10-K 1 tv515860_10k.htm 10-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

x Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For The Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

or

 

¨ 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 000-55619

 

LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

   

Maryland 46-1140492
(State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
of incorporation or organization)  

 

1985 Cedar Bridge Avenue, Suite 1, Lakewood, NJ 08701
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  732-367-0129

 

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

 

Title of Each Class   Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
None                                       None

 

Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:

 

Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ 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 ¨ 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 ¨  

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes x No ¨  

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K 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.  x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer x Smaller reporting company x
  Emerging growth company x

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x

 

There is no established market for the Registrant’s common shares. As of June 30, 2018, the last business day of the most recently completed second quarter, there were 13.6 million shares of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant. On March 19, 2018, the board of directors of the Registrant approved an estimated value per share of the Registrant’s common stock of $10.00 per share derived from the estimated value of the Registrant’s assets less the estimated value of the Registrant’s liabilities divided by the number of shares outstanding, all as of December 31, 2018. For a full description of the methodologies used to value the Registrant's assets and liabilities in connection with the calculation of the estimated value per share, see Part II, Item 5, “Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities - Market Information.” As of March 15, 2019, there were approximately 13.1 million shares of common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

None.

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC.

 

Table of Contents

    Page
PART I    
     
Item 1. Business 2
     
Item 2. Properties 8
     
Item 3. Legal Proceedings 8
     
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 8
     
PART II    
     
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 8
     
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 18
     
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 30
     
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 58
     
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures 58
     
Item 9B. Other Information 59
     
PART III    
     
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant 59
     
Item 11. Executive Compensation 62
     
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management 63
     
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 63
     
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services 65
     
PART IV    
     
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules 68
     
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary 69
     
  Signatures 70

 

 1 

 

 

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements  

 

This annual report on Form 10-K, together with other statements and information publicly disseminated by Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust III, Inc. (the “Lightstone REIT III”) contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and include this statement for purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project” or similar expressions. You should not rely on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could materially affect actual results, performances or achievements. Factors which may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, (i) general economic and local real estate conditions, (ii) the availability of suitable acquisition opportunities, (iii) financing risks, such as the inability to obtain equity, debt, or other sources of financing on favorable terms, (iv) the level and volatility of interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, (v) increases in operating costs, (vi)  the inability of major tenants to continue paying their rent obligations due to bankruptcy, insolvency or general downturn in their business and (vii) changes in governmental laws and regulations. Accordingly, there is no assurance that our expectations will be realized.

 

PART I.

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS:

 

Organization and Offering

 

Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust III, Inc. (‘‘Lightstone REIT III’’), is a Maryland corporation, formed on October 5, 2012, which elected to qualify to be taxed as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes (“REIT”) beginning with the taxable year ending December 31, 2015.

 

Lightstone REIT III is structured as an umbrella partnership REIT (“UPREIT”), and substantially all of its current and future business is and will be conducted through Lightstone Value Plus REIT III LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Operating Partnership”).

 

Lightstone REIT III and the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the “Company” and the use of “we,” “our,” “us” or similar pronouns in this annual report refers to the Lightstone REIT III, its Operating Partnership or the Company as required by the context in which such pronoun is used. 

 

We have and will continue to seek to acquire a diverse portfolio of real estate assets and real estate-related investments, including hotels, other commercial and/or residential properties, primarily located in the United States. All such properties may be acquired and operated by us alone or jointly with another party. We may also originate or acquire mortgage loans secured by real estate. Although we expect that most of our investments will be of these types, we may make other investments. In fact, we may invest in whatever types of real estate-related investments that we believe are in our best interests.

 

We currently have one operating segment. As of December 31, 2018, we majority owned and consolidated the operating results and financial condition of nine limited service hotels containing a total of 999 rooms. Additionally, we held a 22.5% membership interest in RP Maximus Cove, L.L.C. (the “Cove Joint Venture”) and a 50.0% joint venture ownership interest in LVP LIC Hotel JV LLC (the “Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture”), both of which we account for under the equity method of accounting.

 

Our advisor is Lightstone Value Plus REIT III LLC (the “Advisor”), which is majority owned by David Lichtenstein. Mr. Lichtenstein also is the majority owner of the equity interests of the Lightstone Group, LLC. The Lightstone Group, LLC served as our sponsor (the ‘‘Sponsor’’) during our public offering which terminated on March 31, 2017. Subject to the oversight of the Company’s board of directors (the “Board of Directors”), the Advisor has primary responsibility for making investment decisions and managing our day-to-day operations. Through his ownership and control of The Lightstone Group, LLC, Mr. Lichtenstein is the indirect owner of the Advisor and the indirect owner and manager of Lightstone SLP III LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Special Limited Partner”), which has subordinated participation interests (“Subordinated Participation Interests”) in the Operating Partnership. Mr. Lichtenstein also acts as the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. As a result, he exerts influence over but does not control Lightstone REIT III or the Operating Partnership.

 

We do not have employees. We depend substantially on our Advisor, which generally has responsibility for our day-to-day operations. Under the terms of the advisory agreement, the Advisor also undertakes to use its reasonable best efforts to present to us investment opportunities consistent with our investment policies and objectives as adopted by our Board of Directors.

 

 2 

 

 

The Company’s registration statement on Form S-11 (the “Offering”), pursuant to which it offered to sell up to 30,000,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share (which may be referred to herein as ‘‘shares of common stock’’ or as ‘‘Common Shares’’) at an initial price of $10.00 per share, subject to certain volume and other discounts (the “Primary Offering”) (exclusive of 10,000,000 shares which were available pursuant to its distribution reinvestment plan (the “DRIP”) at an initial purchase price of $9.50 per share) was declared effective by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933 on July 15, 2014.

 

Orchard Securities, LLC (the ‘‘Dealer Manager’’) served as the dealer manager of the Offering through its termination on March 31, 2017.

 

As of December 31, 2018, the Advisor owned 20,000 shares of common stock which were issued on December 24, 2012 for $200,000, or $10.00 per share.

 

The Offering, which terminated on March 31, 2017, raised aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $131.7 million from the sale of approximately 13.4 million shares of common stock (including $2.0 million in Common Shares at a purchase price of $9.00 per Common Share to an entity 100% owned by David Lichtenstein, who also owns a majority interest in the Company’s Sponsor). After including the purchase of an aggregate of $12.1 million of Subordinated Participation Interests by the Special Limited Partner and allowing for the payment of approximately $12.2 million in selling commissions and dealer manager fees and $4.8 million in organization and other offering expenses, the Offering generated aggregate net proceeds of approximately $126.8 million.

 

On April 21, 2017, our Board of Directors approved the termination of the DRIP effective May 15, 2017. Previously, our stockholders had an option to elect the receipt of shares of our common stock in lieu of cash distributions under the Company’s DRIP. As a result, all subsequent distributions have been in the form of cash. Through May 15, 2017 (the termination date of the DRIP), we issued approximately 0.3 million shares of common stock under the DRIP, representing approximately $3.2 million of additional proceeds under the Offering.

 

The Company invested the proceeds received from the Offering and the Advisor in the Operating Partnership, and as a result, held a 99% general partnership interest as of December 31, 2018 in the Operating Partnership’s common units.

 

The Company’s shares of common stock are not currently listed on a national securities exchange. The Company may seek to list its shares of common stock for trading on a national securities exchange only if a majority of its independent directors believe listing would be in the best interest of its stockholders. The Company does not intend to list its shares of common stock at this time. The Company does not anticipate that there would be any market for its shares of common stock until they are listed for trading. In the event the Company does not begin the process of achieving a liquidity event prior to the eighth anniversary (March 31, 2025) of the termination of our Offering, our charter requires either (a) an amendment to our charter to extend the deadline to begin the process of achieving a liquidity event, or (b) the holding of a stockholders meeting to vote on a proposal for an orderly liquidation of our portfolio.

 

 Noncontrolling Interest – Partners of the Operating Partnership

 

On July 16, 2014, the Advisor contributed $2,000 to the Operating Partnership in exchange for 200 limited partner units in the Operating Partnership. A limited partner has the right to convert operating partnership units into cash or, at our option, an equal number of our common shares, as allowed by the limited partnership agreement.

 

In connection with our Offering, which terminated on March 31, 2017, the Special Limited Partner purchased an aggregate of 242 Subordinated Participation Interests for consideration of $12.1 million from the Operating Partnership. The Subordinated Participation Interests were each purchased for $50,000 in consideration and may be entitled to receive liquidation distributions upon the liquidation of Lightstone REIT III.

 

Operations - Operating Partnership Activity

 

Our Operating Partnership commenced its operations on December 11, 2014. Since then we have and will continue to seek to primarily acquire and operate hospitality properties and to a lesser extent, other commercial and residential properties principally in North America through our Operating Partnership. Our commercial holdings may consist of full-service or select-service hotels, including extended-stay hotels and to a lesser extent, retail (primarily multi-tenanted shopping centers), industrial and office properties. All such properties may be acquired and operated by us alone or jointly with another party. In addition, we may invest up to 20% of our net assets in collateralized debt obligations, commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) and mortgage and mezzanine loans secured, directly or indirectly, by the same types of properties which we may acquire directly.

 

 3 

 

 

The following summarizes our completed acquisitions through December 31, 2018:

 

·On February 4, 2015 we acquired a 120-room select service Hampton Inn Hotel (the “Hampton Inn – Des Moines”) located in Des Moines, Iowa;

 

·On May 15, 2015 we acquired a 146-room select service Courtyard by Marriott Hotel (the “Courtyard - Durham”) located in Durham, North Carolina;

 

·On March 10, 2016 we acquired an 86-room select service Hampton Inn Hotel (the “Hampton Inn – Lansing”) located in Lansing, Michigan;

 

·On March 23, 2016 we acquired a 92-room select service Courtyard by Marriott Hotel (the “Courtyard - Warwick”) located in Warwick, Rhode Island;

 

·On May 2, 2016 we acquired a 127-room select service SpringHill Suites by Marriott Hotel (the “SpringHill Suites – Green Bay”) located in Green Bay, Wisconsin;

 

·On August 2, 2016 we acquired a portfolio of two select service Home2 Suites by Hilton Hotels, a 139-room select service hotel located in Tukwila, Washington (the “Home2 Suites – Tukwila”) and a 125-room select service hotel located in Salt Lake City, Utah (the “Home2 Suites – Salt Lake” and collectively the “Home2 Suites Hotel Portfolio”);

 

·On September 13, 2016 we acquired an 84-room select service Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Hotel (the “Fairfield Inn – Austin”) located in Austin, Texas; and

 

·On October 7, 2016 we acquired an 80-room select service Staybridge Suites Hotel (the “Staybridge Suites – Austin”) located in Austin, Texas.

 

·On January 31, 2017 we along with LSG Cove LLC, an affiliate of our Sponsor, our Sponsor’s other public program, Lightstone Real Estate Income Trust Inc. (“Lightstone IV”) and Maximus Cove Investor LLC (“Maximus”), an unrelated third party, acquired the membership interests in the Cove Joint Venture from an unrelated third party. We, LSG Cove LLC, Lightstone IV and Maximus have 22.5%, 45.0%, 22.5% and 10.0% membership interests in the Cove Joint Venture, respectively. The Cove Joint Venture owns and operates The Cove at Tiburon (the “Cove”), a multi-family complex consisting of 281-units, or 289,690 square feet, contained within 32 apartment buildings over 20.1 acres, located in Tiburon, California.

 

·On, March 27, 2018 we acquired a 50.0% membership interest in the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture, a joint venture between us and our Sponsor’s other public program, Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust II, Inc (“Lightstone II”). Lightstone II also acquired a 50.0% membership interest in the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture. On March 27, 2018, the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture acquired a 183-room, limited-service hotel located in Long Island City, New York (the “Hilton Garden Inn - Long Island City”).

 

Related Parties

 

Our Advisor and its affiliates and the Special Limited Partner are related parties of the Company. Certain of these entities have and/or will receive compensation for services related to the Offering (which was completed on March 31, 2017) and will continue to receive compensation and services for the investment, management and disposition of our assets. These entities have and/or will receive compensation during the offering, acquisition, operational and liquidation stages. The compensation levels during the offering stage were based on percentages of the offering proceeds raised and the compensation levels during the acquisition and operational stages are based the cost of acquired properties and the annual revenue earned from such properties, and other such fees outlined in each of the respective agreements.

 

Primary Business Objectives and Strategies

 

Our primary objective is to achieve capital appreciation with a secondary objective of income without subjecting principal to undue risk.

 

Acquisition and Investment Policies

 

We have and/or intend to continue to primarily acquire commercial properties (including full-service or select-service hotels and extended-stay hotels) and residential real estate assets, as well as other real estate-related investments principally in North America. Our acquisitions may include both portfolios and individual properties. Full-service hotels generally provide a full complement of guest amenities including restaurants, concierge and room service, porter service or valet parking. Select-service hotels typically do not include these amenities. Extended-stay hotels offer upscale, high-quality, residential style lodging with a comprehensive package of guest services and amenities for extended-stay business and leisure travelers. We have no limitation as to the brand of franchise or license with which our hotels are associated. We generally intend to hold each acquired property for a period of three to six years although we may hold our properties for differing timelines depending on various factors.

 

 4 

 

 

Even though we have and intend to continue primarily to acquire hotels, we have and may continue to purchase other types of real estate. Assets other than hotels may include, without limitation, office buildings, shopping centers, business and industrial parks, manufacturing facilities, single-tenant properties, multifamily properties, student housing properties, warehouses and distribution facilities and medical office properties. We have and expect to invest mainly in direct real estate investments and other equity interests; however, we may also invest in debt interests, which may include bridge or mezzanine loans, including in furtherance of a loan-to-own strategy. We have not established any limits on the percentage of our portfolio that may be comprised of various categories of assets which present differing levels of risk.

 

We have and may continue to enter into joint ventures, tenant-in-common investments or other co-ownership arrangements for the acquisition, development or improvement of properties with third parties or certain affiliates of our Advisor, including other present and future REITs and real estate limited partnerships sponsored by affiliates of our Advisor.

 

Financing Strategy and Policies

 

There is no limitation on the amount we may invest or borrow for the purchase of any single asset. Our charter allows us to incur leverage up to 300% of our total “net assets” (as defined in Section I.B of the NASAA REIT Guidelines) as of the date of any borrowing, which is generally expected to be approximately 75% of the cost of our investments. We may only exceed this 300% limit if a majority of our independent directors approves each borrowing in excess of this limit and we disclose such borrowing to our stockholders in our next quarterly report along with a justification for the excess borrowing. In all events, we expect that our secured and unsecured borrowings will be reasonable in relation to the net value of our assets and will be reviewed by our board of directors at least quarterly.

 

We do not currently intend to exceed the leverage limit in our charter. Careful use of debt will help us to achieve our diversification goals because we will have more funds available for investment. However, high levels of debt could cause us to incur higher interest charges and higher debt service payments, which would decrease the amount of cash available for distribution to our investors.

 

Distributions

 

On January 14, 2015, our Board of Directors authorized and we declared a distribution which is calculated based on stockholders of record each day during the applicable period at a rate of $0.00164383 per day, and equals a daily amount that, if paid each day for a 365-day period, would equal a 6.0% annualized rate based on a share price of $10.00. Our first distribution began to accrue on December 11, 2014 (date of breaking escrow for our offering) through February 28, 2015 (the end of the month following our initial property acquisition) and subsequent distributions have been declared on a monthly basis thereafter. Our first distribution was paid on March 15, 2015 and subsequent distributions have been paid on or about the 15th day following each month end to stockholders of record at the close of business on the last day of the prior month. However, there can be no assurances that our Board of Directors will authorize and we will declare future distributions at any particular level or frequency.

 

On April 21, 2017, our Board of Directors approved the termination of the DRIP effective May 15, 2017. Previously, our stockholders had an option to elect the receipt of shares of our common stock in lieu of cash distributions under the DRIP, however, all future distributions, if any, will be in the form of cash. In addition, through May 15, 2017 (the termination date of the DRIP), we issued approximately 0.3 million shares of common stock under the DRIP, representing approximately $3.2 million of additional proceeds under the Offering.

 

Total distributions declared during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were $8.1 million and $8.0 million.

 

Distribution Reinvestment and Share Repurchase Programs

 

On April 21, 2017, the Board of Directors approved the termination of our DRIP effective May 15, 2017. All future distributions, if any, will be in the form of cash.

 

Our DRIP provided our stockholders with an opportunity to purchase additional shares of our common stock, at a discount by reinvesting their distributions. The Offering provided for 10.0 million shares available for issuance under our DRIP which were offered at a discounted price equivalent to 95% of our Primary Offering price per Common Share. Through May 15, 2017 (the termination date of the DRIP) 339,835 shares of common stock had been issued under our DRIP.

 

Our share repurchase program may provide our stockholders with limited, interim liquidity by enabling them to sell their shares of common stock back to us, subject to restrictions. From inception through December 31, 2017, we repurchased 81,828 shares of common stock, pursuant to our share repurchase program. We repurchased the shares at an average price per share of $9.76 per share. For the year ended December 31, 2018, 174,338 shares of common stock have been repurchased under our share repurchase program at an average price per share of $9.65 per share. We funded share repurchases for the periods noted above from the cumulative proceeds of the sale of our shares pursuant to our DRIP.

 

 5 

 

 

Our Board of Directors may amend the terms of our share repurchase program without stockholder approval upon at least 30 days’ written notice to all stockholders. Our Board of Directors also is free to suspend or terminate the program upon at least 30 days’ written notice to all stockholders or to reject any request for repurchase and there is no assurance our Board of Directors will not suspend or terminate the program or reject requests for repurchases.

 

Tax Status

 

We elected to qualify and be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning with the taxable year ended December 31, 2015. As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on our net taxable income that we distribute currently to our stockholders. To maintain our REIT qualification under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”), we must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that we annually distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, which does not equal net income, as calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gain. If we fail to remain qualified for taxation as a REIT in any subsequent year and do not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, our income for that year will be taxed at regular corporate rates, and we may be precluded from qualifying for treatment as a REIT for the four-year period following our failure to qualify as a REIT. Such an event could materially adversely affect our net income and net cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

 

We engage in certain activities through taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRSs"). When we purchase a hotel we establish a TRS which enters into an operating lease agreement for the hotel. As such, we may be subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes and franchise taxes from these activities.

 

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had no material uncertain income tax positions. Additionally, even if we continue to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may still be subject to some U.S. federal, state and local taxes on our income and property and to U.S. federal income taxes and excise taxes on our undistributed income.

 

Competition

 

The hotel and other commercial real estate markets are highly competitive. This competition could reduce occupancy levels and rental revenues at our properties, which would adversely affect our operations. We face competition from many sources. We face competition from other hotels both in the immediate vicinity and the geographic market where our hotels are located. Overbuilding in the hotel industry may increase the number of rooms available and may decrease occupancy and room rates. In addition, increases in operating costs due to inflation may not be offset by increased room rates. We also face competition from nationally recognized hotel brands with which we will not be associated.

 

We have or may compete in all of our markets with other owners and operators of retail, office, industrial and residential real estate. The continued development of new retail, office, industrial and residential properties has intensified the competition among owners and operators of these types of real estate in many market areas in which we intend to operate. We compete based on a number of factors that include location, rental rates, security, suitability of the property’s design to prospective tenants’ needs and the manner in which the property is operated and marketed. The number of competing properties in a particular market could have a material effect on our occupancy levels, rental rates and on the operating expenses of certain of our properties.

 

In addition, we compete with other entities engaged in real estate investment activities to locate suitable properties to acquire and to locate tenants and purchasers for our properties. These competitors include other REITs, specialty finance companies, savings and loan associations, banks, mortgage bankers, insurance companies, mutual funds, institutional investors, investment banking firms, lenders, governmental bodies and other entities. There are also other REITs with asset acquisition objectives similar to ours and others that may be organized in the future. Some of these competitors, including larger REITs, have substantially greater marketing and financial resources than we will have and generally may be able to accept more risk than we can prudently manage, including risks with respect to the creditworthiness of tenants. In addition, these same entities seek financing through similar channels to those sought by us. Therefore, we will compete for institutional investors in a market where funds for real estate investment may decrease.

 

Competition from these and other third party real estate investors may limit the number of suitable investment opportunities available to us. It may also result in higher prices, lower yields and a narrower spread of yields over our borrowing costs, making it more difficult for us to acquire new investments on attractive terms. In addition, competition for desirable investments could delay the investment of proceeds from our Offering in desirable assets, which may in turn reduce our earnings per share and negatively affect our ability to make distributions to stockholders.

 

 6 

 

 

We believe that our senior management’s experience, coupled with our financing, professionalism, diversity of properties and reputation in the industry enables us to compete with the other real estate investment companies.

 

Because we are organized as an UPREIT, we believe we are well positioned within the hospitality industry and any industries in which we operate to potentially offer existing property owners the opportunity to contribute properties to us in tax-deferred transactions using our Operating Partnership units as transactional currency. As a result, we believe we may a competitive advantage over most of our competitors that are structured as traditional REITs and non-REITs in pursuing acquisitions with tax-sensitive sellers.

 

Environmental

 

As an owner of real estate, we are subject to various environmental laws of U.S. federal, state and local governments. Compliance with existing laws has not had a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations, and management does not believe it will have such an impact in the future. However, we cannot predict the impact of unforeseen environmental contingencies or new or changed laws or regulations on properties in which we hold an interest, or on properties that may be acquired directly or indirectly in the future.

 

Employees

 

We do not have employees. We have entered into an advisory agreement pursuant to which our Advisor supervises and manages our day-to-day operations and selects our real estate and real estate-related investments, subject to oversight by our Board of Directors. We have and will continue to pay our Advisor fees for services related to the investment and management of our assets, and we have and will continue to reimburse our Advisor for certain expenses incurred on our behalf.

 

Economic Dependence

 

We were initially dependent upon the net proceeds received from our Offering to conduct our proposed activities. The capital required to acquire additional future real estate and real estate related investments are expected to be obtained from the proceeds from asset sales and/or from any financings.

 

Available Information

 

We electronically file annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports, and proxy statements, with the SEC. Stockholders may obtain copies of our filings with the SEC, free of charge, from the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov, or at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F. Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our office is located at 1985 Cedar Bridge Avenue, Lakewood, New Jersey 08701. Our telephone number is (732) 367-0129. Our website is www.lightstonecapitalmarkets.com.

 

 7 

 

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES:

  

                Year to Date    Percentage Occupied
for the Year Ended 
    Revenue per Available Room
for the Year Ended
 
    Location   Year Built   Date Acquired   Available Rooms   December 31, 2018      December 31, 2018  
                                 
Wholly-Owned and Consolidated Hospitality Properties:                                      
                                       
Hampton Inn – Des Moines   Des Moines, Iowa   1987   2/4/2015     43,800     67.7   $ 78.84  
                                         
Courtyard - Durham   Durham, North Carolina   1996   5/15/2015     53,290     70.0 %   $ 70.92  
                                         
Hampton Inn – Lansing   Lansing, Michigan   2013   3/10/2016     31,390     76.1   $ 97.23  
                                         
Courtyard - Warwick   Warwick, Rhode Island   2003   3/23/2016     33,580     79.2 %   $ 105.74  
                                         
SpringHill Suites - Green Bay   Green Bay, Wisconsin   2007   5/2/2016     46,355     67.1 %   $ 93.45  
                                         
Home2 Suites – Salt Lake   Salt Lake City, Utah   2013   8/2/2016     45,625     68.8   $ 80.18  
                                         
Home2 Suites – Tukwila   Tukwila, Washington   2015   8/2/2016     50,735     84.4   $ 130.20  
                                         
Fairfield Inn – Austin   Austin, Texas   2014   9/13/2016     30,660     67.2   $ 76.44  
                                         
Staybridge Suites – Austin   Austin, Texas   2009   10/7/2016     29,200     62.1   $ 65.81  
                                         
            Total     364,635     71.7   $ 89.67  
                                         
Unconsolidated Affiliated Real Estate Entities:                            
                                         
Multi - Family Residential   Location   Year Built   Leasable Units     Percentage Occupied
as of December 31, 2018
    Annualized Revenues based
on rents at December 31, 2018
    Annualized Revenues per
unit at December 31, 2018
 
                                         
The Cove (Multi-Family Complex)(1)   Tiburon, California   1967   281       90.8 %   $  14.6 million     $ 51,904  
                                         
Hospitality           Year to Date     Percentage Occupied
for the Year Ended
    Revenue per Available Room
for the Year Ended
    Average Daily Rate
for the Year Ended
 
    Location   Year Built   Available Rooms     December 31, 2018     December 31, 2018     December 31, 2018  
                                         
Hilton Garden Inn - Long Island City(2)   Long Island City, New York   2014   51,240       91 %   $ 164.19     $ 180.54  

 

(1) - Acquired on January 31, 2017.

(2) - Acquired on March 27, 2018.

 

Annualized revenue is defined as the minimum monthly payments due as of December 31, 2018 annualized, excluding periodic contractual fixed increases and rents calculated based on a percentage of tenants' sales. The annualized base rent disclosed in the table above includes all concessions, abatements and reimbursements of rent to tenants.

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS:

 

From time to time in the ordinary course of business, we may become subject to legal proceedings, claims or disputes.

 

ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

PART II.

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES:

 

As of March 15, 2019, we had approximately 13.4 million shares of common stock outstanding, held by a total of 3,810 stockholders. The number of stockholders is based on the records of DST Systems Inc., which serves as our registrar and transfer agent.

 

Estimated Net Asset Value (“NAV”) and NAV per Share of Common Stock (“NAV per Share”)

 

On March 19, 2019, our board of directors approved our estimated NAV of approximately $134.5 million and resulting estimated NAV per Share of $10.00, both as of December 31, 2018 and both after the special limited partner’s purchase of subordinated participation interests. From our inception through the termination of our offering on March 31, 2017, the special limited partner made cash purchases of subordinated participation interests totaling $12.1 million. In the calculation of our estimated NAV, an approximately $0.7 million allocation of value was made to the special limited partner’s subordinated participation interests representing the amount by which the estimated NAV per Share would have exceeded an aggregate $10.00 price per share plus a cumulative, pre-tax non-compounded annual return of 6.0% as of December 31, 2018. Accordingly, the net portion of the NAV attributable to the special limited partner’s cash purchases of subordinated participation interests was approximately $11.4 million as of December 31, 2018.

 

 8 

 

 

Process and Methodology

 

Our Advisor, along with any necessary material assistance or confirmation of a third-party valuation expert or service, is responsible for calculating our NAV, which we currently expect will be done on at least an annual basis unless and until our Common Shares are approved for listing on a national securities exchange. Our board of directors will review each estimate of NAV and approve the resulting NAV per Share.

 

Our estimated NAV per Share as of December 31, 2018 was calculated with the assistance of both our Advisor and Marshall & Stevens Incorporated (‘‘M&S’’), an independent third-party valuation engaged by us to assist with the valuation of our assets, liabilities and any allocations of value to the special limited partner’s subordinated participation interests. The Advisor recommended and the board of directors established the estimated NAV per Share as of December 31, 2018 based upon the analyses and reports provided by our Advisor and M&S. The process for estimating the value of our assets, liabilities and allocations of value to the special limited partner’s subordinated participation interests is performed in accordance with the provisions of the Investment Program Association Practice Guideline 2013-01, ‘‘Valuation of Publicly Registered Non-Listed REITs.’’ We believe that our valuations were developed in a manner reasonably designed to ensure their reliability.

 

The engagement of M&S with respect to our NAV per Share as of December 31, 2018 was approved by our board of directors, including all of our independent directors. M&S has extensive experience in conducting asset valuations, including valuations of commercial real estate, debt, properties and real estate- related investments.

 

With respect to our NAV per Share as of December 31, 2018, M&S prepared appraisal reports (the ‘‘Consolidated Appraisal Reports’’, “The Cove Appraisal Report” and the “Hilton Garden Inn – Long Island City Appraisal Report”) and collectively, the “M&S Appraisal Reports”), summarizing key inputs and assumptions, on the 11 properties in which we held ownership interests as of December 31, 2018. M&S also prepared a NAV report (the ‘‘December 2018 NAV Report’’) which estimated the NAV per Share as of December 31, 2018. The December 2018 NAV Report relied upon the M&S Appraisal Reports for the 11 properties in which we held ownership interests and the Advisor’s estimate of the value of our cash and cash equivalents, other assets, mortgage notes payable, due to related parties, other liabilities and allocations of value to limited partner’s subordinated participation interests, to calculate estimated NAV per Share, all as of December 31, 2018.

 

 9 

 

 

The table below sets forth the calculation of our estimated NAV and resulting estimated NAV per Share as of December 31, 2018 compared to December 31, 2017.

 

Dollar and share amounts are presented in thousands, except per share data.                
   As of December 31, 2018   As of December 31, 2017 
   Value   Per Share   Value   Per Share 
                     
Net Assets:                    
Real Estate Assets:                    
Consolidated Real Estate Properties  $166,260        $161,000      
Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliated Real Estate Entities   35,362         18,611      
Total real estate assets   201,622   $14.99    179,611   $13.18 
Non-Real Estate Assets:                    
Cash and cash equivalents   9,966         45,050      
Other assets   6,655         2,809      
Total non-real estate assets   16,621    1.24    47,859    3.51 
Total Assets   218,243    16.23    227,470    16.69 
Liabilities:                    
Mortgages payable   (78,693)        (86,730)     
Due to related parties   (157)        (163)     
Other liabilities   (4,215)        (3,667)     
Total liabilities   (83,065)   (6.18)   (90,560)   (6.65)
                     
Allocation of value to Special Limited Partner's Subordinated Participation Interests   (664)   (0.05)   (650)   (0.04)
                     
Adjusted NAV after giving effect to Special Limited Partner's Purchases of Subordinated Participation Interests  $134,514   $10.00   $136,260   $10.00 
                     
Shares of Common Stock Outstanding   13,451         13,626      
                     
NAV attributable to Special Limited Partner's Cash Purchase of Subordinated Participation Interests  $11,427   $0.85   $11,441   $0.84 
                     
NAV without Special Limited Partner's Cash Purchases of Subordinated Participation Interests  $123,087   $9.15   $124,819   $9.16 

 

Use of Independent Valuation Firm:

 

As discussed above, our Advisor is responsible for calculating our NAV. In connection with determining our NAV, our Advisor may rely on the material assistance or confirmation of a third-party valuation expert or service. In this regard, M&S was selected by our board of directors to assist our Advisor in the calculation of our estimated NAV and resulting estimated NAV per Share as of December 31, 2018. M&S’s services included appraising the M&S Appraised Properties and preparing the December 2018 NAV Report. M&S is engaged in the business of appraising commercial real estate properties and is not affiliated with us or our Advisor. The compensation we paid to M&S was based on the scope of work and not on the appraised values of our real estate properties. The appraisals were performed in accordance with the Code of Ethics and the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, or USPAP, the real estate appraisal industry standards created by The Appraisal Foundation. The M&S Appraisal Reports were reviewed, approved, and signed by an individual with the professional designation of MAI licensed in the state where each real property is located. The use of the reports is subject to the requirements of the Appraisal Institute relating to review by its duly authorized representatives. In preparing its reports, M&S did not, and was not requested to; solicit third-party indications of interest for our common stock in connection with possible purchases thereof or the acquisition of all or any part of us.

 

M&S collected reasonably available material information that it deemed relevant in appraising these real estate properties. M&S relied in part on property-level information provided by our Advisor, including (i) property historical and projected operating revenues and expenses; and (ii) information regarding recent or planned capital expenditures.

 

 10 

 

 

In conducting their investigation and analyses, M&S took into account customary and accepted financial and commercial procedures and considerations as they deemed relevant. Although M&S reviewed information supplied or otherwise made available by us or our Advisor for reasonableness, they assumed and relied upon the accuracy and completeness of all such information and of all information supplied or otherwise made available to them by any other party and did not independently verify any such information. M&S assumed that any operating or financial forecasts and other information and data provided to or otherwise reviewed by or discussed with M&S were reasonably prepared in good faith on bases reflecting the then best currently available estimates and judgments of our management, our board of directors, and/or our Advisor. M&S relied on us to advise them promptly if any information previously provided became inaccurate or was required to be updated during the period of their review.

 

In performing its analyses, M&S made numerous other assumptions as of various points in time with respect to industry performance, general business, economic, and regulatory conditions, and other matters, many of which are beyond their control and our control. M&S also made assumptions with respect to certain factual matters. For example, unless specifically informed to the contrary, M&S assumed that we have clear and marketable title to each real estate property appraised, that no title defects exist, that any improvements were made in accordance with law, that no hazardous materials are present or were present previously, that no significant deed restrictions exist, and that no changes to zoning ordinances or regulations governing use, density, or shape are pending or being considered. Furthermore, M&S’s analyses, opinions, and conclusions were necessarily based upon market, economic, financial, and other circumstances and conditions existing as of or prior to the date of the M&S Appraisal Reports, and any material change in such circumstances and conditions may affect M&S’s analyses and conclusions. The M&S Appraisal Reports contain other assumptions, qualifications, and limitations that qualify the analyses, opinions, and conclusions set forth therein. Furthermore, the prices at which our real estate properties may actually be sold could differ from M&S’s analyses.

 

M&S is actively engaged in the business of appraising commercial real estate properties similar to those owned by us in connection with public security offerings, private placements, business combinations, and similar transactions. We do not believe that there are any material conflicts of interest between M&S, on the one hand, and us, our Sponsor, our Advisor, and our affiliates, on the other hand. Our Advisor engaged M&S on behalf of our board of directors to deliver their reports to assist in the NAV calculation as of December 31, 2018 and M&S received compensation for those efforts. In addition, we agreed to indemnify M&S against certain liabilities arising out of this engagement. M&S has previously assisted in our prior NAV calculations and has also been engaged by us for certain valuation services with respect to our acquisitions. M&S may from time to time in the future perform other services for us and our Sponsor or other affiliates of the Sponsor, so long as such other services do not adversely affect the independence of M&S as certified in the M&S Appraisal Reports. During the past year M&S has also been engaged to provide appraisal services to another non-traded REIT sponsored by our Sponsor as well as to affiliates of our Sponsor for which it was paid usual and customary fees.

 

Although M&S considered any comments received from us and our Advisor relating to their reports, the final appraised values of the M&S Appraised Properties were determined by M&S. The reports were addressed to our board of directors to assist our board of directors in calculating an estimated NAV per Share as of December 31, 2018. The reports were not addressed to the public, may not be relied upon by any other person to establish an estimated value per share of our common stock, and do not constitute a recommendation to any person to purchase or sell any shares of our common stock.

 

Our goal in calculating our estimated NAV is to arrive at values that are reasonable and supportable using what we deem to be appropriate valuation methodologies and assumptions. The reports, including the analysis, opinions, and conclusions set forth in such reports, are qualified by the assumptions, qualifications, and limitations set forth in the respective reports. The following is a summary of our valuation methodologies used to value our assets and liabilities by key component:

 

Real Estate Assets:

 

We have consolidated and unconsolidated ownership interests in 11 real estate properties (collectively, the ‘‘Real Estate Assets’’). As of December 31, 2018, on a collective basis, we (i) wholly owned and consolidated the operating results and financial condition of nine hospitality properties, or select services hotels, containing a total of 999 rooms (collectively, the Consolidated Real Estate Properties”), (ii) held a 22.5% membership interest in The Cove Joint Venture, an affiliated real estate entity, which owns a 281-unit luxury waterfront multi-family rental property located in Tiburon, California (“The Cove”) and (iii) held a 50.0% membership interest in the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture, an affiliated real estate entity, which owns the Hilton Garden Inn – Long Island City, a 183-room, limited service hotel located in Long Island City, New York (the “Hilton Garden Inn – Long Island City”). We do not consolidate our ownership interests in The Cove Joint Venture or the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture but rather account for them both under the equity method of accounting.

 

 11 

 

 

As described above, we engaged M&S to provide an appraisal of the M&S Appraised Properties, which consisted of all of the Real Estate Assets in which we held ownership interests as of December 31, 2018. In preparing the appraisal reports, M&S, among other things:

 

performed a site visit of each property in connection with this assignment or other assignments;
interviewed our officers or the Advisor’s personnel to obtain information relating to the physical condition of each appraised property, including known environmental conditions, status of ongoing or planned property additions and reconfigurations, and other factors for such leased properties; and
reviewed the acquisition criteria and parameters used by real estate investors for properties similar to the subject properties, including a search of real estate data sources and publications concerning real estate buyer’s criteria, discussions with sources deemed appropriate, and a review of transaction data for similar properties.

 

The following summarizes the valuation approach used for our Consolidated Real Estate Properties:

 

M&S employed the income approach and the sales comparison approach to estimate the value of the appraised properties included in our Consolidated Real Estate Properties. The income approach involves an economic analysis of the property based on its potential to provide future net annual income. As part of the valuation, a discounted cash flow analysis (‘‘DCF Analysis’’) and direct capitalization analysis was used in the income approach to determine the value of our interest in the portfolio. The indicated value by the income approach represents the amount an investor may pay for the expectation of receiving the net cash flow from the property.

 

The direct capitalization analysis is based upon the net operating income of the property capitalized at an appropriate capitalization rate for the property based upon property characteristics and competitive position and market conditions at the date of the appraisal.

 

In applying the DCF Analysis, pro forma statements of operations for the property including revenues and expenses are analyzed and projected over a multi-year period. The property is assumed to be sold at the end of the multi-year holding period. The reversion value of the property which can be realized upon sale at the end of the holding period is calculated based on the capitalization of the estimated net operating income of the property in the year of sale, utilizing a capitalization rate deemed appropriate in light of the age, anticipated functional and economic obsolescence and competitive position of the property at the time of sale. Net proceeds to owners are determined by deducting appropriate costs of sale. The discount rate selected for the DCF Analysis is based upon estimated target rates of return for buyers of similar properties.

 

The sales comparison approach utilizes indices of value derived from actual or proposed sales of comparable properties to estimate the value of the subject property. The appraiser analyzed such comparable sale data as was available to develop a market value conclusion for the subject property.

 

M&S prepared the Consolidated Appraisal Reports, summarizing key inputs and assumptions, for each of the appraised properties using financial information provided by us and our Advisor. From such review, M&S selected the appropriate cash flow discount rate, residual discount rate, and terminal capitalization rate in the DCF Analysis, the appropriate capitalization rate in the direct capitalization analysis and the appropriate price per unit in the sales comparison analysis.

 

The estimated values for our investments in real estate may or may not represent current market values and do not equal the book values of our real estate investments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Our consolidated investments in real estate are currently carried in our consolidated financial statements at their amortized cost basis, adjusted for any loss impairments and bargain purchase gains recognized to date. Our unconsolidated investments in real estate are accounted for under the equity method of accounting in our consolidated financial statements.

 

The following summarizes the key assumptions that were used in the discounted cash flow models to estimate the value of our Consolidated Real Estate Properties and the Hilton Garden Inn – Long Island City as of December 31, 2018:

 

   Consolidated   Unconsolidated 
   Real Estate Properties   Real Estate Property 
   (9 hospitality properties)   (1 hospitality property) 
Weighted-average:          
Exit capitalization rate   8.51%   6.00%
Discount rate   9.14%   7.00%
Annual market rent growth rate   3.21%   3.03%
Annual net operating income growth rate   3.78%   13.06%
Holding period (in years)   10.0    10.0 

 

While we believe that the assumptions made by M&S are reasonable, a change in these assumptions would impact the calculations of the estimated value of Consolidated Real Estate Properties and the Hilton Garden Inn – Long Island City. Assuming all other factors remain unchanged, the following table summarizes the estimated change in the values (dollars in thousands) of the Consolidated Real Estate Properties and the Hilton Garden Inn – Long Island City (our 50% ownership) which would result from a 25 basis point increase or decrease in exit capitalization rates and discount rates:

 

 12 

 

 

   Consolidated   Unconsolidated 
   Real Estate Properties   Real Estate Property 
   (9 hospitality properties)   (1 hospitality property) 
Increase of 25 basis points:          
Exit capitalization rate  $(2,265)  $(575)
Discount rate  $(2,773)  $(455)
Decrease of 25 basis points:          
Exit capitalization rate  $2,388   $628 
Discount rate  $2,706   $469 

 

As of December 31, 2018, the aggregate estimated fair value of our interests in the Consolidated Real Estate Properties was approximately $166.3 million and the aggregate cost of our Consolidated Real Estate Properties was approximately $147.1 million, including approximately $9.8 million of capital improvements invested subsequent to acquisition. The estimated fair value of our Consolidated Real Estate Properties compared to the original acquisition price plus subsequent capital improvements through December 31, 2018, results in an estimated overall increase in the real estate value of 13.1%.

 

As of December 31, 2018, the estimated fair value of our 50.0% ownership interest in the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture of approximately $14.4 million was calculated based on the gross appraised value of the Hilton Garden Inn – Long Island City of $62.3 million less the fair value of the outstanding mortgage indebtedness of $34.2 million plus all other non-real estate assets, net of $0.7 million. The estimated fair value of our 50.0% ownership interest in the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture compared to our carrying value of $12.8 million, both as of December 31, 2018, equates to an increase in value of 12.9%.

 

The following summarizes the valuation approach used for The Cove Joint Venture:

 

M&S employed both an income approach and a sales comparison approach to estimate the value of The Cove. For the income approach, M&S used a direct capitalization analysis which was based upon the net operating income of the property capitalized at an appropriate capitalization rate for the property based upon property characteristics and competitive position and market conditions at the date of the appraisal. The sales comparison approach utilized indices of value derived from actual or proposed sales of comparable properties to estimate the value of the subject property. The appraiser analyzed such comparable sales data as was available to develop a market value conclusion for the subject property.

 

M&S prepared The Cove Appraisal Report, summarizing key inputs and assumptions, using financial information provided by us and our Advisor. From such review, M&S determined a gross fair value of $266.0 million for The Cove, which equates to a capitalization rate of 4.01% for their direct capitalization analysis and a price per unit of $939,046 for their sales comparison analysis.

 

While we believe that the assumptions made by M&S are reasonable, a change in these assumptions would impact the calculations of the estimated values of The Cove. Assuming all other factors remain unchanged, a 25 basis point increase and decrease in the capitalization rates would result in a total decrease of $16.0 million ($3.6 million for our 22.5% ownership interest) and a total increase of $18.0 million ($4.1 million for our 22.5% ownership interest), respectively, in the value of The Cove as of December 31, 2018.

 

As of December 31, 2018, the estimated fair value of our 22.5% ownership interest in the Cove Joint Venture of approximately $20.9 million was calculated based on the gross appraised value of The Cove of $266.0 million less the fair value of the outstanding mortgage indebtedness of $174.1 million plus all other non-real estate assets, net of $1.2 million. The estimated fair value of our 22.5% ownership interest in the Cove Joint Venture compared to our carrying value of $17.2 million, both as of December 31, 2018, equates to an increase in value of 21.6%.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents: The estimated value of our cash and cash equivalents approximate its carrying value.

 

Due from/(to) Related Parties: The estimated value of our due from/(to) related parties approximates its carrying value due to its short maturity.

 

Other Assets: Our other assets consist of tenant accounts receivable, deposits, and prepaid expenses and other assets. The estimated values of these items approximate their carrying values due to their short maturities. Certain other items, primarily intangibles, have been eliminated for the purpose of the valuation because those items are already considered in our valuation of the respective investments in real estate properties or financial instruments.

 

Mortgages Payable: Our mortgages payable include both variable and fixed interest rate debt facilities. The estimated value of our variable rate facility was assumed to approximate its outstanding principal balance because it bears interest at a variable rate. The estimated values for our fixed rate facility was estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis, which used inputs based on the remaining loan term and estimated current market interest rate for mortgage loans with similar characteristics, including remaining loan term and loan-to-value ratios. The current market interest rate was generally determined based on market rates for available comparable debt. The estimated current market interest rate for our fixed rate facility was 6.07%.

 

 13 

 

 

Other Liabilities: Our other liabilities consist of our accounts payable and accrued expenses, deposits payable and distributions payable. The carrying values of these items were considered to equal their fair value due to their short maturities.

 

Allocations of Value to Special Limited Partner’s Subordinated Participation Interests: The special limited partner’s subordinated participation interests are classified in noncontrolling interests on our consolidated balance sheet. However, for purposes of our NAV, we do not estimate their fair value in accordance with GAAP. Rather, the IPA’s Practice Guideline 2013-01 provides for adjustments to the NAV for preferred securities, special interests and incentive fees based on the aggregate NAV of the company and payable to the sponsor in a hypothetical liquidation of the company as of the valuation date in accordance with the provisions of the partnership or advisory agreements and the terms of the preferred securities. Because our subordinated participation interests are only payable to the special limited partner in a liquidation event, we believe they should be valued for our NAV in accordance with these provisions.

 

Accordingly, pursuant to the terms of our operating agreement, no allocations of value are made to the special limited partner’s subordinated participation interests unless the estimated NAV per Share would have exceeded $10.00 per share plus a cumulative, pre-tax non-compounded annual return of 6.0% as of the indicated valuation date. Through December 31, 2018, the special limited partner made cash purchases of subordinated participation interests totaling approximately $12.1 million. In the calculation of our estimated NAV, an approximately $0.7 million allocation of value was made to the special limited partner’s subordinated participation interests representing the amount by which the estimated NAV per Share would have exceeded an aggregate $10.00 price per share plus a cumulative, pre-tax non-compounded annual return of 6.0% as of December 31, 2018. Accordingly, the net portion of the NAV attributable to the special limited partner’s cash purchases of subordinated participation interests was approximately $11.4 million as of December 31, 2018.

 

Limitations and Risks

 

As with any valuation methodology, the methodology used to determine our estimated NAV and resulting estimated NAV per Share is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that may prove later not to be accurate or complete. Further, different market participants with different property-specific and general real estate and capital market assumptions, estimates, judgments and standards could derive different estimated NAVs per share, which could be significantly different from the estimated NAV per Share approved by our board of directors. The estimated NAV per Share approved by our board of directors does not represent the fair value of our assets less liabilities in accordance with GAAP, and such estimated NAV per Share is not a representation, warranty or guarantee that:

 

a stockholder would be able to resell his or her shares of common stock at the estimated NAV per Share;
a stockholder would ultimately realize distributions per share of common stock equal to the estimated NAV per Share upon liquidation of our assets and settlement of our liabilities or a sale of the Company;
our shares of common stock would trade at the estimated NAV per Share on a national securities exchange;
an independent third-party appraiser or other third-party valuation firm would agree with the estimated NAV per Share; or
the methodology used to estimate our NAV per Share would be acceptable to FINRA or under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act with respect to their respective requirements.

 

The Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Labor do not provide any guidance on the methodology an issuer must use to determine its estimated NAV per Share. FINRA guidance provides that NAV valuations be derived from a methodology that conforms to standard industry practice.

 

As with any valuation methodology, our methodology is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that may not be accurate or complete. Different parties with different assumptions and estimates could derive different estimated NAVs per share, and these differences could be significant. The estimated NAV per Share is not audited and does not represent the fair value of our assets less our liabilities in accordance GAAP, nor do they represent an actual liquidation value of our assets and liabilities or the amount shares of our common stock would trade at on a national securities exchange. As of the date of this filing, although we have not sought stockholder approval to adopt a plan of liquidation of the Company, certain distributions may be payable to the special limited partner for its subordinated participation interests in connection with a liquidation event. Accordingly, our estimated NAV reflects any allocations of value to the subordinated participation interests representing the amount that would be payable to the special limited partner in connection with a liquidation event pursuant to the guidelines for estimating NAV contained in IPA Practice Guideline 2013-01, ‘‘Valuation of Publicly Registered Non-Listed REITs.’’ Our estimated NAV per Share is based on the estimated value of our assets less the estimated value of our liabilities less any allocations to the special limited partner’s subordinated participation interests divided by the number of our diluted shares of common stock outstanding, all as of the date indicated. Our estimated NAV per Share does not reflect a discount for the fact we are externally managed, nor does it reflect a real estate portfolio premium/discount versus the sum of the individual property values. Our estimated NAV per Share does not take into account estimated disposition costs or fees or penalties, if any, that may apply upon the prepayment of certain of our debt obligations or the impact of restrictions on the assumption of certain debt. Our NAV per Share will fluctuate over time as a result of, among other things, future acquisitions or dispositions of assets, developments related to individual assets and the management of those assets and changes in the real estate and capital markets. Different parties using different assumptions and estimates could derive different NAVs and resulting estimated NAVs per share, and these differences could be significant. Markets for real estate and real estate-related investments can fluctuate and values are expected to change in the future. We currently expect that our Advisor will estimate our NAV on at least an annual basis. Our board of directors will review and approve each estimate of NAV and resulting estimated NAV per Share.

 

 14 

 

 

The following factors may cause a stockholder not to ultimately realize distributions per share of common stock equal to the estimated NAV per Share upon liquidation:

 

The methodology used to determine estimated NAV per Share includes a number of estimates and assumptions that may not prove to be accurate or complete as compared to the actual amounts received in the liquidation;
In a liquidation, certain assets may not be liquidated at their estimated values because of transfer fees and disposition fees, which are not reflected in the estimated NAV calculation;
In a liquidation, debt obligations may have to be prepaid and the costs of any prepayment penalties may reduce the liquidation amounts. Prepayment penalties are not included in determining the estimated value of liabilities in determining estimated NAV;
In a liquidation, the real estate assets may derive a portfolio premium which premium is not considered in determining estimated NAV;
In a liquidation, the potential buyers of the assets may use different estimates and assumptions than those used in determining estimated NAV;
If the liquidation occurs through a listing of the common stock on a national securities exchange, the capital markets may value the Company’s net assets at a different amount than the estimated NAV. Such valuation would likely be based upon customary REIT valuation methodology including funds from operation (‘‘FFO’’) multiples of other comparable REITs, FFO coverage of dividends and adjusted FFO payout of the Company’s anticipated dividend; and
If the liquidation occurs through a merger of the Company with another REIT, the amount realized for the common stock may not equal the estimated NAV per Share because of many factors including the aggregate consideration received, the make-up of the consideration (e.g., cash, stock or both), the performance of any stock received as part of the consideration during the merger process and thereafter, the reception of the merger in the market and whether the market believes the pricing of the merger was fair to both parties.

 

Share Repurchase Program

 

Our share repurchase program may provide eligible stockholders with limited, interim liquidity by enabling them to sell shares of common stock back to us, subject to restrictions and applicable law. A selling stockholder must be unaffiliated with us, and must have beneficially held the shares of common stock for at least one year prior to offering the shares of common stock for sale to us through the share repurchase program. Subject to certain limitations, we may also redeem shares of common stock upon the request of the estate, heir or beneficiary of a deceased stockholder.

 

The prices at which stockholders who have held shares of common stock for the required one-year period may offer to sell shares of common stock back to us are as follows:

 

in the case of the death of a stockholder: our NAV per Common Share;

 

the below percentages, except for in the case of the death of a stockholder: our estimated value per Common Share

 

92.5% for stockholders who have continuously held their Common Shares for at least one year;

 

95% for stockholders who have continuously held their Common Shares for at least two years;

 

97.5% for stockholders who have continuously held their Common Shares for at least three years; and

 

100% for stockholders who have continuously held their Common Shares for at least four years.

 

Pursuant to the terms of our share repurchase program, we may make repurchases, if requested, at least once quarterly provided repurchases do not impair our capital or operations, as discussed further below. Each stockholder whose repurchase request is granted will receive the repurchase amount 30 days after the fiscal quarter in which we grant his, her or its repurchase request. Subject to certain limitations, we may also repurchase Common Shares upon the request of the estate, heir or beneficiary of a deceased stockholder. We may limit the number of Common Shares repurchased pursuant to our share repurchase program as follows: during any 12-month period, we will not repurchase in excess of 5.0% of the weighted average number of Common Shares outstanding during the prior calendar year; provided, however, that Common Shares repurchased in the case of the death of a stockholder will not count against this 5.0% limit.

 

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From inception through December 31, 2017 we repurchased 81,828 shares of common stock, pursuant to our share repurchase program. We repurchased the shares at an average price per share of $9.76 per share. For the year ended December 31, 2018, 174,338 shares of common stock have been repurchased under our share repurchase program at an average price per share of $9.65 per share. We funded share repurchases for the periods noted above from the cumulative proceeds of the sale of our shares pursuant to our DRIP and from our operating funds.

 

Our Board of Directors, at its sole discretion, has the power to terminate the share repurchase program, change the price per share under the share repurchase program or reduce the number of shares purchased under the program, if it determines that the funds allocated to the share repurchase program are needed for other purposes, such as the acquisition, maintenance or repair of properties, or for use in making a declared distribution. A determination by our Board of Directors to eliminate or reduce the share repurchase program requires the unanimous affirmative vote of the independent directors.

 

Distributions

 

U.S. federal income tax law requires that a REIT distribute annually at least 90% of its REIT taxable income (which does not equal net income, as calculated in accordance with GAAP) determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gain. In order to continue to qualify or qualify for REIT status, we may be required to make distributions in excess of cash available.

 

Distributions, if any, are authorized at the discretion of our Board of Directors based on their analysis of our performance over the previous periods and expectations of performance for future periods. Such analyses may include actual and anticipated operating cash flow, capital expenditure needs, general financial and market conditions, proceeds from asset sales and other factors that our board of directors deem relevant. Our Board of Directors’ decisions will be substantially influenced by their obligation to ensure that we maintain our federal tax status as a REIT. We may fund distributions with cash proceeds from t borrowings if we do not generate sufficient cash flow from our operations to fund distributions. Our ability to pay regular distributions and the size of these distributions will depend upon a variety of factors. For example, our borrowing policy permits us to incur short-term indebtedness, having a maturity of two years or less, and we may have to borrow funds on a short-term basis to meet the distribution requirements that are necessary to achieve the tax benefits associated with qualifying as a REIT. We cannot assure that regular distributions will continue to be made or that we will maintain any particular level of distributions that we have established or may establish.

 

We are an accrual basis taxpayer, and as such our REIT taxable income could be higher than the cash available to us. We may therefore borrow to make distributions, which could reduce the cash available to us, in order to distribute 90% of our REIT taxable income as a condition to our election to be taxed as a REIT. These distributions made with borrowed funds may constitute a return of capital to stockholders. “Return of capital” refers to distributions to investors in excess of net income. To the extent that distributions to stockholders exceed earnings and profits, such amounts constitute a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but only to the extent of a stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in our shares, although such distributions might not reduce stockholders’ aggregate invested capital. Because our earnings and profits are reduced for depreciation and other non-cash items, it is likely that a portion of each distribution will constitute a tax-deferred return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Distributions Declared by our Board of Directors and Source of Distributions

 

On January 14, 2015, our Board of Directors authorized and we declared a distribution rate which is calculated based on stockholders of record each day during the applicable period at a rate of $0.00164383 per day, and equals a daily amount that, if paid each day for a 365-day period, would equal a 6.0% annualized rate based on a share price of $10.00. The first distribution began to accrue on December 11, 2014 (date of breaking escrow) through February 28, 2015 (the end of the month following our initial property acquisition) and subsequent distributions have been declared on a monthly basis thereafter. The first distribution was paid on March 15, 2015 and subsequent distributions have been paid on or about the 15th day following each month end to stockholders of record at the close of business on the last day of the prior month.

 

Total distributions declared during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were $8.1 million and $8.0 million.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, we paid distributions of $8.1 million, of which $4.9 million, or 60%, was funded from our cash flows provided by operations and $3.2 million, or 40%, was funded from available cash on hand. During the year ended December 31, 2017, we declared distributions of $8.0 million, of which $5.2 million, or 65%, was funded from our cash flows provided by operations, $1.9 million, or 24%, was funded from proceeds from our Offering and $0.9 million, or 11%, was funded from proceeds from common stock issued under the DRIP.

 

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Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

The description of the sale of Subordinated Participations Interests set forth under “- Use of Public Offering Proceeds” is incorporated herein by reference. The Subordinated Participation Interests were issued pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Use of Public Offering Proceeds

 

Our registration statement on Form S-11 (the “Offering”), pursuant to which we are offered to sell up to 30,000,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share (which may be referred to herein as ‘‘shares of common stock’’ or as ‘‘Common Shares’’) at an initial price of $10.00 per share, subject to certain volume and other discounts (the “Primary Offering”) (exclusive of 10,000,000 shares which were available pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan (the “DRIP”) at an initial purchase price of $9.50 per share) was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933 on July 15, 2014.

 

The Offering, which terminated on March 31, 2017, raised aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $131.7 million from the sale of approximately 13.4 million shares of common stock (including $2.0 million in Common Shares at a purchase price of $9.00 per Common Share to an entity 100% owned by David Lichtenstein, who also owns a majority interest in the Company’s Sponsor). After including the purchase of an aggregate of $12.1 million of subordinated participation interests (“Subordinated Participation Interests”) in the Operating Partnership by Lightstone SLP III LLC (the “Special Limited Partner”) and allowing for the payment of approximately $12.2 million in selling commissions and dealer manager fees and $4.8 million in organization and other offering expenses, the Offering generated aggregate net proceeds of approximately $126.8 million.

 

On April 21, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the termination of the DRIP effective May 15, 2017. Previously, the Company’s stockholders had an option to elect the receipt of shares of the Company’s common stock in lieu of cash distributions under the Company’s DRIP, however, all subsequent distributions have been in the form of cash. In addition, through May 15, 2017 (the termination date of the DRIP), the Company had issued approximately 0.3 million shares of common stock under its DRIP, representing approximately $3.2 million of additional proceeds under the Offering.

 

As of December 31, 2018, our Advisor owned 20,000 shares of common stock which were issued on December 24, 2014 for $200,000 or $10.00 per share.

 

We invested the proceeds received from the Offering and our Advisor in our Operating Partnership, and as a result, held a 99% general partnership interest as of December 31, 2018 in the Operating Partnership’s common units.

 

In connection with our Offering, which terminated on March 31, 2017, the Special Limited Partner purchased an aggregate of 242 Subordinated Participation Interests for consideration of $12.1 million from the Operating Partnership. The Subordinated Participation Interests were each purchased for $50,000 in consideration and may be entitled to receive liquidation distributions upon the liquidation of Lightstone REIT III.

 

We utilized a portion of our public offering proceeds towards funding the dealer manager fees, selling commissions and organization and other offering costs of our Primary Offering.

 

Below is a summary of the expenses we have incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the registered securities since inception:

 

(Dollars in Thousands)      
Type of Expense Amount     
Selling commissions and dealer manager fees  $12,189 
Other offering costs   4,764 
Total offering expenses  incurred from inception through December 31, 2018  $16,953 

 

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Cumulatively, through December 31, 2018, we have used our net offering proceeds of $126.8 million (including the purchase of an aggregate of $12.1 million of Subordinated Participation Interests by the Special Limited Partner), after deducting the offering costs incurred of $17.0 million, as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)    
     
Purchase of investment properties, net of financings  $106,104 
Cash   8,567 
Cash distributions not funded by operations   5,827 
Funding of restricted escrows   1,673 
Marketable securities   4,215 
Other uses (primarily timing of payables)   463 
      
Total uses  $126,849 

 

ITEM 7.     MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:

 

You should read the following discussion and analysis together with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The following information contains forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Please see “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” above for a description of these risks and uncertainties.

 

Organization and Offering

 

Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust III, Inc. (the ‘‘Lightstone REIT III’’) is a Maryland corporation, formed on October 5, 2012, which elected to qualify to be taxed as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes (“REIT”) beginning with the taxable year ending December 31, 2015.

 

Lightstone REIT III is structured as an umbrella partnership REIT (“UPREIT”), and substantially all of its current and future business is and will be conducted through Lightstone Value Plus REIT III LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Operating Partnership”).

 

Lightstone REIT III primarily has and intends to continue to acquire and operate full-service or select-service hotels, including extended-stay hotels and to a lesser extent other commercial and residential properties, principally in North America. Principally through the Lightstone Value Plus REIT III, LP, (the “Operating Partnership”), our acquisitions may include both portfolios and individual properties.

 

Lightstone REIT III and the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the “Company” and the use of “we,” “our,” “us” or similar pronouns in this annual report refers to the Lightstone REIT III, its Operating Partnership or the Company as required by the context in which such pronoun is used.

 

We have and will continue to seek to acquire a diverse portfolio of real estate assets and real estate-related investments, including hotels, other commercial and/or residential properties, primarily located in the United States. All such properties may be acquired and operated by us alone or jointly with another party. We may also originate or acquire mortgage loans secured by real estate. Although we expect that most of our investments will be of these types, we may make other investments. In fact, we may invest in whatever types of real estate-related investments that we believe are in our best interests.

 

Our registration statement on Form S-11 (the “Offering”), pursuant to which we are offered to sell up to 30,000,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share (which may be referred to herein as ‘‘shares of common stock’’ or as ‘‘Common Shares’’) at an initial price of $10.00 per share, subject to certain volume and other discounts (the “Primary Offering”) (exclusive of 10,000,000 shares which were available pursuant to its distribution reinvestment plan (the “DRIP”) at an initial purchase price of $9.50 per share) was declared effective by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933 on July 15, 2014.

 

The Offering, which terminated on March 31, 2017, raised aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $131.7 million from the sale of approximately 13.4 million shares of common stock (including $2.0 million in Common Shares at a purchase price of $9.00 per Common Share to an entity 100% owned by David Lichtenstein, who also owns a majority interest in the Company’s Sponsor). After including the purchase of an aggregate of $12.1 million of subordinated participation interests (the “Subordinated Participation Interests”) in the Operating Partnership by Lightstone SLP III LLC (the “Special Limited Partner”) and allowing for the payment of approximately $12.2 million in selling commissions and dealer manager fees and $4.8 million in organization and other offering expenses, the Offering generated aggregate net proceeds of approximately $126.8 million.

 

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On April 21, 2017, our Board of Directors approved the termination of the DRIP effective May 15, 2017. Previously, our stockholders had an option to elect the receipt of shares of our common stock in lieu of cash distributions under the Company’s DRIP. As a result, all subsequent distributions have been in the form of cash. Through May 15, 2017 (the termination date of the DRIP), we issued approximately 0.3 million shares of common stock under the DRIP, representing approximately $3.2 million of additional proceeds under the Offering.

 

In connection with our Offering, which terminated on March 31, 2017, the Special Limited Partner purchased an aggregate of 242 Subordinated Participation Interests for consideration of $12.1 million from the Operating Partnership. The Subordinated Participation Interests were each purchased for $50,000 in consideration and may be entitled to receive liquidation distributions upon the liquidation of Lightstone REIT III.

 

We do not have employees. We entered into an advisory agreement with Lightstone Value Plus REIT III LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which we refer to as the “Advisor,” pursuant to which the Advisor supervises and manages our day-to-day operations and selects our real estate and real estate related investments, subject to oversight by our Board of Directors. We pay the Advisor fees for services related to the investment and management of our assets, and we will reimburse the Advisor for certain expenses incurred on our behalf.

 

To qualify or maintain our qualification as a REIT, we engage in certain activities through a wholly-owned taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”). As such, we are subject to U.S. federal and state income and franchise taxes from these activities.

 

Acquisitions and Investment Strategy

 

We have made and intend to continue to make direct or indirect real estate investments that will satisfy our primary investment objectives of preserving capital, making cash distributions as necessary to maintain our status as a REIT and achieving appreciation of our assets over the long term. The ability of our Advisor to identify and execute investment opportunities directly impacts our financial performance.

 

We will continue to seek to acquire and operate hotels and other commercial real estate assets, residential properties and make other real estate-related investments primarily located in the United States. We may acquire and operate all such properties alone or jointly with another party.

 

The following summarizes our completed acquisitions and investments from our inception through December 31, 2018:

 

·On February 4, 2015 we acquired a 120-room select service Hampton Inn Hotel (the “Hampton Inn – Des Moines”) located in Des Moines, Iowa;

 

·On May 15, 2015 we acquired a 146-room select service Courtyard by Marriott Hotel (the “Courtyard - Durham”) located in Durham, North Carolina;

 

·On March 10, 2016 we acquired an 86-room select service Hampton Inn Hotel (the “Hampton Inn – Lansing”) located in Lansing, Michigan;

 

·On March 23, 2016 we acquired a 92-room select service Courtyard by Marriott Hotel (the “Courtyard - Warwick”) located in Warwick, Rhode Island;

 

·On May 2, 2016 we acquired a 127-room select service SpringHill Suites by Marriott Hotel (the “SpringHill Suites – Green Bay”) located in Green Bay, Wisconsin;

 

·On August 2, 2016 we acquired a portfolio of two select service Home2 Suites by Hilton Hotels, a 139-room select service hotel located in Tukwila, Washington (the “Home2 Suites – Tukwila”) and a 125-room select service hotel located in Salt Lake City, Utah (the “Home2 Suites – Salt Lake” and collectively the “Home2 Suites Hotel Portfolio”);

 

·On September 13, 2016 we acquired an 84-room select service Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Hotel (the “Fairfield Inn – Austin”) located in Austin, Texas; and

 

·On October 7, 2016 we acquired an 80-room select service Staybridge Suites Hotel (the “Staybridge Suites– Austin”) located in Austin, Texas.

 

·On January 31, 2017 we along with LSG Cove LLC, an affiliate of our Sponsor, our Sponsor’s other public program, Lightstone Real Estate Income Trust Inc. (“Lightstone IV”) and Maximus Cove Investor LLC (“Maximus”), an unrelated third party acquired the membership interests in RP Maximus Cove L.L.C. (the “Cove Joint Venture”) from an unrelated third party. We, LSG Cove LLC, Lightstone IV and Maximus have 22.5%, 45.0%, 22.5% and 10.0% membership interests in the Cove Joint Venture, respectively. The Cove Joint Venture owns and operates The Cove at Tiburon (the “Cove”), a multi-family complex consisting of 281-units, or 289,690 square feet, contained within 32 apartment buildings over 20.1 acres, located in Tiburon, California.

 

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·On, March 27, 2018 we acquired a 50.0% membership interest in LVP LIC Hotel JV LLC (the “Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture”), a joint venture between us and our Sponsor’s other public program, Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust II, Inc (“Lightstone II”). Lightstone II also acquired a 50.0% membership interest in the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture. On March 27, 2018, the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture acquired a 183-room, limited-service hotel located in Long Island City, New York (the “Hilton Garden Inn - Long Island City”).

 

 Current Environment

 

Our operating results as well as our investment opportunities are impacted by the health of the North American economies.  Our business and financial performance may be adversely affected by current and future economic conditions, such as availability of credit, financial markets volatility, and recession.

 

Our business may be affected by market and economic challenges experienced by the U.S. and global economies. These conditions may materially affect the value and performance of our properties, and may affect our ability to pay distributions, the availability or the terms of financing that we have or may anticipate utilizing, and our ability to make principal and interest payments on, or refinance, any outstanding debt when due.

 

We are not aware of any other material trends or uncertainties, favorable or unfavorable, other than national economic conditions affecting real estate generally, that may be reasonably anticipated to have a material impact on either capital resources or the revenues or income to be derived from the acquisition and operation of real estate and real estate related investments, other than those referred to in this Form 10-K.

 

Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies

 

General.

 

Our consolidated financial statements included in this annual report include our accounts and the Operating Partnership (over which we exercise financial and operating control). All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments about the effects of matters or future events that are inherently uncertain. These estimates and judgments may affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.

 

On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including contingencies and litigation. We base these estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable in the circumstances. These estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

To assist in understanding our results of operations and financial position, we have identified our critical accounting policies and discussed them below. These accounting policies are most important to the portrayal of our results and financial position, either because of the significance of the financial statement items to which they relate or because they require management's most difficult, subjective or complex judgments.

 

Investments in Real Estate

 

Accounting for Asset Acquisitions

 

When the Company makes an investment in real estate assets, the cost of real estate assets acquired in an asset acquisition are allocated to the acquired tangible assets, consisting of land, building and improvements, furniture and fixtures and identified intangible assets and liabilities, consisting of the value of above-market and below-market leases, acquired in-place leases, and the value of tenant relationships, based in each case on their relative fair values, at the date of acquisition, based on evaluation of information and estimates available at that date, including independent appraisals that may be obtained in connection with the acquisition or financing of the respective property and other relevant market data. As final information regarding relative fair value of the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and noncontrolling interests is received and estimates are refined, appropriate adjustments are made to the purchase price allocation. The allocations are finalized as soon as all the information necessary is available and in no case later than within twelve months from the acquisition date. Fees incurred related to asset acquisitions are capitalized as part of the cost of the investment.

 

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Accounting for Real Estate Acquisitions

 

 Upon the acquisition of real estate operating properties that meet the definition of a business, the Company estimates the fair value of acquired tangible assets and identified intangible assets and liabilities and certain liabilities such as assumed debt and contingent liabilities, at the date of acquisition, based on evaluation of information and estimates available at that date, including independent appraisals that may be obtained in connection with the acquisition or financing of the respective property and other relevant market data. Based on these estimates, the Company evaluates the existence of goodwill or a gain from a bargain purchase and allocates the fair value to the applicable assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests, if any. As final information regarding fair value of the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and noncontrolling interests is received and estimates are refined, appropriate adjustments are made to the purchase price allocation. The allocations are finalized as soon as all the information necessary is available and in no case later than within twelve months from the acquisition date. Fees incurred related to the acquisition of real estate operating properties that meet the definition of a business are expensed as incurred within general and administrative costs within the consolidated statements of operations.

 

Carrying Value of Assets

 

The amounts to be capitalized as a result of periodic improvements and additions to real estate property, when applicable, and the periods over which the assets will be depreciated or amortized, are determined based on the application of accounting standards that may require estimates as to fair value and the allocation of various costs to the individual assets. Differences in the amount attributed to the assets may be significant based upon the assumptions made in calculating these estimates.

 

Impairment Evaluation

 

Management evaluates the recoverability of its investments in real estate assets at the lowest identifiable level, the individual property level. Long-lived assets are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized only if the carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value.

 

The Company evaluates the long-lived assets for potential impairment on an annual basis and records an impairment charge when there is an indicator of impairment and the undiscounted projected cash flows are less than the carrying amount for a particular property. The estimated cash flows used for the impairment analysis and the determination of estimated fair value are based on the Company’s plans for the respective assets and the Company’s views of market and economic conditions. The estimates consider matters such as future operating income, market and other applicable trends and residual value, as well as the effects of demand, competition, and recent sales data for comparable properties. Changes in estimated future cash flows due to changes in the Company’s plans or views of market and economic conditions could result in recognition of impairment losses, which, under the applicable accounting guidance, may be substantial.

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

Depreciation expense is computed based on the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the applicable real estate asset. We generally use estimated useful lives of up to thirty-nine years for buildings and improvements and five to ten years for furniture and fixtures. Maintenance and repairs will be charged to expense as incurred.

 

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities.

 

We evaluate all investments in other entities for consolidation. We consider our percentage interest in the joint venture, evaluation of control and whether a variable interest entity exists when determining whether or not the investment qualifies for consolidation or if it should be accounted for as an unconsolidated investment under either the equity or cost method of accounting.

 

If an investment qualifies for the equity method of accounting, our investment is recorded initially at cost, and subsequently adjusted for equity in net income or loss and cash contributions and distributions. The net income or loss of an unconsolidated investment is allocated to its investors in accordance with the provisions of the operating agreement of the entity. The allocation provisions in these agreements may differ from the ownership interest held by each investor. Differences, if any, between the carrying amount of our investment in the respective joint venture and our share of the underlying equity of such unconsolidated entity are amortized over the respective lives of the underlying assets as applicable. These items are reported as a single line item in the statements of operations as income or loss from investments in unconsolidated affiliated entities. If an investment qualifies for the cost method of accounting, our investment is recorded initially at cost, and subsequently adjusted for cash contributions and distributions resulting from any capital events. Distributions received from the underlying entity are recorded as interest or dividend income.

 

On a quarterly basis, we assess whether the value of our investments in unconsolidated entities have been impaired. An investment is impaired only if management’s estimate of the fair value of the investment is less than the carrying value of the investment, and such decline in value is deemed to be other than temporary. The ultimate realization of our investment in partially owned entities is dependent on a number of factors including the performance of that entity and market conditions. If we determine that a decline in the value of a partially owned entity is other than temporary, it will record an impairment charge.

 

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On a quarterly basis, we assess whether the value of our investments in unconsolidated entities has been impaired.  An investment is impaired only if management’s estimate of the fair value of the investment is less than the carrying value of the investment, and such decline in value is deemed to be other than temporary.  The ultimate realization of our investment in partially owned entities is dependent on a number of factors including the performance of that entity and market conditions. If we determine that a decline in the value of a partially owned entity is other than temporary, we record an impairment charge.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Our revenues are comprised primarily of revenues from the operations of hotels.

 

Room revenue is generated through contracts with customers whereby the customers agree to pay a daily rate for right to use a hotel room. The Company's contractual performance obligations are fulfilled at the end of the day that the customer is provided the room and revenue is recognized daily at the contract rate. Payment from the customer is secured at the end of the contract upon check-out by the customer from our hotel. The Company participates in frequent guest programs sponsored by the brand owners of our hotels whereby the brand owner allows guests to earn loyalty points during their hotel stay. The Company recognizes revenue at the amount earned that it will receive from the brand owner when a guest redeems their loyalty points by staying at one of the Company’s hotels.

 

Revenue from food, beverage and other ancillary services is generated when a customer chooses to purchase goods or services separately from a hotel room and revenue is recognized when these goods or services are provided to the customer and the Company’s contractual performance obligations have been fulfilled.

 

Some contracts for rooms, food, beverage or other services require an upfront deposit which is recorded as deferred revenues (or contract liabilities) and recognized once the performance obligations are satisfied. The contractual liabilities are not significant.

 

The Company notes no significant judgments regarding the recognition of room, food and beverage or other revenues.

 

Treatment of Management Compensation, Expense Reimbursements

 

Management of our operations is outsourced to our Advisor and certain other affiliates of our Sponsor. Fees related to each of these services are accounted for based on the nature of such service and the relevant accounting literature. Such fees include acquisition fees associated with the purchase of interests in real estate entities; asset management fees paid to our Advisor and property management fees paid to affiliates of our Advisor. These fees are expensed or capitalized to the basis of acquired assets, as appropriate.

 

Affiliates of our Advisor may also perform fee-based construction management services for both our development and redevelopment activities and tenant construction projects. These fees will be considered incremental to the construction effort and will be capitalized to the associated real estate project as incurred. Costs incurred for tenant construction will be depreciated over the shorter of their useful life or the term of the related lease. Costs related to development and redevelopment activities will be depreciated over the estimated useful life of the associated project.

 

Leasing activity at our properties may be outsourced to affiliates of our Advisor. Any corresponding leasing fees we pay will be capitalized and amortized over the life of the related lease.

 

Expense reimbursements made to both our Advisor and affiliates of our Advisor are expensed or capitalized to the basis of acquired assets, as appropriate.

 

 

Income Taxes

 

We elected to qualify and be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning with the taxable year ended December 31, 2015. As a REIT, we generally are not subject to U.S. federal income tax on our net taxable income that we distribute currently to our stockholders. To maintain our REIT qualification under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) we must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that we annually distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (which does not equal net income, as calculated in accordance with GAAP), determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gain. If we fail to remain qualified for taxation as a REIT in any subsequent year and do not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, our income for that year will be taxed at regular corporate rates, and we may be precluded from qualifying for treatment as a REIT for the four-year period following our failure to qualify as a REIT. Such an event could materially adversely affect our net income and net cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

 

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We engage in certain activities through taxable REIT subsidiaries TRSs. When we purchase a hotel we establish a TRS and enter into an operating lease agreement for the hotel. As such, we are subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes and franchise taxes from these activities.

 

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had no material uncertain income tax positions. Additionally, even if we continue to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may still be subject to some U.S. federal, state and local taxes on our income and property and to U.S. federal income taxes and excise taxes on our undistributed income.

 

Results of Operations

 

Comparison of the year ended December 31, 2018 vs. December 31, 2017

 

Consolidated

 

The revenues, property operating expenses, real estate taxes, general and administrative expense and depreciation and amortization for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 is attributable to all nine of our consolidated hospitality properties. Overall, our hospitality portfolio experienced slight decreases in rooms occupied and RevPAR and a slight increase in ADR during the year ended December 31, 2018 compared the same period in 2017 that resulted in flat revenues and a slight increase in property operating expenses.

 

Revenues

 

Revenues were $34.0 million for both the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

Property operating expenses

 

Property operating expenses increased slightly by $0.5 million to $20.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to $20.4 million for the same period in 2017.

 

Real estate taxes

 

Real estate taxes increased slightly by $0.1 million to $1.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to $1.5 million for the same period in 2017.

 

General and administrative costs

 

General and administrative costs increased by $0.6 million to $3.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to $2.4 million for the same period in 2017. The increase is primarily attributable to higher asset management fees resulting from our acquisition of membership interests in the Cove Joint Venture (acquired on January 31, 2017) and the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture (acquired on March 27, 2018).

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

Depreciation and amortization increased slightly by $0.3 million to $5.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to $5.3 million for the same period in 2017.

 

Earnings from investments in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities

 

Our loss from investments in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities during year ended December 31, 2018 was $2.7 million compared to $2.8 million for the same period in 2017. Our loss from investments in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities is attributable to our ownership interests in the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture (acquired March 27, 2018) and the Cove Joint Venture (acquired January 31, 2017). We account for our ownership interest in the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture and the Cove Joint Venture under the equity method of accounting commencing on the date that we acquired our interests.

 

Interest expense

 

Interest expense decreased to $5.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to $5.6 million for the same period in 2017. Interest expense is attributable to financings associated with our hotels and reflects changes in interest rates and amounts outstanding during the applicable periods.

 

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Other income/(expense), net

 

Other income/(expense), net increased by $0.9 million to $0.8 million during year ended December 31, 2018. The increase was primarily related to the receipt of a payment of $0.5 million from one of our franchisors and an increase of approximately $0.3 million in investment income.

 

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Overview:

 

Revenues, interest and dividend income, distributions from unconsolidated affiliated investments and borrowings are our principal sources of funds to pay operating expenses, scheduled debt service, capital expenditures (excluding non-recurring capital expenditures) and distributions, if any, declared by our Board of Directors. For the year ended December 31, 2018, our primary sources of funds were $4.9 million of cash flows from operations.

 

Our future sources of funds are expected to primarily consist of (i) cash flows from our operations, (ii) proceeds from our borrowings. (iii) distributions from our unconsolidated affiliated investments, (iv) proceeds from the sale of our operating properties, if any and/or marketable securities and (v) the release of funds held in restricted escrows. We currently believe that these cash resources will be sufficient to satisfy our cash requirements for the foreseeable future, and we do not anticipate a need to raise funds from other than these sources within the next twelve months.

 

 

We currently have mortgage indebtedness totaling $79.6 million. We have and intend to continue to limit our aggregate long-term permanent borrowings to 75% of the aggregate fair market value of all properties unless any excess borrowing is approved by a majority of the independent directors and is disclosed to our stockholders. Market conditions will dictate our overall leverage limit; as such our aggregate long-term permanent borrowings may be less than 75% of aggregate fair market value of all properties. We may also incur short-term indebtedness, having a maturity of two years or less.

 

Our charter provides that the aggregate amount of our borrowing, both secured and unsecured, may not exceed 300% of net assets in the absence of a satisfactory showing that a higher level is appropriate, the approval of our Board of Directors and disclosure to stockholders. Net assets means our total assets, other than intangibles, at cost before deducting depreciation or other non-cash reserves less our total liabilities, calculated at least quarterly on a basis consistently applied. Any excess in borrowing over such 300% of net assets level must be approved by a majority of our independent directors and disclosed to our stockholders in our next quarterly report to stockholders, along with justification for such excess. Market conditions will dictate our overall leverage limit; as such our aggregate borrowings may be less than 300% of net assets. As of December 31, 2018, our total borrowings were $79.6 million which represented 72% of our net assets.

 

Our $60.0 million non-recourse revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) (outstanding principal balance of $52.2 million as of December 31, 2018) matures in July 2019. We currently expect to obtain an extension of such existing indebtedness from the bank. If we are unable to obtain an extension from the bank, we will seek to refinance such existing indebtedness on or before its applicable stated maturity.

 

On January 31, 2017, the Cove Joint Venture entered into a $175.0 million loan (the “Loan”) initially scheduled to mature on January 31, 2020 with two, one-year extension options, subject to certain conditions. The Loan requires monthly interest payments through its maturity date.  The Loan bears interest at Libor plus 3.85% through its initial maturity and Libor plus 4.15% during each of the extension periods. The Loan is collateralized by The Cove and an affiliate of the Sponsor (the “Guarantor”) has guaranteed the Cove Joint Venture‘s obligation to pay the outstanding balance of the Loan up to approximately $43.8 million (the “Loan Guarantee”). The members of the Cove Joint Venture have agreed to reimburse the Guarantor for any balance that may become due under the Loan Guarantee, of which our share is up to approximately $10.9 million.

 

Starting in 2013, the Cove has been undergoing an extensive refurbishment which is substantially completed. The members used the remaining proceeds from the Loan and have invested additional capital as necessary to complete the refurbishment. The Guarantor has provided an additional guarantee of up to approximately $13.4 million (the “Refurbishment Guarantee”) to provide any necessary funds to complete the remaining renovations as defined in the Loan. The members have agreed to reimburse the Guarantor for any balance that may become due under the Refurbishment Guarantee, of which the Company’s share is up to approximately $3.3 million.

 

Our future borrowings may consist of single-property mortgages as well as mortgages cross-collateralized by a pool of properties. Such mortgages may be put in place either at the time we acquire a property or subsequent to our purchasing a property for cash. In addition, we may acquire properties that are subject to existing indebtedness where we choose to assume the existing mortgages. Generally, though not exclusively, we intend to seek to encumber our properties with non-recourse debt. This means that a lender’s rights on default will generally be limited to foreclosing on the property. However, we may, at our discretion, secure recourse financing or provide a guarantee to lenders if we believe this may result in more favorable terms. When we give a guaranty for a property owning entity, we will be responsible to the lender for the satisfaction of the indebtedness if it is not paid by the property owning entity.

 

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In general the type of future financing executed by us to a large extent will be dictated by the nature of the investment and current market conditions. For long-term real estate investments, it is our intent to finance future acquisitions using long-term fixed rate debt. However there may be certain types of investments and market circumstances which may result in variable rate debt being the more appropriate choice of financing. To the extent floating rate debt is used to finance the purchase of real estate, management will evaluate a number of protections against significant increases in interest rates, including the purchase of interest rate cap instruments.

 

We may also obtain lines of credit to be used to acquire properties. If obtained, these lines of credit will be at prevailing market terms and will be repaid from proceeds from the sale or refinancing of properties, working capital and/or permanent financing. Our Sponsor and/or its affiliates may guarantee our lines of credit although they are not obligated to do so. We expect that such properties may be purchased by our Sponsor’s affiliates on our behalf, in our name, in order to minimize the imposition of a transfer tax upon a transfer of such properties to us.

 

In addition to making investments in accordance with our investment objectives, we have used and expect to continue use our capital resources to make certain payments to our Advisor, our Dealer Manager, and our Property Manager during the various phases of our organization and operation. During our organizational and offering stage, these payments included payments to our Dealer Manager for selling commissions and the dealer manager fee, and payments to our Advisor for the reimbursement of organization and other offering costs.

 

In connection with the Offering, selling commissions and dealer manager fees were paid to the Dealer Manager pursuant to various agreements that were terminated in connection with the termination of the Offering on March 31, 2017. These selling commissions and dealer manager fees and other third-party offering costs such as registration fees, due diligence fees, marketing costs, and professional fees were accounted for as a reduction against additional paid-in capital as costs were incurred. Organizational costs were expensed as general and administrative costs. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 (the termination date of the Offering), we incurred approximately $1.8 million of selling commissions and deal manager fees and less than $0.1 million of other offering costs. We did not incur any of these costs subsequent to the termination of the Offering.

 

From our inception through March 31, 2017 (the termination date of the Offering), we incurred approximately $12.2 million in selling commissions and dealer manager fees and $4.8 million of other offering costs in connection with the public offering of shares of our common stock.

 

Our principal sources of cash flow have been derived from operating cash flows. In the future, we believe our cash available on hand together with our expected earnings, and/or distributions from our investments will provide us with sufficient resources to fund our anticipated operating expenses, capital contributions, redemptions and cancellations of shares of our common stock, if approved, and distributions to our shareholders, if any, required to maintain our qualification as a REIT. We also expect to use these sources of liquidity and selective dispositions of properties, if any, and/or financings to fund future investment activities.

 

During our acquisition and development stage, payments include asset acquisition fees and financing coordination fees, and the reimbursement of acquisition related expenses to our Advisor. During our operational stage, we pay our Advisor an asset management fee or asset management participation or construction management fees. We also reimburse our Advisor and its affiliates for actual expenses it incurs for administrative and other services provided to us. Upon the liquidation of assets, we may pay our Advisor or its affiliates a real estate disposition commission. Additionally, our Operating Partnership may be required to make distributions to Lightstone SLP III LLC, an affiliate of the Advisor.

 

We have agreements with the Advisor to pay certain fees in exchange for services performed by the Advisor and/or its affiliated entities. Additionally, our ability to secure financing and our real estate operations are dependent upon our Advisor and its affiliates to perform such services as provided in these agreements. Amounts we owe to the Advisor and its affiliated entities were principally for asset management fees, are classified as due to related parties on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

The following table represents the fees incurred associated with the payments to the Company’s Advisor for the periods indicated:

 

   For the Years Ended December 31, 
   2018   2017 
Acquisition fee (1)  $300,000   $573,750 
Asset management fees (general and administrative costs)   1,720,454    1,087,586 
Development fee (2)   51,419    29,116 
Total  $2,071,873   $1,690,452 

 

(1)Acquisition fees of $300,000 during 2018 and $573,750 during 2017 were capitalized and are reflected in the carrying value of our investments in the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture and the Cove Joint Venture, respectively, which are included in investments in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

(2)Generally, capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful life of the associated asset.

 

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Summary of Cash Flows

 

The following summary discussion of our cash flows is based on the consolidated statements of cash flows and is not meant to be an all-inclusive discussion of the changes in our cash flows for the periods presented below:

 

  

Year Ended
December 31, 2018

  

Year Ended
December 31, 2017

 
         
Cash flows provided by operating activities  $4,904,896   $5,223,773 
Cash flows used in investing activities   (22,145,972)   (23,836,638)
Cash flows (used in)/provided by financing activities   (17,850,322)   9,426,996 
Net change in cash and restricted cash   (35,091,398)   (9,185,869)
Cash and restricted cash, beginning of year   46,730,079    55,915,948 
Cash and restricted cash, end of year  $11,638,681   $46,730,079 

 

Our principal demands for liquidity currently are expected to be acquisition and development activities, including contributions to our investments in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities, capital improvements to our properties and scheduled debt service. The principal sources of funding for our operations are currently expected to be available cash on hand, operating cash flows and financings.

 

Operating activities

 

The net cash provided by operating activities of $4.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2018 consisted of our net loss of $4.3 million adjusted for depreciation and amortization, loss from investments in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities, amortization of deferred financing costs and other non-cash items aggregating $8.9 million and net changes in operating assets and liabilities of $0.3 million.

 

Investing activities

 

The cash used in investing activities of $22.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2018 primarily consisted of approximately $15.4 million related to the acquisition of our 50.0% interest in the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture and additional capital contributions to the Cove Joint Venture, the net purchase of $4.2 million of marketable securities and capital expenditures of $3.1 million offset by a distribution received from the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture of $0.6 million.

 

Financing activities

 

The net cash used in financing activities of $17.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2018 consisted of the payment of cash distributions of $8.1 million to our common stockholders, $8.0 million in payments on our mortgages payable and redemptions and cancellation of common stock of $1.7 million.

 

We believe that these cash resources will be sufficient to satisfy our cash requirements for the foreseeable future, and we do not anticipate a need to raise funds from other than these sources within the next twelve months.

 

Distribution Reinvestment and Share Repurchase Programs

 

Our DRIP provided our stockholders with an opportunity to purchase additional shares of our common stock at a discount by reinvesting distributions. The Offering provided for 10.0 million shares available for issuance under our DRIP at a discounted price equivalent to 95% of the Primary Offering price per share. Through May 15, 2017 (the termination date of the DRIP), 339,835 shares of common stock had been issued under our DRIP.

 

Our share repurchase program may provide our stockholders with limited, interim liquidity by enabling them to sell their shares of common stock back to us, subject to certain restrictions. From inception through December 31, 2017 we repurchased 81,828 shares of common stock, pursuant to our share repurchase program. We repurchased the shares at an average price per share of $9.76 per share. For the year ended December 31, 2018, 174,338 shares of common stock have been repurchased under our share repurchase program at an average price per share of $9.65 per share. We funded share repurchases for the periods noted above from the cumulative proceeds of the sale of our shares pursuant to our DRIP.

 

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On April 21, 2017, the Board of Directors approved the termination of our DRIP effective May 15, 2017. All subsequent distributions, if any, will be in the form of cash.

 

Our Board of Directors reserves the right to terminate our share repurchase program for any reason without cause by providing written notice of termination of the share repurchase program to all stockholders.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

The following is a summary of our estimated contractual obligations outstanding over the next five years and thereafter as of December 31, 2018.

 

Contractual Obligations  2019   2020   2021   2022   2023   Thereafter   Total 
                             
Principal maturities  $52,626,284   $486,092   $26,509,613   $    -   $    -   $    -   $79,621,989 
Interest payments   3,260,534    1,287,576    1,051,196    -    -    -    5,599,306 
Total  $55,886,818   $1,773,668   $27,560,809   $-   $-   $-   $85,221,295 

 

Revolving Credit Facility

 

On July 13, 2016, we, through certain subsidiaries, entered into the Revolving Credit Facility with a bank. The Revolving Credit Facility initially bore interest at Libor plus 4.95% and provided a line of credit of up to $60.0 million over three years, with two, one-year options to extend solely at the discretion of the bank. Interest is payable monthly and the entire unpaid principal balance is due upon expiration of the Revolving Credit Facility. On June 19, 2018 the Company made a required principal payment of $7.4 million on the Revolving Credit Facility and the lender reduced the interest rate to Libor plus 3.50 % from Libor plus 4.95 %. Under the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility, the Company may designate properties as collateral that allows it to borrow up to a 65.0% loan-to-value ratio of the properties and also subject to meeting certain financial covenants, including a prescribed minimum debt yield. As of December 31, 2018, the Company has pledged seven of its hotel properties as collateral under the Revolving Credit Facility.

 

Additionally, the Revolving Credit Facility (outstanding principal balance of $52.2 million as of December 31, 2018) matures in July 2019. The Company currently expects to obtain an extension of such existing indebtedness from the bank. If the Company is unable to obtain an extension from the bank, it will seek to refinance such existing indebtedness on or before its applicable stated maturity.

 

Debt Compliance

 

Certain of our debt agreements contain clauses providing for prepayment penalties and requiring the maintenance of certain ratios, including debt service coverage and fixed leverage charge ratio. As of December 31, 2018, we were in compliance with respect to all of our financial debt covenants.

 

Funds from Operations and Modified Funds from Operations

 

The historical accounting convention used for real estate assets requires straight-line depreciation of buildings, improvements, and straight-line amortization of intangibles, which implies that the value of a real estate asset diminishes predictably over time. We believe that, because real estate values historically rise and fall with market conditions, including, but not limited to, inflation, interest rates, the business cycle, unemployment and consumer spending, presentations of operating results for a REIT using the historical accounting convention for depreciation and certain other items may be less informative.

 

Because of these factors, the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT"), an industry trade group, has published a standardized measure of performance known as funds from operations ("FFO"), which is used in the REIT industry as a supplemental performance measure. We believe FFO, which excludes certain items such as real estate-related depreciation and amortization, is an appropriate supplemental measure of a REIT's operating performance. FFO is not equivalent to our net income or loss as determined under GAAP.

 

We define FFO, a non-GAAP measure, consistent with the standards set forth in the White Paper on FFO approved by the Board of Governors of NAREIT, as revised in February 2004 (the "White Paper"). The White Paper defines FFO as net income or loss computed in accordance with GAAP, but excluding gains or losses from sales of property and real estate related impairments, plus real estate related depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures.

 

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We believe that the use of FFO provides a more complete understanding of our performance to investors and to management, and reflects the impact on our operations from trends in occupancy rates, rental rates, operating costs, general and administrative expenses, and interest costs, which may not be immediately apparent from net income.

 

Changes in the accounting and reporting promulgations under GAAP that were put into effect in 2009 subsequent to the establishment of NAREIT's definition of FFO, such as the change to expense as incurred rather than capitalize and depreciate acquisition fees and expenses incurred for business combinations, have prompted an increase in cash-settled expenses, specifically acquisition fees and expenses, as items that are expensed under GAAP across all industries. These changes had a particularly significant impact on publicly registered, non-listed REITs, which typically have a significant amount of acquisition activity in the early part of their existence, particularly during the period when they are raising capital through ongoing initial public offerings.

 

Because of these factors, the Investment Program Association (the "IPA"), an industry trade group, published a standardized measure of performance known as modified funds from operations ("MFFO"), which the IPA has recommended as a supplemental measure for publicly registered, non-listed REITs. MFFO is designed to be reflective of the ongoing operating performance of publicly registered, non-listed REITs by adjusting for those costs that are more reflective of acquisitions and investment activity, along with other items the IPA believes are not indicative of the ongoing operating performance of a publicly registered, non-listed REIT, such as straight-lining of rents as required by GAAP. We believe it is appropriate to use MFFO as a supplemental measure of operating performance because we believe that both before and after we have deployed all of our offering proceeds and are no longer incurring a significant amount of acquisition fees or other related costs, it reflects the impact on our operations from trends in occupancy rates, rental rates, operating costs, general and administrative expenses, and interest costs, which may not be immediately apparent from net income. MFFO is not equivalent to our net income or loss as determined under GAAP.

 

We define MFFO, a non-GAAP measure, consistent with the IPA's Guideline 2010-01, Supplemental Performance Measure for Publicly Registered, Non-Listed REITs: Modified Funds from Operations (the "Practice Guideline") issued by the IPA in November 2010. The Practice Guideline defines MFFO as FFO further adjusted for acquisition and transaction-related fees and expenses and other items. In calculating MFFO, we follow the Practice Guideline and exclude acquisition and transaction-related fees and expenses (which includes costs incurred in connection with strategic alternatives), amounts relating to deferred rent receivables and amortization of market lease and other intangibles, net (which are adjusted in order to reflect such payments from a GAAP accrual basis to a cash basis of disclosing the rent and lease payments), accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums on debt investments and borrowings, mark-to-market adjustments included in net income (including gains or losses incurred on assets held for sale), gains or losses included in net income from the extinguishment or sale of debt, hedges, foreign exchange, derivatives or securities holdings where trading of such holdings is not a fundamental attribute of the business plan, unrealized gains or losses resulting from consolidation from, or deconsolidation to, equity accounting, and after adjustments for consolidated and unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures, with such adjustments calculated to reflect MFFO on the same basis. Certain of the above adjustments are also made to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, such as for the amortization of a premium and accretion of a discount on debt and securities investments, amortization of fees, any unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives, securities or other investments, as well as other adjustments.

 

MFFO excludes non-recurring impairment of real estate-related investments. We assess the credit quality of our investments and adequacy of reserves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as necessary. Significant judgment is required in this analysis. We consider the estimated net recoverable value of a loan as well as other factors, including but not limited to the fair value of any collateral, the amount and the status of any senior debt, the prospects for the borrower and the competitive situation of the region where the borrower does business.

 

We believe that, because MFFO excludes costs that we consider more reflective of acquisition activities and other non-operating items, MFFO can provide, on a going-forward basis, an indication of the sustainability (that is, the capacity to continue to be maintained) of our operating performance after the period in which we are acquiring properties and once our portfolio is stabilized. We also believe that MFFO is a recognized measure of sustainable operating performance by the non-listed REIT industry and allows for an evaluation of our performance against other publicly registered, non-listed REITs.

 

Not all REITs, including publicly registered, non-listed REITs, calculate FFO and MFFO the same way. Accordingly, comparisons with other REITs, including publicly registered, non-listed REITs, may not be meaningful. Furthermore, FFO and MFFO are not indicative of cash flow available to fund cash needs and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) or income (loss) from continuing operations as determined under GAAP as an indication of our performance, as an alternative to cash flows from operations as an indication of our liquidity, or indicative of funds available to fund our cash needs including our ability to make distributions to our stockholders. FFO and MFFO should be reviewed in conjunction with other GAAP measurements as an indication of our performance. FFO and MFFO should not be construed to be more relevant or accurate than the current GAAP methodology in calculating net income or in its applicability in evaluating our operating performance. The methods utilized to evaluate the performance of a publicly registered, non-listed REIT under GAAP should be construed as more relevant measures of operational performance and considered more prominently than the non-GAAP measures, FFO and MFFO, and the adjustments to GAAP in calculating FFO and MFFO.

 

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Neither the SEC, NAREIT, the IPA nor any other regulatory body or industry trade group has passed judgment on the acceptability of the adjustments that we use to calculate FFO or MFFO. In the future, NAREIT, the IPA or another industry trade group may publish updates to the White Paper or the Practice Guidelines or the SEC or another regulatory body could standardize the allowable adjustments across the publicly registered, non-listed REIT industry, and we would have to adjust our calculation and characterization of FFO or MFFO accordingly.

 

The below table illustrates the items deducted from or added to net loss in the calculation of FFO and MFFO during the periods presented. The table discloses MFFO in the IPA recommended format and MFFO without the straight-line rent adjustment which management also uses as a performance measure. Items are presented net of non-controlling interest portions where applicable.

 

   For the Year Ended December 31, 
   2018   2017 
Net loss  $(4,273,310)  $(4,171,817)
FFO adjustments:          
Adjustments to equity earnings from unconsolidated entities, net   3,351,307    2,625,903 
Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets   5,610,224    5,323,428 
Gain on sale of assets   (12,750)   - 
FFO   4,675,471    3,777,514 
MFFO adjustments:          
           
Acquisition and other transaction related costs expensed   (502)   166,260 
Loss on sale of marketable securities   56,458    - 
MFFO   4,731,427    3,943,774 
Straight-line rent(1)   -    - 
MFFO - IPA recommended format  $4,731,427   $3,943,774 
           
Net loss  $(4,273,310)  $(4,171,817)
Less: net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests   51    50 
Net loss applicable to Company's common shares  $(4,273,259)  $(4,171,767)
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted  $(0.32)  $(0.31)
           
FFO  $4,675,471   $3,777,514 
Less: FFO attributable to noncontrolling interests   (84)   (69)
FFO attributable to Company's common shares  $4,675,387   $3,777,445 
FFO per common share, basic and diluted  $0.35   $0.28 
           
MFFO - IPA recommended format  $4,731,427   $3,943,774 
Less: MFFO attributable to noncontrolling interests   (84)   (71)
MFFO attributable to Company's common shares  $4,731,343   $3,943,703 
           
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic and diluted   13,537,316    13,388,726 

 

(1)Under GAAP, rental receipts are allocated to periods using various methodologies. This may result in income recognition that is significantly different than underlying contract terms. By adjusting for these items (to reflect such payments from a GAAP accrual basis to a cash basis of disclosing the rent and lease payments), MFFO provides useful supplemental information on the realized economic impact of lease terms and debt investments, providing insight on the contractual cash flows of such lease terms and debt investments, and aligns results with management’s analysis of operating performance.

 

The table below presents our cumulative distributions declared and cumulative FFO:

 

   For the period October 5, 2012 
   (date of inception) through 
   December 31, 2018 
     
FFO attributable to Company's common shares  $11,785,062 
Cumulative distributions declared  $21,894,442 

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

See Note 2 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information of certain accounting standards that have been adopted during 2018 and certain accounting standards that we have not yet been required to implement and may be applicable to our future operations.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to investors.

 

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ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust III, Inc. and Subsidiaries

(a Maryland corporation)

 

Index

 

  Page
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 31
   
Financial Statements:  
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 32
   
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 33
   
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 34
   
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 35
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 36
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 37

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust III, Inc.

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust III, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company") as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ EisnerAmper LLP  
   
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2012.  
   
EISNERAMPER LLP  
New York, New York  
April 1, 2019  

 

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LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

   December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017 
         
Assets          
           
Investment property:          
Land and improvements  $22,446,179   $22,363,107 
Building and improvements   106,017,613    103,807,990 
Furniture and fixtures   17,801,356    16,120,582 
Construction in progress   792,307    1,642,275 
Gross investment property   147,057,455    143,933,954 
Less accumulated depreciation   (14,639,315)   (9,107,322)
Net investment property   132,418,140    134,826,632 
           
Investments in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities   29,983,987    17,805,991 
Cash and cash equivalents   9,965,724    45,050,023 
Marketable securities, available for sale   3,708,223    - 
Restricted cash   1,672,957    1,680,056 
Accounts receivable and other assets   2,178,388    2,111,857 
Total Assets  $179,927,419   $201,474,559 
           
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity          
           
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses  $3,529,293   $2,972,368 
Mortgages payable, net   79,336,807    86,902,784 
Due to related parties   157,114    162,918 
Distributions payable   685,449    694,333 
Total liabilities   83,708,663    90,732,403 
           
Commitments and Contingencies          
           
Stockholders' Equity:          
           
Company's stockholders' equity:          
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding   -    - 
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized, 13,451,431 and 13,625,769 shares issued and outstanding, respectively   134,515    136,258 
Additional paid-in-capital   115,380,181    117,061,644 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (450,285)   - 
Accumulated deficit   (30,937,879)   (18,548,148)
Total Company stockholders' equity   84,126,532    98,649,754 
           
Noncontrolling interests   12,092,224    12,092,402 
           
Total Stockholders' Equity   96,218,756    110,742,156 
           
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity  $179,927,419   $201,474,559 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

   For the Years Ended December 31, 
   2018   2017 
         
Rental revenues  $33,966,599   $33,996,211 
           
Expenses:          
Property operating expenses   20,852,350    20,427,484 
Real estate taxes   1,627,650    1,523,036 
General and administrative costs   2,962,769    2,385,754 
Depreciation and amortization   5,610,224    5,323,428 
Total operating expenses   31,052,993    29,659,702 
           
Operating income   2,913,606    4,336,509 
           
Interest expense   (5,224,217)   (5,550,820)
Other income/(expense), net   788,760    (143,681)
Loss from investments in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities   (2,695,001)   (2,813,825)
Loss on sale of marketable securities   (56,458)   - 
           
Net loss   (4,273,310)   (4,171,817)
           
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests   51    50 
           
Net loss applicable to Company's common shares  $(4,273,259)  $(4,171,767)
           
Net loss per Company's common shares, basic and diluted  $(0.32)  $(0.31)
           
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic and diluted   13,537,316    13,388,726 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

 

   For the Year Ended December 31, 
   2018   2017 
         
Net loss  $(4,273,310)  $(4,171,817)
           
Other comprehensive loss:          
           
Holding loss on marketable securities   (506,750)   - 
Reclassification adjustment for loss included in net income   56,458    - 
           
Other comprehensive loss   (450,292)   - 
           
Comprehensive loss   (4,723,602)   (4,171,817)
           
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests   58    50 
           
Comprehensive loss attributable to the Company's common shares  $(4,723,544)  $(4,171,767)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

       Additional               Total     
   Common Stock   Paid-In   Subscription   Accumulated Other   Accumulated   Noncontrolling   Total 
   Shares   Amount   Capital   Receivable   Comprehensive Loss   Deficit   Interests   Equity 
                                 
BALANCE, December 31, 2016   11,656,877   $116,569   $99,309,774   $(105,000)  $-   $(6,345,110)  $12,092,572   $105,068,805 
                                         
Net loss   -    -    -    -    -    (4,171,767)   (50)   (4,171,817)
Distributions declared   -    -    -    -    -    (8,031,271)   -    (8,031,271)
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests   -    -    -    -    -    -    (120)   (120)
Proceeds from offering   1,897,373    18,974    18,820,260    105,000    -    -    -    18,944,234 
Selling commissions and dealer manager fees   -    -    (1,759,714)   -    -    -    -    (1,759,714)
Other offering costs   -    -    17,499    -    -    -    -    17,499 
Shares issued from distribution reinvestment program   118,988    1,190    1,129,196    -    -    -    -    1,130,386 
Redemption and cancellation of shares   (47,469)   (475)   (455,371)   -    -    -    -    (455,846)
                                         
BALANCE, December 31, 2017   13,625,769    136,258    117,061,644    -    -    (18,548,148)   12,092,402    110,742,156 
                                         
Net loss   -    -    -    -    -    (4,273,259)   (51)   (4,273,310)
Other comprehensive loss   -    -    -    -    (450,285)   -    (7)   (450,292)
Distributions declared   -    -    -    -    -    (8,116,472)   -    (8,116,472)
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests   -    -    -    -    -    -    (120)   (120)
Redemption and cancellation of shares   (174,338)   (1,743)   (1,681,463)   -    -    -    -    (1,683,206)
                                         
BALANCE, December 31, 2018   13,451,431   $134,515   $115,380,181   $-   $(450,285)  $(30,937,879)  $12,092,224   $96,218,756 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

   For the Years Ended December 31, 
   2018   2017 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:          
Net loss  $(4,273,310)  $(4,171,817)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Loss from investments in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities   2,695,001    2,813,825 
Depreciation and amortization   5,610,224    5,323,428 
Amortization of deferred financing costs   475,663    452,293 
Loss on sale of marketable securities   56,458    - 
Other non-cash adjustments   45,156    46,509 
Changes in assets and liabilities:          
(Increase)/decrease in accounts receivable and other assets   (189,919)   398,077 
Increase in accounts payable and other accrued expenses   491,427    308,072 
(Decrease)/increase in due to related parties   (5,804)   53,386 
Net cash provided by operating activities   4,904,896    5,223,773 
           
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:          
Purchase of investment property   (3,058,003)   (3,216,822)
Purchase of marketable securities   (6,172,462)   - 
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities   1,957,490    - 
Investments in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities   (15,435,497)   (20,619,816)
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities   562,500    - 
Net cash used in investing activities   (22,145,972)   (23,836,638)
           
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:          
Payments on mortgages payable   (7,981,638)   (424,253)
(Payment)/refund of loan fees and expenses   (60,002)   4,400 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock   -    18,944,234 
Payment of commissions and offering costs   -    (1,851,754)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests   (120)   (120)
Distributions to common stockholders   (8,125,356)   (6,789,665)
Redemption and cancellation of common shares   (1,683,206)   (455,846)
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities   (17,850,322)   9,426,996 
           
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   (35,091,398)   (9,185,869)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of year   46,730,079    55,915,948 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period  $11,638,681   $46,730,079 
           
Supplemental cash flow information for the periods indicated is as follows:          
Cash paid for interest  $4,814,839   $5,067,446 
Distributions declared, but not paid  $685,449   $694,333 
Value of shares issued from distribution reinvestment program  $-   $1,130,386 
Investment property acquired but not paid  $154,987   $89,492 
Holding loss on marketable securities, available for sale  $450,292   $- 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

1. Organization and Offering

 

Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust III, Inc. (‘‘Lightstone REIT III’’), incorporated in Maryland on October 5, 2012, elected to qualify and be taxed as a real estate investment trust (‘‘REIT’’) for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning with the taxable year ended December 31, 2015.

 

The Lightstone REIT III is structured as an umbrella partnership REIT, or UPREIT, and substantially all of its current and future business will be conducted through Lightstone Value Plus REIT III LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the ‘‘Operating Partnership’’).

 

Lightstone REIT III and the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the “Company” and the use of “we,” “our,” “us” or similar pronouns refers to Lightstone REIT III, its Operating Partnership or the Company as required by the context in such pronoun used.

 

The Company has and will continue to seek to acquire a diverse portfolio of real estate assets and real estate-related investments, including hotels, other commercial and/or residential properties, primarily located in the United States. All such properties may be acquired and operated by the Company alone or jointly with another party. The Company may also originate or acquire mortgage loans secured by real estate. Although the Company expects that most of its investments will be of these types, it may make other investments. In fact, it may invest in whatever types of real estate-related investments that it believes are in its best interests.

 

The Company currently has one operating segment. As of December 31, 2018, the Company majority owned and consolidated the operating results and financial condition of nine limited service hotels containing a total of 999 rooms. Additionally, the Company held a 22.5% membership interest in RP Maximus Cove, L.L.C. (the “Cove Joint Venture”) and a 50.0% joint venture ownership interest in LVP LIC Hotel JV LLC (the “Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture”), both of which it accounts for under the equity method of accounting.

 

The Company’s advisor is Lightstone Value Plus REIT III LLC (the “Advisor”), which is majority owned by David Lichtenstein. Mr. Lichtenstein also is a majority owner of the equity interests of the Lightstone Group, LLC. The Lightstone Group, LLC served as the Company’s sponsor (the ‘‘Sponsor’’) during its public offering which terminated on March 31, 2017. Subject to the oversight of the Company’s board of directors (the “Board of Directors”), the Advisor has primary responsibility for making investment decisions and managing the Company’s day-to-day operations. Through his ownership and control of the The Lightstone Group, LLC, Mr. Lichtenstein is the indirect owner of the Advisor and the indirect owner and manager of Lightstone SLP III LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Special Limited Partner”), which has subordinated participation interests in the Operating Partnership (“Subordinated Participation Interests”). Mr. Lichtenstein also acts as the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. As a result, he exerts influence over but does not control Lightstone REIT III or the Operating Partnership.

 

The Company does not have any employees that are not also employed by our Sponsor or its affiliates. The Company depends substantially on its Advisor, which generally has responsibility for our day-to-day operations. Under the terms of the advisory agreement, the Advisor also undertakes to use its reasonable best efforts to present to us investment opportunities consistent with the Company’s investment policies and objectives as adopted by our Board of Directors.

 

The Sponsor has various majority owned and controlled affiliated property managers, which may manage certain of the properties the Company acquires. However, the Company also contracts with other unaffiliated third-party property managers, principally for the management of its hospitality properties.

 

The Company’s registration statement on Form S-11 (the “Offering”), pursuant to which it offered to sell up to 30.0 million shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share (which may be referred to herein as “shares of common stock” or as “Common Shares”) at an initial price of $10.00 per share, subject to certain volume and other discounts (the “Primary Offering”) (exclusive of 10.0 million shares of common stock which were available pursuant to our distribution reinvestment program (the “DRIP”) at an initial purchase price of $9.50 per share) was declared effective on July 15, 2014 by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

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LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

The Offering, which terminated on March 31, 2017, raised aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $131.7 million from the sale of approximately 13.4 million shares of common stock (including $2.0 million in Common Shares at a purchase price of $9.00 per Common Share to an entity 100% owned by David Lichtenstein, who also owns a majority interest in the Company’s Sponsor). After including the purchase of an aggregate of $12.1 million of Subordinated Participation Interests in the Operating Partnership by the Special Limited Partner and allowing for the payment of approximately $12.2 million in selling commissions and dealer manager fees and $4.8 million in organization and other offering expenses, the Offering generated aggregate net proceeds of approximately $126.8 million.

 

On April 21, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the termination of the DRIP effective May 15, 2017. Previously, the Company’s stockholders had an option to elect the receipt of shares of the Company’s common stock in lieu of cash distributions under the Company’s DRIP. As a result, all subsequent distributions have been in the form of cash. In addition, through May 15, 2017 (the termination date of the DRIP), the Company had issued approximately 0.3 million shares of common stock under its DRIP, representing approximately $3.2 million of additional proceeds under the Offering.

 

Orchard Securities, LLC (the ‘‘Dealer Manager’’) served as the dealer manager of the Offering through its termination on March 31, 2017.

 

As of December 31, 2018, our Advisor owned 20,000 shares of common stock which were issued on December 24, 2012 for $200,000 or $10.00 per share.

 

The Company’s shares of common stock are not currently listed on a national securities exchange. The Company may seek to list its shares of common stock for trading on a national securities exchange only if a majority of its independent directors believe listing would be in the best interest of its stockholders. The Company does not intend to list its shares of common stock at this time. The Company does not anticipate that there would be any market for its shares of common stock until they are listed for trading. In the event the Company does not begin the process of achieving a liquidity event prior to the eighth anniversary of the termination of its Offering which occurred on March 31, 2017, its charter requires either (a) an amendment to its charter to extend the deadline to begin the process of achieving a liquidity event, or (b) the holding of a stockholders meeting to vote on a proposal for an orderly liquidation of its portfolio.

 

Noncontrolling Interests

 

Partners of the Operating Partnership

 

On July 16, 2014, the Advisor contributed $2,000 to the Operating Partnership in exchange for 200 limited partner units in the Operating Partnership. A limited partner has the right to convert operating partnership units into cash or, at the Company’s option, an equal number of its common shares, as allowed by the limited partnership agreement.

 

Lightstone REIT III invested the proceeds received from the Offering and the Advisor in the Operating Partnership, and as a result, held a 99% general partnership interest as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 in the Operating Partnership’s common units.

 

Special Limited Partner

 

In connection with the Company’s Offering, which terminated on March 31, 2017, the Special Limited Partner purchased from the Operating Partnership an aggregate of approximately 242 Subordinated Participation Interests for consideration of $12.1 million. The Subordinated Participation Interests were each purchased for $50,000 in consideration and may be entitled to receive liquidation distributions upon the liquidation of Lightstone REIT III.

 

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LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

As the majority owner of the Special Limited Partner, Mr. Lichtenstein is the beneficial owner of a 99% interest in such Subordinated Participation Interests and will thus receive an indirect benefit from any distributions made in respect thereof.

 

These Subordinated Participation Interests will entitle the Special Limited Partner to a portion of any regular and liquidation distributions that the Company makes to stockholders, but only after stockholders have received a stated preferred return. Although the actual amounts are dependent upon results of operations and, therefore, cannot be determined at the present time, distributions to the Special Limited Partner, as holder of the Subordinated Participation Interests, could be substantial.

 

The Advisor and its affiliates and the Special Limited Partner are related parties of the Company. Certain of these entities have and/or will receive compensation for services related to the Offering (which was completed on March 31, 2017) and will continue to receive compensation and services for the investment, management and disposition of our assets. These entities have and/or will receive compensation during the offering, acquisition, operational and liquidation stages. The compensation levels during the offering stage were based on percentages of the offering proceeds raised and the compensation levels during the acquisition and operational stages are based the cost of acquired properties and the annual revenue earned from such properties, and other such fees outlined in each of the respective agreements. See Note 6 – Related Party Transactions for additional information.

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Lightstone REIT III and the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries (over which Lightstone REIT III exercises financial and operating control). As of December 31, 2018, the Company had a 99% general partnership interest in the Operating Partnership. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during a reporting period. The most significant assumptions and estimates relate to the valuation of real estate and depreciable lives. Application of these assumptions requires the exercise of judgment as to future uncertainties and, as a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

Investments in other real estate entities where the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but does not exercise financial and operating control, and is not considered to be the primary beneficiary are accounted for using the equity method. Investments in other real estate entities where the Company has virtually no influence will be accounted for using the cost method.

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

 

Marketable Securities

 

Marketable securities consist of debt securities that are designated as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value. Unrealized holding gains or losses are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Realized gains or losses resulting from the sale of these securities are determined based on the specific identification of the securities sold. An impairment charge is recognized when the decline in the fair value of a security below the amortized cost basis is determined to be other-than-temporary. The Company considers various factors in determining whether to recognize an impairment charge, including the duration and severity of any decline in fair value below our amortized cost basis, any adverse changes in the financial condition of the issuers and our intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value.

 

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LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

Rental Revenues

 

Revenues consist of amounts derived from hotel operations, including occupied hotel rooms and sales of food, beverage and other ancillary services and are presented on a disaggregated basis below. Revenues are recorded net of any sales or occupancy tax collected from our guests.

 

Room revenue is generated through contracts with customers whereby the customers agree to pay a daily rate for right to use a hotel room. The Company's contractual performance obligations are fulfilled at the end of the day that the customer is provided the room and revenue is recognized daily at the contract rate. Payment from the customer is secured at the end of the contract upon check-out by the customer from our hotels. The Company participates in frequent guest programs sponsored by the brand owners of our hotels whereby the brand owner allows guests to earn loyalty points during their hotel stay. The Company recognizes revenue at the amount earned that it will receive from the brand owner when a guest redeems their loyalty points by staying at one of the Company’s hotels.

 

Revenue from food, beverage and other ancillary services is generated when a customer chooses to purchase goods or services separately from a hotel room and revenue is recognized when these goods or services are provided to the customer and the Company’s contractual performance obligations have been fulfilled.

 

Some contracts for rooms, food, beverage or other services require an upfront deposit which is recorded as deferred revenues (or contract liabilities) and recognized once the performance obligations are satisfied. The contractual liabilities are not significant.

 

The Company notes no significant judgements regarding the recognition of room, food and beverage or other revenues.

 

   For the Year Ended December 31, 
  2018   2017 
Revenues          
Room  $32,696,125   $32,872,799 
Food, beverage and other   1,270,474    1,123,412 
Total revenues  $33,966,599   $33,996,211 

 

Accounts Receivable

 

The Company analyzes accounts receivable and historical bad debt levels, customer credit worthiness and current economic trends when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company’s reported net income or loss is directly affected by management’s estimate of the collectability of accounts receivable.

 

Investments in Real Estate

 

Accounting for Asset Acquisitions

 

When the Company makes an investment in real estate assets, the cost of real estate assets acquired in an asset acquisition are allocated to the acquired tangible assets, consisting of land, building and improvements, furniture and fixtures and identified intangible assets and liabilities, consisting of the value of above-market and below-market leases, acquired in-place leases, and the value of tenant relationships, based in each case on their relative fair values, at the date of acquisition, based on evaluation of information including independent appraisals that may be obtained in connection with the acquisition or financing of the respective property and other relevant market data. Fees incurred related to asset acquisitions are capitalized as part of the cost of the investment.

 

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LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

Accounting for Real Estate Acquisitions

 

Upon the acquisition of real estate operating properties that meet the definition of a business, the Company estimates the fair value of acquired tangible assets and identified intangible assets and liabilities and certain liabilities such as assumed debt and contingent liabilities, at the date of acquisition, based on evaluation of information and estimates available at that date, including independent appraisals that may be obtained in connection with the acquisition or financing of the respective property and other relevant market data. Based on these estimates, the Company evaluates the existence of goodwill or a gain from a bargain purchase and allocates the initial purchase price to the applicable assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests, if any. As final information regarding fair value of the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and noncontrolling interests is received and estimates are refined, appropriate adjustments are made to the purchase price allocation. The allocations are finalized as soon as all the information necessary is available and in no case later than within twelve months from the acquisition date. Fees incurred related to the acquisition of real estate operating properties that meet the definition of a business are expensed as incurred within general and administrative costs within the consolidated statements of operations.

 

Carrying Value of Assets

 

The amounts to be capitalized as a result of periodic improvements and additions to real estate property, when applicable, and the periods over which the assets are depreciated or amortized, are determined based on the application of accounting standards that may require estimates as to fair value and the allocation of various costs to the individual assets. Differences in the amount attributed to the assets may be significant based upon the assumptions made in calculating these estimates.

 

Impairment Evaluation

 

Management evaluates the recoverability of its investments in real estate assets at the lowest identifiable level, the individual property level. Long-lived assets are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized only if the carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value.

 

The Company evaluates the long-lived assets for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable and records an impairment charge when the undiscounted projected cash flows are less than the carrying amount for a particular property. The estimated cash flows used for the impairment analysis and the determination of estimated fair value is based on the Company’s plans for the respective assets and the Company’s views of market and economic conditions. The estimates consider matters such as future operating income, market and other applicable trends and residual value, as well as the effects of demand, competition, and recent sales data for comparable properties. Changes in estimated future cash flows due to changes in the Company’s plans or views of market and economic conditions could result in recognition of impairment losses, which, under the applicable accounting guidance, may be substantial.

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

Depreciation expense is computed based on the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the applicable real estate asset. The Company generally uses estimated useful lives of up to thirty-nine years for buildings and improvements and five to ten years for furniture and fixtures. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.

 

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

 

The Company evaluates all investments in other entities for consolidation. The Company considers its percentage interest in the joint venture, evaluation of control and whether a variable interest entity exists when determining whether or not the investment qualifies for consolidation or if it should be accounted for as an unconsolidated investment under either the equity or cost method of accounting.

 

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LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

If an investment qualifies for the equity method of accounting, the Company’s investment is recorded initially at cost, and subsequently adjusted for equity in net income or loss and cash contributions and distributions. The net income or loss of an unconsolidated investment is allocated to its investors in accordance with the provisions of the operating agreement of the entity. The allocation provisions in these agreements may differ from the ownership interest held by each investor. Differences, if any, between the carrying amount of the Company’s investment in the respective joint venture and our share of the underlying equity of such unconsolidated entity are amortized over the respective lives of the underlying assets as applicable. These items are reported as a single line item in the statements of operations as income or loss from investments in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities.

 

If an investment qualifies for the cost method of accounting, our investment is recorded initially at cost, and subsequently adjusted for cash contributions and distributions resulting from any capital events. Distributions received from the underlying entity are recorded as interest or dividend income.

 

On a quarterly basis, the Company assesses whether the value of its investments in unconsolidated entities have been impaired. An investment is impaired only if management’s estimate of the fair value of the investment is less than the carrying value of the investment, and such decline in value is deemed to be other than temporary. The ultimate realization of our investment in partially owned entities is dependent on a number of factors including the performance of that entity and market conditions. If the Company determines that a decline in the value of a partially owned entity is other than temporary, it will record an impairment charge.

 

Deferred Costs

 

The Company capitalizes initial direct costs associated with financing activities. The costs are capitalized upon the execution of the loan, presented in the consolidated balance sheets as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the corresponding loan and amortized over the initial term of the corresponding loan. Amortization of deferred loan costs will begin in the period during which the loan is originated using the effective interest method over the term of the loan.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with the taxable year ended December 31, 2015. If the Company remains qualified as a REIT, it generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its net taxable income that it distributes to its stockholders. To maintain its REIT qualification, the Company must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that it annually distribute to its stockholders at least 90% of its REIT taxable income (which does not equal net income, as calculated in accordance with GAAP), determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gain. If the Company fails to remain qualified for taxation as a REIT in any subsequent year and does not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, its income for that year will be taxed at regular corporate rates, and it may be precluded from qualifying for treatment as a REIT for the four-year period following its failure to qualify as a REIT. Such an event could materially adversely affect the Company’s net income and net cash available for distribution to stockholders.

 

The Company engages in certain activities through taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRSs"). When the Company purchases a hotel it establishes a TRS and enters into an operating lease agreement for the hotel. As such, the Company may be subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes and franchise taxes from these activities.

 

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had no material uncertain income tax positions. Additionally, even if we qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may still be subject to some U.S. federal, state and local taxes on our income and property and to U.S. federal income taxes and excise taxes on our undistributed income.

 

Organization and Offering Costs

 

Organization costs were expensed as incurred as general and administrative costs.

 

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LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

Offering costs were accounted for as a reduction against additional paid-in capital as costs were incurred and included all the costs incurred in connection with the Offering, which was terminated on March 31, 2017, including the Company’s legal, accounting, printing, mailing and filing fees, charges of the escrow agent, reimbursements to the Dealer Manager and participating broker-dealers for due diligence expenses set forth in detailed and itemized invoices, amounts to reimburse the Advisor for its portion of the salaries of the employees of its affiliates who provide services to the Advisor, and other costs in connection with oversight of such Offering and the marketing process, such as preparing supplemental sales materials, holding educational conferences and attending retail seminars conducted by the Dealer Manager or participating broker-dealers.

 

Concentration of Risk

 

The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents in bank deposit accounts, which, at times, may exceed U.S. federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. The Company believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash.

 

Basic and Diluted Net Earnings per Common Share

 

Net earnings per common share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding.

 

Financial Instruments

 

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable and other assets, accounts payable and other accrued expenses, due to/from related parties and distributions payable approximate their fair values because of the short maturity of these instruments.

 

The estimated fair value of our mortgages payable is as follows:

 

   As of December 31, 2018   As of December 31, 2017 
   Carrying Amount  

Estimated Fair

Value

   Carrying Amount  

Estimated Fair

Value

 
Mortgages payable  $79,621,989   $78,692,677   $87,603,627   $86,729,748 

 

The fair value of our mortgages payable was determined by discounting the future contractual interest and principal payments by market interest rates.

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

 

Effective January 1, 2018 the Company adopted guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) that that requires amounts that are generally described as restricted cash and to be included with cash when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted this standard using the retrospective transition method, which resulted in a decrease of $828,616 in net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

As required by the Company’s lenders, restricted cash is held in escrow accounts for anticipated capital expenditures, real estate taxes, and other reserves for certain of our consolidated properties. Capital reserves are typically utilized for non-operating expenses such as major capital expenditures. Alternatively, a lender may require its own formula for an escrow of capital reserves.

 

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LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

The following is a summary of the Company’s cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash total as presented in our statements of cash flows for the periods presented:

 

   December 31, 
   2018   2017 
Cash and cash equivalents  $9,965,724   $45,050,023 
Restricted cash   1,672,957    1,680,056 
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash  $11,638,681   $46,730,079 

 

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted guidance issued by the FASB that clarifies the definition of a business and assists in the evaluation of whether a transaction will be accounted for as an acquisition of an asset or as a business combination. The guidance provides a test to determine when a set of assets and activities acquired is not a business. When substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. Additionally, assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest will be measured at their relative fair values.  The Company anticipates future acquisitions of real estate assets, if any, will likely qualify as an asset acquisition. Therefore, any future transaction costs associated with an asset acquisition will be capitalized and accounted for in accordance with this guidance.

 

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted guidance issued by the FASB that outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most of the previous revenue recognition guidance.  The new guidance requires companies to apply a five-step model in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers, as well as enhance disclosures regarding revenue recognition. Additionally, the sale of real estate is required to follow the new model. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method. Due to the short-term nature of the Company's revenue streams, the adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the amount and timing of revenue recognition for revenues from rooms and food, beverage and other ancillary services. The adoption of this standard had no impact on the Company's revenue or net income, and, therefore, no adjustment was recorded to the Company's opening balance of accumulated deficit.  The Company also considered and determined that presenting revenue disaggregated by rooms and food, beverage and other depicts the appropriate categories about the nature and timing of its revenue streams and that no additional disaggregation is needed.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In August 2018, the SEC adopted the final rule amending certain disclosure requirements that have become redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated, or superseded. In addition, the amendments expand the disclosure requirements on the analysis of stockholders' equity for interim financial statements. Under the amendments, an analysis of changes in each caption of stockholders' equity presented in the balance sheet must be provided in a note or separate statement. The rule was effective on November 5, 2018 and will be effective for the quarter that begins after the effective date.  Since the Company already includes a year to date consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity in our interim financial statement filings, the adoption of this guidance will result in the inclusion of a quarter to date consolidated statement of stockholders equity in our second and third quarter interim financial statement filings and the inclusion of corresponding prior periods statement of stockholders’ equity for all periods presented.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standards update which supersedes the existing lease accounting model, and modifies both lessee and lessor accounting. The new guidance will require lessees to recognize a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset, initially measured at the present value of lease payments, for both operating and financing leases, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the statement of earnings. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, lessees will be permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset to not recognize lease liabilities and lease assets. The standard offers several practical expedients for transition and certain expedients specific to lessees or lessors. Both lessees and lessors are permitted to make an election to apply a package of practical expedients available for implementation under the standard. The Company intends to apply the package of practical expedients and certain other transition expedients. For transition, the Company intends to recognize all effects of transition in the beginning of the adoption reporting period on January 1, 2019. We expect that the adoption of this standard will result in the recognition of right-of-use assets and related lease liability accounts on the consolidated balance sheet but is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or our results of operations.

 

 44 

 

 

LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

The Company has reviewed and determined that other recently issued accounting pronouncements will not have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows, or do not apply to its current operations

 

3. Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliated Real Estate Entities

 

The entities listed below are partially owned by the Company. The Company accounts for these investments under the equity method of accounting as the Company exercises significant influence, but does not exercise financial and operating control over these entities. A summary of the Company’s investments in the unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities is as follows:

 

          As of 
Entity  Date of Ownership  Ownership %   December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017 
                
RP Maximus Cove, L.L.C. (the "Cove Joint Venture")  January 31, 2017   22.50%  $17,214,909   $17,805,991 
LVP LIC Hotel JV LLC (the "Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture")  March 27, 2018   50.00%   12,769,078    - 
Total investments in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities          $29,983,987   $17,805,991 

 

The Cove Joint Venture

 

On January 31, 2017, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, REIT III COVE LLC along with LSG Cove LLC, an affiliate of the Company’s Sponsor and a related party, REIT IV COVE LLC, a subsidiary of the operating partnership of Lightstone Real Estate Income Trust, Inc., a real estate investment trust also sponsored by the Company’s Sponsor and a related party and Maximus Cove Investor LLC (“Maximus”), an unrelated third party, completed the acquisition of all of RP Cove, L.L.C’s membership interest in RP Maximus Cove, L.L.C. (the “Cove Joint Venture”) for aggregate consideration of approximately $255.0 million, which consisted of $80.0 million of cash and $175.0 million of proceeds from a loan from a financial institution. The Cove Joint Venture owns and operates The Cove at Tiburon (the “Cove”), a multi-family complex consisting of 281-units, or 289,690 square feet, contained within 32 apartment buildings over 20.1 acres originally constructed in 1967, located in Tiburon, California.

 

In connection with the acquisition, the Company paid the Advisor an acquisition fee of approximately $0.6 million, equal to 1.0% of the Company’s pro-rata share of the contractual purchase price which is reflected in the Company’s carrying value which is included in investments in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

The Company paid approximately $20.0 million for a 22.5% membership interest in the Cove Joint Venture. The Company’s ownership interest in the Cove Joint Venture is a non-managing interest. The Company has determined that the Cove Joint Venture is a variable interest entity but the Company is not the primary beneficiary. The Company accounts for its ownership interest in the Cove Joint Venture in accordance with the equity method of accounting because it exerts significant influence over but does not control the Cove Joint Venture. All capital contributions and distributions of earnings from the Cove Joint Venture are made on a pro rata basis in proportion to each member’s equity interest percentage. Any distributions in excess of earnings from the Cove Joint Venture are made to the members pursuant to the terms of the Cove Joint Venture’s operating agreement. An affiliate of Maximus is the asset manager of the Cove and receives certain fees as defined in the property management agreement for the management of the Cove. The Company commenced recording its allocated portion of profit/loss and cash distributions beginning as of January 31, 2017 with respect to its membership interest of 22.5% in the Cove Joint Venture.  During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company made additional capital contributions of $2.1 million to the Cove Joint Venture.

 

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LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

In connection with the closing of the Cove Transaction, the Cove Joint Venture simultaneously entered into a $175.0 million loan (the “Loan”) initially scheduled to mature on January 31, 2020 with two, one-year extension options, subject to certain conditions. The Loan requires monthly interest payments through its maturity date.  The Loan bears interest at Libor plus 3.85% through its initial maturity and Libor plus 4.15% during each of the extension periods. The Loan is collateralized by the Cove and an affiliate of the Company’s Sponsor (the “Guarantor”) has guaranteed the Cove Joint Venture‘s obligation to pay the outstanding balance of the Loan up to approximately $43.8 million (the “Loan Guarantee”). The members have agreed to reimburse the Guarantor for any balance that may become due under the Loan Guarantee, of which the Company’s share is up to approximately $10.9 million.

 

Starting in 2013, the Cove has been undergoing an extensive refurbishment which was substantially completed in 2018. The members have used all of the remaining proceeds from the Loan and also invested additional capital as necessary for the refurbishment. The Guarantor has provided an additional guarantee of up to approximately $13.4 million (the “Refurbishment Guarantee”) to provide any necessary funds to complete the remaining renovations as defined in the Loan. The Members have agreed to reimburse the Guarantor for any balance that may become due under the Refurbishment Guarantee, of which the Company’s share is up to approximately $3.3 million.

 

The Company has determined that the fair value of both the Loan Guarantee and the Refurbishment Guarantee are immaterial.

 

The Cove Joint Venture Financial Information

 

The Company’s carrying value of its interest in the Cove Joint Venture differs from its share of member’s equity reported in the condensed balance sheet of the Cove Joint Venture due to the Company’s basis of its investment in excess of the historical net book value of the Cove Joint Venture. The Company’s additional basis allocated to depreciable assets is being recognized on a straight-line basis over the lives of the appropriate assets.

 

The following table represents the condensed income statements for the Cove Joint Venture:

 

(amounts in thousands) 

For the Year

Ended December 31, 2018

  

For the Period January 31, 2017

(date of investment)

through December 31, 2017

 
Revenues  $14,604   $12,291 
Property operating expenses   4,995    4,300 
General and administrative costs   169    249 
Depreciation and amortization   10,211    8,743 
Operating loss   (771)   (1,001)
Interest expense and other, net   (11,002)   (8,578)
Net loss  $(11,773)  $(9,579)
Company's share of net loss (22.50%)  $(2,649)  $(2,155)
Adjustment to depreciation and amortization expense (1)   (97)   (659)
Company's loss from investment  $(2,746)  $(2,814)

 

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LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

The following table represents the condensed balance sheets for the Cove Joint Venture:

 

   As of   As of 
(amounts in thousands)  December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017 
         
Real estate, at cost (net)  $148,441   $149,727 
Cash and restricted cash   2,138    2,538 
Other assets   1,810    1,541 
Total assets  $152,389   $153,806 
           
Mortgage payable, net  $174,098   $173,534 
Other liabilities   2,776    2,830 
Members' deficit (1)   (24,485)   (22,558)
Total liabilities and members' deficit  $152,389   $153,806 

 

1.The adjustment to depreciation and amortization expense relates to the difference between the Company’s basis in the Cove Joint Venture and the amount of the underlying equity in net assets of the Cove Joint Venture.

 

Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture

 

On March 27, 2018, the Company and its Sponsor’s other public program, Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust II, Inc. (“Lightstone REIT II”), acquired, through the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture, a 183-room, limited-service hotel located at 29-21 41st Avenue, Long Island City, New York (the “Hilton Garden Inn - Long Island City”) from an unrelated third party, for aggregate consideration of approximately $60.0 million, which consisted of $25.0 million of cash and $35.0 million of proceeds from a loan from a financial institution, excluding closing and other related transaction costs. The Company and Lightstone REIT II each have 50.0% joint venture ownership interests in the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture.

 

In connection with the acquisition, the Company paid an acquisition fee of $0.3 million payable to the Advisor, equal to 1.0% of the Company’s pro-rata share of the contractual purchase price which is reflected in the Company’s carrying value which is included in investments in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

The Company paid approximately $12.9 million for a 50.0% membership interest in the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture, which is a co-managing interest. The Company accounts for its membership interest in the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture in accordance with the equity method of accounting because it exerts significant influence over but does not control the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture.  All capital contributions and distributions of earnings from the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture are made on a pro rata basis in proportion to each Member’s equity interest percentage. Any distributions in excess of earnings from the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture are made to the Members pursuant to the terms of the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture’s operating agreement. The Company commenced recording its allocated portion of profit/loss and cash distributions beginning as of March 27, 2018 with respect to its membership interest of 50.0% in the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture.   During 2018, the Company received distributions from the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture aggregating $0.6 million.

 

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LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture Financial Information

 

The following table represents the condensed income statement for the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture for the period indicated:

 

(amounts in thousands) 

For the Period March 27, 2018

(date of investment)

through December 31, 2018

 
Revenues  $9,044 
Property operating expenses   5,502 
General and administrative costs   62 
Depreciation and amortization   1,914 
Operating income   1,566 
Interest expense and other, net   (1,465)
Net income  $101 
Company's share of net income (50.00%)  $51 

 

The following table represents the condensed balance sheet for the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture:

 

   As of 
(amounts in thousands)  December 31, 2018 
     
Investment property, net  $58,799 
Cash   554 
Other assets   1,218 
Total assets  $60,571 
      
Mortgage payable, net  $34,766 
Other liabilities   867 
Members' capital   24,938 
Total liabilities and members' capital  $60,571 

 

4. Marketable Securities and Fair Value Measurements

 

Marketable Securities

 

The following is a summary of the Company’s available for sale securities as of the dates indicated:

 

   As of December 31, 2018 
   Adjusted Cost   Gross Unrealized
Gains
  

Gross Unrealized

Losses

   Fair Value 
                 
Debt securities  $4,158,515   $     -   $(450,292)  $3,708,223 

 

When evaluating the investments for other-than-temporary impairment, the Company reviews factors such as the length of time and extent to which fair value has been below cost basis, the financial condition of the issuer and any changes thereto, and the Company’s intent to sell, or whether it is more likely than not it will be required to sell, the investment before recovery of the investment’s amortized cost basis. As of December 31, 2018, the Company did not recognize any impairment charges.

 

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LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

 

The standard describes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value:

 

·Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

·Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

 

·Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

 

As of December 31, 2018, all of the Company’s debt securities and were classified as Level 2 assets and there were no transfers between the level classifications during the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

The fair values of the Company’s investments in debt securities are measured using readily available quoted prices for similar assets.

 

The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of our investments in marketable debt securities with stated contractual maturity dates, accounted for as available-for-sale securities and classified by the contractual maturity date of the securities:

 

   As of December 31, 2018 
Due in 1 year  $884,983 
Due in 1 year through 5 years   2,238,240 
Due in 5 year through 10 years   - 
Due after 10 years   585,000 
Total  $3,708,223 

 

The Company did not have any other significant financial assets or liabilities, which would require revised valuations that are recognized at fair value.

 

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LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

5. Mortgages payable, net

 

Mortgages payable, net consisted of the following:

 

       Weighted
Average
Interest Rate
            
Description  Interest
Rate
   as of
December 31,
2018
   Maturity
Date
  Amount Due
at Maturity
   As of
December 31, 2018
   As of
December 31, 2017
 
Revolving Credit Facility, secured by seven properties   LIBOR + 3.50%     6.06%  July 2019  $52,159,414   $52,159,414   $59,696,000 
                             
Promissory Note, secured by two properties   4.73%    4.73%  October 2021   26,127,572    27,462,575    27,907,627 
                             
Total mortgages payable        5.60%     $78,286,986    79,621,989    87,603,627 
                             
Less: Deferred financing costs                     (285,182)   (700,843)
                             
Total mortgage payable, net                    $79,336,807   $86,902,784 

 

On July 13, 2016, the Company, through certain subsidiaries, entered into a $60.0 million non-recourse revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), with a bank. The Revolving Credit Facility initially bore interest at Libor plus 4.95% and provided a line of credit over the next three years, with two, one-year options to extend solely at the discretion of the bank. Interest is payable monthly and the entire unpaid principal balance is due upon expiration of the Revolving Credit Facility. On June 19, 2018 the Company made a required principal payment of $7.4 million on the Revolving Credit Facility and the lender reduced the interest rate to Libor plus 3.50 % from Libor plus 4.95 %. Under the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility, the Company may designate properties as collateral that allows it to borrow up to a 65.0% loan-to-value ratio of the properties and also subject to meeting certain financial covenants, including a prescribed minimum debt yield. As of December 31, 2018, the Company has pledged seven of its hotel properties as collateral under the Revolving Credit Facility.

 

Additionally, the Revolving Credit Facility (outstanding principal balance of $52.2 million as of December 31, 2018) matures in July 2019. The Company currently expects to obtain an extension of such existing indebtedness from the bank. If the Company is unable to obtain an extension from the bank, it will seek to refinance such existing indebtedness on or before its applicable stated maturity.

 

On October 5, 2016, the Company entered into a promissory note (the “Promissory Note”) for $28.4 million. The Promissory Note has a term of five years, bears interest at 4.73% and requires monthly interest and principal payments of $147,806 through its stated maturity with the entire unpaid balance due upon maturity. The Promissory Note is cross-collateralized by two hotel properties (Home2 Suites – Tukwila and Home2 Suites – Salt Lake City).

 

Principal Maturities

 

The following table, based on the initial terms of the mortgage, sets forth their aggregate estimated contractual principal maturities, including balloon payments due at maturity, as of December 31, 2018:

 

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LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

   2019   2020   2021   2022   2023   Thereafter   Total 
Principal maturities  $52,626,284   $486,092   $26,509,613   $-   $-   $-   $79,621,989 
                                    
Less: Deferred financing costs                                 (285,182)
                                    
Total principal maturiteis, net                                $79,336,807 

 

Debt Compliance

 

Pursuant to the Company’s debt agreements, approximately $1.7 million and $1.2 million was held in restricted escrow accounts as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Such escrows are subject to release in accordance with the applicable debt agreement for the payment of real estate taxes, insurance and capital improvements, as required. Certain of our debt agreements contain clauses providing for prepayment penalties and requiring the maintenance of certain ratios including debt service coverage and fixed leverage charge ratio. The Company is currently in compliance with respect to all of its financial debt covenants.

 

6. Stockholder’s Equity

 

Preferred Stock

 

The Company’s charter authorizes its board of directors to designate and issue one or more classes or series of preferred stock without approval of the stockholders of Common Shares. On July 11, 2014, the Company amended and restated its charter to authorize the issuance of 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Prior to the issuance of shares of each class or series, the Company’s board of directors is required by Maryland law and by the Company’s charter to set, subject to the Company’s charter restrictions on ownership and transfer of stock, the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of each class or series of preferred stock so issued, which may be more beneficial than the rights, preferences and privileges attributable to Common Shares. The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company. As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had no outstanding shares of preferred stock.

 

Common Shares

 

On July 11, 2014, the Company amended and restated its charter to authorize the issuance of 200,000,000 Common Shares. Under its charter, the Company cannot make some material changes to its business form or operations without the approval of stockholders holding at least a majority of the shares of our stock entitled to vote on the matter. These include (1) amendment of its charter, (2) its liquidation or dissolution, and (3) its merger, consolidation or the sale or other disposition of its assets. Share exchanges in which the Company is the acquirer, however, do not require stockholder approval.

 

All of the common stock offered by the Company will be duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable. Subject to the restrictions on ownership and transfer of stock contained in the Company’s charter and except as may otherwise be specified in the charter, the holders of Common Shares are entitled to one vote per Common Share on all matters submitted to a stockholder vote, including the election of the Company’s directors. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors. Therefore, the holders of a majority of outstanding Common Shares can elect the Company’s entire board of directors. Except as the Company’s charter may provide with respect to any series of preferred stock that the Company may issue in the future, the holders of Common Shares will possess exclusive voting power.

 

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LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

Holders of the Company’s Common Shares are entitled to receive such distributions as authorized from time to time by the Company’s board of directors and declared out of legally available funds, subject to any preferential rights of any preferred stock that the Company issues in the future. In any liquidation, each outstanding Common Share entitles its holder to share (based on the percentage of Common Shares held) in the assets that remain after the Company pays its liabilities and any preferential distributions owed to preferred stockholders. Holders of Common Shares do not have preemptive rights, which means that there is no automatic option to purchase any new Common Shares that the Company issues, nor do holders of Common Shares have any preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund or redemption rights. Holders of Common Shares do not have appraisal rights unless the Board of Directors determines that appraisal rights apply, with respect to all or any classes or series of stock, to a particular transaction or all transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which holders of such Common Shares would otherwise be entitled to exercise appraisal rights. Common Shares are nonassessable by the Company upon its receipt of the consideration for which the Board of Directors authorized its issuance.

 

Distribution Declaration

 

On January 14, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized and the Company declared a distribution rate calculated based on stockholders of record each day during the applicable period at a rate of $0.00164383 per day, and which equals a daily amount that, if paid each day for a 365-day period, would equal a 6.0% annualized rate based on a share price of $10.00. The Company’s first distribution began to accrue on December 11, 2014 (date of breaking escrow) through February 28, 2015 (the end of the month following the Company’s initial property acquisition) and subsequent distributions have been declared on a monthly basis thereafter. The first distribution was payable on March 15, 2015 and subsequent distributions have been paid on or about the 15th day following each month end to stockholders of record at the close of business on the last day of the prior month.

 

Total distributions declared during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were $8.1 million and $8.0 million.

 

Distribution Payments

  

On November 15, 2018, December 15, 2018 and January 13, 2019, the Company paid distributions for the months ended October 31, 2018, November 30, 2018 and December 31, 2018, respectively, totaling $2.0 million. The distributions were paid in cash.

 

Distribution Declaration

 

On March 19, 2019, the Board of Directors authorized and the Company declared a distribution for each month during the three-month period ending June 30, 2019. The distributions will be calculated based on shareholders of record at a rate of $0.00164383 per day, and will equal a daily amount that, if paid each day for a 365-day period, would equal a 6.0% annualized rate based on a share price of $10.00 payable on or about the 15th day following each month end to stockholders of record at the close of business on the last day of the prior month.

 

7. Related Party and Other Transactions  

 

The Company had an agreement with the Dealer Manager for services related to the Offering which was terminated on March 31, 2017. In addition, the Company had or has agreements with the Advisor and its affiliates and the Special Limited Partner pursuant to which is has and/or will pay certain fees and liquidation distributions in exchange for services performed or consideration given by these entities and other affiliated entities. The following table summarizes all the compensation and fees the Company paid or may pay to the Dealer Manager, the Advisor and its affiliates, including amounts to reimburse their costs in providing services. The Special Limited Partner made contributions to the Operating Partnership in exchange for Subordinated Participation Interests in the Operating Partnership that may entitle the Special Limited Partner to subordinated distributions as described in the table below.

 

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LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

Organization and Offering Stage
 
Fees   Amount
Selling Commissions   The Dealer Manager received selling commissions in an amount of up to 7% of the gross proceeds in the primary offering. From the Company’s inception through March 31, 2017 (the termination date of the Offering), $8.3 million of selling commissions were incurred.
 
Fees   Amount
Dealer Manager Fee  

The Dealer Manager received a dealer manager fee in an amount of up to 3% of gross proceeds in the primary offering. From the Company’s inception through March 31, 2017 (the termination date of the Offering), $3.9 million of dealer manager fees were incurred.

 

Organization and Offering Expenses

 

  The Company reimbursed the Advisor for all organization and offering expenses in connection with the Offering, other than the selling commissions and dealer manager fee. From the Company’s inception through the March 31, 2017 (the termination date of the Offering), $4.8 of organization and offering expenses were incurred.

 

Operational Stage
 
Fees   Amount
Acquisition Fee  

The Company pays to the Advisor or its affiliates 1.0% of the contractual purchase price of each property acquired (including its pro rata share (direct or indirect) of debt attributable to such property) or 1.0% of the amount advanced for a loan or other investment (including its pro rata share (direct or indirect) of debt attributable to such investment), as applicable.

 

‘‘Contractual purchase price’’ or the ‘‘amount advanced for a loan or other investment’’ means the amount actually paid or allocated in respect of the purchase, development, construction or improvement of a property, the amount of funds advanced with respect to a mortgage, or the amount actually paid or allocated in respect of the purchase of other real estate-related assets, in each case inclusive of any indebtedness assumed or incurred in respect of such asset but exclusive of acquisition fees and acquisition expenses.

 

 

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LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

Fees   Amount
Acquisition Expenses  

The Company reimburses the Advisor for expenses actually incurred related to selecting or acquiring assets on the Company’s behalf, regardless of whether or not the Company acquires the related assets. In addition, the Company pays third parties, or reimburses the Advisor or its affiliates, for any investment-related expenses due to third parties, including, but not limited to legal fees and expenses, travel and communications expenses, cost of appraisals, nonrefundable option payments on property not acquired, accounting fees and expenses and title insurance premiums, regardless of whether or not the Company acquires the related assets. In no event will the total of all acquisition fees, financing coordination fees and acquisition expenses (including those paid to third parties, as described above) payable with respect to a particular investment be unreasonable or exceed 5% of the contractual purchase price of each property including its pro rata share (direct or indirect) of debt attributable to such property) or 5% of the amount advanced for a loan or other investment (including its pro rata share (direct or indirect) of debt attributable to attributable to such investment), as applicable.

 

Construction

Management Fee

 

The Company may engage affiliates of the Advisor to provide construction management services for some of its properties. The Company will pay a construction management fee in an amount of up to 5% of the cost of any improvements that the affiliates of the Advisor may undertake. The affiliates of the Advisor may subcontract the performance of their duties to third parties. From the Company’s inception through December 31, 2018, no construction management fees have been incurred.

 

Fees   Amount
Asset Management Subordinated Participation   Until March 31, 2017, the date on which the Offering ended, and subject to the approval of our Board of Directors, the Company could have paid the Advisor annually an asset management subordinated participation by issuing a number of restricted Class B Units.   No annual subordinated performance fees were issued during the Offering.

 

 

 

 

LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

Fees   Amount

Asset Management

Fee

 

 

The following description of the asset management fee applies beginning on the date on which the Offering ended, which was March 31, 2017.

 

The Company pays the Advisor or its assignees a monthly asset management fee equal to one-twelfth (1⁄12) of 0.75% of the Company’s average invested assets. Average invested assets means, for a specified period, the average of the aggregate book value of its assets invested, directly or indirectly, in equity interests in and loans secured by real estate, before deducting depreciation, bad debts or other non- cash reserves, computed by taking the average of such values at the end of each month during such period. 

 

Property

Management Fees

 

 

Property management fees with respect to properties managed by affiliates of the Advisor are payable monthly in an amount not to exceed the fee customarily charged in arm’s-length transactions by others rendering similar services in the same geographic area for similar properties as determined by a survey of property managers in such area. The affiliates of the Advisor may subcontract the performance of their duties to third parties. The Company reimburses the affiliates of the Advisor for costs and expenses, which may include personnel costs for on-site personnel providing direct services for the properties and for roving maintenance personnel to the extent needed at the properties from time to time, and the cost of travel and entertainment, printing and stationery, advertising, marketing, signage, long distance phone calls and other expenses that are directly related to the management of specific properties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will not reimburse the affiliates of the Advisor for their general overhead costs or, other than as set forth above, for the wages and salaries and other employee-related expenses of their employees.

 

In addition, the Company pays the affiliates of the Advisor a separate fee for the one- time initial rent-up or leasing-up of newly constructed properties in an amount not to exceed the fee customarily charged in arm’s-length transactions by others rendering similar services in the same geographic area for similar properties as determined by a survey of brokers and agents in such area.

 

From the Company’s inception through December 31, 2018, no property management fees or separate fees have been incurred.

 

Operating Expenses  

Beginning 12 months after the commencement of the Offering, the Company may reimburse the Advisor’s costs of providing administrative services at the end of each fiscal quarter, subject to the limitation that the Company will not reimburse the Advisor (except in limited circumstances) for any amount by which the total operating expenses at the end of the four preceding fiscal quarters exceeds the greater of (i) 2% of average invested assets (as defined above under ‘‘— Asset Management Fee’’) for that fiscal year, and (ii) 25% of net income other than any additions to reserves for depreciation, bad debt or other similar non-cash reserves and excluding any gain from the sale of assets for that period.

 

Additionally, the Company reimburses the Advisor or its affiliates for personnel costs in connection with other services; however, the Company will not reimburse the Advisor for (a) services for which the Advisor or its affiliates are entitled to compensation in the form of a separate fee, or (b) the salaries and benefits of the named executive officers.

 
Fees   Amount

Financing

Coordination Fee

  If the Advisor provides services in connection with the financing of an asset, assumption of a loan in connection with the acquisition of an asset or origination or refinancing of any loan on an asset, the Company may pay the Advisor or its assignees a financing coordination fee equal to 0.75% of the amount available or outstanding under such financing. The Advisor may reallow some of or all this financing coordination fee to reimburse third parties with whom it may subcontract to procure such financing. From the Company’s inception through December 31, 2018, no financing coordination fees have been charged.

 

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LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

Liquidation/Listing Stage
 
Fees   Amount

Real Estate Disposition Commissions

 

 

For substantial services in connection with the sale of a property, the Company will pay to the Advisor or any of its affiliates a real estate disposition commission in an amount equal to the lesser of (a) one-half of a real estate commission that is reasonable, customary and competitive in light of the size, type and location of the property and (b) 2.0% of the contractual sales price of the property; provided, however, that in no event may the real estate commissions paid to the Advisor, its affiliates and unaffiliated third parties exceed the lesser of 6.0% of the contractual sales price or a real estate commission that is reasonable, customary and competitive in light of the size, type and location of the property. The Company’s independent directors will determine whether the Advisor or its affiliates have provided a substantial amount of services to the Company in connection with the sale of a property. A substantial amount of services in connection with the sale of a property includes the preparation by the Advisor or its affiliates of an investment package for the property (including an investment analysis, an asset description and other due diligence information) or such other substantial services performed by the Advisor or its affiliates in connection with a sale. From the Company’s inception through December 31, 2018, no real estate disposition commissions have been incurred.

 

Annual Subordinated

Performance Fee

 

 

The Company may pay the Advisor an annual subordinated performance fee calculated on the basis of the annual return to holders of Common Shares, payable annually in arrears, such that for any year in which holders of Common Shares receive payment of a 6.0% annual cumulative, pre-tax, non-compounded return on their respective net investments, the Advisor will be entitled to 15.0% of the total return in excess of such 6.0% per annum; provided, that the amount paid to the Advisor will not exceed 10.0% of the aggregate return for such year, and provided, further, that the amount paid to the Advisor will not be paid unless holders of Common Shares receive a return of their respective net investments. This fee will be payable only from realized appreciation in the Company’s assets upon their sale, other disposition or refinancing, which results in the return on stockholders’ respective net investments exceeding 6.0% per annum.

 

For purposes of the annual subordinated performance fee, “net investment” means $10.00 per Common Share, less a pro rata share of any proceeds received from the sale, other disposition or refinancing of assets.

 

From the Company’s inception through December 31, 2018, no annual subordinated performance fees have been incurred.

 

Fees   Amount

Liquidation Distributions to the Special Limited Partner

 

 

Distributions from the Operating Partnership in connection with its liquidation initially will be made to the Company (which the Company will distribute to holders of Common Shares), until holders of Common Shares have received liquidation distributions from the Operating Partnership equal to their respective net investments plus a cumulative, pre-tax, non-compounded annual return of 6.0% on their respective net investments.

 

Thereafter, the Special Limited Partner will be entitled to receive liquidation distributions from the Operating Partnership until it has received liquidation distributions from the Operating Partnership equal to its net investment plus cumulative, pre-tax, non-compounded annual return of 6.0% on its net investment.

 

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LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

   

Thereafter, 85.0% of the aggregate amount of any additional liquidation distributions by the Operating Partnership will be payable to the Company (which the Company will distribute to holders of Common Shares), and the remaining 15.0% will be payable to the Special Limited Partner.

 

With respect to holders of Common Shares, “net investment” means $10.00 per Common Share, less a pro rata share of any proceeds received from the sale, other disposition or refinancing of assets. With respect to the Special Limited Partner, “net investment” means the value of all contributions of cash or property the Special Limited Partner has made to the Operating Partnership in consideration for its subordinated participation interests, measured as of the respective times of contribution, less a pro rata share of any proceeds received from the sale, other disposition or refinancing of assets.

 

From the Company’s inception through December 31, 2018, no liquidating distributions have been made.

 

During our Offering, selling commissions and dealer manager fees were paid to the Dealer Manager or soliciting dealers, as applicable, pursuant to various agreements, and other third-party offering costs such as registration fees, due diligence fees, marketing costs, and professional fees were accounted for as a reduction against additional paid-in capital as costs were incurred. Any organizational costs were accounted for as general and administrative costs. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 (the termination date of the Offering), we incurred approximately $1.8 million of selling commissions and dealer manager fees and less than $0.1 million of other offering costs. We did not incur any of these costs subsequent to the termination of the Offering.

 

From our inception through March 31, 2017 (the termination date of the Offering), we incurred approximately $12.2 million in selling commissions and dealer manager fees and $4.8 million of other offering costs in connection with the public offering of shares of our common stock.

 

Due to related parties and other transactions

 

In addition to certain agreements with the Sponsor (see Note 1) and Dealer Manager, the Company has agreements with the Advisor to pay certain fees in exchange for services performed by the Advisor and/or its affiliated entities. Additionally, the Company’s ability to secure financing and its real estate operations are dependent upon its Advisor and its affiliates to perform such services as provided in these agreements. Amounts the Company owes to the Advisor and its affiliated entities are principally for asset management fees, and are classified as due to related parties on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

Affiliates of the Company’s Advisor may also perform fee-based construction management services for both its development and redevelopment activities and tenant construction projects. These fees will be considered incremental to the construction effort and will be capitalized to the associated real estate project as incurred. Costs incurred for tenant construction will be depreciated over the shorter of their useful life or the term of the related lease. Costs related to development and redevelopment activities will be depreciated over the estimated useful life of the associated project.

 

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LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

The following table represents the fees incurred associated with the payments to the Company’s Advisor for the period indicated:

 

   For the Years Ended December 31, 
   2018   2017 
Acquisition fee (1)  $300,000   $573,750 
Asset management fees (general and administrative costs)   1,720,454    1,087,586 
Development fee (2)   51,419    29,116 
Total  $2,071,873   $1,690,452 

 

(1)Acquisition fees of $300,000 during 2018 and $573,750 during 2017 were capitalized and are reflected in the carrying value of our investments in the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture and the Cove Joint Venture, respectively, which are included in investments in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities on the consolidated balance sheets.
(2)Generally, capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful life of the associated asset.

 

8. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Management Agreements

 

The Company’s hotels operate pursuant to management agreements (the “Management Agreements”) with various third-party management companies. The management companies perform management functions including, but not limited to, hiring and supervising employees, establishing room prices, establishing administrative policies and procedures, managing expenditures and arranging and supervising public relations and advertising.   The Management Agreements are for initial terms ranging from 1 year to 10 years however, the agreements can be cancelled for any reason by the Company after giving sixty days’ notice after the one year anniversary of the commencement of the respective agreement.

 

The Management Agreements provide for the payment of a base management fee equal to 3% to 3.5% of gross revenues, as defined, and an incentive management fee based on the operating results of the hotel, as defined.  The base management fee and incentive management fee, if any, are recorded as a component of property operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

Franchise Agreements

 

As of December 31, 2018, the Company’s hotels operated pursuant to various franchise agreements. Under the franchise agreements, the Company generally pays a fee equal to 3% to 5.5% of gross room sales, as defined, and a marketing fund charge from 2.0% to 2.5% of gross room sales.  The franchise fee and marketing fund charge are recorded as a component of property operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

The franchise agreements are generally for initial terms ranging from 15 years to 20 years, expiring between 2028 and 2034.

 

Legal Proceedings 

 

From time to time in the ordinary course of business, the Company may become subject to legal proceedings, claims or disputes.

 

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PART II. CONTINUED:

ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE:

 

None.

 

Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures. As of December 31, 2018, we conducted an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Advisor’s management, including our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded as of December 31, 2018 that our disclosure controls and procedures were adequate and effective.

 

Management’s 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 Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Our internal control system is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Our internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that:

 

pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and disposition of assets;

 

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 are being made only in accordance with the authorization of our management and directors; and

 

provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.

 

Because of 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.

 

Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. In making this assessment, they used the control criteria framework of the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission published in its report entitled Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013). Based on this evaluation, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2018.

 

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This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION:

 

None.

 

PART III.

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE OF THE REGISTRANT

 

Directors

 

The following table presents certain information as of March 15, 2019 concerning each of our directors serving in such capacity:

 

        Principal Occupation and   Year Term of   Served as a
Name   Age Positions Held Office Will Expire   Director Since
                 
David Lichtenstein   58   Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors   2019   2014
Edwin J. Glickman   87   Director   2019   2014
George R. Whittemore   69   Director   2019   2014

 

David Lichtenstein is our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our board of directors. Mr. Lichtenstein founded both American Shelter Corporation and The Lightstone Group. From 1988 to the present, Mr. Lichtenstein has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of The Lightstone Group, directing all aspects of the acquisition, financing and management of a diverse portfolio of multifamily, lodging, retail and industrial properties located in 20 states and Puerto Rico. From June 2004 to the present, Mr. Lichtenstein has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (“Lightstone I”) and Chief Executive Officer of Lightstone Value Plus REIT LLC, its advisor. From April 2008 to the present, Mr. Lichtenstein has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Offer of Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust II, Inc. (“Lightstone II”) and Lightstone Value Plus REIT II LLC, its advisor. From September 2014 to the present, Mr. Lichtenstein has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Lightstone Real Estate Income Trust Inc., (“Lightstone IV”), and as Chief Executive Officer of Lightstone Real Estate Income LLC, its advisor. From October 2014 to the present, Mr. Lichtenstein has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Lightstone Enterprises Limited (“Lightstone Enterprises”). Mr. Lichtenstein was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust V, Inc. (“Lightstone V”), formerly known as Behringer Harvard Opportunity REIT II, Inc., effective as of September 28, 2017 and is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the its advisor. Mr. Lichtenstein was the president and/or director of certain subsidiaries of Extended Stay Hotels, Inc. (“Extended Stay”) that filed for Chapter 11 protection with Extended Stay. Extended Stay and its subsidiaries filed for bankruptcy protection on June 15, 2009 so they could reorganize their debts in the face of looming amortization payments. Extended Stay emerged from bankruptcy on October 8, 2010. Mr. Lichtenstein is no longer affiliated with Extended Stay. From July 2015 to the present, Mr. Lichtenstein has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the New York City Economic Development Corporation. Mr. Lichtenstein is also a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Inc., an industry trade group, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of Touro College and New York Medical College. Mr. Lichtenstein has been selected to serve as a director due to his experience and networking relationships in the real estate industry, along with his experience in acquiring and financing real estate properties.

 

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Edwin J. Glickman is one of our independent directors and the chairman of our audit committee.  From April 2008 to the present, Mr. Glickman has served as a member of the board of directors of Lightstone II and from September 2014 to the present has served as a member of the board of directors of Lightstone IV. From December 2004 through January 2015, Mr. Glickman previously served as a member of the board of directors of Lightstone I. In January 1995, Mr. Glickman co-founded Capital Lease Funding, a leading mortgage lender for properties net leased to investment grade tenants, where he remained as Executive Vice President until May 2003 when he retired. Mr. Glickman was previously a trustee of publicly traded RPS Realty Trust from October 1980 through May 1996 and Atlantic Realty Trust from May 1996 to March 2006. Mr. Glickman graduated from Dartmouth College. Mr. Glickman has been selected to serve as an independent director due to his experience in mortgage lending and finance.

 

George R. Whittemore From July 2006 to the present, Mr. Whittemore has served as a member of the board of directors of Lightstone I, and from April 2008 to the present has served as a member of the board of directors of Lightstone II. Mr. Whittemore also presently serves as a director and chairman of the audit committee of Village Bank Financial Corporation in Richmond, Virginia, a publicly traded company. Mr. Whittemore previously served as a director of Condor Hospitality, Inc. in Norfolk, Nebraska, a publicly traded company, from November 1994 to March 2016. Mr. Whittemore previously served as a director and chairman of the audit committee of Prime Group Realty Trust from July 2005 until December 2012. Mr. Whittemore previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Condor Hospitality Trust, Inc. from November 2001 until August 2004 and as Senior Vice President and Director of both Anderson & Strudwick, Incorporated, a brokerage firm based in Richmond, Virginia, and Anderson & Strudwick Investment Corporation, from October 1996 until October 2001. Mr. Whittemore has also served as Director, President and Managing Officer of Pioneer Federal Savings Bank and its parent, Pioneer Financial Corporation, from September 1982 until August 1994, and as President of Mills Value Adviser, Inc., a registered investment advisor. Mr. Whittemore is a graduate of the University of Richmond. Mr. Whittemore has been selected to serve as an independent director due to his experience in accounting, banking, finance and real estate.

 

Executive Officers:

 

The following table presents certain information as of March 15, 2019 concerning each of our executive officers serving in such capacities:

 

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Name   Age   Principal Occupation and Positions Held
         
David Lichtenstein   58   Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors
         
Mitchell Hochberg   66   President and Chief Operating Officer
         
Joseph Teichman   45   General Counsel and Secretary
         
Seth Molod   55   Chief Financial Officer and  Treasurer

 

David Lichtenstein for biographical information about Mr. Lichtenstein, see ‘‘Management — Directors.”

  

Mitchell Hochberg is our President and Chief Operating Officer and also serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of Lightstone I, Lightstone II and Lightstone IV and their advisors. Mr. Hochberg also serves as the President of our sponsor and as the President and Chief Operating Officer of our advisor. From October 2014 to the present, Mr. Hochberg has served as President of Lightstone Enterprises. Mr. Hochberg was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Behringer Harvard Opportunity REIT I, Inc. (“BH OPP I”) and Lightstone V effective as of September 28, 2017. Prior to joining The Lightstone Group in August 2012, Mr. Hochberg served as principal of Madden Real Estate Ventures from 2007 to August 2012 when it combined with our sponsor. Mr. Hochberg held the position of President and Chief Operating Officer of Ian Schrager Company, a developer and manager of innovative luxury hotels and residential projects in the United States from early 2006 to early 2007 and prior to that Mr. Hochberg founded Spectrum Communities, a developer of luxury neighborhoods in the northeast of the United States, in 1985 where for 20 years he served as its President and Chief Executive Officer. Additionally, Mr. Hochberg serves on the board of directors of Orient-Express Hotels Ltd and as Chairman of the board of directors of Orleans Homebuilders, Inc. Mr. Hochberg received his law degree as a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar from Columbia University School of Law and graduated magna cum laude from New York University College of Business and Public Administration with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and finance.

 

Joseph E. Teichman is our General Counsel and Secretary and also serves as General Counsel of Lightstone I, Lightstone II and Lightstone IV and their respective advisors. Mr. Teichman also serves as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of our sponsor and as General Counsel of our advisor. From October 2014 to the present, Mr. Teichman has served as Secretary and a Director of Lightstone Enterprises. Prior to joining The Lightstone Group in January 2007, Mr. Teichman practiced law at the law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in New York, NY from September 2001 to January 2007. Mr. Teichman earned a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and a B.A. from Beth Medrash Govoha, Lakewood, New Jersey. Mr. Teichman is licensed to practice law in New York and New Jersey. Mr. Teichman was also a director of certain subsidiaries of Extended Stay that filed for Chapter 11 protection with Extended Stay. Extended Stay and its subsidiaries filed for bankruptcy protection on June 15, 2009 so they could reorganize their debts in the face of looming amortization payments. Extended Stay emerged from bankruptcy on October 8, 2010. Mr. Teichman is no longer affiliated with Extended Stay. Mr. Teichman is also a member of the Board of Directors of Yeshiva Orchos Chaim, Lakewood, New Jersey and was appointed to the Ocean County College Board of Trustees in February 2016.

 

Seth Molod is our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and also serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Lightstone I, Lightstone II, Lightstone IV and Lightstone V. Mr. Molod also serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of our Sponsor and as the Chief Financial Officer of our Advisor and the advisors of Lightstone I, Lightstone II, Lightstone IV and Lightstone V. Prior to joining The Lightstone Group in August of 2018, Mr. Molod, 54, served as an Audit Partner, Chair of Real Estate Services and on the Executive Committee of Berdon LLP, a full service accounting, tax, financial and management advisory firm (“Berdon”). Mr. Molod joined Berdon in 1989. He has extensive experience advising some of the nation’s most prominent real estate owners, developers, managers, and investors in both commercial and residential projects. Mr. Molod has worked with many privately held real estate companies as well as institutional investors, REITs, and other public companies. Mr. Molod is a licensed certified public accountant in New Jersey and New York and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Molod holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from Muhlenberg College.

 

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Section 16 (a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires each director, officer and individual beneficially owning more than 10% of our common stock to file initial statements of beneficial ownership (Form 3) and statements of changes in beneficial ownership (Forms 4 and 5) of our common stock with the Securities Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners are required by Securities and Exchange Commission rules to furnish us with copies of all such forms they file. Based solely on a review of the copies of such forms furnished to us during and with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, or written representations that no additional forms were required, we believe that all of our officers and directors and persons that beneficially own more than 10% of the outstanding shares of our common stock complied with these filing requirements in 2018.

 

Information Regarding Audit Committee

 

Our Board established an audit committee in June 2014. The charter of audit committee is available at www.lightstonecapitalmarkets.com/sec-filings or in print to any stockholder who requests it c/o Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust III, Inc., 1985 Cedar Bridge Avenue, Lakewood, NJ 08701. Our audit committee consists of Messrs. Edwin J. Glickman and George R. Whittemore each of whom is “independent” within the meaning of the NYSE listing standards. The Board determined that Messrs. Glickman and Whittemore are qualified as audit committee financial experts as defined in Item 401 (h) of Regulation S-K. For more information regarding the relevant professional experience of Messrs. Glickman and Whittemore see “Directors”.

 

Code of Conduct and Ethics

 

We have adopted a Code of Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our executive officers and directors, including but not limited to, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer. Our Code of Conduct and Ethics can be found at www.lightstonecapitalmarkets.com/sec-filings

 

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Compensation of Executive Officers

 

Our officers will not receive any cash compensation from us for their services as our officers. Our board of directors (including a majority of our independent directors) will determine if and when any of our officers will receive restricted shares of our common stock. Additionally, our officers are officers of one or more of our affiliates and are compensated by those entities (including our sponsor), in part, for their services rendered to us. From our inception through December 31, 2018, the Company has not compensated the officers.

 

Compensation of Board of Directors  

 

We pay our independent directors an annual fee of $40,000 and are responsible for reimbursement of their out-of-pocket expenses, as incurred.

 

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ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

Executive Officers:

 

The following table presents certain information as of March 15, 2019 concerning each of our directors and executive officers serving in such capacities:

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner  Number of Shares of Common 
Stock of the Lightstone REIT 
III Beneficially Owned
   Percent of All
Common Shares
of the Lightstone
REIT III
 
         
David Lichtenstein (1)   242,222    1.8%
Edwin J. Glickman   -    - 
George R. Whittemore   -    - 
Mitchell Hochberg   -    - 
Seth Molod   -    - 
Joseph Teichman   -    - 
Our directors and executive officers as a group (6 persons)   242,222    1.8%

 

(1)Includes 20,000 shares owned by our Advisor and 222,222 shares owned by an entity 100% owned by David Lichtenstein. Our Advisor is majority owned by David Lichtenstein. The beneficial owner’s business address is 1985 Cedar Bridge Avenue, Lakewood, New Jersey 08701. The Special Limited Partner, which is majority owned by Mr. Lichtenstein, will purchase subordinated participation interests in our operating partnership in exchange for cash or interest in real property.

 

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS  

 

David Lichtenstein serves as the Chairman of our Board of Directors and our Chief Executive Officer. Our Advisor and its affiliates and the Special Limited Partner are majority owned and controlled by Mr. Lichtenstein. We have or may entered into agreements with our Advisor and its affiliates to pay certain fees, as described below, in exchange for services performed or consideration given by these and other affiliated entities. As a majority owner of those entities, Mr. Lichtenstein benefits from fees and other compensation that they receive pursuant to these agreements.

 

Property Managers

 

Our Advisor has certain affiliates which may manage the properties we acquire. We also use other unaffiliated third-party property managers, principally for the management of our hospitality properties.

 

We have agreed to pay our property managers a monthly management fee in an amount not to exceed the fee customarily charged in arm’s-length transactions by others rendering similar services in the same geographic area for similar properties as determined by a survey of property managers in such area. We will reimburse our property managers for certain costs and expenses. We may also pay our property managers a separate fee for the one-time initial rent-up or leasing-up of newly constructed property in an amount not to exceed the fee customarily charged in arm’s length transactions by others rendering similar services in the same geographic area for similar properties as determined by a survey of brokers and agents in such area.

 

We may also engage our property managers to provide construction management services for some of our properties. We will pay a construction management fee in an amount of up to 5% of the cost of any improvements that our property managers undertake.

 

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Advisor

 

We pay our Advisor an acquisition fee equal to 1.0% of the gross contractual purchase price (including any mortgage assumed) of each property purchased and reimburse our Advisor for expenses that it incurs in connection with the purchase of a property. Acquisition fees and expenses are capped at 5% of the gross contractual purchase price of a property.

 

Until March 31, 2017, the date on which our Offering ended, and subject to the approval of our board of directors, we could have paid our Advisor annually an asset management subordinated participation by issuing a number of restricted Class B Units. No annual subordinated performance fees were issued during the Offering.

 

Beginning on March 31, 2017, the date on which our Offering ended, the Advisor is paid an advisor asset management fee of one-twelfth (1/12) of 0.75% of our average invested assets and we will reimburse some expenses of the Advisor relating to asset management.

 

If our Advisor provides services in connection with the financing of an asset, assumption of a loan in connection with the acquisition of an asset or origination or refinancing of any loan on an asset, we may pay our Advisor a financing coordination fee equal to 0.75% of the amount available or outstanding under such financing. No financing coordination fees were charged during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

For substantial services in connection with the sale of a property, we will pay to our Advisor a commission in an amount equal to the lesser of (a) one-half of a real estate commission that is reasonable, customary and competitive in light of the size, type and location of the property and (b) 2.0% of the contractual sales price of the property. The commission will not exceed the lesser of 6.0% of the contractual sales price or commission that is reasonable, customary and competitive in light of the size, type and location of the property. No real estate disposition commissions were incurred during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

We may pay our Advisor an annual subordinated performance fee calculated on the basis of our annual return to holders of our Common Shares, payable annually in arrears, such that for any year in which holders of our Common Shares receive payment of a 6.0% annual cumulative, pre-tax, non-compounded return on their respective net investments, our Advisor will be entitled to 15.0% of the amount in excess of such 6.0% per annum return, provided, that the amount paid to the Advisor will not exceed 10.0% of the aggregate return for such year, and provided, further, that the annual subordinated performance fee will not be paid unless holders of our Common Shares receive a return of their respective net investments. No annual subordinated performance fees were incurred during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

We have agreements with the Advisor to pay certain fees in exchange for services performed by the Advisor and/or its affiliated entities. Additionally, our ability to secure financing and our real estate operations are dependent upon our Advisor and its affiliates to perform such services as provided in these agreements. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we owed the Advisor and its affiliated entities an aggregate of $157,114 and $162,918, respectively, which was principally for costs paid on our behalf, and is classified as due to related parties on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

The following table represents the fees incurred associated with the payments to the Company’s Advisor for the period indicated:

 

   For the Years Ended December 31, 
   2018   2017 
Acquisition fee (1)  $300,000   $573,750 
Asset management fees (general and administrative costs)   1,720,454    1,087,586 
Development fee (2)   51,419    29,116 
Total  $2,071,873   $1,690,452 

 

(1)Acquisition fees of $300,000 during 2018 and $573,750 during 2017 were capitalized and are reflected in the carrying value of our investments in the Hilton Garden Inn Joint Venture and the Cove Joint Venture, respectively, which are included in investments in unconsolidated affiliated real estate entities on the consolidated balance sheets.

     

(2)Generally, capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful life of the associated asset.

 

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Special Limited Partner

 

In connection with the Company’s Offering, which terminated on March 31, 2017, (Lightstone SLP III LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Special Limited Partner”), purchased from the Operating Partnership an aggregate of approximately 242 Subordinated Participation Interests for consideration of $12.1 million. The Subordinated Participation Interests were each purchased for $50,000 in consideration and may be entitled to receive liquidation distributions upon the liquidation of Lightstone REIT III.

 

As the majority owner of the Special Limited Partner, Mr. Lichtenstein is the beneficial owner of a 99% interest in such Subordinated Participation Interests and will thus receive an indirect benefit from any distributions made in respect thereof.

 

These Subordinated Participation Interests will entitle the Special Limited Partner to a portion of any regular and liquidation distributions that we make to stockholders, but only after stockholders have received a stated preferred return. Although the actual amounts are dependent upon results of operations and, therefore, cannot be determined at the present time, distributions to the Special Limited Partner, as holder of the Subordinated Participation Interests, could be substantial.

 

ITEM 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

  

Principal Accounting Firm Fees

 

The following table presents the aggregate fees billed to us for the years presented by our principal accounting firm:

  

   Year ended
December 31, 2018
   Year ended
December 31, 2017
 
Audit Fees (a)  $193,725   $197,000 
Audit-Related Fees (b)   16,250    55,125 
Tax Fees (c)   86,500    82,000 
           
Total Fees  $296,475   $334,125 

 

(a) Fees for audit services consisted of the audit of the Lightstone REIT III’s annual financial statements and interim reviews, including services normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings and including registration statements and consents.  

   

(b) Fees for audit-related services related to audits of entities that the Company has acquired.

   

(c) Fees for tax services.

 

In considering the nature of the services provided by the independent auditor, the audit committee determined that such services are compatible with the provision of independent audit services. The audit committee discussed these services with the independent auditor and Lightstone REIT III management to determine that they are permitted under the rules and regulations concerning auditor independence promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission to implement the related requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

 

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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

 

To the Directors of Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust III, Inc.:  

 

We have reviewed and discussed with management Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust III, Inc.’s audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018.  

 

We have discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 16, “Communication with Audit Committees,” as amended, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.  

 

We have received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditors required by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Rule 3526, Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence and have discussed with the auditors the auditors’ independence.

 

Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, we recommend to the board of directors that the financial statements referred to above be included in Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust III, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.  

 

Audit Committee  

George R. Whittemore  

Edwin J. Glickman

 

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS’ REPORT

 

To the Stockholders of Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust III, Inc.:

 

We have reviewed the Company’s policies and determined that they are in the best interest of the Company’s stockholders. Set forth below is a discussion of the basis for that determination.

 

General

 

The Company has and intends to continue to primarily acquire full-service or select-service hotels, including extended-stay hotels. Even though the Company has and intends to continue primarily to acquire hotels, it has and may continue to purchase other types of real estate.

 

Assets other than hotels may include, without limitation, office buildings, shopping centers, business and industrial parks, manufacturing facilities, single-tenant properties, multifamily properties, student housing properties, warehouses and distribution facilities and medical office properties. The Company has and expects to invest mainly in direct real estate investments and other equity interests; however, it may also invest in debt interests, which may include bridge or mezzanine loans, including in furtherance of a loan-to-own strategy. We have not established any limits on the percentage of our portfolio that may be comprised of various categories of assets which present differing levels of risk.

 

The Company expects that its portfolio will provide consistent current income and may also provide capital appreciation resulting from its expectation that in certain circumstances it has or will be able to acquire properties at a discount to replacement cost or otherwise at less than what we perceive as the market value or to reposition or redevelop a property so as to increase its value over the amount of capital we deployed to acquire and rehabilitate the property. The Company has and may continue to acquire properties that it believes would benefit from a change in management strategy, or that have incurred substantial deferred maintenance. The Company has and plans to continue to diversify its portfolio by geographic region, investment size and investment risk with the goal of owning a portfolio of hotels and other income-producing real estate properties and real estate-related assets that provide attractive returns for its investors.

 

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Financing Policies

 

The Company has and intends to continue to utilize leverage to acquire its properties. The number of different properties the Company will acquire will be affected by numerous factors, including, the amount of funds available to us. When interest rates on mortgage loans are high or financing is otherwise unavailable on terms that are satisfactory to the Company, the Company may purchase certain properties for cash with the intention of obtaining a mortgage loan for a portion of the purchase price at a later time. There is no limitation on the amount the Company may invest in any single property or on the amount the Company can borrow for the purchase of any property.

 

The Company has and intends to continue to limit its aggregate long-term permanent borrowings to 75% of the aggregate fair market value of all properties unless any excess borrowing is approved by a majority of the independent directors and is disclosed to the Company’s stockholders. The Company may also incur short-term indebtedness, having a maturity of two years or less. By operating on a leveraged basis, the Company may have more funds available for investment in properties. This may allow the Company to make more investments than would otherwise be possible, resulting in a more diversified portfolio. Although the Company’s liability for the repayment of indebtedness is expected to be limited to the value of the property securing the liability and the rents or profits derived therefrom, the Company’s use of leveraging increases the risk of default on the mortgage payments and a resulting foreclosure of a particular property. To the extent that the Company does not obtain mortgage loans on the Company’s properties, the Company’s ability to acquire additional properties will be restricted. The Company will endeavor to obtain financing on the most favorable terms available.

 

Policy on Sale or Disposition of Properties

 

The Company’s Board will determine whether a particular property should be sold or otherwise disposed of after considering the relevant factors, including performance or projected performance of the property and market conditions, with a view toward achieving its principal investment objectives.

 

The Company currently intends to hold its properties for a period of three to six years from the termination of the Company’s initial public offering, which occurred on March 31, 2017. At a future date, the Company’s Board may decide to liquidate the Company, list its shares on a national stock exchange, sell its properties individually or merge or otherwise consolidate the Company with a publicly-traded REIT or seek stockholder approval to amend its charter to remove the requirement that the Company must either list its stock on a national securities exchange or seek stockholder approval to adopt a plan of liquidation of the corporation on or before March 31, 2025. Alternatively, the Company may merge with, or otherwise be acquired by, the Sponsor or its affiliates. The Company may, however, sell properties prior to such time and if so, may invest the proceeds from any sale, financing, refinancing or other disposition of its properties into additional properties. Alternatively, the Company may use these proceeds to fund maintenance or repair of existing properties or to increase reserves for such purposes. The Company may choose to reinvest the proceeds from the sale, financing and refinancing of its properties to increase its real estate assets and its net income. Notwithstanding this policy, the Board, in its discretion, may distribute all or part of the proceeds from the sale, financing, refinancing or other disposition of all or any of the Company’s properties to the Company’s stockholders. In determining whether to distribute these proceeds to stockholders, the Board will consider, among other factors, the desirability of properties available for purchase, real estate market conditions, the likelihood of the listing of the Company’s shares on a national securities exchange and compliance with the applicable requirements under federal income tax laws.

 

When the Company sells a property, it intends to obtain an all-cash sale price. However, the Company may take a purchase money obligation secured by a mortgage on the property as partial payment, and there are no limitations or restrictions on the Company’s ability to take such purchase money obligations. The terms of payment to the Company will be affected by custom in the area in which the property being sold is located and the then prevailing economic conditions. If the Company receives notes and other property instead of cash from sales, these proceeds, other than any interest payable on these proceeds, will not be available for distributions until and to the extent the notes or other property are actually paid, sold, refinanced or otherwise disposed. Therefore, the distribution of the proceeds of a sale to the stockholders may be delayed until that time. In these cases, the Company will receive payments in cash and other property in the year of sale in an amount less than the selling price and subsequent payments will be spread over a number of years.

 

Independent Directors

George R. Whittemore
Edwin J. Glickman

 

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PART IV.

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES:

 

   LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC.

Annual Report on Form 10-K

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

The following exhibits are included, or incorporated by reference, as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K (and are numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K):

 

EXHIBIT NO.   DESCRIPTION
1.1(1)   Amended and Restated Dealer Manager Agreement by and between Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust III, Inc. and Orchard Securities, LLC
1.2(6)   Form of Soliciting Dealer Agreement
3.1(2)   Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust III, Inc.
3.2(3)   Bylaws of Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust III, Inc.
4.1(4)   Agreement of Limited Partnership of Lightstone Value Plus REIT III LP 
4.2   Distribution Reinvestment Program, included as Appendix C to prospectus
4.4(5)   Second Amended and Restated Contribution Agreement between Lightstone Value Plus REIT III LP and Lightstone SLP III LLC
10.1 (4)   Advisory Agreement by and among Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust III, Inc., Lightstone Value Plus REIT III LP and Lightstone Value Plus REIT III LLC
10.2(4)   Property Management Agreement by and among Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust III, Inc., Lightstone Value Plus REIT III LP and Beacon Property
10.3(4)   Property Management Agreement by and among Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust III, Inc., Lightstone Value Plus REIT III LP and Paragon Retail Property Management LLC
10.4(6)   Assignment  and Assumption  Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2017, by and among REIT Cove LLC, REIT IV Cove LLC and REIT III Cove LLC.
10.5 (8)   Amended And Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement Of RP Maximus Cove, L.L.C. By And Among REIT III Cove LLC, REIT IV Cove LLC, LSG Cove LLC And Maximus Cove Investor LLC, dated as of January 31, 2017
10.6 (7)   Dealer Manager Agreement Termination by and between Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust III, Inc. and Orchard Securities, LLC  
10.7 (7)   Contribution Agreement Termination between Lightstone Value Plus REIT III LP and Lightstone SLP III LLC
21.1*   Subsidiaries of the Registrant
31.1*   Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2*   Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1*   Certification Pursuant to Rule 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2*   Certification Pursuant to Rule 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101   XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language).The following financial information from Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust III, Inc. on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on April 1, 2019, formatted in XBRL includes: (1) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (2) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (3) Consolidated Statements of StockholdersEquity, (4) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (5) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statement.

  

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*As filed herewith

 

(1)Filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 12, 2017.

 

(2)Included as an exhibit to our Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-11 (Reg. No. 333-195292) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 11, 2015.

 

(3)Included as Exhibit 3.2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-11 (Reg. No. 333-195292) submitted confidentially to the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 24, 2013.

 

(4)Included as an exhibit to our Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-11 (Reg. No. 333-195292) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 11, 2015.

 

(5)Filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 29, 2015.

 

(6)Previously filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2017.

 

(7)Filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5, 2017.

 

(8)Filed as an exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2017.

  

Item 16. Form 10-K Summary

 

None.

 

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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. 

 

  LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST III, INC.
   
Date: April 1, 2019 By:   /s/ David Lichtenstein
    David Lichtenstein
   

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

NAME   CAPACITY   DATE
         
/s/ David Lichtenstein   Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors   April 1, 2019
David Lichtenstein   (Principal Executive Officer)    
         
/s/ Seth Molod   Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer   April 1, 2019
Seth Molod   (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)    
         
/s/ Edwin J. Glickman   Director   April 1, 2019
Edwin J. Glickman        
         
/s/ George R. Whittemore   Director   April 1, 2019
George R. Whittemore        

 

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