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 June 30, 2004 or

For the transition period from                                  to                                 

Commission file number 0-27888

WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND VIII, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(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

Table of Contents

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this Form 10-Q of Wells Real Estate Fund VIII, L.P. (the “Partnership”) other than historical facts may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements include, in particular, statements about our plans, strategies, and prospects and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, as well as known and unknown risks, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. Therefore, such statements are not intended to be a guarantee of our performance in future periods. Such forward-looking statements can generally be identified by our use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “continue,” or other similar words. 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

Real estate risks inherent in properties owned through joint ventures

Page 2

Table of Contents

Other operational risks

Page 3

Table of Contents

WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND VIII, L.P.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page 4

Table of Contents

WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND VIII, L.P.

BALANCE SHEETS

ASSETS

See accompanying notes.

Page 5

Table of Contents

WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND VIII, L.P.

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited)

See accompanying notes.

Page 6

Table of Contents

WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND VIII, L.P.

STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003

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

See accompanying notes.

Page 7

Table of Contents

WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND VIII, L.P.

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

See accompanying notes.

Page 8

Table of Contents

WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND VIII, L.P.

CONDENSED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2004 (unaudited)

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

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

The Partnership owns interests in all of its real estate assets through joint ventures with other entities affiliated with the General Partners. 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. 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.

On April 29, 2004, four Wells-affiliated Joint Ventures, including Fund VII-VIII Associates, sold five real properties, including Hannover Center, to an unrelated third party for a gross sales price of $23,750,000. As a result of the sale of the Hannover Center, net proceeds of approximately $1,100,000, and a gain of approximately $291,000 have been allocated to the Partnership.

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

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

Page 10

Table of Contents

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.

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

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 from operations 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.

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

Page 11

Table of Contents

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

The Partnership owned interests in eight properties during the periods presented through its ownership in the Joint Ventures. The Partnership does not have control over the operations of these Joint Ventures; however, it does exercise significant influence. 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. 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, refer to the financial statements and footnotes included in the Partnership’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

The following information summarizes the operations of the Joint Ventures for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively:

Page 12

Table of Contents

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

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 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 $57,840 and $76,036 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and $113,613 and $131,132 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

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 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 $35,877 and $13,158 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and $56,344 and $27,158 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, for these services and expenses.

Page 13

Table of Contents

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.

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).

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

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.

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 fundraising 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

Page 14

Table of Contents

Portfolio Overview

The Partnership is moving from the holding phase and beginning the positioning-for-sale phase of its life cycle. One asset has been sold, with the closing of Hannover Center in April 2004. Our focus on the remaining assets involves maintaining the current high occupancy level within the portfolio and concentrating on re-leasing and marketing efforts that we believe will ultimately result in the best disposition pricing for our investors.

The recent sale of the Hannover Center property on April 29, 2004, was a highlight for the Partnership. The sale capitalized on the current strong investor demand for grocery-anchored shopping centers in the market. 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. The remainder of the portfolio continues to enjoy high occupancy levels, with the portfolio average at 98%.

Given the level of re-leasing costs associated with the Gambro lease at 15253 Bake Parkway, the General Partners are currently reserving operating cash and the net sale proceeds from the sales of the Tanglewood Commons outparcel and Hannover Center. The General Partners anticipate that operating distributions may continue to be reserved or remain low in the near term, particularly given that operating cash flow will decrease with the recent sale of Hannover Center. We also expect that the Partnership will have to absorb its pro rata share of projected capital expenditures at the CH2M Hill Property. As 2004 progresses and the details surrounding the extent of the capital requirements become known, the General Partners will evaluate if distributions of net sale proceeds from the Hannover Center sale are appropriate.

As of June 30, 2004, current Class A unit holders have received cumulative net operating cash flows of approximately $20.4 million, as compared to approximately $28.9 million originally invested, or approximately 71% 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

Page 15

Table of Contents

During the positioning-for-sale phase, we will continue to focus on re-leasing vacant space and space that may become vacant upon the expiration of our current leases. In doing so, we seek to maximize returns to the limited partners by negotiating long-term leases at market rental rates while attempting to minimize down time, re-leasing expenditures, ongoing property level costs and portfolio costs. Later as we move into the disposition and liquidation phase, 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.

Page 16

Table of Contents

Equity in Income of Joint Ventures

Equity in income of the Joint Ventures was $719,800 and $387,278 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and $1,127,443 and $750,540 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The 2004 increases are primarily attributable to (i) a gain recognized on the sale of the Hannover Center in the second quarter of 2004, (ii) additional operating expense reimbursement billings for the US Cellular Building related to a prior period reconciliation, (iii) additional rental revenues as the sole tenant of 15253 Bake Parkway paid a higher month-to-month rental rate beginning in May 2004, and (iv) a significant decrease in depreciation on tenant improvements and amortization expense on leasing commissions related to Quest, as such assets were fully depreciated as of April 30, 2004 (the original lease expiration date). Tenants are billed for operating expense reimbursements based on estimates, which are generally 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 a lease for 100% of 15253 Bake Parkway effective November 1, 2004 through January 31, 2015 (with rent abatements through January 2005) at the current prevailing market rate, which is less than the rate obtained from the tenant who previously occupied this space.

Expenses of the Partnership

Total expenses of the Partnership were $69,032 and $34,397 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and $99,381 and $58,847 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The 2004 increases are primarily attributable to increases in 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.

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 $1,290,000, as compared to approximately $1,530,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2003. Operating 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. Such operating cash flows are generally used to pay operating distributions to limited partners; however, the Partnership reserved operating distributions for the second quarter of 2004 in order to provide funding for the expenditures noted at the end of this section.

Operating distributions from the Joint Ventures have declined as a result of the sales of properties in previous periods and are expected to continue to decline as we sell additional properties in subsequent periods and fund

Page 17

Table of Contents

capital expenditures at the properties. 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 $24,000 as of June 30, 2004. During the remainder of 2004, the General Partners anticipate that the Partnership will fund its proportionate share of (i) capital expenditures for the CH2M Hill Property, and (ii) capital expenditures and re-leasing costs for 15253 Bake Parkway, as a new tenant will take occupancy effective November 2004.

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 approximately 90% of the CH2M Hill Property upon the November 2005 expiration of the CH2M Hill 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 the 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 would then be utilized.

Page 18

Table of Contents

As of June 30, 2004, the Partnership had received, used, and held net proceeds from the sale of properties as presented below:

Upon evaluating the capital needs of the existing properties in which the Partnership holds interests, the General Partners have decided to hold these net sales proceeds in reserve in order to fund costs anticipated in connection with re-leasing the CH2M Hill Property and re-leasing costs and capital expenditures for 15253 Bake Parkway. Thus, no net sales proceeds will be distributed to the limited partners at this time. The General Partners will continue to monitor the Partnership’s capital needs and will re-evaluate the availability of net sale proceeds for distribution to the limited partners going forward and as additional properties are sold in the future.

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 for sales commissions, dealer manager fees, property management and leasing fees, and reimbursement of operating costs. 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.

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.

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.

Page 19

Table of Contents

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

Investment in Real Estate Assets

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

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 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.

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).

Page 20

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

Page 21

Table of Contents

PART II.    OTHER INFORMATION

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 22

Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

TO

SECOND QUARTER FORM 10-Q

OF

WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND VIII, L.P.