Risk Factors Dashboard
Once a year, publicly traded companies issue a comprehensive report of their business, called a 10-K. A component mandated in the 10-K is the ‘Risk Factors’ section, where companies disclose any major potential risks that they may face. This dashboard highlights all major changes and additions in new 10K reports, allowing investors to quickly identify new potential risks and opportunities.
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We caution you that the risks, uncertainties and other factors referenced above may not contain all of the risks, uncertainties and other factors that are important to you. There may be other factors that cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements, including factors discussed in Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Form 10-K, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-K in the context of these risks and uncertainties. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will realize the results, benefits or developments that we expect or anticipate or, even if substantially realized, that they will result in the consequences or affect us or our business in the way expected. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in these forward-looking statements, the inclusion of this information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that our plans, strategies and objectives, which we consider to be reasonable, will be achieved. All forward-looking statements in this Form 10-K apply only as of the date made and are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements included in this Form 10-K and in other filings we make with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law.
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PART I
Item 1. Business.
In this Annual Report on Form 10-K (this “Form 10-K”), unless context otherwise requires, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Belpointe” or the “Company” refer to Belpointe PREP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, its operating companies, Belpointe PREP OC, LLC, a Delaware limited company, and Belpointe PREP TN OC, LLC, a Delaware limited company (each an “Operating Company” and, together, the “Operating Companies”), and each of the Operating Companies’ subsidiaries, taken together.
History and Development of the Company
We are the successor in interest to Belpointe REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“Belpointe REIT”), incorporated on June 19, 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we acquired all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Belpointe REIT in an exchange offer and related conversion and merger transaction.
On May 9, 2023, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) declared effective our registration statement on Form S-11, as amended (File No. 333-271262) (the “Follow-on Registration Statement”), registering the offer and sale of up to $750,000,000 of our Class A units on a continuous “best efforts” basis by any method deemed to be an “at the market” offering pursuant to Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), including by offers and sales made directly to investors or through one or more agents (our “Follow-on Offering”). 333-271262) (the “Follow-on Registration Statement”), registering the offer and sale of up to an additional $750,000,000 of our Class A units on a continuous “best efforts” basis by any method deemed to be an “at the market” offering pursuant to Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), including by offers and sales made directly to investors or through one or more agents (our “Follow-on Offering” and, together with our Primary Offering, our “Public Offerings”).
In connection with the Follow-on Registration Statement, we entered into a non-exclusive dealer manager agreement with Emerson Equity LLC (the “Dealer Manager”), a registered broker-dealer, for the sale of our Class A units through the Dealer Manager. The Dealer Manager has and will continue to enter into participating dealer agreements and wholesale agreements with other broker-dealers, referred to as “selling group members,” to authorize those broker-dealers to solicit offers to purchase our Class A units. The Dealer Manager will enter into participating dealer agreements and wholesale agreements with other broker-dealers, referred to as “selling group members,” to authorize those broker-dealers to solicit offers to purchase our Class A units. We pay our Dealer Manager commissions of up to 0.25%, and the selling group members commissions ranging from 0.25% to 4.50%, of the principal amount of Class A unit sold in the Follow-on Offering. We will pay our Dealer Manager commissions of up to 0.25%, and the selling group members commissions ranging from 0.25% to 4.50%, of the principal amount of Class A unit sold in the Follow-on Offering.
For the year ended December 31, 2025, we issued 172,523 Class A units in connection with our Follow-on Offering. Together with the gross proceeds raised in our primary offering, which expired in 2024 (our “Primary Offering” and together with our Follow-on Offering, our “Public Offerings”), and the gross proceeds raised in Belpointe REIT’s prior offerings, as of December 31, 2025, we have raised aggregate gross offering cash proceeds of $368.6 million.
The purchase price for Class A units in our Follow-on Offering is the lesser of (i) the current net asset value (the “NAV”) of our Class A units, and (ii) the average of the high and low sale prices of our Class A units on the NYSE American (the “NYSE”) during regular trading hours on the last trading day immediately preceding the investment date on which the NYSE was open for trading and trading in our Class A units occurred. Our Manager calculates our NAV within approximately 60 days of the last day of each quarter, and any adjustments take effect as of the first business day following its public announcement. On March 4, 2026, we announced that our NAV as of December 31, 2025 was equal to $116.17 per Class A unit.
Overview of our Business and Operations
We are the only publicly traded qualified opportunity fund listed on a national securities exchange. We are a Delaware limited liability company formed on January 24, 2020, and a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We are focused on identifying, acquiring, developing or redeveloping and managing commercial and mixed-use real estate located within qualified opportunity zones. We are focused on identifying, acquiring, developing or redeveloping and managing commercial real estate located within qualified opportunity zones. At least 90% of our assets consist of qualified opportunity zone property. We qualified as a qualified opportunity fund beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 2020. Because we are a qualified opportunity fund certain of our investors are eligible for favorable capital gains tax treatment on their investments.
All of our assets are and will continue to be held by, and all of our operations are and will continue to be conducted through, one or more of our Operating Companies, either directly or indirectly through their subsidiaries. We are externally managed by Belpointe PREP Manager, LLC (our “Manager”), which is an affiliate of our sponsor, Belpointe, LLC (our “Sponsor”).
Our Manager
We are externally managed by our Manager, Belpointe PREP Manager, LLC, and, pursuant to the terms of a Management Agreement between us, our Operating Companies and our Manager (the “Management Agreement”), our Manager manages our day-to-day operations, implements our investment objectives and strategy and performs certain services for us, subject to oversight by our board of directors (our “Board”). Subject to the limitations set forth in our Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement (our “Operating Agreement”), a team of investment and asset management professionals, acting through our Manager, makes all decisions regarding the origination, selection, evaluation, structuring, acquisition, financing and development of our commercial real estate properties, real estate-related assets, including commercial real estate loans and mortgages, and debt and equity securities issued by other real estate-related companies, as well as private equity acquisitions and investments, and opportunistic acquisitions of other qualified opportunity funds and qualified opportunity zone businesses.
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Our Manager also provides portfolio management, marketing, investor relations, financial, accounting and other administrative services on our behalf with the goal of maximizing our operating cash flow and preserving our invested capital.
Our Sponsor
Our Sponsor, Belpointe, LLC, a leading investment firm based in Greenwich, Connecticut, operates a family office making private investments and oversees its businesses, such as wealth management, legal and real estate services, Our Sponsor’s senior executives have substantial experience in the acquisition, development and ownership of real estate and, as of December 31, 2025, its affiliates have facilitated or originated real estate assets with acquisition and construction costs of approximately $500 million. Our Sponsor’s financial management division also currently manages over $6 billion in public securities.
Our Investment Objectives and Investment Strategy
Our primary investment objectives are:
We cannot assure you that we will achieve our investment objectives. See Item 1A. “Risk Factors.”
Our initial investments consist of and are expected to continue to consist of properties located in qualified opportunity zones for the development or redevelopment of multifamily, student housing, senior living, healthcare, industrial, self-storage, hospitality, office, mixed-use, data centers and solar projects located throughout the United States and its territories. We also anticipate identifying, acquiring, developing or redeveloping and managing a wide range of commercial real estate properties located throughout the United States and its territories, including, but not limited to, real estate-related assets, such as commercial real estate loans and mortgages, and debt and equity securities issued by other real estate-related companies, as well as making private equity acquisitions and investments, and opportunistic acquisitions of other qualified opportunity funds and qualified opportunity zone businesses, with the goal of increasing distributions and capital appreciation.
Our investment guidelines delegate to our Manager discretion and authority to execute acquisitions and dispositions of investments (including the reinvestment of capital basis and gains), provided such investments are consistent with our investment objectives and strategy and our investment guidelines. Our Manager’s investment committee will periodically review our portfolio of assets and investments, our investment objectives and strategy and our investment guidelines to determine whether they remain in the best interests of our members and may recommend changes to our Board as it deems appropriate. We may, at any time and without member approval, cease to be a qualified opportunity fund and acquire assets that do not qualify as qualified opportunity zone investments. Furthermore, there are no prohibitions in our Operating Agreement on the amount or percentage of assets that may be invested in a single property.
Our Reporting Segments
As of December 31, 2025, we have organized our operations into two reporting segments, commercial and mixed-use, based on the way we organize and evaluate our business internally.
Qualified Opportunity Zone Program
The opportunity zone program is a community development program established by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “JOBS Act” or “OZ 1.0”), and later expanded, and certain provisions originally set to expire permanently extended, by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (the “OBBBA” or “OZ 2.0”), to encourage new long-term investment in low-income urban and rural communities nationwide. The opportunity zone program provides tax incentives for investors to re-invest their unrealized capital gains into qualified opportunity funds dedicated to investing in qualified opportunity zones. The opportunity zone program provides a tax incentive for investors to re-invest their unrealized capital gains into qualified opportunity funds dedicated to investing in “qualified opportunity zones. The opportunity zone program provides a tax incentive for investors to re-invest their unrealized capital gains into qualified opportunity funds dedicated to investing in “qualified opportunity zones.
“Qualified opportunity zones” are census tracts identified and nominated by the chief executives of every state and territory of the United States (e.g., state governors) and designated by the Secretary of the Treasury.
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There were more than 8,700 qualified opportunity zones designated throughout the United States and its territories under OZ 1.0, and the OBBBA calls for the nomination and designation of new opportunity zones under OZ 2.0 beginning July 1, 2026, and again every ten-year period thereafter. The opportunity zones designated under OZ 1.0 will remain in effect until December 31, 2026, and on January 1, 2027, and every ten-year period thereafter, the newly designated opportunity zones under OZ 2.0. will take effect.
A qualified opportunity fund (“Qualified Opportunity Fund”) is generally defined as an investment vehicle that is taxed as a corporation or partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and organized to invest in, and at least 90% of its assets consist of, qualified opportunity zone property (the “90% Asset Test”). A Qualified Opportunity Fund must determine whether it meets the 90% Asset Test on each of (i) the last day of the first six-month period of its taxable year, and (ii) the last day of its taxable year (each a “Test Date”). A qualified opportunity fund must determine whether it meets the 90% Asset Test on each of (i) the last day of the first six-month period of its taxable year, and (ii) the last day of its taxable year (each a “Test Date”).
We initially qualified as a Qualified Opportunity Fund beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 2020, and we currently intend to manage our affairs so that we continue to meet the requirements for classification as a Qualified Opportunity Fund pursuant to Section 1400Z-2 of the Code and the related regulations issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”) and U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) on December 19, 2019, together with the correcting amendments issued on April 6, 2020, additional relief issued on January 13, 2021 and further correcting amendments issued on August 5, 2021 (collectively the “Opportunity Zone Regulations”).
The OBBBA created a new category of qualified opportunity fund called the qualified rural opportunity fund (“Qualified Rural Opportunity Fund” and, together with Qualified Opportunity Funds, “QOFs”) which is an investment vehicle that is taxed as a corporation or partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and organized to invest in, and at least 90% of its assets consist of, qualified opportunity zone property located in rural areas. A “rural area” is a city or town (and certain contiguous and adjacent areas) that has a population of 50,000 inhabitants or less.
On September 30, 2025, the Treasury and IRS issued guidance which identified more than 3,300 rural areas within the qualified opportunity zones already designated under OZ 1.0, however, transitional and new regulations for OZ 2.0 have yet to be issued
The Opportunity Zone Regulations allow a QOF to apply the 90% Asset Test without taking into account any investments received in the 6-month period preceding the Test Date, provided those investments are (i) received (a) solely in exchange for stock by a QOF that is a corporation, or (b) as a contribution by a QOF that is a partnership, and (ii) held continuously from the fifth business day after the exchange or contribution, as applicable, through the Test Date in cash, cash equivalents or debt instruments with a term of 18 months or less.
Subject to a one-time six-month cure period, for each month following a Test Date in which a qualified opportunity fund fails to meet the 90% Asset Test it will incur a penalty equal to (a) the excess of 90% of the fund’s aggregate assets over the aggregate amount of qualified opportunity zone property held by the fund, multiplied by (b) the short-term federal interest rate plus 3%. However, notwithstanding a qualified opportunity fund’s failure to meet the 90% Asset Test, no penalty will be imposed if the fund demonstrates that its failure is due to reasonable cause.
An eligible investor may defer recognition of capital gains (short-term or long-term) resulting from the sale or exchange of capital assets (or business assets the gain on the sale of which is treated as a capital gain) with an unrelated person by reinvesting those gains into a QOF within a period of 180 days generally beginning on the date of the sale or exchange (the “Deferred Capital Gains”). The 180-day period generally begins on the day on which the gains would be recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes had they not been reinvested into a QOF. Under OZ 1.0 Deferred Capital Gains are recognized on the earlier of (i) December 31, 2026, or (ii) the date on which an inclusion event occurs. Under OZ 2.0 Deferred Capital Gains are recognized on the earlier of the date (i) which is five years after their reinvestment into a QOF, or (ii) on which an inclusion event occurs.
All individuals and entities that recognize capital gains for U.S. federal income tax purposes are eligible to elect to defer their capital gains by investing in a QOF within the applicable 180-day period. This includes natural persons as well as entities such as corporations, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), partnerships and other pass-through entities (including, certain common trust funds, qualified settlement funds, and disputed ownership funds). Eligible investors must make deferral elections on Form 8949, Sales and Other Dispositions of Capital Assets, which will need to be attached to their U.S. federal income tax returns for the taxable year in which the capital gain would have been recognized had it not been deferred. In addition, Form 8997, Initial and Annual Statement of Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF) Investments (“Form 8997”), requires eligible investors holding a QOF investment at any point during the tax year to report: (i) QOF investment holdings at the beginning and end of the tax year; (ii) current tax year capital gains deferred by investing in a QOF; and (iii) QOF investments disposed of during the tax year. Eligible investors who have not properly followed the instructions for Form 8997 may receive a Letter 6502, Reporting Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF) Investments (“Letter 6502”), or a Letter 6503, Annual Reporting of Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF) Investments (“Letter 6503”), from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) if the IRS is missing information, the investor entered invalid information, or the requirements to maintain a qualifying investment have not been followed. Eligible investors who receive a Letter 6502 or a Letter 6503 may need to file an amended return or an administrative adjustment request with a properly completed Form 8997.
Under OZ 1.0 an eligible investor may elect to increase the tax basis with respect to its QOF investment interest to the fair market value of the investment interest on the date on which it is sold or exchanged, and similarly may elect to exclude from income gains from sales of non-inventory assets by the QOF, if the investor holds the QOF investment interest for a period of ten years or more prior to the date of sale or exchange, up to December 31, 2047. Provided these requirements are met, for U.S. federal income tax purposes an eligible investor will not be required to pay federal income tax on a sale of its QOF investment interest. This benefit will not be available with respect to sales or exchanges after December 31, 2047.
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Our Investments
As of the date of this Form 10-K, our investment portfolio consisted of the following commercial and mixed-use properties:
1991 Main Street – Sarasota, Florida (“Aster & Links”) – 1991 Main Street (“1991 Main” or “Aster & Links”) is a 5.13-acre mixed-use luxury development site in downtown Sarasota, Florida, which we acquired for an aggregate purchase price of $20.7 million, inclusive of transaction costs. In August 2023, we acquired an adjacent parcel that was previously subject to a ground lease for a purchase price of $4.9 million, inclusive of transaction costs. On August 24, 2023, we acquired an adjacent land parcel that was previously subject to a ground lease for a purchase price of $4.9 million, inclusive of transaction costs. In July 2024, we also completed the redevelopment of 1900 Fruitville Road, a nearby 1.2-acre site which we acquired for an aggregate purchase price of $4.7 million, inclusive of transaction costs, to provide additional non-exclusive parking for Aster & Links’ retail tenants, including Sprouts Farmers Market® (“Sprouts”).
During the year ended December 31, 2024, we substantially completed construction and began leasing at Aster & Links. The property comprises two distinct ten-story buildings with a total of 424 luxury residential units, including a mix of one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments, townhome-style penthouse residences, and six guest suites. The development also includes approximately 51,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space and more than 900 garage and surface-level parking spaces designed to accommodate both residents and retail customers.
In September 2025, we completed an approximately $204.1 million post-construction financing for Aster & Links, the proceeds of which were used to retire existing construction debt and will provide additional liquidity to support lease-up and stabilization. We expect the refinancing to generate annual interest savings of several million dollars over the term of the loans. See “—Our Investments—1991 Main Street – Sarasota Florida (“Aster & Links”)—Aster & Links Mortgage and Mezzanine Loans” below for a more detailed discussion of the refinancing.
Aster & Links features an extensive suite of resident amenities, including a clubroom, fitness center, center courtyards with heated saltwater pools and rooftop amenities such as a community room, a private dining area for events, and outdoor grills and seating. Each building contains its own leasing office to support new residents. As of March 8, 2026, Aster & Links was greater than 67% leased.
Sprouts occupies approximately 23,000 square feet of retail space at Aster & Links, and, together with other curated retail tenants, enhances the project’s walkability and community activation. Situated in downtown Sarasota, at the intersection of Main Street and Links Avenue, Aster & Links is located in a high foot traffic area next to a number of popular retail establishments. Sarasota’s metro area economy has historically been the largest of the southwest Florida markets and has experienced strong gains in jobs, population, and home values over the past few years. Sarasota’s metro area economy is the largest of the southwest Florida markets and has had very strong gains in jobs, population, and home values over the past year. We believe that Aster & Links is well-positioned to be a premier residential and retail destination in the heart of what will continue to be a vibrant city.
Aster & Links Mortgage and Mezzanine Loans
On September 29, 2025, we, through our indirect majority-owned subsidiaries, BPOZ 1991 Main, LLC (“BPOZ 1991 Main”), and BP Mezz 1991 Main, LLC, the holding company for BPOZ 1991 Main (“BP Mezz 1991 Main” and, together with BPOZ 1991 Main, the “Aster & Links Borrowers”), entered into a variable-rate mortgage loan agreement (the “Aster & Links Mortgage Loan Agreement”) and variable-rate mezzanine loan agreement (the “Aster & Links Mezzanine Loan Agreement” and, together with the Aster & Links Mortgage Loan Agreement, and all other agreements and instruments executed by the Aster & Links Borrowers or the Company in connection therewith, the “Aster & Links Loan Agreements”) with SM Finance III LLC (the “SMF”), for up to approximately $204.1 million in aggregate principal amount (the “Aster & Links Loans” or “Aster & Links Refinance Transactions”), of which a total of approximately $172.8 million was advanced at the closing (the “Initial Advance”). The Aster & Links Loans bear interest at a fluctuating rate based on: (i) one-month term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), subject to a 3.25% floor, plus (ii) a blended rate of 2.55%, require interest-only monthly payments during their term, and initially mature on October 11, 2027, with two one-year extensions exercisable at the Aster & Links Borrowers’ election, but subject to SMF’s approval based on certain terms and conditions set forth in the Aster & Links Loan Agreements.
We used approximately $165.8 million of the proceeds from the Initial Advance to extinguish our existing variable-rate construction loan with Bank OZK and mezzanine loan with Southern Realty Trust Holdings, LLC. The remaining proceeds from the Initial Advance and any proceeds from additional advances may be used to fund expenses that we incur or advance in connection with leasing the remaining non-residential space at Aster & Links, as well as for certain capital expenditures, and, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Aster & Links Loan Agreements, to fund up to an aggregate of $9.0 million in earnouts, and up to an aggregate of $9.0 million in approved debt service and carry expenses.
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The Aster & Links Loans are secured by a first-priority mortgage on Aster & Links by BPOZ 1991 Main in favor of SMF, and a pledge by BP Mezz 1991 Main of all of its rights, title and interest in BPOZ 1991 Main to SMF. In addition, we have entered into a series of guaranty agreements in favor of SMF, whereby the Company, as guarantor, has guaranteed payment and performance of certain of the Aster & Links Borrowers’ obligations under the Aster & Links Loan Agreements. The guaranty agreements also require, among other things, that we maintain certain net worth and liquid asset standards during the term of the Aster & Links Loans.
As of December 31, 2025, we have drawn down approximately $173.9 million under the Aster & Links Loans.
Aster & Links Construction Management Agreement
During the year ended December 31, 2022, our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary entered into a construction management agreement for the development of Aster & Links (the “1991 Main CMA”). The 1991 Main CMA contains terms and conditions that are customary for a project of this type and is subject to a guaranteed maximum price (a “GMP”). The funding for construction associated with the development will be a minimum of $180.2 million, inclusive of the GMP, and are building to an estimated unlevered yield of greater than 6%.
Aster & Links Interest Rate Caps
In connection with the Aster & Links Loans, the Borrowers have entered into interest rate cap agreements (the “Aster & Links Interest Rate Cap”) with an aggregate notional amount of approximately $204.1 million and one-month term SOFR strike rate equal to 6.0% per annum, which Aster & Links Interest Rate Cap has been assigned to SMF pursuant to the terms of the Aster & Links Loans Agreements. The Aster & Links Interest Rate Cap will continue through October 15, 2027, and, pursuant to the terms of the Aster & Links Loan Agreement, must either be extended or the Borrowers must enter into a new interest rate cap agreement that extends through the date of any extensions granted by SMF.
1000 First Avenue North and 900 First Avenue North – St. Petersburg, Florida (“VIV”) – 1000 First Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Florida (“1000 First” or “VIV”) consists of several parcels, totaling approximately 1.6-acres, which we acquired for an aggregate purchase price of $12.1 million, inclusive of transaction costs. As of December 31, 2025, construction was approximately 99.2% complete. Leasing commenced in October 2025, and the first residential move-ins occurred in November 2025. As of March 8, 2026, VIV was greater than 37% leased.
VIV consists of two 11-story residential towers above a four-story parking structure containing 269 apartment homes with a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, and approximately 15,500 square feet of ground-floor retail space. Amenities include a clubroom, fitness center, courtyard with a swimming pool, shared working space, and leasing office. Amenities at Viv will include a clubroom, fitness center, courtyard with a swimming pool, shared working space and a leasing office.
VIV is located in downtown St. Petersburg, one mile west of Tampa Bay and the downtown waterfront district, and one block from Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays. The property offers direct access to downtown amenities, including public parking, restaurants, museums, and cultural attractions.
St. Petersburg placed 46th on Niche’s 2025 Best Cities to Live in America list, earning an Overall Niche Grade of “A.” St. Petersburg is the 5th largest city in Florida and the 89th largest city in the United States and an annual population growth rate of approximately 0.73% as of March 2026. Downtown St. Petersburg is the 5th largest city in Florida and the 85th largest city in the United States and has an average annual population growth rate of approximately 0.82% since 2020. Downtown St. Petersburg is one of the fastest growing neighborhoods in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metropolitan statistical area (“MSA”) and has experienced increased demand in recent years because of proximity to the water, sporting events, shopping, bars and restaurants in the neighborhood. The Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater MSA is home to more than 19 corporate headquarters, seven of which are on the 2025 edition of the Inc. Petersburg-Clearwater MSA is home to more than 20 corporate headquarters, seven of which are Fortune 1000 companies. 1000 (listing the fastest-growing private companies in America). The St. Petersburg area also includes a branch of St. Petersburg College and the University of South Florida St. Petersburg and is home to two professional sports teams, the Tampa Bay Rays (Major League Baseball) and the Tampa Bay Rowdies (United Soccer League Championship).
900 First Avenue North (“900 First”) is a parcel of land containing a two-tenant retail building which we acquired for an aggregate purchase price of $2.5 million, inclusive of transaction costs. 900 First will remain a two-tenant retail building, and we have transferred the additional development rights to VIV. 900 First will remain a two-tenant retail building, and we have taken the additional development rights and added them to 1000 First.
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VIV Construction Management Agreement
In April 2023, our indirect majority-owned subsidiary entered into a construction management agreement in connection with the development of VIV (the “1000 First CMA”). The 1000 First CMA contains terms and conditions that are customary for a project of this type and will be subject to a GMP of $141.5 million.
VIV Construction Loan
On June 28, 2024, our indirect majority-owned subsidiary entered into a variable-rate construction loan agreement (the “1000 First Construction Loan Agreement”) for up to $104.0 million in principal amount (the “1000 First Construction Loan”) with various lenders, which is secured by VIV. Advances under the 1000 First Construction Loan bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the one-month term SOFR plus 3.80%, subject to a minimum all-in per annum rate of 7.55% and may be used to fund the development of VIV. The 1000 First Construction Loan has an initial maturity date of June 28, 2027 and contains two one-year extension options, subject to certain restrictions. The 1991 Main Construction Loan has an initial maturity date of May 12, 2027 and contains a one-year extension option, subject to certain restrictions. As of December 31, 2025, we have drawn down $81.3 million on the 1000 First Construction Loan. As of December 31, 2023, we have drawn down $23.1 million on the 1991 Main Construction Loan. In addition, we have entered into a series of guaranty agreements which require, among other things, that we maintain certain net worth and liquid asset standards during the term of the 1000 First Construction Loan. The 1000 First Construction Loan is prepayable in whole or in part at any time with not less than 45 days’ notice. Full prepayment is subject to an interest rate make-whole amount, if any, calculated as of the prepayment date.
VIV Interest Rate Cap
As required under the terms of the 1000 First Construction Loan Agreement, on June 26, 2025, our indirect majority-owned subsidiary entered into an interest rate cap agreement, effective July 1, 2025 with a notional amount of $104.0 million, a strike price of 6.25%, and which is scheduled to mature on July 1, 2026.
1701, 1702 and 1710 Ringling Boulevard – Sarasota, Florida – 1701 Ringling Boulevard (“1701 Ringling”) and 1710 Ringling Boulevard (“1710 Ringling”) make up a 1.6-acre site, consisting of a six-story office building and a parking lot which we acquired for an aggregate purchase price of $7.0 million, inclusive of transaction costs. We currently anticipate that 1701 Ringling will be renovated into a modern office building, consisting of approximately 80,000 square feet of rentable space, with 1710 Ringling consisting of an approximately 128-space parking lot. Upon acquiring 1701 Ringling, we entered into a new lease agreement with the existing tenant covering approximately 42,000 square feet for an initial term of 20 years, and several lease extension options.
1702 Ringling Boulevard (“1702 Ringling” and, together with 1701 Ringling and 1710 Ringling, “1701-1710 Ringling”) is a 0.327-acre site consisting of a fully-leased, single-story 1,546 gross square foot single-tenant office building and associated parking lot, which we acquired for an aggregate purchase price of $1.5 million, inclusive of transaction costs. We currently anticipate holding 1702 Ringling for future multifamily development.
1701-1710 Ringling is located within the historic downtown Sarasota area along Ringling Boulevard, a major two-way arterial road, with good access to the surrounding Sarasota market, as well as easy access to Interstate 75 and the greater Tampa-St Petersburg area. 1701-1710 Ringling is located in a high foot traffic area close to a number of popular restaurants and retail establishments.
497-501 Middle Turnpike and Cedar Swamp Road – Storrs, Connecticut – 497-501 Middle Turnpike (“497-501 Middle”) is an approximately 60.0-acre site, consisting of approximately 30 acres of former golf course and approximately 30 acres of wetlands, some of which includes walking trails. On June 28, 2022, through an indirect majority-owned subsidiary, we acquired a 70.2% controlling interest (the “CMC Interest”) in CMC Storrs SPV, LLC (“CMC”), the holding company for 497-501 Middle, for an initial capital contribution of $3.8 million. As part of the transaction two unaffiliated joint venture partners (the “CMC JV Partners”) were deemed to have made initial capital contributions to CMC. Following our acquisition of the CMC Interest, we discovered that one of the CMC JV Partners had misappropriated cash from the other’s cash account. Accordingly, the CMC JV Partner forfeited $1.0 million, or 29.8%, of their noncontrolling interest in CMC on March 24, 2023. As a result of the forfeiture, we indirectly own a 100% controlling interest in CMC.
On March 9, 2026, in accordance with the terms set forth in CMC’s Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, we, through CMC, entered into a letter agreement (the “CMC Letter Agreement”) to redeem the remaining non-controlling equity interest held by the sole CMC JV Partner, for an aggregate amount of $1.6 million representing the entities original investment together with all accrued and unpaid preferred returns thereon through the date of the CMC Letter Agreement.
We currently anticipate 497-501 Middle will be developed into an approximately 261-apartment home community and an adjacent single-family home, with amenities that will include a leasing office, clubroom with a chef’s kitchen, fitness center, game room, study/lounge area, meeting rooms, and an outside AstroTurf meadow.
Cedar Swamp Road (“Cedar Swamp Road”) is a 1.1-acre site immediately adjacent to 497-501 Middle, which we acquired for a purchase price of $0.3 million, inclusive of transaction costs. We currently anticipate adding Cedar Swamp Road to the 497-501 Middle development.
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497-501 Middle and Cedar Swamp Road are located less than a mile from the main college campus at the University of Connecticut (“UConn”) in Storrs, Connecticut (“Storrs”), approximately 30 minutes from Hartford, Connecticut, and 90 minutes from Boston, Massachusetts. UConn ranked 32nd among “Top Public Schools” nationally in the 2025 U.S. New & World Report (“U.S. News”) collegiate rankings, and, based on a fact sheet published by UConn, over 20,056 undergraduate students attended college at the Storrs campus in Fall 2024, with more than a third of those students living off campus.
900 8th Avenue South – Nashville, Tennessee – 900 8th Avenue South (“900 8th Avenue South”) is a 3.2-acre land assemblage, which we acquired for an aggregate purchase price of $19.7 million, inclusive of transaction costs.
On June 26, 2024, we, through our indirect majority-owned subsidiary, 900 Eighth LP (“900 Eighth”), entered into a fixed-rate loan for $10.0 million in principal amount with KHRE SMA Funding, LLC, which is secured by 900 8th Avenue South (the “900 8th Land Loan”). The 900 8th Land Loan bears interest at a rate of 9.50% per annum. In 2025, we exercised all six-month extension options on the 900 8th Land Loan, extending the maturity to July 2026.
900 8th Avenue South is located in central Nashville at the north end of the 8th Avenue South District, within walking distance of a number of popular retail, dining and nightlife establishments in downtown Nashville. The parcels have received approval for a mixed-use development including residential, retail and office with a maximum of 300 residential multi-family units and a maximum of seven stories.
900 8th Purchase and Sale Agreement
On September 15, 2025, 900 Eighth entered into an Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Property, as amended by the First Amendment to Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Property, dated January 12, 2026 (collectively the “Amended 900 8th Purchase and Sale Agreement”) with WP South Acquisitions, L.L.C. (“WP South”), for the sale of 900 8th Avenue South, together with all improvements thereon and rights to intangible personal property related thereto, for an aggregate purchase price of $19.3 million, subject to adjustment for any additional number of units that WP South is permitted and intends to construct in excess of the minimum number of units set forth in the 900 8th Purchase and Sale Agreement.
Under the terms and conditions of the Amended 900 8th Purchase and Sale Agreement the entitlements date will fall on April 10, 2026 (the “Entitlements Date”), the inspection date will fall 30 days after the Entitlements Date (the “Inspection Date”) and, subject to the remaining customary terms and conditions set forth in the Amended 900 8th Purchase and Sale Agreement, the anticipated closing of the sale will take place on the earlier of 180 days following the Inspection Date or any other closing date (the “Closing Date”) chosen by WP South upon seven days prior written notice to 900 Eighth, with such Closing Date subject to three discretionary 30-day extensions by WP South. The Amended 900 8th Purchase and Sale Agreement is also subject to certain customary representations, warranties and closing conditions.
WP South has posted a $150,000 earnest money deposit with an escrow agent (the “Earnest Money”), which Earnest Money is, and any deposits for extension by WP South are, non-refundable after the Inspection Date, except as otherwise provided in the Amended 900 8th Purchase and Sale Agreement.
1700 Main Street – Sarasota, Florida – 1700 Main Street (“1700 Main”) is a 1.3-acre site, consisting of a former gas station, a three-story office building with parking lot and a two-story retail building, which we acquired for an aggregate purchase price of $6.9 million, inclusive of transaction costs. We currently anticipate that 1700 Main will be redeveloped into an approximate 187-apartment home community consisting of one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units, with approximately 6,000 square feet of retail space located on the first two levels. We currently anticipate that 1700 Main will be redeveloped into an expected 226-apartment home community consisting of one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units, with approximately 6,400 square feet of retail space located on the first two levels. We anticipate that 1700 Main will consist of a 10-story podium style building with a 3-story, 330-space garage and 7 stories of apartments above, including a clubroom, fitness center and courtyard with a swimming pool, as well as a leasing office.
U.S. News & World Report ranked Sarasota as the 59th best place to live in Florida for 2025-2026, and the 4th best place to retire in the United States. Sarasota is headquarters to a diverse group of large companies, such as Boar’s Head Provisions, CAE Healthcare, Sun Hydraulics and Voalte. Sarasota is headquarters to a diverse group of large companies, such as Boar’s Head Provisions, CAE Healthcare, PGT Innovations, Tervis, Sun Hydraulics and Voalte. The Sarasota area also has a large number of universities including the University of Southern Florida, Florida State University’s College of Medicine campus, Ringling College, State College of Florida, Keiser College and New College of Florida.
1700 Main is located in historic downtown Sarasota along Main Street and is located in a high foot traffic area next to a number of popular restaurants and retail establishments.
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690/1106 Davidson Street – Nashville, Tennessee – 690/1106 Davidson Street (“690/1106 Davidson Street”) is an approximately 8.0-acre site, consisting of two industrial buildings and associated parking, which we acquired for an aggregate purchase price of $21.0 million, inclusive of transaction costs. We currently anticipate that 690/1106 Davidson Street will be redeveloped into mixed-use residential community consisting of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments. The buildings will have a fitness center, game room, co-working spaces, outdoor heated saltwater swimming pool, riverfront courtyards and rooftop terraces as well as a leasing office. In September 2023, the parcels were successfully rezoned to accommodate medium to high density multi-family residential and a mix of other commercial uses including hotel, office, retail and restaurant.
1130 Davidson Street – Nashville, Tennessee – 1130 Davidson Street (“1130 Davidson Street”) is an approximately 1.7-acre site consisting of a single-story, 10,000 square foot retail building and associated parking lot, which we acquired for an aggregate purchase price of $2.1 million, inclusive of transaction costs. In September 2023, the parcel was successfully rezoned to accommodate medium to high density multi-family residential and a mix of other commercial uses including hotel, office, retail and restaurant.
1400 Davidson Street – Nashville, Tennessee – 1400 Davidson Street (“1400 Davidson Street”) is an approximately 5.9-acre site consisting of an industrial building, which we acquired for an aggregate purchase price of $16.4 million, inclusive of transaction costs. We currently anticipate that 1400 Davidson Street will be redeveloped into a mixed-use residential community consisting of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three bedroom apartments. We currently anticipate that 690/1106 Davidson Street will be redeveloped into mixed-use residential community consisting of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments. In September 2023, the parcel was successfully rezoned to accommodate medium to high density multi-family residential and a mix of other commercial uses including hotel, office, retail and restaurant.
Storrs Road – Storrs, Connecticut – Storrs Road (“Storrs Road”) is a 9.0-acre parcel of land near UConn, which we acquired for an aggregate purchase price of $0.1 million, inclusive of transaction costs. We currently intend on holding Storrs Road for future multifamily development. We currently anticipate holding Storrs Road for future multifamily development.
1750 Storrs Road – Storrs, Connecticut – 1750 Storrs Road (“1750 Storrs”) is an approximately 19.0-acre development site near UConn, which we acquired for an aggregate purchase price of $5.5 million, inclusive of transaction costs.
We currently anticipate that 1750 Storrs will be developed into a multifamily mixed-use development, featuring one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments. Amenities are anticipated to include a clubhouse, with state-of-the-art fitness center, chef’s kitchen and more.
901-909 Central Avenue North – St. Petersburg, Florida – 901-909 Central Avenue North (“901-909 Central Avenue”) is a 0.13-acre site consisting of a single-story 5,328 gross square foot retail/office building comprised of 4 units located in St. Petersburg, Florida, which we acquired for an aggregate purchase price of $2.6 million, inclusive of transaction costs.
Joint Venture and Other Co-Ownership Arrangements
Each of our assets has either an affiliate of our Sponsor or Manager, such as Belpointe SP, LLC (“Belpointe SP”), or their respective affiliates (together with Belpointe SP, the “Belpointe SP Group”), or an independent third party, or any combination of the foregoing, as the sponsor or co-sponsor, general partner or co-general partner, manager or co-manager, developer or co-developer of the investment (each an “Investment Partner”), and our role, in general, is as a passive investor.
Entering into joint venture investments aligns our interests with the interests of our Investment Partner for the benefit of the holders of our Class A units by leveraging of our capital resources and our Investment Partner’s extensive industry relationships and significant acquisition, development and management expertise to: (i) achieve potentially greater returns on our invested capital; (ii) diversify our access to investment opportunities; and (iii) promote our brand and potentially increase our market share.
Borrowing Policy
We employ leverage in order to provide more funds available for investment. Leverage allows us to make more investments than would otherwise be possible, resulting in a broader portfolio. Leverage will allow us to make more investments than would otherwise be possible, resulting in a broader portfolio. We believe that careful use of conservatively structured leverage helps us to achieve our diversification goals and potentially enhance the returns on our investments. We believe that careful use of conservatively structured leverage will help us to achieve our diversification goals and potentially enhance the returns on our investments. We also believe that our Sponsor’s ability to obtain both competitive financing and its relationships with top-tier financial institutions will allow our Manager to access and successfully employ competitively priced borrowing. We also believe that our Sponsor’s ability to obtain both competitive financing and its relationships with top tier financial institutions will allow our Manager to access and successfully employ competitively priced borrowing.
Our targeted aggregate property-level leverage, excluding any debt at the Company level or on assets under development or redevelopment, after we have acquired a substantial portfolio of stabilized commercial real estate, is between 50-70% of the greater of the cost (before deducting depreciation or other non-cash reserves) or the fair market value of our assets. During the period when we are acquiring, developing and redeveloping our investments, we may employ greater leverage on individual assets. An example of property-level leverage is a mortgage loan secured by an individual property or portfolio of properties incurred or assumed in connection with our acquisition of such property or portfolio of properties. An example of debt at the Company level is a line of credit obtained by us or our Operating Companies.
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Our Manager may from time to time modify our leverage policy in its discretion in light of then-current economic conditions, relative costs of debt and equity capital, market values of our assets, general conditions in the market for debt and equity securities, growth and acquisition opportunities or other factors. For an overview of our borrowings, see Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
Disposition Policies
The period that we will hold our investments will vary depending on a number of factors, including the type of investment, interest rates and economic and market conditions. Our Manager’s investment committee will develop a well-defined exit strategy for each investment we make and will periodically perform a hold-sell analysis to determine the optimal holding period for generating strong returns. As each of our investments reach what we believe to be its maximum value we will consider disposing of the investment and may do so for the purpose of either distributing the net sale proceeds to holders of our Class A units or investing the proceeds in other investments that we believe may produce a higher overall future return. However, we may sell any or all of our investments before or after their anticipated holding period if, in the judgment of our Manager’s investment committee, selling the investment is in our best interest.
The determination of when a particular investment should be sold or otherwise disposed of will be made after consideration of all relevant factors, including prevailing and projected economic and market conditions, whether the value of the investment is anticipated to change substantially, whether we could apply the proceeds from the sale to make other investments consistent with our investment objectives and strategy, whether disposition of the investment would allow us to increase cash flow, and whether the sale of the investment would impact our intended qualification as a publicly traded partnership and QOF.
Taxation of the Company
We have been treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes since our tax year ended December 31, 2020. We currently intend to manage our affairs so that we continue to meet the requirements for classification as a partnership. If our Manager determines that it is no longer in our best interests to continue as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our Manager may elect to treat us as an association or as a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal (and applicable state) income tax purposes. If we elect to be taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal (and applicable state) income tax purposes, we may also elect to qualify and be taxed as a REIT.
Generally, an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not a taxable entity and incurs no U.S. federal income tax liability. Rather, each partner is required to take into account its allocable share of items of income, gain, loss and deduction of the partnership in determining its U.S. federal income tax liability, regardless of whether cash distributions are made. Distributions of cash by a partnership to a partner are not taxable unless the amount of cash distributed to a partner is in excess of the partner’s adjusted basis in its partnership interest.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless an exception applies, an entity that would otherwise be classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes may nevertheless be taxable as a corporation if it is a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of Section 7704 the Code. An entity that would otherwise be classified as a partnership is a publicly traded partnership within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code if its interests are (i) traded on an established securities market, or (ii) readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof. Our Class A units are listed on the NYSE American under the symbol “OZ.” There is, however, an exception to taxation as a corporation which is available if at least 90% of a partnership’s gross income for every taxable year consists of “qualifying income” and the partnership is not required to register under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Qualifying Income Exception”). Qualifying income includes certain interest income (other than from a financial business), dividends, real property rents, gains from the sale or other disposition of real property and any gain from the sale or disposition of a capital asset or other property held for the production of income that otherwise constitutes qualifying income. We intend to continue to manage our affairs so that we meet the Qualifying Income Exception in each taxable year and so that neither we nor any of our subsidiaries are required to register under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. We intend to manage our affairs so that we will meet the Qualifying Income Exception in each taxable year and so that neither we nor any of our subsidiaries are required to register under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Government Regulation
Our operations are subject, in certain instances, to supervision and regulation by federal, state and local governmental authorities, and may be subject to various laws, regulations and judicial and administrative decisions imposing various requirements and restrictions, including, among others, (i) federal and state securities laws and regulations, (ii) federal, state and local tax laws and regulations, (iii) state and local laws relating to real property, (iv) federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations, and (v) various laws relating to housing, including rent control and stabilization laws, the Fair Housing Amendment Act of 1988 and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, among others.
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Compliance with the federal, state and local laws is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, assets or results of operations, and we do not expect to incur material expenditures to comply with the laws and regulations to which we are subject.
Competition
We face competition from various entities for investment opportunities, including other QOFs, REITs, Delaware statutory trusts, pension funds, insurance companies, private equity and other alternative investment funds and companies, partnerships and developers. In addition to third-party competitors, we may compete for investment opportunities with other programs sponsored by our Sponsor and its affiliates, especially those with investment strategies similar to our own.
Most of our current and potential competitors have significantly more financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we do. Larger competitors may also enjoy significant advantages that result from, among other things, a lower cost of capital and enhanced operating efficiencies. In addition, the number of entities and the amount of funds competing for investment opportunities may increase over time. Any such increase would result in a greater demand for investment opportunities and could result in our acquiring assets and investments at higher prices or using less than ideal capital structures.
In the face of such competition, we expect to greatly benefit from our Manager’s access to our Sponsor’s investment and operating platforms, including without limitation, our Sponsor’s highly experienced management team with significant real estate and asset management expertise, extensive market knowledge and network of industry relationships, which we believe provides us with our own competitive advantage and helps us source, evaluate and compete for investment opportunities.
Human Capital
We are externally managed and currently have no employees or intention of having any employees. We rely on our Manager to manage our day-to-day operations, implement our investment objectives and investment strategy and perform certain services for us pursuant to the Management Agreement. These services are provided by individuals who are employees of our Sponsor or one or more of its affiliates. Our executive officers also serve as officers of our Sponsor and certain of its affiliates.
We, our Operating Companies, our Manager, our Sponsor and certain of our Sponsor’s subsidiaries, associates and affiliates (collectively, the “Sponsor Group”) are party to an Amended and Restated Services and Cost Sharing Agreement (the “Services and Cost Sharing Agreement”) pursuant to which the Sponsor Group provides our Manager with access to portfolio management, asset valuation, risk management and asset management services, as well as administration services addressing legal, compliance, investor relations and information technologies necessary for the performance by our Manager of its duties under the Management Agreement. Pursuant to the Management Agreement, our Manager or one or more of its affiliates is entitled to receive expense reimbursements and a quarterly management fee. Pursuant to the Services and Cost Sharing Agreement, the Sponsor Group is entitled to receive expense reimbursements and our Manager’s allocable share of employment costs incurred by the Sponsor Group. Pursuant to the Employee and Cost Sharing Agreement, our Sponsor or one or more of its affiliates is entitled to receive expense reimbursements and our Manager’s allocable share of employment costs incurred by the Sponsor.
Available Information
Holders of our Class A units may obtain copies of our filings with the SEC, free of charge, from the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov, or from our website, www.belpointeoz.com.
The contents of our website are solely for informational purposes and the information on our website is not part of or incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K.
From time to time we may use our website as a distribution channel for material company information, accordingly investors should monitor our website in addition to following our press releases and SEC filings.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
You should carefully consider the following material risks in addition to the other information contained in this Form 10-K. The occurrence of any of the following risks might have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. The risks and uncertainties discussed below are not the only ones we face but do represent those risks and uncertainties that we believe are most significant to our business, operating results, prospects, and financial condition. Some statements in this Form 10-K, including statements in the following risk factors, constitute forward-looking statements. Please refer to the section entitled “Forward-Looking Statements.” As used herein, the term “you” refers to our current unitholders or potential investors in our Class A units, as applicable.
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Risks Related to our Organizational Structure
We have a limited operating history, and the prior performance of our Sponsor or other real estate investment opportunities sponsored by our Sponsor may not predict our future results.
We have a limited operating history, and we may not be able to achieve our investment objectives. As of the year ended December 31, 2025, we had 17 qualified opportunity zone investments in three states and are primarily reliant on the proceeds derived from our public offerings and any financing that might be provided by our Sponsor or its affiliates to fund our operations. We cannot assure you that the past experiences of our Sponsor or its affiliates will be sufficient to allow us to successfully achieve our investment objectives.
In addition, there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully identify, make and realize any additional investments or generate returns for our investors. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that our investors will receive any distributions. These factors increase the risk that your investment may not generate returns comparable to other real estate investment alternatives.
We have only held our investments for a limited period of time, and you will not have the opportunity to evaluate our future investments before we make them, which makes your investment more speculative.
We have only held our investments for a limited period of time and are not able to provide you with any information to assist you in evaluating the merits of any specific properties or real estate-related investments that we may acquire, except for investments that may be described in one or more filings that we make with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). We will continue to seek to invest substantially all of the net offering proceeds from our Public Offerings, and any other offerings that we may conduct, after the payment of fees and expenses, in the acquisition of or investment in real estate and real estate-related assets, including commercial real estate loans and mortgages, and debt and equity securities issued by other real estate companies, as well as select private equity investments, and opportunistic acquisitions of other qualified opportunity funds and qualified opportunity zone businesses. However, because you will be unable to evaluate the economic merit of our investments before we make them, you will have to rely entirely on the ability of our Manager to select suitable and successful investment opportunities. There can be no assurance that our Manager will be successful in obtaining suitable investments or that, if such investments are made, our investment objectives will be achieved. Furthermore, our Manager has broad discretion in selecting investments, and you will not have the opportunity to evaluate potential investments. These factors increase the risk that your investment may not generate returns comparable to other investment alternatives.
Our Class A units are listed on the NYSE American, however, an active, liquid and orderly market for our Class A units may not be sustained.
Our Class A units are listed on the NYSE American under the symbol “OZ,” however, an active, liquid and orderly market for our Class A units may not be sustained. Further, because we are a qualified opportunity fund eligible investors may defer recognition of capital gains (short-term or long-term) resulting from the sale or exchange of capital assets (or business assets the gain on sale of which is treated as a capital gain) with an unrelated person by reinvesting those gains into our Class A units within a period of 180 days generally beginning on the date of the sale or exchange (the “Deferred Capital Gains”). Further, because we are a qualified opportunity fund eligible investors may defer recognition of capital gains (short-term or long-term) resulting from the sale or exchange of capital assets (or business assets the gain on sale of which is treated as a capital gain) by reinvesting those gains into our Class A units within a period of 180 days generally beginning on the date of the sale or exchange (the “Deferred Capital Gains”). The 180-day period generally begins on the day on which the gains would be recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes had they not been reinvested into a QOF. Under OZ 1.0 Deferred Capital Gains are recognized on the earlier of (i) December 31, 2026, or (ii) the date on which an inclusion event occurs. Under OZ 2.0 Deferred Capital Gains are recognized on the earlier of the date (i) which is five years after their reinvestment into a QOF, or (ii) on which an inclusion event occurs. Under OZ 1.0 an eligible investor may elect to increase the tax basis with respect to its QOF investment interest to the fair market value of the investment interest on the date on which it is sold or exchanged, and similarly may elect to exclude from income gains from sales of non-inventory assets by the QOF, if the investor holds the QOF investment interest for a period of ten years or more prior to the date of sale or exchange, up to December 31, 2047. Provided these requirements are met, for U.S. federal income tax purposes an eligible investor will not be required to pay federal income tax on a sale of its QOF investment interest. This benefit will not be available with respect to sales or exchanges after December 31, 2047. Consequently, fewer Class A units may be actively traded in the public markets which would reduce the liquidity of the market for our Class A units. If an active market for our Class A units is not sustained, you may be unable to sell your Class A units at the time you desire to sell them, at a price at or above the price you paid for them, or without experiencing volatility in the price of our Class A units. An inactive market may also impair our ability to raise capital by selling Class A units and may impair our ability to make opportunistic acquisitions of other qualified opportunity funds and qualified opportunity zone businesses using our Class A units as consideration.
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If we are unable to raise sufficient proceeds in our ongoing Follow-on Offering, and any other offerings that we may conduct, we may not be able to fund all of our existing projects or find additional suitable investments, and, as a result, we may not be able to achieve our investment objectives or pay distributions.
Our ability to achieve our investment objectives and to pay distributions depends, in part, on our ability to fund our existing projects and on the ability of our Manager to find additional suitable and successful investment opportunities for us. If we fail to raise sufficient proceeds from the sale of Class A units in our Follow-on Offering, and any other offerings that we may conduct, we may be unable to fund all of our existing projects or to make additional suitable investments. If we fail to raise sufficient proceeds from the sale of Class A units in our Primary Offering, and any other offerings that we may conduct, we may be unable to fund all of our existing projects or to make additional suitable investments. At the same time, the more money we raise in our Follow-on Offering, and any other offerings that we may conduct, the greater our challenge will be to invest all of the net offering proceeds in investments that meet our investment criteria. At the same time, the more money we raise in our Primary Offering, and any other offerings that we may conduct, the greater our challenge will be to invest all of the net offering proceeds in investments that meet our investment criteria. Our investments consist of and are expected to continue to consist of properties located in qualified opportunity zones for the development or redevelopment of multifamily, student housing, senior living, healthcare, industrial, self-storage, hospitality, office, mixed-use, data centers and solar projects (collectively, “the qualified opportunity zone investments”) located throughout the United States and its territories. We also anticipate identifying, acquiring, developing or redeveloping and managing a wide range of commercial real estate properties located throughout the United States and its territories, including, but not limited to, real estate-related assets, such as commercial real estate loans and mortgages, and debt and equity securities issued by other real estate-related companies, as well as making private equity acquisitions and investments, and opportunistic acquisitions of other qualified opportunity funds and qualified opportunity zone businesses, with the goal of increasing distributions and capital appreciation. We cannot assure you that our Manager will be successful in locating and obtaining additional suitable qualified opportunity zone investments or that, if our Manager makes additional qualified opportunity zone investments on our behalf, our objectives will be achieved. What’s more, increased competition from other opportunity zone funds as well as any prospective legislative or regulatory changes related to qualified opportunity zone investments, may make it more difficult for our Manager to make suitable qualified opportunity zone investments. If we, through our Manager, are unable to find suitable investments promptly, we may invest in short-term, investment-grade obligations or accounts in a manner that is consistent with our qualification as a publicly traded partnership and qualified opportunity fund. If we would continue to be unsuccessful in locating suitable investments, we may ultimately decide to liquidate. In the event we are unable to timely locate suitable investments, we may be unable or limited in our ability to pay distributions and we may not be able to meet our investment objectives.
Our ability to deploy the capital we raise in our Public Offerings may be constrained.
We may have difficulty identifying and purchasing suitable properties on attractive terms. In addition, increased competition from other opportunity zone funds, a lack of suitable qualified opportunity zone investment opportunities or other market-related constraints, may also make it more difficult for our Manager to deploy the capital we raise in our Public Offerings. Therefore, there could be a delay between the time we receive net proceeds from the sale of our Class A units in our Public Offerings and the time we invest the net proceeds. This could cause a substantial delay in the time it takes for your investment to realize its full potential return and could adversely affect our ability to pay regular distributions of cash flow from operations to you. If we fail to timely invest the net proceeds of our Public Offerings, our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.
Our NAV per Class A unit may change materially from our current NAV.
Each quarter, we calculate our net asset value (“NAV”) and NAV per Class A unit as of the last day of the quarter (the “Determination Date”). Our NAV per Class A unit is equal to our NAV as of the Determination Date, divided by the number of Class A units outstanding on the Determination Date. We disclose our determination of NAV and NAV per Class A unit within approximately 60 days of the Determination Date. Any adjustments to our NAV and the per Class A unit purchase price take effect as of the first business day following its public announcement.
Valuations and appraisals of our real estate and real estate assets are estimates of fair value and may not necessarily correspond to realizable value, in addition it may be difficult to reflect, fully and accurately, material events that impact our NAV.
Our NAV is calculated using a process that may reflect some or all of the following components: (i) estimated values of each of our assets and investments, including related liabilities (but may, in our discretion, exclude deal-level carried interest allocations), based on: (a) market capitalization rates, comparable transaction information, interest rates, adjusted net operating income; (b) with respect to debt, default rates, discount rates and loss severity rates; (c) for commercial real estate properties that have development or value add plans, progress along such development or value add plans; and (d) in certain instances, reports of the underlying assets and investments by an independent valuation expert; (ii) the price of liquid assets for which third party market quotes are available; (iii) accruals of our periodic distributions; and (iv) estimated accruals of our operating revenues and expenses (excluding property management oversight fees).
We may engage a third party to prepare or assist with preparing the NAV of our Class A units. In addition, where we determine that an independent appraisal is necessary, including, without limitation, where our Manager is unsure of its ability to accurately determine the estimated values of our assets and investments, or where third party market values for comparable assets and investments are either nonexistent or extremely inconsistent, we will engage an appraiser that has expertise in appraising the types of assets and investments that we hold to act as our independent valuation expert. The independent valuation expert is not be responsible for, and will not prepare or assist with preparing our NAV per Class A unit. The independent valuation expert will not be responsible for, prepare or assist with preparing our NAV per Class A unit.
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As with any asset valuation protocol, the conclusions reached by our Manager or any third-party firm that we engage to prepare or assist with preparing the NAV of our Class A units involves significant judgments, assumptions, and opinions in the application of both observable and unobservable attributes that may or may not prove to be correct. The use of different judgments or assumptions would likely result in different estimates of the value of our assets and investments and, consequently, our NAV. Moreover, although we calculate and provide our NAV on a quarterly basis, our NAV may fluctuate daily, accordingly the NAV in effect for any given fiscal quarter may not accurately reflect the amount that might otherwise be paid for your Class A units in a market transaction. Moreover, although we will calculate and provide our NAV on a quarterly basis, our NAV may fluctuate daily, accordingly the NAV in effect for any given fiscal quarter may not accurately reflect the amount that might otherwise be paid for your Class A units in a market transaction. Further, for any given fiscal quarter, our published NAV may not fully reflect certain material events to the extent that they are unknown or their financial impact on our assets or investments is not immediately quantifiable.
Our goal is to provide a reasonable estimate of the market value of our Class A units within approximately 60 days of the last day of each quarter.
NAV calculations are not set by governmental or independent securities, financial or accounting rules or standards.
It is important to note that the determination of our NAV is not based on, nor is it intended to comply with, fair value standards under U.S. GAAP, and our NAV may not be indicative of the price that we would receive for our assets at current market conditions. In addition, we do not represent, warrant or guarantee that: (i) you will be able to realize the NAV per Class A unit for your Class A units if you attempt to sell them; (ii) you will ultimately realize distributions per Class A unit equal to the NAV per Class A units you own upon liquidation of our assets and investments and settlement of our liabilities or a sale of our company; (iii) our Class A units will trade at their NAV per Class A unit on the NYSE; or (iv) a third party would offer the NAV per Class A unit in an arm’s-length transaction to purchase all or substantially all of our Class A units. Furthermore, any distributions that we make will directly impact our NAV, by reducing the amount of our assets.
Our Sponsor does not hold a significant amount of our equity, and therefore may not be as strongly incentivized to avoid losses as a sponsor who holds a significant equity investment, and as a result you may be more likely to sustain a loss on your investment.
Our Sponsor, Belpointe, LLC, and an affiliate of our Sponsor have acquired 100 of our Class A units in connection with our formation for net proceeds to us of $10,000. Accordingly, our Sponsor will have very little exposure to a loss in the value of our Class A units. Without this exposure, you may be at a greater risk of loss because our Sponsor does not have as much to lose from a decrease in the value of our Class A units as a sponsor who makes a more significant equity investment would.
Our Sponsor currently sponsors and will in the future sponsor other investment programs some of which may compete with us.
Our Sponsor has previously sponsored two real estate funds and a qualified opportunity fund with investment criteria similar to ours. Our Sponsor and its affiliates will in the future sponsor other investment programs, some of which may compete with us or have similar investment criteria to our own, and there are no limits or restrictions on the right of our Sponsor, or any of its affiliates, including our Manager, to engage in any other business or sponsor any other investment programs of any kind.
Our Manager and its affiliates have little or no experience managing a portfolio of assets in the manner necessary to maintain our qualification as a publicly traded partnership and qualified opportunity fund or our exclusion or exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act.
In order to maintain our intended qualification as a publicly traded partnership and qualified opportunity fund and our exclusion or exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), our assets and investments may be subject to certain restrictions that could limit our operations meaningfully. The publicly traded partnership rules and regulations, Opportunity Zone Regulations (as hereinafter defined) and exclusions and exemptions from registration under the Investment Company Act are highly technical and complex, and our failure to comply with the requirements and limitations imposed by these rules and regulations could prevent us from qualifying as a publicly traded partnership or qualified opportunity fund or could force us to pay unexpected taxes and penalties. Our Manager and its affiliates have little or no experience managing assets and investments in the manner necessary to maintain our intended qualification as a publicly traded partnership and qualified opportunity fund or our exclusion or exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act. This inexperience may hinder our ability to achieve our objectives, result in our failing to achieve or losing of our qualification as a publicly traded partnership or qualified opportunity fund or our exclusion or exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act. As a result, we cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully operate as a publicly traded partnership and qualified opportunity fund, comply with regulatory requirements applicable to publicly traded partnerships and qualified opportunity funds, maintain our exclusion or an exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act, or execute our business strategies.
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Any adverse changes in our Sponsor’s financial health, or our Sponsor’s or our relationship with our Manager or its affiliates could hinder our operating performance.
We, our Operating Companies, and our Manager have entered into a Management Agreement pursuant to which our Manager manages our day-to-day operations, implements our investment objectives and strategy and performs certain services for us, subject to oversight by our Board.
We, our Operating Companies, our Manager our Sponsor and certain of our Sponsor’s subsidiaries, associates and affiliates (collectively, the “Sponsor Group”) have also entered into an Amended and Restated Services and Cost Sharing Agreement pursuant to which our Manager is provided with access to, among other things, the Sponsor Group and its affiliates’ portfolio management, asset valuation, risk management and asset management professionals and services as well as administration professionals and services addressing legal, compliance, investor relations and information technologies necessary for the performance by our Manager of its duties under the Management Agreement.
This team of investment, asset management and other professionals, acting through our Manager, makes all decisions regarding the origination, selection, evaluation, structuring, acquisition, financing and development of our commercial real estate properties, real estate-related assets, including commercial real estate loans and mortgages, and debt and equity securities issued by other real estate-related companies, as well as private equity acquisitions and investments, and opportunistic acquisitions of other qualified opportunity funds and qualified opportunity zone businesses, subject to the limitations in our Operating Agreement. Our Manager also provides portfolio management, marketing, investor relations, financial, accounting, and other administrative services on our behalf with the goal of maximizing our operating cash flow and preserving our invested capital. As such, our ability to achieve our investment objectives and to pay distributions to the holders of our Class A units is dependent in part on the Sponsor Groups’ financial condition and the Sponsor Groups’ and our relationship with our Manager. Any adverse changes in the Sponsor Groups’ financial condition or the Sponsor Groups’ or our relationship with our Manager could hinder our ability to successfully manage our operations and our portfolio of assets and investments. Any adverse changes in our Sponsor’s financial condition or our Sponsor’s or our relationship with our Manager could hinder our ability to successfully manage our operations and our portfolio of assets and investments. In addition, our Manager and the Sponsor Group only have limited assets and our recourse against our Manager or the Sponsor Group if our Manager does not fulfill its obligations under the Management Agreement, is limited to termination of the Management Agreement. In addition, our Manager and our Sponsor only have limited assets and our recourse against our Manager or our Sponsor if our Manager does not fulfill its obligations under the Management Agreement will be limited to our termination of the Management Agreement.
If the Sponsor Group fails to retain its key personnel, we may not be able to achieve our anticipated level of growth and our business could suffer.
Our future depends, in part, on the Sponsor Groups’ ability to attract and retain key personnel. Our future also depends on the continued contributions of the executive officers and other key personnel of the Sponsor Group acting through our Manager, each of whom would be difficult to replace. In particular, each of Brandon Lacoff and Martin Lacoff is critical to the management of our business and operations and the development of our strategic direction. The loss of the services of Brandon Lacoff, Martin Lacoff or other executive officers or key personnel of the Sponsor Group and the process to replace any of the Sponsor Groups’ key personnel would involve substantial time and expense and may significantly delay or prevent the achievement of our business objectives. The loss of the services of Brandon Lacoff, Martin Lacoff or other executive officers or key personnel of our Sponsor and the process to replace any of our Sponsor’s key personnel would involve substantial time and expense and may significantly delay or prevent the achievement of our business objectives.
The Management Agreement with our Manager was not negotiated with an unaffiliated third party on an arm’s length basis and may not be as favorable to us as if it had been negotiated with an unaffiliated third party.
Our Management Agreement with our Manager was negotiated between related parties and its terms, including fees payable, may not be as favorable to us as if it had been negotiated with an unaffiliated third party. Our Manager’s entitlement to a management fee, which is not based upon performance metrics or goals, might reduce its incentive to devote its time and effort to seeking investments that provide attractive risk-adjusted returns for our portfolio. This in turn could hurt both our ability to pay distributions to holders of our Class A units and the market price of our Class A units.
We do not have an exclusive management arrangement with our Manager.
We do not have an exclusive management arrangement with our Manager. Accordingly, our Manager and its affiliates, including members of the Sponsor Group, can and will engage in other activities, including, without limitation, managing other investment programs sponsored or organized by the Sponsor Group and its affiliates. Accordingly, our Manager and its affiliates, including our Sponsor, can and will engage in other activities, including, without limitation, managing other investment programs sponsored or organized by our Sponsor and its affiliates. Further, nothing in our Management Agreement limits or restricts the right of any manager, director, officer, employee or equity holder of our Manager, or any of its affiliates, including members of the Sponsor Group, to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any other person or entity.
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Terminating the Management Agreement for unsatisfactory performance by our Manager or electing not to renew the Management Agreement may be difficult, and, even if we elect not to renew or terminate the Management Agreement, our Manager will continue to hold our Class B units.
Terminating the Management Agreement for unsatisfactory performance by our Manager is difficult and potentially costly. The initial term of our Management Agreement continued through December 31, 2025 and, following an evaluation of the Manager’s performance by the Board, was thereafter renewed for a subsequent three-year term. We may only terminate the Management Agreement (i) for “cause,” (ii) upon the bankruptcy of our Manager, or (iii) upon a material breach of the Management Agreement by our Manager. “Cause” is defined in the Management Agreement to mean fraud or willful malfeasance, gross negligence, the commission of a felony or a material violation of applicable law, in each case that has or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on us. Following the initial term, the Management Agreement will automatically renew for an unlimited number of three-year terms unless we elect not to renew or terminate it by providing our Manager with 180 days’ prior notice. We will review and evaluate our Manager’s performance under the Management Agreement at least 180 days prior to each renewal term.
Upon any termination or non-renewal of the Management Agreement by us or any termination of the Management Agreement by our Manager for our breach of the Management Agreement, our Manager will be entitled to receive its prorated management fee through the expiration or termination date and will be paid a termination fee equal to six times the annual management fee earned by our Manager during the 12-month period ended as of the last day of the quarter immediately preceding the termination date (the “Termination Fee”); however, if less than 12 months have elapsed as of the termination date, the Termination Fee will be calculated by annualizing the management fee earned during the most recently completed quarter prior to the termination date.
In addition, upon any termination or non-renewal of the Management Agreement, our Manager will continue to hold 100% of our Class B units, which entitle our Manager to 5% of any gain recognized by or distributed to the Company or recognized by or distributed from the Operating Companies or any subsidiary. As a result, any time we recognize operating gain (excluding depreciation) or receive a distribution, whether from continuing operations, net sale proceeds, refinancing transactions or otherwise, our Manager is entitled to receive 5% of the aggregate amount of such gain or distribution, regardless of whether the holders of our Class A units have received a return of their capital. The allocation and distribution rights that our Manager is entitled to with respect to its Class B units may not be amended, altered or repealed, and the number of authorized Class B units may not be increased or decreased, without the consent of our Manager. Accordingly, for so long as our Manager continues to hold our Class B units, it will be entitled to receive 5% of the aggregate amount of any operating gain (excluding depreciation) that we recognize or distribution that we receive.
If we pay distributions from sources other than our cash flow from operations, we will have less funds available for investments and your overall return may be reduced. Likewise, funding distributions from the sale of additional securities will dilute your interest in us on a percentage basis and may impact the value of our Class A units.
While our goal is to pay distributions from cash flow from operations, we may, at the discretion of our Manager, subject to Board oversight, use other sources to fund distributions, including, without limitation, the sale of assets, borrowings in anticipation of future operating cash flow, net proceeds of our Public Offerings, and any other offerings that we may conduct, cash advances by our Manager, cash resulting from a waiver of fees or reimbursements due to our Manager or the issuance of additional securities. We will only fund distributions by a return of capital following the sale of assets, unless otherwise determined by our Manager in its discretion. Funding distributions from the sales of assets, borrowings, return of capital or proceeds of this offering will result in us having less funds available to make investments. As a result, the return you realize on your investment may be reduced. Doing so may also negatively impact our ability to generate cash flows. Likewise, funding distributions from the sale of additional securities will dilute your interest in us on a percentage basis and may impact the value of our Class A units. We can provide no assurances that future cash flow will support payment of distributions or maintaining distributions at any level, if at all.
Your interest in us will be diluted if we issue additional units.
Under our Operating Agreement, we have authority to issue an unlimited number of additional units and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to such units. In particular, our Board is authorized to provide for the issuance of an unlimited amount of one or more classes or series of units and to fix the number of units, the relative powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions applicable to each class or series thereof by resolution authorizing the issuance of such class or series, without member approval. We may elect to issue and sell additional units in future private or public offerings or issue units to our Manager or its affiliates, including members of the Sponsor Group, in payment of outstanding fees and expenses. We also intend to seek opportunistic acquisitions of other qualified opportunity funds and qualified opportunity zone businesses using our equity as transaction consideration. Holders of our Class A units will not have preemptive rights to any units we issue in the future. To the extent we issue additional equity interests your percentage ownership interest in us would be diluted.
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Our investment guidelines delegate broad discretion to our Manager and our Board does not approve each investment and financing decision made by our Manager.
Our investment guidelines delegate to our Manager discretion and authority to execute acquisitions and dispositions of investments (including the reinvestment of capital basis and gains) in commercial real estate properties, real estate-related assets, including commercial real estate loans and mortgages, and debt and equity securities issued by other real estate-related companies, as well as private equity acquisitions and investments, and opportunistic acquisitions of other qualified opportunity funds and qualified opportunity zone businesses, provided such investments are consistent with our investment objectives and strategy and our investment guidelines. Our Manager’s investment committee will periodically review our portfolio of assets and investments, our investment objectives and strategy and our investment guidelines to determine whether they remain in the best interests of our members and may recommend changes to our Board as it deems appropriate. Our Board does not, and is not required to, review all of our proposed investments. Our Board will not, and will not be required to, review all of our proposed investments. Our Manager may use complex strategies or enter into costly transactions that are difficult or impossible to unwind by the time they are reviewed by our Board, which could result in investment returns that are below expectations or that result in losses, and which would materially and adversely affect our business operations and results.
We may change our investment strategy and guidelines without member consent.
Our investment guidelines delegate to our Manager discretion and authority to execute acquisitions and dispositions of investments (including the reinvestment of capital basis and gains) in commercial real estate properties, real estate-related assets, including commercial real estate loans and mortgages, and debt and equity securities issued by other real estate-related companies, as well as private equity acquisitions and investments, and opportunistic acquisitions of other qualified opportunity funds and qualified opportunity zone businesses, provided such investments are consistent with our investment objectives and strategy and our investment guidelines. Our Manager’s investment committee will also periodically review our portfolio of commercial real estate assets, our investment objectives and strategy and our investment guidelines to determine whether they remain in the best interests of our members and may recommend changes to our Board as it deems appropriate. We may, at any time and without member approval, change our investment strategy and guidelines or cease to be a qualified opportunity fund and acquire assets that do not qualify as qualified opportunity zone investments, which could result in our voluntary or involuntary decertification as a qualified opportunity fund, further resulting in an inclusion event and the recognition of any tax deferred on account of your investment.
Our Operating Agreement contains provisions that substantially limit remedies available to holders of our units for actions that might otherwise result in liability for our officers, directors, or Manager.
While our Operating Agreement provides that our officers and directors have fiduciary duties equivalent to those applicable to officers and directors of a Delaware corporation under the Delaware General Corporation Law, our Operating Agreement also provides that our officers and directors are liable to us or holders of our units for an act or omission only if such act or omission constitutes a breach of the duties owed to us or the holders of our units, as applicable, by any such officer or director and such breach is the result of (i) willful malfeasance, gross negligence, the commission of a felony or a material violation of law, in each case that has or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on us or (ii) fraud. Furthermore, our Operating Agreement provides that our Sponsor will not have any liability to us or any holder of our units for any act or omission and is indemnified in connection therewith.
Under our Operating Agreement, we, our Board and our Manager are each entitled to take actions or make decisions in our “sole discretion” or “discretion” or that we each deem “necessary or appropriate” or “necessary or advisable.” In those circumstances, we, our Board and our Manager are entitled to consider only such interests and factors as we each desire, including our own interests, and we have no duty or obligation (fiduciary or otherwise) to give any consideration to any interest of or factors affecting any others of us or any holder of the Company’s units, and neither we, our Board nor our Manager will be subject to any different standards imposed by our Operating Agreement, the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act or under any other law, rule or regulation or in equity, except that we each must act in good faith at all times. These modifications of fiduciary duties are expressly permitted by Delaware law. These modifications restrict the remedies available to the holders of our units for actions that, without such modifications, may constitute breaches of duty (including fiduciary duty).
Certain claims that may be brought against the Company or our Sponsor, Manager, directors, officers, or other agents must be resolved by final and binding arbitration, which follows a different set of procedures and may be more restrictive than litigation.
Our Operating Agreement provides that all claims, controversies, or disputes brought by or on behalf of one or more of our members, record holders or beneficial owners of our units against the Company or our Sponsor, Manager or any of our directors, officers or other agents must be resolved by final and binding arbitration. As a result, we and our members, record holders and beneficial owners of our units will not be able to pursue litigation in federal or state court against the Company or our Sponsor, Manager or any of our directors, officers, or other agents, and instead will be required to pursue such claims through a final and binding arbitration proceeding.
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Our Operating Agreement provides that such arbitration proceedings would generally be conducted in accordance with the rules and policies of the American Arbitration Association. These rules and policies may provide significantly more limited rights than litigation in a federal or state court. In addition, our Operating Agreement provides that all arbitration proceedings will be closed to the public and confidential, that discovery will be limited to matters directly relevant to issues in the proceeding, and that the parties waive the right to a jury. Our Operating Agreement also generally provides that each party to an arbitration proceeding is required to bear its own expenses, including attorneys’ fees, that the arbitrator may not render an award that includes shifting of costs or expenses or, in a derivative case, award any portion of the Company’s award to any other party or other party’s attorneys and that all arbitrations must take place on an individual basis. The mandatory arbitration provisions of our Operating Agreement may discourage our members, record holders or beneficial owners of our units from bringing, and attorneys from agreeing to represent such parties in, claims against the Company or our Sponsor, Manager or any of our directors, officers, or other agents. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in our units shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to our mandatory arbitration provisions.
The mandatory arbitration provisions of our Operating Agreement do not relieve us of our duties to comply with, and our members, record holders and beneficial owners of our units cannot waive our compliance with, the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. We believe that the mandatory arbitration provisions in our Operating Agreement are enforceable under both federal and state law, including with respect to federal securities law claims, however, there is uncertainty as to their enforceability and it is possible that they may ultimately be determined to be unenforceable.
Our Operating Agreement designates the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York or, if that court does not have jurisdiction, the state courts of New York located in the borough of Manhattan, City of New York, as the sole and exclusive forum for certain claims precluded from resolution pursuant to the mandatory arbitration provision of our Operating Agreement.
Our Operating Agreement provides that all claims, controversies or disputes brought by or on behalf of one or more of our members, record holders or beneficial owners of our units against the Company or our Sponsor, Manager or any of our directors, officers or other agents that are precluded from resolution by mandatory arbitration, must be brought before the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York or, if that court does not have jurisdiction, the state courts of New York located in the borough of Manhattan, City of New York, as the sole and exclusive forum for such preclude claim.
The portion of our exclusive forum selection provision designating the state courts of New York located in the borough of Manhattan, City of New York, as the exclusive forum for certain claims precluded from arbitration would not apply to claims brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act, as such claims fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts, however the portion of our forum selection provision designating the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York would apply to any such claims. Our exclusive forum selection provision would apply to claims brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Act. The exclusive forum selection provision in our Operating Agreement may discourage our members, record holders or beneficial owners of our units from bringing, and attorneys from agreeing to represent such parties in, claims against the Company or our Sponsor, Manager or any of our directors, officers, or other agents. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in our units shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to our exclusive forum selection provision.
The exclusive forum selection provision of our Operating Agreement does not relieve us of our duties to comply with, and our members, record holders and beneficial owners of our units cannot waive our compliance with, the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. We believe that the exclusive forum selection provision in our Operating Agreement is enforceable under both federal and state law, including with respect to federal securities law claims, however, there is uncertainty as to its enforceability and it is possible that it may ultimately be determined to be unenforceable.
Holders of our Class A units have limited voting rights and may be bound by a majority or supermajority vote or by a vote of the holder of our Class M unit, as applicable.
We are owned by the holders of our Class A units, Class B units and Class M unit. Each Class A unit and each Class B unit entitles the holder thereof to one vote per unit. The Class M unit entitles the holder thereof to that number of votes equal to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the sum of aggregate number of outstanding Class A units plus Class B units, by (ii) 10, on matters on which the holder of our Class M unit has a vote.
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The holders of our Class A units and Class B units have voting rights only with respect to certain matters, primarily relating to amendments to our Operating Agreement that would adversely change the rights of the Class A units or Class B units, as applicable, election of our directors (other than the Class M Director (as hereinafter defined)), removal of our directors for “cause” (other than the Class M Director), and our dissolution. Generally, matters to be voted on by the holders of our Class A units must be approved by a majority of the votes cast by all Class A units and Class B units, voting together as a single class, that are present in person or represented by proxy, although the vote to remove a director for “cause” requires a super-majority, four-fifths vote. If any vote occurs, you will be bound by the majority or supermajority vote, as applicable, even if you did not vote with the majority or supermajority.
Our Manager will hold our Class M unit for so long as it remains our manager. Accordingly, our Manager is able to determine the outcome of all matters on which our Class M unit has a vote. Accordingly, our Manager will be able to determine the outcome of all matters on which a holder of our Class M unit has a vote. Such matters include certain mergers and acquisitions, certain amendments to our Operating Agreement and the election of one Class III director (the “Class M Director”). The Class M unit does not represent an economic interest in the Company.
If we internalize our management functions, your interest in us could be diluted, and we could incur other significant costs associated with being self-managed.
We are externally managed by our Manager, who is an affiliate of our Sponsor. We may in the future decide to internalize our management function and, should we elect do so, we may acquire our Manager’s or its affiliates’, including our Sponsor’s, assets and personnel. We, our Operating Companies, and our Manager have entered into a Management Agreement. The terms of the Management Agreement restrict us from hiring or soliciting any employee of our Manager or its affiliates, including our Sponsor, for a period of two years from termination of the Management Agreement. In addition, upon any termination or non-renewal of the Management Agreement by us our Manager will be entitled to receive its prorated management fee through the expiration or termination date and will be paid a Termination Fee equal to six times the annual management fee earned by our Manager during the 12-month period ended as of the last day of the quarter immediately preceding the termination date; however, if less than 12 months have elapsed as of the termination date, the Termination Fee will be calculated by annualizing the management fee earned during the most recently completed quarter prior to the termination date. These provisions could make it costly or difficult for us to internalize management without incurring Termination Fees or acquiring assets and personnel from our Manager and its affiliates, including our Sponsor, for consideration that would be negotiated at the time of any such acquisition. Any Termination Fees we incur would be paid in cash and any consideration we pay for acquiring assets and personnel could take many forms, including issuance of units or cash payments, which could directly impact our NAV, by reducing the amount of our assets, or result in the dilution of your interest in us. If we internalize management, we will no longer pay management fees to our Manager, however, our direct expenses, such as the compensation and benefits costs and expenses associated with having officers and other employees and consultants, would increase. In addition, we may issue equity awards to officers, employees and consultants, which awards would decrease our net income and funds from operations and may further dilute your investment.
We will incur additional costs and expenses associated with maintaining our status as a publicly traded partnership and operating as an Exchange Act reporting company.
We will incur additional costs and expenses associated with, maintaining our status as a publicly traded partnership and operating as an Exchange Act reporting company. Costs and expenses that we will incur, include, without limitation, those associated with the preparation and filing of annual and quarterly reports, federal and state tax returns, Schedule K-1 preparation and distribution, investor relations, registrar and transfer agent fees, director compensation, accounting and audit fees and incremental insurance costs, including director and officer liability insurance. It is possible that actual costs and expenses associated with maintain our status as a publicly traded partnership and operating as an Exchange Act reporting company will be higher than we currently estimate and we may require additional capital or future earnings to cover these costs and expenses, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.
We are not required to comply with certain reporting and disclosure requirements that are applicable to other public companies.
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jump Start Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (“JOBS Act”). As an emerging growth company, we have elected to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting and disclosure requirements that are applicable to public companies that are not emerging growth companies. For so long as we remain an emerging growth company, we will not be required to:
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| ● | disclose certain executive compensation related items, such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the chief executive officer’s compensation to median employee compensation. |
In addition, 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 that 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 the extended transition period. Since we will not be required to comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for other public companies, our financial statements may not be comparable to the financial statements of companies that comply with public company effective dates. If we were to subsequently elect to comply with these public company effective dates, such election would be irrevocable pursuant to Section 107 of the JOBS Act.
We will remain an emerging growth company for up to five years, or until the earliest of (i) the last date of the fiscal year during which we had total annual gross revenues of $1.07 billion or more, (ii) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1.07 billion in non-convertible debt, or (iii) the date on which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” as defined under Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act.
Also, even once we are no longer an emerging growth company, we still may not be subject to auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act unless we meet the definition of a large accelerated filer or an accelerated filer under Section 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. In addition, so long as we are externally managed by our Manager and we do not directly compensate our executive officers, or reimburse our Manager or its affiliates for the compensation paid to persons who serve as our executive officers, we do not expect to include disclosures relating to executive compensation in our periodic reports or proxy statements and, as a result, do not expect to be required to seek member approval of executive compensation and golden parachute compensation arrangements pursuant to Sections 14A(a) and (b) of the Exchange Act.
If we fail to maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately and timely make our required disclosures or report our financial results.
Effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting are necessary for us to provide reliable disclosures and financial reports, adequately detect and prevent misstatements and fraud, and operate successfully. If we cannot provide reliable disclosures and financial reports or detect and prevent misstatements and fraud, our reputation and operating results may be harmed.
We are continuing to develop and refine our disclosure controls and procedures and improve our internal controls over financial reporting. We have expended, and anticipate that we will continue to expend, significant resources in order to maintain and improve the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. However, any disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls over financial reporting that we put into place, no matter how well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives.
As a result of the inherent limitations in the design of any system of controls, our disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting may not detect or prevent all misstatements and fraud, and we cannot assure you that there will not be significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting in future periods. Moreover, for so long as we are an emerging growth company, we will not be required to have an auditor attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and we cannot assure you that the systems and processes that we have put into place to evaluate and test our disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting so as to allow management to report on their effectiveness will be consistently adequate. If our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting prove to be ineffective and if we are not able to adequately remediate any deficiencies, investors may lose confidence in our disclosures and reported financial information, which could materially and adversely affect our business.
Your investment returns may be reduced if we are required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.
We are engaged primarily in the business of investing in real estate and to conduct our operations such that neither we nor any of our subsidiaries are required to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act.
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Maintaining our exclusion from registration under the Investment Company Act limits our ability to make certain investments. In addition, although we intend to continuously monitor our holdings, there can be no assurance that we, our Operating Companies or any of the subsidiaries of our Operating Companies will be able to maintain our exclusion from registration. A change in the value of any of our assets could negatively affect our ability to maintain our exclusion from registration and we may be unable to sell assets we would otherwise want to sell and may need to sell assets we would otherwise want to retain. In addition, we may have to acquire additional assets that we might not otherwise have acquired or may have to forego opportunities to acquire assets that we would otherwise want to acquire and would be important to our investment strategy.
If we are required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we would become subject to substantial regulation with respect to our capital structure (including our ability to use borrowings), management, operations, transactions with affiliated persons (as defined in the Investment Company Act), and portfolio composition, including disclosure requirements and restrictions with respect to diversification and industry concentration, and other matters. Compliance with the Investment Company Act would, accordingly, limit our ability to make certain investments and require us to significantly restructure our business plan. If we were required to register as an investment company but failed to do so, we could be prohibited from engaging in our business, and criminal and civil actions could be brought against us.
We enter into joint ventures, partnerships, co-tenancies and other co-ownership arrangements or participations with affiliates of our Sponsor and Manager, including Belpointe SP, LLC.
All of our assets are and will continue to be held by, and all of our operations are and will continue to be conducted through our Operating Companies, either directly or indirectly through subsidiaries. To expand our investment portfolio, we will continue to enter into joint ventures, partnerships, co-tenancies and other co-ownership arrangements or participations with affiliates of our Sponsor and Manager, such as Belpointe SP, LLC (“Belpointe SP”), or its affiliates (together with Belpointe SP, the “Belpointe SP Group”), as well as independent developers and owners.
We have and will continue to acquire interests in properties where a member of the Belpointe SP Group will act as general partner or co-general partner, manager or co-manager, developer or co-developer, or any of the foregoing, all of which will be structured in one of the following formats:
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| ● | Our Manager or a member of the Belpointe SP Group will enter into joint ventures with independent third-party experienced local developers to co-invest and co-develop on our behalf. The joint venture partners and developers will typically act as the general partner or managing member for the joint ventures with our Operating Companies, directly or indirectly through subsidiaries,participating as the limited partners or non-managing members. |
Any membership interests that members of the Belpointe SP Group hold in our joint venture investments in their capacity as a general partner, manager or managing member will be exempt from paying any promotes.
Under these joint venture arrangements, members of the Belpointe SP Group, their development affiliates and co-development partners will be entitled to receive project level fees, reimbursement by the joint ventures for fees and expenses, their promoted interest on a deal-by-deal basis and other fees. If a joint venture includes third party limited partners or non-managing members, in addition to a directly or indirectly owned subsidiary of one of our Operating Companies, the general partner, manager or managing member of that joint venture, including members of the Belpointe SP Group, will receive a promoted interest on capital invested by all limited partners or non-managing members, however the promoted interest on third-party limited partners’ or non-managing members’ capital may be different from the promoted interest on our capital.
We may make a substantial amount of joint venture investments, including with affiliates of our Manager and Sponsor, such as members of the Belpointe SP Group. Joint venture investments could be adversely affected by our lack of sole decision-making authority, our reliance on the financial condition of our joint venture partners and disputes between us and our joint venture partners.
We may co-invest in joint ventures with affiliates of our Manager and Sponsor, including members of the Belpointe SP Group, or third parties in partnerships or other entities that own real estate properties. We may acquire non-controlling interests in joint ventures. Even if we have some control in a joint venture, we would not be in a position to exercise sole decision-making authority regarding the joint venture. Investments in joint ventures may, under certain circumstances, involve risks not present were another party not involved, including the possibility that joint venture partners might become bankrupt, fail to fund their required capital contributions or commit fraud or other bad acts. Joint venture partners may have economic or other business interests or goals that are inconsistent with our business interests or goals and may be in a position to take actions contrary to our policies or objectives. Such investments may also have the potential risk of impasses on decisions, such as a sale, because neither we nor the joint venture partner would have full control over the joint venture. Disputes between us and joint venture partners may result in litigation or arbitration that would increase our expenses and prevent our officers and directors from focusing their time and effort on our business. Consequently, actions by or disputes with joint venture partners might result in subjecting properties owned by the joint venture to additional risk. In addition, we may in certain circumstances be liable for the actions of our joint venture partners.
If we have a right of first refusal to buy out a joint venture partner, we may be unable to finance such a buy-out if it becomes exercisable or we are required to purchase such interest at a time when it would not otherwise be in our best interest to do so. If our interest is subject to a buy/sell right, we may not have sufficient cash, available borrowing capacity or other capital resources to allow us to elect to purchase an interest of a joint venture partner subject to the buy/sell right, in which case we may be forced to sell our interest as the result of the exercise of such right when we would otherwise prefer to keep our interest. In some joint ventures we may be obligated to buy all or a portion of our joint venture partner’s interest in connection with a crystallization event, and we may be unable to finance such a buy-out when such crystallization event occurs, which may result in interest or other penalties accruing on the purchase price. If we buy our joint venture partner’s interest, we will have increased exposure in the underlying investment. The price we use to buy our joint venture partner’s interest or sell our interest is typically determined by negotiations between us and our joint venture partner and there is no assurance that such price will be representative of the value of the underlying property or equal to our then-current valuation of our interest in the joint venture that is used to calculate our NAV. Finally, we may not be able to sell our interest in a joint venture if we desire to exit the venture for any reason or if our interest is likewise subject to a right of first refusal of our joint venture partner, our ability to sell such interest may be adversely impacted by such right. Joint ownership arrangements with affiliates of our Manager and Sponsor, including members of the Belpointe SP Group, may also entail further conflicts of interest. Some additional risks and conflicts related to our joint venture investments (including joint venture investments with our Manager, Sponsor and members of the Belpointe SP Group) include:
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Furthermore, we may have conflicting fiduciary obligations if we acquire properties with our affiliates or other related entities; as a result, in any such transaction we may not have the benefit of arm’s-length negotiations of the type normally conducted between unrelated parties.
Operational risks may disrupt our business, result in losses or limit our growth.
We rely heavily on our Sponsor’s financial, accounting, communications and other data processing systems. Such systems may fail to operate properly or become disabled as a result of tampering or a breach of the network security systems or otherwise. In addition, such systems are from time to time subject to cyberattacks. Breaches of our Sponsor’s network security systems could involve attacks that are intended to obtain unauthorized access to our proprietary information or personal identifying information of holders of our Class A units, destroy data or disable, degrade or sabotage our systems, often through the introduction of computer viruses, cyberattacks and other means and could originate from a wide variety of sources, including unknown third parties outside of our Sponsor. Although our Sponsor takes various measures to ensure the integrity of such systems, there can be no assurance that these measures will provide protection. If such systems are compromised, do not operate properly or are disabled, we could suffer financial loss, a disruption of our businesses, liability to investors, regulatory intervention or reputational damage.
In addition, we rely on third-party service providers for certain aspects of our business, including for certain information systems, technology and administration. Any interruption or deterioration in the performance of these third parties or failures of their information systems and technology could impair the quality of our operations and could affect our reputation and hence adversely affect our business.
If our techniques for managing risk are ineffective, we may be exposed to unanticipated losses.
In order to manage the significant risks inherent in our business, we must maintain effective policies, procedures and systems that enable us to identify, monitor and control our exposure to market, operational, legal and reputational risks. Our risk management methods may prove to be ineffective due to their design or implementation or as a result of the lack of adequate, accurate or timely information. If our risk management efforts are ineffective, we could suffer losses or face litigation and sanctions or fines from regulators.
Our techniques for managing risks may not fully mitigate the risk exposure in all economic or market environments, or against all types of risk, including risks that we might fail to identify or anticipate. Any failures in our risk management techniques and strategies to accurately quantify such risk exposure could limit our ability to manage risks or to seek positive, risk-adjusted returns. In addition, any risk management failures could cause fund losses to be significantly greater than historical measures predict.
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Risks Related to our Assets and Investments
Our success is dependent on general market and economic conditions as well as numerous other factors outside of our control.
Our activities and investments may be adversely affected by changes in market, economic, political or regulatory conditions, such as fluctuations in real estate market prices, rising interest rates, availability of credit, credit defaults, rising inflation rates, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, economic uncertainty, instability in the banking system, changes in laws (including laws relating to taxation of us or of our investments), and national and international political, environmental and socioeconomic circumstances (including disease outbreaks, wars, cyberattacks, terrorist acts or security operations), such as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war or changes in U.S. policy that may lead to significant increases in tariffs for imported goods, which may strain international trade relations and increase the risk of retaliatory tariffs imposed by foreign governments on goods imported from the U.S., as well as by numerous other factors outside of our control. In addition, our financial condition may be adversely affected by an economic downturn, related to market, economic or political instability, or otherwise. A recession, slowdown or sustained downturn in the U.S. or global economy (or any particular segment thereof), inflationary pressures or the weakening of credit markets could adversely affect the value of our investments and our profitability, impede our ability to perform under or refinance our existing obligations, and impair our ability to effectively deploy our capital or effectively exit or realize upon investments on favorable terms. It is not possible for us to predict whether or to what extent these factors may negatively impact economies around the world, including the U.S., and if any of the foregoing market, economic or political issues are not managed appropriately, they could impair our profitability or result in substantial or total losses to us in respect of certain investments, which losses may be exacerbated by our use of leverage.
Recent uncertainty surrounding legislation, regulation and governmental policy at the U.S. federal level could lead to disruptions in or have the effect of negatively impacting our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
There is significant uncertainty surrounding legislation, regulation and government policy at the U.S. federal level, as well as uncertainty at certain state and local government levels. Recent events have lead to a climate of heightened ambiguity and introduced new and difficult-to-quantify macroeconomic and political risks with potentially far-reaching implications. The current U.S. federal government’s ongoing changes to U.S. policy may impact the U.S. and global economies, international trade and relations, unemployment rates, energy prices, tariffs, immigration, taxes, inflation and the general U.S. regulatory environment, among other things. Although we cannot predict the impact, if any, of these changes on our business activities and investments, they could negatively affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Our cash, cash equivalents and other investments may be adversely effected if the financial institutions in which we hold our cash, cash equivalents and other investments were to fail.
We regularly maintain cash balances in third-party financial institutions in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance limit. If our financial institutions were to enter into receivership or become insolvent in the future as a result of economic or financial conditions affecting the banking system and financial markets, our ability to access our existing cash, cash equivalents and other investments may be threatened, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The market in which we participate is competitive and, if we do not compete effectively, our operating results could be harmed.
We face competition from various entities for investment opportunities, including other qualified opportunity funds, REITs, Delaware statutory trusts, pension funds, insurance companies, private equity and other alternative investment funds and companies, partnerships and developers. In addition to third-party competitors, other programs sponsored by our Sponsor and its affiliates, especially those with investment strategies that are similar to our own, may compete with us for investment opportunities.
Most of our current or potential competitors have significantly more financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we do. Larger competitors may also enjoy significant advantages that result from, among other things, a lower cost of capital and enhanced operating efficiencies. In addition, the number of entities and the amount of funds competing for suitable investments may increase over time. Any such increase would result in greater demand for investment opportunities and could result in our acquiring assets and investments at higher prices or using less-than-ideal capital structures. If we pay higher prices for our assets and investments, our returns could be lower and the value of our assets and investments may not appreciate or may decrease significantly below the prices paid, and you may experience a lower than anticipated return on your investment.
We are subject to fraud risk, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Bad actors are using increasingly sophisticated schemes to engage in illegal activities such as mortgage and loan fraud, and we may be required to devote significant financial resources to discovering and discouraging fraudulent activities. Furthermore, fraudulent activities could result in increased costs and expenses, including litigation expenses, diversion of management time, and other disruptions to our operations, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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On December 5, 2024, the Galinn Fund LLC, a New York limited liability company (“Galinn”), filed a complaint in Connecticut State Superior Court naming CMC Storrs SPV, LLC (“CMC”), the holding company for our investment property located at 497-501 Middle Turnpike, Storrs, Connecticut (“497-501 Middle”), as a defendant, alongside Chen Ji, an individual (“Chen”), and two additional entities (the “Guarantors”). In the complaint Galinn alleges, among other things, that on May 24, 2024, Chen, on behalf of CMC, executed a mortgage note (the “Note”) in the principal amount of $3.0 million (the “Loan”), which was secured in part by a mortgage against 497-501 Middle (the “Mortgage”). Galinn further alleges that CMC is in default under both the Note and Mortgage for failure to make payments when due. Galinn is seeking to foreclose on the Mortgage and damages against CMC and the Guarantors. In March 2020, when we first acquired an equity interest in CMC, Chen was an affiliate of the entity, however, he thereafter exited the investment and is no longer in any way affiliated with or authorized to act on behalf of CMC. We maintain that the Loan was obtained as a result of Chen’s fraud and Galinn’s negligence, and had Galinn done adequate due diligence, or reviewed the publicly available filings on the State of Connecticut’s Business Records website, or even a basic Google search, Chen’s lack of authority would have been readily apparent prior to Galinn having made the Loan.
We dispute any liability in this litigation, believe we have substantial defenses to Galinn’s claims, and continue to vigorously defend the matter.
Our performance is subject to risks associated with the real estate industry.
The real estate industry is cyclical in nature, and a deterioration of real estate fundamentals generally, and in the areas where our properties are located in particular, will have an adverse effect on the performance of our investments. The value of real estate assets and real estate-related investments can fluctuate for various reasons. The following factors, among others, may adversely affect the real estate industry, including our properties, and could therefore adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations:
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| ● | public perception that any of the above events may occur. |
All of these factors are beyond our control. Moreover, certain significant expenditures associated with real estate (such as real estate taxes, maintenance costs and, where applicable, mortgage payments) have no relationship with, and thus do not diminish in proportion to, a reduction in income from the property. Any negative changes in these factors could impair our ability to meet our obligations and make distributions to holders of our Class A units and could adversely impact our ability to effectively achieve our investment objectives and reduce the overall returns on our investments.
Real estate investments are subject to general industry downturns as well as downturns in specific geographic regions. We cannot predict occupancy levels for a particular property or whether any tenant or mortgage or other real estate related loan borrower will remain solvent. We also cannot predict the future value of our investments. Accordingly, we cannot guarantee that you will receive cash distributions.
Real estate investments are subject to general downturns in the industry as well as downturns in specific geographic regions. For example, as of the date of this Form 10-K, a majority of our investments are located in Florida. Historically Florida has been at greater risk of acts of nature such as hurricanes and tropical storms and has been subject to more pronounced real estate downturns than other regions. Accordingly, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be particularly susceptible to downturns or changes in the local Florida economies where we operate. Moreover, we cannot predict occupancy levels for a particular property or whether any tenant or mortgage or other real estate related loan borrower will remain solvent. We also cannot predict the future value of our investments. Accordingly, we cannot guarantee that you will receive cash distributions.
There are significant risks associated with the development or redevelopment of our real estate investments that may prevent their completion on budget and on schedule and which may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We may engage in extensive development or redevelopment activities with respect to our real estate investments, including, without limitation, grading and installing roads, sidewalks, gutters, utility improvements (such as storm drains, water, gas, sewer, power and communications), landscaping and shared amenities (such as community buildings, neighborhood parks, trails and open spaces). Such development and redevelopment activities entail risks that could adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations, including:
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We cannot assure you that projects will be completed on schedule or that construction costs will not exceed budgeted amounts. Failure to complete development or redevelopment activities on budget or on schedule may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Our Manager’s due diligence may not reveal all factors or risks affecting an investment.
There can be no assurance that our Manager’s due diligence processes will uncover all relevant facts that would be material to an investment decision. Before making an investment, our Manager will assess the strength of the underlying asset and any other factors that it believes are material to the performance of the investment. In making the assessment and otherwise conducting customary due diligence, our Manager will rely on the resources available to it and, in some cases, investigations by third parties.
Actual rents we receive may be less than estimated, operating expenses may be higher than anticipated and we may experience a decline in rental rates from time to time, any of which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.
As a result of potential factors, including competitive pricing pressure in our markets, a general economic downturn and the desirability of our properties compared to other properties in our markets, we may be unable to realize our estimated market rents across the properties in our portfolio or operating expenses at properties in our portfolio may be higher than anticipated. In addition, depending on market rental rates at any given time as compared to expiring leases on properties in our portfolio, from time-to-time rental rates for expiring leases may be higher than starting rental rates for new leases. If we are unable to obtain sufficient rental rates across our portfolio, or operating expenses are higher than anticipated, our ability to generate cash flow growth will be negatively impacted.
Properties that have significant vacancies could be difficult to sell, which could diminish the return on these properties.
A property may incur vacancies either by the expiration of tenant leases or the continued default of tenants under their leases. If vacancies continue for a long period of time, we may suffer reduced revenues resulting in less cash available for distributions. In addition, the resale value of the property could be diminished because the market value of our properties will depend principally upon the value of the cash flow generated by the leases associated with that property. Such a reduction in the resale value of a property could also reduce the value of your investment.
Further, a decline in general economic conditions in the markets in which our investments are located or in the U.S. generally could lead to an increase in tenant defaults, lower rental rates, and less demand for commercial real estate space in those markets. As a result of these trends, we may be more inclined to provide leasing incentives to our tenants in order to compete in a more competitive leasing environment. Such trends may result in reduced revenue and lower resale value of properties.
We may enter into long-term leases with tenants in certain properties, which may not result in fair market rental rates over time.
We may enter into long-term leases with tenants of certain of our properties or include renewal options that specify a maximum rate increase. These leases often provide for rent to increase over time; however, if we do not accurately judge the potential for increases in market rental rates, we may set the terms of these long-term leases at levels such that, even after contractual rent increases, the rent under our long-term leases is less than then-current market rates. Further, we may have no ability to terminate those leases or to adjust the rent to then-prevailing market rates. As a result, our cash available for distributions could be lower than if we did not enter into long-term leases.
Certain properties that we acquire may not have efficient alternative uses and we may have difficulty leasing them to new tenants or have to make significant capital expenditures to get them to do so.
Certain properties that we acquire may be difficult to lease to new tenants, should the current tenant terminate or choose not to renew its lease. These properties will generally have received significant tenant-specific improvements and only very specific tenants may be able to use such improvements, making the properties very difficult to re-lease in their current condition. Additionally, an interested tenant may demand that, as a condition of executing a lease for the property, we finance and construct significant improvements so that the tenant could use the property. This expense may decrease cash available for distribution, as we likely would have to (i) pay for the improvements up-front or (ii) finance the improvements at potentially unattractive terms.
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We depend on tenants for our revenue, and lease defaults or terminations could reduce our net income and limit our ability to pay distributions.
The success of our investments materially depends on the financial stability of our tenants. A default or termination by a tenant on its lease payments to us would cause us to lose the revenue associated with such lease and require us to find an alternative source of revenue to meet mortgage payments and prevent a foreclosure if the property is subject to a mortgage. In the event of a tenant default or bankruptcy, we may experience delays in enforcing our rights as landlord and may incur substantial costs in protecting our investment and re-leasing our property. If a tenant defaults on or terminates a lease, we may be unable to lease the property for the rent previously received or sell the property without incurring a loss. These events could cause us to reduce the amount of distributions we pay.
If any of our significant tenants were adversely affected by a material business downturn or were to become bankrupt or insolvent, our results of operations could be adversely affected.
General and regional economic conditions may adversely affect our major tenants and potential tenants in our markets. Our major tenants may experience a material business downturn, which could potentially result in a failure to make timely rental payments or a default under their leases. In many cases, through tenant improvement allowances and other concessions, we will have made substantial up-front investments in the applicable leases that we may not be able to recover. In the event of a tenant default, we may experience delays in enforcing our rights and may also incur substantial costs to protect our investments.
The bankruptcy or insolvency of a major tenant or lease guarantor may adversely affect the income produced by our properties and may delay our efforts to collect past due balances under the relevant leases and could ultimately preclude collection of these sums altogether. If a lease is rejected by a tenant in bankruptcy, we would have only a general unsecured claim for damages that is limited in amount and which may only be paid to the extent that funds are available and in the same percentage as is paid to all other holders of unsecured claims.
If any of our significant tenants were to become bankrupt or insolvent, suffer a downturn in their business, default under their leases, fail to renew their leases or renew on terms less favorable to us than their current terms, our results of operations and cash flow could be adversely affected.
We expect to acquire primarily qualified opportunity zone investments, with a focus on markets with favorable risk-return characteristics. If our investments in these geographic areas experience adverse economic conditions, our investments may lose value and we may experience losses.
Our initial investments consist of and are expected to continue to consist of properties located in qualified opportunity zones for the development or redevelopment of multifamily, student housing, senior living, healthcare, industrial, self-storage, hospitality, office, mixed-use, data centers and solar projects located throughout the United States and its territories. These qualified opportunity zone investments will carry the risks associated with certain markets where we acquire properties. Consequently, we may experience losses as a result of being overly concentrated in certain geographic areas. A worsening of economic conditions in U.S. markets and, in particular, the markets where we end up acquiring properties, could have an adverse effect on our business and could impair the value of our collateral.
Actions of any joint venture partners that we may have in the future could reduce the returns on joint venture investments and decrease your overall investment return.
We enter into joint ventures to acquire properties and other assets and investments. We may also purchase and develop properties in joint ventures or in partnerships, co-tenancies or other co-ownership arrangements. Such investments may involve risks not otherwise present with other methods of investment, including, for example, the risks:
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Any of the above might subject an investment to liabilities in excess of those contemplated and thus reduce our returns on that investment and the value of your investment.
We intend to seek opportunistic acquisitions of other qualified opportunity funds and qualified opportunity zone businesses.
We intend to seek opportunistic acquisitions of other qualified opportunity funds and qualified opportunity zone businesses using our equity as transaction consideration. These acquisitions will involve significant challenges and risks, including, without limitation, regulatory complexities associated with integrating other qualified opportunity funds and qualified opportunity zone businesses into our organizational structure in a manner that is consistent with our intended qualification as a publicly traded partnership and qualified opportunity fund, new regulatory requirements and compliance risks that we may become subject to as a result of acquisitions, unforeseen or hidden liabilities or costs that may adversely affect our NAV following such acquisitions, and the risk that any of our proposed acquisitions do not close. Any of these challenges could disrupt our ongoing operations, increase our expenses and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Costs imposed pursuant to governmental laws and regulations may reduce our net income and the cash available for distributions.
Real property and the operations conducted on real property are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to protection of the environment and human health. We could be subject to liability in the form of fines, penalties or damages for noncompliance with these laws and regulations. These laws and regulations generally govern wastewater discharges, air emissions, the operation and removal of underground and above-ground storage tanks, the use, storage, treatment, transportation and disposal of solid and hazardous materials, the remediation of contamination associated with the release or disposal of solid and hazardous materials, the presence of toxic building materials and other health and safety-related concerns.
Some of these laws and regulations may impose joint and several liability on the tenants, owners or operators of real property for the costs to investigate or remediate contaminated properties, regardless of fault, whether the contamination occurred prior to purchase, or whether the acts causing the contamination were legal. Activities of our tenants, the condition of properties at the time we buy them, operations in the vicinity of our properties, such as the presence of underground storage tanks, or activities of unrelated third parties may affect our properties.
The presence of hazardous substances, or the failure to properly manage, insure, bond over, or remediate these substances, may hinder our ability to sell, rent or pledge such property as collateral for future borrowings. Any material expenditures, fines, penalties or damages we must pay will reduce our ability to make distributions and may reduce the value of your investment.
The costs of defending against claims of environmental liability, of complying with environmental regulatory requirements, of remediating any contaminated property or of paying personal injury or other damage claims could reduce the amounts available for distributions.
Under various federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations, a current or previous real property owner or operator may be liable for the cost of removing or remediating hazardous or toxic substances on, under or in such property. These costs could be substantial. Such laws often impose liability whether or not the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such hazardous or toxic substances. Environmental laws also may impose liens on property or restrictions on the manner in which property may be used or businesses may be operated, and these restrictions may require substantial expenditures or prevent us from entering into leases with prospective tenants that may be impacted by such laws. Environmental laws provide for sanctions for noncompliance and may be enforced by governmental agencies or, in certain circumstances, by private parties. Certain environmental laws and common law principles could be used to impose liability for the release of and exposure to hazardous substances, including asbestos-containing materials and lead-based paint. Third parties may seek recovery from real property owners or operators for personal injury or property damage associated with exposure to released hazardous substances and governments may seek recovery for natural resource damage. The costs of defending against claims of environmental liability, of complying with environmental regulatory requirements, of remediating any contaminated property, or of paying personal injury, property damage or natural resource damage claims could reduce the amounts available for distribution to you.
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We expect that all of our properties will be subject to Phase I environmental assessments at the time they are acquired; however, such assessments may not provide complete environmental histories due, for example, to limited available information about prior operations at the properties or other gaps in information at the time we acquire the property. A Phase I environmental assessment is an initial environmental investigation to identify potential environmental liabilities associated with the current and past uses of a given property. If any of our properties were found to contain hazardous or toxic substances after our acquisition, the value of our investment could decrease below the amount paid for such investment.
Costs associated with complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act may decrease cash available for distributions.
Our properties may be subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended (the “ADA”). Under the ADA, all places of public accommodation are required to comply with federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. The ADA has separate compliance requirements for “public accommodations” and “commercial facilities” that generally require that buildings and services be made accessible and available to people with disabilities. The ADA’s requirements could require removal of access barriers and could result in the imposition of injunctive relief, monetary penalties or, in some cases, an award of damages. Any funds used for ADA compliance will reduce our net income and the amount of cash available for distributions to you.
Uninsured losses relating to real property or excessively expensive premiums for insurance coverage could reduce our cash flows and the amounts available for distributions.
There are types of losses, generally catastrophic in nature, such as losses due to wars, acts of terrorism, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, pollution or environmental matters, that are uninsurable or not economically insurable, or may be insured subject to limitations, such as large deductibles or co-payments. Insurance risks associated with potential acts of terrorism could sharply increase the premiums we pay for coverage against property and casualty claims. Additionally, mortgage lenders in some cases insist that commercial property owners purchase coverage against terrorism as a condition for providing mortgage loans. Such insurance policies may not be available at reasonable costs, if at all, which could inhibit our ability to finance or refinance our properties. In such instances, we may be required to provide other financial support, either through financial assurances or self-insurance, to cover potential losses. We may not have adequate coverage for such losses. If any of our properties incurs a casualty loss that is not fully insured, the value of our assets will be reduced by any such uninsured or under insured loss, which may reduce the value of your investment. In addition, other than any working capital reserve or other reserves we may establish, we have no source of funding to repair or reconstruct any uninsured or under insured property. Also, to the extent we must pay unexpectedly large amounts for insurance, we could suffer reduced earnings that would result in lower distributions to you.
Many of our investments are illiquid and we may not be able to vary our portfolio in response to changes in economic and other conditions.
Many factors that are beyond our control affect the market for commercial real estate, real estate-related assets and private equity investments and could affect our ability to sell assets and investments for the price, on the terms or within the time frame that we desire. These factors include general economic conditions, the availability of financing, interest rates and other factors, including supply and demand. Because commercial real estate, real estate-related assets and private equity investments are relatively illiquid, we have a limited ability to vary our portfolio in response to changes in economic or other conditions. Further, before we can sell an investment on the terms we want, it may be necessary to expend funds to improve our investments. However, we can give no assurance that we will have the funds available make such improvements. As a result, we expect many of our investments will be illiquid, and if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we have previously recorded our investments and our ability to vary our portfolio in response to changes in economic and other conditions may be relatively limited, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Declines in the market values of our investments may adversely affect results of operations and credit availability, which may reduce earnings and, in turn, cash available for distributions.
A decline in the market value of our assets may adversely affect us particularly in instances where we have borrowed money based on the market value of those assets. If the market value of those assets decline, the lender may require us to post additional collateral to support the loan. If we were unable to post the additional collateral, we may have to sell assets at a time when we might not otherwise choose to do so. A reduction in credit available may reduce our earnings and, in turn, cash available for distributions.
Further, credit facility providers may require us to maintain a certain amount of cash reserves or to set aside unlevered assets sufficient to maintain a specified liquidity position, which would allow us to satisfy our collateral obligations. As a result, we may not be able to leverage our assets as fully as we would choose, which could reduce our return on equity. In the event that we are unable to meet these contractual obligations, our financial condition could deteriorate rapidly.
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Market values of our investments may decline for a number of reasons, such as changes in prevailing market capitalization rates, increases in market vacancy, or decreases in market rents.
If we sell a property by providing financing to the purchaser, we will bear the risk of default by the purchaser, which could delay or reduce the cash available for distributions.
If we decide to sell any of our properties, we intend to use our best efforts to sell them for cash; however, in some instances, we may sell our properties by providing financing to purchasers. When we provide financing to a purchaser, we will bear the risk that the purchaser may default, which could reduce our cash available for distributions. Even in the absence of a purchaser default, the distribution of the proceeds of the sale to holders of our Class A units, or the reinvestment of the proceeds in other assets, will be delayed until the promissory note or other property we may accept upon a sale are actually paid, sold, refinanced or otherwise disposed.
Risks Related to Conflicts of Interest
There are conflicts of interest between us, our Manager, and its affiliates.
Our executive officers, Brandon Lacoff and Martin Lacoff, are executive officers of our Manager and its affiliates, including our Sponsor. Prevailing market rates are determined by our Manager based on industry standards and expectations of what our Manager would be able to negotiate with a third party on an arm’s length basis. All of the agreements and arrangements between us and our Manager or its affiliates, including those relating to compensation, are not the result of arm’s length negotiations with an unaffiliated third party. Some of the conflicts inherent in our transactions with our Manager and its affiliates, and the limitations on our Manager and its affiliates adopted to address these conflicts, are described below. We, our Manager, and its affiliates will try to balance our interests with their own. However, to the extent that our Manager and its affiliates take actions that are more favorable to other entities than us, these actions could have a negative impact on our financial performance and, consequently, on distributions to the holders of our Class A units and the NAV of our Class A units.
The interests of our Manager, and its affiliates may conflict with your interests.
The Management Agreement provides our Manager with broad powers and authority which may result in one or more conflicts of interest between your interests and those of our Manager and its affiliates. This risk is increased by our Sponsor and our Manager being controlled by Brandon Lacoff and Martin Lacoff, who currently participate, and are expected to sponsor and participate, directly or indirectly, in other offerings by our Sponsor and its affiliates. Potential conflicts of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
Holders of our Class A units have no right to enforce the obligations of our Sponsor, Manager, or any of their or our affiliates under the terms of any agreements with the Company.
Our agreements between the Company, on one hand, and our Sponsor, Manager, or any of their or our affiliates, on the other, do not grant to the holders of our Class A units, separate and apart from the Company, the right to enforce the terms of such agreements or any obligations of our Sponsor, Manager or their or our affiliates in favor of the Company.
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The management fee our Manager is entitled to receive is based on our NAV and our Manager is ultimately responsible for calculating our NAV.
We are obligated to pay our Manager a quarterly management fee at an annualized rate of 0.75%. The management fee is based on our NAV, as calculated and adjusted by our Manager at the end of each quarter. The management fee is based on our NAV, as calculated by our Manager at the end of each quarter. We will announce our NAV within approximately 60 days of the last day of each quarter. Our NAV will be announced within approximately 60 days of the last day of each quarter. Our NAV is calculated using a process designed to produce a fair and accurate estimate of the price that would be received for our assets and investments in an arm’s-length transaction between a willing buyer and a willing seller in possession of all material information about our assets and investments. Our NAV will be calculated using a process designed to produce a fair and accurate estimate of the price that would be received for our assets and investments in an arm’s-length transaction between a willing buyer and a willing seller in possession of all material information about our assets and investments. As with any asset valuation protocol, the conclusions reached by our Manager or any third-party firm that we engage to prepare or assist with preparing the NAV of our Class A units involve significant judgments, assumptions, and opinions in the application of both observable and unobservable attributes that may or may not prove to be correct. As with any asset valuation protocol, the conclusions reached by our Manager or any third-party firm that we engage to prepare or assist with preparing the NAV of our Class A units will involve significant judgments, assumptions, and opinions in the application of both observable and unobservable attributes that may or may not prove to be correct. It is important to note that the determination of our NAV is not based on, nor is it intended to comply with, fair value standards under U.S. GAAP, and our NAV may not be indicative of the price that we would receive for our assets at current market conditions. There can be no assurance that the judgments, assumptions, and opinions used by our Manager to calculate our NAV, or the resulting NAV, are the same as those judgments, assumptions and opinions that would be used, or the NAV that would be calculated, by an independent third-party firm. There can be no assurance that the judgments, assumptions, and opinions used by our Manager to calculate our NAV, or the resulting NAV, will be the same as those judgments, assumptions and opinions that would be used, or the NAV that would be calculated, by an independent third-party firm. In addition, our Manager may benefit from our retaining ownership of our assets and investments in order to avoid a reduction in our NAV at times when the holders of our Class A units may be better served by the sale or disposition of our assets or investments. In addition, our Manager may benefit by us retaining ownership of our assets and investments in order to avoid a reduction in our NAV at times when the holders of our Class A units may be better served by the sale or disposition of our assets or investments. If our NAV is calculated in a way that is not reflective of our actual NAV, then the purchase price of shares of our Class A units may not accurately reflect the value of our assets and investments, and your Class A units may be worth less than the purchase price paid.
Risks Related to Sources of Financing and Hedging
We may incur significant debt, which may subject us to increased risk of loss and may reduce cash available for distributions.
Subject to market conditions and availability, we may incur significant debt through bank credit facilities (including term loans and revolving facilities), repurchase agreements, warehouse facilities and structured financing arrangements, public and private debt issuances, and derivative instruments, in addition to transaction or asset specific funding arrangements. The percentage of leverage we employ will vary depending on our available capital, our ability to obtain and access financing arrangements with lenders, debt restrictions contained in those financing arrangements and the lenders’ and rating agencies’ estimate of the stability of our investment portfolio’s cash flow. Our targeted aggregate property-level leverage, excluding any debt at the corporate level or on assets under development or renovation, after we have acquired a substantial portfolio of stabilized properties, is between 50-70% of the greater of cost (before deducting depreciation or other non-cash reserves) or fair market value of our assets. Our targeted aggregate property-level leverage, excluding any debt at the Company level or on assets under development or redevelopment, after we have acquired a substantial portfolio of stabilized commercial real estate, is between 50-70% of the greater of the cost (before deducting depreciation or other non-cash reserves) or fair market value of our assets. During the period when we are acquiring, developing, and redeveloping our investments, we may employ greater leverage on individual assets. Our Manager may from time to time modify our leverage policy in its discretion. Incurring substantial debt could subject us to many risks that, if realized, would materially and adversely affect us, including the risk that:
There can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
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Any lending facilities will likely impose restrictive covenants.
Any lending facilities which we enter into would be expected to contain customary negative covenants and other financial and operating covenants that, among other things, may affect our ability to incur additional debt, make certain investments or acquisitions, reduce liquidity below certain levels, pay distributions, redeem debt or equity securities and impact our flexibility to determine our operating policies and investment strategies. For example, such loan documents may contain negative covenants that limit, among other things, our ability to distribute more than a certain amount of our net income or funds from operations to holders of our Class A units, employ leverage beyond certain amounts, sell assets, engage in mergers or consolidations, grant liens, and enter into transactions with affiliates (including amending the Management Agreement with our Manager in a material respect). If we fail to meet or satisfy any such covenants, we would likely be in default under these agreements, and the lenders could elect to declare outstanding amounts due and payable, terminate their commitments, require the posting of additional collateral, and enforce their interests against existing collateral. We could also become subject to cross-default and acceleration rights and, with respect to collateralized debt, the posting of additional collateral and foreclosure rights upon default.
Interest rate fluctuations could increase our financing costs and reduce our ability to generate income on our investments, each of which could lead to a significant decrease in our results of operations, cash flows and the market value of our investments.
Our primary interest rate exposures will relate to the yield on our investments and the financing cost of our debt, as well as any interest rate derivatives that we utilize for hedging purposes. Changes in interest rates will affect our net interest income, which is the difference between the income we earn on our investments and the interest expense we incur in financing these investments. Interest rate fluctuations resulting in our interest expense exceeding income would result in operating losses for us. Changes in the level of interest rates also may affect our ability to invest in investments, the value of our investments and our ability to realize gains from the disposition of assets and investments.
To the extent that our financing costs will be determined by reference to floating rates, such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) or a Treasury index, plus a margin, the amount of such costs will depend on a variety of factors, including, without limitation, (i) for collateralized debt, the value and liquidity of the collateral, and for non-collateralized debt, our credit, (ii) the level and movement of interest rates, and (iii) general market conditions and liquidity. In a period of rising interest rates, our interest expense on floating rate debt would increase, while any income we earn may not compensate for such increase in interest expense.
Our operating results will depend, in part, on differences between the income earned on our investments, net of credit losses, and our financing costs. For any period during which our investments are not match-funded, the income earned on such investments may respond more slowly to interest rate fluctuations than the cost of our borrowings. Consequently, changes in interest rates, particularly short-term interest rates, may immediately and significantly decrease our results of operations and cash flows and the market value of our investments.
Hedging against interest rate exposure may adversely affect our earnings, limit our gains or result in losses, which could adversely affect cash available for distributions.
We may enter into interest rate swap agreements or pursue other interest rate hedging strategies. Our hedging activity will vary in scope based on the level of interest rates, the type and expected duration of portfolio investments held, and other changing market conditions. Interest rate hedging may fail to protect or could adversely affect us because, among other things:
Any hedging activity we engage in may adversely affect our earnings, which could adversely affect cash available for distributions. Therefore, while we may enter into such transactions to seek to reduce interest rate risks, unanticipated changes in interest rates may result in poorer overall investment performance than if we had not engaged in any such hedging transactions. In addition, the degree of correlation between price movements of the instruments used in a hedging strategy and price movements in the portfolio positions being hedged or liabilities being hedged may vary materially. Moreover, for a variety of reasons, we may not seek to establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Any such imperfect correlation may prevent us from achieving the intended hedge and expose us to risk of loss.
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Hedging instruments are often not traded on regulated exchanges or guaranteed by an exchange or its clearing house and involve risks and costs that could result in material losses.
The cost of using hedging instruments increases as the period covered by the instrument increases and during periods of rising and volatile interest rates, we may increase our hedging activity and thus increase our hedging costs during periods when interest rates are volatile or rising and hedging costs have increased. In addition, hedging instruments involve risk since they are often not traded on regulated exchanges or guaranteed by an exchange or its clearing house. Consequently, there are no requirements with respect to record keeping, financial responsibility or segregation of customer funds and positions. Furthermore, the enforceability of agreements underlying hedging transactions may depend on compliance with applicable statutory and commodity and other regulatory requirements and, depending on the identity of the counterparty, applicable international requirements. The business failure of a hedging counterparty with whom we enter into a hedging transaction will most likely result in its default. Default by a party with whom we enter into a hedging transaction may result in the loss of unrealized profits and force us to cover our commitments, if any, at the then current market price.
Although generally we will seek to reserve the right to terminate our hedging positions, it may not always be possible to dispose of or close out a hedging position without the consent of the hedging counterparty and we may not be able to enter into an offsetting contract in order to cover our risk. We cannot assure you that a liquid secondary market will exist for hedging instruments purchased or sold, and we may be required to maintain a position until exercise or expiration, which could result in significant losses.
Any bank credit facilities and repurchase agreements that we may use in the future to finance our assets may require us to provide additional collateral or pay down debt.
We may utilize bank credit facilities, repurchase agreements (including term loans and revolving facilities) or guarantee arrangements to finance our assets if they become available on acceptable terms. Such financing arrangements, including any guarantees, would involve the risk that the market value of any investments pledged by us to the provider of the bank credit facility or repurchase agreement counterparty may decline in value, in which case the lender may require us to provide additional collateral or to repay all or a portion of the funds advanced. We may not have the funds available to repay our debt at that time, which would likely result in defaults unless we are able to raise the funds from alternative sources, which we may not be able to achieve on favorable terms or at all. Posting additional collateral would reduce our liquidity and limit our ability to leverage our assets. If we cannot meet these requirements, the lender could accelerate our indebtedness or enforce our guarantee, increase the interest rate on advanced funds and terminate our ability to borrow funds from it, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and ability to implement our investment strategy. In addition, if the lender files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, our loans and guarantees may become subject to bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, thus depriving us, at least temporarily, of the benefit of these assets. Such an event could restrict our access to bank credit facilities and increase our cost of capital. The providers of bank credit facilities and repurchase agreement financing may also require us to maintain a certain amount of cash or set aside assets sufficient to maintain a specified liquidity position that would allow us to satisfy our collateral obligations. As a result, we may not be able to leverage our assets as fully as we would choose, which could reduce our return on assets. If we are unable to meet these collateral obligations, our financial condition and prospects could deteriorate rapidly.
We may give full or partial guarantees to lenders of mortgage debt to the entities that own our properties.
When we give 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, there is a risk that more than one real property may be affected by a default. If any of our properties are foreclosed upon due to a default, our ability to make distributions will be adversely affected. Accordingly, our approach to investing in properties utilizing leverage in order to accomplish our investment objectives may present more risks to investors than comparable real estate programs that do not utilize borrowing to the same degree.
If we enter into financing arrangements involving balloon payment obligations, it may adversely affect our ability to make distributions.
Some of our financing arrangements may require us to make a lump-sum or “balloon” payment at maturity. Our ability to make a balloon payment is uncertain and may depend upon our ability to obtain replacement financing or our ability to sell particular properties. At the time the balloon payment is due, we may or may not be able to refinance the balloon payment on terms as favorable as the original loan or sell the particular property at a price sufficient to make the balloon payment. Such a refinancing would be dependent upon interest rates and lenders’ policies at the time of refinancing, economic conditions in general and the value of the underlying properties in particular. The effect of a refinancing or sale could affect the rate of return to the holders of our Class A units and the projected time of disposition of our assets.
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Our access to sources of financing may be limited and thus our ability to grow our business and to maximize our returns may be adversely affected.
Subject to market conditions and availability, we may incur significant debt through bank credit facilities (including term loans and revolving facilities), repurchase agreements, warehouse facilities and structured financing arrangements, public and private debt issuances and derivative instruments, in addition to transaction or asset specific funding arrangements. We may also issue additional debt or equity securities to fund our growth.
Our access to sources of financing will depend upon a number of factors, over which we have little or no control, including:
We will need to periodically access the capital and credit markets to raise cash to fund new investments. Unfavorable economic or market conditions may increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital or credit markets or could result in a decision by potential lenders not to extend credit. An inability to successfully access the capital or credit markets could limit our ability to grow our business and fully execute our investment strategy and could decrease our earnings, if any. In addition, uncertainty in the capital and credit markets could adversely affect one or more private lenders and could cause one or more of our private lenders to be unwilling or unable to provide us with financing or to increase the costs of that financing. In addition, if regulatory capital requirements imposed on our private lenders change, they may be required to limit, or increase the cost of, financing they provide to us. In general, this could potentially increase our financing costs and reduce our liquidity or require us to sell assets at an inopportune time or price. No assurance can be given that we will be able to obtain any such financing on favorable terms or at all.
Risks Relating to U.S. Federal Taxation
There will be no assurance that we will continue to meet the requirements for treatment as a partnership. If we fail to maintain our classification as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and no relief provisions apply, we would be subject to entity level U.S. federal income tax and, as a result, our cash available for distributions and the value of our Class A units could materially decrease.
We have been treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes since our tax year ended December 31, 2020. We intend to manage our affairs so that we continue to meet the requirement for classification as a partnership. The anticipated after-tax economic benefit of an investment in our Class A units depends in large part on our continued treatment as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.
Despite the fact that we are organized as a limited liability company under Delaware law, if we fail to meet any of the applicable requirements for classification as a partnership, we would be treated as a corporation pursuant to section 7704 of the Code.
If we were treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, holders of our Class A units would lose the tax benefits associated with investing in a partnership. We would pay federal income tax on our taxable income at the corporate tax rate, which is currently a maximum of 21%, and would likely pay state and local income tax at varying rates. Our distributions would generally be taxed again as corporate distributions (to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits), and no income, gains, losses, deductions or credits would flow through to holders of our units. Because a tax would be imposed on us as a corporation, our cash available for distributions would be substantially reduced. Therefore, our treatment as a corporation would result in a material reduction in cash flow and after-tax return to holders of our Class A units, likely causing a substantial reduction in the value of our Class A units.
There can be no assurance that we will continue to meet the requirements for classification as a qualified opportunity fund.
The opportunity zone program is a community development program established by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “JOBS Act” or “OZ 1.0”), and later expanded, and certain provisions originally set to expire permanently extended, by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (the “OBBBA” or “OZ 2.0”), to encourage new long-term investment in low-income urban and rural communities nationwide. The opportunity zone program provides tax incentives for investors to re-invest their unrealized capital gains into qualified opportunity funds dedicated to investing in qualified opportunity zones. The opportunity zone program provides a tax incentive for investors to re-invest their unrealized capital gains into qualified opportunity funds dedicated to investing in “qualified opportunity zones. The opportunity zone program provides a tax incentive for investors to re-invest their unrealized capital gains into qualified opportunity funds dedicated to investing in “qualified opportunity zones.
We initially qualified as a Qualified Opportunity Fund beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 2020, and we currently intend to manage our affairs so that we continue to meet the requirements for classification as a Qualified Opportunity Fund pursuant to Section 1400Z-2 of the Code and the related regulations issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”) and U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) on December 19, 2019, together with the correcting amendments issued on April 6, 2020, additional relief issued on January 13, 2021 and further correcting amendments issued on August 5, 2021 (collectively the “Opportunity Zone Regulations”). On September 30, 2025, the Treasury and IRS also issued preliminary guidance related to OZ 2.0.
Qualified opportunity funds and the Opportunity Zone Regulations under OZ 1.0 are relatively new and as yet untested, and transitional and new regulations for OZ 2.0 have yet to be issued, as such our ability to continue to be treated as a qualified opportunity fund and to continue to operate in conformity with the requirements to continue to be treated as a qualified opportunity fund is subject to uncertainty. If we fail to continue to meet the requirements for classification as a qualified opportunity fund, holders of our Class A units would lose the tax benefits associated with investing in a qualified opportunity fund and the value of our Class A units would likely be adversely affected.
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Investors must make appropriate timely investments and elections in order to take advantage of the benefits of investing in a qualified opportunity fund.
In order to receive the benefits of investing in a qualified opportunity fund, taxpayers must make deferral elections on Form 8949, Sales and Other Dispositions of Capital Assets, which will need to be attached to their U.S. federal income tax returns for the taxable year in which gain treated as capital gain (short-term or long-term) that results from the sale or exchange of capital assets to an unrelated person would have been recognized had it not been deferred. In addition, Form 8997, Initial and Annual Statement of Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF) Investments (“Form 8997”), requires eligible taxpayers holding a qualified opportunity fund investment at any point during the tax year to report: (i) qualified opportunity fund investments holdings at the beginning and end of the tax year; (ii) current tax year capital gains deferred by investing in a qualified opportunity fund; and (iii) qualified opportunity fund investments disposed of during the tax year. Taxpayers may receive a Letter 6502, Reporting Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF) Investments (“Letter 6502”), or a Letter 6503, Annual Reporting of Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF) Investments (“Letter 6503”), if they have not properly followed the instructions for Form 8997 and the IRS is missing information, the taxpayer entered invalid information, or the requirements to maintain a qualifying investment have not been followed. Taxpayers who receive a Letter 6502 or a Letter 6503 may need to file an amended return or an administrative adjustment request with a properly completed Form 8997. The procedures that you will need to follow to defer your capital gains and the requirements related to maintaining a qualifying investment are highly technical and complex, accordingly, we recommend that you consult with your own tax advisor.
The tax treatment of an investment in our Class A units could be subject to potential legislative, judicial, or administrative changes or differing interpretations, possibly applied on a retroactive basis.
The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of an investment in our Class A units may be modified by administrative, legislative, or judicial interpretation at any time. From time to time, members of Congress propose and consider substantive changes to the existing U.S. federal income tax laws that would affect us, including a prior legislative proposal that would have eliminated the “qualifying income” exception upon which we intend to rely for our treatment as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. There can be no assurance that there will not be changes to U.S. federal income tax laws or the Department of Treasury’s or IRS’s interpretation of the qualifying income and qualified opportunity fund rules in a manner that could impact our ability to continue to qualify as a partnership or qualified opportunity fund in the future, which could negatively impact the value of an investment in our Class A units. Any changes to the U.S. federal tax laws and interpretations thereof may be applied prospectively or retroactively and could make it more difficult or impossible for us to meet the qualifying income exception or qualified opportunity fund requirements and accordingly adversely affect the tax consequences associated with an investment in our Class A units.
If the IRS contests the U.S. federal income tax positions we take, the value our Class A units may be adversely impacted, and the cost of any IRS contest will reduce cash available for distributions.
The IRS may adopt positions that differ from the positions we have taken or may take on tax matters. It may be necessary to resort to administrative or court proceedings to sustain some or all of the positions we take. A court may not agree with some or all of the positions we take. Any contest with the IRS may materially and adversely impact the value of our Class A units. In addition, the costs of any contest with the IRS will be borne indirectly by the holders of our Class A units because the costs will reduce our cash available for distribution.
If the IRS makes audit adjustments to our income tax returns, the IRS (and some states) may assess and collect any taxes (including any applicable penalties and interest) resulting from such audit adjustments directly from us, in which case our cash available for distribution holders of our Class A units might be substantially reduced, and current and former holders of our Class A units may be required to indemnify us for any taxes (including applicable penalties and interest) resulting from audit adjustments paid on their behalf.
Even if you do not receive any cash distributions from us, you will be required to pay taxes on your share of our taxable income.
You will be required to pay U.S. federal income taxes and, in some cases, state and local income taxes, on your share of our taxable income, whether or not you receive cash distributions from us. For example, if we sell assets and reinvest the proceeds or use proceeds to repay existing debt, you may be allocated taxable income and gain resulting from the sale and our cash available for distribution would not increase. You may not receive cash distributions from us equal to your share of our taxable income or even equal to the actual tax due from you with respect to that income.
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You will likely be subject to state and local taxes and return filing requirements as a result of investing in our Class A units.
In addition to federal income taxes, holders of our Class A units likely will be subject to other taxes, such as state and local income taxes, unincorporated business taxes and estate, inheritance, or intangible taxes that are imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we do business or own property now or in the future. Holders of our Class A units will likely be required to file state and local income tax returns and pay state and local income taxes in some or all of these various jurisdictions, even if they do not live in these jurisdictions. Further, holders of our Class A units may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements. It is the responsibility of the holders of our Class A units to file all federal, state, local and foreign tax returns.
You will receive a Schedule K-1 to IRS Form 1065, which could increase the complexity of your tax circumstances.
We will prepare and deliver a Schedule K-1 to IRS Form 1065 for each holder of our Class A units. Your Schedule K-1 will contain information regarding your allocable share of our items of income, gain, loss, deduction, credit and adjustments to the carrying value of our assets and investments. Schedule K-1s are usually complex, and you may find that preparing your own tax returns requires additional time. You may also find it necessary or advisable to engage the services of an accountant or other tax adviser, at your own cost and expense, to assist with the preparation of your tax returns.
In addition, it is possible that your income tax liability with respect your allocable share of our income for a particular taxable year, as reflected on your Schedule K-1, could exceed the amount of cash distributions, if any, that we make to you for that taxable year, thus giving rise to an out-of-pocket tax liability. Accordingly, you should consult with your own accountant or other tax advisers concerning the tax consequences of your specific tax circumstances prior to acquiring, holding or disposing of any of our Class A units.
We do not expect to be able to furnish definitive Schedule K-1s to IRS Form 1065 to each holder of our Class A units prior to the deadline for filing U.S. income tax returns, which means that holders of our Class A units who are U.S. taxpayers should anticipate the need to file annually a request for an extension of the due date of their income tax returns. In addition, it is possible that holders of our Class A units may be required to file amended income tax returns.
As a partnership, we will report our operating results, including income, gains, losses, deductions, credits and adjustments to the carrying value of our assets and investments to IRS annually on Form 1065 provide a Schedule K-1 to each holder of our Class A units. Although we currently intend to distribute Schedule K-1s on or around 90 days after the end of our fiscal year, it may require a substantial period of time after the end of our fiscal year to obtain the requisite information from all lower-tier entities to enable us to prepare and deliver Schedule K-1s. For this reason, holders of Class A units should anticipate that they will need to file annually with the IRS (and certain states) a request for an extension past the due date of their income tax return.
In addition, it is possible that a holder of our Class A units will be required to file amended income tax returns or report additional income on later-year tax returns as a result of adjustments to items on income tax returns of the Company or our Operating Companies. Any obligation of a holder of our Class A units to file amended income tax returns for the foregoing or any other reason, including any costs incurred in the preparation or filing of such returns, is the responsibility of each holder of our Class A units.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
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Item 1C. Cybersecurity.
We are externally
The Sponsor Group takes a risk-based approach to cybersecurity and has implemented cybersecurity and IT risk management policies and procedures designed to address cybersecurity threats and incidents, including regularly assessing risks from cyber threats, monitoring IT systems for potential vulnerabilities, and testing IT systems according to its policies and practices. The Sponsor Group also uses a number of security tools and external service providers to monitor, test or otherwise assist with various aspects of its cybersecurity controls. Our Sponsor also uses a number of security tools and external service providers to monitor, test or otherwise assist with various aspects of its cybersecurity controls.
As of the date of this Form 10-K, cybersecurity threats, including as a result of any previous cybersecurity incidents, have
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