RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND FEES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND FEES

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND FEES

NOTE 7.      RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND FEES

We apply ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations”, to evaluate business relationships. Related parties are persons or entities who have one or more of the following characteristics, which include entities for which investments in their equity securities would be required, trust for the benefit of persons including principal owners of the entities and members of their immediate families, management personnel of the entity and members of their immediate families and other parties with which the entity may  deal if one party controls or can significantly influence the decision making  of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests, or affiliates of the entity.

The Company has historically engaged in and may continue to engage in certain business transactions with related parties, including but not limited to asset acquisition and dispositions. Transactions involving related parties cannot be presumed to be carried out on an arm’s length basis due to the absence of free market forces that naturally exist in business dealings between two or more unrelated entities. Related party transactions may not always be favorable to our business and may include terms, conditions and agreements that are not necessarily beneficial to or in our best interest.

Effective since April 30, 2011, Pillar, the sole shareholder of which is Realty Advisors, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company, the sole member of which is Realty Advisors, Inc., a Nevada corporation, the sole shareholder of which is Realty Advisors Management, Inc., a Nevada corporation, the sole shareholder of which is a trust known as the May Trust, became the Company’s external Advisor and Cash Manager.  Pillar’s duties include, but are not limited to, locating, evaluating and recommending real estate and real estate-related investment opportunities. Pillar also arranges, for the Company’s benefit, debt and equity financing with third party lenders and investors. Pillar also serves as an Advisor and Cash Manager to TCI and IOT.  As the contractual advisor, Pillar is compensated by TCI under an Advisory Agreement that is more fully described in Part III, Item 10. “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance – The Advisor”.  TCI has no employees. Employees of Pillar render services to TCI in accordance with the terms of the Advisory Agreement.  Prime Income Asset Management, LLC (“Prime”) served as the Company’s contractual Advisor prior to April 30, 2011. 

Effective since January 1, 2011, Regis Realty Prime, LLC, dba Regis Property Management, LLC (“Regis”), the sole member of which is Realty Advisors, LLC, manages our commercial properties and provides brokerage services.  Regis receives property management fees, construction management fees and leasing commissions in accordance with the terms of its property-level management agreement.  Regis is also entitled to receive real estate brokerage commissions in accordance with the terms of a non-exclusive brokerage agreement.   See Part III, Item 10. “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance – Property Management and Real Estate Brokerage”.   Prior to December 31, 2010, Triad Realty Services, L.P. (“Triad”), provided management services for our commercial properties.  Triad subcontracted the property-level management and leasing of our commercial properties (office buildings, shopping centers and industrial warehouses) to Regis Realty I, LLC (“Regis I”).  TCI engages third-party companies to lease and manage its apartment properties. 

Below is a description of the related party transactions and fees between Pillar, Prime, Triad, Regis I, and Regis:

Fees, expenses and revenue paid to and/or received from our advisor:
		2012		2011		2010
				(dollars in thousands)
Fees:
	Advisory fee	$	8,915	$	9,957	$	11,919
	Construction advisory fee		181		2,429		1,761
	Mortgage brokerage and equity refinancing		1,873		812		1,569
	Net income fee		180		54		99
	Property acquisition		20		-		31
		$	11,169	$	13,252	$	15,379
Other Expense:
	Cost reimbursements	$	2,247	$	2,908	$	3,250
	Interest paid		1,194		1,048		2,350
		$	3,441	$	3,956	$	5,600
Revenue:
	Rental revenue	$	587	$	434	$	2,248
Fees paid to Triad, an affiliate, Regis I, Regis and related parties:
			2012		2011		2010
				(dollars in thousands)
Fees:
	Property acquisition	$	71	$	-	$	106
	Property management, construction management and leasing commissions		2,087		1,759		1,905
	Real estate brokerage		2,263		-		1,497
		$	4,421	$	1,759	$	3,508

The Company received rental revenue of $0.6 million in 2012, $0.4 million in 2011, and $2.2 million in 2010 from Pillar, Prime and its related parties for properties owned by the Company, including Addison Hanger, Browning Place, Eagle Crest, Folsom land, One Hickory, Senlac, Thermalloy and Two Hickory.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had notes and interest receivables of $58.0 million due from related parties.  See Part 2, Item 8. Note 3. “Notes and Interest Receivable”.  During the current period, TCI recognized $11.7 million of interest income from these related party notes receivables.

On February 29, 2012, we received $3.3 million from UHF as payoff for the $3.0 note receivable due from UHF, related to Cliffs of El Dorado and $0.3 million in accrued interest.

On September 30, 2012, we sold the Realty Advisors Management Inc. note to our parent, ARI, for full carrying value.  Consideration for this note was a reduction of the Company’s payable to ARL.

The Company has a development agreement with Unified Housing Foundation, Inc. (“UHF”) a non-profit corporation that provides management services for the development of residential apartment projects in the future.   The Company has also invested in surplus cash notes receivables from UHF and has sold several residential apartment properties to UHF in prior years.  Due to this ongoing relationship and the significant investment in the performance of the collateral secured under the notes receivable, UHF has been determined to be a related party.  The Company received $6 million in revenue, in the current period, from the development agreement.

The Company is part of a tax sharing and compensating agreement with respect to federal income taxes between ARL, TCI and IOT and their subsidiaries that was entered into in July of 2009.  That agreement continued until August 31, 2012 at which time a new tax sharing and compensating agreement was entered into by ARL, TCI, IOT and RAMI for the remainder of 2012.  The expense (benefit) in each year was calculated based on the amount of losses absorbed by taxable income multiplied by the maximum statutory tax rate of 35%. 

The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances of related party payables as of December 31, 2012 (dollars in thousands):

	Pillar			ARL			Total
Related party payable, December 31, 2011	$	-		$	(17,465	)	$	(17,465	)
Cash transfers		18,573			-			18,573
Advisory fees		(8,915	)		-			(8,915	)
Net income fee		(180	)		-			(180	)
Fees and Commissions		(4,227	)		-			(4,227	)
Construction  advisory fees		(181	)		-			(181	)
Cost reimbursements		(2,247	)		-			(2,247	)
Interest (to) from advisor		(839	)		-			(839	)
POA fees		(167	)		-			(167	)
Expenses paid by advisor		(918	)		-			(918	)
Financing (mortgage payments)		1,793			-			1,793
Note receivable with affiliate		21,282			-			21,282
Sales/Purchases transactions		(15,702	)		-			(15,702	)
Intercompany property transfers		(864	)		-			(864	)
Purchase of obligations		(7,408	)		7,408			-
Related party payable, December 31, 2012	$	-		$	(10,057	)	$	(10,057	)

Below are sales and acquisitions that involve a related party:

On January 1, 2012, ARL and TCI agreed to rescind the April 1, 2011 sale of 100% of the general and limited partnership interest in Garden Whispering Pines, LP, which owns Whispering Pines apartments, a 320-unit complex located in Topeka, Kansas.

On January 3, 2012, 82.2 acres of land known as Denton Coonrod land located in Denton County, Texas was transferred to the existing lender.  This land parcel was previously sold, on March 23, 2011, to Cross County National Associates, LP, a related party, for a sales price of $1.8 million. The Company did not recognize or record the sale in accordance with ASC 360-20 due to our continuing involvement, which included the potential payment of cash shortfalls, future obligations under the existing mortgage and guaranty, the buyer’s inadequate initial investment and the Company’s questionable recovery of investment cost.  The Company determined that no sale had occurred for financial reporting purposes and therefore the asset remained on the books and continued to record operating expenses and depreciation as a period cost until a sale occurred that met the requirements of ASC 360-20.  A sale to an independent third party, that met the requirements of ASC 360-20, took place on January 3, 2012 at a sales price equal to the existing mortgage of $0.8 million, that was considered paid in full when ownership transferred to the existing lender. We recorded a gain on sale of $0.04 million on the land parcel sale.

On February 7, 2012, 22.92 acres of land known as Andrew B land, Denton County, Texas was transferred to the existing lender.  This land parcel was previously sold, on September 1, 2011, to TCI Luna Ventures, LLC, a related party, for a sales price of $1.3 million.  The Company did not recognize or record the sale in accordance with ASC 360-20 due to our continuing involvement, which included the potential payment of cash shortfalls, future obligations under the existing mortgage and guaranty, the buyer’s inadequate initial investment and the Company’s questionable recovery of investment cost.  The Company determined that no sale had occurred for financial reporting purposes and therefore the asset remained on the books and continued to record operating expenses and depreciation as a period cost until a sale occurred that met the requirements of ASC 360-20.  A sale to an independent third party, that met the requirements of ASC 360-20, took place on February 7, 2012, when the Company received a credit against the outstanding debt of $2.1 million, which is part of a multi-tract collateral obligation, and the existing lender took possession of the property.  We recorded a gain on sale of $1.2 million on the land parcel sale.

On March 1, 2012, we sold 100% of our interests in LaDue, LLC to ABC Land & Development, Inc., a related party, for a sales price of $1.9 million. This entity owns 8.01 acres of land known as LaDue land located in Dallas County, Texas. We provided $1.3 million in seller-financing with a five-year note receivable. The note accrues interest at 5% and is payable at maturity on March 1, 2017. The buyer assumed the existing mortgage of $0.6 million, secured by the property. The Company did not recognize or record the sale in accordance with ASC 360-20 due to our continuing involvement, which included the potential payment of cash shortfalls, future obligations under the existing mortgage and guaranty, the buyer’s inadequate initial investment and the Company’s questionable recovery of investment cost.  The Company determined that no sale had occurred for financial reporting purposes and therefore the asset remained on the books and continued to record operating expenses and depreciation as a period cost until a sale occurred that met the requirements of ASC 360-20.  On August 10, 2012, we re-purchased 100% of the membership interests in LaDue, LLC from ABC Land & Development, Inc., a related party, for $1.9 million to be paid by assumption of debt of $0.6 million, secured by the property, and cancellation of a five-year seller-financed note of $1.3 million.  There is no change in the financial statements related to the March 1, 2012 sale or the subsequent re-acquisition.

On March 5, 2012, 7.39 acres of land known as DeSoto Ranch land located in DeSoto, Texas was transferred to the existing lender.  This land parcel was previously sold, on September 1, 2011, to TCI Luna Ventures, LLC, a related party, for a sales price of $1.3 million.  The Company did not recognize or record the sale in accordance with ASC 360-20 due to our continuing involvement, which included the potential payment of cash shortfalls, future obligations under the existing mortgage and guaranty, the buyer’s inadequate initial investment and the Company’s questionable recovery of investment cost.  The Company determined that no sale had occurred for financial reporting purposes and therefore the asset remained on the books and continued to record operating expenses and depreciation as a period cost until a sale occurred that met the requirements of ASC 360-20.  A sale to an independent third party, that met the requirements of ASC 360-20, took place on March 5, 2012, when the Company received a credit against the outstanding debt of $1.0 million, which is part of a multi-tract collateral obligation, and the existing lender took possession of the property.  We recorded a gain on sale of $0.1 million on the land parcel sale.

On April 1, 2012, we purchased 1,000 shares of stock of Kelly Lot Development, Inc. from Tacco Financial, Inc., a related party, for $5.6 million. This entity owns six land parcels, comprising approximately 52.59 acres of undeveloped land located in Dallas County, Texas, Kaufman County, Texas, Nashville, Tennessee and Tarrant County, Texas, known as Kelly Lots land, Travis Ranch land, Nashville land, Cooks Lane land, Seminary West land and Vineyards land. We assumed the existing mortgages of $0.5 million and $0.4 million, secured by the property. The loans accrue interest at 15.00% and are payable at maturity on May 1, 2013 and November 1, 2013, respectively.

On April 3, 2012, 5.22 acres of land known as Andrew C land located in Denton, Texas was transferred to the existing lender.  This land parcel was previously sold, on September 1, 2011, to TCI Luna Ventures, LLC, a related party, for a sales price of $0.4 million.  The Company did not recognize or record the sale in accordance with ASC 360-20 due to our continuing involvement, which included the potential payment of cash shortfalls, future obligations under the existing mortgage and guaranty, the buyer’s inadequate initial investment and the Company’s questionable recovery of investment cost.  The Company determined that no sale had occurred for financial reporting purposes and therefore the asset remained on the books and continued to record operating expenses and depreciation as a period cost until a sale occurred that met the requirements of ASC 360-20.  A sale to an independent third party, that met the requirements of ASC 360-20, took place on April 3, 2012, when the Company received a credit against the outstanding debt of $0.5 million, which is part of a multi-tract collateral obligation, and the existing lender took possession of the property.  We recorded a gain on sale of $0.2 million on the land parcel sale.

On March 1, 2012, we sold 100% of our interests in LaDue, LLC to ABC Land & Development, Inc., a related party, for a sales price of $1.9 million. This entity owns 8.01 acres of land known as LaDue land located in Dallas County, Texas. We provided $1.3 million in seller-financing with a five-year note receivable. The note accrues interest at 5% and is payable at maturity on March 1, 2017. The buyer assumed the existing mortgage of $0.6 million, secured by the property. The Company did not recognize or record the sale in accordance with ASC 360-20 due to our continuing involvement, which included the potential payment of cash shortfalls, future obligations under the existing mortgage and guaranty, the buyer’s inadequate initial investment and the Company’s questionable recovery of investment cost.  The Company determined that no sale had occurred for financial reporting purposes and therefore the asset remained on the books and continued to record operating expenses and depreciation as a period cost until a sale occurred that met the requirements of ASC 360-20.  On August 10, 2012, we re-purchased 100% of the membership interests in LaDue, LLC from ABC Land & Development, Inc., a related party, for $1.9 million to be paid by assumption of debt of $0.6 million, secured by the property, and cancellation of a five-year seller-financed note of $1.3 million.  There is no change in the financial statements related to the March 1, 2012 sale or the subsequent re-acquisition.

On March 5, 2012, 7.39 acres of land known as DeSoto Ranch land located in DeSoto, Texas was transferred to the existing lender.  This land parcel was previously sold, on September 1, 2011, to TCI Luna Ventures, LLC, a related party, for a sales price of $1.3 million.  The Company did not recognize or record the sale in accordance with ASC 360-20 due to our continuing involvement, which included the potential payment of cash shortfalls, future obligations under the existing mortgage and guaranty, the buyer’s inadequate initial investment and the Company’s questionable recovery of investment cost.  The Company determined that no sale had occurred for financial reporting purposes and therefore the asset remained on the books and continued to record operating expenses and depreciation as a period cost until a sale occurred that met the requirements of ASC 360-20.  A sale to an independent third party, that met the requirements of ASC 360-20, took place on March 5, 2012, when the Company received a credit against the outstanding debt of $1.0 million, which is part of a multi-tract collateral obligation, and the existing lender took possession of the property.  We recorded a gain on sale of $0.1 million on the land parcel sale.

On April 1, 2012, we purchased 1,000 shares of stock of Kelly Lot Development, Inc. from Tacco Financial, Inc., a related party, for $5.6 million. This entity owns six land parcels, comprising approximately 52.59 acres of undeveloped land located in Dallas County, Texas, Kaufman County, Texas, Nashville, Tennessee and Tarrant County, Texas, known as Kelly Lots land, Travis Ranch land, Nashville land, Cooks Lane land, Seminary West land and Vineyards land. We assumed the existing mortgages of $0.5 million and $0.4 million, secured by the property. The loans accrue interest at 15.00% and are payable at maturity on May 1, 2013 and November 1, 2013, respectively. 

On April 3, 2012, 5.22 acres of land known as Andrew C land located in Denton, Texas was transferred to the existing lender.  This land parcel was previously sold, on September 1, 2011, to TCI Luna Ventures, LLC, a related party, for a sales price of $0.4 million.  The Company did not recognize or record the sale in accordance with ASC 360-20 due to our continuing involvement, which included the potential payment of cash shortfalls, future obligations under the existing mortgage and guaranty, the buyer’s inadequate initial investment and the Company’s questionable recovery of investment cost.  The Company determined that no sale had occurred for financial reporting purposes and therefore the asset remained on the books and continued to record operating expenses and depreciation as a period cost until a sale occurred that met the requirements of ASC 360-20.  A sale to an independent third party, that met the requirements of ASC 360-20, took place on April 3, 2012, when the Company received a credit against the outstanding debt of $0.5 million, which is part of a multi-tract collateral obligation, and the existing lender took possession of the property.  We recorded a gain on sale of $0.2 million on the land parcel sale.

On August 10, 2012, we purchased 100% of the membership interests in LaDue, LLC from ABC Land & Development, Inc., a related party, for $1.9 million to be paid by assumption of debt of $0.6 million, secured by the property, and cancellation of a five-year seller-financed note of $1.3 million. This entity owns 8.01 acres of land known as LaDue land located in Dallas County, Texas.  TCI originally sold the membership interests in LaDue, LLC on March 1, 2012 but did not record the sale for accounting purposes.  See the above March 1, 2012 sale disclosure for details of the accounting treatment.

On December 31, 2012, 21.26 acres of land known as Pioneer Crossing land located in Austin, Texas was transferred to the existing lender.  This land parcel was previously sold, on September 1, 2011, to TCI Luna Ventures, LLC, a related party, for a sales price of $1.4 million.  The Company did not recognize or record the sale in accordance with ASC 360-20 due to our continuing involvement, which included the potential payment of cash shortfalls, future obligations under the existing mortgage and guaranty, the buyer’s inadequate initial investment and the Company’s questionable recovery of investment cost.  The Company determined that no sale had occurred for financial reporting purposes and therefore the asset remained on the books and continued to record operating expenses and depreciation as a period cost until a sale occurred that met the requirements of ASC 360-20.  A sale to an independent third party A sale to an independent third party, that met the requirements of ASC 360-20, received a credit against the outstanding debt of $0.3 million, which is part of a multi-tract collateral obligation, and the existing lender took possession of the property.  We recorded a loss on sale of $1.0 million on the land parcel sale.

On December 31, 2012, we sold 100% of the stock in T Southwood 1394, Inc., to One Realco Corporation, a related party, for a sales price of $0.6 million.  This entity owns 14.52 acres of land known as Southwood Land located in Tallahassee, Florida.  Under the terms of the sale, the buyer assumed the existing mortgage of $0.6 million, secured by the property.  The Company did not recognize or record the sale in accordance with ASC 360-20 due to our continuing involvement, which included the potential payment of cash shortfalls, future obligations under the existing mortgage and guaranty, the buyer’s inadequate initial investment and the Company’s questionable recovery of investment cost.  The Company determined that no sale had occurred for financial reporting purposes and therefore the asset remained on the books and continued to record operating expenses and depreciation as a period cost until a sale occurred that met the requirements of ASC 360-20.  A sale to an independent third party, that met the requirements of ASC 360-20, took place on January 8, 2013, when the property was sold to a third party and sales proceeds were credited against the outstanding debt.  We will not record a gain or loss on the land parcel sale.

In December 2010, there were various commercial and land holdings sold to FRE Real Estate, Inc., a related party. During the first three months of 2011, many of these transactions were rescinded as of the original transaction date and were subsequently sold to related parties under the same ownership as FRE Real Estate, Inc.  As of December 31, 2012, there is one commercial building, Thermalloy that remains in FRE Real Estate, Inc. We have deferred the recognition of the sales in accordance with ASC 360-20 due to our continuing involvement, the buyer’s inadequate initial investment and questionable recovery of the Company’s investment cost.

The properties that we have sold to a related party  and have deferred the recognition of the sale are treated as “subject to sales contract” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are listed in detail in Schedule III, “Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation”.  These properties were sold to a related party in order to help facilitate an appropriate debt or organizational restructure and may or may not be transferred back to the seller upon resolution.  These properties have mortgages that are secured by the property and many have corporate guarantees.  According to the loan documents, we are currently in default on these mortgages primarily due to lack of payment although we are actively involved in discussions with every lender in order to settle or cure the default situation.  We have reviewed each asset and taken impairment to the extent we feel the value of the property was less than our current basis.

Acquisitions from our parent, ARL, have previously been reflected at the fair value purchase price.   Upon discussion with the SEC and in review of the guidance pursuant to ASC 250-10-45-22 to 24, we have adjusted those assets, in the prior year, to reflect a basis equal to ARL’s cost basis in the asset at the time of the sale.  The related party payables to ARL were reduced for the lower asset price.