Back to GetFilings.com

Table of Contents

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2004

OR

For the transition period from                              to                             

Commission file number 0-25606

WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND VII, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(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  ¨

Table of Contents

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this Form 10-Q of Wells Real Estate Fund VII, 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

Real estate risks

Page 2

Table of Contents

Other operational risks

Page 3

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page 4

Table of Contents

WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND VII, L.P.

BALANCE SHEETS

ASSETS

See accompanying notes.

Page 5

Table of Contents

WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND VII, L.P.

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

See accompanying notes.

Page 6

Table of Contents

WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND VII, L.P.

STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003

AND THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2004 (Unaudited)

See accompanying notes.

Page 7

Table of Contents

WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND VII, L.P.

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

See accompanying notes.

Page 8

Table of Contents

WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND VII, L.P.

CONDENSED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2004 (unaudited)

Wells Real Estate Fund VII, L.P. (the “Partnership”) is a public limited partnership organized on December 1, 1992 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 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 April 6, 1994, the Partnership commenced an offering of up to $25,000,000 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 terminated its offering on January 5, 1995 upon receiving gross proceeds of $24,180,174 representing subscriptions for approximately 1,678,810 Class A Units and 739,207 Class B Units representing capital contributions of $24,180,174 from investors who were admitted to the Partnership as limited partners.

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”):

Page 9

Table of Contents

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, in accordance with such rules and regulations, and 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 recovery 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 are 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.

Page 10

Table of Contents

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 a qualified income offset provision in the partnership agreement; (b) allocations to partners having negative capital accounts until all negative capital accounts have been restored to zero; (c) allocations to Class B limited partners in amounts equal to 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; and (d) allocations to Class A limited partners and General Partners 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.

Cash available for distribution, if available, is generally distributed to limited partners quarterly. In accordance with the partnership agreement, distributions are paid first to each limited partner holding Class A Units until he has received a 10% per annum return on his adjusted capital contributions, as defined. Cash available for distribution is then paid to the General Partners until each has received an amount equal to 10% of distributions. 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:

Page 11

Table of Contents

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, investments in the Joint Ventures are recorded using the equity method of accounting. For further information, refer to the report filed for the Partnership on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

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

Wells Management Company, Inc. (“Wells Management”), an affiliate of the General Partners, receives compensation for the management and leasing of the Partnership’s properties owned through Joint Ventures 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 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 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. The properties in which the Partnership owns interests

Page 12

Table of Contents

incurred management and leasing fees payable to Wells Management of $126,273 and $120,604 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

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 $18,516 and $13,350 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, for these services and expenses. In addition, the Joint Ventures reimbursed Wells Capital $56,036 and $44,310 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, for these services and expenses.

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.

On April 6, 2004, Fund II-III Associates and Fund II-III-VI-VII Associates (collectively, the “Seller”) entered into an agreement to sell the two properties listed below to an unrelated third party (the “Purchaser”) for a gross sales price of $9,500,000. This transaction is currently subject to a due diligence period expiring on May 21, 2004, during which the Purchaser has the right to terminate the agreement for any reason. Accordingly, there are no assurances that this sale will close.

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 55.2% in Fund VI-VII Associates. As a result of the sale of Stockbridge Village I Expansion, net proceeds of approximately $2.3 million and a gain of approximately $944,000 have been allocated to the Partnership. The Partnership holds an equity interest of approximately 55.2% in Fund VI-VII Associates. As a result of the sale of Stockbridge Village III, net proceeds of approximately $1.6 million and a gain of approximately $237,000 have been allocated to the Partnership. The Partnership holds an equity interest of approximately 36.6% in Fund VII-VIII Associates. As a result of the sale of the Hannover Center, net proceeds of approximately $624,000 and a gain of approximately $168,000 have been allocated to the Partnership.

Page 13

Table of Contents

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.

Page 14

Table of Contents

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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 straddles the positioning-for-sale phase and the initial stages of the disposition and liquidation phase. Upon investing all capital proceeds and exiting the investing phase, the Partnership owned interests in nine properties through interests in affiliated joint ventures. As of March 31, 2004, four properties are substantially leased, three properties are under contract to be sold, one property was sold in 2001, and another 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 downtime, re-leasing expenditures, ongoing property level costs and portfolio costs. As we embark further into the disposition and liquidation phase, our attention will shift to locating suitable acquirers, negotiating purchase and 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.

Page 15

Table of Contents

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 Stockbridge Village I Expansion, Stockbridge Village III, and Hannover Center, as these properties were classified as held for sale effective March 18, 2003. Cash flows decreased during the first quarter of 2004, primarily due to distributing approximately $735,000 in residual net sales proceeds in January 2004 to the limited partners of record as of December 31, 2003, which did not include limited partners who acquired their units after September 30, 2003, and an investment in Fund V-VI-VII Associates related to funding tenant improvements for the Marathon Building.

During 2004, the Partnership anticipates transitioning from the positioning-for-sale phase to the disposition and liquidation 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.

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.

Page 16

Table of Contents

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.

Gross Revenues

Gross revenues of the Partnership were $271,254 and $246,249 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The 2004 increase from 2003 resulted primarily from the corresponding increase in equity in income of Joint Ventures as described below.

Equity In Income of Joint Ventures – Continuing Operations

Gross Revenues of Joint Ventures

Gross revenues of the Joint Ventures increased in 2004 from 2003 primarily due to increased occupancy of the Holcomb Bridge Property, partially offset by rent abatements at the Marathon Building during the first quarter of 2004 that will continue until the latter part of 2004.

Expenses of Joint Ventures

Expenses of Joint Ventures increased in 2004 from 2003 primarily due to an increase in depreciation expense as a result of tenant improvements placed in service in the first quarter of 2004 and increased legal costs associated with the negotiation of the new leases at the Marathon Building, an increase in building expenses related to landscaping and HVAC repairs at the BellSouth Building, partially offset by a decrease in depreciation expense recognized for the 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 of the Joint Ventures increased in 2004, as compared to 2003, primarily due to a decrease in depreciation expense recognized for Hannover Center, Stockbridge Village I Expansion, and Stockbridge Village III as a result of classifying these properties as held for sale effective March 18, 2003.

As a result of all of the aforementioned factors, equity in income of Joint Ventures was $269,084 and $244,589 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

Expenses of the Partnership

Total expenses of the Partnership were $29,039 and $24,144 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The increase recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2004 is primarily due to an increase in administrative salaries and accounting and legal fees.

Net Income of the Partnership

As a result of the aforementioned factors, net income of the Partnership increased to $242,215 from $222,105 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

Page 17

Table of Contents

Cash Flows From Operating Activities

Net cash flows from operating activities were $(30,979) and $(18,458) for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The increase in net cash flows used in operating activities resulted primarily from a change in the timing of paying accounts payable.

Cash Flows From Investing Activities

Net cash from investing activities were $133,222 and $581,993 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The 2004 decrease in cash flows from 2003 is primarily due to an investment in Fund V-VI-VII Associates related to funding tenant improvements for the Marathon Building and a decrease in distributions received from Fund V-VI-VII Associates due to rent abatements in the first quarter of 2004.

Cash Flows From Financing Activities

Net cash flows from financing activities were $(1,103,497) and $(392,354) for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Cash flows from financing activities are solely comprised of operating distributions paid to limited partners. The decrease in net cash flows used for financing activities in 2004, as compared to 2003 were commensurate with the corresponding decreases in operating cash flows generated by properties owned through Joint Ventures during the respective periods as well as a distribution of residual net sales proceeds of $735,000 in January 2004.

Distributions

The Partnership made operating distributions to the limited partners holding Class A Units of $0.07 per unit and $0.18 per unit for the quarters ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Such distributions have been made from 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 operating 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 absorbs its pro-rata portion of rent abatements at the Marathon Building through the end of 2004 and finances capital expenditures at the CH2M Hill Building.

The Partnership made distributions of residual net sales proceeds from the sale of Cherokee Commons to the limited partners holding Class A Units of $0.13 per unit and to the limited partners holding Class B Units of $1.55 per unit in January 2004 to the limited partners of record as of December 31, 2003, which did not include limited partners who acquired units after September 30, 2003.

Sales Proceeds

The sales of the Cherokee Commons and the outparcel of land at Tanglewood Commons generated total net sales proceeds of approximately $1,061,000, which is attributable to the Partnership. During the first quarter of 2004, the Partnership used approximately $277,000 of net sales proceeds to fund capital expenditures at the Marathon Building. Upon evaluating the capital needs of the existing properties in which the Partnership holds an interest, the General Partners determined that reserves of approximately $49,000 will be required to pursue the potential

Page 18

Table of Contents

expansion of Tanglewood Commons. Thus, in accordance with the terms of the partnership agreement, the General Partners distributed the residual net sales proceeds in January 2004 of approximately $735,000 to the limited partners of record as of December 31, 2003, which under the partnership agreement did not include limited partners who acquired their units after September 30, 2003.

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 capital expenditures for tenant improvements associated with the tenant’s expansion into the currently vacant space at the CH2M Hill Building.

The Partnership and its Joint Ventures have entered into agreements with Wells Capital and its affiliates, whereby the Partnership or its Joint Ventures pay certain fees or reimbursements to Wells Partners, or its affiliates (e.g., property management and leasing fees, administrative salary reimbursements, etc.). 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.

The real estate market has not been affected significantly by inflation in the past three years due to the relatively low inflation rate. Most tenant leases include provisions designed to protect the lessor from the impact of inflation and other increases in costs and operating expenses, including common area maintenance, real estate tax and insurance reimbursements from tenants either on a per-square-foot basis, or above a certain allowance per-square-foot annually. In addition, a number of the Partnership’s leases are for remaining terms of less than five years, which may allow the Partnership to enter into new leases at higher base rental rates in the event that market rental rates rise above the existing lease rates. There is no assurance, however, that the Partnership would be able to replace existing leases with new leases at higher base rental rates.

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. Additional discussion of accounting policies that management considers to be significant, including further discussion of the

Page 19

Table of Contents

critical accounting policies described below, is presented in Note 1 to the Partnership’s financial statements included in this report.

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:

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.

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

Page 20

Table of Contents

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.

On April 6, 2004, Fund II-III Associates and Fund II-III-VI-VII Associates (collectively, the “Seller”) entered into an agreement to sell the two properties listed below to an unrelated third party (the “Purchaser”) for a gross sales price of $9,500,000. This transaction is currently subject to a due diligence period expiring on May 21, 2004, during which the Purchaser has the right to terminate the agreement for any reason. Accordingly, there are no assurances that this sale will close.

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 55.2% in Fund VI-VII Associates. As a result of the sale of Stockbridge Village I Expansion, net proceeds of approximately $2.3 million and a gain of approximately $944,000 have been allocated to the Partnership. The Partnership holds an equity interest of approximately 55.2% in Fund VI-VII Associates. As a result of the sale of Stockbridge Village III, net proceeds of approximately $1.6 million and a gain of approximately $237,000 have been allocated to the Partnership. The Partnership holds an equity interest of approximately 36.6% in Fund VII-VIII Associates. As a result of the sale of the Hannover Center, net proceeds of approximately $624,000 and a gain of approximately $168,000 have been allocated to the Partnership.

Page 21

Table of Contents

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.

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 have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Page 22

Table of Contents

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.

Page 23

Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

TO

FIRST QUARTER FORM 10-Q

OF

WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND VII, L.P.