain of our properties currently include or have in the past included a dry cleaning facility as a tenant. See "Business - Compliance with Governmental Regulations."
 
We may not be successful in consummating suitable acquisitions or investment opportunities, which may impede our growth and adversely affect the trading price of our common shares.
 
Our ability to expand through acquisitions is integral to our business strategy and requires us to consummate suitable acquisition or investment opportunities that meet our criteria and are compatible with our growth strategy. We may not be successful in consummating acquisitions or investments in properties that meet our acquisition criteria on satisfactory terms or at all. Failure to consummate acquisitions or investment opportunities, or to integrate successfully any acquired properties without substantial expense, delay or other operational or financial problems, would slow our growth, which could in turn adversely affect the trading price of our common shares.
 
Our ability to acquire properties on favorable terms may be constrained by the following significant risks:
 
•
competition from other real estate investors with significant capital, including other REITs and institutional investment funds;
 
•
competition from other potential acquirers which may significantly increase the purchase price for a property we acquire, which could reduce our growth prospects;
 
•
unsatisfactory results of our due diligence investigations or failure to meet other customary closing conditions; and

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•
failure to finance an acquisition on favorable terms or at all.
 
If any of these risks are realized, our business, financial condition and results of operations, our ability to make distributions to our shareholders and the trading price of our common shares may be materially and adversely affected.
 
Our success depends in part on our ability to execute our Community Centered Property strategy.
 
Our Community Centered Property strategy requires intensive management of a large number of small spaces and small tenant relationships. Our success depends in part upon our management's ability to identify potential Community Centered Properties and find and maintain the appropriate tenants to create such a property. Lack of market acceptance of our Community Centered Property strategy or our inability to successfully attract and manage a large number of tenant relationships could adversely affect our occupancy rates, operating results and dividend rate.
 
Loss of our key personnel, particularly our senior managers, could threaten our ability to execute our strategy and operate our business successfully.
 
We are dependent on the experience and knowledge of our key executive personnel, particularly certain of our senior managers who have been instrumental in setting our strategic direction, operating our business, identifying, recruiting and training key personnel and arranging necessary financing. Losing the services of any of these individuals could adversely affect our business until qualified replacements could be found. We also believe that they could not quickly be replaced with managers of equal experience and capabilities and their successors may not be as effective.
 
Our systems may not be adequate to support our growth, and our failure to successfully oversee our portfolio of properties could adversely affect our results of operations.
 
We make no assurances that we will be able to adapt our portfolio management, administrative, accounting and operational systems, or hire and retain sufficient operational staff, to support our growth. Our failure to successfully oversee our current portfolio of properties or any future acquisitions or developments could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make distributions.
 
There can be no assurance that we will be able to pay or maintain cash distributions or that distributions will increase over time.
 
There are many factors that can affect the availability and timing of cash distributions to shareholders. Distributions are based upon our funds from operations, financial condition, cash flows and liquidity, debt service requirements, capital expenditure requirements for our properties and other matters our board of trustees may deem relevant from time to time. If we do not have sufficient cash available for distributions, we may need to fund the shortage out of working capital or borrow to provide funds for such distributions, which would reduce the amount of capital available for real estate investments and increase our future interest costs.

We can give no assurance that we will be able to continue to pay distributions or that distributions will increase over time. In addition, we can give no assurance that rents from our properties will increase, or that future acquisitions of real properties, mortgage loans or out investments in securities will increase our cash available for distributions to shareholders. Our actual results may differ significantly from the assumptions used by our board of trustees in establishing the distribution rate to shareholders. Our inability to make distributions, or to make distributions at expected levels, could result in a decrease in the trading price of our common shares.

Any weaknesses identified in our system of internal controls by us and our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 could have an adverse effect on our business.

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires that public companies evaluate and report on their systems of internal control over financial reporting. In addition, our independent registered public accounting firm must report on management's evaluation of those controls. In future periods, we may identify deficiencies in our system of internal controls over financial reporting that may require remediation. There can be no assurances that any such future deficiencies identified may not be material weaknesses that would be required to be reported in future periods.


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Risks Associated with Our Indebtedness and Financing
 
Current market conditions could adversely affect our ability to refinance existing indebtedness or obtain additional financing for growth on acceptable terms or at all, which could adversely affect our ability to grow, our interest cost and our results of operations.
 
The United States credit markets have experienced significant dislocations and liquidity disruptions, including the bankruptcy, insolvency or restructuring of certain financial institutions. These circumstances have materially impacted liquidity in the debt markets, making financing terms for borrowers less attractive, and in certain cases have resulted in the unavailability of various types of debt financing. Reductions in our available borrowing capacity, or inability to refinance our revolving credit facility when required or when business conditions warrant, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, we mortgage many of our properties to secure payment of indebtedness. If we are not successful in refinancing our mortgage debt upon maturity, then the property could be foreclosed upon or transferred to the mortgagee, or we might be forced to dispose of some of our properties upon disadvantageous terms, with a consequent loss of income and asset value. A foreclosure or disadvantageous disposal on one or more of our properties could adversely affect our ability to grow, financial condition, interest cost, results of operations, cash flow and ability to pay dividends to our shareholders.
 
Furthermore, if prevailing interest rates or other factors at the time of refinancing result in higher interest rates upon refinancing, then the interest expense relating to that refinanced indebtedness would increase. Higher interest rates on newly incurred debt may negatively impact us as well. If interest rates increase, our interest costs and overall costs of capital will increase, which could adversely affect our transaction and development activity, financial condition, results of operation, cash flow, our ability to pay principal and interest on our debt and our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders.

If we invest in mortgage loans, these investments may be affected by unfavorable real estate market conditions, including interest rate fluctuations, which could decrease the value of those loans and the return on your investment.
 
If we invest in mortgage loans, we will be at risk of defaults by the borrowers on those mortgage loans as well as interest rate risks. To the extent we incur delays in liquidating such defaulted mortgage loans, we may not be able to recover all amounts due to us under the mortgage loans. Further, we will not know whether the values of the properties securing the mortgage loans will remain at the levels existing on the dates of origination of those mortgage loans or the dates of our investment in the loans. If the values of the underlying properties fall, our risk will increase because of the lower value of the security associated with such loans.
  
Our failure to hedge effectively against interest rate changes may adversely affect results of operations.
 
We currently have mortgages that bear interest at a variable rate and we may incur additional variable rate debt in the future. Accordingly, increases in interest rates on variable rate debt would increase our interest expense, which could reduce net earnings and cash available for payment of our debt obligations and distributions to our shareholders.
 
We may seek to manage our exposure to interest rate volatility by using interest rate hedging arrangements, such as interest cap agreements and interest rate swap agreements. These agreements involve risks, such as the risk that counterparties may fail to honor their obligations under these arrangements, that these arrangements may not be effective in reducing our exposure to interest rate changes and that a court could rule that such an agreement is not legally enforceable. In the past, we have used derivative financial instruments to hedge interest rate risks related to our variable rate borrowings. We will not use derivatives for speculative or trading purposes and intend only to enter into contracts with major financial institutions based on their credit rating and other factors, but we may choose to change this practice in the future. As of December 31, 2012, we had a fixed rate hedge on $7.9 million of our variable rate debt. We may enter into additional interest rate swap agreements for our variable rate debt not currently subject to hedges, which totaled $92.7 million as of December 31, 2012. Hedging may reduce the overall returns on our investments. Failure to hedge effectively against interest rate changes may materially adversely affect our results of operations.
 

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We currently have and may incur additional mortgage indebtedness and other borrowings, which may increase our business risks and may adversely affect our ability to make distributions to our shareholders.
 
If it is determined to be in our best interests, we may, in some instances, acquire real properties by using either existing financing or borrowing new funds. In addition, we may incur or increase our current mortgage debt to obtain funds to acquire additional properties. We may also borrow funds if necessary to satisfy the REIT distribution requirement described above, or otherwise as may be necessary or advisable to assure that we maintain our qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.

On February 4, 2013, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into an unsecured credit facility (the "2013 Facility"). We will use the 2013 Facility for acquisitions, redevelopment of value-add properties in our portfolio and general corporate purposes. The 2013 Facility amends and restates the $125 million unsecured revolving credit facility entered into on February 27, 2012. In addition to retaining a $125 million unsecured revolving loan, the 2013 Facility also includes a $50 million term loan and permits the Operating Partnership to increase the borrowing capacity under the 2013 Facility to a total of $225 million, upon the satisfaction of certain conditions. As of December 31, 2012, $69.0 million was drawn on our previous credit facility. On February 4, 2013, we drew $69.0 million on the 2013 Facility, which replaced the $69.0 million drawn on the previous credit facility. Like our previous credit facility, the 2013 Facility contains customary terms and conditions, including, without limitation, affirmative and negative covenants such as information reporting requirements, maximum secured indebtedness to total asset value, minimum EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization or extraordinary items) to fixed charges and maintenance of a minimum net worth. The amount available to us and our ability to borrow from time to time under the 2013 Facility is subject to our compliance with these requirements.

We may also incur mortgage debt on a particular property if we believe the property's projected cash flow is sufficient to service the mortgage debt. As of December 31, 2012, we had approximately $121.6 million of mortgage debt secured by 27 of our properties. If there is a shortfall in cash flow, however, the amount available for distributions to shareholders may be affected. In addition, incurring mortgage debt increases the risk of loss because defaults on such indebtedness may result in loss of property in foreclosure actions initiated by lenders. For tax purposes, a foreclosure of any of our properties would be treated as a sale of the property for a purchase price equal to the outstanding balance of the debt secured by the mortgage. If the outstanding balance of the debt secured by the mortgage exceeds our tax basis in the property, we would recognize taxable income on foreclosure, but would not receive any cash proceeds. We may give lenders full or partial guarantees for mortgage debt incurred by the entities that own our properties. When we give a guaranty on behalf of an entity that owns one of our properties, we will be responsible to the lender for satisfaction of the debt if it is not paid by that entity. If any mortgages contain cross-collateralization or cross-default provisions, there is a risk that more than one property may be affected by a default. If any of our properties are foreclosed upon due to a default, our ability to pay cash distributions to our shareholders may be adversely affected. For more discussion, see “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

If we set aside insufficient working capital or are unable to secure funds for future tenant improvements, we may be required to defer necessary property improvements, which could adversely impact our ability to pay cash distributions to our shareholders.

When tenants do not renew their leases or otherwise vacate their space, it is possible that, in order to attract replacement tenants, we may be required to expend substantial funds for tenant improvements and tenant refurbishments to the vacated space. If we have insufficient working capital reserves, we will have to obtain financing from other sources. Because most of our leases provide for tenant reimbursement of operating expenses, we have not established a permanent reserve for maintenance and repairs for our properties. However, to the extent that we have insufficient funds for such purposes, we may establish reserves for maintenance and repairs of our properties out of cash flow generated by operating properties or out of non-liquidating net sale proceeds. If these reserves or any reserves otherwise established are insufficient to meet our cash needs, we may have to obtain financing from either affiliated or unaffiliated sources to fund our cash requirements. We cannot assure you that sufficient financing will be available or, if available, will be available on economically feasible terms or on terms acceptable to us. Additional borrowing for working capital purposes will increase our interest expense, and therefore our financial condition and our ability to pay cash distributions to our shareholders may be adversely affected. In addition, we may be required to defer necessary improvements to our properties that may cause our properties to suffer from a greater risk of obsolescence or a decline in value, or a greater risk of decreased cash flow as a result of fewer potential tenants being attracted to our properties. If this happens, we may not be able to maintain projected rental rates for affected properties, and our results of operations may be negatively impacted.


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We may structure acquisitions of property in exchange for limited partnership units in our Operating Partnership on terms that could limit our liquidity or our flexibility.
 
We may acquire properties by issuing limited partnership units in our Operating Partnership, or OP units, in exchange for a property owner contributing property to the Operating Partnership. If we enter into such transactions, in order to induce the contributors of such properties to accept OP units, rather than cash, in exchange for their properties, it may be necessary for us to provide them with additional incentives. For instance, our Operating Partnership's limited partnership agreement provides that any holder of OP units may redeem such units for cash, or, at our option, common shares on a one-for-one basis. We may, however, enter into additional contractual arrangements with contributors of property under which we would agree to redeem a contributor's OP units for our common shares or cash, at the option of the contributor, at set times. If the contributor required us to redeem OP units for cash pursuant to such a provision, it would limit our liquidity and thus our ability to use cash to make other investments, satisfy other obligations or pay distributions. Moreover, if we were required to redeem OP units for cash at a time when we did not have sufficient cash to fund the redemption, we might be required to sell one or more properties to raise funds to satisfy this obligation. Furthermore, we might agree that if distributions the contributor received as a limited partner in our Operating Partnership did not provide the contributor with a defined return, then upon redemption of the contributor's OP units, we would pay the contributor an additional amount necessary to achieve that return. Such a provision could further negatively impact our liquidity and flexibility. Finally, in order to allow a contributor of a property to defer taxable gain on the contribution of property to our Operating Partnership, we might agree not to sell a contributed property for a defined period of time or until the contributor redeemed the contributor's OP units for cash or our common shares. Such an agreement would prevent us from selling those properties, even if market conditions made such a sale favorable to us.
 
We may issue preferred shares with a preference in distributions over our common shares, and our ability to issue preferred shares and additional common shares may deter or prevent a sale of our common shares in which you could profit.
 
Our declaration of trust authorizes our board of trustees to issue up to 400,000,000 common shares and 50,000,000 preferred shares. Our board of trustees may amend our declaration of trust from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares or the number of any class or series that we have authority to issue. In addition, our board of trustees may classify or reclassify any unissued common shares or preferred shares and may set the preferences, rights and other terms of the classified or reclassified shares. The terms of preferred shares could include a preference in distributions senior to our common shares. If we authorize and issue preferred shares with a distribution preference senior to our common shares, payment of any distribution preferences of outstanding preferred shares would reduce the amount of funds available for the payment of distributions on our common shares. Further, holders of preferred shares are normally entitled to receive a preference payment in the event we liquidate, dissolve or wind up before any payment is made to our common shareholders, likely reducing the amount our common shareholders would otherwise receive upon such an occurrence. In addition, under certain circumstances, the issuance of preferred shares or a separate class or series of common shares may render more difficult or tend to discourage:
 
•
a merger, tender offer or proxy contest;
 
•
assumption of control by a holder of a large block of our shares; or
 
•
removal of incumbent management.
 
Risks Associated with Income Tax Laws
 
If we fail to qualify as a REIT, our operations and dividends to shareholders would be adversely impacted.
 
We intend to continue to be organized and to operate so as to qualify as a REIT under the Code. A REIT generally is not taxed at the corporate level on income it currently distributes to its shareholders. Qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex rules for which there are only limited judicial or administrative interpretations. The determination of various factual matters and circumstances not entirely within our control may affect our ability to continue to qualify as a REIT. In addition, new legislation, new regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions could significantly change the tax laws, possibly with retroactive effect, with respect to qualification as a REIT or the federal income tax consequences of such qualification.
 
If we were to fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year:
 
•
we would not be allowed to deduct our distributions to shareholders when computing our taxable income;
 

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•
we would be subject to federal income tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on our taxable income at regular corporate rates;
 
•
we would be disqualified from being taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification was lost, unless entitled to relief under certain statutory provisions;
 
•
our cash available for dividends to shareholders would be reduced; and
 
•
we may be required to borrow additional funds or sell some of our assets in order to pay corporate tax obligations that we may incur as a result of our disqualification.
 
If the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, were to determine that (i) we failed the 5% asset test for the first quarter of our 2009 taxable year and (ii) our failure of that test was not attributable to reasonable cause, but rather, willful neglect, we would fail to qualify as a REIT for our 2009 taxable year, which would adversely affect our operations and our shareholders.

In 2010, we discovered that we may have inadvertently violated the 5% asset test for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 as a result of utilizing a certain cash management arrangement with a commercial bank. If that investment in a commercial paper investment account is not treated as cash, and is instead treated as a security for purposes of the quarterly 5% asset test applicable to REITs, then we would have failed that test for the first quarter of our 2009 taxable year.

If the IRS were to assert that we failed the 5% asset test for the first quarter of our 2009 taxable year and that such failure was not due to reasonable cause, and the courts were to sustain that position, our status as a REIT would terminate as of December 31, 2008. We would not be eligible to again elect REIT status until our 2014 taxable year. Consequently, we would be subject to federal income tax on our taxable income at regular corporate rates and our cash available for distributions to shareholders would be reduced.

Additionally, if we in fact failed the 5% test, but failure is considered due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, we would be subject to a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or 35% of the net income from the commercial paper investment account during the period in which we failed to satisfy the 5% asset test. The amount of such tax is $50,000 and we paid such tax on April 27, 2010.
 
We may need to incur additional borrowings to meet the REIT minimum distribution requirement and to avoid excise tax.
 
In order to maintain our qualification as a REIT, we are required to distribute to our shareholders at least 90% of our annual real estate investment trust taxable income (excluding any net capital gain and before application of the dividends paid deduction). In addition, we are subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount, if any, by which certain distributions paid by us with respect to any calendar year are less than the sum of (i) 85% of our ordinary income for that year, (ii) 95% of our net capital gain for that year and (iii) 100% of our undistributed taxable income from prior years. Although we intend to pay distributions to our shareholders in a manner that allows us to meet the 90% distribution requirement and avoid this 4% excise tax, we cannot assure you that we will always be able to do so.
 
Our income consists almost solely of our share of our Operating Partnership's income, and the cash available for distribution by us to our shareholders consists of our share of cash distributions made by our Operating Partnership. Because we are the sole general partner of our Operating Partnership, our board of trustees determines the amount of any distributions made by it. Our board of trustees may consider a number of factors in authorizing distributions, including:
 
•
the amount of the cash available for distribution;
 
•
our Operating Partnership's financial condition;
 
•
our Operating Partnership's capital expenditure requirements; and
 
•
our annual distribution requirements necessary to maintain our qualification as a REIT.
 

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Differences in timing between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses and the inclusion of income and deduction of expenses when determining our taxable income, as well as the effect of nondeductible capital expenditures and the creation of reserves or required debt amortization payments could require us to borrow funds on a short-term or long-term basis or make taxable distributions to our shareholders of our shares or debt securities to meet the REIT distribution requirement and to avoid the 4% excise tax described above. In these circumstances, we may need to borrow funds to avoid adverse tax consequences even if our management believes that the then prevailing market conditions generally are not favorable for borrowings or that borrowings would not be advisable in the absence of the tax consideration.
 
If our Operating Partnership were classified as a “publicly traded partnership” taxable as a corporation for federal income tax purposes under the Code, we would cease to qualify as a REIT and would suffer other adverse tax consequences.
 
We structured our Operating Partnership so that it would be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. In this regard, the Code generally classifies “publicly traded partnerships” (as defined in Section 7704 of the Code) as associations taxable as corporations (rather than as partnerships), unless substantially all of their taxable income consists of specified types of passive income. In order to minimize the risk that the Code would classify our Operating Partnership as a “publicly traded partnership” for tax purposes, we placed certain restrictions on the transfer and/or redemption of partnership units in our Operating Partnership. If the IRS were to assert successfully that our Operating Partnership is a “publicly traded partnership,” and substantially all of its gross income did not consist of the specified types of passive income, the Code would treat our Operating Partnership as an association taxable as a corporation.
 
In such event, the character of our assets and items of gross income would change and would prevent us from continuing to qualify as a REIT. In addition, the imposition of a corporate tax on our Operating Partnership would reduce our amount of cash available for payment of distributions by us to our shareholders.
 
Complying with REIT requirements may cause us to forego otherwise attractive opportunities or liquidate otherwise attractive investments.
 
To qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, the sources of our income, the nature and diversification of our assets, the amounts we distribute to our shareholders and the ownership of our shares. In order to meet these tests, we may be required to forego investments we might otherwise make. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our performance.
 
In particular, we must ensure that at the end of each calendar quarter, at least 75% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash items, government securities and qualified real estate assets. The remainder of our investment in securities (other than government securities and qualified real estate assets) generally cannot include more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer. In addition, in general, no more than 5% of the value of our assets (other than government securities and qualified real estate assets) can consist of the securities of any one issuer, and no more than 25% of the value of our total assets can be represented by the securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries. If we fail to comply with these requirements at the end of any calendar quarter, we must correct the failure within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter or qualify for certain statutory relief provisions to avoid losing our REIT qualification and suffering adverse tax consequences. As a result, we may be required to liquidate otherwise attractive investments. These actions could have the effect of reducing our income and amounts available for distribution to our shareholders.
 
We may be subject to adverse legislative or regulatory tax changes that could reduce the market price of our common shares.
 
At any time, the federal income tax laws governing REITs or the administrative interpretations of those laws may be amended. We cannot predict when or if any new federal income tax law, regulation, or administrative interpretation, or any amendment to any existing federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation, will be adopted, promulgated or become effective and any such law, regulation, or interpretation may take effect retroactively. We and our shareholders could be adversely affected by any such change in, or any new, federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation.
 

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Dividends payable by REITs do not qualify for the reduced tax rates available for some dividends.
 
The maximum tax rate applicable to income from “qualified dividends” payable to U.S. shareholders that are individuals, trusts and estates is 20%. Dividends payable by REITs, however, generally are not eligible for the reduced rates. Although the reduced rates do not adversely affect the taxation of REITs or dividends payable by REITs, the more favorable rates applicable to regular corporate qualified dividends could cause investors who are individuals, trusts and estates to perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in the stocks of non-REIT corporations that pay dividends, which could adversely affect the value of the shares of REITs, including our common shares.
 
Complying with REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively and may cause us to incur tax liabilities.
 
The REIT provisions of the Code substantially limit our ability to hedge our liabilities. Any income from a hedging transaction that we enter into to manage risk of interest rate changes, price changes or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made to acquire or carry real estate assets does not constitute “gross income” for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests. To the extent that we enter into other types of hedging transactions, the income from those transactions is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both of the gross income tests. As a result of these rules, we may need to limit our use of advantageous hedging techniques or implement those hedges through taxable REIT subsidiaries. This could increase the cost of our hedging activities because any taxable REIT subsidiary that we may form would be subject to tax on gains or expose us to greater risks associated with changes in interest rates than we would otherwise want to bear. In addition, losses in taxable REIT subsidiaries will generally not provide any tax benefit, except for being carried forward against future taxable income in the taxable REIT subsidiaries.
 
Risks Related to Ownership of our Common Shares
 
Increases in market interest rates may result in a decrease in the value of our common shares.

One of the factors that may influence the price of our common shares will be the dividend distribution rate on the common shares (as a percentage of the price of our common shares) relative to market interest rates. If market interest rates rise, prospective purchasers of shares of our common shares may expect a higher distribution rate. Higher interest rates would not, however, result in more funds being available for distribution and, in fact, would likely increase our borrowing costs and might decrease our funds available for distribution. We therefore may not be able, or we may not choose, to provide a higher distribution rate. As a result, prospective purchasers may decide to purchase other securities rather than our common shares, which would reduce the demand for, and result in a decline in the market price of, our common shares.

Broad market fluctuations could negatively impact the market price of our common shares.

The stock market has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected the market price of many companies in industries similar or related to ours and that have been unrelated to these companies' operating performances. These broad market fluctuations could reduce the market price of our common shares. Furthermore, our operating results and prospects may be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors or may be lower than those of companies with comparable market capitalizations. Either of these factors could lead to a material decline in the market price of our common shares.


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Maryland takeover statutes may deter others from seeking to acquire us and prevent shareholders from making a profit in such transactions.

The Maryland General Corporation Law, or the MGCL, contains many provisions, such as the business combination statute and the control share acquisition statute, that are designed to prevent, or have the effect of preventing, someone from acquiring control of us. The business combination statute, subject to limitations, prohibits certain business combinations between us and an “interested shareholder” (defined generally as any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of our outstanding voting shares or an affiliate or associate of our company who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of our then outstanding shares) or an affiliate of an interested shareholder for five years after the most recent date on which the person becomes an interested shareholder and thereafter imposes super-majority voting requirements on these combinations. The control share acquisition statute provides that “control shares” of our company (defined as shares which, when aggregated with other shares controlled by the shareholder (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), entitle the shareholder to exercise one of three increasing ranges of voting power in electing trustees) acquired in a “control share acquisition” (defined as the direct or indirect acquisition of ownership or control of issued and outstanding control shares) have no voting rights except to the extent approved by our shareholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding all interested shares.

We are currently subject to the control share acquisition statute, although our board of trustees may amend our Amended and Restated Bylaws, or our bylaws, without shareholder approval, to exempt any acquisition of our shares from the statute. Our board of trustees has adopted a resolution exempting any business combination with any person from the business combination statute. The business combination statute (if our board of trustees revokes the foregoing exemption) and the control share acquisition statute could delay or prevent offers to acquire us and increase the difficulty of consummating any such offers, even if such a transaction would be in our shareholders' best interest.
 
The MGCL, the Maryland REIT Law and our organizational documents limit shareholders' rights to bring claims against our officers and trustees.
 
The MGCL and the Maryland REIT Law provide that a trustee will not have any liability as a trustee so long as he performs his duties in good faith, in a manner he reasonably believes to be in our best interests, and with the care that an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances. In addition, our declaration of trust provides that no trustee or officer will be liable to us or to any shareholder for money damages except to the extent that (a) the trustee or officer actually received an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services, for the amount of the benefit or profit in money, property, or services actually received; or (b) a judgment or the final adjudication adverse to the trustee or officer is entered in a proceeding based on a finding in the proceeding the trustee's or officer's action or failure to act was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and was material to the cause of action adjudicated in the proceeding. Finally, our declaration of trust authorizes our company to obligate itself, and our bylaws obligate us, to indemnify and advance expenses to our trustees and officers to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.
 
Our classified board of trustees may prevent others from effecting a change in the control of our board of trustees.

We believe that classification of our board of trustees will help to assure the continuity and stability of our business strategies and policies as determined by the board of trustees. However, the classified board provision could have the effect of making the replacement of incumbent trustees more time-consuming and difficult. At least two annual meetings of shareholders, instead of one, will generally be required to effect a change in a majority of our board of trustees. Thus, the classified board provision could increase the likelihood that incumbent trustees will retain their positions. The staggered terms of trustees may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for our common shares or otherwise be in the best interest of the shareholders.
 

17

Future offerings of debt, which would be senior to our common shares upon liquidation, and/or preferred equity securities that may be senior to our common shares for purposes of distributions or upon liquidation, may adversely affect the market price of our common shares.

In the future, we may attempt to increase our capital resources by making additional offerings of debt or preferred equity securities, including medium-term notes, trust preferred securities, senior or subordinated notes and preferred shares. Upon liquidation, holders of our debt securities and preferred shares and lenders with respect to other borrowings will receive distributions of our available assets prior to the holders of our common shares. Additional equity offerings may dilute the holdings of our existing shareholders or reduce the market price of our common shares, or both. Holders of our common shares are not entitled to preemptive rights or other protections against dilution. Our preferred shares, if issued, could have a preference on liquidating distributions or a preference on distribution payments that could limit our ability to pay distributions to the holders of our common shares. Because our decision to issue securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus, our common shareholders bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of our common shares and diluting their share holdings in us.


18

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments.
 
None.
 
Item 2.  Properties.
 
General
 
As of December 31, 2012, we owned 51 commercial properties, including 30 properties in Houston, four properties in Dallas, one property in Windcrest, Texas, a suburb of San Antonio, 15 properties in the Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan areas, and one property in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.
 
Our tenants consist of national, regional and local businesses. Our properties generally attract a mix of tenants who provide basic staples, convenience items and services tailored to the specific cultures, needs and preferences of the surrounding community. These types of tenants are the core of our strategy of creating Whitestone-branded Community Centered Properties. We also believe daily sales of these basic items are less sensitive to fluctuations in the business cycle than higher priced retail items. Our largest tenant represented only 1.2% of our total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2012.
 
We directly manage the operations and leasing of our properties. Substantially all of our revenues consist of base rents received under leases that generally have terms that range from less than one year to 15 years. Approximately 62% of our existing leases as of December 31, 2012 contain “step up” rental clauses that provide for increases in the base rental payments. The following table summarizes certain information relating to our properties as of December 31, 2012:
 
Commercial Properties
 
Gross Leasable Area
 
Average
Occupancy as of 
12/31/12
 
Annualized Base
Rental Revenue 
(in thousands) (1)
 
Average
Annualized Base
Rental Revenue
Per Sq. Ft. (2)
Retail
 
1,970,460

 
88
%
 
$
21,170

 
$
12.21

Office/Flex
 
1,201,672

 
89
%
 
8,034

 
7.51

Office
 
631,841

 
78
%
 
8,264

 
16.77

Total - Operating Portfolio
 
3,803,973

 
87
%
 
37,468

 
11.32

Redevelopment, New Acquisitions (3)
 
470,718

 
70
%
 
5,520

 
16.75

Total
 
4,274,691

 
85
%
 
$
42,988

 
$
11.83

 
(1)   
Calculated as the tenant's actual December 31, 2012 base rent (defined as cash base rents including abatements) multiplied by 12.  Excludes vacant space as of December 31, 2012.  Because annualized base rental revenue is not derived from historical results that were accounted for in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, historical results differ from the annualized amounts. Total abatements for leases in effect as of December 31, 2012 equaled approximately $96,000 for the month ended December 31, 2012.
 
(2)   
Calculated as annualized base rent divided by gross leasable area leased as of December 31, 2012.  Excludes vacant space as of December 31, 2012.

(3)
Includes (i) new acquisitions, through the earlier of attainment of 90% occupancy or 18 months of ownership, and (ii) properties that are undergoing significant redevelopment or re-tenanting.

As of December 31, 2012, we had two properties that when combined, accounted for more than 10% of total gross revenue and/or real estate assets.  Uptown Tower is an office building located in Dallas, Texas that accounted for 7.8% of our total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2012.  Uptown Tower also accounted for 4.5% of our real estate assets, net of accumulated depreciation, for the year ended December 31, 2012.  Dana Park, a retail community purchased on September 21, 2012 and located in the Mesa submarket of Phoenix, Arizona, accounted for 3.3% of our total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2012. Dana Park also accounted for 13.0% of our real estate assets, net of accumulated depreciation, for the year ended December 31, 2012.


19

As of December 31, 2012, approximately $121.6 million of our total debt of $190.6 million was secured by 27 of our operating properties with a combined net book value of $161.8 million.

Location of Properties
 
Of our 51 properties, 35 are located in Texas, with 30 being located in the greater Houston metropolitan statistical area.  These 30 properties represent 54% of our revenue for the year ended December 31, 2012.
 
The Houston workforce is concentrated in energy, chemicals, information technology, aerospace sciences and medical sciences.  According to the United States Census Bureau, Houston ranked 4th in the largest United States cities as of July 1, 2011. In the Census Bureau’s Estimates of Population Change for Metropolitan Statistical Areas and Rankings: July 1, 2010 to July 1, 2011, Houston ranked second in population growth out of 366 metropolitan statistical areas. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in Houston was less than the national average in each of the last six months of 2012.
 

 
July
 
Aug.
 
Sept.
 
Oct.
 
Nov.
 
Dec.
 
National (1)
 
8.2
%
 
8.1
%
 
7.8
%
 
7.9
%
 
7.8
%
 
7.8
%
 
Houston (2)
 
7.5
%
 
7.0
%
 
6.3
%
 
6.2
%
 
5.8
%
 
6.0
%
(3) 

(1) 
Seasonally adjusted.
(2) 
Not seasonally adjusted.
(3) 
Represents estimate.

 
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics


20

General Physical and Economic Attributes

The following table sets forth certain information relating to each of our properties owned as of December 31, 2012.
Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries
Property Details
As of December 31, 2012

 
 
Community Name
 
 
 
Location
 
 
Year Built/
Renovated
 
Gross Leasable
Square Feet
 
Percent
Occupied at
12/31/2012
 
Annualized Base
Rental Revenue 
(in thousands) (1)
 
Average
Base Rental
Revenue Per
Sq. Ft. (2)
 
Average Net Effective Annual Base Rent Per Leased Sq. Ft.(3)
Retail Communities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ahwatukee Plaza
 
Phoenix
 
1979
 
72,650

 
100
%
 
$
871

 
$
11.99

 
$
12.42

Bellnot Square
 
Houston
 
1982
 
73,930

 
41
%
 
293

 
9.67

 
9.70

Bissonnet Beltway
 
Houston
 
1978
 
29,205

 
100
%
 
331

 
11.33

 
9.11

Centre South
 
Houston
 
1974
 
39,134

 
79
%
 
279

 
9.02

 
8.70

The Citadel
 
Phoenix
 
1985
 
28,547

 
82
%
 
335

 
14.31

 
21.57

Desert Canyon
 
Phoenix
 
2000
 
62,533

 
73
%
 
568

 
12.44

 
12.49

Gilbert Tuscany Village
 
Phoenix
 
2009
 
49,415

 
49
%
 
400

 
16.52

 
19.37

Holly Knight
 
Houston
 
1984
 
20,015

 
100
%
 
351

 
17.54

 
17.39

Kempwood Plaza
 
Houston
 
1974
 
101,008

 
100
%
 
873

 
8.64

 
8.46

Lion Square
 
Houston
 
1980
 
117,592

 
100
%
 
1,090

 
9.27

 
9.92

The Marketplace at Central
 
Phoenix
 
2000
 
111,130

 
45
%
 
428

 
8.56

 
8.78

Paradise Plaza
 
Phoenix
 
1983
 
125,898

 
89
%
 
1,263

 
11.27

 
12.65

Pinnacle of Scottsdale
 
Phoenix
 
1991
 
113,108

 
99
%
 
2,152

 
19.22

 
19.30

Providence
 
Houston
 
1980
 
90,327

 
88
%
 
731

 
9.20

 
8.44

Shaver
 
Houston
 
1978
 
21,926

 
93
%
 
252

 
12.36

 
12.55

Shops at Starwood
 
Dallas
 
2006
 
55,385

 
100
%
 
1,468

 
26.51

 
27.86

Shops at Pecos Ranch
 
Phoenix
 
2009
 
78,767

 
100
%
 
1,353

 
17.18

 
17.18

South Richey
 
Houston
 
1980
 
69,928

 
81
%
 
385

 
6.80

 
9.00

Spoerlein Commons
 
Chicago
 
1987
 
41,455

 
92
%
 
770

 
20.19

 
20.45

SugarPark Plaza
 
Houston
 
1974
 
95,032

 
100
%
 
1,010

 
10.63

 
10.38

Sunridge
 
Houston
 
1979
 
49,359

 
99
%
 
462

 
9.45

 
9.35

Terravita Marketplace
 
Phoenix
 
1997
 
102,733

 
93
%
 
1,292

 
13.52

 
13.64

Torrey Square
 
Houston
 
1983
 
105,766

 
91
%
 
691

 
7.18

 
7.02

Town Park
 
Houston
 
1978
 
43,526

 
100
%
 
808

 
18.56

 
18.24

Webster Pointe
 
Houston
 
1984
 
26,060

 
79
%
 
219

 
10.64

 
10.01

Westchase
 
Houston
 
1978
 
49,573

 
88
%
 
518

 
11.87

 
12.42

Windsor Park
 
San Antonio
 
1992
 
196,458

 
97
%
 
1,977

 
10.37

 
10.00

Total/Weighted Average
 
 
 
 
 
1,970,460

 
88
%
 
21,170

 
12.21

 
12.48

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Office Communities:
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
9101 LBJ Freeway
 
Dallas
 
1985
 
125,874

 
70
%
 
$
1,337

 
$
15.17

 
$
15.28

Featherwood
 
Houston
 
1983
 
49,760

 
89
%
 
820

 
18.52

 
19.13

Pima Norte
 
Phoenix
 
2007
 
33,417

 
20
%
 
127

 
19.00

 
18.55

Royal Crest
 
Houston
 
1984
 
24,900

 
65
%
 
244

 
15.08

 
14.09

Uptown Tower
 
Dallas
 
1982
 
253,981

 
83
%
 
3,649

 
17.31

 
17.05

Woodlake Plaza
 
Houston
 
1974
 
106,169

 
90
%
 
1,562

 
16.35

 
16.32

Zeta Building
 
Houston
 
1982
 
37,740

 
79
%
 
525

 
17.61

 
17.01

Total/Weighted Average
 
 
 
 
 
631,841

 
78
%
 
8,264

 
16.77

 
16.65


21

 Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries
Property Details
As of December 31, 2012
(continued)

 
 
Community Name
 
 
 
Location
 
 
Year Built/
Renovated
 
Gross Leasable
Square Feet
 
Percent
Occupied at
12/31/2012
 
Annualized Base
Rental Revenue 
(in thousands) (1)
 
Average
Base Rental
Revenue Per
Sq. Ft. (2)
 
Average Net Effective Annual Base Rent Per Leased Sq. Ft.(3)
Office/Flex Communities:
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
Brookhill
 
Houston
 
1979
 
74,757

 
81
%
 
$
231

 
$
3.81

 
$
3.77

Corporate Park Northwest
 
Houston
 
1981
 
185,627

 
79
%
 
1,624

 
11.07

 
10.35

Corporate Park West
 
Houston
 
1999
 
175,665

 
96
%
 
1,288

 
7.64

 
7.36

Corporate Park Woodland
 
Houston
 
2000
 
99,937

 
100
%
 
839

 
8.40

 
8.28

Dairy Ashford
 
Houston
 
1981
 
42,902

 
99
%
 
241

 
5.67

 
5.53

Holly Hall
 
Houston
 
1980
 
90,000

 
100
%
 
737

 
8.19

 
8.29

Interstate 10
 
Houston
 
1980
 
151,000

 
82
%
 
718

 
5.80

 
5.97

Main Park
 
Houston
 
1982
 
113,410

 
96
%
 
619

 
5.69

 
6.74

Plaza Park
 
Houston
 
1982
 
105,530

 
79
%
 
757

 
9.08

 
9.16

West Belt Plaza
 
Houston
 
1978
 
65,619

 
80
%
 
378

 
7.20

 
6.88

Westgate
 
Houston
 
1984
 
97,225

 
100
%
 
602

 
6.19

 
5.98

Total/Weighted Average
 
 
 
 
 
1,201,672

 
89
%
 
8,034

 
7.51

 
7.46

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total/Weighted Average - Operating Portfolio
 
 
 
 
 
3,803,973

 
87
%
 
37,468

 
11.32

 
11.43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shops at Pinnacle Peak
 
Phoenix
 
2000
 
41,530

 
76
%
 
$
575

 
$
18.22

 
$
18.85

Fountain Square
 
Phoenix
 
1986
 
118,209

 
63
%
 
1,232

 
16.54

 
16.54

Village Square at Dana Park
 
Phoenix
 
2009
 
310,979

 
72
%
 
3,713

 
16.58

 
17.61

Total/Weighted Average - Development Portfolio
 
 
 
 
 
470,718

 
70
%
 
5,520

 
16.75

 
17.51

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pinnacle Phase II
 
Phoenix
 
N/A
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Village Square at Dana Park
 
Phoenix
 
N/A
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Shops at Starwood Phase III
 
Dallas
 
N/A
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total/Weighted Average - Property Held For Development (4)
 
 
 
 
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Grand Total/Weighted Average
 
 
 
 
 
4,274,691

 
85
%
 
$
42,988

 
$
11.83

 
$
12.00

 
(1)   
Calculated as the tenant's actual December 31, 2012 base rent (defined as cash base rents including abatements) multiplied by 12. Excludes vacant space as of December 31, 2012. Because annualized base rental revenue is not derived from historical results that were accounted for in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, historical results differ from the annualized amounts. Total abatements for leases in effect as of December 31, 2012 equaled approximately $96,000 for the month ended December 31, 2012.
 
(2)   
Calculated as annualized base rent divided by gross leasable area leased as of December 31, 2012.  Excludes vacant space as of December 31, 2012.

(3) 
Represents (i) the contractual base rent for leases in place as of December 31, 2012, adjusted to a straight-line basis to reflect changes in rental rates throughout the lease term and amortize free rent periods and abatements, but without regard to tenant improvement allowances and leasing commissions, divided by (ii) square footage under commenced leases of December 31, 2012.

(4) 
As of December 31, 2012, these parcels of land were held for development and, therefore, had no gross leasable area.


22

Significant Tenants
 
The following table sets forth information about our fifteen largest tenants as of December 31, 2012, based upon annualized rental revenues at December 31, 2012.

Tenant Name
 
Location
 
Annualized Rental Revenue (in thousands)
 
Percentage of Total Annualized Base Rental Revenues
 
Initial Lease Date
 
Year Expiring
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
University of Phoenix
 
San Antonio
 
$
500

 
1.2
%
 
10/18/2010
 
2018
Sports Authority
 
San Antonio
 
495

 
1.2
%
 
1/1/2004
 
2015
Air Liquide America, L.P.
 
Dallas
 
387

 
0.9
%
 
8/1/2001
 
2013
Safeway Stores, Incorporated
 
Phoenix
 
344

 
0.8
%
 
12/22/2011
 
2021
British American Restaurant, LLC
 
Phoenix
 
334

 
0.8
%
 
9/21/2012
 
2019
Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Inc
 
Phoenix
 
314

 
0.7
%
 
9/21/2012
 
2014
X-Ray Press Corporation
 
Houston
 
280

 
0.7
%
 
7/1/1998
 
2019
Walgreens #3766
 
Phoenix
 
279

 
0.6
%
 
8/9/2011
 
2049
Sterling Jewelers Inc
 
Phoenix
 
277

 
0.6
%
 
9/21/2012
 
2020
Rock Solid Images
 
Houston
 
266

 
0.6
%
 
4/1/2004
 
2013
Skechers USA, Inc (1)
 
Multiple locations
 
250

 
0.6
%
 
Multiple dates
 
2017
Phoenix Children's Academy
 
Phoenix
 
249

 
0.6
%
 
12/28/2012
 
2019
Marshall's
 
Houston
 
248

 
0.6
%
 
5/12/1983
 
2018
Merrill Corporation
 
Dallas
 
248

 
0.6
%
 
12/10/2001
 
2014
Albertson's #979
 
Phoenix
 
235

 
0.5
%
 
8/9/2011
 
2022
 
 
 
 
$
4,706

 
11.0
%
 
 
 
 

 (1) 
At December 31, 2012, we had two leases with tenant at properties located in San Antonio and Houston. The San Antonio lease commenced on May 25, 2012 and expires in 2017. The annualized rental revenue for this location was $120,000, which represents 0.3% of our total annualized base rental revenue. The Houston lease commenced on February 17, 2012 an expires in 2017. The annualized rental revenue was $129,500, which represents 0.3% of our total annualized base rental revenue.

23

Lease Expirations
 
The following table lists, on an aggregate basis, all of our scheduled lease expirations over the next 10 years.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annualized Base Rent
 
 
 
 
Gross Leasable Area
 
as of December 31, 2012
Year
 
Number of
Leases
 
Approximate
Square Feet
 
Percent
of Total
 
Amount
(in thousands)
 
Percent of
Total
2013
 
321

 
720,665

 
16.9
%
 
$
9,471

 
22.0
%
2014
 
231

 
712,450

 
16.7
%
 
8,328

 
19.4
%
2015
 
164

 
532,043

 
12.4
%
 
5,735

 
13.4
%
2016
 
122

 
384,853

 
9.0
%
 
4,851

 
11.3
%
2017
 
106

 
363,579

 
8.5
%
 
4,732

 
11.0
%
2018
 
37

 
245,603

 
5.7
%
 
2,299

 
5.3
%
2019
 
19

 
139,106

 
3.3
%
 
1,997

 
4.7
%
2020
 
14

 
71,545

 
1.7
%
 
1,082

 
2.5
%
2021
 
13

 
127,812

 
3.0
%
 
1,377

 
3.2
%
2022
 
19

 
151,031

 
3.5
%
 
1,601

 
3.7
%
Total
 
1,046

 
3,448,687

 
80.7
%
 
$
41,473

 
96.5
%

Insurance
 
We believe that we have property and liability insurance with reputable, commercially rated companies.  We also believe that our insurance policies contain commercially reasonable deductibles and limits, adequate to cover our properties.  We expect to maintain this type of insurance coverage and to obtain similar coverage with respect to any additional properties we acquire in the near future.  Further, we have title insurance relating to our properties in an aggregate amount that we believe to be adequate.
 
Item 3.  Legal Proceedings.
 
We are a participant in various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of our business.  These matters are generally covered by insurance.  While the resolution of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe that the final outcome of these matters will not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.


24

PART II
 
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
 
Market Information
 
Reclassification of Common Shares

    On June 27, 2012, we filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland amendments to our declaration of trust that (i) reclassified each issued and unissued Class A common share of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share (the "Class A common shares") into one Class B common share of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share (the "Class B common shares") and (ii) changed the designation of all of the Class B common shares to "common shares." The amendment setting forth the reclassification of the Class A common shares into Class B common shares was approved by our shareholders at the 2012 annual meeting of shareholders held on May 22, 2012. The amendment approving the redesignation of the Class B common shares to common shares was approved by our board of trustees and did not require shareholder approval.
 
Common Shares

Our common shares were issued and began trading on the NYSE Amex (which is now known as the NYSE MKT LLC, or the NYSE MKT) on August 25, 2010 under the ticker symbol "WSR." On June 29, 2012, we transferred the listing of our common shares from the NYSE MKT to the NYSE under our existing ticker symbol "WSR." As a result of the transfer, we voluntarily delisted our common shares from the NYSE MKT effective June 28, 2012. As of March 11, 2013, we had 16,991,629 common shares of beneficial interest outstanding held by a total of 11,092 shareholders of record.

The following table sets forth the quarterly high, low, and closing prices per share of our common shares for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 as reported on the NYSE MKT through June 28, 2012 and on the NYSE from June 29, 2012 through December 31, 2012.

For the Year Ended December 31, 2012
 
High
 
Low
 
Close
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Quarter
 
$
13.78

 
$
11.84

 
$
13.04

Second Quarter
 
$
13.93

 
$
12.30

 
$
13.81

Third Quarter
 
$
13.95

 
$
12.72

 
$
13.20

Fourth Quarter
 
$
14.20

 
$
12.07

 
$
14.05

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
 
High
 
Low
 
Close
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Quarter
 
$
14.94

 
$
13.73

 
$
14.31

Second Quarter
 
$
14.94

 
$
11.90

 
$
12.72

Third Quarter
 
$
13.34

 
$
10.77

 
$
11.14

Fourth Quarter
 
$
12.29

 
$
10.05

 
$
11.90


On March 11, 2013, the closing price of our common shares reported on the NYSE was $15.09 per share.

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 dividends quarterly and pay dividends in three monthly installments following the end of the 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.”


25

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

•
our funds from operations;
•
our debt service requirements;
•
our capital expenditure requirements for our properties;
•
our taxable income, combined with the annual distribution requirements necessary to maintain REIT qualification;
•
requirements of Maryland law;
•
our overall financial condition; and
•
other factors deemed relevant by our board of trustees of trustees.

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.

The following table reflects the total distributions we have paid (including the total amount paid and the amount paid per share/unit) in each indicated quarter (in thousands, except per share/unit data):

 
 
Common Shares (1)
 
Noncontrolling OP Unit Holders
 
Total
Quarter Paid
 
Distributions Per Common Share
 
Total Amount Paid
 
Distributions Per OP Unit
 
Total Amount Paid
 
Total Amount Paid
2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fourth Quarter
 
$
0.2850

 
$
4,781

 
$
0.2850

 
$
221

 
$
5,002

Third Quarter
 
0.2850

 
3,859

 
0.2850

 
224

 
4,083

Second Quarter
 
0.2850

 
3,362

 
0.2850

 
258

 
3,620

First Quarter
 
0.2850

 
3,322

 
0.2850

 
301

 
3,623

Total
 
$
1.1400

 
$
15,324

 
$
1.1400

 
$
1,004

 
$
16,328

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fourth Quarter
 
$
0.2850

 
$
3,193

 
$
0.2850

 
$
430

 
$
3,623

Third Quarter
 
0.2850

 
3,115

 
0.2850

 
514

 
3,629

Second Quarter
 
0.2850

 
2,121

 
0.2850

 
515

 
2,636

First Quarter
 
0.2850

 
1,616

 
0.2850

 
515

 
2,131

Total
 
$
1.1400

 
$
10,045

 
$
1.1400

 
$
1,974

 
$
12,019


(1) Effective June 27, 2012, each outstanding Class A common share was reclassified into one Class B common share, and the Class B common shares were redesignated as "common shares."
 
Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
Please refer to Item 12 of this report for information concerning securities authorized under our equity incentive plan.

26


Performance Graph

The following graph compares the total shareholder returns of the Company's common shares to the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (“S&P 500”) and to the Morgan Stanley Capital International US REIT Index ("REIT Index") from August 25, 2010 to December 31, 2012. The graph assumes that the value of the investment in our common shares and in the S&P 500 and REIT indices was $100 at August 25, 2010 and that all dividends were reinvested. The price of our common shares on August 25, 2010 (on which the graph is based) was $12.00. The past shareholder return shown on the following graph is not necessarily indicative of future performance. The performance graph and related information shall not be deemed "filed" with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into such filing.


27

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data.
 
The following table sets forth our selected consolidated financial information and should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, both of which appear elsewhere in this report.
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
2008
Operating Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
$
46,554

 
$
34,915

 
$
31,533

 
$
32,685

 
$
31,201

Property expenses
 
17,639

 
13,327

 
12,283

 
12,991

 
12,835

General and administrative
 
7,616

 
6,648

 
4,992

 
6,072

 
6,708

Depreciation and amortization
 
10,229

 
7,749

 
6,805

 
6,518

 
5,787

Involuntary conversion
 
—

 
—

 
(558
)
 
(1,542
)
 
358

Interest expense
 
8,732

 
6,344

 
6,040

 
6,189

 
6,929

Interest, dividend and other investment income
 
(290
)
 
(460
)
 
(28
)
 
(36
)
 
(182
)
Executive relocation expense
 
2,177

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Income (loss) from continuing operations before loss on disposal of assets and income taxes
 
451

 
1,307

 
1,999

 
2,493

 
(1,234
)
Provision for income taxes
 
(286
)
 
(225
)
 
(264
)
 
(222
)
 
(219
)
Loss on disposal of assets
 
(112
)
 
(146
)
 
(160
)
 
(196
)
 
(223
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
53

 
936

 
1,575

 
2,075

 
(1,676
)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(188
)
Gain on sale of property
 
—

 
397

 
—

 
—

 
—

Gain on sale of properties from discontinued operations
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
3,619

Net income
 
53

 
1,333

 
1,575

 
2,075

 
1,755

Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
3

 
210

 
470

 
733

 
621

Net income attributable to Whitestone REIT
 
$
50

 
$
1,123

 
$
1,105

 
$
1,342

 
$
1,134

 

28

 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
2008
Earnings per share - basic
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Whitestone REIT excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares
 
$
0.00

 
$
0.12

 
$
0.27

 
$
0.41

 
$
(0.33
)
Income from discontinued operations attributable to Whitestone REIT
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
0.68

Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares
 
$
0.00

 
$
0.12

 
$
0.27

 
$
0.41

 
$
0.35

Earnings per share - diluted
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Whitestone REIT excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares
 
$
0.00

 
$
0.12

 
$
0.27

 
$
0.40

 
$
(0.33
)
Income from discontinued operations attributable to Whitestone REIT
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
0.68

Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares
 
$
0.00

 
$
0.12

 
$
0.27

 
$
0.40

 
$
0.35

Balance Sheet Data:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Real estate (net)
 
$
355,749

 
$
246,888

 
$
165,398

 
$
158,398

 
$
150,847

Other assets
 
29,622

 
26,605

 
31,047

 
23,602

 
27,098

Total assets
 
$
385,371

 
$
273,493

 
$
196,445

 
$
182,000

 
$
177,945

Liabilities
 
$
212,484

 
$
142,786

 
$
112,162

 
$
115,141

 
$
110,773

Whitestone REIT shareholders' equity
 
166,031

 
115,958

 
62,708

 
43,590

 
45,891

Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary
 
6,856

 
14,749

 
21,575

 
23,269

 
21,281

 
 
$
385,371


$
273,493

 
$
196,445

 
$
182,000

 
$
177,945

Other Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of common shares
 
$
58,679

 
$
59,683

 
$
22,970

 
$
—

 
$
—

Acquisitions of and additions to real estate
 
118,207

 
88,903

 
12,768

 
12,855

 
5,153

Distributions per share (1)
 
1.12

 
1.09

 
1.17

 
1.35

 
1.59

Funds from operations (2)
 
10,273

 
8,707

 
8,432

 
8,618

 
4,236

Operating Portfolio Occupancy at year end
 
87
%
 
87
%
 
86
%
 
82
%
 
84
%
Average aggregate gross leasable area
 
3,833

 
3,366

 
3,058

 
3,039

 
3,008

Average rent per square foot
 
$
11.86

 
$
10.37

 
$
10.31

 
$
10.76

 
$
10.37

(1)  The distributions per share represent total cash payments divided by weighted average common shares.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2)  We believe that Funds From Operations (“FFO”) is an appropriate supplemental measure of operating performance because it helps our investors compare our operating performance relative to other REITs.  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 gains or losses from sales of operating properties and extraordinary items, plus depreciation and amortization of real estate assets, including our share of unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures.  We calculate FFO in a manner consistent with the NAREIT definition. For more information, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

29

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of FFO to net income, the nearest GAAP measure, for the periods presented:

 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
2008
Net income (loss) attributable to Whitestone REIT
 
$
50

 
$
1,123

 
$
1,105

 
$
1,342

 
$
1,134

Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets (1)
 
10,108

 
7,625

 
6,697

 
6,347

 
5,877

(Gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets (1)
 
112

 
(251
)
 
160

 
196

 
(3,396
)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
3

 
210

 
470

 
733

 
621

FFO
 
$
10,273

 
$
8,707

 
$
8,432

 
$
8,618

 
$
4,236

 
(1) Including amounts for discontinued operations.

30

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.  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, our current management team joined the company and 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 business center or 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, 2012, we owned and operated 51 commercial properties consisting of:

Operating Portfolio
•
27 retail properties containing approximately 2.0 million square feet of gross leasable area and having a total carrying amount (net of accumulated depreciation) of $198.0 million;
•
seven office properties containing approximately 0.6 million square feet of gross leasable area and having a total carrying amount (net of accumulated depreciation) of $42.9 million; and
•
11 office/flex properties containing approximately 1.2 million square feet of gross leasable area and having a total carrying amount (net of accumulated depreciation) of $39.7 million.
Redevelopment, New Acquisitions Portfolio
•
three retail properties containing approximately 0.5 million square feet of leasable space and having a total carrying amount (net of accumulated depreciation) of $68.0 million; and
•
three parcels of land held for future development having a total carrying amount of $7.2 million.
As of December 31, 2012, we had an aggregate of 1,066 tenants.  We have a diversified tenant base with our largest tenant comprising only 1.2% of our total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2012.  Lease terms for our properties range from less than one year for smaller tenants to over 15 years for larger tenants.  Our leases generally include minimum monthly lease payments and tenant reimbursements for payment of taxes, insurance and maintenance.  We completed 323 new and renewal leases during 2012, totaling 685,030 square feet and $35.2 million in total lease value.
 
We employed 68 full-time employees as of December 31, 2012.  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.
 

31

How We Derive Our Revenue
 
Substantially all of our revenue is derived from rents received from leases at our properties. We had rental income and tenant reimbursements of approximately $46,554,000 for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to $34,915,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011, an increase of $11,639,000, or 33%. The twelve months ended December 31, 2012 included $11,164,000 in increased revenues from New Store operations. We define "New Stores" as properties acquired during the period being compared. For the purposes of comparing the twelve months ended December 31, 2012 to the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, this includes properties acquired between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2012. Same Store revenues increased $475,000. We define "Same Stores" as properties that were owned at the beginning of the period being compared. For the purposes of comparing the twelve months ended December 31, 2012 to the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, this includes properties owned before January 1, 2011. Same Store average occupancy increased from 83.9%  for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 to 84.8% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2012, increasing Same Store revenue $262,000. The Same Store revenue rate per average leased square foot increased $0.08 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2012 to $12.60 per average leased square foot as compared to the twelve month ended December 31, 2011 revenue rate per average leased square foot of $12.52, increasing Same Store revenue $213,000.

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. 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. Negative trends in one or more of these factors could adversely affect our rental income in future periods, although we expect modest continued improvement in the overall economy in our markets to provide slight increases in occupancy at certain of our properties.
 
Scheduled Lease Expirations
 
We tend to lease space to smaller businesses that desire shorter term leases. As of December 31, 2012, approximately 34% of our gross leasable area was subject to leases that expire prior to December 31, 2014.  Over the last three years we have renewed approximately 72% of our square footage expiring as a result of lease maturities. 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. While 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. During the year ended December 31, 2012, our revenue rate per square foot for renewals and new leases for comparable spaces increased 2% when compared to the expiring revenue rate per square foot for previous leases. As such, we expect the 2013 and 2014 expiring square footage to lease at rates which are at, or near, their current 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 pay dividends to our shareholders.
 
Acquisitions
 
We expect to actively seek acquisitions in the foreseeable future. We believe that over the next few years we will continue to have excellent opportunities to acquire quality properties at historically attractive prices. 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.


32

Property Acquisitions
 
We seek to acquire commercial properties in high-growth markets. Our acquisition targets are properties that fit our Community Centered Properties strategy.  We define Community Centered Properties as visibly located properties in established or developing, culturally diverse neighborhoods in our target markets, primarily in and around Phoenix, Chicago, Dallas, San Antonio and Houston.  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, 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 28, 2012, we acquired the Shops at Pecos Ranch, a property that meets our Community Centered Property strategy, for approximately $19.0 million in cash and net prorations. The 78,767 square foot property was 100% leased at the time of purchase and is located in Chandler, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. The property is within close proximity to Intel Corporation's new corporate 682-acre campus that is scheduled to be completed in 2013 and should employ approximately 11,000 employees.

On September 21, 2012, we acquired Village Square at Dana Park, a property that meets our Community Centered Property strategy, for approximately $46.5 million in cash and net prorations. The 310,979 square foot property was 71% leased at the time of purchase and is located in the Mesa submarket of Phoenix, Arizona. In the same purchase, we also acquired an adjacent development parcel of 4.7 acres for approximately $4.0 million in cash. The property houses specialty boutique, dining and daily needs service tenants within a contemporary Main Street setting featuring expansive palm tree lined, cobblestone paved pedestrian walkways and eight courtyard fountains with shaded seating areas.

On September 21, 2012, we acquired Fountain Square, a property that meets our Community Centered Property strategy, for approximately $15.4 million in cash and net prorations. The 118,209 square foot property was 76% leased at the time of purchase and is located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The property includes tenants such as a 20,000 square foot fitness center, salons, restaurants, medical and educational service providers and is also shadow-anchored by Safeway Supermarket, McDonalds and Sleep America.

On August 8, 2012, we acquired Paradise Plaza, a property that meets our Community Centered Property strategy, for approximately $16.3 million, including the assumption of a $9.2 million non-recourse loan, and cash of $7.1 million. The 125,898 square foot property was 100% leased at the time of purchase and is located in Paradise Valley, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. Tenants at the property cater to families with children and include pediatric medical/health care service providers, educational providers, a well-known community theater, children's furniture dealers, bicycle shops and a variety of other convenience providers.

On May 29, 2012, we acquired the Shops at Pinnacle Peak, a property that meets our Community Centered Property strategy, for approximately $6.4 million in cash and net prorations. The 41,530 square foot property was 76% leased at the time of purchase and is located in North Scottsdale, Arizona. Tenants include restaurants, medical/health care providers and a variety of other convenience service providers.

On December 28, 2011, we acquired the Shops at Starwood, a property that meets our Community Centered Property strategy, for approximately $15.7 million in cash and net prorations. The 55,385 square foot Class A property was 98% leased at the time of purchase and is located in Frisco, Texas, a northern suburb of Dallas. The Shops at Starwood has a complementary tenant mix of restaurants, fashion boutiques, salons and second-level office space.

On December 28, 2011, we acquired Starwood Phase III, a 2.73 acre parcel of undeveloped land adjacent to the Shops at Starwood, for approximately $1.9 million, including a non-recourse loan we assumed for $1.4 million, secured by the land, and cash of $0.5 million. The Phase III development site fronts the Dallas North Tollway within the Tollway Overlay District, which grants the highest allowed density of any zoning district. No revenue or income for this development property has been included in our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 since the date of acquisition.

On December 28, 2011, we acquired Pinnacle of Scottsdale Phase II, or Pinnacle Phase II, a 4.45 acre parcel of developed land adjacent to Pinnacle for approximately $1.0 million in cash and net prorations. Pinnacle Phase II has approximately 400 linear feet of frontage on Scottsdale Road and the potential for additional retail and office development. No revenue or income for this development property has been included in our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 since the date of acquisition.


33

On December 22, 2011, we acquired Phase I of Pinnacle of Scottsdale, or Pinnacle, a property that meets our Community Centered Property strategy, for approximately $28.8 million, including a non-recourse loan we assumed for $14.1 million that is secured by the property, and cash of $14.7 million. The 113,108 square foot Class A property was 100% leased at the time of purchase and is located in North Scottsdale, Arizona. The tenants include Safeway, Ace Hardware, Starbucks, Subway, Shell Oil and a variety of other convenience service providers.

On August 16, 2011, we acquired Ahwatukee Plaza Shopping Center, a property that meets our Community Centered Property strategy, for approximately $9.3 million in cash and net prorations. The 72,650 square foot property was 100% leased at the time of purchase and is located in the affluent high density Ahwatukee Foothills neighborhood in south Phoenix, Arizona. The property is anchored by Gold's Gym.

On August 8, 2011, we acquired Terravita Marketplace, a property that meets our Community Centered Property strategy, for approximately $16.1 million in cash and net prorations. The 102,733 square foot property, inclusive of 51,434 square feet leased to two tenants pursuant to ground leases, was 100% leased at the time of purchase and is located in Scottsdale, Arizona. Terravita Marketplace is adjacent to the gated golf course residential community of Terravita, which was developed by DelWebb Corporation/Pulte, with homes ranging in price from $250,000 to $1 million.

On June 28, 2011, we acquired Gilbert Tuscany Village, a property that meets our Community Centered Property strategy, or approximately $5.0 million in cash and net prorations. The 49,415 square foot property was 16% leased at the time of purchase and is located in Gilbert, Arizona. Gilbert Tuscany Village is surrounded by densely populated, high-end residential developments and is located approximately one mile from Banner Gateway Medical Center, a 60-acre medical complex that is partnering with MD Anderson to add a new 120,000 square foot cancer outpatient center.

On April 13, 2011, we acquired Desert Canyon Shopping Center, a property that meets our Community Centered Property strategy, for approximately $3.7 million in cash and net prorations. The 62,533 square foot property, inclusive of 12,960 square feet leased to two tenants pursuant to ground leases, was 65% leased at the time of purchase and is located in McDowell Mountain Ranch in northern Scottsdale, Arizona.

On November 1, 2010, we acquired Marketplace at Central, a property that meets our Community Centered Property strategy, for approximately $6.4 million in cash and net prorations. The 111,130 square foot property was 49% leased at the time of purchase and is located in central Phoenix, Arizona. The property is situated in an ideal location across the street from John C. Lincoln Hospital, the major employer in the area, and within a quarter mile from Sunnyslope High School.

On September 28, 2010, we acquired The Citadel, a property that meets our Community Centered Property strategy, for approximately $2.2 million in cash and net prorations. The 28,547 square foot property was 16% leased at the time of purchase and is located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The property is strategically located at a prime intersection at Pinnacle Peak and Pima Roads.

Property dispositions. On July 22, 2011, we sold Greens Road Plaza, located in Houston, Texas, for $1.8 million in cash and net prorations. We have reinvested the proceeds from the sale of the 20,607 square foot property located in northeast Houston in acquisitions of Community Centered Properties in our target markets. As a result of the transaction, we recorded a gain on sale of property of $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2011.

34

Summary of Critical Accounting Policies
 
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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or 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, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” 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 have established an allowance for doubtful accounts against the portion of tenant accounts receivable which is estimated to be uncollectible.
 
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, primarily interest, real estate taxes and loan acquisition costs, 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 thereof, becomes available for occupancy. Prior to that time, we expense these costs as acquisition expense.  For the year ended December 31, 2012, approximately $176,000 and $147,000 in interest expense and real estate taxes, respectively, were capitalized. No interest was capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.
 
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. Identifiable intangibles include amounts allocated to acquired out-of-market leases, the value of in-place leases 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.
 
Depreciation.  Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of 5 to 39 years for improvements and buildings, respectively.  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.  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, 2012.
 

35

Accrued Rents and Accounts Receivable.  Included in accrued rent and accounts receivable are base rents, tenant reimbursements and receivables attributable to recording rents on a straight-line basis. An allowance for the uncollectible portion of accrued rents and accounts receivable is determined based upon customer credit-worthiness (including expected recovery of our claim with respect to any tenants in bankruptcy), historical bad debt levels, and current economic trends.  As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, we had an allowance for uncollectible accounts of $2.3 million and $1.4 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, we recorded bad debt expense in the amount of $1.0 million, $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively, related to tenant receivables that we specifically identified as potentially uncollectible based on our assessment of each tenant’s credit-worthiness.  Bad debt expenses and any related recoveries are included in property operation and maintenance expense.
 
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. As part of our executive relocation arrangement, as discussed in Note 11, we issued a note receivable for $975,000 to the buyer. The note bears interest at a rate of 4.5% and matures on December 31, 2013.

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, Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”) applies to the Texas Margin Tax.  We have recorded a margin tax expense of $0.3 million for the Texas Margin Tax for each of the years ended December 31, 2012, and 2010 and $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 .

Recent accounting pronouncements. In December 2010, the FASB issued new guidance clarifying that the disclosure of supplementary pro forma information for business combinations should be presented such that revenues and earnings of the combined entity are calculated as though the relevant business combinations that occurred during the current reporting period had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period. The guidance also improves the usefulness of the supplementary pro forma information by requiring a description of the nature and amount of material, non-recurring pro forma adjustments that are directly attributable to the business combinations. We adopted these provisions for our consolidated financial statements beginning with the year ended December 31, 2011. Thus the application of these provisions is reflected in the supplementary pro forma disclosures for our acquisitions, as described in Note 4 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance eliminating the option to present components of other comprehensive income solely as part of the statement of shareholders' equity and requires the presentation of components of net income and components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In December 2011, the FASB deferred the requirement to present reclassification adjustments for each component of accumulated other comprehensive income in both net income and other comprehensive income on the face of the financial statements. We adopted these provisions for our consolidated financial statements beginning with the quarter ended June 30, 2011.

In February 2013, the FASB issued guidance requiring entities to disclose certain information relating to amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. We do not expect the pronouncement to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.



36

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 $0.2850 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, 2012, our cash provided from operating activities was $11,218,000 and our total dividends and distributions were $16,328,000. Therefore, we had distributions in excess of cash flow from operations of approximately $5,110,000. On February 4, 2013, we, through our Operating Partnership, amended and restated our unsecured revolving credit facility and entered into our 2013 Facility, which we will use for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions and redevelopment of existing properties in our portfolio. The new facility replaced our existing unsecured revolving credit facility. We anticipate that cash flows from operating activities and our borrowing capacity under our 2013 Facility will provide adequate capital for our 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 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. Our ability to access the equity markets will be dependent on a number of factors as well, including general market conditions for REITs and market perceptions about our company.
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 continue acquiring such additional properties through equity issuances, including proceeds from our offering of common shares in August 2012, 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.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
We had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $6,544,000 at December 31, 2012, as compared to $5,695,000 at December 31, 2011.  The increase of $849,000 was primarily the result of the following:
 
Sources of Cash
 
•
Cash flow from operations of $11,218,000 for the year ended December 31, 2012;
•
Net proceeds of $58,679,000 from issuance of common shares;
•
Net proceeds of $56,312,000 from issuance of notes payable net of origination costs;
•
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities of $5,508,000;
Uses of Cash
•
Payment of dividends and distributions to common shareholders and OP Unit holders of $16,328,000;
•
Investments in marketable securities of $750,000;
•
Real estate acquisitions of $98,350,000;
•
Additions to real estate of $10,815,000;
•
Payments of loans of $4,146,000;
•
Payments of exchange offer costs of $479,000.

37

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

On August 28, 2012, we completed the sale of 4,830,000 common shares, $0.001 par value per share, including 630,000 common shares pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option, at a price to the public of $12.80 per share. Total net proceeds from the offering, including over-allotment shares, and after deducting the underwriting discount and offering expenses, were approximately $58.7 million, which we used for general corporate purposes, including property acquisitions, debt repayment, capital expenditures, the expansion, redevelopment and/or retenanting in our portfolio, working capital and other general corporate purposes.

Debt

Mortgages and other notes payable consist of the following (in thousands):

 
 
December 31,
Description
 
2012
 
2011
Fixed rate notes
 
 
 
 
$1.1 million 4.71% Note, due 2013 (1)
 
$
1,087

 
$
1,318

$14.1 million 5.695% Note, due 2013
 
13,850

 
14,110

$3.0 million 6.00% Note, due 2021 (2)
 
2,943

 
2,978

$10.0 million 6.04% Note, due 2014
 
9,142

 
9,326

$1.5 million 6.50% Note, due 2014
 
1,444

 
1,471

$11.2 million 6.52% Note, due 2015
 
10,609

 
10,763

$21.4 million 6.53% Notes, due 2013
 
18,865

 
19,524

$24.5 million 6.56% Note, due 2013
 
23,135

 
23,597

$9.9 million 6.63% Notes, due 2014
 
8,925

 
9,221

$0.7 million 2.97% Note, due 2013
 
15

 
23

Floating rate notes
 
 
 
 
Unsecured line of credit, LIBOR plus 2.75% to 3.75%, due 2015
 
69,000

 
11,000

$9.2 million, Prime Rate less 2.00%, due 2017
 
7,854

 
—

$26.9 million, LIBOR plus 2.86% Note, due 2013
 
23,739

 
24,559

 
 
$
190,608

 
$
127,890

(1)
As of December 31, 2011, promissory note had a balance of $1.4 million and an interest rate of 5.0%, due in 2012. See Note 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional discussion of this note.
(2)
The 6.00% interest rate is fixed through March 30, 2016. On March 31, 2016 the interest rate will reset to the rate of interest for a five-year balloon note with a thirty-year amortization as published by the Federal Home Loan Bank.

Our mortgage debt was collateralized by 27 operating properties as of December 31, 2012 with a combined net book value of $161.8 million and 26 operating properties as of December 31, 2011 with a combined net book value of $143.2 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 the assignment of certain rents and leases associated with those properties. 

On August 8, 2012, we assumed a $9.2 million variable rate note as part of our acquisition of Paradise Plaza. See Note 4 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion. The variable rate is based on the prime rate less 2.00% and matures on December 27, 2017. We consider the variable rate to be below-market and have imputed an interest rate of 4.13%, which we consider to be an appropriate market rate. As a result, we recorded a discount on the note of $1.3 million, which will amortize into interest expense over the life of the loan. See Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the interest rate swap included with this note.


38

On February 27, 2012, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into a three-year $125 million unsecured revolving credit facility (the "2012 Facility"). As of December 31, 2012, $69.0 million was drawn on the 2012 Facility, and our remaining borrowing capacity was $56.0 million. On February 4, 2013, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into an unsecured credit facility that amends and restates the Facility. See Note 19 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

On February 4, 2013, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into our 2013 Facility, which amended and restated our 2012 Facility. We will use the 2013 Facility for acquisitions, redevelopment of value-add properties in our portfolio and general corporate purposes. In addition to a $125 million unsecured borrowing capacity under the revolving loan, the 2013 Facility also includes a $50 million term loan and permits the Operating Partnership to increase the borrowing capacity under the 2013 Facility to a total of $225 million, upon the satisfaction of certain conditions. On February 4, 2013, we drew down $69.0 million on the 2013 Facility, which replaced the $69.0 million drawn on the 2012 Facility. Like our 2012 Facility, the 2013 Facility contains customary terms and conditions, including, without limitation, affirmative and negative covenants such as information reporting requirements, maximum secured indebtedness to total asset value, minimum EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization or extraordinary items) to fixed charges and maintenance of a minimum net worth. The amount available to us and our ability to borrow from time to time under the 2013 Facility is subject to our compliance with these requirements. See Note 19 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

On March 8, 2013. we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into an interest rate swap with U.S. Bank National Association that fixes the LIBOR portion of our $50 million term loan under our 2013 Facility at 0.84%. The swap starts on January 7, 2014 and will mature on February 3, 2017. We have designated the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge with the effective portion of the changes in fair value to be recorded in comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value, if any, will be recognized directly in earnings.

Certain other of our loans are subject to customary covenants.  As of December 31, 2012, we were in compliance with all loan covenants.

Annual maturities of notes payable as of December 31, 2012 are due during the following years:

 
 
Amount Due
Year
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
2013
 
$
81,396

2014
 
19,172

2015
 
10,317

2016
 
73

2017
 
76,936

Thereafter
 
2,714

Total
 
$
190,608

 
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 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.


39

Contractual Obligations
 
As of December 31, 2012, 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):
 
 
 
 
 
Payment due by period (in thousands)
 
 
Contractual Obligations
 
 
Total
 
Less than 1
year (2013)
 
1 - 3 years
(2014 - 2015)
 
3 - 5 years
(2016 - 2017)
 
More than
5 years
(after 2017)
Long-Term Debt - Principal
 
$
190,608

 
$
81,396

 
$
29,489

 
$
77,009

 
$
2,714

Long-Term Debt - Fixed Interest
 
7,596

 
4,515

 
2,034

 
535

 
512

Long-Term Debt - Variable Interest (1)
 
7,794

 
2,320

 
3,421

 
2,053

 
—

Unsecured revolving credit facility - Unused commitment fee (2)
 
1,855

 
371

 
742

 
742

 
—

Operating Lease Obligations
 
33

 
28

 
5

 
—

 
—

Total
 
$
207,886

 
$
88,630

 
$
35,691

 
$
80,339

 
$
3,226

 
(1)  
As of December 31, 2012, we had two loans totaling $92.7 million which bore interest at a floating rate, including borrowings under our 2012 Facility.  The variable interest rate payments are based on LIBOR plus 1.75% to LIBOR plus 2.50%, which reflects our new interest rates under our 2013 Facility.  The information in the table above reflects our projected interest rate obligations for the floating rate payments based on one-month LIBOR as of December 31, 2012, of 0.21%.

(2) 
The unused commitment fees on our unsecured revolving credit facility, payable quarterly, are based on the average daily unused amount of our unsecured revolving credit facility. The fees, which reflect our new fees under our 2013 Facility, are 0.25% for facility usage greater than 50% or 0.35% for facility usage less than 50%. The information in the table above reflects our projected obligations for our unsecured revolving credit facility based on our December 31, 2012 balance of $69.0 million.

40


Distributions
 
During 2012, we paid distributions to our common shareholders and OP unit holders of $16.3 million, compared to $12.0 million in 2011.  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, 2012 and 2011: 

 
 
Common Shares
 
Noncontrolling OP Unit Holders
 
Total
Quarter Paid
 
Distributions Per Common Share
 
Total Amount Paid
 
Distributions Per OP Unit
 
Total Amount Paid
 
Total Amount Paid
2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fourth Quarter
 
$
0.2850

 
$
4,781

 
$
0.2850

 
$
221

 
$
5,002

Third Quarter
 
0.2850

 
3,859

 
0.2850

 
224

 
4,083

Second Quarter
 
0.2850

 
3,362

 
0.2850

 
258

 
3,620

First Quarter
 
0.2850

 
3,322

 
0.2850

 
301

 
3,623

Total
 
$
1.1400

 
$
15,324

 
$
1.1400

 
$
1,004

 
$
16,328

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fourth Quarter
 
$
0.2850

 
$
3,193

 
$
0.2850

 
$
430

 
$
3,623

Third Quarter
 
0.2850

 
3,115

 
0.2850

 
514

 
3,629

Second Quarter
 
0.2850

 
2,121

 
0.2850

 
515

 
2,636

First Quarter
 
0.2850

 
1,616

 
0.2850

 
515

 
2,131

Total
 
$
1.1400

 
$
10,045

 
$
1.1400

 
$
1,974

 
$
12,019




41

Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2012 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2011 

The following table provides a general comparison of our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 (dollars in thousands, except per share data):
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
Number of properties owned and operated
 
51

 
45

Aggregate gross leasable area (sq. ft.)
 
4,274,691

 
3,597,337

Ending occupancy rate - operating portfolio(1)
 
87
%
 
87
%
Ending occupancy rate - all properties
 
85
%
 
84
%
 
 
 
 
 
Total property revenues
 
$
46,554

 
$
34,915

Total property expenses
 
17,639

 
13,327

Total other expenses
 
28,464

 
20,281

Provision for income taxes
 
286

 
225

Loss on disposal of assets
 
112

 
146

Income from continuing operations
 
53

 
936

Gain on sale of property
 
—

 
397

Net income
 
53

 
1,333

Less:  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
3

 
210

Net income attributable to Whitestone REIT
 
$
50

 
$
1,123

 
 
 
 
 
Funds from operations (2)
 
$
10,273

 
$
8,707

Property net operating income (3)
 
28,915

 
21,588

Distributions paid on common shares and OP Units
 
16,328

 
12,019

Distributions per common share and OP unit
 
$
1.14

 
$
1.14

Distributions paid as a percentage of funds from operations
 
159
%
 
138
%
 
(1)  
Excludes (i) new acquisitions, through the earlier of attainment of 90% occupancy or 18 months of ownership, and (ii) properties that are undergoing significant redevelopment or re-tenanting.
(2)  
For an explanation and reconciliation of funds from operations to net income, see "Funds From Operations" below.
(3)  
For an explanation and reconciliation of property net operating income to net income, see "Property Net Operating Income" below.

Property revenues. We had rental income and tenant reimbursements of approximately $46,554,000 for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to $34,915,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011, an increase of $11,639,000, or 33%. The year ended December 31, 2012 included $11,164,000 in increased revenues from New Store operations. Same Store revenues increased $475,000. Same Store average occupancy increased from 83.9% for the year ended December 31, 2011 to 84.8% for the year ended December 31, 2012, increasing Same Store revenue $262,000. The Same Store revenue rate per average leased square foot increased $0.08 for the year ended December 31, 2012 to $12.60 per average leased square foot as compared to the year ended December 31, 2011 revenue rate per average leased square foot of $12.52, increasing Same Store revenue $213,000. The revenue rate per average leased square feet is calculated by dividing the total revenue by the average square feet leased during the period.

42

Property expenses.  Our property expenses were $17,639,000 for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to $13,327,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011, an increase of $4,312,000, or 32%. The primary components of total property expenses, Same Store property expenses and New Store property expenses are detailed in the tables below (in thousands):
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Increase
 
% Increase
Overall Property Expenses
 
2012
 
2011
 
(Decrease)
 
(Decrease)
Real estate taxes
 
$
6,384

 
$
4,668

 
$
1,716

 
37
%
Utilities
 
3,025

 
2,510

 
515

 
21
%
Contract services
 
2,786

 
2,312

 
474

 
21
%
Repairs and maintenance
 
1,800

 
1,222

 
578

 
47
%
Bad debt
 
1,004

 
615

 
389

 
63
%
Labor and other
 
2,640

 
2,000

 
640

 
32
%
Total
 
$
17,639

 
$
13,327

 
$
4,312

 
32
%
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Increase
 
% Increase
Same Store Property Expenses
 
2012
 
2011
 
(Decrease)
 
(Decrease)
Real estate taxes
 
$
4,617

 
$
4,418

 
$
199

 
5
%
Utilities
 
2,477

 
2,403

 
74

 
3
%
Contract services
 
2,264

 
2,225

 
39

 
2
%
Repairs and maintenance
 
1,290

 
1,172

 
118

 
10
%
Bad debt
 
753

 
588

 
165

 
28
%
Labor and other
 
2,241

 
1,912

 
329

 
17
%
Total
 
$
13,642

 
$
12,718

 
$
924

 
7
%
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Increase
 
% Increase
New Store Property Expenses
 
2012
 
2011
 
(Decrease)
 
(Decrease)
Real estate taxes
 
$
1,767

 
$
250

 
$
1,517

 
607
%
Utilities
 
548

 
107

 
441

 
412
%
Contract services
 
522

 
87

 
435

 
500
%
Repairs and maintenance
 
510

 
50

 
460

 
920
%
Bad debt
 
251

 
27

 
224

 
830
%
Labor and other
 
399

 
88

 
311

 
353
%
Total
 
$
3,997

 
$
609

 
$
3,388

 
556
%

Real estate taxes.  Real estate taxes increased $1,716,000, or 37%, during the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to 2011, primarily as a result of New Stores real estate taxes, which increased $1,517,000. Same Store real estate taxes increased $199,000 for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2011. The Sames Store increase was the result of increases in 2011 property values of several of our Houston properties that were under dispute with the taxing authority and increased assessed values from the various appraisal districts during 2012. Approximately $100,000 of the increase related to 2011 valuations, which we do not expect to repeat in future periods. We actively work to keep our valuations and resulting taxes low because a majority of these taxes are charged to our tenants through triple net leases, and we strive to keep these charges to our tenants as low as possible.
 
Utilities.  Utilities increased $515,000, or 21%, during the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to 2011. The increase in utility expenses was primarily attributed to New Store increases of $441,000 for the year ended December 31, 2012. Same Store utilities expenses increased approximately $74,000 during the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to 2011. The majority of the Same Store increase was attributable to a new drainage utility fee with respect to our Houston properties charged by the City of Houston, which took effect July 1, 2011.
 
 

43

Contract services. Contract services increased $474,000, or 21%, during the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to 2011, primarily as a result of New Store contract services, which increased $435,000. Same Store contract services increased $39,000, or 2%.

Repairs and maintenance. Repairs and maintenance increased $578,000, or 47%, during the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to 2011. New Store repairs and maintenance increased $460,000 for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to 2011. Same Store repairs and maintenance increased $118,000, or 10%, during year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to 2011. The increase is primarily comprised of increases in electrical and lighting repairs of $40,000, HVAC repair and supply costs of $31,000, and roofing repairs of $28,000 and other net increased repair and maintenance costs of $19,000.

Bad debt.  Bad debt for the year ended December 31, 2012 increased $389,000, or 63%, as compared to 2011. The increase for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2011 was comprised of $224,000 from New Store bad debt and $165,000 from Same Store bad debt. The overall bad debt expense was approximately 2% of revenue for both years. We vigorously pursue past due accounts, but expect collection of rents to continue to be challenging for the foreseeable future.
 
Labor and other.  Labor and other expenses increased $640,000, or 32%, for year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to 2011. New Store labor and other expenses increased $311,000 for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to 2011. Same Store labor and other expenses increased $329,000, or 17%, during year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to 2011. The increase in Same Store labor and other expenses is primarily comprised of increased insurance premiums of $197,000, increased non-recoverable repairs of $49,000, increased office expenses of $44,000 and other net increased labor and other expenses of $39,000.

Same Store and New Store net operating income. The components of Same Store, New Store and total property net operating income are detailed in the table below (in thousands):

 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
Same Store
 
New Store
 
Total
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Property revenues
 
$
33,564

 
$
33,089

 
$
12,990

 
$
1,826

 
$
46,554

 
$
34,915

Property expenses
 
13,642

 
12,718

 
3,997

 
609

 
17,639

 
13,327

Property net operating income
 
$
19,922

 
$
20,371

 
$
8,993

 
$
1,217

 
$
28,915

 
$
21,588


Other expenses.  Our other expenses were $28,464,000 for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to $20,281,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011, an increase of $8,183,000, or 40%.  The primary components of other expenses, net are detailed in the table below (in thousands):
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Increase
 
% Increase
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
(Decrease)
 
(Decrease)
General and administrative
 
$
7,616

 
$
6,648

 
$
968

 
15
%
Depreciation & amortization
 
10,229

 
7,749

 
2,480

 
32
%
Executive relocation expense
 
2,177

 
—

 
2,177

 
100
%
Interest expense
 
8,732

 
6,344

 
2,388

 
38
%
Interest, dividend and other investment income
 
(290
)
 
(460
)
 
170

 
37
%
Total other expenses
 
$
28,464

 
$
20,281

 
$
8,183

 
40
%


44

General and administrative.  General and administrative expenses increased approximately $968,000, or 15%, for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to 2011. The increase in general and administrative expenses included increased share-based compensation costs of $401,000, increased payroll of costs of $390,000, a separation arrangement cost of $107,000 and other expenses of $70,000. The increase in share-based compensation is due to expense related to additional employee grants and expenses related to the expected vesting of performance-based shares. As of December 31, 2012, there was approximately $1,092,000 in unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding non-vested performance-based shares, which are expected to to vest over a period of twelve months and approximately $60,000 in unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding non-vested time-based shares, which are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately eight months. The increase in payroll costs is due to an increase in the number of employees from 62 as of December 31, 2011 to 68 as of December 31, 2012.
 
Executive relocation expense. The executive relocation expense of $2,177,000 relates to the disposition of an executive's residence and our obligation to pay certain expenses incurred in connection therewith pursuant to the relocation arrangement entered into with such executive. See Note 11 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

Depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization increased $2,480,000, or 32%, for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to 2011. New Store depreciation increased $1,716,000 and Same Store depreciation increased $749,000. The increase in Same Store depreciation is attributable to redevelopment and re-tenanting investments, most notably at our Windsor and Lion Square locations. Depreciation on corporate assets and amortization of commission costs increased $15,000.

Interest expense. Interest expense increased $2,388,000, or 38%, for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to 2011.  An increase in our average outstanding notes payable balance of $44,540,000 accounted for $2,372,000 in increased interest expense, offset by a decrease in our effective interest rate to 5.07% for the year ended December 31, 2012 versus 5.32% for the year ended December 31, 2011, resulting in a $381,000 decrease in interest expense. Amortized loan fees included in interest expense increased $397,000 for the year ended December 31, 2012 with the addition of new debt and our 2012 Facility to $1,013,000 as compared to $616,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Interest, dividend and other investment income. Interest, dividend and other investment income increased $170,000, or 37%, for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to 2011. During the year ended December 31, 2012, our gains on sales of investments in available-for-sale securities decreased $82,000, our dividend income decreased $57,000 and our interest income decreased $31,000 as compared to the amounts realized during the year ended December 31, 2011.

45

Year Ended December 31, 2011 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2010 

The following table provides a general comparison of our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (dollars in thousands, except per share data):
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2011
 
2010
Number of properties owned and operated
 
45

 
38

Aggregate gross leasable area (sq. ft.)(1)
 
3,597,337

 
3,162,020

Ending occupancy rate - operating portfolio(2)
 
87
%
 
86
%
Ending occupancy rate - all properties
 
84
%
 
84
%
 
 
 
 
 
Total property revenues
 
$
34,915

 
$
31,533

Total property expenses
 
13,327

 
12,283

Total other expenses
 
20,281

 
17,251

Provision for income taxes
 
225

 
264

Loss on disposal of assets
 
146

 
160

Income from continuing operations
 
936

 
1,575

Gain on sale of property
 
397

 
—

Net income
 
1,333

 
1,575

Less:  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
210

 
470

Net income attributable to Whitestone REIT
 
$
1,123

 
$
1,105

 
 
 
 
 
Funds from operations (3)
 
$
8,707

 
$
8,432

Property net operating income (4)
 
21,588

 
19,250

Distributions paid on common shares and OP units
 
12,019

 
7,407

Per Class A common share and OP unit
 
$
1.14

 
$
1.25

Per Class B common share (5)
 
$
1.14

 
$
0.38

Distributions paid as a percentage of funds from operations
 
138
%
 
88
%
 
(1)  
During the first quarter of 2010, we concluded that approximately 25,000 square feet at our Kempwood Plaza and Centre South locations were no longer leasable, therefore, such area is no longer included in the gross leasable area.
(2)  
Excludes (i) new acquisitions, through the earlier of attainment of 90% occupancy or 18 months of ownership, and (ii) properties that are undergoing significant redevelopment or re-tenanting.
(3)  
For an explanation and reconciliation of funds from operations to net income, see "Funds From Operations" below.
(4)  
For an explanation and reconciliation of property net operating income to net income, see "Property Net Operating Income" below.
(5)
Distribution rate is the same as Class A, but represents a partial year during 2010 for Class B common shares issued August 26, 2010. Effective June 27, 2012, all issued and unissued Class A common shares were reclassified as Class B common shares, and the Class B common shares were redesignated as "common shares."


46

Property revenues. We had rental income and tenant reimbursements of approximately $34,915,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to $31,533,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010, an increase of $3,382,000, or 11%. The year ended December 31, 2011 included $2,504,000 in increased revenues from New Store operations. Same Store revenues increased $878,000. Same Store average occupancy increased from 83.9%  for the year ended December 31, 2010 to 85.7% for the year ended December 31, 2011, increasing Same Store revenue $461,000. The Same Store revenue rate per average leased square foot increased $0.16 for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $12.51 per average leased square foot as compared to the year ended December 31, 2010 revenue rate per average leased square foot of $12.35, increasing Same Store revenue $417,000. The revenue rate per average leased square feet is calculated by dividing the total revenue by the average square feet leased during the period.

Property expenses.  Our property expenses were $13,327,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011, as compared to $12,283,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010, an increase of $1,044,000, or 8%.  The primary components of total property expenses are detailed in the table below (in thousands):
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Increase
 
% Increase
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
(Decrease)
 
(Decrease)
Real estate taxes
 
$
4,668

 
$
3,925

 
$
743

 
19
 %
Utilities
 
2,510

 
2,277

 
233

 
10
 %
Contract services
 
2,312

 
2,140

 
172

 
8
 %
Repairs and maintenance
 
1,222

 
1,403

 
(181
)
 
(13
)%
Bad debt
 
615

 
536

 
79

 
15
 %
Labor and other
 
2,000

 
2,002

 
(2
)
 
—
 %
Total property expenses
 
$
13,327

 
$
12,283

 
$
1,044

 
8
 %
 
Real estate taxes.  Real estate taxes increased $743,000, or 19%, during the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to 2010, primarily as a result of New Stores real estate taxes, which increased $492,000. Same Store real estate taxes increased $251,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2010. The Sames Store increase was primarily as a result of our increased assessed values from the various appraisal districts. We actively work to keep our valuations and resulting taxes as low as possible as most of these taxes are passed through to our tenants through triple net leases.
 
Utilities.  Utilities increased $233,000, or 10%, during the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to 2010. The increase in utility expenses was primarily attributed to New Store increases of $195,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011.
 
Contract services. Contract services increased $172,000, or 8%, during the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to 2010, primarily as a result of New Store contract services, which increased $161,000.

Repairs and maintenance. Repairs and maintenance decreased $181,000, or 13%, during the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to 2010. New Store repairs and maintenance increased $76,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to 2010. Same Store repair and maintenance decreased $257,000 during year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to the same period in 2010. The decrease is primarily comprised of decreases in parking lot repairs of $123,000, HVAC repair and supply costs of $70,000, and hard surface repairs of $53,000 and other net reduced repair and maintenance costs of $11,000.

Bad debt.  Bad debt for the year ended December 31, 2011 increased $79,000, or 15%, as compared to 2010. The increase for the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2010 was comprised of $11,000 from New Store bad debt and $68,000 in Same Store bad debt. We vigorously pursue past due accounts, but expect collection of rents to continue to be challenging for the foreseeable future.
 
Labor and other.  Labor and other expenses decreased $2,000 for year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to 2010.

47


Same Store and New Store net operating income. The components of Same Store, New Store and total property net operating income are detailed in the table below (in thousands):

 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
Same Store
 
New Store
 
Total
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Property revenues
 
$
32,297

 
$
31,419

 
$
2,618

 
$
114

 
$
34,915

 
$
31,533

Property expenses
 
12,062

 
12,117

 
1,265

 
166

 
13,327

 
12,283

Property net operating income
 
$
20,235

 
$
19,302

 
$
1,353

 
$
(52
)
 
$
21,588

 
$
19,250



Other expenses.  Our other expenses were $20,281,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011, as compared to $17,251,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010, an increase of $3,030,000, or 18%.  The primary components of other expenses, net are detailed in the table below (in thousands):
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Increase
 
% Increase
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
(Decrease)
 
(Decrease)
General and administrative
 
$
6,648

 
$
4,992

 
$
1,656

 
33
 %
Depreciation & amortization
 
7,749

 
6,805

 
944

 
14
 %
Involuntary conversion
 
—

 
(558
)
 
558

 
(100
)%
Interest expense
 
6,344

 
6,040

 
304

 
5
 %
Interest, dividend and other investment income
 
(460
)
 
(28
)
 
(432
)
 
1,543
 %
Total other expenses
 
$
20,281

 
$
17,251

 
$
3,030

 
18
 %

General and administrative.  General and administrative expenses increased approximately $1,656,000, or 33%, for the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to 2010. The increase in general and administrative expenses included increases in salaries and benefits of $552,000, legal and other professional fees of $458,000, acquisition-related expenses of $456,000, travel and entertainment expenses of $95,000, corporate office expenses of $54,000 and other expenses of $41,000. The increase in salaries and benefits is due to the addition of nine full-time employees and related increased health insurance, 401(k) and relocation costs. The employees were added to our office in Arizona to manage our recent property acquisitions. Legal and professional fees are primarily attributable to litigation with a contractor at our Windsor Park Center in San Antonio and litigation with two former tenants regarding damages to our properties. Acquisition-related expenses and travel increased due to our eight recent acquisitions. Corporate office expenses include software, phone systems and dues and subscription expenses.
 
Depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization increased $944,000, or 14%, for the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to 2010. New Store depreciation increased $357,000 and Same Store depreciation increased $574,000. Our Windsor Park property in San Antonio, Uptown Plaza property in Dallas and Westchase property in Houston comprised the majority of our Same Store depreciation increase. We expect depreciation and amortization to increase as we acquire properties.
 
Involuntary conversion.  Involuntary conversion gain was $558,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010.  The involuntary conversion gain recognized during the year ended December 31, 2010 represents the completion of the repairs to the 31 properties impacted by Hurricane Ike at costs that were lower than we estimated as of December 31, 2009. The estimated costs were sensitive to the scope requirements of our lenders and labor and material costs of our vendors, and the final costs incurred were more favorable than we anticipated. During the year ended December 31, 2009, we completed a settlement of our insurance claims related to our 31 properties damaged by Hurricane Ike.  The settlement was $7,000,000 in its entirety, with $6,500,000 allocated to casualty claims and approximately $500,000 allocated to loss of rents claims.  For the year ended December 31, 2009, the $6,500,000 in insurance proceeds allocated to casualty losses were offset by accrued repair costs of $5,100,000 resulting in a gain of $1,400,000.  The remaining $100,000 in involuntary conversion gain for the year ended December 31, 2009 was realized on an insurance settlement we completed during 2009 on a chiller unit at our Uptown Tower property in Dallas, Texas.

48

 
Interest expense. Interest expense increased $304,000, or 5%, for the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to 2010.  An increase in our average outstanding notes payable balance of $6,016,000 accounted for $333,000 in increased interest expense, offset by a decrease in our effective interest rate to 5.32% for the year ended December 31, 2011 versus 5.53% for the year ended December 31, 2010, resulting in a $225,000 decrease in interest expense. Amortized loan fees included in interest expense increased $196,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $616,000 with the addition of new debt and our revolving credit facility as compared to $420,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Interest, dividend and other investment income. Interest, dividend and other investment income increased $432,000 during the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to 2010. During the year ended December 31, 2011, we realized gains on sales of investments in available-for-sale securities of $192,000, received $226,000 in dividend income and received $42,000 in interest income as compared to $28,000 in interest income we received during the year ended December 31, 2010.

49

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Funds From Operations ("FFO")
 
The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, or NAREIT, defines FFO as net income (loss) available to common shareholders computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding gains or losses from sales of operating real estate assets, impairment charges and extraordinary items, plus depreciation and amortization of operating properties, including our share of unconsolidated real estate joint ventures and partnerships.  We calculate FFO in a manner consistent with the NAREIT definition.
 
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.  Although our calculation of FFO is consistent with that of NAREIT, there can be no assurance that FFO presented by us is comparable to similarly titled measures of other REITs.

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 does not reflect working capital changes, cash expenditures for capital improvements or principal payments on indebtedness.

FFO Core

Management believes that the computation of FFO in accordance with NAREIT's definition includes certain items
that are not indicative of the results provided by our operating portfolio and affect the comparability of our period-over-period performance. These items include, but are not limited to, gains and losses on insurance claim settlements, legal and professional fees and acquisition costs. Therefore, in addition to FFO, management uses FFO Core, which we define to exclude such items.

Below are the calculations of FFO and FFO Core and the reconciliations to net income, which we believe is the most comparable GAAP financial measure (in thousands):
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
FFO AND FFO CORE
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Whitestone REIT
 
$
50

 
$
1,123

 
$
1,105

Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets
 
10,108

 
7,625

 
6,697

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
 
112

 
(251
)
 
160

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
3

 
210

 
470

FFO
 
$
10,273

 
$
8,707

 
$
8,432

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquisition costs
 
$
698

 
$
666

 
$
46

Relocation arrangement
 
2,177

 
—

 
—

Gain on insurance claim settlement
 
—

 
—

 
(558
)
Legal and professional costs (recoveries), net
 
(131
)
 
254

 
—

FFO Core
 
$
13,017

 
$
9,627

 
$
7,920



50

Property Net Operating Income ("NOI")

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 excludes general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, involuntary conversion, interest expense, interest income, provision for income taxes and gain or loss on sale or disposition of assets, 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 only be used as a supplemental measure of our overall financial performance since it does not reflect certain expenses necessary to maintain the operating performance of our properties.

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

 
 
Year Ended December 31,
PROPERTY NET OPERATING INCOME ("NOI")
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
Net income attributable to Whitestone REIT
 
$
50

 
$
1,123

 
$
1,105

General and administrative expenses
 
7,616

 
6,648

 
4,992

Depreciation and amortization
 
10,229

 
7,749

 
6,805

Executive relocation expense
 
2,177

 
—

 
—

Involuntary conversion
 
—

 
—

 
(558
)
Interest expense
 
8,732

 
6,344

 
6,040

Interest, dividend and other investment income
 
(290
)
 
(460
)
 
(28
)
Provision for income taxes
 
286

 
225

 
264

Loss on sale or disposal of assets
 
112

 
146

 
160

Gain on sale of property
 
—

 
(397
)
 
—

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
3

 
210

 
470

NOI
 
$
28,915

 
$
21,588

 
$
19,250


Taxes
 
We elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue 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.

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.
 

51

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We have no significant off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2012.
 
Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
 
Our future income, cash flows and fair value relevant to our financial instruments depend upon prevailing market interest rates. Market risk refers to the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and interest rates. Based upon the nature of our operations, we are not subject to foreign exchange rate or commodity price risk. The principal market risk to which we are exposed is the risk related to interest rate fluctuations. Many factors, including governmental monetary and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political considerations, and other factors that are beyond our control contribute to interest rate risk. Our interest rate risk objective is to limit the impact of interest rate fluctuations on earnings and cash flows and to lower our overall borrowing costs. To achieve this objective, we manage our exposure to fluctuations in market interest rates for our borrowings through the use of fixed rate debt instruments to the extent that reasonably favorable rates are obtainable.

All of our financial instruments were entered into for other than trading purposes.

Fixed Interest Rate Debt

As of December 31, 2012, $97.9 million, or approximately 51%, of our outstanding debt was subject to fixed interest rates, which limit the risk of fluctuating interest rates. Included in our total fixed interest rate debt is $7.9 million of variable rate debt, subject to a hedge, which fixes the interest rate for the term of the note. Though a change in the market interest rates affects the fair market value, it does not impact net income to shareholders or cash flows. Our total outstanding fixed interest rate debt has an average effective interest rate at this time of approximately 6.3% per annum with expirations ranging from 2013 to 2021 (see note 8 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements for further detail). Holding other variables constant, a 1% increase or decrease in interest rates would cause a $1.0 million decline or increase, respectively, in the fair value for our fixed rate debt.

Variable Interest Rate Debt

As of December 31, 2012, we had $92.7 million of loans, or approximately 49% of our outstanding debt, subject to floating interest rates of LIBOR plus 2.75% to 3.75% and not currently subject to a hedge. As of December 31, 2012, we had a fixed rate hedge on $7.9 million of variable rate debt, which is not subject to interest rate fluctuations due to the hedge in place for the term of the note. The impact of a 1% increase or decrease in interest rates on our floating rate debt would result in a decrease or increase of annual net income of approximately $0.9 million, respectively.

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
 
The information required by this Item 8 is incorporated by reference to our Financial Statements beginning on page F-1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
 
None.
 

52


Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures.
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
In connection with the preparation of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as of December 31, 2012, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act. In performing this evaluation, management reviewed the selection, application and monitoring of our historical accounting policies. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that as of December 31, 2012, these disclosure controls and procedures were effective and designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in our reports filed with the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis.  In designing and evaluating disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.  Management is required to apply judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our evaluation under this framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2012.

The Company's independent registered public accounting firm has issued a report on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting, which appears on page F-3 of this annual report.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes during the Company's quarter ended December 31, 2012, in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financing reporting.

Item 9B.  Other Information.
 
None.

53

PART III
 
Item 10.  Trustees, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
 
The information required by Item 10 of Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference to such information as set forth in the definitive proxy statement for our 2013 annual meeting of shareholders.
 
Item 11.  Executive Compensation.
 
The information required by Item 11 of Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference to such information as set forth in the definitive proxy statement for our 2013 annual meeting of shareholders.
 
Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters.
 
The following table provides information regarding our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2012:

Plan Category
 
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
 
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
 
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
 
 
 
(a)
 
(b)
 
(c)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
 
—

(1 
) 
$
—

 
1,888,534

(2) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
 
—

 
—

 
—

(3) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
—

 
$
—

 
1,888,534

 

(1)
Excludes 632,589 common shares subject to outstanding restricted common share units granted pursuant to our 2008 Long-Term Equity Incentive Ownership Plan, as amended (the "Plan").
(2)
Pursuant the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of common shares that may be issued under the Plan will be increased upon each issuance of common shares by the Company so that at any time the maximum number of shares that may be issued under the Plan shall equal 12.5% of the aggregate number of common shares of the Company and OP units issued and outstanding (other than units issued to or held by the Company).
(3)
Excludes 8,333 restricted common shares issued to trustees outside the Plan.
The remaining information required by Item 12 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference to such information as set forth in the definitive proxy statement for our 2013 annual meeting of shareholders.

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
 
The information required by Item 13 of Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference to such information as set forth in the definitive proxy statement for our 2013 annual meeting of shareholders.
 
Item 14.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
 
The information required by Item 14 of Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference to such information as set forth in the definitive proxy statement for our 2013 annual meeting of shareholders.

54

PART IV 

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

1.
Financial Statements. The list of our financial statements filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is set forth on page F-1 herein.
2.
Financial Statement Schedules.
a.
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
b.
Schedule III - Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
All other financial statement schedules have been omitted because the required information of such schedules is not present, is not present in amounts sufficient to require a schedule or is included in the consolidated financial statements.
3.
Exhibits. The list of exhibits filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K in response to Item 601 of Regulation S-K is submitted on the Exhibit Index attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.


55

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
 
WHITESTONE REIT
 
 
 
Date:
March 13, 2013
 By:
 
/s/ James C. Mastandrea 
 
 
 
 
James C. Mastandrea, Chairman and CEO
 

POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENT, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints James C. Mastandrea and David K. Holeman, and each of them, acting individually, as his attorney-in-fact, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
  
March 13, 2013
/s/ James C. Mastandrea 
 
 
James C. Mastandrea, Chairman and CEO
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
March 13, 2013
/s/ David K. Holeman 
 
 
David K. Holeman, Chief Financial Officer
 
 
(Principal Financial and Principal Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
 
March 13, 2013
/s/ Daryl J. Carter 
 
 
Daryl J. Carter, Trustee
 
 
 
 
March 13, 2013
/s/ Daniel G. DeVos 
 
 
Daniel G. DeVos, Trustee
 
 
 
 
March 13, 2013
/s/ Donald F. Keating  
 
 
Donald F. Keating, Trustee
 
 
 
 
March 13, 2013
/s/ Jack L. Mahaffey 
 
 
Jack L. Mahaffey, Trustee
 
 
 
 

56

 
All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted.

F- 1

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of
   Whitestone REIT:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Whitestone REIT and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2012.  In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we have also audited the financial statement schedules as listed in the accompanying index.  These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits.

     We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Whitestone REIT and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2012 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.  Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Whitestone REIT and subsidiaries' internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 13, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion on effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
 
/s/ Pannell Kerr Forster of Texas, P.C.

Houston, Texas
March 13, 2013

F- 2

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of
   Whitestone REIT:

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Whitestone REIT and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting as presented within Item 9A. Controls and Procedures. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by COSO.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Whitestone REIT and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2012, and our report dated March 13, 2013, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/s/ Pannell Kerr Forster of Texas, P.C.

Houston, Texas
March 13, 2013



F- 3


Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
ASSETS
Real estate assets, at cost
 
 
 
 
Property
 
$
409,669

 
$
292,360

Accumulated depreciation
 
(53,920
)
 
(45,472
)
Total real estate assets
 
355,749

 
246,888

Cash and cash equivalents
 
6,544

 
5,695

Marketable securities
 
1,403

 
5,131

Escrows and acquisition deposits
 
6,672

 
4,996

Accrued rents and accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
 
7,947

 
6,053

Related party receivable
 
652

 
—

Unamortized lease commissions and loan costs
 
4,160

 
3,755

Prepaid expenses and other assets
 
2,244

 
975

Total assets
 
$
385,371

 
$
273,493

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Notes payable
 
$
190,608

 
$
127,890

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
13,824

 
9,017

Tenants' security deposits
 
3,024

 
2,232

Dividends and distributions payable
 
5,028

 
3,647

Total liabilities
 
212,484

 
142,786

Commitments and contingencies:
 
—

 
—

Equity:
 
 
 
 
Preferred shares, $0.001 par value per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011
 
—

 
—

Common shares, $0.001 par value per share; 400,000,000 shares authorized; 16,943,098 and 11,437,855 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively
 
16

 
10

Additional paid-in capital
 
224,237

 
158,127

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(392
)
 
(1,119
)
Accumulated deficit
 
(57,830
)
 
(41,060
)
Total Whitestone REIT shareholders' equity
 
166,031

 
115,958

Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary
 
6,856

 
14,749

Total equity
 
172,887

 
130,707

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
385,371

 
$
273,493




See the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F- 4

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rental revenues
 
$
36,131

 
$
27,814

 
$
25,901

Other revenues
 
10,423

 
7,101

 
5,632

Total property revenues
 
46,554

 
34,915

 
31,533

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property expenses
 
 

 
 

 
 

Property operation and maintenance
 
11,255

 
8,659

 
8,358

Real estate taxes
 
6,384

 
4,668

 
3,925

Total property expenses
 
17,639

 
13,327

 
12,283

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other expenses (income)
 
 

 
 

 
 

General and administrative
 
7,616

 
6,648

 
4,992

Depreciation and amortization
 
10,229

 
7,749

 
6,805

Executive relocation expense
 
2,177

 
—

 
—

Involuntary conversion
 
—

 
—

 
(558
)
Interest expense
 
8,732

 
6,344

 
6,040

Interest, dividend and other investment income
 
(290
)
 
(460
)
 
(28
)
Total other expense
 
28,464

 
20,281

 
17,251

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before loss on sale or disposal of assets and income taxes
 
451

 
1,307

 
1,999

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Provision for income taxes
 
(286
)
 
(225
)
 
(264
)
Loss on sale or disposal of assets
 
(112
)
 
(146
)
 
(160
)
Income before gain on sale of property
 
53

 
936

 
1,575

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain on sale of property
 
—

 
397

 
—

Net income
 
53

 
1,333

 
1,575

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
3

 
210

 
470

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Whitestone REIT
 
$
50

 
$
1,123

 
$
1,105

 
 
See the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


F- 5

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares
 
$
0.00

 
$
0.12

 
$
0.27

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 

 
 

Basic
 
13,496

 
9,028

 
4,012

Diluted
 
13,613

 
9,042

 
4,041

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions declared per common share / OP unit
 
$
1.1400

 
$
1.1400

 
$
0.8550

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
53

 
$
1,333

 
$
1,575

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive gain (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain on cash flow hedging activities
 
1

 
—

 
—

Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale marketable securities
 
920

 
(1,329
)
 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income
 
974

 
4

 
1,575

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
57

 
1

 
470

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income attributable to Whitestone REIT
 
$
917

 
$
3

 
$
1,105








See the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


F- 6

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
 (in thousands, except per share and unit data)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional
 
 
 
Other
 
Total
 
Noncontrolling
 
 
 
 
Common Shares
 
Paid-in
 
Accumulated
 
Comprehensive
 
Shareholders'
 
Interests
 
Total
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Capital
 
Deficit
 
Loss
 
Equity
 
Units
 
Dollars
 
Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, December 31, 2009
 
3,446

 
$
10

 
$
69,952

 
$
(26,372
)
 
$
—

 
$
43,590

 
1,815

 
$
23,269

 
$
66,859

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in par value of common shares
 
—

 
(7
)
 
7

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of common shares (1)
 
2,200

 
2

 
22,968

 
—

 
—

 
22,970

 
—

 
—

 
22,970

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Share-based compensation
 
41

 
—

 
73

 
—

 
—

 
73

 
—

 
—

 
73

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(5,387
)
 
—

 
(5,387
)
 
—

 
(2,164
)
 
(7,551
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repurchase of common shares (2)
 
(16
)
 
—

 
(249
)
 
—

 
—

 
(249
)
 
—

 
—

 
(249
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reclassification of dividend reinvestment plan shares with expired rescission rights to equity from liabilities at $28.50 per share
 
—

 
—

 
606

 
—

 
—

 
606

 
—

 
—

 
606

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,105

 
—

 
1,105

 
—

 
470

 
1,575

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, December 31, 2010
 
5,671

 
5

 
93,357

 
(30,654
)
 
—

 
62,708

 
1,815

 
21,575

 
84,283

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of common shares (3)
 
5,310

 
5

 
59,678

 
—

 
—

 
59,683

 
—

 
—

 
59,683

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exchange of noncontrolling interest OP units for common shares
 
454

 
—

 
4,972

 
—

 
—

 
4,972

 
(454
)
 
(4,972
)
 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of common shares under dividend reinvestment plan
 
3

 
—

 
6

 
—

 
—

 
6

 
—

 
—

 
6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Share-based compensation
 
—

 
—

 
114

 
—

 
—

 
114

 
—

 
—

 
114

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(11,529
)
 
—

 
(11,529
)
 
—

 
(1,854
)
 
(13,383
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized loss on change in fair value of available-for-sale marketable securities
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1,119
)
 
(1,119
)
 
—

 
(210
)
 
(1,329
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,123

 
—

 
1,123

 
—

 
210

 
1,333

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, December 31, 2011
 
11,438

 
10

 
158,127

 
(41,060
)
 
(1,119
)
 
115,958

 
1,361

 
14,749

 
130,707

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exchange of noncontrolling interest OP units for common shares
 
676

 
1

 
7,272

 
—

 
(127
)
 
7,146

 
(676
)
 
(7,146
)
 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exchange offer costs
 
—

 
 
 
(479
)
 
—

 
—

 
(479
)
 
—

 
—

 
(479
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of common shares (4)
 
4,830

 
5

 
58,674

 
—

 
(13
)
 
58,666

 
—

 
13

 
58,679

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of common shares under dividend reinvestment plan
 
7

 
—

 
90

 
—

 
—

 
90

 
—

 
—

 
90

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shared-based compensation
 
(8
)
 
—

 
553

 
—

 
—

 
553

 
—

 
—

 
553

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions
 
 
 
—

 
—

 
(16,820
)
 
—

 
(16,820
)
 
—

 
(817
)
 
(17,637
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain on change in value of cash flow hedge
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1

 
1

 
—

 
—

 
1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain on change in fair value of available-for sale marketable securities
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
866

 
866

 
—

 
54

 
920

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
50

 
—

 
50

 
—

 
3

 
53

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, December 31, 2012
 
16,943

 
$
16

 
$
224,237

 
$
(57,830
)
 
$
(392
)
 
$
166,031

 
685

 
$
6,856

 
$
172,887


(1)
Net of offering costs of $3.4 million.
(2)
During the three months ended June 30, 2010, the Company acquired Class A common shares held by employees who tendered Class A common shares to satisfy the tax withholding on the lapse of certain restrictions on restricted shares.
(3)
Net of offering costs of $4.0 million.
(4) 
Net of offering costs of $3.1 million.



See the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F- 7

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
53

 
$
1,333

 
$
1,575

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization
 
10,229

 
7,749

 
6,805

Amortization of deferred loan costs
 
1,426

 
616

 
420

Amortization of notes payable discount
 
317

 
—

 
—

Gain on sale of marketable securities
 
(110
)
 
(192
)
 
—

Loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets and properties
 
112

 
(251
)
 
160

Bad debt expense
 
1,004

 
615

 
536

Share-based compensation
 
725

 
310

 
297

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Escrows and acquisition deposits
 
(1,104
)
 
(519
)
 
3,840

Accrued rent and accounts receivable
 
(2,930
)
 
(1,939
)
 
(748
)
Related party receivable
 
(652
)
 
—

 
—

Unamortized lease commissions
 
(994
)
 
(995
)
 
(783
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
 
(525
)
 
296

 
446

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
2,875

 
993

 
(2,319
)
Tenants' security deposits
 
792

 
436

 
166

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
11,218

 
8,452

 
10,395

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Acquisitions of real estate
 
(98,350
)
 
(65,910
)
 
(8,625
)
Additions to real estate
 
(10,815
)
 
(7,568
)
 
(4,143
)
Proceeds from sale of property
 
—

 
1,567

 
—

Investments in marketable securities
 
(750
)
 
(13,520
)
 
—

Proceeds from sales of marketable securities
 
5,508

 
7,252

 
—

Net cash used in investing activities
 
(104,407
)
 
(78,179
)
 
(12,768
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Distributions paid to common shareholders
 
(15,324
)
 
(10,045
)
 
(5,158
)
Distributions paid to OP unit holders
 
(1,004
)
 
(1,974
)
 
(2,249
)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares, net of offering costs
 
58,679

 
59,683

 
22,970

Payments of exchange offer costs
 
(479
)
 
—

 
—

Proceeds from revolving credit facility, net
 
58,000

 
11,000

 
—

Proceeds from notes payable
 
—

 
2,905

 
1,430

Repayments of notes payable
 
(4,146
)
 
(3,128
)
 
(2,957
)
Payments of loan origination costs
 
(1,688
)
 
(610
)
 
(98
)
Repurchase of common stock
 
—

 
—

 
(249
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
 
94,038

 
57,831

 
13,689

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
849

 
(11,896
)
 
11,316

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
5,695

 
17,591

 
6,275

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
6,544

 
$
5,695

 
$
17,591



See the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


F- 8

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Supplemental Disclosures
(in thousands)
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Cash paid for interest
 
$
7,137

 
$
5,719

 
$
5,621

Cash paid for taxes
 
$
326

 
$
215

 
$
262

Non cash investing and financing activities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Disposal of fully depreciated real estate
 
$
—

 
$
238

 
$
598

Financed insurance premiums
 
$
856

 
$
649

 
$
616

Value of shares issued under dividend reinvestment plan
 
$
90

 
$
6

 
$
—

Acquired interest rate swap
 
$
1,901

 
$
—

 
$
—

Debt discount on acquired note payable
 
$
(1,329
)
 
$
—

 
$
—

Value of common shares exchanged for OP units
 
$
7,272

 
$
4,972

 
$
—

Change in fair value of available-for-sale securities
 
$
920

 
$
(1,329
)
 
$
—

Change in fair value of cash flow hedge
 
$
1

 
$
—

 
$
—

Debt assumed with acquisitions of real estate
 
$
9,166

 
$
15,425

 
$
—

Change in par value of common shares
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
7

Reclassification of dividend reinvestment shares with rescission rights
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
606



See the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


F- 9
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2012


1.  DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS
 
Whitestone REIT (“Whitestone”) was formed as a real estate investment trust, pursuant to the Texas Real Estate Investment Trust Act on August 20, 1998.  In July 2004, we changed our state of organization from Texas to Maryland pursuant to a merger where we merged directly with and into a Maryland real estate investment trust formed for the sole purpose of the reorganization and the conversion of each of our outstanding common shares of beneficial interest of the Texas entity into 1.42857 common shares of beneficial interest of the Maryland entity.  We serve as the general partner of Whitestone REIT Operating Partnership, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership” or “WROP” or “OP”), which was formed on December 31, 1998 as a Delaware limited partnership.  We currently conduct substantially all of our operations and activities through the Operating Partnership.  As the general partner of the Operating Partnership, we have the exclusive power to manage and conduct the business of the Operating Partnership, subject to certain customary exceptions.  As of December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, we owned and operated 51, 45, and 38 properties, respectively, including retail, warehouse and office properties in and around Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Chicago and Phoenix.

2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Basis of Consolidation.  We are the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership and possess full legal control and authority over the operations of the Operating Partnership.  As of December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, we owned a majority of the partnership interests in the Operating Partnership.  Consequently, the accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Operating Partnership.  All significant inter-company balances have been eliminated. Noncontrolling interest in the accompanying consolidated financial statements represents the share of equity and earnings of the Operating Partnership allocable to holders of partnership interests other than us.  Net income or loss is allocated to noncontrolling interests based on the weighted-average percentage ownership of the Operating Partnership during the year.  Issuance of additional common shares of beneficial interest in Whitestone (the “common shares”) and units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership that are convertible into cash or, at our option, common shares on a one-for-one basis (the "OP units") changes the percentage of ownership interests of both the noncontrolling interests and Whitestone.
 
Basis of Accounting.  Our financial records are maintained on the accrual basis of accounting whereby revenues are recognized when earned and expenses are recorded when incurred.
 
Use of Estimates.   The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Significant estimates that we use include the estimated fair values of properties acquired, the estimated useful lives for depreciable and amortizable assets and costs, the estimated allowance for doubtful accounts, the estimated fair value of interest rate swaps and the estimates supporting our impairment analysis for the carrying values of our real estate assets.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Reclassifications.  We have reclassified certain prior year amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements in order to be consistent with the current fiscal year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on net income, total assets, total liabilities or equity. During 2012, we reclassified the amortization of our loan fees, previously classified as general and administrative expenses, to interest expense for all periods presented. On June 27, 2012, our Class A and Class B common shares were consolidated into a single class of common shares. See Note 12 for additional discussion related to the consolidation of Class A and Class B common shares into a single class of common shares.
 
Share-Based Compensation.   From time to time, we award nonvested restricted common share awards or restricted common share unit awards, which may be converted into common shares, to executive officers and employees under our 2008 Long-Term Equity Incentive Ownership Plan (the “2008 Plan”).  The vast majority of the awarded shares and units vest when certain performance conditions are met.  We recognize compensation expense when achievement of the performance conditions is probable based on management’s most recent estimates using the fair value of the shares as of the grant date.  We recognized $0.7 million, $0.3 million and $0.3 million in share-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  
  

F- 10
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2012

Noncontrolling Interests.  Noncontrolling interests are the portion of equity in a subsidiary not attributable to a parent.  The ownership interests not held by the parent are considered noncontrolling interests.  Accordingly, we have reported noncontrolling interests in equity on the consolidated balance sheets but separate from Whitestone’s equity.  On the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, subsidiaries are reported at the consolidated amount, including both the amount attributable to Whitestone and noncontrolling interests.  Consolidated statements of changes in equity are included for both quarterly and annual financial statements, including beginning balances, activity for the period and ending balances for shareholders’ equity, noncontrolling interests and total equity.
 
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 have established an allowance for doubtful accounts against the portion of tenant accounts receivable which is estimated to be uncollectible.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents.  We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.  Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 consisted of demand deposits at commercial banks and brokerage accounts.

Marketable Securities. We classify our existing marketable equity securities as available-for-sale in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board's ("FASB") Investments-Debt and Equity Securities guidance. These securities are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. The fair value of the marketable securities is determined using Level 1 inputs under FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures." Level 1 inputs represent quoted prices available in an active market for identical investments as of the reporting date. Gains and losses on securities sold are based on the specific identification method, and are reported as a component of interest, dividend and other investment income. We recognized a gain on the sale of marketable securities of approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. No gain or loss was recognized for the year ended December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2012, our investment in available-for-sale marketable securities was approximately $1.4 million, which includes an aggregate unrealized loss of approximately $0.4 million.

Real Estate
 
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, primarily interest, real estate taxes and loan acquisition costs, 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. Prior to that time, we expense these costs as acquisition expense.  For the year ended December 31, 2012, approximately $176,000 and $147,000 in interest expense and real estate taxes, respectively, were capitalized. No interest was capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. 


F- 11
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2012

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. Identifiable intangibles include amounts allocated to acquired out-of-market leases, the value of in-place leases 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.
 
Depreciation.  Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of 5 to 39 years for improvements and buildings, respectively.  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.  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, 2012.
 
Accrued Rents and Accounts Receivable.  Included in accrued rent and accounts receivable are base rents, tenant reimbursements and receivables attributable to recording rents on a straight-line basis. An allowance for the uncollectible portion of accrued rents and accounts receivable is determined based upon customer credit-worthiness (including expected recovery of our claim with respect to any tenants in bankruptcy), historical bad debt levels, and current economic trends.  As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, we had an allowance for uncollectible accounts of $2.3 million and $1.4 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, we recorded bad debt expense in the amount of $1.0 million, $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively, related to tenant receivables that we specifically identified as potentially uncollectible based on our assessment of each tenant’s credit-worthiness.  Bad debt expenses and any related recoveries are included in property operation and maintenance expense.
 
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. As part of the executive relocation arrangement discussed in Note 11, we issued a note receivable for $975,000 to the buyer. The note bears interest at a rate of 4.5% and matures on December 31, 2013.

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.


F- 12
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2012

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 considered an income tax, FASB ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”) applies to the Texas Margin Tax.  We have recorded a margin tax expense of $0.3 million for the Texas Margin Tax for each of the years ended December 31, 2012, and 2010 and $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments.  Our financial instruments consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts and notes payable and investments in marketable securities.  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 $192.4 million and $129.2 million as compared to the book value of approximately $190.6 million and $127.9 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, 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.

Disclosure about fair value of financial instruments is based on pertinent information available to management as of December 31, 2012 and 2011. 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, 2012 and current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. On August 8, 2012, as part of our acquisition of Paradise Plaza (see Note 4), we assumed a $9.2 million variable rate note (see Note 8). The note included an interest rate swap that had a fixed interest rate of 5.72%. We have designated the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge 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. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value, if any, is recognized directly in earnings. As of December 31, 2012, we consider our cash flow hedge to be highly effective. Our cash flow hedge is 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, 2012, the fair value of our cash flow hedge was $1.8 million. We recognized $1,000 as other comprehensive losses and $146,000 as interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Concentration of Risk.  Substantially all of our revenues are obtained from office, warehouse and retail locations in the Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Phoenix and Chicago metropolitan areas. We maintain cash accounts in major U.S. financial institutions. The terms of these deposits are on demand to minimize risk. The balances of these accounts sometimes exceed the federally insured limits, although no losses have been incurred in connection with these deposits.

Recent accounting pronouncements. In December 2010, the FASB issued new guidance clarifying that the disclosure of supplementary pro forma information for business combinations should be presented such that revenues and earnings of the combined entity are calculated as though the relevant business combinations that occurred during the current reporting period had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period. The guidance also improves the usefulness of the supplementary pro forma information by requiring a description of the nature and amount of material, non-recurring pro forma adjustments that are directly attributable to the business combinations. We adopted these provisions for our consolidated financial statements beginning with the year ended December 31, 2011. Thus the application of these provisions is reflected in the supplementary pro forma disclosures for our acquisitions, as described in Note 4.

In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance eliminating the option to present components of other comprehensive income solely as part of the statement of shareholders' equity and requires the presentation of components of net income and components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In December 2011, the FASB deferred the requirement to present reclassification adjustments for each component of accumulated other comprehensive income in both net income and other comprehensive income on the face of the financial statements. We adopted these provisions for our consolidated financial statements beginning with the quarter ended June 30, 2011.


F- 13
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2012

In February 2013, the FASB issued guidance requiring entities to disclose certain information relating to amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. We do not expect the pronouncement to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
3. MARKETABLE SECURITIES
  
All of our marketable securities were classified as available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2012 and 2011. We had no investment in marketable securities as of December 31, 2010. Available-for-sale securities consist of the following (in thousands):
 
 
December 31, 2012
 
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gains in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
Losses in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
Estimated Fair Value
Real estate sector exchange-traded fund
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

Real estate sector mutual funds
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Real estate sector common stock
 
1,811

 
—

 
(408
)
 
1,403

Total available-for-sale securities
 
$
1,811

 
$
—

 
$
(408
)
 
$
1,403


 
 
December 31, 2011
 
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gains in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
Losses in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
Estimated Fair Value
Real estate sector exchange-traded fund
 
$
301

 
$
—

 
$
(37
)
 
$
264

Real estate sector mutual funds
 
351

 
—

 
(55
)
 
296

Real estate sector common stock
 
5,808

 
—

 
(1,237
)
 
4,571

Total available-for-sale securities
 
$
6,460

 
$
—

 
$
(1,329
)
 
$
5,131


During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, available-for-sale securities were sold for total proceeds of $5,508,000 and $7,252,000, respectively. No available-for-sale securities were sold during the year ended December 31, 2010. The gross realized gains and losses on these sales totaled $152,000 and $42,000, respectively, in 2012 and $302,000 and $110,000, respectively, in 2011. For the purpose of determining gross realized gains and losses, the cost of securities sold is based on specific identification. A net unrealized holding loss on available-for-sale securities in the amount of $408,000 and $1,329,000 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, has been included in accumulated other comprehensive income.

4.  REAL ESTATE
 
As of December 31, 2012, we owned 51 commercial properties in the Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Phoenix and Chicago areas comprised of approximately 4.3 million square feet of gross leasable area.
 
Property Acquisitions. On December 28, 2012 we acquired the Shops at Pecos Ranch, a property that meets our Community Centered Property strategy, for approximately $19.0 million in cash and net prorations. The 78,767 square foot property was 100% leased at the time of purchase and is located in Chandler, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. Revenue and income of $14,000 and $13,000, respectively, have been included in our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 since the date of acquisition.


F- 14
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2012

On September 21, 2012, we acquired Village Square at Dana Park, a property that meets our Community Centered Property strategy, for approximately $46.5 million in cash and net prorations. The 310,979 square foot property was 71% leased at the time of purchase and is located in the Mesa submarket of Phoenix, Arizona. In the same purchase, we also acquired an adjacent development parcel of 4.7 acres for approximately $4.0 million in cash. Revenue and income of $1,527,000 and $438,000, respectively, have been included in our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 since the date of acquisition.

On September 21, 2012, we acquired Fountain Square, a property that meets our Community Centered Property strategy, for approximately $15.4 million in cash and net prorations. The 118,209 square foot property was 76% leased at the time of purchase and is located in Scottsdale, Arizona. Revenue and income of $425,000 and $171,000, respectively, have been included in our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 since the date of acquisition.

On August 8, 2012, we acquired Paradise Plaza, a property that meets our Community Centered Property strategy, for approximately $16.3 million, including the assumption of a $9.2 million non-recourse loan, and cash of $7.1 million. Paradise Plaza was 100% leased at the time of purchase with 125,898 of square feet of gross leasable area, and is located in Paradise Valley, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. Revenue and income of $827,000 and $499,000, respectively, have been included in our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 since the date of acquisition.

On May 29, 2012, we acquired the Shops at Pinnacle Peak, a property that meets our Community Centered Property strategy, for approximately $6.4 million in cash and net prorations. The 41,530 square foot property was 76% leased at the time of purchase and is located in North Scottsdale, Arizona. Revenue and income of $419,000 and $198,000, respectively, have been included in our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 since the date of acquisition.

On December 28, 2011, we acquired the Shops at Starwood, a property that meets our Community Centered Property strategy, for approximately $15.7 million in cash and net prorations. The 55,385 square foot class A property was 98% leased at the time of purchase and is located in Frisco, Texas, a northern suburb of Dallas. The Shops at Starwood has a complementary tenant mix of restaurants, fashion boutiques, salons and second-level office space.

On December 28, 2011, we acquired Starwood Phase III, a 2.73 acre parcel of undeveloped land adjacent to the Shops at Starwood for approximately $1.9 million, including a non-recourse loan we assumed for $1.4 million, secured by the land, and cash of $0.5 million. The Phase III development site fronts the Dallas North Tollway within the Tollway Overlay District, which grants the highest allowed density of any zoning district. No revenue or income has been included in our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 since the date of acquisition.

On December 28, 2011, we acquired Pinnacle of Scottsdale Phase II ("Pinnacle Phase II"), a 4.45 acre parcel of developed land adjacent to Pinnacle for approximately $1.0 million in cash and net prorations. Pinnacle Phase II has approximately 400 linear feet of frontage on Scottsdale Road and the potential for additional retail development. No revenue or income has been included in our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 since the date of acquisition.

On December 22, 2011, we acquired Phase I of Pinnacle of Scottsdale ("Pinnacle"), a property that meets our Community Centered Property strategy, for approximately $28.8 million, including a non-recourse loan we assumed for $14.1 million, secured by the property and cash of $14.7 million. The 113,108 square foot Class A property was 100% leased at the time of purchase and is located in North Scottsdale.

On August 16, 2011, we acquired Ahwatukee Plaza Shopping Center, a property that meets our Community Centered Property strategy, for approximately $9.3 million in cash and net prorations. The 72,650 square foot property was 100% leased at the time of purchase and is located in the Ahwatukee Foothills neighborhood in south Phoenix, Arizona.

On August 8, 2011, we acquired Terravita Marketplace, a property that meets our Community Centered Property strategy, for approximately $16.1 million in cash and net prorations. The 102,733 square foot property, inclusive of 51,434 square feet leased to two tenants pursuant to ground leases, was 100% leased at the time of purchase and is located in Scottsdale, Arizona.


F- 15
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2012

On June 28, 2011, we acquired Gilbert Tuscany Village, a property that meets our Community Centered Property strategy, for approximately $5.0 million in cash and net prorations. The 49,415 square foot property was 16% leased at the time of purchase and is located in Gilbert, Arizona.

On April 13, 2011, we acquired Desert Canyon Shopping Center, a property that meets our Community Centered Property strategy, for approximately $3.7 million in cash and net prorations. The 62,533 square foot property, inclusive of 12,960 square feet leased to two tenants pursuant to ground leases, was 65% leased at the time of purchase and is located in Mcdowell Mountain Ranch in northern Scottsdale, Arizona.

On November 1, 2010, we acquired Marketplace at Central, a property that meets our Community Centered Property strategy, for approximately $6.4 million in cash and net prorations. The 111,130 square foot property was 49% leased and is located in central Phoenix, Arizona.

On September 28, 2010, we acquired The Citadel, a property that meets our Community Centered Property strategy, for $2.2 million in cash and net prorations. The 28,547 square foot property was 16% leased at the time of purchase and is located in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Unaudited pro forma results of operations. The pro forma unaudited results summarized below reflect our consolidated pro forma results of operations as if our acquisitions for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were acquired on January 1, 2010 and includes no other material adjustments:

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
INCOME STATEMENT DATA
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
Operating revenue
 
$
54,620

 
$
53,004

 
$
51,990

Net income
 
$
3,027

 
$
9,021

 
$
10,123


Acquisition costs. Acquisition-related costs of $698,000, $666,000 and $46,000 are included in general and administrative expenses in our income statements for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Property dispositions. On July 22, 2011, we sold Greens Road Plaza, located in Houston, Texas, for $1.8 million in cash and net prorations. We have reinvested the proceeds from the sale of the 20,607 square foot property located in northeast Houston in acquisitions of Community Centered Properties in our target markets. As a result of the transaction, we recorded a gain on sale of property of $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2011.

5.  ACCRUED RENTS AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET
 
Accrued rents and accounts receivable, net, consists of amounts accrued, billed and due from tenants, allowance for doubtful accounts and other receivables as follows (in thousands):
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
Tenant receivables
 
$
3,536

 
$
1,914

Accrued rents and other recoveries
 
6,696

 
5,505

Allowance for doubtful accounts
 
(2,285
)
 
(1,366
)
Totals
 
$
7,947

 
$
6,053



F- 16
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2012

6.  UNAMORTIZED LEASE COMMISSIONS AND LOAN COSTS
 
Costs which have been deferred consist of the following (in thousands):

 
 
December 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
Leasing commissions
 
$
5,530

 
$
5,326

Deferred financing cost
 
4,574

 
2,916

Total cost
 
10,104

 
8,242

Less: leasing commissions accumulated amortization
 
(2,899
)
 
(2,861
)
Less: deferred financing cost accumulated amortization
 
(3,045
)
 
(1,626
)
Total cost, net of accumulated amortization
 
$
4,160

 
$
3,755


     A summary of expected future amortization of deferred costs is as follows (in thousands):
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
Leasing Commissions
 
Deferred Financing Costs
 
Total
2013
 
$
726

 
$
920

 
$
1,646

2014
 
542

 
498

 
1,040

2015
 
411

 
101

 
512

2016
 
315

 
7

 
322

2017
 
223

 
3

 
226

Thereafter
 
414

 
—

 
414

Total
 
$
2,631

 
$
1,529

 
$
4,160

 
7.  FUTURE MINIMUM LEASE INCOME
 
We lease the majority of our properties under noncancelable operating leases, which provide for minimum base rents plus, in some instances, contingent rents based upon a percentage of the tenants’ gross receipts. A summary of minimum future rents to be received (exclusive of renewals, tenant reimbursements, and contingent rents) under noncancelable operating leases in existence as of December 31, 2012 is as follows (in thousands): 

Years Ended December 31,
 
Minimum Future Rents
2013
 
$
39,488

2014
 
33,133

2015
 
26,087

2016
 
20,622

2017
 
15,319

Thereafter
 
53,245

Total
 
$
187,894



F- 17
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2012

8.  DEBT
 
Mortgages and other notes payable consist of the following (in thousands):
 
 
December 31,
Description
 
2012
 
2011
Fixed rate notes
 
 
 
 
$1.1 million 4.71% Note, due 2013 (1)
 
$
1,087

 
$
1,318

$14.1 million 5.695% Note, due 2013
 
13,850

 
14,110

$3.0 million 6.00% Note, due 2021 (2)
 
2,943

 
2,978

$10.0 million 6.04% Note, due 2014
 
9,142

 
9,326

$1.5 million 6.50% Note, due 2014
 
1,444

 
1,471

$11.2 million 6.52% Note, due 2015
 
10,609

 
10,763

$21.4 million 6.53% Notes, due 2013
 
18,865

 
19,524

$24.5 million 6.56% Note, due 2013
 
23,135

 
23,597

$9.9 million 6.63% Notes, due 2014
 
8,925

 
9,221

$0.7 million 2.97% Note, due 2013
 
15

 
23

Floating rate notes
 
 
 
 

Unsecured line of credit, LIBOR plus 2.75% to 3.75%, due 2015
 
69,000

 
11,000

$9.2 million, Prime Rate less 2.00%, due 2017
 
7,854

 
—

$26.9 million, LIBOR plus 2.86% Note, due 2013
 
23,739

 
24,559

 
 
$
190,608

 
$
127,890

(1)
As of December 31, 2011, promissory note had a balance of $1.4 million and an interest rate of 5.0%, due in 2012. See below for further discussion of Starwood Note.
(2)
The 6.00% interest rate is fixed through March 30, 2016. On March 31, 2016 the interest rate will reset to the rate of interest for a five-year balloon note with a thirty-year amortization as published by the Federal Home Loan Bank.

Our mortgage debt was collateralized by 27 operating properties as of December 31, 2012 with a combined net book value of $161.8 million and 26 operating properties as of December 31, 2011 with a combined net book value of $143.2 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 the assignment of certain rents and leases associated with those properties. 

On August 8, 2012, we assumed a $9.2 million variable rate note as part of our acquisition of Paradise Plaza (See Note 4). The variable rate is based on the prime rate less 2.00% and matures on December 27, 2017. We consider the variable rate to be below-market and have imputed an interest rate of 4.13%, which we consider to be an appropriate market rate. As a result, we recorded a discount on the note of $1.3 million, which will amortize into interest expense over the life of the loan. See Note 2 above for a discussion of the interest rate swap included with this note.

On December 22, 2011, we, through our subsidiary, Whitestone Pinnacle of Scottsdale, L.L.C. a Delaware limited liability company ("Whitestone Pinnacle"), assumed a promissory note (the "Pinnacle Note") in the amount of $14.1 million payable to U.S. Bank National Association with an applicable interest rate of 5.965% per annum. Monthly payments of $91,073 began on January 1, 2012 and continue thereafter on the first day of each calendar month until maturity on June 1, 2013.


F- 18
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2012

The Pinnacle Note is a non-recourse loan secured by Whitestone Pinnacle's Pinnacle of Scottsdale property, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and a limited guarantee by Whitestone. In conjunction with the Pinnacle Note, a deed of trust was executed by Whitestone Pinnacle that contains customary terms and conditions, including representations, warranties and covenants by Whitestone Pinnacle that include, without limitation, assignment of rents, warranty of title, insurance requirements and maintenance, use and management of the properties.

The Pinnacle Note contains events of default that include, among other things, non-payment and default under the deed of trust. Upon occurrence of an event of default, the lender is entitled to accelerate all obligations of Whitestone Pinnacle. The lender will also be entitled to receive the entire unpaid balance and unpaid interest at a default rate.

On December 28, 2011, we, operating through our subsidiary, Whitestone Shops at Starwood-Phase III LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Whitestone Starwood"), assumed a promissory note (the "Starwood Note") in the amount of $1.4 million payable to Sovereign Bank, with an applicable interest rate of 5.0% per annum. Monthly payments of $5,780 became due on January 1, 2012 and continued thereafter on the first day of each calendar month until December 31, 2012. On December 28, 2012, we extended the term of the Starwood Note through December 31, 2013. Under the terms of the extension, we made a principal payment in the amount of $300,000 plus approximately $52,000 in prepaid interest, an effective interest rate of 4.71% per annum. The interest was recorded as an asset and will be amortized into expense over the life of the loan.

The Starwood Note is a non-recourse loan secured by Whitestone Starwood's future development of the land parcel adjacent to our Shops at Starwood property, located in Frisco, Texas, and a limited guarantee by Whitestone. In conjunction with the Starwood Note, a deed of trust was executed by Whitestone Starwood which contains customary terms and conditions, including representations, warranties and covenants by Whitestone Starwood that include, without limitation, assignment of rents, warranty of title, insurance requirements and maintenance, use and management of the properties.

The Starwood Note contains events of default that include, among other things, non-payment and default under the deed of trust. Upon occurrence of an event of default, the lender is entitled to accelerate all obligations of Whitestone Starwood. The lender will also be entitled to receive the entire unpaid balance and unpaid interest at a default rate.

On February 27, 2012, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into a three-year $125 million unsecured revolving credit facility (the "2012 Facility"), which was to be used for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions and redevelopment of existing properties in our portfolio. Borrowings under the 2012 Facility accrued interest (at our Operating Partnership's option) at a Base Rate or a Eurodollar Loan Rate plus an applicable margin based upon our then existing leverage. Base Rent means the higher of: (a) the agent's prime commercial rate, (b) the sum of (i) average rate quoted the agent by two or more federal funds brokers selected by the agent for sale to the agent at face value of federal funds in the secondary market in an amount equal or comparable to the principal amount for which such rate is being determined, plus (ii) 1/2 of 1%, and (c) the LIBOR rate for such day plus 1.00%. Eurodollar Loan Rate means LIBOR divided by the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage. The Eurodollar Reserve Percentage means the maximum reserve percentage at which reserves are imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

As of December 31, 2012, $69.0 million was drawn on the 2012 Facility, and our remaining borrowing capacity was $56.0 million. On February 4, 2013, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into an unsecured credit facility that amends and restates the 2012 Facility. See Note 19.

Certain other of our loans are subject to customary covenants.  As of December 31, 2012, we were in compliance with all loan covenants.


F- 19
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2012

Annual maturities of notes payable as of December 31, 2012 are due during the following years:

 
 
Amount Due
Year
 
(in thousands)
2013
 
$
81,396

2014
 
19,172

2015
 
10,317

2016
 
73

2017
 
76,936

Thereafter
 
2,714

Total
 
$
190,608

 
Contractual Obligations
 
As of December 31, 2012, we had the following contractual obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
Payment due by period (in thousands)
 
 
Contractual Obligations
 
 
Total
 
Less than 1
year (2013)
 
1 - 3 years
(2014 - 2015)
 
3 - 5 years
(2016 - 2017)
 
More than
5 years
(after 2017)
Long-Term Debt - Principal
 
$
190,608

 
$
81,396

 
$
29,489

 
$
77,009

 
$
2,714

Long-Term Debt - Fixed Interest
 
7,596

 
4,515

 
2,034

 
535

 
512

Long-Term Debt - Variable Interest (1)
 
7,794

 
2,320

 
3,421

 
2,053

 
—

Unsecured revolving credit facility - Unused commitment fee (2)
 
1,855

 
371

 
742

 
742

 
—

Operating Lease Obligations
 
33

 
28

 
5

 
—

 
—

Total
 
$
207,886

 
$
88,630

 
$
35,691

 
$
80,339

 
$
3,226

 
(1)  
As of December 31, 2012, we had two loans totaling $92.7 million which bore interest at a floating rate.  The variable interest rate payments are based on LIBOR plus 1.75% to LIBOR plus 2.50%, which reflects our new interest rates under our 2013 Facility.  The information in the table above reflects our projected interest rate obligations for the floating rate payments based on one-month LIBOR as of December 31, 2012, of 0.21%.

(2) 
The unused commitment fees on our unsecured revolving credit facility, payable quarterly, are based on the average daily unused amount of our unsecured revolving credit facility. The fees, which reflect our new fees under our 2013 Facility, are 0.25% for facility usage greater than 50% or 0.35% for facility usage less than 50%. The information in the table above reflects our projected obligations for our unsecured revolving credit facility based on our December 31, 2012 balance of $69.0 million.

9.  EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share for our common shareholders is calculated by dividing income from continuing operations excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares and the net income attributable to non-controlling interests by our weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing the net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares and the net income attributable to non-controlling interests by the weighted-average number of common shares including any dilutive unvested restricted shares.
 

F- 20
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2012

Certain of our performance-based restricted common shares are considered participating securities, which require the use of the two-class method for the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share.   During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, 848,284, 1,705,198 and 1,814,569 OP units, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive.
 
For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, distributions of $194,000, $213,000 and $251,000, respectively, were made to the holders of certain restricted common shares, $172,000, $196,000 and $224,000 of which were charged against earnings, respectively.  See Note 13 for information related to restricted common shares under the 2008 Plan.
 
 
 
Year Ended
 
 
December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
53

 
$
1,333

 
$
1,575

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(3
)
 
(210
)
 
(470
)
Distributions paid on unvested restricted shares
 
(22
)
 
(17
)
 
(27
)
Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares
 
$
28

 
$
1,106

 
$
1,078

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares - basic
 
13,496

 
9,028

 
4,012

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unvested restricted shares
 
117

 
14

 
29

Weighted average number of common shares - dilutive
 
13,613

 
9,042

 
4,041

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings Per Share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares
 
$
0.00

 
$
0.12

 
$
0.27

Diluted:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares
 
$
0.00

 
$
0.12

 
$
0.27


10.  FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
 
Federal income taxes are not provided because we intend to and believe we qualify as a REIT under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and because we have distributed and intend to continue to distribute all of our taxable income to our shareholders.  Our shareholders include their proportionate taxable income in their individual tax returns.  As a REIT, we must distribute at least 90% of our real estate investment trust taxable income to our shareholders and meet certain income sources and investment restriction requirements.  In addition, REITs are subject to a number of organizational and operational requirements.  If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to federal income tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on our taxable income at regular corporate tax rates.
 

F- 21
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2012

During 2010, we discovered that we may have inadvertently violated the “5% asset test,” as set forth in Section 856(c)(4)(B)(iii)(I) of the Code, for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 as a result of utilizing a certain cash management arrangement with a commercial bank. If our investment in a commercial paper investment sweep account through such cash management agreement is not treated as cash, and is instead treated as a security of a single issuer for purposes of the “5% asset test,” then we failed the “5% asset test” for the first quarter of our 2009 taxable year. We believe, however, that if we failed the “5% asset test,” our failure would be considered due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect and, therefore, we would not be disqualified as a REIT for our 2009 taxable year. We would be, however, subject to certain reporting requirements and a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or 35% of the net income from the commercial paper investment account during the period in which we failed to satisfy the “5% asset test.” The amount of such tax was $50,000, and we paid such tax on April 27, 2010.     
If the IRS were to assert that we failed the “5% asset test” for the first quarter of our 2009 taxable year and that such failure was not due to reasonable cause, and the courts were to sustain that position, our status as a REIT would terminate as of December 31, 2008. We would not be eligible to again elect REIT status until our 2014 taxable year. Consequently, we would be subject to federal income tax on our taxable income at regular corporate rates without the benefit of the dividends-paid deduction, and our cash available for distributions to shareholders would be reduced.
Taxable income differs from net income for financial reporting purposes principally due to differences in the timing of recognition of interest, real estate taxes, depreciation and rental revenue. 

For federal income tax purposes, the cash distributions to shareholders are characterized as follows for the years ended December 31: 
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
Ordinary income (unaudited)
 
34.1
%
 
24.4
%
 
37.8
%
Return of capital (unaudited)
 
65.2
%
 
66.1
%
 
62.2
%
Capital gain distributions (unaudited)
 
0.7
%
 
6.5
%
 
—
%
Unrecaptured section 1250 gain (unaudited)
 
—
%
 
3.0
%
 
—
%
Total
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
11.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
Executive Relocation. On July 9, 2010, upon the unanimous recommendation of our Compensation Committee, we entered into an arrangement with Mr. Mastandrea with respect to the disposition of his residence in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Mastandrea listed the residence in the second half of 2007 and has had to pay for security, taxes, insurance and maintenance expenses related to the residence. Under the relocation arrangement as amended on August 9, 2012, we will pay Mr. Mastandrea the shortfall, if any, in the amount realized from the sale of the Cleveland residence, below $2,450,000, plus tax on the amount of such payment at the maximum federal income tax rate. The amount of the shortfall will be paid in a combination of cash and common shares at the market value of the shares, as determined upon agreement between Mr. Mastandrea and the Compensation Committee.
In addition, the arrangement requires us to continue paying the previously agreed upon cost of housing expenses for the Mastandrea family in Houston, Texas for a period of one year following the date of sale of the residence. We have previously agreed to reimburse Mr. Mastandrea for out-of-pocket moving costs including packing, temporary storage, transportation and moving supplies.

On December 21, 2012, Mr. Mastandrea sold the residence to a third party for a price of $1,125,000. Pursuant to the relocation arrangement, we paid cash of $1,325,000, representing the shortfall of the amount realized from the sale of the property, and $852,000, which represented moving expenses and closing costs incurred by Mr. Mastandrea and federal taxes. No common shares were issued. The total expense incurred by us of $2,177,000 is shown separately in our consolidated financial statements. In addition, we issued a note receivable for $975,000 to the buyer. The note bears interest at a rate of 4.5% and matures on December 31, 2013. As a result of this transaction, we also recorded a related party receivable of $652,000, which represents the federal income tax withholding not deducted from our payment to Mr. Mastandrea. Subsequent to December 31, 2012, we received the $652,000 and paid it to the federal government on behalf of Mr. Mastandrea.


F- 22
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2012

12.  EQUITY

Under our declaration of trust, as amended, we have authority to issue up to 400 million common shares of beneficial interest, $0.001 par value per share, and up to 50 million preferred shares of beneficial interest, $0.001 par value per share.

Reclassification of common shares and transfer of listing
    
On June 27, 2012, we filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland amendments to our declaration of trust that (i) reclassified each issued and unissued Class A common share of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share (the "Class A common shares") into one Class B common share of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share (the "Class B common shares") and (ii) changed the designation of all of the Class B common shares to "common shares." The amendment setting forth the reclassification of the Class A common shares into Class B common shares was approved by our shareholders at the 2012 annual meeting of shareholders held on May 22, 2012. The amendment approving the redesignation of the Class B common shares to common shares was approved by our board of trustees and did not require shareholder approval. On June 29, 2012, we transferred the listing of our common shares to the New York Stock Exchange under our existing ticker symbol "WSR." As a result of the transfer, we voluntarily delisted our common shares from the NYSE MKT LLC effective June 28, 2012.

Equity Offerings

On August 28, 2012, we completed the sale of 4,830,000 common shares, $0.001 par value per share, including 630,000 common shares pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option, at a price to the public of $12.80 per share. Total net proceeds from the offering, including over-allotment shares, and after deducting the underwriting discount and offering expenses, were approximately $58.7 million, which we used for general corporate purposes, including property acquisitions, debt repayment, capital expenditures, the expansion, redevelopment and/or re-tenanting of properties in our portfolio, working capital and other general purposes.

On May 10, 2011, we completed a public offering of 5,310,000 common shares, including 310,000 common shares pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option at a public offering price of $12.00 per share. Net proceeds, after payment of underwriting commissions and transaction costs, were approximately $59.7 million. We used the net proceeds to acquire properties in our target markets and to redevelop and re-tenant our existing properties, as well as for general corporate purposes.

Exchange Offers

On September 2, 2011, we commenced an offer to exchange common shares on a one-for-one basis for up to 453,642 outstanding OP units (the “First Exchange Offer”). The First Exchange Offer expired on October 3, 2011, and 453,642 OP units were accepted for exchange.

On December 9, 2011, we commenced a second offer to exchange common shares on a one-for-one basis for up to 453,642 outstanding OP units (the “Second Exchange Offer”). The Second Exchange Offer expired on January 11, 2012, and 453,580 OP units were accepted for exchange.

On May 10, 2012, we commenced a third offer to exchange Class B common shares on a one-for-one basis for (i) up to 867,789 outstanding Class A common shares; and (ii) up to 453,642 outstanding OP units (the "Third Exchange Offer"). The Third Exchange Offer expired on June 8, 2012, and 426,986 Class A common shares and 121,156 OP units were accepted for change.

Operating Partnership Units
 
Substantially all of our business is conducted through the Operating Partnership.  We are the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership.  As of December 31, 2012, we owned a 96.1% interest in the Operating Partnership.
 

F- 23
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2012

Limited partners in the Operating Partnership holding OP units have the right to redeem their OP units for cash or, at our option, common shares at a ratio of one OP unit for one common share.  Distributions to OP unit holders are paid at the same rate per unit as distributions per share to Whitestone common shares.  As of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, there were 17,507,771 and 12,677,969 OP units outstanding, respectively.  We owned 16,822,285 and 11,317,042 OP units as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The balance of the OP units is owned by third parties, including certain trustees.  Our weighted-average share ownership in the Operating Partnership was approximately 94.1%, 84.2% and 70.2% for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

On October 9, 2012, we filed with the SEC a prospectus supplement covering the issuance of up to 786,191 of our common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share, to certain holders of OP units. The OP units may be issued to the extent that OP unit holders tender their OP units for redemption in accordance with the terms of the limited partnership agreement of the Operating Partnership and we elect, in our sole discretion, to issue common shares to the tendering OP unit holders. The prospectus supplement supplements a base prospectus, dated July 25, 2012, relating to our effective shelf registration statement of Form S-3 (File No. 333-182667). As of December 31, 2012, 100,705 OP units had been redeemed for an equal number of common shares.
     Distributions
 
The following table reflects the total distributions we have paid (including the total amount paid and the amount paid per share) in each indicated quarter (in thousands, except per share data):
 
 
Common Shares
 
Noncontrolling OP Unit Holders
 
Total
Quarter Paid
 
Distribution Per Common Share
 
Total Amount Paid
 
Distribution Per OP Unit
 
Total Amount Paid
 
Total Amount Paid
2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fourth Quarter
 
$
0.2850

 
$
4,781

 
$
0.2850

 
$
221

 
$
5,002

Third Quarter
 
0.2850

 
3,859

 
0.2850

 
224

 
4,083

Second Quarter
 
0.2850

 
3,362

 
0.2850

 
258

 
3,620

First Quarter
 
0.2850

 
3,322

 
0.2850

 
301

 
3,623

Total
 
$
1.1400

 
$
15,324

 
$
1.1400

 
$
1,004

 
$
16,328

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fourth Quarter
 
$
0.2850

 
$
3,193

 
$
0.2850

 
$
430

 
$
3,623

Third Quarter
 
0.2850

 
3,115

 
0.2850

 
514

 
3,629

Second Quarter
 
0.2850

 
2,121

 
0.2850

 
515

 
2,636

First Quarter
 
0.2850

 
1,616

 
0.2850

 
515

 
2,131

Total
 
$
1.1400

 
$
10,045

 
$
1.1400

 
$
1,974

 
$
12,019


13.  INCENTIVE SHARE PLAN
 
On July 29, 2008, our shareholders approved the 2008 Long-Term Equity Incentive Ownership Plan (the “Plan”). On December 22, 2010, our board of trustees amended the Plan to allow for the issuance of common shares pursuant to the Plan. The Plan, as amended, provides that awards may be made with respect to common shares of Whitestone or OP units. The maximum aggregate number of common shares that may be issued under the Plan is increased upon each issuance of common shares by Whitestone so that at any time the maximum number of shares that may be issued under the Plan shall equal 12.5% of the aggregate number of common shares of Whitestone and OP units issued and outstanding (other than shares and/or units issued to or held by Whitestone).


F- 24
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2012

The Compensation Committee of our board of trustees administers the Plan, except with respect to awards to non-employee trustees, for which the Plan is administered by our board of trustees.  The Compensation Committee is authorized to grant share options, including both incentive share options and non-qualified share options, as well as share appreciation rights, either with or without a related option. The Compensation Committee is also authorized to grant restricted common shares, restricted common share units, performance awards and other share-based awards. 
 
On January 6, 2009, the Compensation Committee, pursuant to the Plan, granted to certain of our officers restricted common shares and restricted common share units subject to certain restrictions. The restricted common shares and restricted common share units will vest upon achieving certain performance goals (as specified in the award agreement). The grantee is the record owner of the restricted common shares and has all rights of a shareholder with respect to the restricted common shares, including the right to vote the restricted common shares and to receive distributions with respect to the restricted common shares. The grantee has no rights of a shareholder with respect to the restricted common share units, including no right to vote the restricted common share units and no right to receive current distributions with respect to the restricted common share units until the restricted common share units are fully vested and convertible to common shares of Whitestone.

A summary of the share-based incentive plan activity as of and for the year ended December 31, 2012 is as follows:
 
 
Shares
 
Weighted-Average
Grant Date
Fair Value (1)
Non-vested at January 1, 2012
 
504,023

 
$
12.48

Granted
 
99,700

 
13.03

Vested
 
(16,208
)
 
13.77

Forfeited
 
(52,595
)
 
12.61

Non-vested at December 31, 2012
 
534,920

 
$
12.53

Available for grant at December 31, 2012
 
1,888,534

 
 

(1) 
The fair value of the shares granted were determined based on observable market transactions occurring near the date of the grants.

A summary of our nonvested and vested shares activity for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 is presented below:
 
 
Shares Granted
 
Shares Vested
Year Ended
 
Non-Vested Shares Issued
 
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
 
Vested Shares
 
Total Vest-Date Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
2012
 
99,700

 
$
13.03

 
(16,208
)
 
$
223

2011
 
—

 
—

 
(5,169
)
 
80

2010
 
31,858

 
14.09

 
(55,699
)
 
695


Total compensation recognized in earnings for share-based payments for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $0.7 million, $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively.  Taking into account the acquisitions occurring during the three months ended September 30, 2012 (see Note 4), we expect additional performance-based shares to vest due to the achievement of certain Company-wide performance goals. As a result, as of December 31, 2012, there was approximately $1.2 million in unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding nonvested performance-based and time-based shares that are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 12 months. The fair value of the shares granted during the year ended December 31, 2012 was determined using quoted prices available on the date of the grant and the fair value of the shares granted during the year ended December 31, 2010 was determined based on observable market transactions occurring near the date of the grants.


F- 25


14. GRANTS TO TRUSTEES
On May 22, 2012, each of our four independent trustees was granted 1,500 common shares, which vested immediately. The 6,000 common shares granted to our four independent trustees had a grant date fair value of $13.03 per share. On June 25, 2012, two of our independent trustees elected to receive a total of 915 common shares with a grant date fair value of $13.39 in lieu of cash for board fees. The fair value of the shares granted during the year ended December 31, 2012 was determined using quoted prices available on the date of grant.

15.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
We are a participant in various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of our business.  These matters are generally covered by insurance.  While the resolution of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe that the final outcome of these matters will not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
 
Executive Relocation. On July 9, 2010, upon the unanimous recommendation of our Compensation Committee, we entered into an arrangement with Mr. Mastandrea with respect to the disposition of his residence in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Mastandrea listed the residence in the second half of 2007 and has had to pay for security, taxes, insurance and maintenance expenses related to the residence. Under the relocation arrangement as amended on August 9, 2012, we will pay Mr. Mastandrea the shortfall, if any, in the amount realized from the sale of the Cleveland residence, below $2,450,000, plus tax on the amount of such payment at the maximum federal income tax rate. The amount of the shortfall will be paid in a combination of cash and common shares at the market value of the shares, as determined upon agreement between Mr. Mastandrea and the Compensation Committee.

In addition, the arrangement requires us to continue paying the previously agreed upon cost of housing expenses for the Mastandrea family in Houston, Texas for a period of one year following the date of sale of the residence. We have previously agreed to reimburse Mr. Mastandrea for out-of-pocket moving costs including packing, temporary storage, transportation and moving supplies.

On December 21, 2012, Mr. Mastandrea sold the residence to a third party for a price of $1,125,000. Pursuant to the relocation arrangement, we paid cash of $1,325,000, representing the shortfall of the amount realized from the sale of the property, and $852,000, which represented moving expenses and closing costs incurred by Mr. Mastandrea and federal taxes. No common shares were issued. The total expense incurred by us of $2,177,000 is shown separately in our consolidated financial statements. In addition, we issued a note receivable for $975,000 to the buyer. The note bears interest at a rate of 4.5% and matures on December 31, 2013. As a result of this transaction, we also recorded a related party receivable of $652,000, which represents the federal income tax withholding not deducted from our payment to Mr. Mastandrea. Subsequent to December 31, 2012, we received the $652,000 and paid it to the federal government on behalf of Mr. Mastandrea.

16. INVOLUNTARY CONVERSION

The involuntary conversion gain of $0.6 million recognized during the year ended December 31, 2010 represents the completion of the repairs to the 31 properties impacted by Hurricane Ike at costs that were lower than we estimated as of December 31, 2009. The estimated costs were sensitive to the scope requirements of our lenders and labor and material costs of our vendors, and the final costs incurred were more favorable than we anticipated.

17.  SEGMENT INFORMATION
 
Our management historically has not differentiated by property types and therefore does not present segment information.
 

F- 26
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2012

18.  SELECT QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (unaudited)
 
The following is a summary of our unaudited quarterly financial information for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands, except per share data):
 
 
 
First
 
Second
 
Third
 
Fourth
 
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
2012
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Revenues
 
$
10,426

 
$
10,987

 
$
11,618

 
$
13,523

Net income (loss) attributable to Whitestone REIT
 
793

 
431

 
163

 
(1,337
)
Earnings per share:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic - Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares (1)
 
$
0.07

 
$
0.04

 
$
0.01

 
$
(0.08
)
Diluted - Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares (1)
 
0.07

 
0.04

 
0.01

 
(0.08
)
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
$
8,086

 
$
8,071

 
$
8,790

 
$
9,968

Net income (loss) attributable to Whitestone REIT
 
185

 
(196
)
 
578

 
556

Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic - Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares (1)
 
$
0.03

 
$
(0.02
)
 
$
0.05

 
$
0.05

Diluted - Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders excluding amounts attributable to unvested restricted shares (1) 
 
0.03

 
(0.02
)
 
0.05

 
0.05

 
(1)  
The sum of individual quarterly basic and diluted earnings per share amounts may not agree with the year-to-date basic and diluted earning per share amounts as the result of each period's computation being based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during that period.

19. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility

On February 4, 2013, we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into an unsecured credit facility (the “2013 Facility”) with the lenders party thereto, with BMO Capital Markets and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as co-lead arrangers and joint book runners, Bank of Montreal, as administrative agent (the "Agent"), Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as syndication agent, and U.S. Bank National Association, as documentation agent. We plan to use the 2013 Facility for acquisitions, redevelopment of value-add properties in our portfolio, and general corporate purposes.

The 2013 Facility amends and restates our 2012 Facility. In addition to a $125 million unsecured borrowing capacity under the revolving loan, the 2013 Facility also includes a $50 million term loan and permits the Operating Partnership to increase the borrowing capacity under the 2013 Facility to a total of $225 million, upon the satisfaction of certain conditions. The 2013 Facility will mature on February 3, 2017, and provides that the Operating Partnership may extend the maturity date for one year subject to certain conditions, including the payment of an extension fee.

Borrowings under the 2013 Facility accrue interest (at the Operating Partnership's option) at a Base Rate or an Adjusted LIBOR plus an applicable margin based upon our then existing leverage. Base Rate means the higher of: (a) the Agent's prime commercial rate, (b) the sum of (i) average rate quoted the Agent by two or more federal funds brokers selected by the Agent for sale to the Agent at face value of federal funds in the secondary market in an amount equal or comparable to the principal amount for which such rate is being determined, plus (ii) 1/2 of 1%, and (c) the LIBOR rate for such day plus 1.00%. Adjusted LIBOR means LIBOR divided by one minus the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage. The Eurodollar Reserve Percentage means the maximum reserve percentage at which reserves are imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System on eurocurrency liabilities.

F- 27
WHITESTONE REIT AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2012


Whitestone will serve as the guarantor for funds borrowed by the Operating Partnership under the 2013 Facility. The 2013 Facility contains customary terms and conditions, including, without limitation, affirmative and negative covenants such as information reporting requirements, maximum secured indebtedness to total asset value, minimum EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization or extraordinary items) to fixed charges, and maintenance of a minimum net worth. The 2013 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.

Interest Rate Swap

On March 8, 2013. we, through our Operating Partnership, entered into an interest rate swap with U.S. Bank National Association that fixes the LIBOR portion of our $50 million term loan under our 2013 Facility at 0.84%. The swap starts on January 7, 2014 and will mature on February 3, 2017. We have designated the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge with the effective portion of the changes in fair value to be recorded in comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value, if any, will be recognized directly in earnings.

F- 28

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
December 31, 2012

 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
Balance at
 
Charged to
 
Deductions
 
Balance at
 
 
Beginning
 
Costs and
 
from
 
End of
Description
 
of Year
 
Expense
 
Reserves
 
Year
Allowance for doubtful accounts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year ended December 31, 2012
 
$
1,366

 
$
1,004

 
$
(85
)
 
$
2,285

Year ended December 31, 2011
 
1,304

 
615

 
(553
)
 
1,366

Year ended December 31, 2010
 
894

 
536

 
(126
)
 
1,304


F- 29

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries
Schedule III - Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2012

 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs Capitalized Subsequent
 
Gross Amount at which Carried at
 
 
Initial Cost (in thousands)
 
to Acquisition (in thousands)
 
End of Period (in thousands)(1) (2)
 
 
 
 
Building and
 
Improvements
 
Carrying
 
 
 
Building and
 
 
Property Name
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
(net)
 
Costs
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
Total
Retail Communities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ahwatukee Plaza
 
$
5,126

 
$
4,086

 
$
25

 
$
—

 
$
5,126

 
$
4,111

 
$
9,237

Bellnot Square
 
1,154

 
4,638

 
428

 
—

 
1,154

 
5,066

 
6,220

Bissonnet Beltway
 
415

 
1,947

 
450

 
—

 
415

 
2,397

 
2,812

Centre South
 
481

 
1,596

 
721

 
—

 
481

 
2,317

 
2,798

The Citadel
 
472

 
1,777

 
1,697

 
—

 
472

 
3,474

 
3,946

Desert Canyon
 
1,976

 
1,704

 
252

 
—

 
1,976

 
1,956

 
3,932

Gilbert Tuscany Village
 
1,767

 
3,233

 
460

 
—

 
1,767

 
3,693

 
5,460

Holly Knight
 
320

 
1,293

 
158

 
—

 
320

 
1,451

 
1,771

Kempwood Plaza
 
733

 
1,798

 
1,128

 
—

 
733

 
2,926

 
3,659

Lion Square
 
1,546

 
4,289

 
2,278

 
—

 
1,546

 
6,567

 
8,113

The Marketplace at Central
 
1,305

 
5,324

 
654

 
—

 
1,305

 
5,978

 
7,283

Paradise Plaza
 
6,155

 
10,221

 
(100
)
 
—

 
6,155

 
10,121

 
16,276

Pinnacle of Scottsdale
 
6,648

 
22,466

 
375

 
—

 
6,648

 
22,841

 
29,489

Providence
 
918

 
3,675

 
684

 
—

 
918

 
4,359

 
5,277

Shaver
 
184

 
633

 
12

 
—

 
184

 
645

 
829

Shops at Starwood
 
4,093

 
11,487

 
—

 
—

 
4,093

 
11,487

 
15,580

Shops at Pecos Ranch
 
3,781

 
15,123

 
—

 
—

 
3,781

 
15,123

 
18,904

South Richey
 
778

 
2,584

 
1,540

 
—

 
778

 
4,124

 
4,902

Spoerlein Commons
 
2,340

 
7,296

 
262

 
—

 
2,340

 
7,558

 
9,898

SugarPark Plaza
 
1,781

 
7,125

 
834

 
—

 
1,781

 
7,959

 
9,740

Sunridge
 
276

 
1,186

 
292

 
—

 
276

 
1,478

 
1,754

Terravita Marketplace
 
7,171

 
9,392

 
196

 
—

 
7,171

 
9,588

 
16,759

Torrey Square
 
1,981

 
2,971

 
1,099

 
—

 
1,981

 
4,070

 
6,051

Town Park
 
850

 
2,911

 
252

 
—

 
850

 
3,163

 
4,013

Webster Pointe
 
720

 
1,150

 
270

 
—

 
720

 
1,420

 
2,140

Westchase
 
423

 
1,751

 
2,728

 
—

 
423

 
4,479

 
4,902

Windsor Park
 
2,621

 
10,482

 
7,056

 
—

 
2,621

 
17,538

 
20,159

 
 
$
56,015

 
$
142,138

 
$
23,751

 
$
—

 
$
56,015

 
$
165,889

 
$
221,904

Office/Flex Communities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Brookhill
 
$
186

 
$
788

 
$
311

 
$
—

 
$
186

 
$
1,099

 
$
1,285

Corporate Park Northwest
 
1,534

 
6,306

 
1,111

 
—

 
1,534

 
7,417

 
8,951

Corporate Park West
 
2,555

 
10,267

 
1,030

 
—

 
2,555

 
11,297

 
13,852

Corporate Park Woodland
 
652

 
5,330

 
684

 
—

 
652

 
6,014

 
6,666

Dairy Ashford
 
226

 
1,211

 
130

 
—

 
226

 
1,341

 
1,567

Holly Hall
 
608

 
2,516

 
388

 
—

 
608

 
2,904

 
3,512

Interstate 10
 
208

 
3,700

 
565

 
—

 
208

 
4,265

 
4,473

Main Park
 
1,328

 
2,721

 
547

 
—

 
1,328

 
3,268

 
4,596

Plaza Park
 
902

 
3,294

 
1,128

 
—

 
902

 
4,422

 
5,324

West Belt Plaza
 
568

 
2,165

 
785

 
—

 
568

 
2,950

 
3,518

Westgate
 
672

 
2,776

 
446

 
—

 
672

 
3,222

 
3,894

 
 
$
9,439

 
$
41,074

 
$
7,125

 
$
—

 
$
9,439

 
$
48,199

 
$
57,638


F- 30

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries
Schedule III - Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2012

 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs Capitalized Subsequent
 
Gross Amount at which Carried at
 
 
Initial Cost (in thousands)
 
to Acquisition (in thousands)
 
End of Period (in thousands)(1) (2)
 
 
 
 
Building and
 
Improvements
 
Carrying
 
 
 
Building and
 
 
Property Name
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
(net)
 
Costs
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
Total
Office Communities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

9101 LBJ Freeway
 
$
1,597

 
$
6,078

 
$
1,466

 
$
—

 
$
1,597

 
$
7,544

 
$
9,141

Featherwood
 
368

 
2,591

 
579

 
—

 
368

 
3,170

 
3,538

Pima Norte
 
1,086

 
7,162

 
1,208

 
517

 
1,086

 
8,887

 
9,973

Royal Crest
 
509

 
1,355

 
213

 
—

 
509

 
1,568

 
2,077

Uptown Tower
 
1,621

 
15,551

 
3,207

 
—

 
1,621

 
18,758

 
20,379

Woodlake Plaza
 
1,107

 
4,426

 
1,164

 
—

 
1,107

 
5,590

 
6,697

Zeta Building
 
636

 
1,819

 
334

 
—

 
636

 
2,153

 
2,789

 
 
$
6,924

 
$
38,982

 
$
8,171

 
$
517

 
$
6,924

 
$
47,670

 
$
54,594

Total Operating Portfolio
 
$
72,378

 
$
222,194

 
$
39,047

 
$
517

 
$
72,378

 
$
261,758

 
$
334,136

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shops at Pinnacle Peak
 
3,610

 
2,734

 
73

 
—

 
3,610

 
2,807

 
6,417

Fountain Square
 
5,573

 
9,828

 
131

 
—

 
5,573

 
9,959

 
15,532

Village Square at Dana Park
 
8,495

 
37,870

 
29

 
—

 
8,495

 
37,899

 
46,394

Total - Development Portfolio
 
$
17,678

 
$
50,432

 
$
233

 
$
—

 
$
17,678

 
$
50,665

 
$
68,343

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pinnacle Phase II
 
$
1,000

 
$
—

 
$
46

 
$
167

 
$
1,000

 
$
213

 
$
1,213

Village Square at Dana Park
 
4,000

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
4,000

 
—

 
4,000

Shops at Starwood Phase III
 
1,818

 
—

 
3

 
156

 
1,818

 
159

 
1,977

Total - Property Held for Development
 
$
6,818

 
$
—

 
$
49

 
$
323

 
$
6,818

 
$
372

 
$
7,190

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Grand Totals
 
$
96,874

 
$
272,626

 
$
39,329

 
$
840

 
$
96,874

 
$
312,795

 
$
409,669


F- 31

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries
Schedule III - Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2012


 
 
 
 
Accumulated Depreciation
 
Date of
 
Date
 
Depreciation
Property Name
 
Encumbrances
 
(in thousands)
 
Construction
 
Acquired
 
Life
Retail Communities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ahwatukee
 
 
 
$
141

 
 
 
8/16/2011
 
5-39 years
Bellnot Square
 
 
 
1,489

 
 
 
1/1/2002
 
5-39 years
Bissonnet Beltway
 
 
 
1,283

 
 
 
1/1/1999
 
5-39 years
Centre South
 
 
 
921

 
 
 
1/1/2000
 
5-39 years
The Citadel
 
 
 
115

 
 
 
9/28/2010
 
5-39 years
Desert Canyon
 
 
 
92

 
 
 
4/13/2011
 
5-39 years
Gilbert Tuscany Village
 
 
 
177

 
 
 
6/28/2011
 
5-39 years
Holly Knight
 
(3)
 
770

 
 
 
8/1/2000
 
5-39 years
Kempwood Plaza
 
(3)
 
1,435

 
 
 
2/2/1999
 
5-39 years
Lion Square
 
(3)
 
2,141

 
 
 
1/1/2000
 
5-39 years
The Marketplace at Central
 
 
 
304

 
 
 
11/1/2010
 
5-39 years
Paradise Plaza
 
(11)
 
109

 
 
 
8/8/2012
 
5-39 years
Pinnacle of Scottsdale
 
(9)
 
586

 
 
 
12/22/2011
 
5-39 years
Providence
 
(3)
 
1,489

 
 
 
3/30/2001
 
5-39 years
Shaver
 
 
 
299

 
 
 
12/17/1999
 
5-39 years
Shops at Starwood
 
 
 
295

 
 
 
12/28/2011
 
5-39 years
Shops at Pecos Ranch
 
 
 
—

 
 
 
12/28/2012
 
5-39 years
South Richey
 
(3)
 
1,069

 
 
 
8/25/1999
 
5-39 years
Spoerlein Commons
 
 
 
814

 
 
 
1/16/2009
 
5-39 years
SugarPark Plaza
 
(3)
 
1,651

 
 
 
9/8/2004
 
5-39 years
Sunridge
 
(3)
 
511

 
 
 
1/1/2002
 
5-39 years
Terravita Marketplace
 
 
 
345

 
 
 
8/8/2011
 
5-39 years
Torrey Square
 
(3)
 
1,730

 
 
 
1/1/2000
 
5-39 years
Town Park
 
(3)
 
1,502

 
 
 
1/1/1999
 
5-39 years
Webster Pointe
 
 
 
624

 
 
 
1/1/2000
 
5-39 years
Westchase
 
 
 
1,005

 
 
 
1/1/2002
 
5-39 years
Windsor Park
 
(4)
 
2,989

 
 
 
12/16/2003
 
5-39 years
 
 
 
 
$
23,886

 
 
 
 
 
 
Office/Flex Communities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brookhill
 
(5)
 
$
318

 
 
 
1/1/2002
 
5-39 years
Corporate Park Northwest
 
 
 
2,394

 
 
 
1/1/2002
 
5-39 years
Corporate Park West
 
(6)
 
3,572

 
 
 
1/1/2002
 
5-39 years
Corporate Park Woodland
 
(7)
 
2,500

 
11/1/2000
 
 
 
5-39 years
Dairy Ashford
 
 
 
559

 
 
 
1/1/1999
 
5-39 years
Holly Hall
 
(7)
 
828

 
 
 
1/1/2002
 
5-39 years
Interstate 10
 
(7)
 
2,210

 
 
 
1/1/1999
 
5-39 years
Main Park
 
(7)
 
1,343

 
 
 
1/1/1999
 
5-39 years
Plaza Park
 
(7)
 
1,759

 
 
 
1/1/2000
 
5-39 years
West Belt Plaza
 
(7)
 
1,397

 
 
 
1/1/1999
 
5-39 years
Westgate
 
(7)
 
1,046

 
 
 
1/1/2002
 
5-39 years
 
 
 
 
$
17,926

 
 
 
 
 
 

F- 32

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries
Schedule III - Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2012

 
 
 
 
Accumulated Depreciation
 
Date of
 
Date
 
Depreciation
Property Name
 
Encumbrances
 
(in thousands)
 
Construction
 
Acquired
 
Life
Office Communities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9101 LBJ Freeway
 
(8)
 
$
1,939

 
 
 
8/10/2005
 
5-39 years
Featherwood
 
(10)
 
1,280

 
 
 
1/1/2000
 
5-39 years
Pima Norte
 
 
 
997

 
 
 
10/4/2007
 
5-39 years
Royal Crest
 
 
 
598

 
 
 
1/1/2000
 
5-39 years
Uptown Tower
 
(8)
 
4,466

 
 
 
11/22/2005
 
5-39 years
Woodlake Plaza
 
(8)
 
1,573

 
 
 
3/14/2005
 
5-39 years
Zeta Building
 
(5)
 
874

 
 
 
1/1/2000
 
5-39 years
 
 
 
 
$
11,727

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Operating Portfolio
 
 
 
$
53,539

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shops at Pinnacle Peak
 
 
 
$
41

 
 
 
5/29/2012
 
5-39 years
Fountain Square
 
 
 
70

 
 
 
9/21/2012
 
5-39 years
Village Square at Dana Park
 
 
 
270

 
 
 
9/21/2012
 
5-39 years
Total - Development Portfolio
 
 
 
$
381

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pinnacle Phase II
 
 
 
$
—

 
 
 
12/28/2011
 
Land - Not Depreciated
Village Square at Dana Park
 
 
 
—

 
 
 
9/21/2012
 
Land - Not Depreciated
Shops at Starwood Phase III
 
(12)
 
—

 
 
 
12/28/2011
 
Land - Not Depreciated
Total - Property Held For Development
 
 
 
$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Grand Total
 
 
 
$
53,920

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
(1)
Reconciliations of total real estate carrying value for the three years ended December 31, follows:
 
 
 
( in thousands)
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
292,360

 
$
204,954

 
$
192,832

Additions during the period:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Acquisitions
 
107,392

 
82,030

 
8,878

Improvements
 
12,798

 
7,568

 
4,142

 
 
120,190

 
89,598

 
13,020

Deductions - cost of real estate sold or retired
 
(2,881
)
 
(2,192
)
 
(898
)
Balance at close of period
 
$
409,669

 
$
292,360

 
$
204,954

 
(2) 
The aggregate cost of real estate (in thousands) for federal income tax purposes is $389,370.
(3) 
These properties secure a $21.4 million and a $9.9 million mortgage notes.
(4) 
This property secures a $10.0 million mortgage note.
(5) 
These properties secure a $1.5 million mortgage note.
(6) 
This property secures an $11.2 million mortgage note.
(7) 
These properties secure a $26.9 million mortgage note.
(8) 
These properties secure a $24.5 million mortgage note.
(9) 
This property secures a $14.1 million mortgage note.
(10) 
This property secures a $3.0 million mortgage note.
(11) 
This property secures a $9.2 million mortgage note.
(12) 
This property secures a $1.1 million mortgage note.
    


F- 33

Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries

Index to Exhibits

Exhibit No.
Description
3.1.1
Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Whitestone REIT (previously filed as and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on July 31, 2008)
3.1.2
Articles Supplementary (previously filed as and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i).1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 6, 2006)
3.1.3
Articles of Amendment (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 24, 2010)
3.1.4
Articles of Amendment (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 24, 2010)
3.1.5
Articles Supplementary (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 24, 2010)
3.1.6
Articles of Amendment (previously filed as and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 27, 2012)
3.1.7
Articles of Amendment (previously filed as and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 27, 2012)
3.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Whitestone REIT (previously filed as and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 9, 2008)
10.1
Agreement of Limited Partnership of Whitestone REIT Operating Partnership, L.P. (previously filed as and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s General Form for Registration of Securities on Form 10, filed on April 30, 2003)
10.2
Certificate of Formation of Whitestone REIT Operating Partnership II GP, LLC (previously filed as and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s General Form for Registration of Securities on Form 10, filed on April 30, 2003)
10.3
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Whitestone REIT Operating Partnership II GP, LLC (previously filed as and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s General Form for Registration of Securities on Form 10, filed on April 30, 2003)
10.4
Agreement of Limited Partnership of Whitestone REIT Operating Partnership II, L.P. (previously filed as and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s General Form for Registration of Securities on Form 10, filed on April 30, 2003)
10.5
Amendment to the Agreement of Limited Partnership of Whitestone REIT Operating Partnership, L.P. (previously filed in and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-11, Commission File No. 333-111674, filed on December 31, 2003)
10.6
Promissory Note between HCP REIT Operating Company IV LLC and MidFirst Bank, dated March 1, 2007 (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, filed on March 30, 2007)
10.7
Term Loan Agreement among Whitestone REIT Operating Partnership, L.P., Whitestone Pima Norte LLC, Whitestone REIT Operating Partnership III LP, Hartman REIT Operating Partnership III LP LTD, Whitestone REIT Operating Partnership III GP LLC and KeyBank National Association, dated January 25, 2008 (previously filed as and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, filed on March 31, 2008)




Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries

Index to Exhibits

Exhibit No.
Description
10.8+
Whitestone REIT 2008 Long-Term Equity Incentive Ownership Plan (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 31, 2008)
10.9
Promissory Note among Whitestone Corporate Park West, LLC and MidFirst Bank dated August 5, 2008 (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed August 8, 2008)
10.10
Promissory Note among Whitestone Centers LLC and Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada dated October 1, 2008 (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 7, 2008)
10.11
Promissory Note among Whitestone Centers LLC and Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada dated October 1, 2008 (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 7, 2008)
10.12
Promissory Note among Whitestone Centers LLC and Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada dated October 1, 2008 (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 7, 2008)
10.13
Promissory Note among Whitestone Centers LLC and Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada dated October 1, 2008 (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 7, 2008)
10.14
Promissory Note among Whitestone Centers LLC and Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada dated October 1, 2008 (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.5 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 7, 2008)
10.15
Note among Whitestone Offices LLC and Nationwide Life Insurance Company dated October 1, 2008 (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.6 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 7, 2008)
10.16
Floating Rate Promissory Note among Whitestone Industrial-Office LLC and Jackson National Life Insurance Company dated October 3, 2008 (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 9, 2008)
10.17+
Form of Restricted Common Share Award Agreement (Performance Vested) (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed January 7, 2009)
10.18+
Form of Restricted Common Share Award Agreement (Time Vested) (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed January 7, 2009)
10.19+
Form of Restricted Unit Award Agreement (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed January 7, 2009)
10.20
Promissory Note among Whitestone Centers LLC and Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada dated February 3, 2009 (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 10, 2009)
10.21
Promissory Note among Whitestone Centers LLC and Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada dated February 3, 2009 (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 10, 2009)
10.22
Promissory Note among Whitestone Centers LLC and Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada dated February 3, 2009 (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 10, 2009)



Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries

Index to Exhibits

Exhibit No.
Description
10.23
Promissory Note among Whitestone Centers LLC and Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada dated February 3, 2009 (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 10, 2009)
10.24
Agreement of Purchase and Sale between Whitestone REIT Operating Partnership, L.P. and Bank One, Chicago, NA, as trustee for Midwest Development Venture IV dated December 18, 2008 (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on May 15, 2009)
10.25+
Trustee Restricted Common Share Grant Agreement (Time Vested) between Whitestone REIT and Daryl J. Carter (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on May 15, 2009)
10.26+
Trustee Restricted Common Share Grant Agreement (Time Vested) between Whitestone REIT and Daniel G. DeVos (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on May 15, 2009)
10.27+
Trustee Restricted Common Share Grant Agreement (Time Vested) between Whitestone REIT and Donald F. Keating (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on May 15, 2009)
10.28+ 
Trustee Restricted Common Share Grant Agreement (Time Vested) between Whitestone REIT and Jack L. Mahaffey (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 toRegistrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on May 15, 2009)
10.29
Promissory Note dated September 10, 2010 between Whitestone REIT Operating Company IV LLC and MidFirst Bank (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 16, 2010)
10.30
Modification of Promissory Note dated September 10, 2010 between Whitestone REIT Operating Company IV LLC and MidFirst Bank (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 16, 2010)
10.31
Limited Guarantee dated September 10, 2010 between Whitestone REIT Operating Company IV LLC and MidFirst Bank (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 16, 2010)
10.32
Promissory Note between Whitestone Featherwood LLC and Viewpoint Bank dated March 31, 2011 (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed April 5, 2011)
10.33
Credit Agreement among Whitestone REIT Operating Partnership, L.P. and Bank of Montreal dated June 13, 2011 (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 17, 2011)
10.34
Assumption Agreement among U.S. National Bank Association, Scottsdale Pinnacle LP, Howard Bankchik, Steven J. Fogel, Whitestone Pinnacle of Scottsdale, LLC and Whitestone REIT Operating Partnership, LP and Whitestone REIT, dated December 22, 2011 (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed on February 29, 2012)
10.35+
First Amendment to the Whitestone REIT 2008 Long-Term Equity Incentive Ownership Plan (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on March 1, 2011)




Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries

Index to Exhibits

Exhibit No.
Description
10.36
Credit Agreement between Whitestone Operating Partnership, L.P. and Bank of Montreal dated February 27, 2012 (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 28, 2012)
10.37+
Separation Agreement between Whitestone REIT and Valarie King (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed August 9, 2012)
10.38+
Summary of Relocation Agreement between Whitestone REIT and James C. Mastandrea (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed August 9, 2012)
10.39
Credit Agreement between Whitestone Operating Partnership, L.P. and Bank of Montreal dated February 4, 2013 (previously filed and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 8, 2013)
12.1*
Statement of Calculation of Consolidated Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
21.1*
List of subsidiaries of Whitestone REIT
23.1*
Consent of Pannell Kerr Forster of Texas, P.C.
24.1
Power of Attorney (included on the signature page hereto)
31.1*
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2*
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1**
Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2**
Certificate of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS***
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
101. SCH***
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
101.CAL***
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
101.LAB***
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 
101.PRE***
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
101.DEF***
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

________________________
 
*    Filed herewith.
**    Furnished herewith.




Whitestone REIT and Subsidiaries

Index to Exhibits

***    Attached as Exhibit 101 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K are the following materials, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 and (v) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.
 
+   Denotes management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.