DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTSThe Company utilizes interest rate swaps ("IRS") for the sole purpose of mitigating interest rate fluctuation risk associated to floating rate debt instruments (as defined in Note 9 Line of Credit, and Note 10 Long-Term Debt). The Company does not use any other derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

On August 20, 2019, HF Group entered into two IRS contracts with East West Bank (the "EWB IRS") for initial notional amounts of $1.05 million and $2.63 million, respectively. The EWB IRS contracts were entered into in conjunction with two mortgage term loans of corresponding amount that were priced at USD 1-month LIBOR (London Interbank Offering Rate) plus 2.25% per annum for the entire duration of the term loans. The EWB IRS contracts fixed the two term loans at 4.40% per annum until maturity in September 2029.

On December 19, 2019, HF Group entered into an IRS contract with Bank of America (the "BOA IRS") for an initial notional amount of $2.74 million in conjunction with a newly contracted mortgage term loan of corresponding amount. The term loan was contracted at USD 1-month LIBOR plus 2.15% per annum but was fixed at 5.80% per annum resulting from the corresponding BOA IRS contract. The term loan and corresponding BOA IRS contract matures in December 2029.

On June 24, 2020, HF Group entered into a forward starting IRS contract with JP Morgan Chase Bank (the "JPM IRS") for a fixed $80 million notional amount, effective from June 30, 2021 and expiring on June 30, 2025, as a means to partially hedge its existing floating rate loans exposure. On March 3, 2021, the Company unwound the JPM IRS. The contract was unwound with a view that 1-month LIBOR will continue to remain low in the foreseeable future despite the spike at the long end of the yield curve. The Company recorded a gain of approximately $718,600 in the first quarter of 2021.

The Company evaluated the above mentioned interest rate swap contracts currently in place and did not designate those as cash flow hedges. Hence, the fair value change on the aforementioned interest rate swap contracts are accounted for and recognized as change in fair value of interest rate swap contracts in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company has determined that the fair value of the interest rate swap obligations was $341,165 and $993,516, respectively. In determining fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible as well as consider counterparty credit risk in its assessment of fair value. The interest rate swaps are classified as Level 3 liabilities and fair value was obtained from the respective counterparties.