Note 3 - Significant Accounting Policies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

3. Significant Accounting Policies

Segments

At June 30, 2020, the Company had two reportable operating segments, Residential Rental Properties and Commercial Rental Properties. The Company’s chief operating decision maker may review operational and financial data on a property basis.

Basis of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company are prepared in accordance with GAAP. The effect of all intercompany balances has been eliminated. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all entities in which the Company has a controlling interest. The ownership interests of other investors in these entities are recorded as non-controlling interest.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of commitments and contingencies at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates.

Investment in Real Estate

Real estate assets held for investment are carried at historical cost and consist of land, buildings and improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment. Expenditures for ordinary repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures for improvements, renovations, and replacements of real estate assets are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives if the expenditures qualify as betterment or the life of the related asset will be substantially extended beyond the original life expectancy.

In accordance with ASU 2017-01, "Business Combinations – Clarifying the Definition of a Business,” the Company evaluates each acquisition of real estate or in-substance real estate to determine if the integrated set of assets and activities acquired meets the definition of a business and needs to be accounted for as a business combination. If either of the following criteria is met, the integrated set of assets and activities acquired would not qualify as a business:

• Substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in either a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets; or

• The integrated set of assets and activities is lacking, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs (i.e., revenue generated before and after the transaction).

An acquired process is considered substantive if:

• The process includes an organized workforce (or includes an acquired contract that provides access to an organized workforce) that is skilled, knowledgeable and experienced in performing the process;

• The process cannot be replaced without significant cost, effort or delay; or

• The process is considered unique or scarce.

Generally, the Company expects that acquisitions of real estate or in-substance real estate will not meet the revised definition of a business because substantially all of the fair value is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets (i.e., land, buildings and related intangible assets) or because the acquisition does not include a substantive process in the form of an acquired workforce or an acquired contract that cannot be replaced without significant cost, effort or delay.

Upon acquisition of real estate, the Company assesses the fair values of acquired tangible and intangible assets including land, buildings, tenant improvements, above-market and below-market leases, in-place leases and any other identified intangible assets and assumed liabilities. The Company allocates the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their relative fair values. In estimating fair value of tangible and intangible assets acquired, the Company assesses and considers fair value based on estimated cash flow projections that utilize appropriate discount and capitalization rates, estimates of replacement costs, net of depreciation, and available market information. The fair value of the tangible assets of an acquired property considers the value of the property as if it were vacant.

The Company records acquired above-market and below-market lease values initially based on the present value, using a discount rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired based on the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to each in-place lease and (ii) management’s estimate of fair market lease rates for each corresponding in-place lease, measured over a period equal to the remaining term of the lease for above-market leases and the initial term plus the term of any below-market fixed renewal options for the below-market leases. Other intangible assets acquired include amounts for in-place lease values and tenant relationship values (if any) that are based on management’s evaluation of the specific characteristics of each tenant’s lease and the Company’s overall relationship with the respective tenant. Factors to be considered by management in its analysis of in-place lease values include an estimate of carrying costs to execute similar leases. In estimating carrying costs, management includes real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses and estimates of lost rentals at market rates during the expected lease-up periods, depending on local market conditions. In estimating costs to execute similar leases, management considers leasing commissions, legal and other related expenses.

The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. A property’s value is impaired if management’s estimate of the aggregate future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) to be generated by the property is less than the carrying value of the property. To the extent impairment has occurred, a write-down is recorded and measured by the amount of the difference between the carrying value of the asset and the fair value of the asset. In the event that the Company obtains proceeds through an insurance policy due to impairment, the proceeds are offset against the write-down in calculating gain/loss on disposal of assets. Management of the Company does not believe that any of its properties within the portfolio are impaired as of June 30, 2020.

For long-lived assets to be disposed of, impairment losses are recognized when the fair value of the assets less estimated cost to sell is less than the carrying value of the assets. Properties classified as real estate held-for-sale generally represent properties that are actively marketed or contracted for sale with closing expected to occur within the next twelve months. Real estate held-for-sale is carried at the lower of cost, net of accumulated depreciation, or fair value less cost to sell, determined on an asset-by-asset basis. Expenditures for ordinary repair and maintenance costs on held-for-sale properties are charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures for improvements, renovations and replacements related to held-for-sale properties are capitalized at cost. Depreciation is not recorded on real estate held-for-sale.

If a tenant vacates its space prior to the contractual termination of the lease and no rental payments are being made on the lease, any unamortized balances of the related intangibles are written off. The tenant improvements and origination costs are amortized to expense over the remaining life of the lease (or charged against earnings if the lease is terminated prior to its contractual expiration date).

Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

	Years
Building and improvements	10	–	44
Tenant improvements	Shorter of useful life or lease term
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	3	–	15

The capitalized above-market lease values are amortized as a reduction to base rental revenue over the remaining terms of the respective leases, and the capitalized below-market lease values are amortized as an increase to base rental revenue over the remaining initial terms plus the terms of any below-market fixed rate renewal options of the respective leases. The value of in-place leases is amortized to expense over the remaining initial terms of the respective leases.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are defined as cash on hand and in banks, plus all short-term investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased. The Company maintains some of its cash in bank deposit accounts, which, at times, may exceed the federally insured limit. No losses have been experienced related to such accounts.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash generally consists of escrows for future real estate taxes and insurance expenditures, repairs and capital improvements and security deposits.

Tenant and Other Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Tenant and other receivables are comprised of amounts due for monthly rents and other charges. The Company periodically performs a detailed review of amounts due from tenants to determine if accounts receivable balances are impaired based on factors affecting the collectability of those balances. If a tenant fails to make contractual payments beyond any allowance, the Company may recognize additional bad debt expense in future periods.

Deferred Costs

Deferred lease costs consist of fees incurred to initiate and renew operating leases. Lease costs are being amortized using the straight-line method over the terms of the respective leases.

Deferred financing costs represent commitment fees, legal and other third-party costs associated with obtaining financing. These costs are amortized over the term of the financing and are recorded in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Unamortized deferred financing costs are expensed when the associated debt is refinanced or repaid before maturity. Costs incurred in seeking financing transactions which do not close are expensed in the period the financing transaction is terminated.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of net loss adjusted for changes in unrealized gains and losses, reported in equity, for financial instruments required to be reported at fair value under GAAP. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company did not own any financial instruments for which the change in value was not reported in net loss accordingly and its comprehensive loss was its net loss as presented in the consolidated statements of operations.

Revenue Recognition

Rental revenue for commercial leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective leases. Deferred rents receivable represents the amount by which straight-line rental revenue exceeds rents currently billed in accordance with lease agreements. Rental income attributable to residential leases and parking is recognized as earned, which is not materially different from the straight-line basis. Leases entered into by residents for apartment units are generally for one-year terms, renewable upon consent of both parties on an annual or monthly basis.

Reimbursements for operating expenses due from tenants pursuant to their lease agreements are recognized as revenue in the period the applicable expenses are incurred. These costs generally include real estate taxes, utilities, insurance, common area maintenance costs and other recoverable costs and are recorded as part of commercial rental income in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Stock-based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718, “Compensation — Stock Compensation.” As such, all equity-based awards are reflected as compensation expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations over their vesting period based on the fair value at the date of grant.

In April 2020, the Company granted 450,623 LTIP units with a weighted average grant date fair value of $4.75 per unit.

In June 2020, the Company granted 78,681 LTIP units with a weighted average grant date fair value of $8.10 per unit.

At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were 1,410,371 and 881,067 LTIP units outstanding, respectively, with a weighted average grant date fair value of $9.90 and $12.70 per unit, respectively. As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there was $3.5 million and $1.4 million, respectively, of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under share incentive plans. As of June 30, 2020, the weighted average period over which the unrecognized compensation expense will be recorded is approximately 1.1 years.

Income Taxes

The Company elected to be taxed and to operate in a manner that will allow it to qualify as a REIT under the Code. To qualify as a REIT, the Company is required to distribute dividends equal to at least 90% of the REIT taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and net capital gains) to its stockholders, and meet the various other requirements imposed by the Code relating to matters such as operating results, asset holdings, distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership. Provided the Company qualifies for taxation as a REIT, it is generally not subject to U.S. federal corporate-level income tax on the earnings distributed currently to its stockholders. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, the Company will be subject to U.S. federal and state income tax on its taxable income at regular corporate tax rates and any applicable alternative minimum tax. In addition, the Company may not be able to re-elect as a REIT for the four subsequent taxable years. The entities comprising the Predecessor are limited liability companies and are treated as pass-through entities for income tax purposes. Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal, state or local income or franchise taxes in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

On March 27, 2020, the President signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). The CARES Act was enacted to provide economic relief to companies and individuals in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Included in the CARES Act are tax provisions which increase allowable interest expense deductions for 2019 and 2020 and increase the ability for taxpayers to use net operating losses. While we do not expect these provisions to have a material impact on the Company’s taxable income or tax liabilities, we continue to analyze the provisions of the CARES Act and related guidance as it is published.

In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740, the Company believes that it has appropriate support for the income tax positions taken and, as such, does not have any uncertain tax positions that, if successfully challenged, could result in a material impact on its or the Predecessor’s financial position or results of operations. The prior three years’ income tax returns are subject to review by the Internal Revenue Service.

Fair Value Measurements

Refer to Note 9, “Fair Value of Financial Instruments”.

Derivative Financial Instruments

FASB derivative and hedging guidance establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities. As required by FASB guidance, the Company records all derivatives on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation.

Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecast transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged item related to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is initially reported in other comprehensive income (loss) (outside of earnings) and subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings, and the ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recognized directly in earnings. The Company assesses the effectiveness of each hedging relationship by comparing the changes in the fair value or cash flows of the derivative hedging instrument with the changes in the fair value or cash flows of the designated hedged item or transaction. For derivatives not designated as hedges, changes in fair value would be recognized in earnings. As of June 30, 2020, the Company has no derivatives for which it applies hedge accounting.

Loss Per Share

Basic and diluted loss per share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding. As of June 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company had unvested LTIP units which provide for non-forfeitable rights to dividend-equivalent payments. Accordingly, these unvested LTIP units are considered participating securities and are included in the computation of basic and diluted loss per share pursuant to the two-class method. The Company did not have dilutive securities as of June 30, 2020 or 2019.

The effect of the conversion of the 26,317 Class B LLC units outstanding is not reflected in the computation of basic and diluted loss per share, as the effect would be anti-dilutive. The net loss allocable to such units is reflected as non-controlling interests in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share for the periods indicated (unaudited):

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2020			2019			2020			2019
Numerator
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	$	(2,222	)	$	(467	)	$	(2,548	)	$	(521	)
Less: income attributable to participating securities		(126	)		(83	)		(210	)		(152	)
Subtotal	$	(2,348	)	$	(550	)	$	(2,758	)	$	(673	)
Denominator
Weighted average common shares outstanding		17,815			17,815			17,815			17,814
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.03	)	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.04	)

Recently Issued Pronouncements 

In April 2020, FASB issued a Staff Q & A to provide interpretive guidance for lease concessions related to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company did not provide any such concessions to its tenants as a result of COVID-19 during the three months ended June 30, 2020; therefore, this guidance did not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements. The Company continues to evaluate the effect that this guidance may have on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, FASB issued ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform: Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting” (Topic 848). ASU 2020-04 provides temporary optional expedients and exceptions to ease financial reporting burdens related to applying current GAAP to modifications of contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions in connection with the transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. ASU 2020-04 is effective beginning on March 12, 2020, and may be applied prospectively to such transactions through December 31, 2022. We will apply ASU 2020-04 prospectively as and when we enter into transactions to which this guidance applies.

In March 2019, FASB issued ASU 2019-01, “Leases (Topic 842), Codification Improvements.” There are three codification updates to Topic 842 covered by this ASU: Issue 1 provides guidance on how to compute fair value of leased items for lessors who are non-dealers or manufacturers; Issue 2 relates to cash flow presentation for lessors of sales-type and direct financing leases; and Issue 3 clarifies that certain transition disclosures will only be required in annual disclosures.

In December 2018, FASB issued ASU 2018-20, “Leases (Topic 842), Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors.” This ASU modifies ASU 2016-02 to permit lessors, as an accounting policy election, not to evaluate whether certain sales taxes and other similar taxes are lessor costs or lessee costs. Instead, those lessors will account for those costs as if they are lessee costs. Consequently, a lessor making this election will exclude from the consideration in the contract and from variable payments not included in the consideration in the contract all collections from lessees of taxes within the scope of the election and will provide certain disclosures (includes sales, use, value-added, and some excise taxes and excludes real estate taxes). The Company has elected not to evaluate whether the aforementioned costs are lessor or lessee costs. This ASU also provides that certain lessor costs require lessors to exclude from variable payments, and therefore revenue, specifically lessor costs paid by lessees directly to third parties. The amendments also require lessors to account for costs excluded from the consideration of a contract that are paid by the lessor and reimbursed by the lessee as variable payments. A lessor will record those reimbursed costs as revenue.

In May 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which prescribes a single, common revenue standard that supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP, including most industry-specific requirements. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 outlines a five-step model to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than are required under existing U.S. GAAP. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company’s revenues are primarily derived from rental income, which is scoped out from this standard and is currently accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 840, Leases. The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective approach, applying the provisions to open contracts as of the date of adoption. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the timing or amounts of the Company’s revenues.

In February 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases.” ASU 2016-02 supersedes the current accounting for leases and while retaining two distinct types of leases, finance and operating, requires lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets and makes targeted changes to lessor accounting. In July 2018, FASB issued ASU 2018-10, “Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases,” which provides minor clarifications and corrections to ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” Further, in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, “Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements.” This amendment provides a new practical expedient that allows lessors, by class of underlying asset, to avoid separating lease and associated non-lease components within a contract if certain criteria are met: (i) the timing and pattern of transfer for the non-lease component and the associated lease component are the same and (ii) the stand-alone lease component would be classified as an operating lease if accounted for separately. These pronouncements are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this standard effective January 1, 2022 and is currently evaluating the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements. As lessor, the Company expects that the adoption of ASU 2016-02 (as amended by subsequent ASUs) will not change the timing of revenue recognition of the Company’s rental revenues. As lessee, the Company is party to certain office equipment leases with future payment obligations for which the Company expects to record right-of-use assets and lease liabilities at the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments upon adoption of this standard. 

In August 2018, FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Disclosure Framework — Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement,” which removes, modifies, and adds certain disclosure requirements related to fair value measurements in ASC 820. This guidance is effective in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statement reporting.

In June 2018, FASB issued ASU 2018-07, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” These amendments provide specific guidance for transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees and specify that Topic 718 applies to all share-based payment transactions in which a grantor acquires goods or services to be used or consumed in a grantor’s own operations by issuing share-based payment awards. The amendments also clarify that Topic 718 does not apply to share-based payments used to effectively provide (i) financing to the issuer or (ii) awards granted in conjunction with selling goods or services to customers as part of a contract accounted for under Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2020. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as it has not historically issued share-based payments in exchange for goods or services to be consumed within its operations.

In February 2017, FASB issued ASU 2017-05, “Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20),” to add guidance for partial sales of nonfinancial assets, including partial sales of real estate. Historically, U.S. GAAP contained several different accounting models to evaluate whether the transfer of certain assets qualified for sale treatment. ASU 2017-05 reduces the number of potential accounting models that might apply and clarifies which model does apply in various circumstances. ASU 2017-05 is effective for the Company for its annual reporting beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2019. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.