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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

Form 10-Q

 


 

(Mark One)

 

  x   Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2004

 

OR

 

  ¨   Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the transition period from                                  to                                 

 

Commission file number 0-27888

 


 

WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND VIII, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Georgia   58-2126618
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

6200 The Corners Pkwy.,

Norcross, Georgia

  30092
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code   (770) 449-7800

 


(Former name, former address, and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

Yes  x    No  ¨

 



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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Certain statements contained in this Form 10-Q of Wells Real Estate Fund VIII, L.P. (the “Partnership”) other than historical facts may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements include, in particular, statements about our plans, strategies, and prospects and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, as well as known and unknown risks, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. Therefore, such statements are not intended to be a guarantee of our performance in future periods. Such forward-looking statements can generally be identified by our use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “continue,” or other similar words. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date this report is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Neither the Partnership nor the general partners make any representations or warranties (expressed or implied) about the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from any forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q, and we do not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

 

Any such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors and are based on a number of assumptions involving judgments with respect to, among other things, future economic, competitive, and market conditions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately. To the extent that our assumptions differ from actual results, our ability to meet such forward-looking statements, including our ability to generate positive cash flow from operations; provide distributions to limited partners; and maintain the value of our real estate properties, may be significantly hindered. Following are some of the risks and uncertainties, although not all risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those presented in certain forward-looking statements:

 

General economic risks

 

    Adverse changes in general economic conditions or local conditions;

 

    Adverse economic conditions affecting the particular industry of one or more of our tenants;

 

Real estate risks

 

    Our ability to achieve appropriate occupancy levels resulting in sufficient rental amounts;

 

    Supply of or demand for similar or competing rentable space, which may adversely impact our ability to retain or obtain new tenants at lease expiration at acceptable rental amounts;

 

    Tenant ability or willingness to satisfy obligations relating to our existing lease agreements;

 

    Our potential need to fund tenant improvements, lease-up costs, or other capital expenditures out of operating cash flow;

 

    Increases in property operating expenses, including property taxes, insurance, and other costs at our properties;

 

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    Our ability to secure adequate insurance at reasonable and appropriate rates to avoid uninsured losses or losses in excess of insured amounts;

 

    Discovery of previously undetected environmentally hazardous or other undetected adverse conditions at our properties;

 

    Unexpected costs of capital expenditures related to tenant build-out projects or other unforeseen capital expenditures;

 

    Our ability to sell a property when desirable at an acceptable return, including the ability of the purchaser to satisfy any continuing obligations to us;

 

Other operational risks

 

    Our dependency on Wells Capital, Inc., the corporate general partner of one of our General Partners, its key personnel, and its affiliates for various administrative services;

 

    Wells Capital, Inc.’s ability to attract and retain high-quality personnel who can provide acceptable service levels to us and generate economies of scale for us over time;

 

    Increases in our administrative operating expenses, including increased expenses associated with operating as a public company;

 

    Changes in governmental, tax, real estate, environmental, and zoning laws and regulations and the related costs of compliance;

 

    Our ability to prove compliance with any governmental, tax, real estate, environmental, and zoning in the event that any such position is questioned by the respective authority; and

 

    Actions of our joint venture partners including potential bankruptcy, business interests differing from ours, or other actions that may adversely impact the operations of joint ventures.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

              Page No.

PART I.

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    
   

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements:

    
        

Balance Sheets—March 31, 2004 (unaudited) and December 31, 2003

   5
        

Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 (unaudited) and 2003 (unaudited)

   6
        

Statements of Partners’ Capital for the Year Ended December 31, 2003 and the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 (unaudited)

   7
        

Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 (unaudited) and 2003 (unaudited)

   8
        

Condensed Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

   9
   

Item 2.

  

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

   14
   

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks

   20
   

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

   20

PART II.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

   21

 

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WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND VIII, L.P.

 

BALANCE SHEETS

 

ASSETS

 

    

(unaudited)

March 31,

2004


  

December 31,

2003


Investments in joint ventures

   $ 18,668,777    $ 19,065,126

Due from joint ventures

     803,994      687,471

Cash and cash equivalents

     243,398      256,403
    

  

Total assets

   $ 19,716,169    $ 20,009,000
    

  

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

Liabilities:

             

Partnership distributions payable

   $ 686,972    $ 684,241

Accounts payable

     27,183      13,776
    

  

Total liabilities

     714,155      698,017
    

  

Partners’ capital:

             

Limited partners:

             

Class A—2,892,515 units and 2,881,015 units outstanding, as of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively

     19,002,014      19,310,983

Class B—310,754 units and 322,254 units outstanding, as of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively

     0      0

General partners

     0      0
    

  

Total partners’ capital

     19,002,014      19,310,983
    

  

Total liabilities and partners’ capital

   $ 19,716,169    $ 20,009,000
    

  

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND VIII, L.P.

 

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

    

(unaudited)

Three Months Ended

March 31,


     2004

   2003

REVENUES:

             

Equity income of joint ventures

   $ 407,643    $ 363,262

Other income

     708      441
    

  

       408,351      363,703
    

  

EXPENSES:

             

Partnership administration

     22,408      19,554

Legal and accounting

     7,471      3,442

Other general and administrative

     470      1,453
    

  

       30,349      24,449
    

  

NET INCOME

   $ 378,002    $ 339,254
    

  

NET INCOME ALLOCATED TO CLASS A LIMITED PARTNERS

   $ 378,002    $ 339,254
    

  

NET LOSS ALLOCATED TO CLASS B LIMITED PARTNERS

   $ 0    $ 0
    

  

NET INCOME PER WEIGHTED-AVERAGE CLASS A LIMITED PARTNER UNIT

   $ 0.13    $ 0.12
    

  

NET LOSS PER WEIGHTED-AVERAGE CLASS B LIMITED PARTNER UNIT

   $ 0.00    $ 0.00
    

  

CASH DISTRIBUTION PER WEIGHTED-AVERAGE CLASS A LIMITED PARTNER UNIT

   $ 0.24    $ 0.24
    

  

WEIGHTED-AVERAGE LIMITED PARTNER UNITS OUTSTANDING:

             

CLASS A

     2,892,515      2,867,915
    

  

CLASS B

     310,754      335,354
    

  

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND VIII, L.P.

 

STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003

AND THE THREE MONTHS ENDED March 31, 2004 (unaudited)

 

     Limited Partners

        Total
Partners’
Capital


 
     Class A

    Class B

   General
Partners


  
     Units

   Amounts

    Units

    Amounts

     

BALANCE, December 31, 2002

   2,862,365    $ 20,575,867     340,904     $ 0    $ 0    $ 20,575,867  

Net income

   0      1,466,474     0       0      0      1,466,474  

Partnership distributions

   0      (2,731,358 )   0       0      0      (2,731,358 )

Class B conversion elections

   18,650      0     (18,650 )     0      0      0  
    
  


 

 

  

  


BALANCE, December 31, 2003

   2,881,015      19,310,983     322,254       0      0      19,310,983  

Net income

   0      378,002     0       0      0      378,002  

Partnership distributions

   0      (686,971 )   0       0      0      (686,971 )

Class B conversion elections

   11,500      0     (11,500 )     0      0      0  
    
  


 

 

  

  


BALANCE, March 31, 2004

   2,892,515    $ 19,002,014     310,754     $ 0    $ 0    $ 19,002,014  
    
  


 

 

  

  


 

See accompanying notes.

 

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WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND VIII, L.P.

 

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

    

(unaudited)

Three Months Ended

March 31,


 
     2004

    2003

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                

Net income

   $ 378,002     $ 339,254  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

                

Equity in income of joint ventures

     (407,643 )     (363,262 )

Change in assets and liabilities:

                

Accounts payable

     13,407       7,059  
    


 


Net cash used in operating activities

     (16,234 )     (16,949 )
    


 


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                

Distributions received from joint ventures

     687,469       899,331  
    


 


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                

Distributions to limited partners

     (684,240 )     (679,812 )
    


 


NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (13,005 )     202,570  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

     256,403       53,894  
    


 


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

   $ 243,398     $ 256,464  
    


 


SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NONCASH ACTIVITIES:

                

Due from joint ventures

   $ 803,994     $ 779,756  
    


 


Partnership distributions payable

   $ 686,972     $ 681,130  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes.

 

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CONDENSED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

MARCH 31, 2004 (unaudited)

 

1.   SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

(a)   Organization and Business

 

Wells Real Estate Fund VIII, L.P. (the “Partnership”) is a public limited partnership organized on August 15, 1994 under the laws of the state of Georgia. The general partners are Leo F. Wells, III and Wells Partners L.P. (“Wells Partners”), a Georgia nonpublic limited partnership (collectively, the “General Partners”). Upon subscription, limited partners elect to have their units treated as either Class A Units or Class B Units. Limited partners have the right to change their prior elections to have some or all of their units treated as Class A Units or Class B Units one time during each quarterly accounting period. Limited partners may vote to, among other things, (a) amend the partnership agreement, subject to certain limitations; (b) change the business purpose or investment objectives of the Partnership; and (c) remove a general partner. A majority vote on any of the above-described matters will bind the Partnership without the concurrence of the General Partners. Each limited partnership unit has equal voting rights, regardless of class.

 

On January 6, 1995, the Partnership commenced a public offering of up to $35,000,000 of Class A or Class B limited partnership units pursuant to a Registration Statement filed on Form S-11 under the Securities Act of 1933. The Partnership commenced active operations on February 24, 1995, upon receiving and accepting subscriptions for 125,000 units. The Partnership terminated this offering on January 4, 1996, upon receiving gross proceeds of $32,042,689, representing subscriptions for approximately 2,613,534 Class A Units and 590,735 Class B Units. In March 1997, the Partnership repurchased 1,000 limited partner units.

 

The Partnership owns interests in all of its real estate assets through joint ventures with other Wells Real Estate Funds. During the periods presented, the Partnership owned interests in the following eight properties through the affiliated joint ventures listed below (the “Joint Ventures”):

 


Joint Venture    Joint Venture Partners    Properties

Fund VI, Fund VII and Fund VIII Associates

(“Fund VI-VII-VIII Associates”)

  

•  Wells Real Estate Fund VI, L.P.

•  Wells Real Estate Fund VII, L.P.

•  Wells Real Estate Fund VIII, L.P.

  

1. BellSouth Building

A four-story office building located in Jacksonville, Florida

2. Tanglewood Commons

A retail center in Clemmons, North Carolina


Fund VII and Fund VIII Associates (“Fund VII-Fund VIII Associates”)

  

•  Wells Real Estate Fund VII, L.P.

•  Wells Real Estate Fund VIII, L.P.

  

3. Hannover Center

A retail center located in Stockbridge, Georgia

4. CH2M Hill at Gainesville
    Property

An office building located in Gainesville, Florida


Fund VIII and Fund IX Associates
(“Fund VIII-Fund IX Associates”)

  

•  Wells Real Estate Fund VIII, L.P.

•  Wells Real Estate Fund IX, L.P.

  

5. US Cellular Building

A four-story office building located in Madison, Wisconsin


 

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Joint Venture    Joint Venture Partners    Properties

         

6. AT&T-TX Building

A one-story office building located in Boulder County, Colorado

7. Cirrus Logic Building

A two-story office building located in Boulder County, Colorado


Fund VIII-IX-REIT Joint Venture
(“Fund VIII-IX-REIT Associates”)

  

•  Fund VIII-Fund IX Associates.

•  Wells Operating Partnership, L.P.*

  

8. Quest Building

A two-story office building located in Orange County, California


 

*   Wells Operating Partnership, L.P.(“Wells OP”) is a Delaware limited partnership with Wells Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (“Wells REIT”) serving as its General Partner; Wells REIT is a Maryland corporation that qualifies as a real estate investment trust.

 

Each of the aforementioned properties was acquired on an all-cash basis. The investment objectives of each of the joint venture partners listed in the above table are substantially identical to those of the partnership. For further information regarding the foregoing joint ventures and properties, refer to the report filed for the Partnership on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

(b)   Basis of Presentation

 

The financial statements of the Partnership have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X, and in accordance with such rules and regulations, do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. In the opinion of the General Partners, the statements for the unaudited interim periods presented include all adjustments that are of a normal and recurring nature and necessary to fairly present the results for these periods. Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of full-year results. For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes included in the Partnership’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

(c)   Allocations of Net Income, Net Loss, and Gain on Sale

 

For the purpose of determining allocations per the partnership agreement, net income is defined as net income recognized by the Partnership, excluding deductions for depreciation, amortization, and cost recover and the gain on the sale of assets. Net income, as defined, of the Partnership is generally allocated each year in the same proportions that net cash from operations is distributed to the limited partners holding Class A Units and the General Partners. To the extent the Partnership’s net income in any year exceeds net cash from operations, it will be allocated 99% to the limited partners and 1% to the General Partners.

 

Net loss, depreciation, and amortization deductions for each fiscal year will be allocated as follows: (a) 99% to the limited partners holding Class B Units and 1% to the General Partners until their capital accounts are reduced to zero; (b) then to any partner having a positive balance in his capital account in an amount not to exceed such positive balance; and (c) thereafter to the General Partners.

 

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Gains on the sale or exchange of the Partnership’s properties will be allocated generally in the same manner that the net proceeds from such sale are distributed to partners after the following allocations are made, if applicable: (a) allocations made pursuant to the qualified income offset provisions of the partnership agreement; (b) allocations to partners having negative capital accounts until all negative capital accounts have been restored to zero; and (c) allocations to limited partners holding Class B Units in amounts equal to the deductions for depreciation and amortization previously allocated to them with respect to the specific partnership property sold, but not in excess of the amount of gain on sale recognized by the Partnership with respect to the sale of such property.

 

(d)   Distributions of Net Cash From Operations

 

Cash available for distribution, if available, is generally distributed to limited partners quarterly. In accordance with the partnership agreement, such distributions are paid first to each limited partner holding Class A Units until he has received a 10% per annum return on his net capital contributions, as defined. Then, such distributions are paid to the General Partners until each has received 10% of the total amount distributed to date. Any remaining cash available for distribution is split between the limited partners holding Class A Units and the General Partners on a basis of 90% and 10%, respectively. No cash distributions will be made to the limited partners holding Class B Units.

 

(e)   Distribution of Sales Proceeds

 

Upon sales of properties, the net sales proceeds are distributed in the following order:

 

    In the event that the particular property sold is sold for a price less than the original property purchase price, to the limited partners holding Class A Units until each limited partner has received an amount equal to the excess of the original property purchase price over the price for which the property was sold, limited to the amount of depreciation, amortization, and cost recovery deductions taken by the limited partners holding Class B Units with respect to such property;

 

    To limited partners holding units, which at any time have been treated as Class B Units, until each limited partner has received an amount necessary to equal the net cash available for distribution received by the limited partners holding Class A Units;

 

    To limited partners on a per-unit basis until each limited partner has received 100% of his net capital contributions, as defined;

 

    To limited partners on a per-unit basis until each limited partner has received a cumulative 10% per annum return on his net capital contributions, as defined;

 

    To limited partners on a per-unit basis until each limited partner has received an amount equal to his preferential limited partners’ return (defined as the sum of a 10% per annum cumulative return on net capital contributions for all periods during which the units were treated as Class A Units and a 15% per annum cumulative return on net for all periods during which the units were treated as Class B Units);

 

    To the General Partners until each has received 100% of his capital contributions; in the event that each limited partner has received aggregate cash distributions from the Partnership over the life of his investment in excess of a return of his net capital contributions plus his preferential limited partner return, then the General Partners shall receive an additional sum equal to 25% of such excess;

 

    Thereafter, 80% to the limited partners on a per-unit basis and 20% to the General Partners.

 

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2.   INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES

 

(a)   Basis of Presentation

 

The Partnership owned interests in eight properties during the periods presented through its ownership in the Joint Ventures. The Partnership does not have control over the operations of these joint ventures; however, it does exercise significant influence. Accordingly, the Partnership’s investments in the Joint Ventures are recorded using the equity method of accounting, whereby original investments are recorded at cost and subsequently adjusted for contributions, distributions, and net income (loss) attributable to the Partnership. For further information, see the report filed for the Partnership on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

(b)   Summary of Operations

 

The following information summarizes the operations of the Joint Ventures for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively:

 

    Total Revenues

    Income From
Continuing Operations


  Income From
Discontinued
Operations


  Net Income

    Three Months Ended
March 31,


    Three Months Ended
March 31,


  Three Months
Ended March 31,


  Three Months Ended
March 31,


    2004

    2003

    2004

  2003

  2004

  2003

  2004

  2003

Fund VI-VII-VIII Associates

  $ 718,744     $ 714,580     $ 231,535   $ 241,000   $ 0   $ 0   $ 231,535   $ 241,000

Fund VII-VIII Associates

    251,871       276,760       40,760     52,982     42,190     21,392     82,950     74,374

Fund VIII-IX Associates

    1,000,717 *     931,180 *     511,290     434,626     0     0     511,290     434,626
   


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

    $ 1,971,332     $ 1,922,520     $ 783,585   $ 728,608   $ 42,190   $ 21,392   $ 825,775   $ 750,000
   


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*   The Partnership’s share of income earned from its investment in Fund VIII-IX-REIT Associates is recorded by Fund VIII-IX Associates as equity in income of joint ventures, which is classified as revenue.

 

The following information summarizes the operations of the joint venture in which Fund VIII- IX Associates held an ownership interest for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively:

 

     Total Revenues

    Net Income

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


    Three Months Ended
March 31,


     2004

    2003

    2004

   2003

Fund VIII-IX-REIT Associates

   $ 349,394 *   $ 311,939 *   $ 162,340    $ 136,224
    


 


 

  

 

*   The Partnership’s share of income earned from its investment in Fund VIII-IX-REIT Associates is recorded by Fund VIII-IX Associates as equity in income of joint ventures, which is classified as revenue.

 

3.   RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

(a)   Management and Leasing Fees

 

The Partnership entered into a property management and leasing agreement with Wells Management, Inc. (‘Wells Management’), an affiliate of the General Partners. In consideration for supervising the management of properties, such properties will generally pay Wells Management management and leasing fees equal to (a) 3% of the gross revenues for management and 3% of the gross revenues for leasing (aggregate maximum of 6%) plus a separate fee for the one-time initial lease-up of newly constructed properties in an amount not to exceed the fee customarily charged in arm’s-length transactions by others rendering similar services in the same geographic area

 

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for similar properties or (b) in the case of commercial properties which are leased on a long-term net basis (ten or more years), 1% of the gross revenues, except for initial leasing fees equal to 3% of the gross revenues over the first five years of the lease term. For the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, the properties in which the Partnership owns interests paid management and leasing fees to Wells Management of $148,346 and $162,536, respectively.

 

(b)   Administration Reimbursements

 

Wells Capital, Inc. (“Wells Capital”), the general partner of Wells Partners, one of our General Partners, and its affiliates perform certain administrative services for the Partnership, such as accounting, property management, and other partnership administration, and incur the related expenses. Such expenses are allocated among the various Wells Real Estate Funds based on time spent on each fund by individual administrative personnel. In the opinion of management, this allocation is a reasonable estimation of such expenses. The Partnership reimbursed Wells Capital $20,467 and $14,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, for these services and expenses. In addition, the Joint Ventures reimbursed Wells Capital $51,472 and $33,686 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, for these services and expenses.

 

(c)   Conflicts of Interest

 

The General Partners are also general partners of other Wells Real Estate Funds. As such, there may exist conflicts of interest where the General Partners in their capacity as general partners of other Wells Real Estate Funds may be in competition with the Partnership for tenants in similar geographic markets.

 

4.   SUBSEQUENT EVENT

 

On April 29, 2004, four Wells affiliated Joint Ventures (collectively, the “Seller,” defined below) sold the five real properties (the “Sale Properties,” defined below) located in Stockbridge, Georgia to an unrelated third party (“the Purchaser”) for a gross sale price of $23,750,000. The Partnership holds an equity interest of approximately 63.4% in Fund VII-VIII Associates. As a result of the sale of the Hannover Center, net proceeds of approximately $1.1 million and a gain of approximately $291,000 have been allocated to the Partnership.

 


(Collectively, the “Seller”)

The Joint Ventures

   Joint Venture Partners    Sale Properties

Fund III and Fund IV Associates (“Fund III-IV Associates”)

  

•  Wells Real Estate Fund III, L.P.

•  Wells Real Estate Fund IV, L.P.

  

1. Stockbridge Village Shopping Center

A retail shopping center located in Stockbridge, Georgia


Fund V and Fund VI Associates (“Fund V-VI Associates”)

  

•  Wells Real Estate Fund V, L.P.

•  Wells Real Estate Fund VI, L.P.

  

2. Stockbridge Village II

Two retail buildings located in Stockbridge, Georgia


Fund VI and Fund VII Associates (“Fund VI-VII Associates”)

  

•  Wells Real Estate Fund VI, L.P.

•  Wells Real Estate Fund VII, L.P.

  

3. Stockbridge Village I Expansion

A retail shopping center expansion located in Stockbridge, Georgia

4. Stockbridge Village III

Two retail buildings located in Stockbridge, Georgia


Fund VII-VIII Associates

  

•  Wells Real Estate Fund VII, L.P.

•  Wells Real Estate Fund VIII, L.P.

  

5. Hannover Center

A retail center located in Stockbridge, Georgia


 

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5.   CONTINGENCIES

 

On or about March 12, 2004, a putative class action complaint (the “complaint”) relating to Wells Real Estate Fund I, a public limited partnership that offered units from September 6, 1984 through September 5, 1986 (“Wells Fund I”), was filed by four individuals (the “plaintiffs”) against Leo F. Wells, III, Wells Capital, Wells Investment Securities, Inc., Wells Management, and Wells Fund I (collectively, the “Wells Defendants”) (Hendry et al. v. Leo F. Wells, III et al., Superior Court of Gwinnett County, Georgia, Civil Action No. 04-A-2791 2). The Wells Defendants received notice of the complaint on or about March 19, 2004. The plaintiffs filed the complaint purportedly on behalf of all limited partners holding B units of Wells Fund I as of January 15, 2003. The complaint alleges, among other things, that (a) during the offering period (September 6, 1984 through September 5, 1986), Mr. Wells, Wells Capital, Wells Investment Securities, Inc., and Wells Fund I negligently or fraudulently made false statements and made material omissions in connection with the initial sale of the B units to investors of Wells Fund I by making false statements and omissions in the Wells Fund I sales literature relating to the distribution of net sale proceeds to holders of B units; (b) Mr. Wells, Wells Capital and Wells Fund I negligently or fraudulently misrepresented and concealed disclosure of, among other things, alleged discrepancies between such statements and the provisions in the partnership agreement for a period of time in order to delay such investors from taking any legal, equitable or other action to protect their investments in Wells Fund I, among other reasons; and (c) Mr. Wells, Wells Capital and Wells Fund I breached their fiduciary duties to the limited partners. The plaintiffs seek, among other remedies, the following: rescission of all purported class members’ purchases of B units and an order for a full refund of all money paid for such units together with interest; judgment against the Wells Defendants, jointly and severally, in an amount to be proven at trial; punitive damages; judicial dissolution of Wells Fund I and the appointment of a receiver to wind up and terminate the partnership; and an award to plaintiffs of their attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses.

 

ITEM  2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the accompanying financial statements and notes thereto.

 

(a)   Overview

 

Management believes that the Partnership would ideally operate through the course of the following five key life cycle phases. The time spent in each phase is dependent upon various economic, industry, market, and other internal/external factors. Some overlap naturally exists in the transition from one phase to the next.

 

    Fund-raising phase

The period during which the Partnership is raising capital through the sale and issuance of limited partner units to the public

 

    Investing phase

The period during which the Partnership invests the capital raised during the fund-raising phase, less upfront fees, into the acquisition of real estate assets

 

    Holding phase

The period during which real estate assets are owned and operated by the Partnership during the initial lease terms of the tenants

 

    Positioning-for-sale phase

The period during which the leases in place at the time of acquisition expire and, thus, the Partnership expends time, effort, and funds to re-lease such space to existing and/or new tenants. Following the holding phase, the Partnership continues to own and operate the real estate assets, evaluate various options for disposition, and market the real estate assets for sale.

 

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    Disposition and Liquidation phase

The period during which the Partnership sells its real estate investments and distributes net sales proceeds to the partners

 

Currently, management believes that the Partnership is in the latter stages of the holding phase and is entering the positioning-for-sale phase. Upon investing all capital proceeds and exiting the investing phase, the Partnership owned interests in eight properties through interests in affiliated joint ventures. As of the date of this filing, two properties are substantially leased to tenants at the end of their initial lease terms, three properties are substantially leased to tenants at the middle of their initial lease terms, one property is fully leased to a tenant, Quest Software, Inc., whose lease will expire in July 2004 (new tenant, Gambro, will take occupancy of this space effective November 1, 2004 with rent abatements through January 2005), one property is under contract to be sold, and a substantially leased property sold a single outparcel in 2002.

 

As the Partnership evolves through the life cycle detailed above, our most significant risks and challenges continue to evolve concurrently. During the positioning-for-sale phase, we will continue to focus on re-leasing vacant space and space that may become vacant upon the expiration of our current leases. In doing so, we seek to maximize returns to the limited partners by negotiating long-term leases at market rental rates while attempting to minimize down time, re-leasing expenditures, ongoing property level costs and portfolio costs. Later as we embark into the disposition and liquidation phase, our attention will shift to locating suitable acquirers, negotiating purchase-sale contracts that will attempt to maximize the total return to the limited partners, and minimize contingencies and our post-closing involvement with the acquirer.

 

During the first quarter of 2004, as compared to the first quarter of 2003, net income increased primarily due to a reduction in depreciation expense recognized for Hannover Center, as this property was classified as held for sale effective March 18, 2003. Cash flows decreased slightly during the first quarter of 2004, as a result of a decrease in distributions received from Joint Ventures.

 

During 2004, the Partnership anticipates transitioning from the holding phase to the positioning-for-sale phase. Substantially all of our revenues are generated from the operations of the properties in the Partnership’s portfolio. On a quarterly basis, we deduct the expenses related to the recurring operations of the properties and the portfolio from such revenues and assess the amount of the remaining cash flows that will be required to fund known re-leasing costs and other capital improvements. Any residual operating cash flows are considered available for distribution to the limited partners and are generally paid quarterly. As further outlined in section (c) below, we

anticipate future operating cash flows to decline as the Partnership completes the positioning-for-sale phase and enters into the disposition and liquidation phase.

 

Industry Factors

 

Our results continue to be impacted by a number of factors influencing the real estate industry.

 

General Economic and Real Estate Market Commentary

 

The U.S. economy appears to be recovering; however, thus far it has been a jobless recovery, and because of this, real estate office fundamentals may not improve until employment growth strengthens. The economy has shown signs of growth recently, as companies have recommenced making investments in new employees. Job growth is the most significant demand driver for office markets. The jobless recovery has resulted in a demand deficit for office space. In general, the real estate office market lags behind the overall economic recovery and, therefore, recovery is not expected until late 2004 or 2005 at the earliest, and then will vary by market.

 

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Overall, real estate market fundamentals are weak; however, capital continues to flow into the asset class. This increased capital drives the prices of many properties upward and investor returns downward. There is a significant pricing differential in underwriting parameters between well-leased assets with credit tenants and those with either existing vacancies or substantial near-term tenant rollover. Properties with long-term leases to strong credit tenants have seen an increase in value.

 

The office market has significant excess space. Vacancy levels are believed to be at or near their peak. There is some encouraging news, new construction continues to taper off, coming to a complete halt in many markets. As a result of the slowdown in new construction and the modest decline in sublease space, net absorption has turned positive, although barely, at year-end. Many industry professionals believe office market fundamentals are bottoming-out; however, a recovery cannot be expected until job growth and corresponding demand for office space increases.

 

Wells Real Estate Funds with Current Vacancy or Near-term Rollover Exposure

 

Real estate funds, such as the Partnership, that contain properties with current vacancies or near-term tenant rollover may face a challenging leasing environment. The properties within these funds will face lower rents and higher concession packages to the tenants in order to re-lease vacant space.

 

From a valuation standpoint, it is generally preferable to either renew an existing tenant lease or re-lease the property prior to marketing it for sale. Generally, buyers will heavily discount their offering price to compensate for the existing or pending vacancies.

 

(b)   Results of Operations

 

Gross Revenues

 

Gross revenues of the Partnership were $408,351 and $363,703 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The 2004 increase resulted from the corresponding change in equity in income of Joint Ventures described below.

 

Equity in Income of Joint Ventures – Continuing Operations

 

Gross Revenues of Joint Ventures

 

Gross revenues of Joint Ventures increased in 2004, as compared to 2003, primarily due to a CAM reimbursement for the US Cellular Building related to the 2002 CAM reconciliation. Tenants are billed for operating expense reimbursements based on estimates, which are reconciled in the following calendar year based on actual costs incurred and the terms of the corresponding tenant leases.

 

Expenses of Joint Ventures

 

Expenses of Joint Ventures decreased in 2004, as compared to 2003, primarily due to the following items: (i) a decrease in the property tax accrual at Cirrus Logic, and (ii) a decrease in depreciation expense recognized for CH2M Hill Building as the majority of tenant improvement costs became fully depreciated during 2003.

 

Equity In Income of Joint Ventures – Discontinued Operations

 

Equity in income generated by the Joint Ventures from discontinued operations increased in 2004, as compared to 2003, primarily due to a decrease in depreciation expense recognized for Hannover Center as a result of classifying the property as held for sale effective March 18, 2003.

 

As a result of all of the aforementioned factors, equity in income of Joint Ventures was $407,643 and $363,262 for the months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

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Expenses of the Partnership

 

Total expenses of the Partnership were $30,349 and $24,449 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The overall increase is primarily attributable to an increase in administrative salaries and accounting and legal fees, partially offset by a decrease in other professional fees.

 

Net Income of the Partnership

 

As a result of aforementioned factors, net income of the Partnership was $378,002 and $339,254 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

(c)   Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities

 

The Partnership’s net cash flows from operating activities were $(16,234) and $(16,949) for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, remaining relatively stable from period to period.

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities

 

Net cash flows from investing activities were $687,469 and $899,331 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The decrease for 2004, as compared to 2003, is primarily due to decreased distributions received from Fund VI-VII-VIII Associates and Fund VII-VIII Associates.

 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities

 

Net cash flows from financing activities remained relatively stable at $(684,240) and $(679,812) for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Cash flows from financing activities is solely comprised of operating distributions to limited partners.

 

Distributions

 

The Partnership made distributions to the limited partners holding Class A Units of $0.24 and $0.24 per unit for the quarters ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Such distributions have been made from net cash from operations and distributions received from investments in Joint Ventures. Distributions accrued for the first quarter of 2004 to the limited partners holding Class A Units were paid in May 2004. In accordance with the partnership agreement, no distributions have been made to the limited partners holding Class B Units or to the General Partners.

 

The General Partners anticipate that future operating cash distributions to the limited partners holding Class A Units may decline in the near term as the Partnership funds projected capital expenditures at the CH2M Hill Building and the Quest Building.

 

Sales Proceeds

 

The sale of the outparcel of land at Tanglewood Commons in 2002 generated total net sales proceeds of approximately $170,000, which is attributable to the Partnership. Upon evaluating the capital needs of the existing properties in which the Partnership holds interests, the General Partners have decided to hold these net sales proceeds in reserve to partially fund a potential expansion of Tanglewood Commons. Thus, no net sales proceeds will be distributed to the limited partners at this time. The General Partners will continue to monitor the Partnership’s capital needs and will re-evaluate the availability of net sale proceeds for distribution to the limited partners going forward and as additional properties are sold in the future.

 

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Capital Resources

 

The Partnership is an investment vehicle formed for the purpose of acquiring, owning, and operating income-producing real properties and has invested all of its funds available for investment. Accordingly, it is unlikely that the Partnership will acquire interests in any additional properties. In 2004, the General Partners anticipate funding the Partnership’s pro-rata share of re-leasing costs related to the July 31, 2004 expiration of the Quest Building lease (new tenant, Gambro, will take occupancy of this space effective November 1, 2004 with rent abatements through January 2005) and tenant improvements associated with a tenant’s expansion into the currently vacant space at the CH2M Hill Building.

 

(c)   Related-Party Transactions

 

The Partnership and its Joint Ventures have entered into agreements with Wells Capital, the General Partner of Wells Partners, and its affiliates, whereby the Partnership or its Joint Ventures pay certain fees or reimbursements to Wells Capital or its affiliates for sales commissions, dealer manager fees, property management and leasing fees, and reimbursement of operating costs. See Note 4 to the Partnership’s financial statements included in this report for a discussion of the various related-party transactions, agreements, and fees.

 

(d)   Inflation

 

The real estate market has not been affected significantly by inflation in the past three years due to the relatively low inflation rate. However, there are provisions in the majority of tenant leases, which would protect the Partnership from the impact of inflation. These provisions include reimbursement billings for operating expense pass-through charges, real estate tax and insurance reimbursements on a per-square-foot basis, or in some cases, annual reimbursement of operating expenses above a certain per-square-foot allowance. There is no assurance, however, that the Partnership would be able to replace existing leases with new leases at higher base rental rates.

 

(e)   Application of Critical Accounting Policies

 

The Partnership’s accounting policies have been established to conform with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to use judgment in the application of accounting policies, including making estimates and assumptions. These judgments affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. If management’s judgment or interpretation of the facts and circumstances relating to various transactions had been different, it is possible that different accounting policies would have been applied, thus resulting in a different presentation of the financial statements. Additionally, other companies may utilize different estimates that may impact comparability of the Partnership’s results of operations to those of companies in similar businesses.

 

Below is a discussion of the accounting policies that management considers to be critical in that they may require complex judgment in their application or require estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain.

 

Investment in Real Estate Assets

 

Management is required to make subjective assessments as to the useful lives of its depreciable assets. Management considers the period of future benefit of the asset to determine the appropriate useful lives. These assessments have a direct impact on net income. The estimated useful lives of the Joint Ventures’ assets by class are as follows:

 

Building

   25 years

Building improvements

   Remaining useful life of the building

Land improvements

   20 years

Tenant improvements

   Lease term

 

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In the event that management uses inappropriate useful lives or methods for depreciation, the Partnership’s net income would be misstated.

 

Valuation of Real Estate Assets

 

Management continually monitors events and changes in circumstances that could indicate that the carrying amounts of the real estate assets in which the Partnership has an ownership interest, either directly or through investments in joint ventures, may not be recoverable. When indicators of potential impairment are present which indicate that the carrying amounts of real estate assets may not be recoverable, management assesses the recoverability of the real estate assets by determining whether the carrying value of the real estate assets will be recovered through the undiscounted future operating cash flows expected from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. In the event that such expected undiscounted future cash flows do not exceed the carrying value, management adjusts the real estate assets to the fair value and recognizes an impairment loss. Management has determined that there has been no impairment in the carrying value of real estate assets held by the Partnership as of March 31, 2004.

 

Projections of expected future cash flows require management to estimate future market rental income amounts subsequent to the expiration of current lease agreements, property operating expenses, discount rates, the number of months it takes to re-lease the property, and the number of years the property is held for investment. The use of inappropriate assumptions in the future cash flow analysis would result in an incorrect assessment of the property’s future cash flows and fair value, and could result in the overstatement of the carrying value of real estate assets held by the joint ventures and net income of the Partnership.

 

(f)   Certain Litigation Involving our General partners

 

On or about March 12, 2004, a putative class action complaint (the “complaint”) relating to Wells Real Estate Fund I, a public limited partnership that offered units from September 6, 1984 through September 5, 1986 (“Wells Fund I”), was filed by four individuals (the “plaintiffs”) against Leo F. Wells, III, Wells Capital, Wells Investment Securities, Inc., Wells Management, and Wells Fund I (collectively, the “Wells Defendants”) (Hendry et al. v. Leo F. Wells, III et al., Superior Court of Gwinnett County, Georgia, Civil Action No. 04-A-2791 2). The Wells Defendants received notice of the complaint on or about March 19, 2004. The plaintiffs filed the complaint purportedly on behalf of all limited partners holding B units of Wells Fund I as of January 15, 2003. The complaint alleges, among other things, that (a) during the offering period (September 6, 1984 through September 5, 1986), Mr. Wells, Wells Capital, Wells Investment Securities, Inc., and Wells Fund I negligently or fraudulently made false statements and made material omissions in connection with the initial sale of the B units to investors of Wells Fund I by making false statements and omissions in the Wells Fund I sales literature relating to the distribution of net sale proceeds to holders of B units; (b) Mr. Wells, Wells Capital and Wells Fund I negligently or fraudulently misrepresented and concealed disclosure of, among other things, alleged discrepancies between such statements and the provisions in the partnership agreement for a period of time in order to delay such investors from taking any legal, equitable or other action to protect their investments in Wells Fund I, among other reasons; and (c) Mr. Wells, Wells Capital and Wells Fund I breached their fiduciary duties to the limited partners. The plaintiffs seek, among other remedies, the following: rescission of all purported class members’ purchases of B units and an order for a full refund of all money paid for such units together with interest; judgment against the Wells Defendants, jointly and severally, in an amount to be proven at trial; punitive damages; judicial dissolution of Wells Fund I and the appointment of a receiver to wind up and terminate the partnership; and an award to plaintiffs of their attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses.

 

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(g)   Subsequent Event

 

On April 29, 2004, four Wells affiliated Joint Ventures (collectively, the “Seller,” defined below) sold the five real properties (the “Sale Properties,” defined below) located in Stockbridge, Georgia to an unrelated third party (“the Purchaser”) for a gross sale price of $23,750,000. The Partnership holds an equity interest of approximately 63.4% in Fund VII-VIII Associates. As a result of the sale of the Hannover Center, net proceeds of approximately $1.1 million and a gain of approximately $291,000 have been allocated to the Partnership.

 


(Collectively, the “Seller”)

The Joint Ventures

   Joint Venture Partners    Sale Properties

Fund III and Fund IV Associates

(“Fund III-IV Associates”)

  

•   Wells Real Estate Fund III, L.P.

•   Wells Real Estate Fund IV, L.P.

  

1. Stockbridge Village Shopping
    Center

A retail shopping center located in Stockbridge, Georgia


Fund V and Fund VI Associates

(“Fund V-VI Associates”)

  

•   Wells Real Estate Fund V, L.P.

•   Wells Real Estate Fund VI, L.P.

  

2. Stockbridge Village II

Two retail buildings located in Stockbridge, Georgia


Fund VI and Fund VII Associates

(“Fund VI-VII Associates”)

  

•   Wells Real Estate Fund VI, L.P.

•   Wells Real Estate Fund VII, L.P.

  

3. Stockbridge Village I Expansion

A retail shopping center expansion located in Stockbridge, Georgia

4. Stockbridge Village III

Two retail buildings located in Stockbridge, Georgia


Fund VII-VIII Associates

  

•   Wells Real Estate Fund VII, L.P.

•   Wells Real Estate Fund VIII, L.P.

  

5. Hannover Center

A retail center located in Stockbridge, Georgia


 

ITEM 3.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISKS

 

Since the Partnership does not borrow any money, make any foreign investments, or invest in any market risk-sensitive instruments, it is not subject to risks relating to interest rates, foreign current exchange rate fluctuations, or the other market risks contemplated by Item 305 of Regulation S-K.

 

ITEM 4.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

The Partnership carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management of Wells Capital, the corporate general partner of one of the General Partners of the Partnership, including the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based upon that evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

There were no significant changes in the Partnership’s internal controls over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 6.   EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

 

(a)   The Exhibits to this report are set forth on Exhibit Index to First Quarter Form 10-Q attached hereto.

 

(b)   No reports on Form 8-K were filed with the Commission during the first quarter of 2004.

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

       

WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND VIII, L.P.

(Registrant)

       

By: WELLS PARTNERS, L.P.

(General Partner)

       

By: WELLS CAPITAL, INC.

 (Corporate General Partner)

May 10, 2004      

/s/    LEO F. WELLS, III


Leo F. Wells, III

President

 

May 10, 2004

     

 

/s/    DOUGLAS P. WILLIAMS


Douglas P. Williams

Principal Financial Officer

of Wells Capital, Inc.

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

TO

FIRST QUARTER FORM 10-Q

OF

WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND VIII, L.P.

 

Exhibit

No.


  

Description


31.1    Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2    Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002