nxrt-10k_20151231.htm

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

(Mark One)

x

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015

OR

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number 001-36663

 

NexPoint Residential Trust, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

Maryland

 

47-1881359

(State or other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

300 Crescent Court, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas

 

75201

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

(972) 628-4100

(Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

 

New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  o    No  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  o    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) 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, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large Accelerated Filer

o

 

Accelerated Filer

o

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Accelerated Filer

x

      (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company

o

 

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

The aggregate market value of the shares of common stock of the registrant held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based upon the closing price of such shares on June 30, 2015, was approximately $241,000,000.

As of March 18, 2016, the registrant had 21,293,825 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the proxy statement for the registrant’s 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K.

 

 

 

 

 


 

NEXPOINT RESIDENTIAL TRUST, INC.

Form 10-K

Year Ended December 31, 2015

INDEX

 

 

 

Page

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

ii

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART I

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Business

 

1

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

13

Item 1B.

 

Unresolved Staff Comments

 

33

Item 2.

 

Properties

 

33

Item 3.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

35

Item 4.

 

Mine Safety Disclosures

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART II

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

 

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

35

Item 6.

 

Selected Financial Data

 

37

Item 7.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

38

Item 7A.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

52

Item 8.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

53

Item 9.

 

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

53

Item 9A.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

53

Item 9B.

 

Other Information

 

54

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART III

 

 

 

 

Item 10.

 

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

54

Item 11.

 

Executive Compensation

 

54

Item 12.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

54

Item 13.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 

54

Item 14.

 

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

54

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART IV

 

 

 

 

Item 15.

 

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

54

 

 

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-1

 

i

 


 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This annual report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks and uncertainties. In particular, statements relating to our liquidity and capital resources, the performance of our properties and results of operations contain forward-looking statements. Furthermore, all of the statements regarding future financial performance (including market conditions and demographics) are forward-looking statements. We caution investors that any forward-looking statements presented in this annual report are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. When used, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “estimate,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “result” and similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters are intended to identify forward-looking statements. You can also identify forward-looking statements by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions.

Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions and may be affected by known and unknown risks, trends, uncertainties and factors that are beyond our control. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated or projected. We caution you therefore against relying on any of these forward-looking statements.

Some of the risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance, liquidity or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:

 

·

unfavorable changes in market and economic conditions in the United States and globally and in the specific markets where our properties are located;

 

·

risks associated with ownership of real estate;

 

·

limited ability to dispose of assets because of the relative illiquidity of real estate investments;

 

·

intense competition in the real estate market that, combined with low residential mortgage rates that could encourage potential renters to purchase residences rather than lease them, may limit our ability to acquire or lease and re-lease property or increase or maintain rent;

 

·

risks associated with our ability to issue additional debt or equity securities in the future;

 

·

failure of acquisitions and development projects to yield anticipated results;

 

·

risks associated with our strategy of acquiring value-enhancement multifamily properties, which involves greater risks than more conservative investment strategies;

 

·

the lack of experience of NexPoint Real Estate Advisors, L.P. (our “Adviser”) in operating under the constraints imposed by REIT requirements;

 

·

loss of key personnel;

 

·

the risk that we may not replicate the historical results achieved by other entities managed or sponsored by affiliates of our Adviser, members of our Adviser’s management team or by Highland Capital Management, L.P. (our “Sponsor” or “Highland”) or its affiliates;

 

·

risks associated with our Adviser’s ability to terminate the Advisory Agreement;

 

·

our ability to change our major policies, operations and targeted investments without stockholder consent;

 

·

the substantial fees and expenses we will pay to our Adviser and its affiliates;

 

·

risks associated with the potential internalization of our management functions;

 

·

the risk that we may compete with other entities affiliated with our Sponsor or property manager for tenants;

 

·

conflicts of interest and competing demands for time faced by our Adviser, our Sponsor and their officers and employees;

 

·

our dependence on information systems;

 

·

lack of or insufficient amounts of insurance;

 

·

contingent or unknown liabilities related to properties or businesses that we have acquired or may acquire;

ii

 


 

 

·

high costs associated with the investigation or remediation of environmental contamination, including asbestos, lead-based paint, chemical vapor, subsurface contamination and mold growth; 

 

·

the risk that our environmental assessments may not identify all potential environmental liabilities and our remediation actions may be insufficient;

 

·

high costs associated with the compliance with various accessibility, environmental, building and health and safety laws and regulations, such as the ADA and FHA;

 

·

risks associated with our high concentrations of investments in the Southeastern and Southwestern United States;

 

·

risks associated with limited warranties we may obtain when purchasing properties;

 

·

exposure to decreases in market rents due to our short-term leases;

 

·

risks associated with operating through joint ventures and funds;

 

·

potential reforms to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac;

 

·

risks associated with our reduced public company reporting requirements as an “emerging growth company”;

 

·

costs associated with being a public company, including compliance with securities laws;

 

·

risks associated with breaches of our data security;

 

·

the risk that our business could be adversely impacted if there are deficiencies in our disclosure controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting;

 

·

risks associated with our substantial current indebtedness and indebtedness we may incur in the future;

 

·

risks associated with derivatives or hedging activity;

 

·

the risk that we may be unable to achieve some or all of the benefits that we expect to achieve from the Spin-Off;

 

·

the risk that we may fail to consummate our pending property acquisitions;

 

·

failure to qualify as or to maintain our status as a REIT;

 

·

compliance with REIT requirements, which may limit our ability to hedge our liabilities effectively and cause us to forgo otherwise attractive opportunities, liquidate certain of our investments or incur tax liabilities;

 

·

failure of our operating partnership to qualify as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, causing us to fail to qualify for or to maintain REIT status;

 

·

the ineligibility of dividends payable by REITs for the reduced tax rates available for some dividends;

 

·

risks associated with the stock ownership restrictions of the Code for REITs and the stock ownership limit imposed by our charter;

 

·

the ability of the Board of Directors to revoke our REIT qualification without stockholder approval;

 

·

potential legislative or regulatory tax changes or other actions affecting REITs;

 

·

risks associated with the market for our common stock and the general volatility of the capital and credit markets;

 

·

failure to generate sufficient cash flows to service our outstanding indebtedness or pay distributions at expected levels;

 

·

risks associated with limitations of liability for and our indemnification of our directors and officers; or

 

·

any other risks included under the heading “Risk Factors,” in this annual report.

While forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs, they are not guarantees of future performance. They are based on estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this annual report. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, data or methods, future events or other changes, except as required by law.

 

 

 

iii

 


 

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

General

NexPoint Residential Trust, Inc. (the “Company”, “we”, “our”) was incorporated on September 19, 2014, and intends to elect to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) beginning with its 2015 tax year. The Company is focused on “value-add” multifamily investments primarily located in the Southeastern and Southwestern United States. Substantially all of the Company’s business is conducted through NexPoint Residential Trust Operating Partnership, L.P. (the “OP”), the Company’s operating partnership. The Company holds all or a majority interest in its properties (the “Portfolio”) through the OP. The Company’s subsidiary, NexPoint Residential Trust Operating Partnership GP, LLC (the “OP GP”) is the sole general partner of the OP. The sole limited partner of the OP is the Company.

The Company began operations on March 31, 2015 as a result of the transfer and contribution by NexPoint Credit Strategies Fund (“NHF”) of all but one of the multifamily properties owned by NHF through its subsidiary Freedom REIT, LLC (“Freedom REIT”). We use the term “predecessor” to mean the carve-out business of Freedom REIT. On March 31, 2015, NHF distributed all of the outstanding shares of the Company's common stock held by NHF to holders of NHF common shares. We refer to the distribution of our common stock by NHF as the “Spin-Off.”

We are externally managed by NexPoint Real Estate Advisors, L.P., (our “Adviser”), through an agreement dated March 16, 2015 (the “Advisory Agreement”), by and among the Company, the OP and our Adviser. Our Adviser conducts substantially all of our operations and provides asset management for our real estate investments. We will only have accounting employees while the Advisory Agreement is in effect. All of our investment decisions are made by our Adviser, subject to general oversight by our Adviser’s investment committee and our Board of Directors (the “Board”). Our Adviser is wholly owned by NexPoint Advisors, L.P. and is an affiliate of Highland Capital Management, L.P. (our “Sponsor” or “Highland”). Both are SEC-registered investment advisers under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

The entities through which we own the properties in the Portfolio have entered into management agreements with BH Management Services, LLC (“BH”). Pursuant to these agreements, BH operates and leases the underlying properties in the Portfolio and provides construction management services. BH has significant experience operating and leasing multifamily properties, having begun business in 1993 and currently operating and leasing approximately 65,000 multifamily units across the country. The Company pays BH a management fee of approximately 3% of the monthly gross income from each property managed, as well as construction supervision fees and certain other fees. BH or its affiliates also have equity interests in substantially all of the properties in the Portfolio. Affiliates of BH own a portion of each property, with the exception of one, through joint venture arrangements.

At December 31, 2015, the Company owned 42 properties representing 13,155 units in eight states.

1


 

2015 Highlights

Key highlights and transactions completed in 2015 by us or our predecessor include the following:

 

·

Spin-Off and Listing of Shares: On March 31, 2015, we successfully completed the Spin-Off and on April 1, 2015 we listed our shares on the NYSE.

 

·

Acquisitions: In 2015, we completed 10 acquisitions totaling 3,727 units. With these acquisitions, we increased our presence in three markets and entered two new markets.

 

Property Name

 

Location

 

Number of Units

 

 

Date Acquired

 

Purchase Price

(in thousands)

 

Cornerstone

 

Orlando, Florida

 

430

 

 

1/15/2015 (pre Spin-Off)

 

$

31,550

 

McMillan Place

 

Dallas, Texas

 

402

 

 

1/15/2015 (pre Spin-Off)

 

 

20,984

 

Barrington Mill

 

Marietta, Georgia

 

752

 

 

2/6/2015 (pre Spin-Off)

 

 

58,000

 

Dana Point

 

Dallas, Texas

 

264

 

 

2/26/2015 (pre Spin-Off)

 

 

16,235

 

Heatherstone

 

Dallas, Texas

 

152

 

 

2/26/2015 (pre Spin-Off)

 

 

9,450

 

Versailles

 

Dallas, Texas

 

388

 

 

2/26/2015 (pre Spin-Off)

 

 

26,165

 

Seasons 704 Apartments

 

West Palm Beach, Florida

 

222

 

 

4/15/2015

 

 

21,000

 

Madera Point

 

Mesa, Arizona

 

256

 

 

8/5/2015

 

 

22,525

 

The Pointe at the Foothills

 

Mesa, Arizona

 

528

 

 

8/5/2015

 

 

52,275

 

The Place at Vanderbilt

 

Fort Worth, Texas

 

333

 

 

10/30/2015

 

 

19,250

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,727

 

 

 

 

$

277,434

 

 

 

·

Same Store Growth: There are 25 properties encompassing 7,532 units of apartment space in our same store pool for the fourth quarter of 2015 (our “Same Store” properties). For our Same Store properties, we recorded the following operating metrics for the fourth quarter of 2015 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2014:

 

Operating Metric

 

Q4 2015

 

 

Q4 2014

 

 

% Change

 

Occupancy (1)

 

 

94.2

%

 

 

92.8

%

 

 

1.5

%

Average Effective Monthly Rent Per Unit (2)

 

$

793

 

 

$

752

 

 

 

5.5

%

Rental income (in thousands)

 

$

16,489

 

 

$

15,327

 

 

 

7.6

%

Other income (in thousands)

 

$

2,278

 

 

$

1,828

 

 

 

24.6

%

 

 

(1)

Occupancy is calculated as the number of units occupied as of December 31 for the respective year, divided by the total number of units, expressed as a percentage.

 

(2)

Average effective monthly rent per unit is equal to the average of the contractual rent for commenced leases as of December 31 for the respective year minus any tenant concessions over the term of the lease, divided by the number of units under commenced leases as of December 31 for the respective year.

 

·

Renovations: In 2015, we completed full and partial renovations on 2,313 units at an average cost of $4,814 per renovated unit. Since inception, we have completed full and partial renovations on 2,643 units at an average cost of $4,728 per renovated unit that has been leased as of December 31, 2015. We have achieved average rent growth of 11.4%, or a $93 average monthly rental increase per unit, on all units renovated and leased as of December 31, 2015, resulting in a return on investment on capital expended on interior renovations of 21.5%.

 

·

Dividends: We declared dividends totaling $13.2 million in 2015, or $0.618 per share, equating to a 6.3% annualized yield based on our closing share price of $13.09 on December 31, 2015. On March 7, 2016, the Board declared a dividend of $0.206 per share, equating to a 6.3% annualized yield based on our closing share price of $13.01 on March 15, 2016. We intend to continue to pay quarterly dividends to our stockholders with a goal of maintaining a stable dividend and increasing the dividend when we believe it is prudent to do so. The Board ultimately has the final authority to determine and declare dividends.

 

·

Term Facility Financing: On August 5, 2015, in conjunction with the acquisition of the two properties in Arizona, we closed a $29.0 million equity bridge facility with Key Bank, N.A. (the “Bridge Facility”) that matures on August 4, 2016. We used the financing to close the $74.8 million opportunity, which we thought was priced attractively and accretive to our cost of capital.

2


 

 

·

Regatta Bay Refinance: On October 21, 2015, we successfully refinanced our $13.1 million, 4.85% fixed rate HUD loan on the Regatta Bay property located in Houston, Texas with a $14.0 million, floating rate loan at 1.70% plus three-month LIBOR and a five-year term. We paid approximately $0.7 million in prepayment penalties but reduced our annual interest costs by approximately $0.4 million (based on three-month LIBOR as of December 31, 2015). We determined it was advantageous to refinance the HUD loan, which was assumed at the purchase of the Regatta Bay property, to obtain more attractive terms and additional flexibility not afforded by the existing loan. 

 

·

Cash Position: At December 31, 2015, we had $63.1 million of cash on our balance sheet, of which $24.5 million was reserved for future renovations and $21.3 million for lender required escrows. We believe we have adequate cash on hand to meet our near term obligations, service our debt, pay distributions and make opportunistic acquisitions.

Our Real Estate Portfolio

At December 31, 2015, the Company owned 42 properties representing 13,155 units in eight states. At December 31, 2015, the occupancy rate for the Portfolio was approximately 93.9% and the weighted average monthly effective rent per occupied apartment unit was $803. For additional information regarding our Portfolio, see Item 2, “Properties” and Notes 2, 3, 4, and 6 to our combined consolidated financial statements.

Our Business Objectives and Strategies

Our primary business objectives are to:

 

·

deliver stable, attractive yields and long-term capital appreciation to our stockholders;

 

·

acquire multifamily properties in markets with attractive job growth and household formation fundamentals primarily in the Southeastern and Southwestern United States;

 

·

acquire assets significantly below replacement costs;

 

·

implement a value-add program to increase returns to our stockholders; and

 

·

own assets that provide lifestyle amenities and upgraded living spaces to low and moderate income renters.

We intend to accomplish these objectives by:

 

·

Focusing on Acquiring Class B Properties in Our Core Markets. We will continue to seek opportunities to acquire Class B multifamily properties at prices that we believe represent significant discounts to replacement cost, provide potential for significant long-term value appreciation and that we expect will generate attractive yields for our stockholders. We will focus on these types of opportunities in our core markets, which we consider to be primarily major metropolitan areas in Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida and Arizona.

 

·

Focusing on Multifamily Properties with a Value-Add Component. We will continue to seek opportunities to acquire multifamily properties that have a value-add component. Due to a lack of reinvestment by many prior owners, we believe these types of properties provide us the opportunity to make relatively modest capital expenditures that result in a significant increase in rents, thereby generating Net Operating Income (“NOI”) growth, and thus higher yields and capital appreciation for our stockholders.

 

·

Prudently Using Leverage to Increase Stockholder Value. We will finance new property acquisitions at a target leverage level of approximately 60% loan-to-value. Given that we intend for the majority of our acquisitions to have a value-add component in the first three years of ownership, we will generally seek leverage with the optionality to refinance (such as floating rate debt). In the management team’s experience, this leverage strategy allows for the opportunity to maximize returns for our stockholders while providing maximum flexibility.

Our Adviser’s investment approach combines its management team’s experience with a structure that emphasizes thorough market research, local market knowledge, underwriting discipline, and risk management in evaluating potential investments with a goal of maximizing long-term stockholder value.

3


 

Acquisition and Operating Strategy

We seek to find Class B multifamily properties that are priced at a significant discount to replacement cost. We believe that through the implementation of our value-add program we will be able to grow the NOI of these types of properties significantly in the first three years of ownership and thus these types of acquisitions will be accretive over the long-term to our FFO and AFFO (see definition of these non-GAAP measures in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” below). As we progress through the real estate cycle, finding these opportunities will become more difficult. However, we will continue to take a disciplined approach to acquisitions by only pursuing these types of opportunities. Our Adviser’s investment approach includes active and aggressive management of each property acquired. Our Adviser believes that active management is critical to creating value. Prior to the purchase of a property, BH and our Adviser will tour each property and develop a business strategy for the property. This will include a forecast of the action items to be taken and the capital needed to achieve the anticipated returns. Our Adviser will review such property-level business strategies quarterly to anticipate changes or opportunities in the market. In an effort to keep properties in compliance with our underwriting standards and management strategies, our Adviser will remain involved throughout the investment life cycle of each acquired property and will actively consult with BH throughout the holding period.

We may also allocate up to approximately 30% of our portfolio to investments in real estate-related debt, mezzanine and preferred equity and other securities in situations where the risk-return profile is more attractive than investments in common equity. This strategy would be designed to minimize potential losses during market downturns and maximize risk adjusted total returns to our stockholders in all market cycles.

Value-Add Strategy

We will continue to implement our value-add strategy at our properties where we believe we can achieve a significant increase in rents above what would otherwise be the case with purely organic market increases. Our value-add program has three components: 1) improvement of exteriors and common areas, 2) improvement of interiors, and 3) management and cost improvements. Renovations to the exteriors and common areas include repairing parking lots and sidewalks, painting buildings, replacing roofs, upgrading and modernizing leasing centers, pools, pool furniture, gyms and other common area amenities. Renovations to interiors includes replacing carpet with faux wood floors, replacing kitchen and bath counter tops with faux granite, installing stainless or black appliances, upgrading lighting and plumbing fixtures and replacing linoleum floors with tile. We expect the exterior renovations to improve tenant retention and to modestly drive rent and NOI growth. As of December 31, 2015, we have renovated the exteriors at substantially all of the properties in our Portfolio. We expect interior renovations to be the primary driver of rent and NOI growth at our properties. As of December 31, 2015, we have completed interior renovations on 2,643 units out of 13,155 total units with an average monthly rental increase per unit of $93 and an average cost of $4,728 per renovated unit that has been leased as of December 31, 2015. In cases where we believe rents will grow significantly in a market organically, we will implement the value-add program more strategically in order to capture significant rent and NOI growth without expending additional capital. Also, to the extent we believe rents at a property are maximized regardless of the level of additional renovations we provide on an interior, we may opt to not further renovate units at that property. As of December 31, 2015, we had $24.5 million in cash reserved for planned interior, exterior, and common area renovations, eliminating the need for us to raise additional capital in order to carry out our currently planned value-add program.

Disposition Strategy

In general, we intend to hold our multifamily properties for production of rental income. Economic and market conditions may influence us to hold our investments for different periods of time. From time to time, we may sell an asset before the end of the expected holding period, particularly if we receive a bona fide unsolicited offer with attractive terms, if we have an upcoming liquidity need, such as a debt maturing, or if the sale of the asset would otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders. When reviewing whether a sale is in the best interests of our stockholders, we take into consideration whether market conditions and asset positioning have maximized the value of the property to us and any potential adverse tax consequences of a sale. In some cases, we may determine that a particular market no longer fits within our business strategy and sell assets to exit that market.

Financing Strategy

We intend to use leverage in making our investments with an objective of maintaining a strong balance sheet and providing liquidity to grow the Company. We are currently targeting total indebtedness of approximately 60-65% of our total enterprise value with a goal of reducing leverage to 50-55% over time through increasing the value of our properties and refinancing properties we intend to hold longer-term. However, we are not subject to any limitations on the amount of leverage we may use, and, accordingly, the amount of leverage we use may be significantly less or greater than what we currently anticipate. We currently are meeting our short-term liquidity needs through our cash and cash equivalents, cash from operations and borrowings under a $29.0 million bridge facility with Key Bank, N.A. We do not currently have a revolving line of credit but are reviewing options to do so in 2016 to give us additional access to liquidity and flexibility in our operations.

4


 

When interest rates are high or financing is otherwise unavailable on a timely basis, we may purchase certain properties and other assets for cash with the intention of obtaining a loan for a portion of the purchase price at a later time. We will refinance properties during the term of a loan only under certain circumstances, such as when a decline in interest rates makes it beneficial to prepay an existing mortgage, an existing mortgage matures, the value of the property has increased significantly and we can obtain more attractive terms through refinancing the property, or an attractive investment becomes available and the proceeds from the refinancing can be used to purchase such investment.

We typically use floating rate debt with caps as opposed to using fixed rate debt. We believe this is a more sensible and flexible way to utilize leverage in our strategy as we attempt to increase the value of each property over the course of two to three years after acquisition through our value-add program. Fixed rate financing is typically more expensive and less flexible since there are typically high prepayment penalties, yield maintenance payments and/or defeasance penalties when refinancing fixed rate debt prior to maturity. To the extent we intend to hold a property longer-term, we will reassess the use of refinancing with fixed rate leverage.

Property Management Strategy

We seek to achieve long-term earnings growth through superior property management. To achieve this, we have partnered with BH to manage all of our properties as an external manager. In order to align our property manager’s interests with those of our stockholders, we have required BH (through affiliates) to co-invest in all but one of our properties (see “Joint Venture Strategy” below). We believe BH provides the following benefits:

 

·

BH manages approximately 65,000 multifamily properties in 22 states and has managed multifamily communities for 23 years.

 

·

BH brings a scale of operations we could not otherwise achieve for approximately 3% of gross income, which is the contracted amount we pay for their property management services.

 

·

BH has current operations in all of our current and desired markets, allowing us greater scale when entering new markets or allowing us to make investments in non-core markets without making substantial investments on management infrastructure in those markets.

 

·

BH has a construction management operation and has substantial experience in renovating Class B multifamily units.

 

·

BH’s scale allows them to get highly competitive pricing as it pertains to the costs of our value-add program, increasing our return on investment for renovations.

 

·

BH helps us source and underwrite opportunities as well as assist in due diligence of properties prior to closing.

 

·

BH assists in locating potential buyers for our properties.

 

·

BH’s size, scale and experience allows them to keep costs low and maximize rents and occupancy.

 

·

BH has proved successful in driving other revenue growth at properties they manage.

Joint Venture Strategy

We enter into strategic joint venture opportunities with affiliates of our property manager in an effort to better align our unaffiliated property manager’s interests with those of our stockholders. We own all of our properties with the exception of one through joint venture arrangements with affiliates of BH. Also, equity from joint venture partners allows us to expand the number and size of our investments, allowing us to obtain a more diversified portfolio and participate in investments that we may otherwise have deemed disproportionately too large for our portfolio at the time of purchase. We anticipate using a similar structure for our acquisitions in the future, although our joint venture partner may invest less than has historically been the case going forward. Our joint venture arrangements allow us to earn fees for asset management, which offset portions of our general and administrative expenses. Our joint ventures are structured to limit our noncontrolling partners’ rights to give us maximum control over each investment.

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Our Structure

The following chart shows our ownership structure.

 

 

Our Adviser

We are externally managed by our Adviser pursuant to an advisory agreement we entered into with our Adviser on March 16, 2015. Our Adviser was organized on September 5, 2014 and is an affiliate of Highland. Our Adviser has contractual and fiduciary responsibilities to us and our stockholders as further described under “Our Advisory Agreement” below. The members of the Adviser’s management team are James Dondero, Brian Mitts, Matt McGraner, Matthew Goetz and Scott Ellington.

Our Adviser has also entered into a shared services agreement with Highland, pursuant to which Highland will provide research and operational support to our Adviser, including services in connection with the due diligence of actual or potential investments, the execution of investment transactions approved by our Adviser and certain back office and administrative services.

Our Advisory Agreement

Below is a summary of the terms of our Advisory Agreement:

Duties of Our Adviser. Our Advisory Agreement provides that our Adviser will manage our business and affairs in accordance with the policies and guidelines established by our Board and that our Adviser will be under the supervision of our Board. The agreement will require our Adviser to provide us with all services necessary or appropriate to conduct our business, including the following:

 

·

locating, presenting and recommending to us real estate investment opportunities consistent with our investment policies, acquisition strategy and objectives, including our conflicts of interest policies;

 

·

structuring the terms and conditions of transactions pursuant to which acquisitions and dispositions of properties will be made;

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·

acquiring properties on our behalf in compliance with our investment objectives and strategies; 

 

·

arranging for the financing and refinancing of properties;

 

·

administering our bookkeeping and accounting functions;

 

·

serving as our consultant in connection with policy decisions to be made by our Board, managing our properties or causing our properties to be managed by another party;

 

·

monitoring our compliance with regulatory requirements, including the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, NYSE standards and Internal Revenue Code (“the Code”) standards to maintain our status as a REIT;

 

·

performing administrative services; and

 

·

rendering other services as our Board deems appropriate.

Our Adviser is required to obtain the prior approval of our Board in connection with:

 

·

any investment for which the portion of the consideration paid out of our equity equals or exceeds $50,000,000;

 

·

any investment that is inconsistent with the publicly disclosed investment guidelines as in effect from time to time, or, if none are then publicly disclosed, as otherwise adopted by the Board from time to time; or

 

·

any engagement of affiliated service providers on behalf of us or the OP, which engagement terms will be negotiated on an arm’s length basis.

For these purposes, “equity” means our cash on hand, exclusive of the proceeds of any debt financing incurred or to be incurred in connection with the relevant investment.

Our Adviser will be prohibited from taking any action that, in its sole judgment, or in the sole judgment of our Board, made in good faith:

 

·

would adversely affect our qualification as a REIT under the Code, unless the Board had determined that REIT qualification is not in the best interests of us and our stockholders;

 

·

would subject us to regulation under the 1940 Act, except to the extent that we and our Adviser have undertaken in the Advisory Agreement and our charter to comply with Section 15 of the 1940 Act in connection with the entry into, continuation of, or amendment of the Advisory Agreement or any advisory agreement;

 

·

is contrary to or inconsistent with our investment guidelines; or

 

·

would violate any law, rule, regulation or statement of policy of any governmental body or agency having jurisdiction over us or our shares of common stock, or otherwise not be permitted by our charter or bylaws.

Management Fee. Our Advisory Agreement requires that we pay our Adviser an annual management fee of 1.00% of our Average Real Estate Assets.

“Average Real Estate Assets” means the average of the aggregate book value of real estate assets before reserves for depreciation or other non-cash reserves, computed by taking the average of the book value of real estate assets at the end of each month (or partial month) (a) for which any fee under the Advisory Agreement is calculated or (b) during the year for which any expense reimbursement under the Advisory Agreement is calculated. Real estate assets is defined broadly in the Advisory Agreement to include, among other things, investments in real estate-related securities and mortgages and reserves for capital expenditures.

In calculating the management fee, we will categorize our Average Real Estate Assets into either “Contributed Assets” or “New Assets.” The Management Fee on Contributed Assets may not exceed $4.5 million in any calendar year. This cap is intended to limit the fees paid to our Adviser on the Contributed Assets following the Spin-Off to the fees that would have been paid by NHF to its adviser had the Spin-Off not occurred. The management fee on New Assets will not be subject to any maximum amount in any calendar year.

“Contributed Assets” means all of the real estate assets we owned upon the completion of the Spin-Off.

“New Assets” means all of the Average Real Estate Assets other than Contributed Assets.

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The management fee will be payable monthly in arrears in cash, unless our Adviser elects, in its sole discretion, to receive all or a portion of such fee in shares of our common stock, subject to the limitations set forth below under “—Limitations on Receiving Shares.” The number of shares issued to our Adviser as payment for the management fee will be equal to the dollar amount of the portion of such fee that is payable in shares divided by the volume-weighted average closing price of shares of our common stock for the ten trading days prior to the end of the month for which such fee will be paid, which we refer to as the fee VWAP. Our Adviser will compute each installment of the management fee as promptly as possible after the end of the month with respect to which such installment is payable. The accrued fees will be payable monthly as promptly as possible after the end of each month during which the Advisory Agreement is in effect. A copy of the computations made by our Adviser to calculate such installment will thereafter, for informational purposes only, promptly be delivered to our Board.

Administrative Fee. Our Advisory Agreement will require that we pay our Adviser an annual administrative fee of 0.20% of the Average Real Estate Assets.

In calculating the administrative fee, we will categorize our Average Real Estate Assets into either Contributed Assets or New Assets. The Administrative Fee on Contributed Assets may not exceed $890,000 in any calendar year. This cap is intended to limit the fees paid to our Adviser on the Contributed Assets following the Spin-Off to the fees that would have been paid by NHF to its adviser had the Spin-Off not occurred. The administrative fee on New Assets will not be subject to any maximum amount in any calendar year.

The administrative fee is payable monthly in arrears in cash, unless our Adviser elects, in its sole discretion, to receive all or a portion of such fee in shares of our common stock, subject to the limitations set forth below under “—Limitations on Receiving Shares.” The number of shares issued to our Adviser as payment for the administrative fee will be equal to the dollar amount of the portion of such fee that is payable in shares divided by the fee VWAP. Our Adviser will compute each installment of the administrative fee as promptly as possible after the end of each month with respect to which such installment is payable. The accrued fees will be payable monthly as promptly as possible after the end of each month during which the Advisory Agreement is in effect. A copy of the computations made by our Adviser to calculate such installment will thereafter, for informational purposes only, promptly be delivered to our board of directors.

Reimbursement of Expenses. Our Advisory Agreement requires that we reimburse our Adviser for all of its out-of-pocket expenses in performing its services, including legal, accounting, financial, due diligence and other services performed by the Adviser that outside professionals or outside consultants would otherwise perform and will also pay our pro rata share of rent, telephone, utilities, office furniture, equipment, machinery and other office, internal and overhead expenses of our Adviser required for our operations (“Adviser Operating Expenses”). Adviser Operating Expenses do not include expenses for the administrative services provided under the Advisory Agreement. We will also reimburse our Adviser for any and all expenses (other than underwriters’ discounts) in connection with an offering, including, without limitation, legal, accounting, printing, mailing and filing fees and other documented offering expenses.

Our Adviser will prepare a statement documenting all expenses incurred during each month, and will deliver such statement to us within 15 business days after the end of each month. Such expenses will be reimbursed by us no later than the 15th business day immediately following the date of delivery of such statement of expenses to us. All expenses payable by us or reimbursable to our Adviser pursuant to the agreement will not be in amounts greater than those which would be payable to outside professionals or consultants engaged to perform such services pursuant to agreements negotiated on an arm’s length basis.

Reimbursement of Adviser Operating Expenses under the Advisory Agreement, administrative fees and the management fees paid to our Adviser will not exceed 1.5% of Average Real Estate Assets per calendar year (or part thereof that the Advisory Agreement is in effect (the “Expense Cap”)). The Expense Cap does not limit the reimbursement by the Company of expenses related to securities offerings paid by the Adviser. The Expense Cap also does not apply to legal, accounting, financial, due diligence and other service fees incurred in connection with mergers and acquisitions, extraordinary litigation or other events outside the Company’s ordinary course of business or any out-of-pocket acquisition or due diligence expenses incurred in connection with the acquisition or disposition of real estate assets.

Term of the Advisory Agreement. The Advisory Agreement has a term of two years. After the initial two-year period, the Advisory Agreement shall continue in full force and effect so long as the Advisory Agreement is approved at least annually (a) by either the Company’s Board or by a “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Company and (b) in either event, by the vote of a majority of the directors who would not be “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Adviser or the Company, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, in accordance with Section 15 of the 1940 Act.

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The Advisory Agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of the Board or by a “vote of a majority the outstanding voting securities” (as defined in the 1940 Act), or by the Adviser, in each case on not more than 60 days’ nor less than 30 days’ prior written notice to the other party. The Advisory Agreement shall automatically and immediately terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act).

Amendment. The Advisory Agreement may only be amended, waived, discharged or terminated in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the amendment, waiver, discharge or termination is sought. Any amendment of the Advisory Agreement shall comply with and be approved in accordance with the requirements of Section 15 of the 1940 Act and any applicable rules thereunder, regardless of whether the 1940 Act is otherwise applicable to us.

Limitations On Receiving Shares. The ability of our Adviser to receive shares of our common stock as payment for all or a portion of the management fee and administrative fee due under the terms of our Advisory Agreement will be subject to the following limitations: (a) the ownership of shares of common stock by our Adviser may not violate the ownership limitations set forth in our charter, after giving effect to any exception from such ownership limitations that our Board may grant to our Adviser or its affiliates; and (b) compliance with all applicable restrictions under the U.S. federal securities laws and the NYSE rules. To the extent that payment of any fee in shares of our common stock would result in a violation of the ownership limits set forth in our charter (taking into account any applicable waiver or any restrictions imposed under the U.S. federal securities laws or NYSE rules), all or a portion of such fee payable to our Adviser will be payable in cash to the extent necessary to avoid such violation.

Registration Rights. We entered into a registration rights agreement with our Adviser with respect to any shares of our common stock that our Adviser receives as payment for any fees owed under our Advisory Agreement. These registration rights will require us to file a registration statement with respect to such shares. We agreed to pay all of the expenses relating to registering these securities. The costs associated with registering these securities will not be deducted from the compensation owed to our Adviser.

Liability and Indemnification of Adviser. Under the Advisory Agreement, we are also required to indemnify our Adviser and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding with respect to certain of our Adviser’s acts or omissions.

Other Activities of Adviser and its Affiliates. Our Adviser and its affiliates expect to engage in other business ventures, and as a result, their resources will not be dedicated exclusively to our business. However, pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, our Adviser will be required to devote sufficient resources to our administration to discharge its obligations.

Potential Acquisition of our Adviser. Many REITs which are listed on a national stock exchange are considered “self-managed,” since the employees of such REITs perform all significant management functions. In contrast, REITs that are not self-managed, like us, typically engage a third party, such as our Adviser, to perform management functions on its behalf. Our independent directors may determine that we should become self-managed through the acquisition of our Adviser, which we refer to as an internalization transaction. See “Risk Factors—If we internalize our management functions, the percentage of our outstanding common stock owned by our other stockholders could be reduced, and we could incur other significant costs associated with being self-managed.”

Our Property Manager

The entities through which we own the properties in our Portfolio have entered into management agreements with BH. Pursuant to these agreements, BH will operate and lease the underlying properties in the Portfolio. In addition to property management and leasing services, BH may also provide us with market research, acquisition advice, a pipeline of investment opportunities and construction management services. We will utilize BH for property and construction management services and leasing, paying BH a management fee of approximately 3% of the monthly gross income from each property managed, as well as construction supervision fees and certain other fees described under “Property Management Agreements” below. BH or its affiliates have an equity interest in or right to receive a share of distributions from substantially all of the properties in the Portfolio. See “Joint Venture Strategy” below for additional information.

Property Management Agreements

Under these agreements, BH will operate, coordinate and supervise the ordinary and usual business and affairs pertaining to the operation, maintenance, leasing, licensing, and management of each property. The following summarizes the terms of the management agreements.

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Term. The terms of the management agreements will continue until the last day of the calendar month following the second anniversary of the agreement. Upon the expiration of the original term, the agreements will automatically renew on a month-to-month basis until terminated. The agreements may be terminated at any time with 60 days written notice.

Proposed Management Plans. Each management agreement requires that BH prepare and submit a proposed management plan and operating budget for the marketing, operation, repair and maintenance, and renovation of the property for the year the agreement is entered into. BH must submit subsequent proposed management plans 45 days prior to the beginning of the next year.

Amounts Payable under the Management Agreements. The entities that own the properties will pay BH monthly for its services. Pursuant to the management agreements, BH may pay itself out of each property’s operating account. Any sums not paid within 10 days after becoming due will bear interest at the rate of 18% per annum. Compensation under the management agreements consists of the following components:

 

·

Management Fee. The management fee will be approximately 3% of the monthly gross income from each property. For the purposes of calculating the management fee, “monthly gross income” is defined as all receipts of every kind and nature actually collected from the operation of the property, determined on a cash basis, including, without limitation, rental or lease payments, late charges, service charges, forfeited security deposits, proceeds of vending machine collections, resident utility payment collections, and all other forms of miscellaneous income (but excluding the collection of any insurance or condemnation awards).

 

·

Set-Up/Inspection Fees. BH will receive a one-time set-up/inspection fee per unit upon commencement of management of each property.

 

·

Construction Supervision Fee. BH will receive a construction supervision fee of 5-6% of total project costs if BH performs these services.

 

·

Renter’s Insurance Program Fee; Other Fees. In the event that the entities that own the properties direct BH to implement a renter’s insurance program at a property, the entities will pay BH a fee in connection with running such program. In consideration for any additional services other than the services required under the management agreements, the entities will pay BH an hourly rate.

Additionally, the management agreements will require that the entities reimburse BH for certain costs incurred in operating and leasing the properties.

Termination. A management agreement will terminate automatically in the event that the entity that owns the property is sold or if all or substantially all of the property to which the agreement applies is otherwise disposed of. Additionally, a management agreement may be terminated if certain other events occur, including:

 

·

a default by BH or the entity that owns the property that is not cured prior to the expiration of any applicable cure periods;

 

·

upon written notice by either party if a petition for bankruptcy, reorganization or arrangement is filed by the other party, or if any such petition shall be filed against the other party and is not dismissed within 60 days of the date of such filing, or in the event the other party shall make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or take advantage of any insolvency statute or similar law;

 

·

upon 15 days written notice in the event that all or substantially all of the property is destroyed by a casualty, or taken by means of eminent domain or condemnation; or

 

·

upon 60 days written notice by either party.

If a management agreement is terminated by the entity that owns the property for any reason other than a default by BH, or if it is terminated by BH due to our default or due to the destruction, condemnation or taking by eminent domain of a property, the entity that owns the property will be required to pay damages to BH. Such damages will be equal to the management fee earned by BH for the calendar month immediately preceding the month in which the notice of termination is given, multiplied by the number of months and/or portions thereof remaining from the termination date until the end of the initial term or term year in which the termination occurred.

Additionally, for the month or the partial month after the date of the termination of BH’s on-site property management responsibilities, BH will be paid a close-out management fee equivalent to 50% of the last month’s full management fee.

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Insurance. The entities that own the properties will be required to maintain property and liability insurance for each property, and its liability insurance policy must include BH as an “Additional Insured.” BH will be required to maintain, at the entities’ expense, workers’ compensation insurance covering all employees of BH employed in, on, or about each property so as to provide statutory benefits required by state and federal laws.

Assignment. BH may not assign the management agreements without the prior written consent of the entities that own the properties.

Indemnification. The entities that own the properties will be required to indemnify, defend and hold harmless BH and its agents and employees from and against all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and/or expenses arising out of (1) BH’s performance under the management agreements, or (2) facts, occurrences, or matters first arising before the date of the management agreements. The entities that own the properties will not be required to indemnify BH against damages or expenses suffered as a result of the gross negligence, willful misconduct, or fraud on the part of BH, its agents, or employees.

BH will be required to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the entities that own the properties and their agents and employees from and against all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and/or expenses arising out of the gross negligence, willful misconduct, or fraud on the part of BH, its agents, or employees, and shall at its own cost and expense defend any action or proceeding against us arising therefrom.

Our Sponsor

Highland is an SEC-registered investment adviser which, together with its affiliates, had approximately $18.3 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2015. Highland is one of the most experienced global alternative credit managers. The firm invests in various credit and equity strategies through hedge funds, long-only funds, separate accounts, collateralized loan obligations, non-traded funds, publicly traded funds, closed-end funds, mutual funds and ETFs, and manages strategies such as distressed-for-control private equity, oil and gas, direct real estate, real estate credit and originated or structured real estate credit investments. The members of Highland’s real estate team, both during their tenure at Highland and in their previous roles before joining Highland, and employees of BH have a long history of investing in real estate and debt related to real estate properties.

Regulation

Multifamily properties are subject to various laws, ordinances and regulations, including regulations relating to common areas, such as swimming pools, activity centers, and recreational facilities. We believe that each of our properties has the necessary permits and approvals to operate its business.

Americans with Disabilities Act

The properties in the Portfolio must comply with Title III of the ADA, to the extent that such properties are “public accommodations” as defined by the ADA. The ADA may require removal of structural barriers to access by persons with disabilities in certain public areas of our properties where such removal is readily achievable. We believe that our properties are in substantial compliance with the ADA and that we will not be required to make substantial capital expenditures to address the requirements of the ADA. However, noncompliance with the ADA could result in imposition of fines or an award of damages to private litigants. The obligation to make readily accessible accommodations is an ongoing one, and we will continue to assess our properties and make alterations as appropriate in this respect.

Fair Housing Act

The Fair Housing Act, its state law counterparts and the regulations promulgated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and various state agencies, prohibit discrimination in housing on the basis of race or color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18) or handicap (disability) and, in some states, financial capability or other bases. A failure to comply with these laws in our operations could result in litigation, fines, penalties or other adverse claims, or could result in limitations or restrictions on our ability to operate, any of which could materially and adversely affect us. We believe that we operate our properties in substantial compliance with the Fair Housing Act.

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Environmental Matters

Under various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the environment, as a current or former owner or operator of real property, we may be liable for costs and damages resulting from the presence or discharge of hazardous or toxic substances, waste or petroleum products at, on, in, under, or migrating from such property, including costs to investigate and clean up such contamination and liability for natural resources. Such laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such contamination, and the liability may be joint and several. These liabilities could be substantial and the cost of any required remediation, removal, fines, or other costs could exceed the value of the property and/or our aggregate assets. In addition, the presence of contamination or the failure to remediate contamination at our properties may expose us to third-party liability for costs of remediation and/or personal or property damage or materially adversely affect our ability to sell, lease or develop our properties or to borrow using the properties as collateral. In addition, environmental laws may create liens on contaminated sites in favor of the government for damages and costs it incurs to address such contamination. Moreover, if contamination is discovered on our properties, environmental laws may impose restrictions on the manner in which property may be used or businesses may be operated, and these restrictions may require substantial expenditures.

Independent environmental consultants have conducted Phase I Environmental Site Assessments at all of the properties in the Portfolio using the American Society for Testing and Materials, or ASTM, Standard E 1527-05, or Standard E 1527-00. A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment is a report that identifies potential or existing environmental contamination liabilities. Site assessments are intended to discover and evaluate information regarding the environmental condition of the assessed property and surrounding properties. These assessments do not generally include soil samplings, subsurface investigations or an asbestos survey. None of the site assessments identified any known past or present contamination that we believe would have a material adverse effect on our business, assets or operations. However, the assessments are limited in scope and may have failed to identify all environmental conditions or concerns. A prior owner or operator of a property or historic operations at our properties, or operations and conditions at nearby properties, may have created a material environmental condition that is not known to us or the independent consultants preparing the site assessments. Material environmental conditions may have arisen after the review was completed or may arise in the future, and future laws, ordinances or regulations may impose material additional environmental liability. Moreover, conditions identified in environmental assessments that did not appear material at that time, may in the future result in material liability.

Environmental laws also govern the presence, maintenance and removal of hazardous materials in building materials (e.g., asbestos and lead), and may impose fines and penalties for failure to comply with these requirements or expose us to third-party liability (e.g., liability for personal injury associated with exposure to asbestos). Such laws require that owners or operators of buildings containing hazardous materials properly manage and maintain certain hazardous materials, adequately notify or train those who may come into contact with certain hazardous materials, and undertake special precautions, including removal or other abatement, if certain hazardous materials would be disturbed during renovation or demolition of a building. In addition, the properties in the Portfolio are subject to various federal, state, and local environmental and health and safety requirements, such as state and local fire requirements.

When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth may occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or is not addressed over a period of time. Some molds may produce airborne toxins or irritants. Indoor air quality issues can also stem from inadequate ventilation, chemical contamination from indoor or outdoor sources, and other biological contaminants such as pollen, viruses and bacteria. Indoor exposure to airborne toxins or irritants above certain levels can be alleged to cause a variety of adverse health effects and symptoms, including allergic or other reactions. As a result, the presence of significant mold or other airborne contaminants at any of our properties could require us to undertake a costly remediation program to contain or remove the mold or other airborne contaminants from the affected property or increase indoor ventilation. In addition, the presence of significant mold or other airborne contaminants could expose us to liability from our tenants or others if property damage or personal injury occurs. We are not presently aware of any material adverse indoor air quality issues at our properties.

The cost of future environmental compliance may materially and adversely affect us. See “Risk Factors—We may face high costs associated with the investigation or remediation of environmental contamination, including asbestos, lead-based paint, chemical vapor, subsurface contamination and mold growth.”

Insurance

We carry comprehensive general liability coverage on the properties in the Portfolio, with limits of liability customary within the industry to insure against liability claims and related defense costs. Similarly, we are insured against the risk of direct physical damage in amounts necessary to reimburse us on a replacement-cost basis for costs incurred to repair or rebuild each property, including loss of rental income during the reconstruction period. The majority of our property policies for all U.S. operating and development communities include coverage for the perils of flood and earthquake shock with limits and deductibles customary in the industry and specific to the project. We will also obtain title insurance policies when acquiring new properties, which insure fee title to

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the properties in the Portfolio. We have obtained coverage for losses incurred in connection with both domestic and foreign terrorist-related activities. These policies include limits and terms we consider commercially reasonable. There are certain losses (including, but not limited to, losses arising from environmental conditions, acts of war or certain kinds of terrorist attacks) that are not insured, in full or in part, because they are either uninsurable or the cost of insurance makes it, in our belief, economically impractical to maintain such coverage. Should an uninsured loss arise against us, we would be required to use our own funds to resolve the issue, including litigation costs. In addition, for the properties in the Portfolio, we could self-insure certain portions of our insurance program and therefore, use our own funds to satisfy those limits. We believe the policy specifications and insured limits are adequate given the relative risk of loss, the cost of the coverage and industry practice and, in the opinion of our management team, the properties in the Portfolio are adequately insured.

Competition

In attracting and retaining residents to occupy the properties in the Portfolio, we compete with numerous other housing alternatives. The properties in the Portfolio compete directly with other rental apartments as well as condominiums and single-family homes that are available for rent or purchase in the sub-markets in which our properties are located. Principal factors of competition include rent or price charged, attractiveness of the location and property and quality and breadth of services and amenities. If our competitors offer leases at rental rates below current market rates, or below the rental rates that the tenants of the properties in the Portfolio pay, we may lose potential tenants and we may be pressured to reduce rental rates below those currently charged or to offer more substantial rent abatements, tenant improvements, early termination rights or below-market renewal options in order to retain tenants when the tenants’ leases expire.

The number of competitive properties relative to demand in a particular area has a material effect on our ability to lease apartment units at our properties and on the rents we charge. In addition, we compete with numerous other investors for suitable properties. This competition affects our ability to acquire properties and the price that we pay in such acquisitions.

Employees

Our Adviser conducts substantially all of our operations and provides asset management for our real estate investments. We will only have accounting employees (as of December 31, 2015, [·]) while the Advisory Agreement is in effect.

Corporate Information

Our Adviser’s offices are located at 300 Crescent Court, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75201. Our Adviser’s telephone number is (972) 628-4100. We maintain a website at www.nexpointliving.com. We make our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) available on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Information contained on, or accessible through our website, is not incorporated by reference into and does not constitute a part of this annual report or any other report or documents we file with or furnish to the SEC.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

You should carefully consider the following risks and other information in this annual report in evaluating us and our common stock. Any of the following risks, as well as additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations, and could, in turn, impact the trading price of our common stock.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

Unfavorable market and economic conditions in the United States and globally and in the specific markets or submarkets where our properties are located could adversely affect occupancy levels, rental rates, rent collections, operating expenses, and the overall market value of our assets, including our joint ventures, and impair our ability to sell, recapitalize or refinance our assets.

Unfavorable market conditions in the areas in which we operate and unfavorable economic conditions in the United States and globally may significantly affect our occupancy levels, our rental rates, rent collections, operating expenses, the market value of our properties and our ability to strategically acquire, dispose, recapitalize or refinance our multifamily properties on economically favorable terms or at all. Our ability to lease our properties at favorable rates is adversely affected by increases in supply of multifamily communities in our markets and is dependent upon overall economic conditions, which are adversely affected by, among other things, job losses and unemployment levels, recession, personal debt levels, a downturn in the housing market, stock market volatility and uncertainty about the future. Some of our major expenses, including mortgage payments and real estate taxes, generally

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do not decline when related rents decline. We expect that any declines in our occupancy levels, rental revenues and/or the values of our multifamily properties would cause us to have less cash available to pay our indebtedness, fund necessary capital expenditures and to make distributions to our stockholders, which could negatively affect our financial condition and the market value of our securities. Factors that may affect our occupancy levels, our rental revenues, our NOI and/or the value of our properties include the following, among others:

 

·

downturns in global, national, regional and local economic conditions;

 

·

declines in the financial condition of our residents, which may make it more difficult for us to collect rents from these residents;

 

·

the inability or unwillingness of our residents to pay rent increases;

 

·

a decline in household formation;

 

·

a decline in employment or lack of employment growth;

 

·

an oversupply of, or a reduced demand for, apartment homes;

 

·

changes in market rental rates in our core markets;

 

·

declines in mortgage interest rates, making home and condominium ownership more affordable;

 

·

changes in home loan lending practices, including the easing of credit underwriting standards, increasing the availability of home loans and thereby reducing demand for apartment homes;

 

·

government or builder incentives which enable first-time homebuyers to put little or no money down, making alternative housing options more attractive;

 

·

rent control or rent stabilization laws, or other laws regulating housing, that could prevent us from raising rents to offset increases in operating costs; and

 

·

economic conditions that could cause an increase in our operating expenses, such as increases in property taxes (particularly as a result of increased local, state and national government budget deficits and debt and potentially reduced federal aid to state and local governments), utilities, insurance, compensation of on-site associates and routine maintenance.

We are subject to risks inherent in ownership of real estate.

Real estate cash flows and values are affected by a number of factors, including competition from other available properties and the ability to provide adequate property maintenance and insurance and to control operating costs. Real estate cash flows and values are also affected by such factors as government regulations (including zoning, usage and tax laws) limitations on rent and rent increases, interest rate levels, the availability of financing, property tax rates, utility expenses, potential liability under environmental and other laws and changes in environmental and other laws.

Real estate investments are relatively illiquid and may limit our flexibility.

Equity real estate investments are relatively illiquid, which may tend to limit our ability to react promptly to changes in economic or other market conditions. Our ability to dispose of assets in the future will depend on prevailing economic and market conditions. Our inability to sell our properties on favorable terms or at all could have a material adverse effect on our sources of working capital and our ability to satisfy our debt obligations. In addition, real estate can at times be difficult to sell quickly at prices we find acceptable. These potential difficulties in selling real estate in our markets may limit our ability to change or reduce the number of multifamily properties in the Portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions.

We may fail to consummate future property acquisitions, and we may not be able to find suitable alternative investment opportunities.

When acquiring properties in the future, we may be subject to various closing conditions, and there can be no assurance that we can satisfy these conditions or that the acquisitions will close. If we fail to consummate future acquisitions, there can be no assurance that we will be able to find suitable alternative investment opportunities.

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Competition could limit our ability to acquire attractive investment opportunities, which could adversely affect our profitability and impede our growth.

We compete with numerous real estate companies and other owners of real estate in seeking multifamily properties for acquisition and pursuing buyers for dispositions. We expect that other real estate investors, including insurance companies, private equity funds, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, other REITs and other well-capitalized investors, will compete with us to acquire existing properties and to develop new properties, and many of these investors will have greater sources of capital to acquire properties. This competition could increase prices for properties of the type we would likely pursue and adversely affect our profitability and impede our growth.

Competition and any increased affordability of residential homes could limit our ability to lease our apartments or increase or maintain rents.

Our multifamily properties compete with other housing alternatives to attract residents, including other rental apartments, condominiums and single-family homes that are available for rent, as well as new and existing condominiums and single-family homes for sale. All of our multifamily properties are located in developed areas that include other multifamily properties and/or condominiums. The number of competitive multifamily properties and/or condominiums in a particular area, and any increased affordability of owner occupied single and multifamily homes caused by declining housing prices, low mortgage interest rates and government programs to promote home ownership, could have a material adverse effect on our ability to lease our apartments and the rents we are able to obtain. In addition, single-family homes and other residential properties provide housing alternatives to residents and potential residents of our multifamily properties.

The low residential mortgage rates may result in potential renters purchasing residences rather than leasing them, and as a result, cause a decline in occupancy rates.

The low residential mortgage interest rates currently available and government sponsored programs to promote home ownership, has resulted in a record high level on the National Association of Realtor’s Housing Affordability Index, an index used to measure whether or not a typical family could qualify for a mortgage loan on a typical home. The foregoing factors may encourage potential renters to purchase residences rather than lease them, thereby causing a decline in the occupancy rates of our properties.

Acquisitions may not yield anticipated results, which could negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We intend to actively acquire multifamily properties for rental operations as market conditions, including access to the debt and equity markets, dictate. We may also acquire multifamily properties that are unoccupied or in the early stages of lease-up. We may be unable to lease-up these multifamily properties on schedule, resulting in decreases in expected rental revenues and/or lower yields as the result of lower occupancy and rental rates as well as higher than expected concessions. We may underestimate the costs necessary to bring an acquired property up to standards established for its intended market position or to complete a development project. We may be unable to integrate the existing operations of newly acquired multifamily properties and over time such communities may not perform as well as existing communities or as we initially anticipated in terms of occupancy and/or rental rates. Additionally, we expect that other major real estate investors with significant capital will compete with us for attractive investment opportunities or may also develop properties in markets where we focus our development efforts. This competition may increase acquisition costs for multifamily properties. We may not be in a position or have the opportunity in the future to make suitable property acquisitions on favorable terms.

Our strategy for acquiring value-enhancement multifamily properties involves greater risks than more conservative investment strategies.

Our primary strategy is a value-add strategy. Therefore, for a majority of our Portfolio, we intend to execute a “value-enhancement” strategy whereby we will acquire under-managed assets in high-demand neighborhoods, invest additional capital, and reposition the properties to increase both average rental rates and resale value. Our strategy for acquiring value-enhancement multifamily properties involves greater risks than more conservative investment strategies. The risks related to these value-enhancement investments include risks related to delays in the repositioning or improvement process, higher than expected capital improvement costs, the additional capital needed to execute our value-add program, including possible borrowings or raising additional equity necessary to fund such costs, and ultimately that the repositioning process may not result in the higher rents and occupancy rates anticipated. In addition, our value-enhancement properties may not produce revenue while undergoing capital improvements. Furthermore, we may also be unable to complete the improvements of these properties and may be forced to hold or sell these properties at a loss. For these and other reasons, we cannot assure you that we will realize growth in the value of our value-enhancement multifamily properties, and as a result, our ability to make distributions to our stockholders could be adversely affected.

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The lack of experience of our Adviser and property manager in operating under the constraints imposed on us as a REIT may hinder the achievement of our investment objectives.

Our ability to achieve our investment objective will depend on our ability to manage our business and to grow our business. This will depend, in turn, on our Adviser’s ability to identify, invest in and monitor properties that meet our investment criteria. The achievement of our investment objectives on a cost-effective basis will depend upon our Adviser’s execution of our investment process, its ability to provide competent, attentive and efficient services to us and our access to debt and/or equity financing on acceptable terms. Our Adviser will have substantial responsibilities under the Advisory Agreement. The personnel of our Adviser are engaged in other business activities, which could distract them and divert their time and attention such that they can no longer dedicate a significant portion of their time to our businesses or otherwise slow our rate of investment. Any failure to manage our business and our future growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The Code imposes numerous constraints on the operations of REITs that do not apply to other investment vehicles managed by Highland and its affiliates. Our qualification as a REIT will depend upon our ability to meet requirements regarding our organization and ownership, distributions of our income, the nature and diversification of our income and assets and other tests imposed by the Code. Any failure to so comply could cause us to fail to satisfy the requirements associated with REIT status. Our Adviser and property manager have only limited experience operating under these constraints, which may hinder our ability to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities and to achieve our investment objective. As a result, we cannot assure you that our Adviser or property manager will be able to operate our business under these constraints. If we fail to qualify as a REIT for any taxable year after electing REIT status, we will be subject to federal income tax on our taxable income at corporate rates. In addition, we would generally be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year of losing our REIT status. Losing our REIT status would reduce our net earnings available for investment or distribution to stockholders because of the additional tax liability. In addition, distributions to stockholders would no longer qualify for the dividends-paid deduction, and we would no longer be required to make distributions. If this occurs, we might be required to borrow funds or liquidate some investments in order to pay the applicable tax.

We depend upon key personnel of Highland Capital Management, our Adviser and its affiliates and our property manager.

We are an externally managed REIT and therefore we do not have any internal management capacity and only have accounting employees. We also depend on BH for our property management and construction services. We depend to a significant degree on the diligence, skill and network of business contacts of the management team and other key personnel of our Adviser and of our property manager to achieve our investment objectives including Messrs. Dondero, Mitts, McGraner, Goetz and Ellington, all of whom may be difficult to replace. We expect that our Adviser will evaluate, negotiate, structure, close and monitor our investments in accordance with the terms of the Advisory Agreement.

We also depend upon the senior professionals of our Adviser and our property manager to maintain relationships with sources of potential investments, and we rely upon these relationships to provide us with potential investment opportunities. We cannot assure you that these individuals will continue to provide indirect investment advice to us. If these individuals, including the members of the management team of our Adviser, do not maintain their existing relationships with our Adviser, maintain existing relationships or develop new relationships with other sources of investment opportunities, we may not be able to grow our investment portfolio. In addition, individuals with whom the senior professionals of our Adviser and our property manager have relationships are not obligated to provide us with investment opportunities. Therefore, we can offer no assurance that such relationships will generate investment opportunities for us.

The Adviser relies on Highland, a registered investment adviser under common control with the Adviser, to provide investment research and operational support to the Adviser, including services in connection with research, due diligence of actual or potential investments, the execution of investment transactions approved by the Adviser and certain back office services and administrative services. If Highland does not provide such services to the Adviser, there can be no assurances that the Adviser would be able to find a substitute service provider with the same experience or on the same terms as Highland.

We may not replicate the historical results achieved by other entities managed or sponsored by affiliates of our Adviser, members of our Adviser’s management team or by Highland or its affiliates.

Our primary focus in making investments generally differs from that of existing investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles that are or have been managed by affiliates of our Adviser, members of our Adviser’s management team or sponsored by Highland or its affiliates. In addition, the previously sponsored investment programs by Highland were significantly different from us in terms of targeted assets, regulatory structure and limitations, investment strategy and objectives and investment personnel. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results, and there can be no assurance that we will achieve comparable results of those Highland affiliates. We also cannot assure you that we will replicate the historical results achieved by members of the management

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team, and we caution you that our investment returns could be substantially lower than the returns achieved by them in prior periods. Additionally, all or a portion of the prior results may have been achieved in particular market conditions which may never be repeated.

Our Adviser can resign on 30 days’ notice from its role as adviser, and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could adversely affect our financial condition, business, and results of operations and cash flows.

The Advisory Agreement gives our Adviser the right to resign after giving not more than 60 nor less than 30 days’ written notice, whether we have found a replacement or not. If our Adviser resigns, we may not be able to find a new adviser or hire internal management with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms within 30 to 60 days, or at all. If we are unable to do so quickly, our operations are likely to experience a disruption, our financial condition, business and results of operations as well as our ability to pay distributions are likely to be adversely affected. In addition, the coordination of our internal management and investment activities is likely to suffer if we are unable to identify and reach an agreement with a single institution or group of executives having the expertise possessed by our Adviser and its affiliates. Even if we are able to retain comparable management, the integration of such management and its lack of familiarity with our investment objective may result in additional costs and time delays that may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We may change our targeted investments without stockholder consent.

We expect our portfolio of investments in commercial real estate to consist primarily of multifamily properties. Though this is our current target portfolio, we may make adjustments to our target portfolio based on real estate market conditions and investment opportunities, and we may change our targeted investments and investment guidelines at any time without the consent of our stockholders. Any such change could result in our making investments that are different from, and possibly riskier than, the investments described in this annual report. These policies may change over time. A change in our targeted investments or investment guidelines, which may occur without notice to you or without your consent, may increase our exposure to interest rate risk, default risk and real estate market fluctuations, all of which could adversely affect the value of our common stock and our ability to make distributions to you. We intend to disclose any changes in our investment policies in our next required periodic report.

We will pay substantial fees and expenses to our Adviser and its affiliates and to our property manager, which payments increase the risk that you will not earn a profit on your investment.

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, we will pay significant fees to our Adviser and its affiliates during our operational stage. Those fees include administrative and management fees and obligations to reimburse our Adviser and its affiliates for expenses they incur in connection with their providing services to us, including certain personnel services.

Additionally, we may in the future adopt a long-term incentive plan that we may use to grant awards to employees of the Adviser. In order to adopt a long-term incentive plan, the Company’s stockholders would have to approve an amendment to the Company’s charter to remove the 1940 Act compliance requirements.

Additionally, pursuant to the agreements we have entered into with BH, including management agreements and joint venture agreements, we pay significant fees to BH. These fees include property management fees, construction management and other customary property manager fees and a share of the distributions from substantially all of our joint ventures.

If we internalize our management functions, the percentage of our outstanding common stock owned by our other stockholders could be reduced, and we could incur other significant costs associated with being self-managed.

In the future, the Board may consider internalizing the functions performed for us by our Adviser by, among other methods, acquiring our Adviser’s assets. The method by which we could internalize these functions could take many forms. There is no assurance that internalizing our management functions will be beneficial to us and our stockholders. An acquisition of our Adviser could result in dilution of your interests as a stockholder and could reduce earnings per share and funds from operation per share. Additionally, we may not realize the perceived benefits or we may not be able to properly integrate a new staff of managers and employees or we may not be able to effectively replicate the services provided previously by our Adviser, property manager or their affiliates. Internalization transactions, including without limitation, transactions involving the acquisition of affiliated advisers or property managers have also, in some cases, been the subject of litigation. Even if these claims are without merit, we could be forced to spend significant amounts of money defending claims which would reduce the amount of funds available for us to invest in properties or other investments and to pay distributions. All of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and ability to pay distributions.

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There are significant potential conflicts of interest that could affect our investment returns.

As a result of our arrangements with Highland and our Adviser, there may be times when Highland, our Adviser or such persons have interests that differ from those of our stockholders, giving rise to a conflict of interest.

Our directors and management team serve or may serve as officers, directors or principals of entities that operate in the same or a related line of business as we do, or of investment funds managed by our Adviser or its affiliates. Similarly, our Adviser or its affiliates may have other clients with similar, different or competing investment objectives, including NexPoint Multifamily Realty Trust, Inc. In serving in these multiple capacities, they may have obligations to other clients or investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which may not be in the best interests of us or our stockholders. For example, the management team of our Adviser has, and will continue to have, management responsibilities for other investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles managed or sponsored by our Adviser and its affiliates. Our investment objectives may overlap with the investment objectives of such affiliated investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles. As a result, those individuals may face conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities among us and other investment funds or accounts advised by or affiliated with our Adviser. Our Adviser will seek to allocate investment opportunities among eligible accounts in a manner consistent with its allocation policy. However, we can offer no assurance that such opportunities will be allocated to us fairly or equitably in the short-term or over time.

We may compete with other entities affiliated with our Sponsor and property manager for tenants.

Neither our Sponsor and its affiliates nor BH and its affiliates is prohibited from engaging, directly or indirectly, in any other business or from possessing interests in any other business ventures, including ventures involved in the acquisition, development, ownership, management, leasing or sale of real estate, including properties in the vicinity of the properties in our Portfolio. Our Sponsor and/or its affiliates and BH and its affiliates may own and/or manage properties in the same geographical areas in which we currently own and expect to acquire real estate assets. Therefore, our properties may compete for tenants with other properties owned and/or managed by our Sponsor and its affiliates and BH and its affiliates. Our Sponsor and BH may face conflicts of interest when evaluating tenant opportunities for our properties and other properties owned and/or managed by our Sponsor and its affiliates and BH and its affiliates, and these conflicts of interest may have a negative impact on our ability to attract and retain tenants.

Our Adviser, Sponsor and their officers and employees face competing demands relating to their time, and this may cause our operating results to suffer.

Our Adviser, our Sponsor and their officers and employees and their respective affiliates are key personnel, general partners, sponsors, managers, owners and advisers of other real estate investment programs, including Highland-sponsored investment products, some of which have investment objectives and legal and financial obligations similar to ours and may have other business interests as well. Because these persons have competing demands on their time and resources, they may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time between our business and these other activities. If this occurs, the returns on our investments may suffer.

Our Adviser faces conflicts of interest relating to the fee structure under our Advisory Agreement, which could result in actions that are not necessarily in the long-term best interests of our stockholders.

Under our Advisory Agreement, our Adviser or its affiliates will be entitled to fees that are structured in a manner intended to provide incentives to our Adviser to perform in our best interests and in the best interests of our stockholders. However, because our Adviser is entitled to receive substantial compensation regardless of performance, our Adviser’s interests are not wholly aligned with those of our stockholders. In that regard, our Adviser could be motivated to recommend riskier or more speculative investments that would entitle our Adviser to the highest fees. For example, because management fees payable to our Adviser are based on the total assets of the Company, including any form of investment leverage, our Adviser may have an incentive to incur a high level of leverage or to acquire properties on less than favorable terms in order to increase the total amount of assets under management. In addition, our Adviser’s ability to receive higher fees and reimbursements depends on our continued investment in real properties. Therefore, the interest of our Adviser and its affiliates in receiving fees may conflict with the interest of our stockholders in earning income on their investment in our common stock.

You will have limited control over changes in our policies and operations, which increases the uncertainty and risks you face as a stockholder.

The Board determines our major policies, including our policies regarding financing, growth, debt capitalization, REIT qualification and distributions. The Board may amend or revise these and other policies without your vote. The Board’s broad discretion in setting policies and your inability to exert control over those policies increases the uncertainty and risks you face as a stockholder.

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We depend on information systems, and systems failures could significantly disrupt our business, which may, in turn, negatively affect our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.

Our business depends on the communications and information systems of Highland, to which we have access through our Adviser. In addition, certain of these systems are provided to Highland by third-party service providers. Any failure or interruption of such systems, including as a result of the termination of an agreement with any such third-party service provider, could cause delays or other problems in our activities. This, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and negatively affect our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.

We are subject to losses that are either uninsurable, not economically insurable or that are in excess of our insurance coverage.

There are certain types of losses (including, but not limited to, losses arising from environmental conditions, earthquakes and hurricanes, acts of war or certain kinds of terrorist attacks) that are not insured, in full or in part, because they are either uninsurable or the cost of insurance makes it, in our belief, economically impractical to maintain such coverage. We carry commercial general liability insurance, property insurance and terrorism insurance with respect to our communities with limits and on terms we consider commercially reasonable. If an uninsured loss or liability were to occur, whether because of a lack of insurance coverage or a loss in excess of insured limits, we could lose our capital invested in a community, as well as the anticipated future revenues from such community. We would also continue to be obligated to repay any mortgage indebtedness or other obligations related to the community. If an uninsured liability to a third party were to occur, we would incur the cost of defense and settlement with, or court ordered damages to, that third party. A significant uninsured property or liability loss could materially and adversely affect our business and our financial condition and results of operations.

We may be subject to contingent or unknown liabilities related to properties or business that we have acquired or may acquire for which we may have limited or no recourse against the sellers.

The properties or businesses that we have acquired or may acquire, may be subject to unknown or contingent liabilities for which we have limited or no recourse against the sellers. Unknown liabilities might include liabilities for, among other things, cleanup or remediation of undisclosed environmental conditions, liabilities under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or ERISA, claims of residents, vendors or other persons dealing with the entities prior to the acquisition of such property, tax liabilities, and accrued but unpaid liabilities whether incurred in the ordinary course of business or otherwise. Because many liabilities, including tax liabilities, may not be identified within the applicable contractual indemnification period, we may have no recourse against any of the owners from whom we acquire such properties for these liabilities. The existence of such liabilities could significantly and adversely affect the value of the property subject to such liability. As a result, if a liability were asserted against us based on ownership of any of such properties, then we might have to pay substantial sums to settle it, which could adversely affect our cash flows.

We may face high costs associated with the investigation or remediation of environmental contamination, including asbestos, lead-based paint, chemical vapor, subsurface contamination and mold growth.

We are subject to various federal, state and local environmental and public health laws, regulations and ordinances.

Under various federal, state and local environmental and public health laws, regulations and ordinances, we may be required, regardless of knowledge or responsibility, to investigate and remediate the effects of hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum product releases at our properties (including in some cases natural substances such as methane and radon gas) and may be held liable under these laws or common law to a governmental entity or to third parties for property, personal injury or natural resources damages and for investigation and remediation costs incurred as a result of the contamination. These damages and costs may be substantial and may exceed any insurance coverage we have for such events. The presence of such substances, or the failure to properly remediate the contamination, may adversely affect our ability to borrow against, sell or rent the affected property. In addition, some environmental laws create or allow a government agency to impose a lien on the contaminated site in favor of the government for damages and costs it incurs as a result of the contamination.

The development, construction and operation of our communities are subject to regulations and permitting under various federal, state and local laws, regulations and ordinances, which regulate matters including wetlands protection, storm water runoff and wastewater discharge. Noncompliance with such laws and regulations may subject us to fines and penalties. We can provide no assurance that we will not incur any material liabilities as a result of noncompliance with these laws.

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We face risks relating to asbestos.

Certain federal, state and local laws, regulations and ordinances govern the removal, encapsulation or disturbance of asbestos containing materials, or ACMs, when such materials are in poor condition or in the event of renovation or demolition of a building. These laws and the common law may impose liability for release of ACMs and may allow third parties to seek recovery from owners or operators of real properties for personal injury associated with exposure to ACMs. ACMs may have been used in the construction of a number of the communities that we acquired and may have been used in the construction of communities we acquire in the future. We will implement an operations and maintenance program at each of the communities at which we discover ACMs. We can provide no assurance that we will not incur any material liabilities as a result of the presence of ACMs at our communities.

We face risks relating to lead-based paint.

Some of our communities may have lead-based paint and we may have to implement an operations and maintenance program at some of our communities. Communities that we acquire in the future may also have lead-based paint. We can provide no assurance that we will not incur any material liabilities as a result of the presence of lead-based paint at our communities.

We face risks relating to chemical vapors and subsurface contamination.

We are also aware that environmental agencies and third parties have, in the case of certain communities with on-site or nearby contamination, asserted claims for remediation, property damage or personal injury based on the alleged actual or potential intrusion into buildings of chemical vapors (e.g., radon) or volatile organic compounds from soils or groundwater underlying or in the vicinity of those buildings or on nearby properties. We can provide no assurance that we will not incur any material liabilities as a result of vapor intrusion at our communities.

We face risks relating to mold growth.

Mold growth may occur when excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or is not addressed over a period of time. Although the occurrence of mold at multifamily and other structures, and the need to remediate such mold, is not a new phenomenon, there has been increased awareness in recent years that certain molds may in some instances lead to adverse health effects, including allergic or other reactions. To help limit mold growth, we educate residents about the importance of adequate ventilation and include a lease requirement that they notify us when they see mold or excessive moisture. We have established procedures for promptly addressing and remediating mold or excessive moisture when we become aware of its presence regardless of whether we or the resident believe a health risk is present. However, we can provide no assurance that mold or excessive moisture will be detected and remediated in a timely manner. If a significant mold problem arises at one of our communities, we could be required to undertake a costly remediation program to contain or remove the mold from the affected community and could be exposed to other liabilities that may exceed any applicable insurance coverage.

Our environmental assessments may not identify all potential environmental liabilities and our remediation actions may be insufficient.

Properties being considered for potential acquisition by us are subjected to at least a Phase I or similar environmental assessment prior to closing, which generally does not involve invasive techniques such as soil or ground water sampling. A Phase II assessment is conducted if recommended in the Phase I report. These assessments, together with subsurface assessments conducted on some properties, have not revealed, and we are not otherwise aware of, any environmental conditions that we believe would have a material adverse effect on our business, assets, financial condition or results of operations. However, such environmental assessments may not identify all potential environmental liabilities. Moreover, we may in the future discover adverse environmental conditions at our communities, including at communities we acquire in the future, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, assets, financial condition or results of operations. In connection with our ownership, operation and selective development of communities, from time to time we undertake substantial remedial action in response to the presence of subsurface or other contaminants, including contaminants in soil, groundwater and soil vapor beneath or affecting our buildings. In some cases, an indemnity exists upon which we may be able to rely if environmental liability arises from the contamination, or if remediation costs exceed estimates. We can provide no assurance, however, that all necessary remediation actions have been or will be undertaken at our communities or that we will be indemnified, in full or at all, in the event that environmental liability arises.

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Compliance with various laws and regulations, including accessibility, building and health and safety laws and regulations, may be costly, may adversely affect our operations or expose us to liability.

In addition to compliance with environmental regulations, we must comply with various laws and regulations such as accessibility, building, zoning, landlord/tenant and health and safety laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or the ADA, and the Federal Housing Administration, or the FHA. Some of those laws and regulations may conflict with one another or be subject to limited judicial or regulatory interpretations. Under those laws and regulations, we may be liable for, among other things, the costs of bringing our properties into compliance with the statutory and regulatory requirements. Noncompliance with certain of these laws and regulations may result in liability without regard to fault and the imposition of fines and could give rise to actions brought against us by governmental entities and/or third parties who claim to be or have been damaged as a consequence of an apartment not being in compliance with the subject laws and regulations. As part of our due diligence procedures in connection with the acquisition of a property, we typically conduct an investigation of the property’s compliance with known laws and regulatory requirements with which we must comply once we acquire a property, including a review of compliance with the ADA and local zoning regulations. Our investigations and these assessments may not have revealed, and may not with respect to future acquisitions reveal, all potential noncompliance issues or related liabilities and we can provide no assurance that our development properties have been, or that our future development projects will be, designed and built in accordance with all applicable legal requirements.

Our multifamily properties are concentrated in certain geographic markets, which makes us more susceptible to adverse developments in those markets.

Our most significant geographic investment concentrations are primarily in the Southeastern and Southwestern United States. We are, therefore, subject to increased exposure from economic and other competitive factors specific to markets within these geographic areas. To the extent general economic conditions worsen in one or more of these markets, or if any of these areas experience a natural disaster, the value of our Portfolio and our market rental rates could be adversely affected. As a result, our results of operations, cash flow, cash available for distribution, including cash available to pay distributions to our stockholders, and our ability to satisfy our debt obligations could be materially adversely affected.

We may obtain only limited warranties when we acquire property and may only have limited recourse if our due diligence did not identify any issues that may subject us to unknown liabilities or lower the value of our property, which could adversely affect our financial condition and ability to make distributions to you.

The seller of a property often sells the property in its “as is” condition on a “where is” basis and “with all faults,” without any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular use or purpose. In addition, purchase agreements may contain only limited warranties, representations and indemnifications that will survive for only a limited period after the closing. The acquisition of, or purchase of, properties with limited warranties increases the risk that we may lose some or all of our invested capital in the property, lose rental income from that property or may be subject to unknown liabilities with respect to such properties.

Short-term apartment leases expose us to the effects of declining market rent, which could adversely impact our ability to make cash distributions to our stockholders.

Substantially all of our apartment leases are for a term of one year or less. Because these leases generally permit the residents to leave at the end of the lease term without penalty, our rental revenues may be impacted by declines in market rents more quickly than if our leases were for longer terms.

We are subject to risks involved in real estate activity through joint ventures.

With the exception of The Miramar Apartments, all of the properties in our Portfolio are owned through joint ventures with BH. We may continue to acquire properties in joint ventures with BH or other persons or entities when we believe circumstances warrant the use of such structures. In the majority of our joint ventures with BH, BH serves as the managing member subject to certain control and approval rights over major decisions including, but not limited to, sales and refinancing of the properties. We do have the ability to sell our joint venture interests without BH’s consent and can drag along BH in any sale.

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Joint venture investments involve risks, including: the possibility that our partners might refuse to make capital contributions when due; that we may be responsible to our partner for indemnifiable losses; that our partner might at any time have business or economic goals which are inconsistent with ours; and that our partner may be in a position to take action or withhold consent contrary to our recommendations, instructions or requests. In some instances, joint venture partners may have competing interests in our markets that could create conflicts of interest. Further, our joint venture partners may fail to meet their obligations to the joint venture as a result of financial distress or otherwise, and we may be forced to make contributions to maintain the value of the property. To the extent our partners do not meet their obligations to us or our joint ventures or they take action inconsistent with the interests of the joint venture, we may be adversely affected.

We may be required to make decisions jointly with the other investors who have interests in the respective joint ventures. We might not have the same interests as the other investors in relation to these decisions or transactions. Accordingly, we might not be able to favorably resolve any of these issues, or we might have to provide financial or other inducements to the other investors to obtain a favorable resolution.

In addition, various restrictive provisions and third-party rights, including consent rights to certain transactions, apply to sales or transfers of interests in our properties owned in joint ventures. Consequently, decisions to buy or sell interests in a property or properties relating to our joint ventures may be subject to the prior consent of other investors. These restrictive provisions and third-party rights may preclude us from achieving full value of these properties because of our inability to obtain the necessary consents to sell or transfer these interests.

Potential reforms or changes to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could adversely affect our business.

As of December 31, 2015, we have approximately $153.6 million and $514.4 million of outstanding consolidated indebtedness under our Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgages, respectively. We rely on national and regional institutions, including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to provide financing for our acquisitions and permanent financing on properties we may develop in the future. Currently, there is significant uncertainty regarding the futures of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Should Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have their mandates changed or reduced, be disbanded or reorganized by the government, privatized or otherwise discontinue providing liquidity to our sector, it could significantly reduce our access to debt capital and/or increase borrowing costs and could significantly reduce our sales of assets and/or the values realized upon sale.

We are an “emerging growth company” under the federal securities laws and will be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements.

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, and are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from, or reduced disclosure obligations relating to, various reporting requirements that are normally applicable to public companies.

We could remain an “emerging growth company” for up to five years, or until the earliest of (1) the last day of the first fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenue of $1,000,000,000 or more, (2) December 31 of the fiscal year that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act (which would occur if the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million, measured as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, and we have been publicly reporting for at least 12 months) or (3) the date on which we have issued more than $1,000,000,000 in non-convertible debt during the preceding three-year period. Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies are not required to (1) provide an auditor’s attestation report on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, (2) comply with new audit rules adopted by the PCAOB after April 5, 2012 (unless the SEC determines otherwise), (3) provide certain disclosures relating to executive compensation generally required for larger public companies or (4) hold stockholder advisory votes on executive compensation. We intend to take advantage of the JOBS Act exemptions that are applicable to us. Some investors may find our common stock less attractive as a result.

Additionally, the JOBS Act provides that an “emerging growth company” may take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies. This means an “emerging growth company” can delay adopting certain accounting standards until such standards are otherwise applicable to private companies. We have elected to take advantage of this extended transition period. As a result of this election, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates for such new or revised standards. We may elect to comply with public company effective dates at any time, and such election would be irrevocable pursuant to Section 107(b) of the JOBS Act.

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Although we are an Emerging Growth Company, the requirements of being a public company, including compliance with the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, may strain our resources, increase our costs and place additional demands on management, and we may be unable to comply with these requirements in a timely or cost-effective manner.

As a public company with listed equity securities, we are required to comply with new laws, regulations and requirements, certain corporate governance provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Sarbanes-Oxley Act, related regulations of the SEC, including compliance with the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, and the requirements of the NYSE, with which we were not required to comply as a private company. Complying with these statutes, regulations and requirements occupies a significant amount of time of the Board and management and requires us to incur significant costs and expenses. As a result of becoming a public company, we are required to:

 

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Institute a more comprehensive compliance function;

 

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Design, establish, evaluate and maintain a system of internal controls over financial reporting in compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the related rules and regulations of the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or the PCAOB;

 

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Comply with rules promulgated by the NYSE;

 

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Prepare and distribute periodic public reports in compliance with our obligations under federal securities laws;

 

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Establish new internal policies, such as those relating to disclosure controls and procedures and insider trading;

 

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Involve and retain to a greater degree outside counsel and accountants in the above activities; and

 

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Maintain an investor relations function.

If our profitability is adversely affected because of these additional costs, it could have a negative effect on the trading price of our common stock.

Breaches of our data security could materially harm our business and reputation.

We collect and retain certain personal information provided by our tenants. While security measures to protect the confidentiality of this information are in place, we can provide no assurance that we will be able to prevent unauthorized access to this information. Any breach of our data security measures and/or loss of this information may result in legal liability and costs (including damages and penalties), as well as damage to our reputation, that could materially and adversely affect our business and financial performance.

Our business could be adversely impacted if there are deficiencies in our disclosure controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting.

The design and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting may not prevent all errors, misstatements or misrepresentations. While management will continue to review the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, there can be no guarantee that our internal control over financial reporting will be effective in accomplishing all control objectives all of the time. Deficiencies, including any material weakness, in our internal control over financial reporting which may occur in the future could result in misstatements of our results of operations, restatements of our financial statements, a decline in our stock price, or otherwise materially adversely affect our business, reputation, results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.

We may incur mortgage indebtedness and other borrowings, which we have broad authority to incur, that may increase our business risks and decrease the value of your investment.

We expect that in most instances, we will acquire real properties by using either existing financing or borrowing new funds. In addition, we may incur mortgage debt and pledge all or some of our real properties as security for that debt to obtain funds to acquire additional real properties. We may borrow if we need funds to satisfy the REIT tax qualification requirement that we generally distribute annually 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 net capital gain. We also may borrow if we otherwise deem it necessary or advisable to assure that we maintain our qualification as a REIT.

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If there is a shortfall between the cash flow from a property and the cash flow needed to service mortgage debt on a property, then the amount available for distributions to stockholders may be reduced. In addition, incurring mortgage debt increases the risk of loss since defaults on indebtedness secured by a property may result in lenders initiating foreclosure actions. In that case, we could lose the property securing the loan that is in default, thus reducing the value of your investment. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, a foreclosure of any of our properties would be treated as a sale of the property for a purchase price equal to the outstanding balance of the debt secured by the mortgage. If the outstanding balance of the debt secured by the mortgage exceeds our tax basis in the property, we would recognize taxable income on foreclosure, but would not receive any cash proceeds. In such event, we may be unable to pay the amount of distributions required in order to maintain our REIT status. We may give full or partial guarantees to lenders of mortgage debt to the entities that own our properties. When we provide a guaranty on behalf of an entity that owns one of our properties, we will be responsible to the lender for satisfaction of the debt if it is not paid by such entity. If any mortgages contain cross-collateralization or cross-default provisions, a default on a single property could affect multiple properties. If any of our properties are foreclosed upon due to a default, our ability to pay cash distributions to our stockholders will be adversely affected which could result in our losing our REIT status and would result in a decrease in the value of your investment.

We may obtain a credit facility that may include a cross-default provision that provides that a payment default under any recourse obligation above a negotiated dollar amount or any non-recourse obligation above another negotiated dollar amount by us, the OP, or any of our subsidiaries will constitute a default under the credit facility.

We have a substantial amount of indebtedness which may limit our financial and operating activities and may adversely affect our ability to incur additional debt to fund future needs.

At December 31, 2015, there was $711.0 million of indebtedness outstanding related to our Portfolio.

Payments of principal and interest on borrowings may leave us with insufficient cash resources to operate our properties, fully implement our capital expenditure, acquisition and development activities, or pay the dividends necessary to maintain our REIT qualification. Our level of debt and the limitations imposed on us by our debt agreements could have significant adverse consequences, including the following:

 

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require us to dedicate a substantial portion of cash flow from operations to the payment of principal, and interest on, indebtedness, thereby reducing the funds available for other purposes;

 

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make it more difficult for us to borrow additional funds as needed or on favorable terms, which could, among other things, adversely affect our ability to meet operational needs;

 

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force us to dispose of one or more of our properties, possibly on unfavorable terms (including the possible application of the 100% tax on income from prohibited transactions, discussed below in “—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure”) or in violation of certain covenants to which we may be subject;

 

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subject us to increased sensitivity to interest rate increases;

 

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make us more vulnerable to economic downturns, adverse industry conditions or catastrophic external events;

 

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limit our ability to withstand competitive pressures;

 

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limit our ability to refinance our indebtedness at maturity or the refinancing terms may be less favorable than the terms of our original indebtedness;

 

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reduce our flexibility in planning for or responding to changing business, industry and economic conditions; and/or

 

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place us at a competitive disadvantage to competitors that have relatively less debt than we have.

If any one of these events were to occur, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and trading price of our common stock could be adversely affected. Furthermore, foreclosures could create taxable income without accompanying cash proceeds, which could hinder our ability to meet the REIT distribution requirements imposed by the Code.

We may be unable to refinance current or future indebtedness on favorable terms, if at all.

We may not be able to refinance existing debt on terms as favorable as the terms of existing indebtedness, or at all, including as a result of increases in interest rates or a decline in the value of the Portfolio or portions thereof. If principal payments due at maturity cannot be refinanced, extended or paid with proceeds of other capital transactions, such as new equity capital, our operating cash flow will not be sufficient in all years to repay all maturing debt. As a result, certain of our other debt may cross default, we may be forced to postpone capital expenditures necessary for the maintenance of our properties, we may have to dispose of one or more properties on terms that would otherwise be unacceptable to us or we may be forced to allow the mortgage holder to foreclose on a property.

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Foreclosure on mortgaged properties or an inability to refinance existing indebtedness would likely have a negative impact on our financial condition and results of operations and could adversely affect our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

Our debt agreements include restrictive covenants which could limit our flexibility and our ability to make distributions.

The mortgages on our properties contain customary negative covenants that, among other things, limit our ability, without the prior consent of the lender, to further mortgage the property, to reduce or change insurance coverage or to engage in material asset sales, mergers, consolidations and acquisitions. In addition, any future revolving credit facility or other future debt may require us to maintain various financial ratios. Our property mortgages may require certain mandatory prepayments upon disposition of underlying collateral. Early repayments of certain mortgages are subject to prepayment penalties. Failure to comply with these covenants could cause a default under the agreements and result in a requirement to repay the indebtedness prior to its maturity, which could have an adverse effect on our cash flow and ability to make distributions to our stockholders. In addition, loan documents may limit our ability to replace a property’s property manager or terminate certain operating or lease agreements related to a property. These or other limitations would decrease our operating flexibility and our ability to achieve our operating objectives.

Variable rate debt is subject to interest rate risk which could increase our interest expense, increase the cost to refinance and increase the cost of issuing new debt.

At December 31, 2015, approximately $636.8 million of the indebtedness outstanding related to our Portfolio is subject to instruments which bear interest at variable rates, and we may also borrow additional money at variable interest rates in the future. At December 31, 2015, interest rate hedge agreements cover approximately $577.9 million of the Portfolio’s indebtedness for the terms of those agreements. Except to the extent we have arrangements in place that hedge against the risk of rising interest rates, increases in interest rates would increase our interest expense under these instruments and would increase the cost of refinancing these instruments and issuing new debt and would adversely affect cash flow and our ability to service our indebtedness and to make distributions to our stockholders, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Derivatives and hedging activity could adversely affect cash flow.

In the normal course of business, we use derivatives to manage our exposure to interest rate volatility on debt instruments, including hedging for future debt issuances. At other times we may utilize derivatives to increase our exposure to floating interest rates. However, these hedging arrangements may not have the desired beneficial impact. Hedging arrangements, which can include a number of counterparties, may expose us to additional risks, including failure of any of our counterparties to perform under these contracts, and may involve extensive costs, such as transaction fees or, if we terminate them, breakage costs. No strategy can completely insulate us from the risks associated with interest rate fluctuations.

If we are required to make payments under any “bad boy” carve out guarantees that we have provided in connection with certain mortgages and related loans, our business and financial results could be materially adversely affected.

With respect to the majority of the properties in the Portfolio, BH has provided our lenders with standard carve out guarantees. In obtaining certain non-recourse loans, we have provided standard carve out guarantees. These guarantees are only applicable if and when the borrower directly, or indirectly through agreement with an affiliate, joint venture partner or other third party, voluntarily files a bankruptcy or similar liquidation or reorganization action or takes other actions that are fraudulent or improper (commonly referred to as “bad boy” guarantees). Although we believe that “bad boy” carve out guarantees are not guarantees of payment in the event of foreclosure or other actions of the foreclosing lender that are beyond the borrower’s control, some lenders in the real estate industry have recently sought to make claims for payment under such guarantees. In the event such a claim were made against us under a “bad boy” carve out guarantee, following foreclosure on mortgages or related loan, and such claim were successful, our business and financial results could be materially adversely affected.

Risks Related to Our Spin-Off

We may be unable to achieve some or all the benefits that we expect to achieve from the Spin-Off.

We believe that, as a public company independent from NHF, we will have the ability to pursue transactions that NHF would otherwise be precluded from pursuing due to fundamental investment or regulatory constraints. However, we may not be able to achieve some or all of the benefits that we expect to achieve as a company independent from NHF in the time we expect, if at all.

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Potential indemnification liabilities pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement could materially adversely affect us.

The Separation and Distribution Agreement between us and NHF provided for, among other things, the principal corporate transactions required to effect the separation, certain conditions to the Spin-Off and provisions governing the relationship between us and NHF with respect to and resulting from the Spin-Off.

Among other things, the Separation and Distribution Agreement also provided for indemnification obligations designed to make us financially responsible for substantially all liabilities that may exist relating to or arising out of our business. If we are required to indemnify NHF under the circumstances set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement, we may be subject to substantial liabilities.

Additionally, under the Advisory Agreement, our Adviser will not assume any responsibility to us other than to render the services called for under that agreement, and it will not be responsible for any action of our Board in following or declining to follow our Adviser’s advice or recommendations. In addition, we have agreed to indemnify our Adviser and each of its officers, directors, members, managers and employees from and against any claims or liabilities, including reasonable legal fees and other expenses reasonably incurred, arising out of or in connection with our business and operations or any action taken or omitted on our behalf pursuant to authority granted by the Advisory Agreement, except where attributable to gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith or reckless disregard of such person’s duties under the Advisory Agreement. These protections may lead our Adviser to act in a riskier manner when acting on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.

In connection with our separation from NHF, NHF will indemnify us for certain liabilities. However, there can be no assurance that these indemnities will be sufficient to insure us against the full amount of such liabilities, or that NHF’s ability to satisfy its indemnification obligation will not be impaired in the future.

Pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement, NHF has agreed to indemnify us for certain liabilities, including certain tax liabilities. However, third parties could seek to hold us responsible for any of the liabilities that NHF has agreed to retain, and there can be no assurance that NHF will be able to fully satisfy its indemnification obligations. Moreover, even if we ultimately succeed in recovering from NHF any amounts for which we are held liable, we may be temporarily required to bear these losses while seeking recovery from NHF.

Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure

We intend to elect to be treated as a REIT. Our failure to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes would reduce the amount of income we have available for distribution and limit our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

Our qualification as a REIT will depend upon our ability to meet requirements regarding our organization and ownership, distributions of our income, the nature and diversification of our income and assets and other tests imposed by the Code. The REIT qualification requirements are extremely complex and interpretation of the U.S. federal income tax laws governing qualification as a REIT is limited. Furthermore, future legislative, judicial or administrative changes to the federal income tax laws could be applied retroactively, which could result in our disqualification as a REIT.

If we were to fail to qualify as a REIT for any taxable year after electing REIT status, we would be subject to federal income tax on our taxable income at regular corporate rates, and dividends paid to our stockholders would not be deductible by us in computing our taxable income. Any resulting corporate tax liability could be substantial and would reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our stockholders, which in turn could have an adverse impact on the value of shares of our common stock. Unless we were entitled to relief under certain Code provisions, we also would be disqualified from taxation as a REIT and would not be allowed to re-elect REIT status for the four taxable years following the year in which we failed to qualify as a REIT.

The rule against re-electing REIT status following a loss of such status would also apply to us if Freedom REIT failed to qualify as a REIT for its taxable years ending on or before December 31, 2015, and we are treated as a successor to Freedom REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Although Freedom REIT has represented to us that it has no knowledge of any fact or circumstance that would cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT, and covenanted in the agreement between us and our Adviser to use its reasonable best efforts to maintain its REIT status for each of Freedom REIT’s taxable years ending on or before December 31, 2015, no assurance can be given that such representation and covenant would prevent us from failing to qualify as a REIT. Although, in the event of a breach, we may be able to seek damages from NHF and Freedom REIT, there can be no assurance that such damages, if any, would appropriately compensate us.

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Even if we qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, we may be subject to other tax liabilities that reduce our cash flow and our ability to make distributions to you.

Even if we qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, we may be subject to some federal, state and local taxes on our income or property. For example, net income from a “prohibited transaction” will be subject to a 100% tax. We may not be able to make sufficient distributions to avoid excise taxes applicable to REITs. We may also decide to retain income we earn from the sale or other disposition of our real estate assets and pay income tax directly on such income. We may also be subject to state and local taxes on our income or property, either directly or at the level of the companies through which we indirectly own our assets. In addition, our taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”) or any TRS we form will be subject to federal income tax and applicable state and local taxes on their net income. Any federal or state taxes we pay will reduce our cash available for distribution to you.

To qualify as a REIT, we must meet annual distribution requirements, which may force us to forgo otherwise attractive opportunities or borrow funds during unfavorable market conditions. This could delay or hinder our ability to meet our investment objectives and reduce your overall return.

In order to qualify as a REIT, we must distribute annually 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 net capital gain. We will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on our undistributed REIT taxable income and net capital gain and to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on any amount by which distributions we pay with respect to any calendar year are less than the sum of (a) 85% of our ordinary income, (b) 95% of our capital gain net income and (c) 100% of our undistributed income from prior years. These requirements could cause us to distribute amounts that otherwise would be spent on investments in real estate assets and it is possible that we might be required to borrow funds, possibly at unfavorable rates, or sell assets to fund these distributions. It is possible that we might not always be able to make distributions sufficient to meet the annual distribution requirements and to avoid U.S. federal income and excise taxes on our earnings while we qualify as a REIT.

Complying with REIT requirements may force us to liquidate otherwise attractive investments.

To qualify as a REIT, we must ensure that at the end of each calendar quarter, at least 75% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash items, government securities and qualified REIT real estate assets, including certain mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities. The remainder of our investment in securities (other than government securities and qualified real estate assets) generally cannot include more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer. In addition, in general, no more than 5% of the value of our assets (other than government securities and qualified real estate assets) can consist of the securities of any one issuer, and no more than 25% (20% for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017) of the value of our total assets can be represented by securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries. If we fail to comply with these requirements at the end of any calendar quarter, we must correct the failure within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter or qualify for certain statutory relief provisions to avoid losing our REIT qualification and suffering adverse tax consequences. As a result, we may be required to liquidate otherwise attractive investments from our Portfolio. These actions could have the effect of reducing our income and amounts available for distribution to our stockholders.

If our operating partnership failed to qualify as a partnership or is not otherwise disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we would cease to qualify as a REIT.

If the IRS were to successfully challenge the status of our operating partnership as a partnership or disregarded entity for such purposes, it would be taxable as a corporation. In such event, this would reduce the amount of distributions that the operating partnership could make to us. This also would result in our failing to qualify as a REIT, and becoming subject to a corporate level tax on our income. This would substantially reduce our cash available to pay distributions and the yield on your investment. In addition, if any of the partnerships or limited liability companies through which our operating partnership owns or holds interests in its properties, in whole or in part, loses its characterization as a partnership and is otherwise not disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it would be subject to taxation as a corporation, thereby reducing distributions to the operating partnership. Such a re-characterization of an underlying property owner could also threaten our ability to maintain our REIT qualification.

Dividends payable by REITs generally do not qualify for the reduced tax rates available for some dividends.

Currently, the maximum tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income payable to U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates is 20%. Dividends payable by REITs, however, generally are not eligible for this reduced rate. Although this does not adversely affect the taxation of REITs or dividends payable by REITs, the more favorable rates applicable to regular corporate qualified dividends could cause investors who are individuals, trusts and estates to perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in the stocks of non-REIT corporations that pay dividends, which could adversely affect the value of the shares of REITs, including our common stock. In addition, certain U.S. stockholders may be subject to a 3.8% Medicare tax on dividends payable by REITs. Tax rates could be changed in future legislation.

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The share ownership restrictions of the Code for REITs and the 6.2% share ownership limit in our charter may inhibit market activity in shares of our stock and restrict our business combination opportunities.

In order to qualify as a REIT, five or fewer individuals, as defined in the Code, may not own, actually or constructively, more than 50% in value of our issued and outstanding shares of stock at any time during the last half of each taxable year, other than the first year for which a REIT election is made. Attribution rules in the Code determine if any individual or entity actually or constructively owns shares of our common stock under this requirement. Additionally, at least 100 persons must beneficially own shares of our common stock during at least 335 days of a taxable year for each taxable year, other than the first year for which a REIT election is made. To help insure that we meet these tests, among other purposes, our charter restricts the acquisition and ownership of shares of our common stock.

Our charter, with certain exceptions, authorizes our directors to take such actions as are necessary and desirable to preserve our qualification as a REIT while we so qualify. Unless exempted by our Board (prospectively or retroactively), for so long as we qualify as a REIT, our charter prohibits, among other limitations on ownership and transfer of shares of our stock, any person from beneficially or constructively owning (applying certain attribution rules under the Code) more than 6.2% in value of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of our capital stock and more than 6.2% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the outstanding shares of our common stock. Our Board may not grant an exemption from these restrictions to any proposed transferee whose ownership in excess of the 6.2% ownership limit would result in our failing to qualify as a REIT. The Board granted a waiver from the ownership limits for Highland, and may grant additional waivers in the future. These waivers will be subject to certain initial and ongoing conditions designed to protect our status as a REIT. These restrictions on transferability and ownership will not apply, however, if our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interest to qualify as a REIT or that compliance with the restrictions is no longer required in order for us to so qualify as a REIT.

These ownership limits could delay or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interest of the stockholders.

Complying with REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge our liabilities effectively and may cause us to incur tax liabilities.

The REIT provisions of the Code may limit our ability to hedge our liabilities. Any income from a hedging transaction we enter into to manage risk of interest rate changes, price changes or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made to acquire or carry real estate assets, if properly identified under applicable Treasury Regulations, does not constitute “gross income” for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests. For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2015, certain income from hedging transactions entered into to hedge existing hedging positions after any portion of the hedged indebtedness or property is extinguished or disposed of, will not be included in income for purposes of the 95% and 75% gross income tests. To the extent that we enter into other types of hedging transactions, the income from those transactions will likely be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both of the gross income tests. As a result of these rules, we may need to limit our use of advantageous hedging techniques or implement those hedges through a taxable REIT subsidiary. This could increase the cost of our hedging activities because our taxable REIT subsidiaries would be subject to tax on gains or expose us to greater risks associated with changes in interest rates than we would otherwise want to bear. In addition, losses in a taxable REIT subsidiary generally will not provide any tax benefit, except for being carried forward against future taxable income of such taxable REIT subsidiary.

Certain of our business activities are potentially subject to the prohibited transaction tax, which could reduce the return on your investment.

For so long as we qualify as a REIT, our ability to dispose of property during the first few years following acquisition may be restricted to a substantial extent as a result of our REIT qualification. Under applicable provisions of the Code regarding prohibited transactions by REITs, while we qualify as a REIT, we will be subject to a 100% penalty tax on any gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of any property (other than foreclosure property) that we own or hold an interest in, directly or indirectly through any subsidiary entity, including our operating partnership, but generally excluding TRSs, that is deemed to be inventory or property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business. Whether property is inventory or otherwise held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business depends on the particular facts and circumstances surrounding each property. During such time as we qualify as a REIT, we intend to avoid the 100% prohibited transaction tax by (a) conducting activities that may otherwise be considered prohibited transactions through a TRS (but such TRS will incur corporate rate income taxes with respect to any income or gain recognized by it), (b) conducting our operations in such a manner so that no sale or other disposition of an asset we own or hold an interest in, directly or through any subsidiary, will be treated as a prohibited transaction, or (c) structuring certain dispositions of our properties to comply with the requirements of the prohibited transaction safe harbor available under the Code for properties that, among other requirements, have been held for at least two years. No assurance can be given that any particular property that we own or hold an interest in, directly or through any subsidiary entity, including our operating partnership, but generally excluding TRSs, will not be treated as inventory or property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business.

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Foreign investors may be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax and may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on distributions received from us and upon disposition of shares of our common stock.

Subject to certain exceptions, distributions received from us will be treated as dividends of ordinary income to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. Such dividends paid to a non-U.S. stockholder ordinarily will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a 30% rate, or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty, unless the distributions are treated as “effectively connected” with the conduct by the non-U.S. stockholder of a U.S. trade or business. Pursuant to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980, or FIRPTA, capital gain distributions attributable to sales or exchanges of “U.S. real property interests,” or USRPIs, generally will be taxed to a non-U.S. stockholder as if such gain were effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. However, a capital gain dividend will not be treated as effectively connected income if (a) the distribution is received with respect to a class of stock that is regularly traded on an established securities market located in the United States and (b) the non-U.S. stockholder does not own more than 5% (changed to 10% per the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (the “PATH Act”), effective for distributions received on or after December 18, 2015) of the class of our stock at any time during the one-year period ending on the date the distribution is received.

Gain recognized by a non-U.S. stockholder upon the sale or exchange of our common stock generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation unless such stock constitutes a USRPI under FIRPTA. Our common stock will not constitute a USRPI so long as we are a “domestically-controlled” REIT. A REIT is “domestically controlled” if less than 50% of the REIT’s stock, by value, has been owned directly or indirectly by persons who are not qualifying U.S. persons during a continuous five-year period ending on the date of disposition or, if shorter, during the entire period of the REIT’s existence. We cannot assure you that we will qualify as a “domestically controlled” REIT. If we were to fail to so qualify, gain realized by foreign investors on a sale of shares of our stock would be subject to FIRPTA tax, unless the shares of our stock were traded on an established securities market and the foreign investor did not at any time during a specified testing period directly or indirectly own more than 5% (changed to 10% per the PATH Act, effective for sales or exchanges on or after December 18, 2015) of the value of our outstanding common stock.

The ability of the Board to revoke our REIT qualification without stockholder approval may cause adverse consequences to our stockholders.

Our charter provides that the Board may revoke or otherwise terminate our REIT election, without the approval of our stockholders, if it determines that it is no longer in our best interest to continue to qualify as a REIT. If we cease to be a REIT, we will not be allowed a deduction for dividends paid to stockholders in computing our taxable income and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates and state and local taxes, which may have adverse consequences on our total return to our stockholders.

Legislative or regulatory tax changes or other actions affecting REITs could have a negative effect on us, including our ability to qualify as a REIT or the federal income tax consequences of such qualification, and could adversely affect you.

At any time, the federal income tax laws governing REITs or the administrative interpretations of those laws or regulations may be amended. The rules dealing with federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Changes to the tax laws, including proposals in draft legislation contained in the Tax Reform Act of 2014, with or without retroactive application, could adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT or the federal income tax consequences of such qualification. Therefore, changes in tax laws, regulations or administrative interpretations or any amendments thereto could diminish the value of shares of our common stock or the value or the resale potential of our properties. We cannot predict how changes in the tax laws might affect our investors or us. We recommend you consult with your own tax advisor with respect to the impact of any relevant legislation on your investment in our common stock and the status of legislative, regulatory or administrative developments and proposals and their potential effect on an investment in our common stock.

Risks Related to the Ownership of our Common Stock

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE and broad market fluctuations could negatively impact the market price of our stock.

We have listed shares of our common stock on the NYSE under the symbol “NXRT.” We cannot assure you that an active trading market for our common stock will be sustained.

29


 

The price of NXRT common stock may fluctuate significantly. Further, the market price of our common stock may be volatile. In addition, the trading volume in our common stock may fluctuate and cause significant price variations to occur. We cannot assure you that the market price of our common stock will not fluctuate or decline significantly in the future. Some of the factors that could affect our stock price or result in fluctuations in the price or trading volume of our common stock include:

 

·

actual or anticipated variations in our quarterly operating results;

 

·

changes in our operations or earnings estimates or publication of research reports about us or the real estate industry;

 

·

changes in market valuations of similar companies;

 

·

increases in market interest rates that lead purchasers of our shares to demand a higher yield;

 

·

adverse market reaction to any increased indebtedness we incur in the future;

 

·

additions or departures of key management personnel;

 

·

actions by institutional stockholders;

 

·

speculation in the press or investment community;

 

·

the realization of any of the other risk factors presented in this annual report;

 

·

the extent of investor interest in our securities;

 

·

the general reputation of REITs and the attractiveness of our equity securities in comparison to other equity securities, including securities issued by other real estate-based companies;

 

·

our underlying asset value;

 

·

investor confidence in the stock and bond markets, generally;

 

·

changes in tax laws;

 

·

future equity issuances;

 

·

failure to meet income estimates;

 

·

failure to meet and maintain REIT qualifications; and

 

·

general market and economic conditions.

In the past, class-action litigation has often been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in the price of their common stock. This type of litigation could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention and resources, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and trading price of our common stock.

The form, timing and/or amount of dividend distributions in future periods may vary and be impacted by economic and other considerations.

The form, timing and/or amount of dividend distributions will be declared at the discretion of the Board and will depend on actual cash from operations, our financial condition, capital requirements, the annual distribution requirements under the REIT provisions of the Code and other factors as the Board may consider relevant. The Board may modify our dividend policy from time to time.

We may be unable to make distributions at expected levels, which could result in a decrease in the market price of our common stock.

If sufficient cash is not available for distribution from our operations, we may have to fund distributions from working capital, borrow to provide funds for such distributions, reduce the amount of such distributions, or issue stock dividends. To the extent we borrow to fund distributions, our future interest costs would increase, thereby reducing our earnings and cash available for distribution from what they otherwise would have been. If cash available for distribution generated by our assets is less than we expect, our inability to make the expected distributions could result in a decrease in the market price of our common stock. In addition, if we make stock dividends in lieu of cash distributions, it may have a dilutive effect on the holdings of our stockholders.

30


 

All distributions are made at the discretion of the Board and are based upon, among other factors, our historical and projected results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and liquidity, maintenance of our REIT qualification and other tax considerations, capital expenditure and other expense obligations, debt covenants, contractual prohibitions or other limitations and applicable law and such other matters as the Board may deem relevant from time to time. We may not be able to make distributions in the future, and our inability to make distributions, or to make distributions at expected levels, could result in a decrease in the market price of our common stock.

Our charter permits the Board to issue stock with terms that may subordinate the rights of our common stockholders or discourage a third party from acquiring us in a manner that could otherwise result in a premium price to our stockholders.

The Board may classify or reclassify any unissued shares of common stock or preferred stock and establish the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption of any such stock. Thus, the Board could authorize the issuance of preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have priority as to distributions and amounts payable upon liquidation over the rights of the holders of our common stock. Such preferred stock could also have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us, including an extraordinary transaction (such as a merger, tender offer or sale of all or substantially all of our assets) that might provide a premium price to holders of our common stock.

Future issuances of debt securities and equity securities may negatively affect the market price of shares of our common stock and, in the case of equity securities, may be dilutive to existing stockholders and could reduce the overall value of your investment.

In the future, we may issue debt or equity securities or incur other financial obligations, including stock dividends and shares that may be issued in exchange for common units and equity plan shares/units. Upon liquidation, holders of our debt securities and other loans and preferred stock will receive a distribution of our available assets before common stockholders. We are not required to offer any such additional debt or equity securities to existing stockholders on a preemptive basis. Therefore, additional common stock issuances, directly or through convertible or exchangeable securities (including common units and convertible preferred units), warrants or options, will dilute the holdings of our existing common stockholders and such issuances or the perception of such issuances may reduce the market price of shares of our common stock. Any convertible preferred units would have, and any series or class of our preferred stock would likely have, a preference on distribution payments, periodically or upon liquidation, which could eliminate or otherwise limit our ability to make distributions to common stockholders.

Existing stockholders do not have preemptive rights to any shares we issue in the future. Our charter authorizes us to issue 600 million shares of capital stock, of which 500 million shares are designated as common stock and 100 million shares are designated as preferred stock. The Board may increase the number of authorized shares of capital stock without stockholder approval. The Board may elect to (1) sell additional shares in future public offerings; (2) issue equity interests in private offerings; (3) issue shares of our common stock under a long-term incentive plan to our non-employee directors or to employees of our Adviser or its affiliates (if stockholders amend our charter to remove the 1940 Act compliance requirements); (4) issue shares to our Adviser, its successors or assigns, in payment of an outstanding fee obligation or as consideration in a related-party transaction; or (5) issue shares of our common stock to sellers of properties we acquire in connection with an exchange of limited partnership interests of the OP. To the extent we issue additional equity interests, your percentage ownership interest in us will be diluted. Further, depending upon the terms of such transactions, most notably the offering price per share, existing stockholders may also experience a dilution in the book value of their investment in us.

Our rights and the rights of our stockholders to recover claims against our independent directors are limited, which could reduce your and our recovery against them if they negligently cause us to incur losses.

Maryland law provides that a director has no liability in the capacity as a director if he or she performs his or her duties in good faith, in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in the company’s best interests and with the care that an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances. As permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law, or MGCL, our charter limits the liability of our directors and officers to the Company and our stockholders for money damages, except for liability resulting from:

 

·

actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services; or

 

·

a final judgment based upon a finding of active and deliberate dishonesty by the director or officer that was material to the cause of action adjudicated.

31


 

In addition, our charter authorizes us to obligate the Company, and our bylaws require us, to indemnify our directors and officers for actions taken by them in those capacities and to pay or reimburse their reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law. We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers. As a result, we and our stockholders may have more limited rights against our directors and officers than might otherwise exist under common law. Accordingly, in the event that actions taken by any of our directors or officers are immune or exculpated from, or indemnified against, liability but which impede our performance, our stockholders’ ability to recover damages from that director or officer will be limited.

Our charter and bylaws contain provisions that may delay, defer or prevent an acquisition of our common stock or a change in control.

Our charter and bylaws contain a number of provisions, the exercise or existence of which could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for our stockholders or otherwise be in their best interests, including the following: 

 

·

Our Charter Contains Restrictions on the Ownership and Transfer of Our Stock. In order for us to qualify, and elect to be taxed, as a REIT, no more than 50% of the value of outstanding shares of our stock may be owned, beneficially or constructively, by five or fewer individuals at any time during the last half of each taxable year other than the first year for which we elect to be taxed as a REIT. Subject to certain exceptions, our charter prohibits any stockholder from owning beneficially or constructively more than 6.2% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock, or 6.2% in value of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of all classes or series of our stock. We refer to these restrictions collectively as the “ownership limits.” The constructive ownership rules under the Code are complex and may cause the outstanding stock owned by a group of related individuals or entities to be deemed to be constructively owned by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 6.2% of our outstanding shares of common stock or the outstanding shares of all classes or series of our stock by an individual or entity could cause that individual or entity or another individual or entity to own constructively in excess of the relevant ownership limits. Our charter also prohibits any person from owning shares of our stock that would result in our being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT. Any attempt to own or transfer shares of our common stock or of any of our other capital stock in violation of these restrictions may result in the shares being automatically transferred to a charitable trust or may be void. These ownership limits may prevent a third party from acquiring control of us if the Board does not grant an exemption from the ownership limits, even if our stockholders believe the change in control is in their best interests. The Board granted a waiver from the ownership limits applicable to holders of our common stock to Highland and may grant additional waivers in the future. These waivers will be subject to certain initial and ongoing conditions designed to protect our status as a REIT.

 

·

The Board Has the Power to Cause Us to Issue Additional Shares of Our Stock without Stockholder Approval. Our charter authorizes us to issue additional authorized but unissued shares of common or preferred stock. In addition, the Board may, without stockholder approval, amend our charter to increase the aggregate number of shares of our common stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue and classify or reclassify any unissued shares of common or preferred stock and set the preferences, rights and other terms of the classified or reclassified shares. As a result, the Board may establish a series of shares of common or preferred stock that could delay or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for our shares of common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.

32


 

Certain provisions of Maryland law may limit the ability of a third party to acquire control of us.

Certain provisions of the MGCL may have the effect of inhibiting a third party from acquiring us or of impeding a change of control under circumstances that otherwise could provide our common stockholders with the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market price of such shares, including:

 

·

“business combination” provisions that, subject to limitations, prohibit certain business combinations between an “interested stockholder” (defined generally as any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of our outstanding shares of voting stock or an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding stock of the corporation) or an affiliate of any interested stockholder and us for five years after the most recent date on which the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, and thereafter imposes two super-majority stockholder voting requirements on these combinations; and

 

·

“control share” provisions that provide that holders of “control shares” of our Company (defined as voting shares of stock that, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned or controlled by the acquirer, would entitle the acquirer to exercise one of three increasing ranges of voting power in electing directors) acquired in a “control share acquisition” (defined as the direct or indirect acquisition of issued and outstanding “control shares”) have no voting rights except to the extent approved by our stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding all interested shares.

Pursuant to the Maryland Business Combination Act, the Board by resolution exempted from the provisions of the Maryland Business Combination Act all business combinations (i) between our Adviser, our Sponsor or their respective affiliates and us and (ii) between any other person and us, provided that such business combination is first approved by the Board (including a majority of our directors who are not affiliates or associates of such person). Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act any and all acquisitions by any person of shares of our stock. There can be no assurance that these exemptions or resolutions will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future.

Additionally, Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the MGCL permits the Board, without stockholder approval and regardless of what is currently provided in our charter or bylaws, to implement certain takeover defenses, such as a classified board, some of which we do not have.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

Our headquarters are located at 300 Crescent Court, Suite 700 in Dallas, Texas in office space provided by our Adviser.

33


 

The following table provides a summary of the properties in our Portfolio as of December 31, 2015:

 

Properties by State

 

Location

 

Number of Units

 

 

Date Acquired

 

Purchase Price

(in thousands)

 

 

Average

Effective

Monthly Rent

Per Unit (1)

 

 

% Occupied as

of December 31,

2015 (2)

 

 

Number of Units Rehabbed (3)

 

 

Budgeted Rehab Cost per Unit

 

 

Rehab Expenditures per Unit (4)

 

Texas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Miramar Apartments

 

Dallas, Texas

 

314

 

 

10/31/2013

 

$

8,875

 

 

$

586

 

 

 

92.4

%

 

 

43

 

 

$

3,200

 

 

$

3,163

 

Arbors on Forest Ridge

 

Bedford, Texas

 

210

 

 

1/31/2014

 

 

12,805

 

 

 

811

 

 

 

93.8

%

 

 

61

 

 

 

4,187

 

 

 

4,389

 

Cutter's Point

 

Richardson, Texas

 

196

 

 

1/31/2014

 

 

15,845

 

 

 

981

 

 

 

93.9

%

 

 

76

 

 

 

5,912

 

 

 

4,989

 

Eagle Crest

 

Irving, Texas

 

447

 

 

1/31/2014

 

 

27,325

 

 

 

798

 

 

 

95.5

%

 

 

58

 

 

 

2,987

 

 

 

3,276

 

Meridian

 

Austin, Texas

 

200

 

 

1/31/2014

 

 

12,300

 

 

 

816

 

 

 

94.0

%

 

 

85

 

 

 

4,436

 

 

 

3,301

 

Silverbrook

 

Grand Prairie, Texas

 

642

 

 

1/31/2014

 

 

30,400

 

 

 

711

 

 

 

93.6

%

 

 

119

 

 

 

4,025

 

 

 

4,034

 

Timberglen

 

Dallas, Texas

 

304

 

 

1/31/2014

 

 

16,950

 

 

 

748

 

 

 

96.1

%

 

 

73

 

 

 

5,532

 

 

 

4,837

 

Toscana

 

Dallas, Texas

 

192

 

 

1/31/2014

 

 

8,875

 

 

 

649

 

 

 

94.8

%

 

 

66

 

 

 

5,086

 

 

 

4,188

 

Belmont at Duck Creek

 

Garland, Texas

 

240

 

 

9/30/2014

 

 

22,750

 

 

 

880

 

 

 

93.8

%

 

 

73

 

 

 

3,554

 

 

 

3,176

 

Regatta Bay

 

Seabrook, Texas

 

240

 

 

11/4/2014

 

 

18,200

 

 

 

1,010

 

 

 

93.3

%

 

 

85

 

 

 

5,377

 

 

 

4,179

 

McMillan Place

 

Dallas, Texas

 

402

 

 

1/15/2015

 

 

20,984

 

 

 

666

 

 

 

91.3

%

 

 

56

 

 

 

4,919

 

 

 

6,236

 

Dana Point

 

Dallas, Texas

 

264

 

 

2/26/2015

 

 

16,235

 

 

 

734

 

 

 

92.8

%

 

 

71

 

 

 

3,294

 

 

 

4,901

 

Heatherstone

 

Dallas, Texas

 

152

 

 

2/26/2015

 

 

9,450

 

 

 

782

 

 

 

94.1

%

 

 

56

 

 

 

2,707

 

 

 

4,661

 

Versailles

 

Dallas, Texas

 

388

 

 

2/26/2015

 

 

26,165

 

 

 

765

 

 

 

90.2

%

 

 

55

 

 

 

5,108

 

 

 

8,076

 

The Place at Vanderbilt

 

Fort Worth, Texas

 

333

 

 

10/30/2015

 

 

19,250

 

 

 

750

 

 

 

92.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

6,987

 

 

 

 

Florida

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Summit at Sabal Park

 

Tampa, Florida

 

252

 

 

8/20/2014

 

 

7,800

 

 

 

841

 

 

 

92.5

%

 

 

80

 

 

 

4,313

 

 

 

4,282

 

Courtney Cove

 

Tampa, Florida

 

324

 

 

8/20/2014

 

 

18,950

 

 

 

738

 

 

 

95.4

%

 

 

63

 

 

 

4,474

 

 

 

4,352

 

Colonial Forest

 

Jacksonville, Florida

 

174

 

 

8/20/2014

 

 

5,500

 

 

 

637

 

 

 

94.8

%

 

 

52

 

 

 

2,450

 

 

 

2,163

 

Park at Blanding

 

Orange Park, Florida

 

117

 

 

8/20/2014

 

 

8,300

 

 

 

779

 

 

 

97.4

%

 

 

29

 

 

 

5,122

 

 

 

5,097

 

Park at Regency

 

Jacksonville, Florida

 

159

 

 

8/20/2014

 

 

19,050

 

 

 

760

 

 

 

96.2

%

 

 

56

 

 

 

5,299

 

 

 

6,236

 

Jade Park

 

Daytona Beach, Florida

 

144

 

 

8/20/2014

 

 

6,500

 

 

 

747

 

 

 

90.3

%

 

 

36

 

 

 

4,341

 

 

 

4,943

 

Mandarin Reserve

 

Jacksonville, Florida

 

520

 

 

9/15/2014

 

 

26,200

 

 

 

716

 

 

 

93.1

%

 

 

90

 

 

 

4,396

 

 

 

4,507

 

Sabal Palm at Lake Buena Vista

 

Orlando, Florida

 

400

 

 

11/5/2014

 

 

49,500

 

 

 

1,083

 

 

 

96.0

%

 

 

19

 

 

 

1,364

 

 

 

1,254

 

Cornerstone

 

Orlando, Florida

 

430

 

 

1/15/2015

 

 

31,550

 

 

 

822

 

 

 

93.3

%

 

 

57

 

 

 

4,935

 

 

 

4,425

 

Seasons 704 Apartments

 

West Palm Beach, Florida

 

222

 

 

4/15/2015

 

 

21,000

 

 

 

980

 

 

 

97.3

%

 

 

22

 

 

 

4,823

 

 

 

5,445

 

Georgia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edgewater at Sandy Springs

 

Atlanta, Georgia

 

760

 

 

7/18/2014

 

 

13,750

 

 

 

825

 

 

 

94.5

%

 

 

174

 

 

 

5,770

 

 

 

6,013

 

The Arbors

 

Tucker, Georgia

 

140

 

 

10/16/2014

 

 

7,800

 

 

 

786

 

 

 

94.3

%

 

 

40

 

 

 

4,509

 

 

 

4,707

 

The Crossings

 

Marietta, Georgia

 

380

 

 

10/16/2014

 

 

21,200

 

 

 

757

 

 

 

92.9

%

 

 

95

 

 

 

3,004

 

 

 

4,122

 

The Crossings at Holcomb Bridge

 

Roswell, Georgia

 

268

 

 

10/16/2014

 

 

16,000

 

 

 

780

 

 

 

95.9

%

 

 

97

 

 

 

5,030

 

 

 

5,521

 

The Knolls

 

Marietta, Georgia

 

312

 

 

10/16/2014

 

 

21,200

 

 

 

826

 

 

 

93.9

%

 

 

98

 

 

 

5,810

 

 

 

5,946

 

Barrington Mill

 

Marietta, Georgia

 

752

 

 

2/6/2015

 

 

58,000

 

 

 

747

 

 

 

95.6

%

 

 

105

 

 

 

6,503

 

 

 

8,280

 

Tennessee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beechwood Terrace

 

Antioch, Tennessee

 

300

 

 

7/21/2014

 

 

16,000

 

 

 

794

 

 

 

97.3

%

 

 

52

 

 

 

4,887

 

 

 

6,215

 

Willow Grove

 

Nashville, Tennessee

 

244

 

 

7/21/2014

 

 

21,400

 

 

 

773

 

 

 

95.9

%

 

 

49

 

 

 

4,692

 

 

 

5,903

 

Woodbridge

 

Nashville, Tennessee

 

220

 

 

7/21/2014

 

 

58,000

 

 

 

875

 

 

 

96.4

%

 

 

46

 

 

 

4,990

 

 

 

7,546

 

Abbington Heights

 

Antioch, Tennessee

 

274

 

 

8/1/2014

 

 

17,900

 

 

 

785

 

 

 

94.5

%

 

 

75

 

 

 

4,914

 

 

 

5,419

 

Arizona