UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005
OR
¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission file number 1-14306
BRE PROPERTIES, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Maryland | 94-1722214 | |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
44 Montgomery Street 36th Floor San Francisco, CA |
94104-4809 | |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
(415) 445-6530
(Registrants Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
N/A
(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.
x Yes | ¨ No |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
x Yes | ¨ No |
Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of April 30, 2005 |
50,832,475 |
BRE PROPERTIES, INC.
March 31, 2005
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
BRE Properties, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
March 31, 2005 |
December 31, 2004 |
|||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||
Assets |
||||||||
Real estate portfolio: |
||||||||
Direct investments in real estate: |
||||||||
Investments in rental properties |
$ | 2,568,723 | $ | 2,538,171 | ||||
Construction in progress |
125,686 | 108,930 | ||||||
Less: accumulated depreciation |
(297,985 | ) | (280,498 | ) | ||||
2,396,424 | 2,366,603 | |||||||
Equity interests in and advances to real estate joint ventures- Investments in rental properties |
10,175 | 10,227 | ||||||
Real estate held for sale, net |
45,296 | 60,383 | ||||||
Land under development |
79,388 | 43,204 | ||||||
Total real estate portfolio |
2,531,283 | 2,480,417 | ||||||
Other assets |
55,189 | 38,524 | ||||||
Total assets |
$ | 2,586,472 | $ | 2,518,941 | ||||
Liabilities and Shareholders Equity |
||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||
Unsecured senior notes |
$ | 848,092 | $ | 848,201 | ||||
Unsecured line of credit |
245,000 | 187,000 | ||||||
Secured line of credit |
140,000 | 140,000 | ||||||
Mortgage loans payable |
192,111 | 203,365 | ||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
48,100 | 58,053 | ||||||
Total liabilities |
1,473,303 | 1,436,619 | ||||||
Minority interests |
61,675 | 35,675 | ||||||
Shareholders equity: |
||||||||
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004; 10,000,000 shares with $25 liquidation preference, issued and outstanding at March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004. |
100 | 100 | ||||||
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized. Shares issued and outstanding: 50,776,267 at March 31, 2005 and 50,418,529 at December 31, 2004. |
508 | 504 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
1,069,925 | 1,068,613 | ||||||
Cumulative dividends in excess of accumulated net income |
(17,034 | ) | (20,565 | ) | ||||
Stock purchase loans to executives |
(2,005 | ) | (2,005 | ) | ||||
Total shareholders equity |
1,051,494 | 1,046,647 | ||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders equity |
$ | 2,586,472 | $ | 2,518,941 | ||||
See condensed notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
2
Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
For the March 31, |
||||||||
2005 |
2004 |
|||||||
Revenues |
||||||||
Rental income |
$ | 72,239 | $ | 64,262 | ||||
Ancillary income |
3,230 | 2,987 | ||||||
Total revenues |
75,469 | 67,249 | ||||||
Expenses |
||||||||
Real estate |
24,178 | 21,771 | ||||||
Provision for depreciation |
18,220 | 13,651 | ||||||
Interest |
18,059 | 15,677 | ||||||
General and administrative |
4,760 | 3,310 | ||||||
Other expenses |
448 | 850 | ||||||
Total expenses |
65,665 | 55,259 | ||||||
Other income |
1,204 | 307 | ||||||
Income before minority interests, income from investments in unconsolidated entities and discontinued operations |
11,008 | 12,297 | ||||||
Minority interests in income |
(790 | ) | (718 | ) | ||||
Income from investments in unconsolidated entities |
145 | 165 | ||||||
Income from continuing operations |
10,363 | 11,744 | ||||||
Discontinued operations, net |
1,420 | 2,038 | ||||||
Gain on sale of discontinued operations |
21,523 | | ||||||
Income from discontinued operations |
22,943 | 2,038 | ||||||
Net Income |
33,306 | 13,782 | ||||||
Dividends attributable to preferred stock |
4,468 | 2,183 | ||||||
Net income available to common shareholders |
$ | 28,838 | $ | 11,599 | ||||
Basic earnings per common share from continuing operations |
$ | 0.12 | $ | 0.19 | ||||
Basic earnings per common share from discontinued operations |
0.45 | 0.04 | ||||||
Basic earnings per common share |
$ | 0.57 | $ | 0.23 | ||||
Diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations |
$ | 0.11 | $ | 0.19 | ||||
Diluted earnings per common share from discontinued operations |
0.45 | 0.04 | ||||||
Diluted earnings per common share |
$ | 0.56 | $ | 0.23 | ||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding basic |
50,595 | 50,065 | ||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding assuming dilution |
51,330 | 50,500 | ||||||
Dividends declared and paid per common share |
$ | 0.5000 | $ | 0.4875 | ||||
See condensed notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
3
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
For the March 31, |
||||||
2005 |
2004 |
|||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
||||||
Net income |
$33,306 | $13,782 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows generated by operating activities: |
||||||
Gain on sale of discontinued operations |
(21,523 | ) | | |||
Income from investments in unconsolidated entities |
(145 | ) | (165 | ) | ||
Provision for depreciation |
18,220 | 13,651 | ||||
Depreciation from discontinued operations |
| 865 | ||||
Noncash stock based compensation expense |
744 | 389 | ||||
Minority interests in income |
790 | 718 | ||||
Increase in other assets |
(6,565 | ) | (1,682 | ) | ||
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses |
(12,841 | ) | (5,251 | ) | ||
Net cash flows generated by operating activities |
11,986 | 22,307 | ||||
Cash flows from investing activities: |
||||||
Proceeds from sale of rental property, net |
35,948 | | ||||
Multifamily communities purchased |
| (68,668 | ) | |||
Capital expenditures |
(1,076 | ) | (1,159 | ) | ||
Rehabilitation expenditures and other |
(3,476 | ) | (1,310 | ) | ||
Additions to direct investment in real estate-construction in progress |
(13,303 | ) | (12,542 | ) | ||
Additions to land under development |
(36,118 | ) | (20,147 | ) | ||
Distributions from unconsolidated entities |
371 | 77 | ||||
Net cash flows used in investing activities |
(17,654 | ) | (103,749 | ) | ||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
||||||
Issuance of unsecured senior notes, net |
| 99,437 | ||||
Principal payments on unsecured senior notes and mortgage loans |
(11,084 | ) | (15,535 | ) | ||
Lines of credit: |
||||||
Advances |
81,000 | 204,000 | ||||
Repayments |
(23,000 | ) | (225,000 | ) | ||
Fees |
| (388 | ) | |||
Proceeds from preferred stock offering, net |
| 96,755 | ||||
Redemption of preferred stock |
| (53,750 | ) | |||
Cash dividends paid to common shareholders |
(25,307 | ) | (24,448 | ) | ||
Cash dividends paid to preferred shareholders |
(4,468 | ) | (2,183 | ) | ||
Distributions to operating company unit holders |
(510 | ) | (474 | ) | ||
Distributions to other minority members |
(280 | ) | (241 | ) | ||
Proceeds from exercises of stock options and other, net |
603 | 2,189 | ||||
Net cash flows generated by financing activities |
16,954 | 80,362 | ||||
Increase (decrease) in cash |
11,286 | (1,080 | ) | |||
Balance at beginning of period |
| 1,105 | ||||
Balance at end of period |
$11,286 | $25 | ||||
Supplemental disclosure of non cash activities: |
||||||
Transfers of direct investments in real estate-construction in progress to investments in rental properties |
| $18,087 | ||||
Increase in investment in rental properties and minority interest in connection with consolidation of variable interest entity |
$26,000 | | ||||
Change in accrued development costs for construction in progress and land under development |
$3,519 | $2,313 | ||||
Decrease in carrying value of debt and other assets attributed to hedging activities |
($279 | ) | ($249 | ) | ||
See condensed notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
4
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)
March 31, 2005
NOTE A - BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements have been omitted. The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2004 has been derived from the audited statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 of BRE Properties, Inc. (the Company or BRE). In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments only) necessary for a fair presentation of the Companys consolidated financial statements for the interim periods presented.
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the dates of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Certain reclassifications have been made from the prior periods presentation to conform to the current periods presentation.
NOTE B STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Effective January 1, 2003, BRE adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (SFAS No. 123), as amended by SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based CompensationTransition and Disclosure (SFAS No. 148). Under the fair value method, compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized over the service period, which is usually the vesting period. BRE has adopted the prospective method as provided for in SFAS No. 148, under which the provisions of SFAS No. 123 will be applied prospectively to all awards granted, modified or settled after January 1, 2003. Therefore, the cost related to stock-based compensation included in the determination of consolidated net income for the quarters ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 is less than that which would have been recognized if the fair value method had been applied to all awards in prior years. Prior to 2003, BRE accounted for stock-based compensation under the recognition and measurement provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related Interpretations. Awards under BREs option plans vest over periods ranging from one to five years.
5
The following table illustrates the pro forma effect on consolidated net income and earnings per share of all outstanding option awards in each period.
Three months ended March 31, |
||||||||
(amounts in thousands, except per share data) |
2005 |
2004 |
||||||
Net income available to common shareholders, as reported |
$ | 28,838 | $ | 11,599 | ||||
Add: Stock-based option expense included in reported net income |
166 | 212 | ||||||
Deduct: Total stock-based option expense determined under fair value based method for all awards |
(255 | ) | (513 | ) | ||||
Pro forma net income |
$ | 28,749 | $ | 11,298 | ||||
Earnings per share: |
||||||||
Basic-as reported |
$ | 0.57 | $ | 0.23 | ||||
Basic-pro forma |
$ | 0.57 | $ | 0.23 | ||||
Diluted-as reported |
$ | 0.56 | $ | 0.23 | ||||
Diluted-pro forma |
$ | 0.56 | $ | 0.22 |
The effect of pro forma application of SFAS No. 123 is not necessarily representative of the effect on consolidated net income for future periods.
On December 16, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, which is a revision of SFAS No. 123. SFAS No. 123 (R) supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. Generally, the approach in SFAS No. 123(R) is similar to the approach described in SFAS No. 123. However, SFAS No. 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values. Pro forma disclosure is no longer an alternative. The Company expects to adopt SFAS No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006.
Currently, the Company uses the Black-Scholes formula to estimate the value of stock options granted to employees and expects to continue to use this option valuation model upon the required adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006. Because SFAS No. 123(R) must be applied not only to new awards but to previously granted awards that are not fully vested on the effective date, and because the Company adopted SFAS No. 123 using the prospective transition method (which applied only to awards granted, modified or settled after the adoption date), compensation costs for some previously granted awards that were not recognized under SFAS No. 123 will be recognized under SFAS No. 123(R). The Company does not believe the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) will have a material impact on its financial statements or results of operations.
NOTE C DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
BRE has three interest rate swap agreements outstanding that attain a floating rate of interest on a portion of its fixed rate debt. BRE designated these derivative instruments to be utilized as fair value hedges in accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS 133), as amended. Under SFAS 133, the resulting assets or liabilities attributed to these derivative instruments are carried on BREs consolidated financial statements at their estimated fair values. The hedges are perfectly effective and, therefore, changes in the derivative fair value and the change in fair value of the hedged items during the hedging period exactly offset with no valuation impact on BREs current earnings.
6
The notional amount at March 31, 2005 of the interest rate swaps utilized in the fair value hedges is $38,500,000. All three contracts and the related debt will mature in 2005. The principal amount of debt being hedged equals the notional amount of the interest rate swaps. The fair value hedges convert the interest rate on debt with a weighted average fixed rate of 7.59% to a floating rate equal to LIBOR plus an average spread of 2.88%, which resulted in an effective rate of 5.46% for the three months ended March 31, 2005. The fair value of the interest rate swaps at March 31, 2005 was $224,000 and is recorded in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. At March 31, 2005, offsetting amounts of $132,000 and $92,000 have been recorded as an increase to mortgage loans and unsecured senior notes, respectively. To determine the fair values of derivatives, BRE uses market valuations provided by a third party.
NOTE D CONSOLIDATION OF VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, which was revised in December 2003 (Interpretation No. 46), and addresses the consolidation of variable interest entities (VIEs). Under Interpretation No. 46, arrangements that are not controlled through voting or similar rights are accounted for as VIEs. An enterprise is required to consolidate a VIE if it is the primary beneficiary of the VIE.
Under Interpretation No. 46, a VIE is created when (i) the equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties or (ii) the entitys equity holders as a group either: (a) lack direct or indirect ability to make decisions about the entity through voting or similar rights, (b) are not obligated to absorb expected losses of the entity if they occur or (c) do not have the right to receive expected residual returns of the entity if they occur. If an entity is deemed to be a VIE pursuant to Interpretation No. 46, the enterprise that is deemed to absorb a majority of the expected losses or receive a majority of expected residual returns of the VIE is considered the primary beneficiary and must consolidate the VIE.
Based on the provisions of Interpretation No. 46, the Company has concluded that under certain circumstances when the Company (i) enters into option agreements for the purchase of land or communities from an entity and pays a non-refundable deposit, or (ii) enters into arrangements for the formation of joint ventures, a VIE may be created under condition (ii) (b) or (c) of the previous paragraph. For each VIE created, the Company has computed expected losses and residual returns based on the probability of future cash flows as outlined in Interpretation No. 46. If the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE, the assets, liabilities and operations of the VIE are consolidated with the Companys financial statements.
During the first quarter of 2005, the Company entered into a 22-month lease with a put/call option with an unrelated third party of a recently developed operating community located in Chino Hills, California. The total consideration payable under the put/call option is $26,000,000. The Company made a non-refundable deposit of $4,000,000 that will remain in escrow throughout the lease term and will be applied towards the $26,000,000 purchase price, if purchased. At any time during the lease period the lessor can exercise a put option for BRE to purchase the asset. The Company is not obligated to purchase the asset if the lessor exercises the put option, but would forfeit the deposit if the community was not purchased. The Company does not have legal title to the asset owned by the third party. Based on managements analysis, the Company determined that this arrangement is a VIE and that the Company is the primary beneficiary. The assets, liabilities and operations of the VIE are consolidated with the Companys financial statements. The impact to the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of March 31, 2005 is an increase of $26,000,000 to Direct investments in Real estate and a
7
corresponding increase to Minority interest. The impact to the consolidated statement of income for the three months ended March 31, 2005 was an increase in real estate net operating income of $129,000, an increase in depreciation expense of $175,000 and an increase to minority interest expense of $175,000.
In addition to the deposit described above, at March 31, 2005 the Company has made non-refundable cash deposits for two purchase option agreements totaling approximately $1,000,000, which are included in Other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. The aggregate purchase price of properties under option is approximately $41,000,000. The option deposits generally represent the Companys maximum exposure to loss if it elects not to purchase the optioned property. Based on the analysis performed under Interpretation No. 46, management concluded that the Company is not the primary beneficiary of these arrangements as of March 31, 2005.
NOTE E DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
The results of operations for properties sold during the period or designated as held for sale at the end of the period are required to be classified as discontinued operations. The property-specific components of net earnings that are classified as discontinued operations include operating results, depreciation expense recognized prior to the classification as held for sale, and the net gain or loss on disposal. At March 31, 2005, the Company had two operating apartment communities classified as held for sale under the provisions of SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (SFAS 144). The estimated proceeds less anticipated costs to sell the assets held for sale at March 31, 2005 are greater than the carrying values as of March 31, 2005, and therefore no provisions for possible losses were recorded.
During the first quarter of 2005, the Company sold Scottsdale Cove, with 316 units, located in Scottsdale, Arizona for gross proceeds of approximately $36,500,000, resulting in a gain on sale of approximately $21,500,000. During 2004, the Company sold three operating communities with a total of 878 units. The communities were sold for an aggregate sales price of approximately $98,600,000, resulting in a net gain on sale of approximately $19,925,000.
The net gain on sale and the combined results of operations for each quarter presented are included in discontinued operations on the consolidated statements of income. These amounts totaled $22,943,000 and $2,038,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The assets held for sale at March 31, 2005 have also been reclassified as held for sale on the consolidated balance sheets.
The following is a breakdown of the gain on sales and the combined results of operations for the three and six properties included in discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively:
For three months ended March 31, | ||||||
(amounts in thousands) |
2005 |
2004 | ||||
Rental and ancillary income |
$ | 2,057 | $ | 4,204 | ||
Real estate expenses |
637 | 1,301 | ||||
Provision for depreciation |
| 865 | ||||
Gain on sales |
21,523 | | ||||
Total discontinued operations |
$ | 22,943 | $ | 2,038 | ||
NOTE F LEGAL MATTERS
On April 14, 1997, the Company purchased Red Hawk Ranch Apartments, a 453-unit operating community in Fremont, California, from an unrelated third party builder. The
8
community now requires extensive replacement work to correct damage the Company believes was caused by construction defects. On March 18, 2003, the Company filed suit in the Alameda County Superior Court against the builder and other parties to protect against statutes of limitation. The Company has conducted testing to determine the extent of the damage. Based upon the testing that has been performed to date, the Company has discovered that the exterior shell of each building at the community has been compromised. As a result, during second quarter 2004, the Company expanded the size and scope of the lawsuit.
Litigation and consulting charges recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 totaled $448,000 and $850,000, respectively, and are reported as Other expenses on the consolidated statements of income.
The Company commenced reconstruction during the second quarter of 2005 and expects to have the community restored during the next 15 to 18 months. The Company is pursuing mediation and/or litigation against the third party builder and various sub-contractors.
Under the provisions of SFAS 144, BRE has performed an impairment analysis on Red Hawk Ranch Apartments using undiscounted cash flows that reflect the anticipated decreased net operating income during reconstruction. No impairment charge was deemed necessary based on this analysis. The net book value of the components of the buildings that are damaged and being replaced approximate $9,400,000 and are being depreciated over the reconstruction period. Additional depreciation recognized during the first quarter of 2005 totaled approximately $1,300,000. During reconstruction, costs that extend the useful life of the asset, increase its value or enhance safety of the community will be capitalized. All other costs, including legal and consulting, are expensed as incurred.
While the Companys management expects that costs of remediation will approximate up to $26,000,000, and future plaintiff litigation costs may exceed $3,000,000 due to the preliminary nature of the damage assessment, claims and litigation, it is not possible to predict or determine the outcome of legal actions, nor is it reasonably possible to accurately estimate the full range of costs associated with the matter at this time.
As of March 31, 2005, other than the legal matter referenced above regarding Red Hawk Ranch, there were no pending legal proceedings to which the Company is a party or of which any of the Companys properties is the subject, the adverse determination of which management anticipates would have a material adverse effect upon the Companys consolidated financial condition and results of operations.
9
ITEM 2 Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
March 31, 2005
Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to historical information, we have made forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. These forward-looking statements pertain to, among other things, our capital resources, portfolio performance and results of operations. Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties. You should not rely on these statements as predictions of future events because there is no assurance that the events or circumstances reflected in the statements can be achieved or will occur. Forward-looking statements are identified by words such as believes, expects, may, will, should, seeks, approximately, intends, plans, pro forma, estimates or anticipates or in their negative form or other variations, or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, data or methods that may be incorrect or imprecise or incapable of being realized. The following factors, among others, could affect actual results and future events: defaults or non-renewal of leases, illiquidity of real estate and reinvestment risk, our regional focus in the Western United States, insurance coverage, increased interest rates and operating costs, failure to obtain necessary outside financing, difficulties in identifying properties to acquire and in effecting acquisitions, failure to successfully integrate acquired properties and operations, risks and uncertainties affecting property development and construction (including construction delays, cost overruns, inability to obtain necessary permits and public opposition to such activities), failure to qualify as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code as of 1986, as amended, environmental uncertainties, risks related to natural disasters, financial market fluctuations, changes in real estate and zoning laws and increases in real property tax rates. Our success also depends upon economic trends, including interest rates, income tax laws, governmental regulation, legislation, population changes and other factors. Do not rely solely on forward-looking statements, which only reflect managements analysis. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements.
Executive Summary
We are a self-administered equity real estate investment trust, or REIT, focused on the acquisition, development and management of multifamily apartment communities in seven metropolitan markets of the Western United States. At March 31, 2005, our portfolio had real estate assets with a book value of approximately $2.5 billion that included 85 wholly or majority-owned apartment communities, aggregating 24,006 units; two multifamily communities owned in joint ventures, comprised of 488 apartment units; and nine wholly or majority-owned apartment communities in various stages of construction and development, totaling 2,339 units.
During the first quarter of 2005, we entered into a 22-month lease with a put/call option for Sterling Downs, a recently developed apartment community with 124 units in Chino Hills, California. The total consideration payable under the put/call option is $26,000,000. At March 31, 2005, this lease-up community had physical occupancy of 80%. We also acquired a parcel of land for the future development of 288 units located in Los Angeles, California. The land purchase totaled $32,500,000.
During the first quarter of 2005, we sold one apartment community: Scottsdale Cove, located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The sales price totaled approximately $36,500,000, generating a net gain on sale of approximately $21,500,000. At March 31, 2005, we also had two properties classified as held for sale, both in Salt Lake City, Utah, with expected sale dates during the second quarter of 2005.
10
Our year-over-year operating results reflect increased property-level same-store performance, rental and ancillary income from acquisitions completed during 2005 and 2004, and properties in the lease-up phase of development. The property acquisitions and completed development properties are considered Non same-store communities. Additional income from same-store and non-same-store communities was partially offset by increases to general and administrative expense and interest expense. First quarter 2005 results also included income from the settlement of bankruptcy proceedings associated with VelocityHSI Inc., totaling approximately $1,000,000 which is included in other income.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004
Revenues
Total revenues were $78,875,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to $71,925,000 for the same period in 2004. The increase in total revenues was primarily generated from communities acquired, developed and stabilized after December 31, 2003, which we define as our non-same-store communities. During the 15 months subsequent to December 31, 2003, we acquired 1,683 units and completed the construction of 788 units. In the first quarter of 2005, on a same-store basis, rental and ancillary revenues increased $1,110,000, or 1.8%, primarily due to stable occupancy and increases in market rents. Monthly market rents in the same-store portfolio grew to $1,125 per unit from $1,100 in the first quarter of 2004.
A summary of the components of revenues for the quarters ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 follows (dollar amounts in thousands):
Three months ended March 31, 2005 |
Three months ended March 31, 2004 |
|||||||||||
Revenues |
% of Total Revenues |
Revenues |
% of Total Revenues |
|||||||||
Rental income |
$ | 72,239 | 92 | % | $ | 64,262 | 89 | % | ||||
Ancillary income |
3,230 | 4 | % | 2,987 | 4 | % | ||||||
Revenues from discontinued operations |
2,057 | 3 | % | 4,204 | 6 | % | ||||||
Income from unconsolidated entities |
145 | | 165 | | ||||||||
Other income |
1,204 | 1 | % | 307 | 1 | % | ||||||
Total revenues |
$ | 78,875 | 100 | % | $ | 71,925 | 100 | % | ||||
The total increase in rental and ancillary income of $8,220,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005 as compared with the three months ended March 31, 2004 generated from same-store and non same-store communities was as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):
2005 Increase/ | |||
Same-store communities |
$ | 1,110 | |
Non Same-store communities |
7,110 | ||
Total increase in rental and ancillary revenues (excluding revenues from discontinued operations) |
$ | 8,220 | |
11
Average physical occupancy rates for the quarters ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 were as follows:
2005 |
2004 |
|||||
Same-store |
93.8 | % | 94.1 | % | ||
Total portfolio |
93.3 | % | 94.2 | % |
Average physical occupancy for the portfolio is calculated by dividing the total occupied units by the total units in the portfolio for the three-month period. Apartment units are generally leased to residents for rental terms that do not exceed one year.
Expenses
Real Estate Expenses
For the quarter ended March 31, 2005, real estate expenses totaled $24,815,000 as compared with $23,072,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2004. The year-over-year increase in total real estate expenses was primarily attributable to the 2,471 non-same-store units referenced above.
A summary of the categories of real estate expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 follows (dollar amounts in thousands):
Three months ended March 31, 2005 |
Three months ended March 31, 2004 |
% Change |
|||||||||||||
Expense |
% of Total Revenues |
Expense |
% of Total Revenues |
||||||||||||
Same-store |
$ | 20,474 | $ | 20,722 | (1 | %) | |||||||||
Non same-store |
3,704 | 1,049 | 253 | % | |||||||||||
Real Estate expenses from discontinued operations |
637 | 1,301 | (51 | %) | |||||||||||
Total real estate expenses |
$ | 24,815 | 31 | % | $ | 23,072 | 32 | % | 8 | % | |||||
Provision for Depreciation
The provision for depreciation, excluding depreciation from discontinued operations, increased by $4,569,000 (33%) to $18,220,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005, from $13,651,000 for the same period in 2004. The increase in 2005 resulted from higher depreciable bases on new property acquisitions and development properties completed, combined with $1,300,000 in additional accelerated depreciation on our Red Hawk Ranch Apartment Community. See Part II, Item 1 Legal Proceedings.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $18,059,000 (net of interest capitalized to the cost of apartment communities under development of $2,003,000) for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, an increase of $2,382,000 or 15% from the comparable period in 2004. Interest expense was $15,677,000 for the same period in 2003 and was net of $1,866,000 of interest capitalized to the cost of apartment communities under construction. The increase in interest expense was due to
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the issuance of $100,000,000 in medium-term notes at the end of the first quarter of 2004, and an overall increase in average debt balances.
General and Administrative
General and administrative costs totaled $4,760,000, or approximately 6.0% of total revenues, for the first quarter of 2005 compared to $3,310,000, or approximately 4.6% of total revenues, for the three months ended March 31, 2004. The increase in 2005 is primarily due to changes in the long term incentive compensation plan, increased professional fees and additional staffing expense. The higher first quarter 2005 professional fees include $550,000 in audit and legal fees incurred during the first quarter related to the implementation of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley act of 2002 and the restatement of prior period financial statements.
Other Expenses
Other expenses totaled $448,000 and $850,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, and represent litigation and consulting costs incurred in connection with the construction defect litigation we are pursuing against the builder of our Red Hawk Ranch Community, located in Fremont, California and various subcontractors. See Part II, Item 1 Legal Proceedings,
Dividends Attributable to Preferred Stock
Dividends attributable to preferred stock for the first quarter of 2005 represent the dividends on our 8.08% Series B, 6.75% Series C and 6.75% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. Dividends attributable to preferred stock for the first quarter of 2004 represent the dividends on our 8.50% Series A, 8.08% Series B and 6.75% Series C Redeemable Preferred Stock. On January 29, 2004, we redeemed all 2,150,000 outstanding shares of our 8.50% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. On March 15, 2004, we closed the offering of 4,000,000 shares of 6.75% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. On December 9, 2004, we closed the offering of 3,000,000 shares of 6.75% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. All of our currently outstanding series of preferred stock have a $25.00 per share liquidation preference.
Discontinued operations
SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, requires the results of operations for properties sold during the period or designated as held for sale at the end of the period to be classified as discontinued operations. The property-specific components of net earnings that are classified as discontinued operations include all property-related revenues and operating expenses, depreciation expense recognized prior to the classification as held for sale, and property-specific interest expense to the extent there is secured debt on the property. In addition, the net gain or loss on the eventual disposal of properties held for sale is reported as discontinued operations.
During the first quarter of 2005, we sold Scottsdale Cove, an operating apartment community with a total of 316 units for a gross aggregate sales price of approximately $36,500,000, resulting in a net gain on sale of approximately $21,500,000. At March 31, 2005, two operating communities were classified as held for sale under the provisions of SFAS 144. No depreciation has been recorded on these communities since October 2004.
During 2004, we sold three operating communities with a total of 878 units. The communities were sold for an aggregate sales price of approximately $98,600,000, resulting in a net gain on sale of approximately $19,925,000.
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The net gains on sales and the combined results of operations for these six communities for each quarter presented are included in discontinued operations on the consolidated statements of income. These amounts totaled $22,943,000 and $2,038,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The assets held for sale at March 31, 2005 have also been reclassified as held for sale on the consolidated balance sheets.
Net Income Available to Common Shareholders
As a result of the various factors mentioned above, net income available to common shareholders for the three months ended March 31, 2005 was $28,838,000, or $0.56 per diluted share, as compared with $11,599,000, or $0.23 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2004.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Depending upon the availability and cost of external capital, we anticipate making additional investments in multifamily apartment communities. We expect to fund these investments through a variety of sources. These sources may include cash generated from operations, temporary borrowings under our unsecured line of credit, proceeds from asset sales, public and private offerings of debt and equity securities and in some cases the assumption of secured borrowings. To the extent that these additional investments are initially financed with temporary borrowings under our revolving unsecured line of credit, we anticipate that permanent financing will be provided through a combination of public and private offerings of debt and equity securities, proceeds from asset sales and secured debt. We believe our liquidity and various sources of available capital are sufficient to fund operations, meet debt service and dividend requirements and finance future investments for the next twelve months.
On December 9, 2004, we closed an offering of 3,000,000 shares of 6.75% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock at a public offering price of $25 per share. Net proceeds from the offering, after all discounts, commissions and issuance costs, totaled approximately $72,436,000.
On March 15, 2004, we closed an offering of 4,000,000 shares of 6.75% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock at a public offering price of $25 per share. Net proceeds from the offering, after all discounts, commissions and issuance costs, totaled approximately $96,436,000.
On March 17, 2004, we closed an offering of $100,000,000 of dual-tranche Medium-Term Notes under a medium term note program initiated in 2001. The offering included $50,000,000 of five-year notes with a coupon rate of 3.58% and $50,000,000 of 10-year notes with a coupon rate of 4.70%.
Proceeds from these offerings have been used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of debt, redemption of equity securities, funding for development activities and financing for acquisitions. Pending these uses, we initially used the proceeds from these offerings to reduce borrowings under our revolving unsecured credit facility.
During the first quarter of 2004, we increased the size of our secured credit facility with Fannie Mae (serviced by Prudential Multifamily Mortgage, Inc.) from $100,000,000 to $140,000,000. Borrowings under the secured credit facility totaled $140,000,000 at March 31, 2005. The credit facility is secured by nine multifamily communities, which are held by a consolidated subsidiary of BRE. Current borrowings under the facility bear interest at variable rates with maturities from one to nine months, plus a facility fee of 0.65%. Our borrowing cost, including interest, margin and fees, averaged 2.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2005. We also have the option to convert variable-rate borrowings to fixed-rate borrowings. Subject to the terms of the facility, we have the option to increase its size to $250,000,000. Drawings on the line of credit are available to fund our investment activities and for general corporate purposes, and the facility matures in 2008.
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We have a revolving unsecured credit facility with a capacity of $350,000,000 that matures in April 2006, with an option to extend the term one year beyond the maturity date. The interest rate on the line of credit is currently LIBOR plus 0.70%, plus a fee of 0.20% payable on the unused portion of the credit facility. Our pricing spread above LIBOR is dependent upon our credit ratings and can range from 0.50% to 1.45%. Our average cost on the unsecured line of credit for the three months ended March 31, 2005 was 4.25%.
Borrowings under our revolving unsecured line of credit totaled $245,000,000 at March 31, 2005, compared to $187,000,000 at December 31, 2004. Drawings on the revolving unsecured line of credit are available to fund our investment activities and general corporate purposes. We typically reduce our outstanding balance on the revolving unsecured line of credit with available cash balances.
We had a total of $848,000,000 principal amount in unsecured senior notes at March 31, 2005, consisting of the following:
Maturity |
Unsecured Senior Note Balance |
Interest Rate |
||||
July 2005 |
$ | 18,000,000 | 5.76 | % | ||
March 2007 |
150,000,000 | 5.95 | % | |||
June 2007 |
50,000,000 | 7.20 | % | |||
March 2009 |
50,000,000 | 3.58 | % | |||
September 2009 |
150,000,000 | 5.75 | % | |||
January 2011 |
250,000,000 | 7.45 | % | |||
February 2013 |
130,000,000 | 7.13 | % | |||
March 2014 |
50,000,000 | 4.70 | % | |||
Total / Weighted Average Interest Rate |
$ | 848,000,000 | 6.37 | % | ||
In addition, at March 31, 2005, we had mortgage indebtedness totaling $191,987,000 principal amount at an average interest rate of 6.10%, and remaining terms of from less than one year to seven years.
As of March 31, 2005, we had total outstanding debt balances of approximately $1,425,203,000 and total outstanding consolidated shareholders equity and minority interests of approximately $1,113,000,000, representing a debt to total book capitalization ratio of 56%.
Our indebtedness contains financial covenants as to minimum net worth, interest coverage ratios, maximum secured debt and total debt to capital, among others. We were in compliance with all such financial covenants during the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004.
We anticipate that we will continue to require outside sources of financing to meet our long-term liquidity needs beyond 2005, such as scheduled debt repayments, construction funding and property acquisitions. At March 31, 2005, we had an estimated cost of approximately $153,000,000 to complete existing construction in progress, with funding estimated from 2005 through 2007. Scheduled debt repayments through December 31, 2005 total approximately $40,386,000.
During the first quarter of 2004, we filed a new shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission under which we may issue up to $700,000,000 of securities including debt, convertible debt, common stock and preferred stock. Our recent preferred stock offering
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totaling $75,000,000 reduced the amount available for future issuances under this registration statement to $625,000,000. Depending upon market conditions, we may issue securities under this or under future shelf registration statements. Proceeds from these issuances may be used for general corporate purposes, including investing in additional multifamily communities, funding development activities, capital expenditures, redemption of securities, increasing our working capital and repaying indebtedness. Pending the application of the net proceeds, we may invest the proceeds in investment-grade, interest-bearing securities or temporarily reduce borrowings under our revolving unsecured line of credit.
Our Board of Directors has authorized us to purchase an aggregate of $60,000,000 in shares of our common stock. See Part II; Item 2 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
We continue to consider other sources of possible funding, including further joint ventures and additional secured construction debt. We own unencumbered real estate assets that could be sold, contributed to joint ventures or used as collateral for financing purposes (subject to certain lender restrictions). We also own encumbered assets with significant equity that could be further encumbered should other sources of capital not be available (subject to certain lender restrictions).
Critical Accounting Policies
We define critical accounting policies as those that require managements most difficult, subjective or complex judgments. A summary of our critical accounting policies follows. Additional discussion of accounting policies that we consider significant, including further discussion of the critical accounting policies described below, can be found in the notes to our consolidated financial statements in our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Investments in Rental Properties
Rental properties are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation, and less an adjustment, if any, for impairment. A land value is assigned based on the purchase price if land is acquired separately, or based on market research if acquired in a merger or in an operating community acquisition. We have a development group which manages the design, development and construction of our apartment communities. Projects under development are carried at cost, including direct and indirect costs incurred to ready the assets for their intended use and which are specifically identifiable, including capitalized interest and property taxes until units are placed in service. Direct investment development projects are considered placed in service as certificates of occupancy are issued and the units become ready for occupancy. Depreciation begins as units are placed in service. Land acquired for development is capitalized and reported as Land under development until the development plan for the land is formalized. Once the development plan is determined and construction contracts are signed, the costs are transferred to the balance sheet line item Construction in progress. Costs of replacements, such as appliances, carpets and drapes, are expensed. Improvements and betterments that increase the value of the property or extend its useful life are capitalized.
Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from 35 to 45 years for buildings and three to ten years for other property. The determination as to whether expenditures should be capitalized or expensed, and the period over which depreciation is recognized, requires managements judgment.
In accordance with SFAS No. 144, our investments in real estate are periodically evaluated for indicators of impairment. The evaluation of impairment and the determination of values are
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based on several factors, and future events could occur which would cause management to conclude that indicators of impairment exist and a reduction in carrying value to estimated fair value is warranted.
In the normal course of business, we will receive offers for sale of our properties, either solicited or unsolicited. For those offers that are accepted, the prospective buyer will usually require a due diligence period before consummation of the transaction. It is not unusual for matters to arise that result in the withdrawal or rejection of the offer during this process. We classify real estate as held for sale when all criteria under SFAS No. 144 have been met.
SFAS No. 144 also requires that the assets and liabilities and the results of operations of any communities that have been sold, or otherwise qualify as held for sale, be presented as discontinued operations in our consolidated financial statements in all periods presented. The community specific real estate classified as held for sale is stated at the lower of its carrying amount or estimated fair value less disposal costs. Depreciation is not recorded on assets classified as held for sale.
Stock-Based Compensation
We apply the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (SFAS No. 123), as amended by SFAS 148, Accounting for Stock Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure (SFAS No. 148). We adopted the prospective method as provided for in SFAS No. 148, under which the provisions of SFAS No. 123 are applied prospectively to all awards granted, modified or settled after January 1, 2003. Prior to 2003, we accounted for stock-based compensation under the recognition and measurement provisions of APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related Interpretations, which resulted in no expense recognition. Under SFAS No. 123, we include in general and administrative expense a charge based on the implied value of options granted subsequent to January 1, 2003 and vesting in the current period. Currently, we use the Black-Scholes formula to estimate the value of stock options granted to employees and expect to continue to use this option valuation model upon the required adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006. Because SFAS No. 123(R) must be applied not only to new awards but to previously granted awards that are not fully vested on the effective date, and because we adopted SFAS No. 123 using the prospective transition method (which applied only to awards granted, modified or settled after the adoption date), compensation costs for some previously granted awards that were not recognized under SFAS No. 123 will be recognized under SFAS No. 123(R). We do not believe the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) will have a material impact on our financial statements or results of operations.
Consolidation
In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities- an interpretation of ARB No. 51, which was revised in December 2003 (FIN 46). Under FIN 46, a variable interest entity (VIE) is created when (i) the equity investment at risk in the entity is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties, or (ii) the entitys equity holders as a group either: (a) lack direct or indirect ability to make decisions about the entity, (b) are not obligated to absorb expected losses of the entity if they occur, or (c) do not have the right to receive expected residual returns of the entity if they occur. If an entity is deemed to be a VIE pursuant to FIN 46, the enterprise that is deemed to absorb a majority of the expected losses, receive a majority of the entitys expected residual returns, or both, is considered the primary beneficiary and must consolidate the VIE. Expected
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losses and residual returns for VIEs are calculated based on the probability of estimated future cash flows as defined in FIN 46.
Under FIN 46, a non-refundable deposit paid to an entity is deemed to be a variable interest that will absorb some or all of the entitys expected losses if they occur. Therefore, whenever we enter into a land option or purchase contract with an entity and make a non-refundable deposit, a VIE may have been created. We evaluate our land option and purchase contract investments to determine if a VIE has been created under the definition of FIN 46. When a VIE is deemed to exist, the identification of the primary beneficiary is determined through allocation of the VIEs estimated expected losses and residual returns to the related variable interest holders. Any VIEs for which we are deemed the primary beneficiary are consolidated.
We consolidate entities not deemed as VIEs which we have the ability to control. Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and other controlled subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
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Construction in progress and land under development
The following table provides data on our nine multifamily properties that are currently under various stages of development and construction. Completion of the development properties is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including construction delays and cost overruns. We cannot assure that these properties will be completed, or that they will be completed by the estimated dates, or for the estimated amounts, or will contain the number of proposed units shown in the table below.
(Dollar amounts in millions)
Property Name |
Location |
Proposed Number of Units |
Costs Incurred to Date - March 31, |
Estimated Total Cost |
Estimated Cost to Complete |
Estimated Completion Date1 | ||||||||||
Direct Investment |
||||||||||||||||
The Heights |
Chino Hills, CA | 208 | $ | 30.8 | $ | 40.0 | $ | 9.2 | 4Q/2005 | |||||||
Bridgeport Cove |
Santa Clarita, CA | 188 | 21.4 | 40.5 | 19.1 | 3Q/2006 | ||||||||||
Galleria at Towngate |
Moreno Valley, CA | 268 | 16.9 | 39.5 | 22.6 | 3Q/2006 | ||||||||||
Renaissance at Uptown Orange |
Orange, CA | 460 | 37.3 | 104.1 | 66.8 | 3Q/2007 | ||||||||||
The Stuart at Sierra Madre Villa |
Pasadena, CA | 188 | 19.3 | 54.2 | 34.9 | 2Q/2007 | ||||||||||
Total Construction in Progress |
1,312 | $ | 125.7 | 2 | $ | 278.3 | $ | 152.6 | ||||||||
Property Name |
Location |
Proposed Number of Units |
Costs Incurred to Date - March 31, |
Estimated Total Cost |
Estimated Construction |
|||||||||||
Land under development3 |
||||||||||||||||
Bay Vista Apartments |
Emeryville, CA | 224 | $ | 13.9 | $ | 60.0 | 3Q/2005 | |||||||||
Belcarra Apartments |
Bellevue, WA | 320 | 22.3 | 71.4 | 2Q/2006 | |||||||||||
Denny Way Apartments |
Seattle, WA | 195 | 8.8 | 47.9 | 2Q/2006 | |||||||||||
5600 Wilshire |
Los Angeles, CA | 288 | 34.4 | 116.6 | 4Q/2005 | |||||||||||
Total Land Under Development |
1,027 | $ | 79.4 | $ | 295.9 | |||||||||||
(1) | Completion is defined as our estimate of when an entire project will have a final certificate of occupancy issued and be ready for occupancy. Completion dates have been updated to reflect our current estimates of receipt of final certificates of occupancy, which are dependent on several factors, including construction delays and the inability to obtain necessary public approvals. |
(2) | Reflects all recorded costs incurred as of March 31, 2005, recorded on our consolidated balance sheet as direct investments in real estate-construction in progress. |
(3) | Land under development represents projects in various stages of predevelopment, development and initial construction, for which construction or supply contracts have not yet been finalized. As these contracts are finalized, projects are transferred to construction in progress on our consolidated balance sheet. |
Dividends Paid to Common and Preferred Shareholders and Distributions to Minority Members
A cash dividend has been paid to common shareholders each quarter since our inception in 1970. Our 2005 annual dividend on our common shares was increased to $2.00 per share, from $1.95 per share in 2004. Total dividends paid to common shareholders for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 were $25,307,000 and $24,448,000, respectively. In addition, we paid $4,468,000 and $2,183,000 in aggregate dividends on our 8.50% Series A, 8.08% Series B,
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6.75% Series C and 6.75% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock during the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
Total distributions to minority members of our consolidated subsidiaries were $790,000 and $718,000 for the three months ended March 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
ITEM 3Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Information concerning market risk is incorporated herein by reference to Item 7A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. There has been no material change in the quantitative and qualitative disclosure about market risk since December 31, 2004.
ITEM 4Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commissions rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that there are reasonable assurances that our controls and procedures will achieve the desired control objectives. Also, we have investments in certain unconsolidated entities. As we do not control these entities, our disclosure controls and procedures with respect to such entities are necessarily substantially more limited than those we maintain with respect to our consolidated subsidiaries.
As of March 31, 2005, the end of the quarter covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Other than the revisions to our policies, procedures and processes in order to strengthen controls relating to the accounting for accounts payable and accrued expenses described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, there have been no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. | Legal Proceedings. |
On April 14, 1997, we purchased Red Hawk Ranch Apartments, a 453-unit operating community in Fremont, California, from an unrelated third party builder. The community now requires extensive replacement work to correct damage we believe was caused by construction defects. On March 18, 2003, we filed suit in the Alameda County Superior Court against the builder and other parties, to protect against statutes of limitation. We have conducted testing to determine the extent of the damage. Based upon the testing that has been performed to date, we have discovered that the exterior shell of each building at the community has been compromised. As a result, during third quarter 2004 we expanded the size and scope of the lawsuit.
We commenced reconstruction during the second quarter of 2005 and expect to have the community restored during the next 15 to 18 months. We are actively pursuing mediation and/or litigation against the third party builder and certain sub-contractors.
Litigation and consulting charges recognized totaled $448,000 and $850,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, and are reported as Other Expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
While management expects that costs of remediation will approximate up to $26,000,000, and future plaintiff litigation costs may exceed $3,000,000, due to the preliminary nature of the damage assessment, claims and litigation, it is not possible to predict or determine the outcome of legal actions, nor is it reasonably possible to accurately estimate the full range of costs associated with the matter at this time.
As of May 4, 2005, other than the legal matter referenced above regarding Red Hawk Ranch, there were no pending legal proceedings to which we are a party or of which any of our properties is the subject, the adverse determination of which we anticipate would have a material adverse effect upon our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.
ITEM 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds. |
We did not issue any securities during the three months ended March 31, 2005 that were not registered under the Securities Act.
In 2001, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of our common stock in an amount up to $60,000,000. The timing of repurchase activity is dependent upon the market price of our shares and other market conditions and factors. As of March 31, 2005, we had cumulatively repurchased a total of approximately $51,100,000 of common stock, representing 1,785,600 shares at an average purchase price of $28.64 per share. No shares were repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2005. On April 21, 2005, the Board of Directors replenished the authorized share repurchase capacity to provide for repurchases of up to $60,000,000 from that date forward.
ITEM 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities. |
None
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ITEM 4. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. |
None
ITEM 5. | Other Information. |
None
ITEM 6. | Exhibits |
11 | Statement Re: Computation of Per Share Earnings | |
12 | Statement of Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends | |
31.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
31.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
32.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
32.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
BRE PROPERTIES, INC.
(Registrant)
Date: May 6, 2005 | /s/ Edward F. Lange, Jr. | |||
Edward F. Lange, Jr. Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
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