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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 June 30, 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 0-22039

 


 

WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND IX, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Georgia   58-2126622
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

6200 The Corners Pkwy.,

Norcross, Georgia

  30092-3365
(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  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Yes  ¨     No  x

 



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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Certain statements contained in this Form 10-Q of Wells Real Estate Fund IX, L.P. (or, 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. Specifically, among others, we consider statements concerning projections of future operating results and cash flows, our ability to meet future obligations, and the amount and timing of future distributions to limited partners to be forward-looking statements.

 

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date that 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. 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 follow:

 

General economic risks

 

    Adverse changes in general or local economic conditions;

 

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

 

Real estate risks inherent in properties owned through joint ventures

 

    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 retaining or obtaining new tenants upon lease expiration at acceptable rental amounts;

 

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

 

    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 not recoverable from tenants;

 

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    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;

 

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

 

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

 

Other operational risks

 

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

 

    Wells Capital’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 in the current regulatory environment;

 

    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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WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND IX, L.P.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

              Page No.

PART I.

  FINANCIAL INFORMATION     
   

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements

    
        

Balance Sheets—June 30, 2004 (unaudited) and December 31, 2003

   5
        

Statements of Operations for the Three Months and Six Months Ended June 30, 2004 (unaudited) and 2003 (unaudited)

   6
        

Statements of Partners’ Capital for the Year Ended December 31, 2003 and the Six Months Ended June 30, 2004 (unaudited)

   7
        

Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2004 (unaudited) and 2003 (unaudited)

   8
        

Condensed Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

   9
   

Item 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions 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 IX, L.P.

 

BALANCE SHEETS

 

ASSETS

 

    

June 30,

2004

(unaudited)


   December 31,
2003


Investments in joint ventures

   $ 22,156,902    $ 22,530,501

Cash and cash equivalents

     58,782      14,175

Due from joint ventures

     462,062      737,493
    

  

Total assets

   $ 22,677,746    $ 23,282,169
    

  

 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

Liabilities:

             

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 19,293    $ 23,770

Partnership distribution payable

     0      720,432
    

  

Total liabilities

     19,293      744,202

Partners’ capital:

             

Limited partners:

             

Class A—3,209,219 units and 3,201,919 units outstanding as of June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively

     22,658,453      22,537,967

Class B—290,781 units and 298,081 units outstanding as of June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively

     0      0

General partners

     0      0
    

  

Total partners’ capital

     22,658,453      22,537,967
    

  

Total liabilities and partners’ capital

   $ 22,677,746    $ 23,282,169
    

  

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND IX, L.P.

 

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited)

 

    

Three Months Ended

June 30,


  

Six Months Ended

June 30,


     2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

EQUITY IN INCOME OF JOINT VENTURES (Note 2)

   $ 445,037    $ 399,360    $ 884,764    $ 773,312

EXPENSES:

                           

Partnership administration

     58,027      51,452      82,268      76,623

Legal and accounting fees

     13,406      4,456      21,398      8,074

Other general and administrative

     817      4,777      1,257      6,186
    

  

  

  

Total expenses

     72,250      60,685      104,923      90,883

OTHER INCOME

     178      0      178      652
    

  

  

  

NET INCOME

   $ 372,965    $ 338,675    $ 780,019    $ 683,081
    

  

  

  

NET INCOME ALLOCATED TO CLASS A LIMITED PARTNERS

   $ 372,965    $ 338,675    $ 780,019    $ 683,081
    

  

  

  

NET LOSS ALLOCATED TO CLASS B LIMITED PARTNERS

   $ 0    $ 0    $ 0    $ 0
    

  

  

  

NET INCOME (LOSS) PER WEIGHTED-AVERAGE LIMITED PARTNER UNIT:

                           

CLASS A

   $ 0.12    $ 0.11    $ 0.24    $ 0.22
    

  

  

  

CLASS B

   $ 0.00    $ 0.00    $ 0.00    $ 0.00
    

  

  

  

DISTRIBUTION OF OPERATING CASH PER WEIGHTED-AVERAGE LIMITED PARTNER UNIT:

                           

CLASS A

   $ 0.00    $ 0.20    $ 0.21    $ 0.41
    

  

  

  

CLASS B

   $ 0.00    $ 0.00    $ 0.00    $ 0.00
    

  

  

  

WEIGHTED-AVERAGE LIMITED PARTNER UNITS OUTSTANDING:

                           

CLASS A

     3,209,219      3,178,883      3,206,719      3,176,183
    

  

  

  

CLASS B

     290,781      321,117      293,281      323,817
    

  

  

  

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND IX, L.P.

 

STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003

AND THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2004 (unaudited)

 

     Limited Partners

  

General

Partners


  

Total

Partners’

Capital


 
     Class A

    Class B

     
     Units

   Amounts

    Units

    Amounts

     

BALANCE, December 31, 2002

   3,165,583    $ 23,838,988     334,417     $ 0    $ 0    $ 23,838,988  

Net income

   0      1,425,532     0       0      0      1,425,532  

Distributions of operating cash flow

   0      (2,726,553 )   0       0      0      (2,726,553 )

Class B conversion elections

   36,336      0     (36,336 )     0      0      0  
    
  


 

 

  

  


BALANCE, December 31, 2003

   3,201,919      22,537,967     298,081       0      0      22,537,967  

Net income

   0      780,019     0       0      0      780,019  

Distributions of operating cash flow

   0      (659,533 )   0       0      0      (659,533 )

Class B conversion elections

   7,300      0     (7,300 )     0      0      0  
    
  


 

 

  

  


BALANCE, June 30, 2004

   3,209,219    $ 22,658,453     290,781     $ 0    $ 0    $ 22,658,453  
    
  


 

 

  

  


 

See accompanying notes.

 

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WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND IX, L.P.

 

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

 

 

    

Six Months Ended

June 30,


 
     2004

    2003

 

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                

Net income

   $ 780,019     $ 683,081  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

                

Operating distributions received from joint ventures

     1,533,794       1,351,957  

Equity in income of Joint Ventures

     (884,764 )     (773,312 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     (4,477 )     58  
    


 


Total adjustments

     644,553       578,703  
    


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     1,424,572       1,261,784  

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                

Distributions paid to limited partners

     (1,379,965 )     (1,366,784 )
    


 


NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     44,607       (105,000 )

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

     14,175       121,265  
    


 


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

   $ 58,782     $ 16,265  
    


 


SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                

Partnership distributions payable

   $ 0     $ 635,776  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes.

 

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WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND IX, L.P.

 

CONDENSED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

JUNE 30, 2004 (unaudited)

 

(a)   Organization and Business

 

Wells Real Estate Fund IX, L.P. (the “Partnership”) is a Georgia public limited partnership with Leo F. Wells, III and Wells Partners, L.P. (“Wells Partners”), a Georgia nonpublic limited partnership, serving as the general partners (collectively, the “General Partners”). The Partnership was formed on August 15, 1994 for the purpose of acquiring, developing, constructing, owning, operating, improving, leasing, and managing income-producing commercial properties for investment purposes. Upon subscription, limited partners elect to have their units treated as Class A Units or Class B Units. Limited partners shall 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) add or 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 5, 1996, the Partnership commenced a public offering of up to $35,000,000 of 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 12, 1996, upon receiving and accepting subscriptions for 125,000 units and collecting aggregate gross offering proceeds of $2,500,000, thus allowing for the admission of New York and Pennsylvania investors in the Partnership. The offer terminated on December 30, 1996, at which time the Partnership had sold approximately 2,935,931 Class A Units and 564,069 Class B Units for total limited partner Capital Contributions of $35,000,000.

 

The Partnership owns interests in all of its real estate assets through joint ventures with other entities affiliated with the General Partners. During the periods presented, the Partnership owned interests in the following nine properties through the affiliated joint ventures listed below (the “Joint Ventures”):

 

Joint Venture    Joint Venture Partners    Properties

Fund VIII and Fund IX Associates

(“Fund VIII-IX Associates”)

  

•   Wells Real Estate Fund VIII, L.P.

•   Wells Real Estate Fund IX, L.P.

  

1. US Cellular Building

A four-story office building located in Madison, Wisconsin

2. AT&T—Texas Building

A one-story office building located in Farmer’s Branch, Texas

3. 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-IX Associates

•   Wells Operating Partnership, L.P.(1)

  

4. 15253 Bake Parkway (formerly Quest Building)

A two-story office building located in Irvine, California

 

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Joint Venture    Joint Venture Partners    Properties
The Fund IX, Fund X, Fund XI and REIT Joint Venture (“Fund IX-X-XI-REIT Associates”)   

•   Wells Real Estate Fund IX, L.P.

•   Wells Real Estate Fund X, L.P.

•   Wells Real Estate Fund XI, L.P.

•   Wells Operating Partnership, L.P.(1)

  

5. Alstom Power—Knoxville Building

A three-story office building located in Knoxville, Tennessee

6. 360 Interlocken Building

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

7. Avaya Building

A one-story office building located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

8. Iomega Building

A single-story warehouse and office building located in Ogden, Utah

9. Ohmeda Building

A two-story office building located in Louisville, Colorado

 

(1)   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. Approval of the other joint venture partners is required for any major decision or any action that would materially affect the Joint Ventures, or their real property investments. For further information regarding the Joint Ventures and foregoing 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 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 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 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: (i) allocations made pursuant to the qualified income offset provisions of the partnership agreement; (ii) allocations to partners having negative capital accounts until all negative capital accounts have been restored to zero; and (iii) 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 from operations, 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 will be 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 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 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 contribution, as defined;

 

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

 

    To limited partners on a per-unit basis until each limited partner has received an amount equal to his preferential limited partner 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 capital contributions for all periods during which the units were treated as Class B Units);

 

    To all General Partners until they have received 100% of their capital contributions; in the event that limited partners have received aggregate cash distributions from the Partnership over the life of their investment in excess of a return of their net capital contributions plus their 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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(f)   Reclassifications

 

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year financial statement presentation.

 

2.   INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES

 

(a)   Basis of Presentation

 

The Partnership owned interests in nine properties during the periods presented through its ownership in the Joint Ventures. Approval of the Partnership as well as the other joint venture partners is required for any major decision or any action that would materially affect the Joint Ventures, or their real property investments. The Partnership does not have control over the operations of the 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 regarding investments in the Joint Ventures, refer to the financial statements and footnotes included in the Partnership’s 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 and six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively:

 

     Total Revenues

   Net Income

    

Three Months Ended

June 30,


  

Three Months Ended

June 30,


     2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

Fund IX-X-XI-REIT Associates

   $ 1,279,110    $ 1,320,502    $ 430,011    $ 482,970

Fund VIII-IX Associates

     762,652      822,609      613,232      466,457
    

  

  

  

     $ 2,041,762    $ 2,143,111    $ 1,043,243    $ 949,427
    

  

  

  

     Total Revenues

   Net Income

    

Six Months Ended

June 30,


  

Six Months Ended

June 30,


     2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

Fund IX-X-XI-REIT Associates

   $ 2,626,731    $ 2,642,318    $ 964,481    $ 937,708

Fund VIII-IX Associates

     1,626,663      1,639,074      1,124,523      901,083
    

  

  

  

     $ 4,253,394    $ 4,281,392    $ 2,089,004    $ 1,838,791
    

  

  

  

 

The following information summarizes the operations of Fund VIII-IX-REIT Associates in which the Partnership held an interest through its equity interest in Fund VIII-IX Associates for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively:

 

     Total Revenues

   Net Income

     Three Months Ended
June 30,


   Three Months Ended
June 30,


     2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

Fund VIII-IX-REIT Associates

   $ 457,864    $ 309,840    $ 340,891    $ 141,531
    

  

  

  

     Total Revenues

   Net Income

    

Six Months Ended

June 30,


  

Six Months Ended

June 30,


     2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

Fund VIII-IX-REIT Associates

   $ 807,258    $ 621,780    $ 503,231    $ 277,755
    

  

  

  

 

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3.   RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

(a)   Management and Leasing Fees

 

The Partnership entered into a property management and leasing agreement with Wells Management Company, 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) of the gross revenues collected monthly, 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 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 Partnership’s share of management and leasing fees and lease acquisition costs incurred through the Joint Ventures was $68,538 and $67,787 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and $119,290 and $131,234 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

(b)   Administration Reimbursements

 

Wells Capital, the general partners 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 various other entities affiliated with the General Partners (the “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 $31,158 and $14,504 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 respectively, and $49,645 and $30,123 for the six months ended June 30, 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.

 

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4.   CONTINGENCIES

 

By Order dated June 3, 2004, the Superior Court of Gwinnett County, Georgia, dismissed, without prejudice, the putative class action complaint filed on or about March 12, 2004 against Leo F. Wells, III, Wells Capital, and certain affiliates of Wells Capital relating to Wells Real Estate Fund I, an affiliate of the General Partners (Hendry et al. v. Leo F. Wells, III et al., Superior Court of Gwinnett County, Georgia, Civil Action No. 04-A-2791 2).

 

ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITIONS AND RESULTS OF OPERATION.

 

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 typically operates through 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.

 

    Fundraising 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 fundraising 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.

 

    Disposition and Liquidation phase

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

 

Portfolio Overview

 

The Partnership is in the holding phase of its life cycle. The Partnership owns interests in nine assets. Our focus at this time involves maintaining the current high occupancy level within the portfolio and concentrating on re-leasing and marketing efforts that we believe will deliver the best operating performance for our investors.

 

We are pleased to highlight three significant leasing successes that will benefit the portfolio performance long term. While Alstom Power had provided notice to exercise an early termination option, we were able to negotiate an extension of their lease in favor of lowering the contract rental rate to current market levels. We also have signed a new lease at the 15253 Bake Parkway building for a 10-year term beginning in November 2004, but the Partnership will have to absorb its pro rata share of the re-leasing costs this year. We also were successful in extending the Gaiam lease at the 360 Interlocken Building through May 2008.

 

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While the portfolio currently enjoys a high occupancy level, we do face some near-term leasing issues that may negatively affect our operating performance. Not only will the Partnership have to absorb the costs associated with the leases at the Alstom Power-Knoxville Building and 15253 Bake Parkway, but the Ohmeda lease expires in January 2005. While these leasing challenges, coupled with the approximate 79% occupancy at 360 Interlocken Building, may impact performance, we are aggressively working with existing and potential tenants in these markets to minimize the negative effects as much as possible, as evidenced by our recent leasing successes.

 

The General Partners are currently reserving operating cash, given the level of re-leasing costs associated with the Gambro lease at 15253 Bake Parkway as well as the Alstom Power lease extension. The General Partners anticipate that operating distributions may continue to be reserved, as the Partnership absorbs its pro rata share of several additional capital needs, including: (i) leasing the remaining vacant space at the 360 Interlocken Building; (ii) leasing costs associated with the Alstom Power lease; (iii) re-leasing of the Ohmeda Building in 2005; and (iv) funding parking lot repairs and improvements for the 360 Interlocken Building and the Avaya Building.

 

As of June 30, 2004, current Class A unit holders have received cumulative net operating cash flows of approximately $20.0 million, as compared to approximately $32.1 million originally invested, or approximately 62% of the dollars invested since inception.

 

No operating distributions have been made to investors holding Class B units or to the General Partners, in line with the partnership agreement.

 

Property Summary

 

    The AT&T-TX Building is currently 100% leased through July 2011.

 

    As mentioned previously, we have signed an extension of the lease with Alstom Power, with a new lease expiration date of October 31, 2014. While this lease extension includes some upfront costs and reduces the contract rent to current market levels, we avoided a significant vacancy in the Knoxville market, which is experiencing a 14% vacancy level.

 

    The Avaya Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is 100% leased through January 2008.

 

    The CH2M Hill Property, located in Gainesville, Florida, is approximately 92% leased to a single tenant. This lease expires in November 2005.

 

    The Cirrus Logic Building is located in the Broomfield submarket of Denver, Colorado. This property is currently 100% leased to a single tenant through April 2012.

 

    360 Interlocken Building is also located in Broomfield, outside Denver. The majority of this building is leased to Gaiam through May 2008, now that we have successfully extended their lease for three years. We recently signed a new lease for approximately 4,800 square feet with Culver Financial. We also continue to pursue tenants for the remaining vacancy at this property.

 

    The Iomega Building, located in Ogden, Utah, outside Salt Lake City, is 100% leased through April 2009.

 

    The Ohmeda Building is located in Louisville, Colorado, adjacent to the Broomfield submarket. The lease for this property expires in January 2005, and we are focused on lease negotiations for this asset.

 

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    The tenant lease at the 15253 Bake Parkway building in southern California has been extended through July 2004. We are pleased to report that a new lease has been signed for the entire building with a new tenant (Gambro). This lease will begin on November 1, 2004, and extends through January 31, 2015.

 

    The U.S. Cellular Building, located in Madison, Wisconsin, is 100% leased through May 2007.

 

During the holding 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 move into the positioning-for-sale and disposition and liquidation phases, our attention will shift to locating suitable buyers, 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 buyer.

 

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 on the road to recovery. 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. Market fundamentals are improving, and new office jobs are slowly being created. 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 this asset class. The increase in capital drives the prices of many properties upward and investor returns downward. There is a significant pricing differential in the underwriting parameters of 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 have peaked and are expected to trend downward moderately through the end of 2004. There is some encouraging news in that construction continues to taper off and has come 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. Many industry professionals believe office market fundamentals have bottomed-out; however, a recovery cannot be expected until job growth and corresponding demand for office space continue to increase.

 

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

 

Real estate funds, such as the Partnership, that invest in properties with current vacancies or near-term tenant rollover may face a challenging leasing environment. In connection with re-leasing vacant space, the properties within these funds will encounter lower market rental rates and higher concession packages to tenants.

 

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.

 

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(b)   Results of Operations

 

Equity in Income of Joint Ventures

 

Equity in income of joint ventures was $445,037 and $399,360 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and $884,764 and $773,312 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The increase in equity in income of joint ventures for the second quarter of 2004, as compared to the second quarter of 2003, resulted primarily from additional operating income generated by Fund VIII-IX-REIT Associates, as the sole tenant of 15253 Bake Parkway began paying rent at higher month-to-month rates beginning in May 2004, partially offset by a write-off of operating expense reimbursement receivables following the 2003 reconciliation for a tenant of the 360 Interlocken Building in June 2004.

 

In addition to the items discussed in the preceding paragraph, the increase in equity in income of joint ventures for the six months ended June 30, 2004, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2003, resulted primarily from additional operating expense reimbursement revenue for the Alstom Power-Knoxville Building and the Iomega Building following the 2003 reconciliations for those tenants in the first quarter of 2004. 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.

 

We expect future equity in income of Joint Ventures to decrease as a result of entering into the following leases, at the current prevailing market rates, which are less than the respective rates previously charged: (i) a lease for 100% of 15253 Bake Parkway effective November 1, 2004 through January 31, 2015 (with rent abatements through January 2005), (ii) a renewed lease for approximately 70% of the 360 Interlocken Building effective June 1, 2004 through May 31, 2008, and (iii) a renewed lease for 100% of the Alstom Power-Knoxville Building effective July 1, 2004 through October 31, 2014.

 

Expenses of the Partnership

 

Total expenses of the Partnership were $72,250 and $60,685 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and $104,923 and $90,883 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The increases are primarily a result of higher administrative salaries, accounting fees, postage and delivery, and printing costs associated with increased reporting and regulatory requirements. We anticipate additional increases related to implementing and adhering to such reporting and regulatory requirements going forward.

 

(c)   Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our operating strategy entails funding expenses related to the recurring operations of the properties and the portfolio with operating cash flows, including distributions received from the Joint Ventures, and assessing the amount of 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 a result, the ongoing monitoring of the Partnership’s cash position is critical to ensuring that adequate liquidity and capital resources are available. Economic downturns in one or more of our core markets could adversely impact the ability of our tenants to honor lease payments and our ability to re-lease space on favorable terms as leases expire or space otherwise becomes vacant. In the event of either situation, cash flows and, consequently, our ability to provide funding for capital needs would be adversely affected.

 

Short-Term Liquidity

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2004, we generated net operating cash flows, including distributions received from the Joint Ventures, of approximately $1,425,000, as compared to approximately $1,262,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2003. Distributions from the Joint Ventures are generally representative of rental revenues and tenant reimbursements, less property operating expenses, management fees, general administrative expenses, and capital expenditures. The General Partners have decided to reserve operating distributions to limited partners for the second quarter of 2004 in order to provide funding for the Partnership’s pro-rata share of: (i) capital improvements for the 360 Interlocken Building and the Avaya Building, and (ii) leasing costs for the 360 Interlocken Building, the Alstom Power-Knoxville Building, the Ohmeda Building, and 15253 Bake Parkway.

 

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At this time, we expect to continue to generate cash flows from operations, including distributions from the Joint Ventures, sufficient to cover our estimated future expenses. Future operating distributions paid to limited partners will be largely dependent upon the amount of cash generated from the Joint Ventures, our expectations of future cash flows, and determination of near-term cash needs for tenant re-leasing costs and other capital improvements.

 

We believe that the cash on hand and distributions due from the Joint Ventures are sufficient to cover the Partnership’s working capital needs, including liabilities of approximately $19,000 as of June 30, 2004. During the remainder of 2004, the General Partners anticipate that the Partnership will fund its proportionate share of capital expenditures noted above.

 

Long-Term Liquidity

 

We expect that our future sources of capital will be primarily derived from operating cash flows generated from the Joint Ventures, and net proceeds generated from the selective and strategic sale of properties. Our future long-term liquidity requirements will include, but not be limited to, tenant improvements, renovations, expansions and other significant capital improvements necessary for properties owned through the Joint Ventures. Specifically, we anticipate funding the Partnership’s proportionate share of the costs necessary to re-lease the Ohmeda Building upon the January 2005 expiration of the sole tenant’s lease. We expect to continue to use substantially all future net cash flows from operations, including distributions received from the Joint Ventures, less expenses related to the recurring operations of the properties and the portfolio and reserves for known capital expenditures, to pay operating distributions to the limited partners.

 

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 the partners’ original capital contributions. Thus, it is unlikely that we will acquire interests in any additional properties. Historically, our investment strategy has generally involved acquiring properties that are pre-leased to creditworthy tenants on an all cash basis through joint ventures with affiliated partnerships.

 

We incur capital expenditures primarily in the form of building improvements for the purpose of maintaining the quality of our properties, and tenant improvements for the purpose of readying our properties for re-leasing. As leases expire, we typically attempt to re-lease space to an existing tenant or market the space to prospective new tenants. Generally, tenant improvements funded in connection with lease renewals require less capital than those funded in connection with new leases. However, external conditions, such as the supply of and demand for comparable space available within a given market, drive capital costs as well as rental rates.

 

Operating cash flows, if available, are generally distributed from the Joint Ventures to the Partnership during the second month following each calendar quarter-end. However, the Joint Ventures will reserve operating distributions, or a portion thereof, as needed in order to fund known capital and other expenditures. Our cash management policy typically includes first utilizing current period operating cash flow until depleted, at which point operating reserves are utilized to fund capital and other required expenditures. In the event that current and prior period accumulated operating cash flows are insufficient to fund such costs, net property sale proceeds reserves, if available, would then be utilized.

 

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(d)   Related-Party Transactions

 

The Partnership and the Joint Ventures have entered into agreements with Wells Capital, the General Partner of Wells Partners and its affiliates, whereby the Partnership or the Joint Ventures pay certain fees or reimbursements to Wells Capital or its affiliates (e.g., property management and leasing fees, administrative salary reimbursements, etc.). See Note 3 to the Partnership’s financial statements included in this report for a discussion of the various related-party transactions, agreements, and fees.

 

(e)   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.

 

(f)   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 Venture’s assets by class are as follows:

 

Buildings

   25 years

Building improvements

   Remaining useful life of the building

Land improvements

   20 years

Tenant improvements

   Lease term

 

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 the 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

 

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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 June 30, 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.

 

(g)   Certain Litigation Involving our General Partners

 

By Order dated June 3, 2004, the Superior Court of Gwinnett County, Georgia, dismissed, without prejudice, the putative class action complaint filed on or about March 12, 2004 against Leo F. Wells, III, Wells Capital, and certain affiliates of Wells Capital relating to Wells Real Estate Fund I, an affiliate of the General Partners (Hendry et al. v. Leo F. Wells, III et al., Superior Court of Gwinnett County, Georgia, Civil Action No. 04-A-2791 2).

 

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 Second Quarter Form 10-Q attached hereto.

 

(b)   No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the second 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 IX, L.P.

(Registrant)

       

By: WELLS PARTNERS, L.P.

 (General Partner)

       

By: WELLS CAPITAL, INC.

 (Corporate General Partner)

August 11, 2004

     

/s/    LEO F. WELLS, III


Leo F. Wells, III

President

 

August 11, 2004

     

 

/s/    DOUGLAS P. WILLIAMS


Douglas P. Williams

Principal Financial Officer

of Wells Capital, Inc.

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

TO

SECOND QUARTER FORM 10-Q

OF

WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND IX, 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