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EX-32.1 - CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. 1350 - Pacific Oak Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.dex321.htm
EX-32.2 - CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. 1350 - Pacific Oak Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.dex322.htm
EX-31.2 - CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 - Pacific Oak Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.dex312.htm
EX-31.1 - CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 - Pacific Oak Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.dex311.htm
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

(Mark One)

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from             to             

Commission file number 333-156633

 

 

KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Maryland   26-3842535

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

620 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1300  
Newport Beach, California   92660
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

(949) 417-6500

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class

  

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

None    None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ¨    No  þ

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 of Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes    ¨    No  þ

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  þ    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of the Form 10-K or any amendment of this Form 10-K.    þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large Accelerated Filer    ¨    Accelerated Filer    ¨
Non-Accelerated Filer    ¨    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company    þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act). Yes    ¨    No  þ

There is no established market for the Registrant’s shares of common stock. The Registrant is currently conducting its ongoing initial public offering of its shares of common stock pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-11, which shares are being sold at $10.00 per share, with discounts available for certain categories of purchasers. There were approximately 1,501,483 shares of common stock held by non-affiliates at June 30, 2010, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.

As of March 9, 2011, there were 6,421,485 outstanding shares of common stock of the Registrant.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I         3   

ITEM 1.

   BUSINESS      3   

ITEM 1A.

   RISK FACTORS      9   

ITEM 1B.

   UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS      43   

ITEM 2.

   PROPERTIES      43   

ITEM 3.

   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS      43   

ITEM 4.

   (REMOVED AND RESERVED)      43   
PART II         44   

ITEM 5.

   MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES      44   

ITEM 6.

   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA      48   

ITEM 7.

   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS      48   

ITEM 7A.

   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK      57   

ITEM 8.

   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA      57   

ITEM 9.

   CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE      57   

ITEM 9A.

   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES      58   

ITEM 9B.

   OTHER INFORMATION      58   
PART III         59   

ITEM 10.

   DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE      59   

ITEM 11.

   EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION      63   

ITEM 12.

   SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS      64   

ITEM 13.

   CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE      64   

ITEM 14.

   PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES      67   
PART IV         68   

ITEM 15.

   EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES      68   
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      F-1   

 

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Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are forward-looking statements. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc. and members of our management team, as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based, and generally are identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “seeks,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “should” or similar expressions. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Further, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results over time, unless required by law.

The following are some of the risks and uncertainties, although not all of the risks and uncertainties, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those presented in our forward-looking statements:

 

   

Both we and our advisor have limited operating histories. This inexperience makes our future performance difficult to predict. We are dependent on our advisor to identify suitable investments and to manage our investments.

 

   

All of our executive officers, some of our directors and other key real estate and debt finance professionals are also officers, directors, managers, key professionals and/or holders of a direct or indirect controlling interest in our advisor, our dealer manager and other KBS-affiliated entities. As a result, they face conflicts of interest, including significant conflicts created by our advisor’s compensation arrangements with us and other KBS-advised programs and investors and conflicts in allocating time among us and these other programs and investors. These conflicts could result in unanticipated actions. Fees paid to our advisor in connection with transactions involving the origination, acquisition and management of our investments will be based on the cost of the investment, not on the quality of the investment or services rendered to us. This arrangement could influence our advisor to recommend riskier transactions to us.

 

   

There is no assurance that we will raise the maximum offering amount in our initial public offering. If we raise substantially less than the maximum offering amount, we may not be able to invest in as diverse a portfolio of real estate-related assets as we otherwise would and the value of an investment in us may vary more widely with the performance of specific assets. There is a greater risk that stockholders will lose money in their investment in us if we have less diversity in our portfolio.

 

   

We will pay substantial fees to and expenses of our advisor, affiliates and participating broker-dealers, which payments increase the risk that our stockholders will not earn a profit on their investment in us. These fees increase our stockholders’ risk of loss.

 

   

If we are unable to find suitable investments, we may not be able to achieve our investment objectives or pay distributions.

 

   

Continued disruptions in the financial markets and uncertain economic conditions could adversely affect our ability to implement our business strategy and generate returns to stockholders.

 

   

We may invest in residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, collateralized debt obligations and other structured debt securities as well as real estate-related loans. Many of these types of investments have become illiquid and considerably less valuable over the past two years. This reduced liquidity and decrease in value caused financial hardship for many investors in these assets. Many investors did not fully appreciate the risks of such investments. Our investments in these assets may not be successful.

 

   

Investments in non-performing real estate assets involve greater risks than investments in stabilized, performing assets and make our future performance more difficult to predict. As of March 11, 2011, all of our investments are non-performing real estate assets.

 

   

We depend on tenants for our revenue and, accordingly, our revenue is dependent upon the success and economic viability of our tenants. Revenues from our property investments could decrease due to a reduction in tenants (caused by factors including, but not limited to, tenant defaults, tenant insolvency, early termination of tenant leases and non-renewal of existing tenant leases) and/or lower rental rates, limiting our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.

All forward-looking statements should be read in light of the risks identified in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

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Table of Contents

PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Overview

KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc. (the “Company”) was formed on October 8, 2008 as a Maryland corporation and intends to qualify as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) beginning with the taxable year ending December 31, 2010. As used herein, the terms “we,” “our” and “us” refer to the Company and as required by context, KBS Strategic Opportunity Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership formed on December 10, 2008 (the “Operating Partnership”), and its subsidiaries. We conduct our business primarily through our Operating Partnership, of which we are the sole general partner. Subject to certain restrictions and limitations, our business is managed by KBS Capital Advisors LLC (“KBS Capital Advisors”), our external advisor, pursuant to an advisory agreement. Our advisor conducts our operations and manages our portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments. Our advisor owns 20,000 shares of our common stock. We have no paid employees.

We intend to invest in and manage a diverse portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments. Such investments will include the origination and acquisition of mortgage, mezzanine, bridge and other real estate-related loans, investments in real estate-related debt securities such as residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations and investments in opportunistic real estate. We may also invest in entities that make similar investments. As of December 31, 2010, we owned four non-performing first mortgage loans and two office properties.

On January 8, 2009, we filed a registration statement on Form S-11 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to offer a minimum of 250,000 shares and a maximum of 140,000,000 shares of common stock for sale to the public, of which 100,000,000 shares were registered in our primary offering and 40,000,000 shares were registered under our dividend reinvestment plan. The SEC declared our registration statement effective on November 20, 2009 and we retained KBS Capital Markets Group LLC (“KBS Capital Markets Group”), an affiliate of our advisor, to serve as the dealer manager of the offering pursuant to a dealer manager agreement. The dealer manager is responsible for marketing our shares in our ongoing initial public offering. We intend to use substantially all of the net proceeds from our ongoing initial public offering to invest in a diverse portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments as described above.

On April 19, 2010, we broke escrow in the offering and through December 31, 2010, we had sold 5,112,988 shares for gross offering proceeds of $50.4 million, all of which were sold in the primary offering.

Objectives and Strategies

Our primary investment objectives are:

 

   

to provide our stockholders with attractive and stable returns; and

 

   

to preserve and return our stockholders’ capital contributions.

We also seek to realize growth in the value of our investments by timing asset sales to maximize their value. We intend to actively pursue lending and investment opportunities that we believe will provide an attractive risk-adjusted return to our stockholders.

We intend to achieve these objectives by using substantially all of the net proceeds from our initial public offering to invest in and manage a diverse portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments. We may make our investments through loan origination and the acquisition of individual assets or by acquiring portfolios of assets, other mortgage REITs or companies with investment objectives similar to ours. We plan to diversify our portfolio by investment type, investment size and investment risk with the goal of attaining a portfolio of income-producing assets that provide attractive and stable returns to our investors. We generally expect our investments to be related to real estate located in the United States and that our loans will be made to U.S.-based borrowers and denominated in U.S. currency.

 

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Investment Strategies

Primary Investment Focus

We focus our investment activities on real estate-related loans and real estate-related debt securities. We also make other real estate-related investments, such as direct investments in opportunistic real estate. After we have invested substantially all of the proceeds from our initial public offering, we expect approximately 20% of our portfolio will consist of direct investments in opportunistic real estate. We may also acquire equity securities of companies that make investments similar to ours. Although the foregoing represents our present investment focus and targets, we may adjust any of the foregoing based on real estate market conditions and investment opportunities.

We believe that we are most likely to meet our investment objectives through the careful selection and underwriting of assets. When making an investment, we emphasize the performance and risk characteristics of that investment, how that investment will fit with our portfolio-level performance objectives, the other assets in our portfolio and how the returns and risks of that investment compare to the returns and risks of available investment alternatives.

Investment Portfolio

Investments in Real Estate-Related Loans

We have and intend on continuing to invest in real estate-related loans, including first and second mortgage loans, mezzanine loans, B-Notes, bridge loans, convertible mortgages, wraparound mortgage loans, construction mortgage loans and participations in such loans. We intend to structure, underwrite and originate many of the debt products in which we invest. With respect to non-performing loans, we will explore various strategies including negotiating with the borrowers for a reduced payoff, restructuring the terms of the loan, and enforcing our rights as lender under the loan and foreclosing on the collateral securing the loan. Our underwriting process involves comprehensive financial, structural, operational and legal due diligence to assess the risks of investments so that we can optimize pricing and structuring. By originating loans directly, we will be able to efficiently structure a diverse range of products. For instance, we may sell some components of the debt we originate while retaining attractive, risk-adjusted strips of the debt for ourselves. Our advisor or a wholly owned subsidiary of our advisor will source our debt investments. We pay our advisor or its subsidiary acquisition and origination fees for loans that we make or acquire and asset management fees for the loans that we hold for investment. We may sell some of the loans (or portions of the loans after separating them into tranches) that we originate to third parties for a profit. We expect to hold other loans (or portions of loans) for investment and in some instances, if such financing is available, securitize these loans through a collateralized debt obligations (“CDO”) structure.

As of December 31, 2010, our real estate-related loans portfolio consisted of the following:

 

Loan Name

    Location of Related Property or Collateral

   Date
Acquired
    

Property
Type

  

Loan Type

   Book Value
as of
December 31, 2010 (1)
 

Roseville Commerce Center Mortgage Portfolio

           

Roseville, California

           

Roseville Commerce Center First Mortgage I (2)

     09/10/2010       Industrial/Flex    Non-Performing Mortgage (3)    $ 4,111,814   

Roseville Commerce Center First Mortgage II (2)

     09/10/2010       Industrial/Flex    Non-Performing Mortgage (3)      1,700,372   

Roseville Commerce Center First Mortgage III (2)

     09/10/2010       Land    Non-Performing Mortgage (3)      157,430   
                 

Total Roseville Commerce Center Mortgage Portfolio

              5,969,616   

Northridge Center I & II First Mortgage Atlanta, Georgia

     12/08/2010       Office    Non-Performing Mortgage (3)      7,257,123   
                 
            $ 13,226,739   
                 

 

(1) Book value of real estate loans receivable represents outstanding principal balance adjusted for unamortized acquisition discounts, origination fees, and direct origination and acquisition costs.

(2) The loans in the Roseville Commerce Center Mortgage Portfolio are cross-collateralized.

(3) We do not expect non-performing mortgages to perform in accordance with their contractual terms, including the repayment of the principal amount outstanding under the loans, the payment of interest at the stated amount on the face of notes or the repayment of the loans upon their maturity date.

 

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Investments in Real Property

Our real estate-related debt investments, in particular investments in distressed debt, have, and we expect in certain circumstances, to continue to result in us owning real property as a result of a loan workout, foreclosure or similar circumstances. In addition, we have and intend to continue to invest a portion of the proceeds from our initial public offering in real property, which may include, but is not limited to, office, industrial and retail properties, hospitality properties and undeveloped residential lots. After we have invested substantially all of the proceeds from our initial public offering, we expect approximately 20% of our portfolio will consist of various types of opportunistic real estate, excluding real property that we take title to (i) as part of a portfolio of debt investments, (ii) through a loan workout, foreclosure or similar circumstances or (iii) through convertible debt investments. We consider opportunistic or enhanced-return properties to be properties with significant possibilities for short-term capital appreciation, such as properties with moderate vacancies or near-term lease rollovers, poorly managed and positioned properties, properties owned by distressed sellers and built-to-suit properties.

At December 31, 2010, our real estate portfolio consisted of two properties encompassing approximately 126,929 rentable square feet. The following table provides summary information regarding our properties as of December 31, 2010:

 

Property

    Location of Property

   Date of
Acquisition
     Property
Type
     Rentable
Square Feet
     Total Real Estate
at Cost
     Annualized
Base Rent  (1)
     Average
Annualized
Base Rent
per Sq. Ft. (2)
     Average
Remaining
Lease Term
in Years
 

Village Overlook Buildings
Stockbridge, GA

     08/02/2010         Office         34,830       $ 1,862,922       $ 439,596       $ 21.56         0.4   

Academy Point Atrium I (3)
Colorado Springs, CO

     11/03/2010         Office         92,099         2,873,273         —           —           —     
                                                  
           126,929       $ 4,736,195       $ 439,596       $ 21.56         0.4   
                                                  

 

(1) Annualized base rent represents annualized contractual base rental income as of December 31, 2010, adjusted to straight-line any contractual rent increases or decreases from the lease’s inception through the balance of the lease term.

(2) Average annualized base rent per square foot is calculated as the annualized base rent divided by the leased rentable square feet.

(3) We acquired the Academy Point Atrium I First Mortgage on September 7, 2010 as a non-performing mortgage loan. On November 3, 2010, we foreclosed on the property securing the loan, Academy Point Atrium I, and took title to the building.

Investments in Real Estate-Related Debt Securities

In addition to our investments in real estate-related loans, we may also invest in real estate-related debt securities such as commercial and residential mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations. We may invest in any residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, collateralized debt obligations or other real estate-related debt security that we believe will provide an attractive risk-adjusted return. While we may invest in any real estate-related debt securities, we expect that the majority of these investments would be commercial mortgage-backed securities.

Other Possible Investments

Although we expect that most of our investments will be of the types described above, we may invest in other various types of interests in real estate- or debt-related assets that we believe are in our best interests, including equity investments in mortgage REITs and other companies with investment objectives similar to ours. Although we can purchase any type of interest in real estate- or debt-related assets, our charter does limit certain types of investments.

2010 Investment Highlights

During 2010, we acquired:

 

   

Five non-performing first mortgage loans totaling $16.0 million plus closing costs. In November 2010, we foreclosed on one of the first mortgage loans and took title to the property securing the loan.

 

   

One property comprised of two two-story medical office buildings totaling 34,830 rentable square feet, encompassing 2.7 acres of land in Stockbridge, Georgia for $1.8 million plus closing costs.

 

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Table of Contents

Financing Objectives

We will fund our investments with proceeds from our initial public offering and expect to finance a portion of our investments with debt. We will use debt financing in various forms in an effort to increase the size of our portfolio and potential returns to our stockholders. Access to low-cost capital is crucial to our business, since we will earn income based on the spread between the yield on our investments and the cost of our borrowings.

We expect to use short-term financing in the form of revolving credit facilities, repurchase agreements, bridge financings and bank warehousing facilities. For longer-term funding, we may utilize securitization structures, if available, and we may place mortgage financing on any real estate investments we make.

We intend to focus our investment activities on obtaining a diverse portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments. Careful use of debt will help us to achieve our diversification goals because we will have more funds available for investment. We expect that once we have fully invested the proceeds from our ongoing initial public offering, our debt financing will be 50% or less of the cost of our investments, although it may exceed this level during our offering stage. There is no limitation on the amount we may borrow for any single investment. Our charter limits our borrowings to 75% of the cost of our tangible assets; however, we may exceed that limit if a majority of the conflicts committee approves each borrowing in excess of our charter limitation and we disclose such borrowing to our common stockholders in our next quarterly report with an explanation from the conflicts committee of the justification for the excess borrowing.

We do not intend to exceed the leverage limit in our charter. Careful use of debt will help us to achieve our diversification goals because we will have more funds available for investment. However, high levels of debt could cause us to incur higher interest charges and higher debt service payments, which would decrease the amount of cash available for distribution to our investors, and could also be accompanied by restrictive covenants. High levels of debt could also increase the risk of being unable to refinance when loans become due, or of being unable to refinance on favorable terms, and the risk of loss with respect to assets pledged as collateral for loans.

To the extent that we do not finance our investments, our ability to make additional investments will be restricted. When interest rates are high or financing is otherwise unavailable on a timely basis, we may make certain investments with cash with the intention of obtaining a loan for a portion of the cost of the investment at a later time.

Except with respect to the borrowing limits contained in our charter, we may reevaluate and change our debt policy in the future without a stockholder vote. Factors that we would consider when reevaluating or changing our debt policy include: then-current economic conditions, the relative cost and availability of debt and equity capital, any investment opportunities, the ability of our investments to generate sufficient cash flow to cover debt service requirements and other similar factors. Further, we may increase or decrease our ratio of debt to book value in connection with any change of our borrowing policies.

Disposition Policies

The period that we will hold our investments in real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments will vary depending on the type of asset, interest rates and other factors. Our advisor will develop a well-defined exit strategy for each investment we make. KBS Capital Advisors will continually perform a hold-sell analysis on each asset in order to determine the optimal time to hold the asset and generate a strong return for our stockholders. Economic and market conditions may influence us to hold our investments for different periods of time. We may sell an asset before the end of the expected holding period if we believe that market conditions have maximized its value to us or the sale of the asset would otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.

 

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Market Outlook — Real Estate and Real Estate Finance Markets

During the past three years, significant and widespread concerns about credit risk and access to capital have been present in the U.S. and global financial markets. Economies throughout the world have experienced increased unemployment and sagging consumer confidence due to a downturn in economic activity. Despite improved stock market performance and some positive economic indicators, a lack of job creation, low consumer confidence and a growing federal budget deficit temper the positive indicators. Amid signs of recovery in the economic and financial markets, concerns remain regarding job growth, wage stagnation, credit restrictions and increased taxation.

Bank earnings and liquidity have rebounded, particularly among larger financial institutions. Smaller financial institutions have continued to work with borrowers to amend and extend existing loans; however as these loans reach maturity, there is the potential for future credit losses. The FDIC’s list of troubled financial institutions is still quite large and the threat of more bank closings will weigh heavily on the financial markets.

Over the past several months, the U.S. commercial real estate industry has experienced a slow down in the deterioration of fundamental benchmarks such as occupancy, rental rates and pricing. Continued improvement in these fundamentals remains contingent upon sustainable economic growth. In general, borrower defaults may rise, and occupancy and rental rate stabilization will vary by market and by property type. Looking forward, it is widely assumed that mortgage delinquencies have not yet peaked.

Currently, benchmark interest rates, such as LIBOR, remain near historic lows. This has allowed borrowers with floating rate debt to continue to make debt service payments even as the properties securing these loans experience decreased occupancy and lower rental rates. Low short-term rates have allowed these borrowers to meet their debt obligations; however, they would not meet the current underwriting requirements needed to refinance this debt today. As these loans near maturity, borrowers may have to find new sources of funds in order to recapitalize their properties.

Throughout the financial crisis and economic downturn, commercial real estate transactions experienced a sharp decline in volume. Recent trends indicate a modest rebound in transaction activity. High-quality assets in top-tier markets experienced the largest increase in transaction volume. One of the significant barriers to deal flow is the spread between buyer/seller pricing expectations. It is expected that more commercial properties will come into the market as loans mature, marginally performing properties default, and banks increase their foreclosure activity. From a financing perspective, new lending is expected to remain subdued in the near term. The commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) market, formerly a significant source of liquidity and debt capital, was inactive in 2008 and 2009, and left a void in the market for long-term, affordable, fixed rate debt. During that time, the void was partially filled by portfolio lenders such as insurance companies, but at very different terms than were available in the past. These remaining lenders generally increased credit spreads, lowered the amount of available proceeds, required recourse security and credit enhancements, and otherwise tightened underwriting standards, while simultaneously limiting lending to existing relationships with borrowers that invest in high quality assets in top-tier markets. In addition, lenders have limited the amount of financing available to existing relationships in an effort to manage capital allocations and credit risk.

Recently, there have been signs that the credit markets have begun to thaw as the global economy has shown signs of recovery and growth. New CMBS issuances and the increased access to the capital markets for publicly-traded REITs has led many to believe that commercial real estate lending will be revived as the market’s appetite for risk returns. Similarly, many lending institutions have increased their lending on commercial real estate, which, coupled with historically low interest rates and slightly-relaxed underwriting standards, has helped increase commercial real estate transaction volume. It is important to remember that these trends have only recently begun and an improvement in one aspect of the market does not provide an indication of a general market recovery or provide any indication of the duration of the existing downturn, or the speed of any expected recovery.

Despite certain recent positive economic indicators such as an improved stock market performance and improved access to capital for some companies, the aforementioned economic conditions have continued to impact the capital markets. Global government interventions in the banking system and the persistence of a highly expansionary monetary policy by the U.S. Treasury have introduced additional complexity and uncertainty to the markets. The U.S. government’s recent introduction of additional regulation to the financial markets, including the banking, insurance and brokerage sectors has resulted in general uncertainty as to the long-term impact on these markets and on the economy as a whole. Adding to this uncertainty are increased disclosure requirements and changes to accounting principles involving the valuation of investments. These conditions are expected to continue, and combined with a challenging macro-economic environment, may interfere with the implementation of our business strategy and/or force us to modify it.

 

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Table of Contents

Economic Dependency

We are dependent on our advisor and the dealer manager of our public offering for certain services that are essential to us, including the sale of our shares of common and preferred stock available for issue; the identification, evaluation, negotiation, origination, acquisition and disposition of investments; management of the daily operations of our investment portfolio; and other general and administrative responsibilities. In the event that these companies are unable to provide the respective services, we will be required to obtain such services from other sources.

Competitive Market Factors

The success of our investment portfolio depends, in part, on our ability to acquire and originate investments with spreads over our capital cost. In acquiring and originating these investments, we compete with other mortgage REITs, specialty finance companies, savings and loan associations, banks, mortgage bankers, insurance companies, mutual funds, institutional investors, investment banking firms, other lenders, governmental bodies and other entities, many of which have greater financial resources and lower costs of capital available to them than we have. In addition, there are numerous REITs with asset acquisition objectives similar to ours, and others may be organized in the future, which may increase competition for the investments suitable for us. Competitive variables include market presence and visibility, size of loans offered and underwriting standards. To the extent that a competitor is willing to risk larger amounts of capital in a particular transaction or to employ more liberal underwriting standards when evaluating potential loans than we are, our acquisition and origination volume and profit margins for our investment portfolio could be impacted. Our competitors may also be willing to accept lower returns on their investments and may succeed in buying the assets that we have targeted for acquisition. Although we believe that we are well-positioned to compete effectively in each facet of our business, there is enormous competition in our market sector and there can be no assurance that we will compete effectively or that we will not encounter increased competition in the future that could limit our ability to conduct our business effectively.

Compliance with Federal, State and Local Environmental Law

Under various federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations, a current or previous real property owner or operator may be liable for the cost of removing or remediating hazardous or toxic substances on, under or in such property. These costs could be substantial. Such laws often impose liability whether or not the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such hazardous or toxic substances. Environmental laws also may impose restrictions on the manner in which property may be used or businesses may be operated, and these restrictions may require substantial expenditures or prevent us from entering into leases with prospective tenants that may be impacted by such laws. Environmental laws provide for sanctions for noncompliance and may be enforced by governmental agencies or, in certain circumstances, by private parties. Certain environmental laws and common law principles could be used to impose liability for the release of and exposure to hazardous substances, including asbestos-containing materials. Third parties may seek recovery from real property owners or operators for personal injury or property damage associated with exposure to released hazardous substances. The cost of defending against claims of liability, of complying with environmental regulatory requirements, of remediating any contaminated property, or of paying personal injury claims could reduce the amounts available for distribution to our stockholders.

All of our real estate properties, other than properties acquired through foreclosure, have been subject to Phase I environmental assessments at the time they were acquired. Some of the properties we have acquired are subject to potential environmental liabilities arising primarily from historic activities at or in the vicinity of the properties. Based on our environmental diligence and assessments of our properties and our purchase of pollution and remediation legal liability insurance with respect to some of our properties, we do not believe that environmental conditions at our properties are likely to have a material adverse effect on our operations.

Industry Segments

We operate in two business segments. Our segments are based on our method of internal reporting which classifies operations by investment type: real estate-related and real estate. For financial data by segment, see Note 7 “Segment Information” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements filed herewith.

Employees

We have no paid employees. The employees of our advisor or its affiliates provide management, acquisition, advisory and certain administrative services for us.

 

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Principal Executive Office

Our principal executive offices are located at 620 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1300, Newport Beach, California 92660. Our telephone number, general facsimile number and web address are (949) 417-6500, (949) 417-6520 and www.kbsstrategicopportunityreit.com, respectively.

Available Information

Access to copies of our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements and other filings with the SEC, including amendments to such filings, may be obtained free of charge from the following website, http://www.kbsstrategicopportunityreit.com, through a link to the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov. These filings are available promptly after we file them with, or furnish them to, the SEC.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The following are some of the risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those presented in our forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face but do represent those risks and uncertainties that we believe are material to us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also harm our business.

Risks Related to an Investment in Us

Because no public trading market for our shares currently exists, it will be difficult for our stockholders to sell their shares and, if they are able to sell their shares, it will likely be at a substantial discount to the public offering price.

Our charter does not require our directors to seek stockholder approval to liquidate our assets by a specified date, nor does our charter require our directors to list our shares for trading on a national securities exchange by a specified date. There is no public market for our shares and we currently have no plans to list our shares on a national securities exchange. Until our shares are listed, if ever, stockholders may not sell their shares unless the buyer meets the applicable suitability and minimum purchase standards. In addition, our charter prohibits the ownership of more than 9.8% of our stock, unless exempted by our board of directors, which may inhibit large investors from purchasing our shares. In its sole discretion, our board of directors could amend, suspend or terminate our share redemption program upon 30 days’ notice. Further, the share redemption program includes numerous restrictions that would limit a stockholder’s ability to sell his or her shares, and because of these restrictions, we have no funds available for redemption under our share redemption program in 2011. Therefore, it will be difficult for our stockholders to sell their shares promptly or at all. If a stockholder is able to sell his or her shares, it would likely be at a substantial discount to the public offering price. It is also likely that our shares would not be accepted as the primary collateral for a loan. Because of the illiquid nature of our shares, investors should purchase them only as a long-term investment and be prepared to hold them for an indefinite period of time.

If we are unable to find suitable investments, we may not be able to achieve our investment objectives or pay distributions.

Our ability to achieve our investment objectives and to pay distributions depends upon the performance of KBS Capital Advisors, our advisor, in the acquisition of our investments, including the determination of any financing arrangements, and the ability of our advisor to source loan origination opportunities for us. Competition from competing entities may reduce the number of suitable investment opportunities offered to us or increase the bargaining power of counterparties in transactions. We will also depend upon the performance of third-party loan servicers and property managers in connection with managing our investments. The more shares we sell in our ongoing initial public offering, the greater our challenge will be to invest all of the net offering proceeds on attractive terms. Our investors must rely entirely on the management abilities of KBS Capital Advisors, the loan servicers and property managers KBS Capital Advisors selects and the oversight of our board of directors. We can give no assurance that KBS Capital Advisors will be successful in obtaining suitable investments on financially attractive terms or that, if KBS Capital Advisors makes investments on our behalf, our objectives will be achieved. If we, through KBS Capital Advisors, are unable to find suitable investments promptly, we will hold the proceeds from our public offering in an interest-bearing account or invest the proceeds in short-term assets. If we would continue to be unsuccessful in locating suitable investments, we may ultimately decide to liquidate. In the event we are unable to timely locate suitable investments, we may be unable or limited in our ability to pay distributions and we may not be able to meet our investment objectives.

 

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Continued disruptions in the financial markets and deteriorating economic conditions could adversely impact our ability to implement our business strategy and generate returns to our stockholders.

During the past three years, significant and widespread concerns about credit risk and access to capital have been present in the U.S. and global financial markets. Economies throughout the world have experienced increased unemployment and sagging consumer confidence due to a downturn in economic activity. Despite improved stock market performance and some positive economic indicators, a lack of job creation, low consumer confidence and a growing federal budget deficit temper the positive indicators. Amid signs of recovery in the economic and financial markets, concerns remain regarding job growth, wage stagnation, credit restrictions and increased taxation.

Bank earnings and liquidity have rebounded, particularly among larger financial institutions. Smaller financial institutions have continued to work with borrowers to amend and extend existing loans; however as these loans reach maturity, there is the potential for future credit losses. The FDIC’s list of troubled financial institutions is still quite large and the threat of more bank closings will weigh heavily on the financial markets.

Over the past several months, the U.S. commercial real estate industry has experienced a slow down in the deterioration of fundamental benchmarks such as occupancy, rental rates and pricing. Continued improvement in these fundamentals remains contingent upon sustainable economic growth. In general, borrower defaults may rise, and occupancy and rental rate stabilization will vary by market and by property type. Looking forward, it is widely assumed that mortgage delinquencies have not yet peaked.

Currently, benchmark interest rates, such as LIBOR, remain near historic lows. This has allowed borrowers with floating rate debt to continue to make debt service payments even as the properties securing these loans experience decreased occupancy and lower rental rates. Low short-term rates have allowed these borrowers to meet their debt obligations; however, they would not meet the current underwriting requirements needed to refinance this debt today. As these loans near maturity, borrowers may have to find new sources of funds in order to recapitalize their properties.

Throughout the financial crisis and economic downturn, commercial real estate transactions experienced a sharp decline in volume. Recent trends indicate a modest rebound in transaction activity. High-quality assets in top-tier markets experienced the largest increase in transaction volume. One of the significant barriers to deal flow is the spread between buyer/seller pricing expectations. It is expected that more commercial properties will come into the market as loans mature, marginally performing properties default, and banks increase their foreclosure activity. From a financing perspective, new lending is expected to remain subdued in the near term. The commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) market, formerly a significant source of liquidity and debt capital, was inactive in 2008 and 2009, and left a void in the market for long-term, affordable, fixed rate debt. During that time, the void was partially filled by portfolio lenders such as insurance companies, but at very different terms than were available in the past. These remaining lenders generally increased credit spreads, lowered the amount of available proceeds, required recourse security and credit enhancements, and otherwise tightened underwriting standards, while simultaneously limiting lending to existing relationships with borrowers that invest in high quality assets in top-tier markets. In addition, lenders have limited the amount of financing available to existing relationships in an effort to manage capital allocations and credit risk.

Recently, there have been signs that the credit markets have begun to thaw as the global economy has shown signs of recovery and growth. New CMBS issuances and the increased access to the capital markets for publicly-traded REITs has led many to believe that commercial real estate lending will be revived as the market’s appetite for risk returns. Similarly, many lending institutions have increased their lending on commercial real estate, which, coupled with historically low interest rates and slightly-relaxed underwriting standards, has helped increase commercial real estate transaction volume. It is important to remember that these trends have only recently begun and an improvement in one aspect of the market does not provide an indication of a general market recovery or provide any indication of the duration of the existing downturn, or the speed of any expected recovery.

We have and intend to continue acquiring a portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments. As a result of the aforementioned conditions, the value of collateral securing any loan investment we may make could decrease below the outstanding principal amount of such loan. In addition, revenues on the properties and other assets underlying any loan investments we may make could decrease, making it more difficult for borrowers to meet their payment obligations to us. Each of these factors would increase the likelihood of default and foreclosure, which would likely have a negative impact on the value of our loan investment.

 

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More generally, the risks arising from the current financial market and economic conditions are applicable to all of the investments we may make. They apply to both commercial and residential real estate loans, whether mortgage, mezzanine or bridge loans. They apply to residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations, the performance of which depends on the performance of the underlying loans. They also apply to the debt and equity securities of companies that have investment objectives similar to ours.

Furthermore, we expect to finance a portion of our investments with debt. As a result of the ongoing credit market challenges, we may not be able to obtain debt financing on attractive terms. As such, we may be forced to use a greater proportion of our offering proceeds to finance our acquisitions and originations, reducing the number of investments we would otherwise make. If the current debt market environment persists we may modify our investment strategy in order to optimize our portfolio performance. Our options would include limiting or eliminating the use of debt and focusing on those investments that do not require the use of leverage to meet our portfolio goals.

Despite certain recent positive economic indicators such as an improved stock market performance and improved access to capital for some companies, the aforementioned economic conditions have sustained the ongoing global recession. Global government interventions in the banking system and the persistence of a highly expansionary monetary policy by the U.S. Treasury have introduced additional complexity and uncertainty to the markets. The U.S. government’s recent introduction of additional regulation to the financial markets, including the banking, insurance and brokerage sectors has resulted in general uncertainty as to the long-term impact on these markets and on the economy as a whole. Adding to this uncertainty are increased disclosure requirements and changes to accounting principles involving the valuation of investments. These conditions are expected to continue, and combined with a challenging macro-economic environment, may interfere with the implementation of our business strategy and/or force us to modify it.

We may suffer from delays in locating suitable investments, which could limit our ability to make distributions and lower the overall return on our stockholders’ investment.

We rely upon our sponsors and the other real estate and debt finance professionals at our advisor, including Peter M. Bren, Keith D. Hall, Peter McMillan III and Charles J. Schreiber, Jr., to identify suitable investments. The private KBS-sponsored programs, especially those that are currently raising offering proceeds, as well as the institutional investors for whom KBS affiliates serve as investment advisors, also rely upon Messrs. Bren and Schreiber for investment opportunities. In addition, KBS Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (“KBS REIT I”), KBS Real Estate Investment Trust II, Inc. (“KBS REIT II”), KBS Real Estate Investment Trust III, Inc. (“KBS REIT III”) and KBS Legacy Partners Apartment REIT, Inc. (“KBS Legacy Partners Apartment REIT”), which are also externally advised by our advisor, rely upon Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan and Schreiber to identify potential investments and actively manage their assets. To the extent that our sponsors and the other real estate and debt finance professionals at our advisor face competing demands upon their time at times when we have capital ready for investment, we may face delays in locating suitable investments. Further, the more money we raise in our ongoing initial public offering, the more difficult it will be to invest the net offering proceeds promptly and on attractive terms. Therefore, the large size of our public offering and the competition from other entities that may be better positioned to acquire the types of investments we desire to make increase the risk of delays in investing our net offering proceeds. Delays we encounter in the selection and acquisition or origination of income-producing assets would likely limit our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders and lower their overall returns.

Because our initial public offering is a blind-pool offering, our stockholders will not have the opportunity to evaluate our investments before we make them, which makes our stockholders’ investment more speculative.

We will seek to invest substantially all of the net proceeds from the primary offering after the payment of fees and expenses, in real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments. However, because our stockholders will be unable to evaluate the economic merit of assets before we invest in them, they will have to rely entirely on the ability of our advisor to select suitable and successful investment opportunities. Furthermore, our board of directors will have broad discretion in implementing policies regarding mortgagor or tenant creditworthiness and our stockholders will not have the opportunity to evaluate potential borrowers, tenants or managers. These factors increase the risk that our stockholders’ investment may not generate returns comparable to our competitors.

 

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If we are unable to raise substantial funds, we will be limited in the number and type of investments we make and the value of our stockholders’ investment in us will fluctuate with the performance of the specific assets we acquire.

Our initial public offering is being made on a “best efforts” basis, meaning that our dealer manager is only required to use its best efforts to sell our shares and has no firm commitment or obligation to purchase any of the shares. As a result, the amount of proceeds we raise in the offering may be substantially less than the amount we would need to achieve a diversified portfolio of investments. If we are unable to raise substantial funds, we will make fewer investments resulting in less diversification in terms of the type, number and size of investments that we make. In that case, the likelihood that any single asset’s performance would adversely affect our profitability will increase. Additionally, we are not limited in the number or size of our investments or the percentage of net proceeds we may dedicate to a single investment. Our stockholders’ investment in our shares will be subject to greater risk to the extent that we lack a diversified portfolio of investments. Further, we will have certain fixed operating expenses, including certain expenses as a publicly offered REIT, regardless of whether we are able to raise substantial funds in our ongoing initial public offering. Our inability to raise substantial funds would increase our fixed operating expenses as a percentage of gross income, reducing our net income and cash flow and limiting our ability to make distributions.

We are a recently formed company with a limited operating history, which makes our future performance difficult to predict.

We are a recently formed company and with a limited operating history. We were incorporated in the State of Maryland on October 8, 2008. Our stockholders should not assume that our performance will be similar to the past performance of other real estate investment programs sponsored by affiliates of our advisor, including KBS REIT I and KBS REIT II.

KBS REIT I was the first publicly offered investment program sponsored by Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan and Schreiber. The private KBS-sponsored programs were not subject to the up-front commissions, fees and expenses associated with a public offering nor all of the laws and regulations that will apply to us. For all of these reasons, our stockholders should be especially cautious when drawing conclusions about our future performance and they should not assume that it will be similar to the prior performance of other KBS-sponsored programs. Our lack of operating history and the differences between us and the private KBS-sponsored programs significantly increase the risk and uncertainty our stockholders face in making an investment in our shares.

Because we are dependent upon our advisor and its affiliates to conduct our operations, any adverse changes in the financial health of our advisor or its affiliates or our relationship with them could hinder our operating performance and the return on our stockholders’ investment.

We are dependent on KBS Capital Advisors, its affiliates and the key real estate and debt finance professionals at KBS Capital Advisors to manage our operations and our portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments. Our advisor will depend upon the fees and other compensation that it will receive from us and other public KBS-sponsored programs in connection with the origination, purchase, management and sale of assets to conduct its operations. Any adverse changes in the financial condition of KBS Capital Advisors or its affiliates or our relationship with KBS Capital Advisors or its affiliates could hinder their ability to successfully manage our operations and our portfolio of investments. Furthermore, if some or all of the key real estate and debt finance professionals at KBS Capital Advisors are internalized by KBS REIT I, KBS REIT II, KBS REIT III or KBS Legacy Partners Apartment REIT, KBS Capital Advisors may need to replace such professionals, or we may need to find employees or an advisor to replace the management services KBS Capital Advisors provides to us. In such event our operating performance and the return on our stockholders’ investment could suffer.

Our ability to implement our investment strategy is dependent, in part, upon the ability of KBS Capital Markets Group, our dealer manager, to successfully conduct our initial public offering, which makes an investment in us more speculative.

We have retained KBS Capital Markets Group, an affiliate of our advisor, to conduct our initial public offering. The success of our offering, and our ability to implement our business strategy, is dependent upon the ability of KBS Capital Markets Group to build and maintain a network of broker-dealers to sell our shares to their clients. If KBS Capital Markets Group is not successful in establishing, operating and managing this network of broker-dealers, our ability to raise proceeds through our offering will be limited and we may not have adequate capital to implement our investment strategy. If we are unsuccessful in implementing our investment strategy, our stockholders could lose all or a part of their investment.

 

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If we pay distributions from sources other than our cash flow from operations, we will have less funds available for investments and the overall return to our stockholders may be reduced.

We will declare distributions when our board of directors determines we have sufficient cash flow. During our offering stage, we expect that we will fund any distributions from interest income on our debt investments and rental income from our real property investments, and to the extent we acquire investments with short maturities or investments that are close to maturity, we may fund distributions with the proceeds received at the maturity, payoff or settlement of those investments. Upon completion of our offering stage, we expect to fund distributions from interest and rental income on investments, the maturity, payoff or settlement of investments and from strategic sales of loans, debt securities, properties and other assets. Because we intend to fund distributions from cash flow, we do not expect our board of directors to declare distributions on a set monthly or quarterly basis. Rather, our board of directors will declare distributions from time to time based on cash flow from our investments and our investment activities.

Our distribution policy is not to use sources other than cash flow from operations and investment activities to pay distributions. However, our organizational documents do not restrict us from paying distributions from any source nor do our organizational documents restrict the amount of distributions we may pay from any source, including proceeds from our ongoing initial public offering or the proceeds from the issuance of securities in the future, third-party borrowings, advances from our advisor or sponsors or from our advisor’s deferral of its fees under the advisory agreement. Distributions paid from sources other than current or accumulated earnings and profits may constitute a return of capital. From time to time, we may generate taxable income greater than our taxable income for financial reporting purposes, or our taxable income may be greater than our cash flow available for distribution to stockholders. In these situations we may make distributions in excess of our cash flow from operations and investment activities to satisfy the REIT distribution requirement described above. In such event, we would look first to third party borrowings to fund these distributions. If we fund distributions from financings, the net proceeds from our ongoing initial public offering or sources other than our cash flow from operations, we will have less funds available for investment in real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments and the overall return to our stockholders may be reduced.

The loss of or the inability to obtain key real estate and debt finance professionals at our advisor and key employees at our dealer manager could delay or hinder implementation of our investment strategies, which could limit our ability to make distributions and decrease the value of an investment in our shares.

Our success depends to a significant degree upon the contributions of Peter M. Bren, Keith D. Hall, Peter McMillan III, Charles J. Schreiber, Jr., each of whom would be difficult to replace. Neither we nor our affiliates have employment agreements with Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan or Schreiber. Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan, and Schreiber may not remain associated with us. If any of these persons were to cease their association with us, our operating results could suffer. We do not intend to maintain key person life insurance on any person. We believe that our future success depends, in large part, upon our advisor’s and its affiliates’ ability to attract and retain highly skilled managerial, operational and marketing professionals. Competition for such professionals is intense, and our advisor and its affiliates may be unsuccessful in attracting and retaining such skilled individuals. If we lose or are unable to obtain the services of highly skilled professionals our ability to implement our investment strategies could be delayed or hindered, and the value of our stockholders’ investment may decline.

Our rights and the rights of our stockholders to recover claims against our independent directors are limited, which could reduce our stockholders’ and our recovery against them if they negligently cause us to incur losses.

Maryland law provides that a director has no liability in that capacity if he performs his duties in good faith, in a manner he reasonably believes to be in our best interests and with the care that an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances. Our charter provides that no independent director shall be liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages and that we will generally indemnify them for losses unless they are grossly negligent or engage in willful misconduct. As a result, our stockholders and we may have more limited rights against our independent directors than might otherwise exist under common law, which could reduce our stockholders’ and our recovery from these persons if they act in a negligent manner. In addition, we may be obligated to fund the defense costs incurred by our independent directors (as well as by our other directors, officers, employees (if we ever have employees) and agents) in some cases, which would decrease the cash otherwise available for distribution to our stockholders.

 

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We may change our targeted investments without stockholder consent.

We may change our targeted investments and investment guidelines at any time without the consent of our stockholders, which could result in us making investments that are different from, and possibly riskier than, our targeted investments as described in Part I, Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. A change in our targeted investments or investment guidelines may increase our exposure to interest rate risk, default risk and real estate market fluctuations, all of which could adversely affect the value of our common stock and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

Risks Related to Conflicts of Interest

KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates, including all of our executive officers and some of our directors and other key real estate and debt finance professionals, will face conflicts of interest caused by their compensation arrangements with us, which could result in actions that are not in the long-term best interests of our stockholders.

All of our executive officers and some of our directors and other key real estate and debt finance professionals are also officers, directors, managers, key professionals and/or holders of a direct or indirect controlling interest in our advisor, our dealer manager and other affiliated KBS entities. KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates will receive substantial fees from us. These fees could influence our advisor’s advice to us as well as the judgment of affiliates of KBS Capital Advisors. Among other matters, these compensation arrangements could affect their judgment with respect to:

 

   

the continuation, renewal or enforcement of our agreements with KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates, including the advisory agreement and the dealer-manager agreement;

 

   

public offerings of equity by us, which entitle KBS Capital Markets Group to dealer-manager fees and will likely entitle KBS Capital Advisors to increased acquisition and origination fees and asset management fees;

 

   

sales of investments, which entitle KBS Capital Advisors to disposition fees and possible subordinated incentive fees;

 

   

acquisitions of investments and originations of loans, which entitle KBS Capital Advisors to acquisition and origination fees and asset management fees and, in the case of acquisitions of investments from other KBS-sponsored programs, might entitle affiliates of KBS Capital Advisors to disposition fees and possible subordinated incentive fees in connection with its services for the seller;

 

   

borrowings to acquire investments and to originate loans, which borrowings will increase the acquisition and origination fees and asset management fees payable to KBS Capital Advisors;

 

   

whether and when we seek to list our common stock on a national securities exchange, which listing could entitle KBS Capital Advisors to a subordinated incentive listing fee;

 

   

whether we seek stockholder approval to internalize our management, which may entail acquiring assets (such as office space, furnishings and technology costs) and negotiating compensation for key real estate and debt finance professionals at our advisor and its affiliates that may result in the real estate and debt finance professionals at our advisor receiving more compensation from us than they currently receive from our advisor; and

 

   

whether and when we seek to sell the company or its assets, which sale could entitle KBS Capital Advisors to a subordinated incentive fee.

The fees our advisor receives in connection with transactions involving the acquisition or origination of an asset are based on the cost of the investment, and not based on the quality of the investment or the quality of the services rendered to us. This may influence our advisor to recommend riskier transactions to us.

 

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KBS Capital Advisors will face conflicts of interest relating to the origination and acquisition of investments and such conflicts may not be resolved in our favor, meaning that we could invest in less attractive assets, which could limit our ability to make distributions and reduce our stockholders’ overall investment return.

We rely on our sponsors and other key real estate and debt finance professionals at our advisor, including Peter M. Bren, Keith D. Hall, Peter McMillan III and Charles J. Schreiber, Jr., to identify suitable investment opportunities for us. KBS REIT I, KBS REIT II, KBS REIT III and KBS Legacy Partners Apartment REIT are also advised by KBS Capital Advisors and rely or will rely on our sponsors and many of the same real estate and debt finance professionals as will future public KBS-sponsored programs. Messrs. Bren and Schreiber and several of the other key real estate and debt finance professionals at KBS Capital Advisors are also the key real estate and debt finance professionals at KBS Realty Advisors and its affiliates, the advisors to the private KBS-sponsored programs and the investment advisors to institutional investors in real estate and real estate-related assets. As such, the other KBS-sponsored programs that are currently raising funds for investment rely on many of the same real estate and debt finance professionals. Many investment opportunities that are suitable for us may also be suitable for other KBS programs and investors. When these real estate and debt finance professionals direct an investment opportunity to any KBS-sponsored program or KBS-advised investor, they, in their sole discretion, will offer the opportunity to the program or investor for which the investment opportunity is most suitable based on the investment objectives, portfolio and criteria of each program or investor. For so long as we are externally advised, our charter provides that it shall not be a proper purpose of the corporation for us to purchase any significant asset unless our advisor has recommended the investment to us. Thus, the real estate and debt finance professionals of KBS Capital Advisors could direct attractive investment opportunities to other entities or investors. Such events could result in us investing in assets that provide less attractive returns, reducing the level of distributions we may be able to pay to our stockholders.

Further, existing and future KBS-sponsored programs and KBS-advised investors and Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan and Schreiber are not prohibited from engaging, directly or indirectly, in any business or from possessing interests in any other business venture or ventures, including businesses and ventures involved in the acquisition, origination or sale of real estate-related investments.

KBS Capital Advisors, the real estate and debt finance professionals assembled by our advisor, their affiliates and our officers will face competing demands on their time and this may cause our operations and our stockholders’ investment to suffer.

We rely on KBS Capital Advisors and the real estate and debt finance professionals our advisor has assembled, including Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan, Schreiber and Snyder and Ms. Yamane, for the day-to-day operation of our business. Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan, Schreiber and Snyder and Ms. Yamane are also executive officers of KBS REIT I, KBS REIT II and KBS REIT III, and Messrs. Bren, McMillan and Snyder and Ms. Yamane are executive officers of KBS Legacy Partners Apartment REIT. In addition, Messrs. Bren and Schreiber are executive officers of KBS Realty Advisors and its affiliates, the advisors of the private KBS-sponsored programs and the investment advisors to institutional investors in real estate and real estate-related assets. As a result of their interests in other KBS programs, their obligations to other investors and the fact that they engage in and they will continue to engage in other business activities on behalf of themselves and others, Messrs. Bren, Hall, McMillan, Schreiber and Snyder and Ms. Yamane will face conflicts of interest in allocating their time among us, KBS REIT I, KBS REIT II, KBS REIT III, KBS Legacy Partners Apartment REIT, KBS Capital Advisors and other KBS-sponsored programs as well as other business activities in which they are involved. In addition, KBS Capital Advisors and KBS Realty Advisors and its affiliates share many of the same key real estate and debt finance professionals. During times of intense activity in other programs and ventures, these individuals may devote less time and fewer resources to our business than are necessary or appropriate to manage our business. Furthermore, some or all of these individuals may become employees of another KBS-sponsored program in an internalization transaction or, if we internalize our advisor, may not become our employees as a result of their relationship with other KBS-sponsored programs. If these events occur, the returns on our investments, and the value of our stockholders’ investment, may decline.

 

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All of our executive officers and some of our directors and the key real estate and debt finance professionals assembled by our advisor face conflicts of interest related to their positions and/or interests in KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates, including our dealer manager, which could hinder our ability to implement our business strategy and to generate returns to our stockholders.

All of our executive officers, some of our directors and other key real estate and debt finance professionals assembled by our advisor are also executive officers, directors, managers, key professionals and/or holders of a direct or indirect controlling interest in our advisor, our dealer manager and other affiliated KBS entities. Through KBS-affiliated entities, some of these persons also serve as the investment advisors to institutional investors in real estate and real estate-related assets and through KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates these persons serve as the advisor to KBS REIT I, KBS REIT II, KBS REIT III, KBS Legacy Partners Apartment REIT and other KBS-sponsored programs. As a result, they owe fiduciary duties to each of these entities, their members and limited partners and these investors, which fiduciary duties may from time to time conflict with the fiduciary duties that they owe to us and our stockholders. Their loyalties to these other entities and investors could result in action or inaction that is detrimental to our business, which could harm the implementation of our business strategy and our investment and leasing opportunities. If we do not successfully implement our business strategy, we may be unable to generate the cash needed to make distributions to our stockholders and to maintain or increase the value of our assets.

Because other real estate programs offered through our dealer manager are conducting offerings concurrently with our ongoing initial public offering, our dealer manager may face potential conflicts of interest arising from competition among us and these other programs for investors and investment capital, and such conflicts may not be resolved in our favor.

The dealer manager for our ongoing initial public offering, KBS Capital Markets Group, also acts as the dealer manager for the initial public offerings of KBS REIT III and KBS Legacy Partners Apartment REIT. Both KBS REIT III and KBS Legacy Partners Apartment REIT are raising capital in their respective public offerings concurrently with our offering. In addition, future KBS-sponsored programs may seek to raise capital through public offerings conducted concurrently with our offering. As a result, our dealer manager may face conflicts of interest arising from potential competition with these other programs for investors and investment capital. Our sponsors generally seek to avoid simultaneous public offerings by programs that have a substantially similar mix of investment characteristics, including targeted investment types and key investment objectives. Nevertheless, there may be periods during which one or more programs sponsored by our sponsors will be raising capital and may compete with us for investment capital. Such conflicts may not be resolved in our favor and our stockholders will not have the opportunity to evaluate the manner in which these conflicts of interest are resolved before or after making an investment in us.

Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure

Our charter limits the number of shares a person may own, which may discourage a takeover that could otherwise result in a premium price to our stockholders.

Our charter, with certain exceptions, authorizes our directors to take such actions as are necessary and desirable to preserve our qualification as a REIT. To help us comply with the REIT ownership requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, our charter prohibits a person from directly or constructively owning more than 9.8% of our outstanding shares, unless exempted by our board of directors. This restriction may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us, including an extraordinary transaction (such as a merger, tender offer or sale of all or substantially all of our assets) that might provide a premium price for holders of our common stock.

Our charter permits our board of directors to issue stock with terms that may subordinate the rights of our common stockholders or discourage a third party from acquiring us in a manner that could result in a premium price to our stockholders.

Our board of directors may classify or reclassify any unissued common stock or preferred stock and establish the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption of any such stock. Thus, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of preferred stock with priority as to distributions and amounts payable upon liquidation over the rights of the holders of our common stock. Such preferred stock could also have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us, including an extraordinary transaction (such as a merger, tender offer or sale of all or substantially all of our assets) that might provide a premium price to holders of our common stock.

 

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Our stockholders’ investment return may be reduced if we are required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act; if we or our subsidiaries become an unregistered investment company, we could not continue our business.

Neither we nor any of our subsidiaries intend to register as investment companies under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). If we or our subsidiaries were obligated to register as investment companies, we would have to comply with a variety of substantive requirements under the Investment Company Act that impose, among other things:

 

   

limitations on capital structure;

 

   

restrictions on specified investments;

 

   

prohibitions on transactions with affiliates; and

 

   

compliance with reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy disclosure and other rules and regulations that would significantly increase our operating expenses.

Under the relevant provisions of Section 3(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act, an investment company is any issuer that:

 

   

is or holds itself out as being engaged primarily, or proposes to engage primarily, in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities (the “primarily engaged test”); or

 

   

is engaged or proposes to engage in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities and owns or proposes to acquire “investment securities” having a value exceeding 40% of the value of such issuer’s total assets on an unconsolidated basis (the “40% test”). “Investment securities” excludes U.S. government securities and securities of majority-owned subsidiaries that are not themselves investment companies and are not relying on the exception from the definition of investment company under Section 3(c)(1) or Section 3(c)(7) (relating to private investment companies).

We believe that we and our Operating Partnership satisfy both tests above. With respect to the 40% test, most of the entities through which we and our Operating Partnership own our assets are majority-owned subsidiaries that are not themselves investment companies and are not relying on the exceptions from the definition of investment company under Section 3(c)(1) or Section 3(c)(7).

With respect to the primarily engaged test, we and our Operating Partnership are holding companies. Through the majority-owned subsidiaries of our Operating Partnership, we and our Operating Partnership are primarily engaged in the non-investment company businesses of these subsidiaries.

We believe that most of the subsidiaries of our Operating Partnership may rely on Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the Investment Company Act for an exception from the definition of an investment company. (Any other subsidiaries of our Operating Partnership should be able to rely on the exceptions for private investment companies pursuant to Section 3(c)(1) and Section 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act.) As reflected in no-action letters, the SEC staff’s position on Section 3(c)(5)(C) generally requires that an issuer maintain at least 55% of its assets in “mortgages and other liens on and interests in real estate,” or qualifying assets; at least 80% of its assets in qualifying assets plus real estate-related assets; and no more than 20% of the value of its assets in other than qualifying assets and real estate-related assets, which we refer to as miscellaneous assets. To constitute a qualifying asset under this 55% requirement, a real estate interest must meet various criteria based on no-action letters.

If, however, the value of the subsidiaries of our Operating Partnership that must rely on Section 3(c)(1) or Section 3(c)(7) is greater than 40% of the value of the assets of our Operating Partnership, then we and our Operating Partnership may seek to rely on the exception from registration under Section 3(c)(6) if we and our Operating Partnership are “primarily engaged,” through majority-owned subsidiaries, in the business of purchasing or otherwise acquiring mortgages and other interests in real estate. The SEC staff has issued little interpretive guidance with respect to Section 3(c)(6); however, it is our view that we and our Operating Partnership may rely on Section 3(c)(6) if 55% of the assets of our Operating Partnership consist of, and at least 55% of the income of our Operating Partnership is derived from, majority-owned subsidiaries that rely on Section 3(c)(5)(C).

 

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To maintain compliance with the Investment Company Act, our subsidiaries may be unable to sell assets we would otherwise want them to sell and may need to sell assets we would otherwise wish them to retain. In addition, our subsidiaries may have to acquire additional assets that they might not otherwise have acquired or may have to forego opportunities to make investments that we would otherwise want them to make and would be important to our investment strategy. Moreover, the SEC may issue interpretations with respect to various types of assets that are contrary to our views and current SEC staff interpretations are subject to change, which increases the risk of non-compliance and the risk that we may be forced to make adverse changes to our portfolio. If we were required to register as an investment company but failed to do so, we would be prohibited from engaging in our business and criminal and civil actions could be brought against us. In addition, our contracts would be unenforceable unless a court required enforcement and a court could appoint a receiver to take control of us and liquidate our business.

Rapid changes in the values of our assets may make it more difficult for us to maintain our qualification as a REIT or our exception from the definition of an investment company under the Investment Company Act.

If the market value or income potential of our qualifying real estate assets changes as compared to the market value or income potential of our non-qualifying assets, or if the market value or income potential of our assets that are considered “real estate-related assets” under the Investment Company Act or REIT qualification tests changes as compared to the market value or income potential of our assets that are not considered “real estate-related assets” under the Investment Company Act or REIT qualification tests, whether as a result of increased interest rates, prepayment rates or other factors, we may need to modify our investment portfolio in order to maintain our REIT qualification or exception from the definition of an investment company. If the decline in asset values or income occurs quickly, this may be especially difficult, if not impossible, to accomplish. This difficulty may be exacerbated by the illiquid nature of many of the assets that we may own. We may have to make investment decisions that we otherwise would not make absent REIT and Investment Company Act considerations.

Our stockholders will have limited control over changes in our policies and operations, which increases the uncertainty and risks our stockholders face.

Our board of directors determines our major policies, including our policies regarding financing, growth, debt capitalization, REIT qualification and distributions. Our board of directors may amend or revise these and other policies without a vote of the stockholders. Under Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter, our stockholders have a right to vote only on limited matters. Our board’s broad discretion in setting policies and our stockholders’ inability to exert control over those policies increases the uncertainty and risks our stockholders face.

Because our charter does not require our listing or liquidation by a specified date, our stockholders should only purchase our shares as a long-term investment and be prepared to hold them for an indefinite period of time.

We may seek to list our shares of common stock if our independent directors believe listing would be in the best interests of our stockholders. If we do not list our shares of common stock on a national securities exchange by July 31, 2019, our charter requires that we either seek stockholder approval of the liquidation of the company; or if a majority of the conflicts committee determines that liquidation is not then in the best interests of our stockholders, postpone the decision of whether to liquidate the company. If a majority of the conflicts committee does determine that liquidation is not then in the best interests of our stockholders, our charter requires that the conflicts committee revisit the issue of liquidation at least annually. Further postponement of listing or stockholder action regarding liquidation would only be permitted if a majority of the conflicts committee again determined that liquidation would not be in the best interest of our stockholders. If we sought and failed to obtain stockholder approval of our liquidation, our charter would not require us to list or liquidate and would not require the conflicts committee to revisit the issue of liquidation, and we could continue to operate as before. Because our charter does not require our listing or liquidation by a specified date, our stockholders should only purchase our shares as a long-term investment and be prepared to hold them for an indefinite period of time.

 

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Our stockholders may not be able to sell their shares under our share redemption program and, if our stockholders are able to sell their shares under the program, they may not be able to recover full the amount of their investment in our shares.

Our share redemption program includes numerous restrictions that limit our stockholders’ ability to sell their shares, and because of these restrictions, we have no funds available for redemption under our share redemption program in 2011. Our stockholders must hold their shares for at least one year in order to participate in the share redemption program, except for redemptions sought upon a stockholder’s death, “qualifying disability” or “determination of incompetence.” We limit the number of shares redeemed pursuant to the share redemption program as follows: (i) during any calendar year, we may redeem no more than 5% of the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the prior calendar year and (ii) during each calendar year, redemptions will be limited to the amount of net proceeds from the sale of shares under our dividend reinvestment plan during the prior calendar year. Further, we have no obligation to redeem shares if the redemption would violate the restrictions on distributions under Maryland law, which prohibits distributions that would cause a corporation to fail to meet statutory tests of solvency. These limits may prevent us from accommodating all redemption requests made in any year. In particular, the limitation on redemptions to the amount of net proceeds from the sale of shares under our dividend reinvestment plan during the prior calendar year may significantly limit your ability to have your shares redeemed pursuant to our share redemption program because we expect to declare distributions only when our board of directors determines we have sufficient cash flow. Particularly during our offering stage, we may not have significant cash flow to pay distributions, which would in turn severely limit redemptions during the next calendar year. We did not declare any distributions to our stockholders in 2010. Accordingly, because of this restriction, we have no funds available for redemption under our share redemption program in 2011. Our board is free to amend, suspend or terminate the share redemption program upon 30 days’ notice.

The prices at which we will initially redeem shares under the program are as follows:

 

   

The lower of $9.25 or 92.5% of the price paid to acquire the shares from us for stockholders who have held their shares for at least one year;

 

   

The lower of $9.50 or 95.0% of the price paid to acquire the shares from us for stockholders who have held their shares for at least two years;

 

   

The lower of $9.75 or 97.5% of the price paid to acquire the shares from us for stockholders who have held their shares for at least three years; and

 

   

The lower of $10.00 or 100% of the price paid to acquire the shares from us for stockholders who have held their shares for at least four years.

Notwithstanding the above, once we establish an estimated value per share of our common stock that is not based on the price to acquire a share in our primary offering or a follow-on public offering, the redemption price per share for all stockholders would be equal to the estimated value per share, as determined by our advisor or another firm chosen for that purpose. We expect to establish an estimated value per share after the completion of our offering stage. We will consider our offering stage complete when we are no longer publicly offering equity securities – whether through our initial public offering or follow-on offerings – and have not done so for 18 months. The restrictions of our share redemption program will severely limit our stockholders’ ability to sell their shares should they require liquidity and will limit their ability to recover the value they invest in us.

The offering price of our shares was not established on an independent basis; the actual value of our stockholders’ investment may be substantially less than what they pay. We may use the most recent price paid to acquire a share in our offering or a follow-on public offering as the estimated value of our shares until we have completed our offering stage. Even when our advisor begins to use other valuation methods to estimate the value of our shares, the value of our shares will be based upon a number of assumptions that may not be accurate or complete.

We established the offering price of our shares on an arbitrary basis. The selling price of our shares bears no relationship to our book or asset values or to any other established criteria for valuing shares. Because the offering price is not based upon any independent valuation, the offering price may not be indicative of the proceeds that our stockholders would receive upon liquidation. Further, the offering price may be significantly more than the price at which the shares would trade if they were to be listed on an exchange or actively traded by broker-dealers.

 

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To assist Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) members and their associated persons that participate in our public offering of common stock, pursuant to FINRA Conduct Rule 5110, we will disclose in each annual report distributed to stockholders a per share estimated value of the shares, the method by which it was developed, and the date of the data used to develop the estimated value. For this purpose, our advisor has indicated that it intends to use the most recent price paid to acquire a share in our initial public offering (ignoring purchase price discounts for certain categories of purchasers) or a follow-on public offering as its estimated per share value of our shares until we have completed our offering stage. We will consider our offering stage complete when we are no longer publicly offering equity securities – whether through our initial public offering or follow-on public offerings – and have not done so for 18 months. (For purposes of this definition, we do not consider a “public equity offering” to include offerings on behalf of selling stockholders or offerings related to a dividend reinvestment plan, employee benefit plan or the redemption of interests in our Operating Partnership). Our charter does not restrict our ability to conduct offerings in the future, and if our board of directors determines that it is in our best interest, we may conduct follow-on offerings upon the termination of our initial public offering.

Although this initial estimated value will represent the most recent price at which most investors will purchase shares in our primary offering, this reported value will likely differ from the price at which a stockholder could resell his or her shares because (i) there is no public trading market for the shares at this time; (ii) the estimated value will not reflect, and will not be derived from, the fair market value of our assets, nor will it represent the amount of net proceeds that would result from an immediate liquidation of our assets, because the amount of proceeds available for investment from our primary offering will be net of selling commissions, dealer manager fees, other organization and offering costs and acquisition and origination fees and expenses; (iii) the estimated value will not take into account how market fluctuations affect the value of our investments, including how the current disruptions in the financial and real estate markets may affect the values of our investments; and (iv) the estimated value will not take into account how developments related to individual assets may increase or decrease the value of our portfolio.

When determining the estimated value of our shares by methods other than the last price paid to acquire a share in an offering, our advisor, or another firm we choose for that purpose, will estimate the value of our shares based upon a number of assumptions that may not be accurate or complete. Accordingly, these estimates may or may not be an accurate reflection of the fair market value of our investments and will not likely represent the amount of net proceeds that would result from an immediate sale of our assets.

Because the dealer manager is one of our affiliates, our stockholders will not have the benefit of an independent due diligence review of us, which is customarily performed in underwritten offerings; the absence of an independent due diligence review increases the risks and uncertainty our stockholders face.

Our dealer manager, KBS Capital Markets Group, is one of our affiliates. Because KBS Capital Markets Group is an affiliate, its due diligence review and investigation of us and the prospectus cannot be considered to be an independent review. Therefore, our stockholders do not have the benefit of an independent review and investigation of our initial public offering of the type normally performed by an unaffiliated, independent underwriter in a public securities offering.

Our investors’ interest in us will be diluted if we issue additional shares, which could reduce the overall value of their investment.

Potential investors in our ongoing initial public offering do not have preemptive rights to any shares we issue in the future. Our charter authorizes us to issue 1,010,000,000 shares of capital stock, of which 1,000,000,000 shares are designated as common stock and 10,000,000 shares are designated as preferred stock. Our board of directors may increase the number of authorized shares of capital stock without stockholder approval. After our investors purchase shares in our public offering, our board may elect to (i) sell additional shares in our current or future public offerings, including through the dividend reinvestment plan, (ii) issue equity interests in private offerings, (iii) issue shares to our advisor, or its successors or assigns, in payment of an outstanding fee obligation or (iv) issue shares of our common stock to sellers of assets we acquire in connection with an exchange of limited partnership interests of the Operating Partnership. To the extent we issue additional equity interests after our investors purchase shares in our initial public offering, whether in a primary offering, the dividend reinvestment plan or otherwise, their percentage ownership interest in us will be diluted. In addition, depending upon the terms and pricing of any additional offerings, the use of the proceeds and the value of our investments, our investors may also experience dilution in the book value and fair value of their shares and in the earnings and distributions per share.

 

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Payment of fees to KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates will reduce cash available for investment and distribution and increases the risk that our stockholders will not be able to recover the amount of their investment in our shares.

KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates will perform services for us in connection with the selection, acquisition, origination, management, and administration of our investments. We will pay them substantial fees for these services, which will result in immediate dilution to the value of our stockholders’ investment and will reduce the amount of cash available for investment or distribution to stockholders. Compensation to be paid to our advisor may be increased subject to approval by our conflicts committee and the other limitations in our charter, which would further dilute our stockholders’ investment and reduce the amount of cash available for investment or distribution to stockholders. Depending primarily upon the number of shares we sell in our primary offering and assuming a $10.00 purchase price for shares sold in the primary offering, we estimate that we will use 83.17% to 87.21% of the gross proceeds from the primary offering, or between $8.32 and $8.72 per share, for investments.

We may also pay significant fees during our listing/liquidation stage. Although most of the fees payable during our listing/liquidation stage are contingent on our investors first enjoying agreed-upon investment returns, affiliates of KBS Capital Advisors could receive significant payments even without our reaching the investment-return thresholds should we ever seek to become self-managed. Due to the apparent preference of the public markets for self-managed companies, a decision to list our shares on a national securities exchange might well be preceded by a decision to become self-managed. And given our advisor’s familiarity with our assets and operations, if our board of directors ever did decide that we should become self-managed, then we may prefer to become self-managed by acquiring entities affiliated with our advisor. Such an internalization transaction could result in significant payments to affiliates of our advisor irrespective of whether our stockholders enjoyed the returns on which we have conditioned other incentive compensation.

Therefore, these fees increase the risk that the amount available for distribution to common stockholders upon a liquidation of our portfolio would be less than the price paid by our stockholders to purchase shares in our ongoing initial public offering. These substantial fees and other payments also increase the risk that our stockholders will not be able to resell their shares at a profit, even if our shares are listed on a national securities exchange.

Failure to procure adequate capital and funding would negatively impact our results and may, in turn, negatively affect our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

We will depend upon the availability of adequate funding and capital for our operations. The failure to secure acceptable financing could reduce our taxable income, as our investments would no longer generate the same level of net interest income due to the lack of funding or increase in funding costs. A reduction in our net income could reduce our liquidity and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders. We cannot assure our stockholders that any, or sufficient, funding or capital will be available to us in the future on terms that are acceptable to us. Therefore, in the event that we cannot obtain sufficient funding on acceptable terms, there may be a negative impact on our ability to make distributions.

Our stockholders may be more likely to sustain a loss on their investment because our sponsors do not have as strong an economic incentive to avoid losses as do sponsors who have made significant equity investments in their companies.

Our sponsors have only invested $200,000 in us through the purchase of 20,000 shares of our common stock at $10 per share. Therefore, if we are successful in raising enough proceeds to reimburse our sponsors for our significant organization and offering expenses, our sponsors will have little exposure to loss in the value of our shares. Without this exposure, our investors may be at a greater risk of loss because our sponsors do not have as much to lose from a decrease in the value of our shares as do those sponsors who make more significant equity investments in their companies.

 

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Although we will not currently be afforded the protection of the Maryland General Corporation Law relating to deterring or defending hostile takeovers, our board of directors could opt into these provisions of Maryland law in the future, which may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and may prevent our stockholders from receiving a premium price for their stock in connection with a business combination.

Under Maryland law, “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and certain interested stockholders or affiliates of interested stockholders are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. Also under Maryland law, control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the acquirer, an officer of the corporation or an employee of the corporation who is also a director of the corporation are excluded from the vote on whether to accord voting rights to the control shares. Should our board opt into these provisions of Maryland law, it may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer. Similarly, provisions of Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the Maryland General Corporation Law could provide similar anti-takeover protection.

Our charter includes an anti-takeover provision that may discourage a stockholder from launching a tender offer for our shares.

Our charter provides that any tender offer made by a stockholder, including any “mini-tender” offer, must comply with most provisions of Regulation 14D of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The offering stockholder must provide our company notice of such tender offer at least 10 business days before initiating the tender offer. If the offering stockholder does not comply with these requirements, our company will have the right to redeem that stockholder’s shares and any shares acquired in such tender offer. In addition, the noncomplying stockholder shall be responsible for all of our company’s expenses in connection with that stockholder’s noncompliance. This provision of our charter may discourage a stockholder from initiating a tender offer for our shares and prevent our stockholders from receiving a premium price for their shares in such a transaction.

General Risks Related to Investments

Our investments will be subject to the risks typically associated with real estate.

We intend to invest in a diverse portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments, including direct investments in opportunistic real estate. Each of these investments will be subject to the risks typically associated with real estate. Our loans held for investment will generally be directly or indirectly secured by a lien on real property (or the equity interests in an entity that owns real property) that, upon the occurrence of a default on the loan, could result in our acquiring ownership of the property. We will not know whether the values of the properties ultimately securing our loans will remain at the levels existing on the dates of origination or acquisition of those loans. If the values of the underlying properties drop, our risk will increase because of the lower value of the security associated with such loans. In this manner, real estate values could impact the values of our loan investments. Our investments in residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, collateralized debt obligations and other real estate-related investments may be similarly affected by real estate property values. The value of real estate may be adversely affected by a number of risks, including:

 

   

natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes and floods;

 

   

acts of war or terrorism, including the consequences of terrorist attacks, such as those that occurred on September 11, 2001;

 

   

adverse changes in national and local economic and real estate conditions;

 

   

an oversupply of (or a reduction in demand for) space in the areas where particular properties are located and the attractiveness of particular properties to prospective tenants;

 

   

changes in governmental laws and regulations, fiscal policies and zoning ordinances and the related costs of compliance therewith and the potential for liability under applicable laws;

 

   

costs of remediation and liabilities associated with environmental conditions affecting properties; and

 

   

the potential for uninsured or underinsured property losses.

 

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The value of each property is affected significantly by its ability to generate cash flow and net income, which in turn depends on the amount of rental or other income that can be generated net of expenses required to be incurred with respect to the property. Many expenditures associated with properties (such as operating expenses and capital expenditures) cannot be reduced when there is a reduction in income from the properties. These factors may have a material adverse effect on the ability of our borrowers to pay their loans and our tenants to pay their rent, as well as on the value that we can realize from other real estate-related assets we originate, own or acquire.

The mortgage loans we invest in and the mortgage loans underlying the mortgage securities we invest in are subject to delinquency, foreclosure and loss, which could result in losses to us.

Commercial real estate loans are secured by multifamily or commercial property and are subject to risks of delinquency and foreclosure. The ability of a borrower to repay a loan secured by an income-producing property typically is dependent primarily upon the successful operation of such property rather than upon the existence of independent income or assets of the borrower. If the net operating income of the property is reduced, the borrower’s ability to repay the loan may be impaired. Net operating income of an income-producing property can be affected by, among other things: tenant mix, success of tenant businesses, property management decisions, property location and condition, competition from comparable types of properties, changes in laws that increase operating expenses or limit rents that may be charged, any need to address environmental contamination at the property, the occurrence of any uninsured casualty at the property, changes in national, regional or local economic conditions and/or specific industry segments, declines in regional or local real estate values, declines in regional or local rental or occupancy rates, increases in interest rates, real estate tax rates and other operating expenses, changes in governmental rules, regulations and fiscal policies, including environmental legislation, natural disasters, terrorism, social unrest and civil disturbances. We intend to invest in commercial mortgage loans directly and through CMBS.

Residential mortgage loans are secured by single-family residential property and are subject to risks of delinquency, foreclosure and loss. The ability of a borrower to repay a loan secured by a residential property is dependent upon the income or assets of the borrower. A number of factors, including a general economic downturn, natural disasters, terrorism, social unrest and civil disturbances, may impair borrowers’ abilities to repay their loans. Though we do not intend to invest directly in residential mortgage loans, we may invest in pools of residential mortgage loans or RMBS.

In the event of any default under a mortgage loan held directly by us, we will bear a risk of loss of principal to the extent of any deficiency between the value of the collateral and the principal and accrued interest of the mortgage loan, which could have a material adverse effect on our cash flow from operations. Foreclosure of a mortgage loan can be an expensive and lengthy process that could have a substantial negative effect on our anticipated return on the foreclosed mortgage loan. In the event of the bankruptcy of a mortgage loan borrower, the mortgage loan to such borrower will be deemed to be secured only to the extent of the value of the underlying collateral at the time of bankruptcy (as determined by the bankruptcy court), and the lien securing the mortgage loan will be subject to the avoidance powers of the bankruptcy trustee or debtor-in-possession to the extent the lien is unenforceable under state law.

CMBS evidence interests in or are secured by a single commercial mortgage loan or a pool of commercial real estate loans and RMBS evidence interests in or are secured by pools of residential mortgage loans. Accordingly, the residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities we invest in are subject to all of the risks of the underlying mortgage loans.

The B-Notes in which we may invest may be subject to additional risks relating to the privately negotiated structure and terms of the transaction, which may result in losses to us.

We may invest in B-Notes. A B-Note is a mortgage loan typically (i) secured by a first mortgage on a single large commercial property or group of related properties and (ii) subordinated to an A-Note secured by the same first mortgage on the same collateral. As a result, if a borrower defaults, there may not be sufficient funds remaining for B-Note holders after payment to the A-Note holders. Since each transaction is privately negotiated, B-Notes can vary in their structural characteristics and risks. For example, the rights of holders of B-Notes to control the process following a borrower default may be limited in certain investments. We cannot predict the terms of each B-Note investment. Further, B-Notes typically are secured by a single property, and so reflect the increased risks associated with a single property compared to a pool of properties.

 

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The mezzanine loans in which we may invest would involve greater risks of loss than senior loans secured by the same properties.

We may invest in mezzanine loans that take the form of subordinated loans secured by a pledge of the ownership interests of either the entity owning the real property or an entity that owns (directly or indirectly) the interest in the entity owning the real property. These types of investments may involve a higher degree of risk than long-term senior mortgage lending secured by income-producing real property because the investment may become unsecured as a result of foreclosure by the senior lender. In the event of a bankruptcy of the entity providing the pledge of its ownership interests as security, we may not have full recourse to the assets of such entity, or the assets of the entity may not be sufficient to satisfy our mezzanine loan. If a borrower defaults on our mezzanine loan or debt senior to our loan, or in the event of a borrower bankruptcy, our mezzanine loan will be satisfied only after the senior debt. As a result, we may not recover some or all of our investment. In addition, mezzanine loans may have higher loan-to-value ratios than conventional mortgage loans, resulting in less equity in the real property and increasing the risk of loss of principal.

Bridge loans may involve a greater risk of loss than conventional mortgage loans.

We may provide bridge loans secured by first-lien mortgages on properties to borrowers who are typically seeking short-term capital to be used in an acquisition, development or refinancing of real estate. The borrower may have identified an undervalued asset that has been undermanaged or is located in a recovering market. If the market in which the asset is located fails to recover according to the borrower’s projections, or if the borrower fails to improve the quality of the asset’s management or the value of the asset, the borrower may not receive a sufficient return on the asset to satisfy the bridge loan, and we may not recover some or all of our investment.

In addition, owners usually borrow funds under a conventional mortgage loan to repay a bridge loan. We may, therefore, be dependent on a borrower’s ability to obtain permanent financing to repay our bridge loan, which could depend on market conditions and other factors. Bridge loans are also subject to risks of borrower defaults, bankruptcies, fraud, losses and special hazard losses that are not covered by standard hazard insurance. In the event of any default under bridge loans held by us, we bear the risk of loss of principal and nonpayment of interest and fees to the extent of any deficiency between the value of the mortgage collateral and the principal amount of the bridge loan. To the extent we suffer such losses with respect to our investments in bridge loans, the value of our company and of our common stock may be adversely affected.

Investment in non-conforming and non-investment grade loans may involve increased risk of loss.

Loans we may acquire or originate may not conform to conventional loan criteria applied by traditional lenders and may not be rated or may be rated as non-investment grade. Non-investment grade ratings for these loans typically result from the overall leverage of the loans, the lack of a strong operating history for the properties underlying the loans, the borrowers’ credit history, the properties’ underlying cash flow or other factors. As a result, loans we acquire or originate may have a higher risk of default and loss than conventional loans. Any loss we incur may reduce distributions to stockholders and adversely affect the value of our common stock.

Our investments in subordinated loans and subordinated residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities may be subject to losses.

We intend to acquire or originate subordinated loans and invest in subordinated residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities. In the event a borrower defaults on a subordinated loan and lacks sufficient assets to satisfy our loan, we may suffer a loss of principal or interest. In the event a borrower declares bankruptcy, we may not have full recourse to the assets of the borrower, or the assets of the borrower may not be sufficient to satisfy the loan. If a borrower defaults on our loan or on debt senior to our loan, or in the event of a borrower bankruptcy, our loan will be satisfied only after the senior debt is paid in full. Where debt senior to our loan exists, the presence of intercreditor arrangements may limit our ability to amend our loan documents, assign our loans, accept prepayments, exercise our remedies (through “standstill periods”), and control decisions made in bankruptcy proceedings relating to borrowers.

In general, losses on a mortgage loan included in a securitization will be borne first by the equity holder of the property, then by a cash reserve fund or letter of credit, if any, and then by the “first loss” subordinated security holder. In the event of default and the exhaustion of any equity support, reserve fund, letter of credit and any classes of securities junior to those in which we invest, we may not be able to recover all of our investment in the securities we purchase. In addition, if the underlying mortgage portfolio has been overvalued by the originator, or if the values subsequently decline and, as a result, less collateral is available to satisfy interest and principal payments due on the related residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, the securities in which we invest may effectively become the “first loss” position behind the more senior securities, which may result in significant losses to us.

 

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Construction loans involve a high risk of loss if we are unsuccessful in raising the unfunded portion of the loan or if a borrower otherwise fails to complete the construction of a project. Land loans and pre-development loans involve similarly high risks of loss if construction financing cannot be obtained.

We may invest in construction loans. If we are unsuccessful in raising the unfunded portion of a construction loan, there could be adverse consequences associated with the loan, including a loss of the value of the property securing the loan if the construction is not completed and the borrower is unable to raise funds to complete it from other sources; a borrower claim against us for failure to perform under the loan documents; increased costs to the borrower that the borrower is unable to pay; a bankruptcy filing by the borrower; and abandonment by the borrower of the collateral for the loan. Further, other non-cash flowing assets such as land loans and pre-development loans may fail to qualify for construction financing and may need to be liquidated based on the “as-is” value as opposed to a valuation based on the ability to construct certain real property improvements. The occurrence of such events may have a negative impact on our results of operations. Other loan types may also include unfunded future obligations that could present similar risks.

Risks of cost overruns and non-completion of the construction or renovation of the properties underlying loans we make or acquire may materially and adversely affect our investment.

The renovation, refurbishment or expansion by a borrower under a mortgaged or leveraged property involves risks of cost overruns and non-completion. Costs of construction or improvements to bring a property up to standards established for the market position intended for that property may exceed original estimates, possibly making a project uneconomical. Other risks may include environmental risks and construction, rehabilitation and subsequent leasing of the property not being completed on schedule. If such construction or renovation is not completed in a timely manner, or if it costs more than expected, the borrower may experience a prolonged impairment of net operating income and may not be able to make payments on our investment.

Investments that are not United States government insured involve risk of loss.

We may originate and acquire uninsured loans and assets as part of our investment strategy. Such loans and assets may include mortgage loans, mezzanine loans and bridge loans. While holding such interests, we are subject to risks of borrower defaults, bankruptcies, fraud, losses and special hazard losses that are not covered by standard hazard insurance. In the event of any default under loans, we bear the risk of loss of principal and nonpayment of interest and fees to the extent of any deficiency between the value of the collateral and the principal amount of the loan. To the extent we suffer such losses with respect to our investments in such loans, the value of our company and the price of our common stock may be adversely affected.

The residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities in which we may invest are subject to the risks of the mortgage securities market as a whole and risks of the securitization process.

The value of residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities may change due to shifts in the market’s perception of issuers and regulatory or tax changes adversely affecting the mortgage securities market as a whole. Residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities are also subject to several risks created through the securitization process. Subordinate residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities are paid interest only to the extent that there are funds available to make payments. To the extent the collateral pool includes delinquent loans, there is a risk that the interest payment on subordinate residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities will not be fully paid. Subordinate residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities are also subject to greater credit risk than those residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities that are more highly rated.

In the future we may invest in RMBS backed by non-prime or sub-prime residential mortgage loans that are subject to higher delinquency, foreclosure and loss rates than prime residential mortgage loans, which could result in losses to us.

Non-prime and sub-prime residential mortgage loans are made to borrowers who have poor or limited credit histories and as a result they do not qualify for traditional mortgage products. Because of the poor, or lack of, credit history, non-prime and sub-prime borrowers have materially higher rates of delinquency, foreclosure and loss compared to prime credit quality borrowers. There is limited history with respect to the performance of RMBS over multiple economic cycles. Investments in RMBS backed by sub-prime or non-prime residential mortgage loans have higher risk than investments in RMBS backed by prime residential mortgage loans. We may realize credit losses if we invest in RMBS backed by sub-prime and non-prime residential mortgage loans because such RMBS are subject to all of the risks of the underlying sub-prime and non-prime residential mortgage loans.

 

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We may invest in non-agency RMBS and RMBS backed by non-conforming residential mortgage loans.

We may invest in non-agency RMBS. Agency-backed securities include RMBS that represent the entire ownership interest in pools of residential mortgage loans secured by residential real property and are guaranteed as to principal and interest by federally chartered entities such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and, in the case of Ginnie Mae, by the U.S. government. Non-agency RMBS are not guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae, or the U.S. government; rather, their ratings are assigned by nationally recognized rating agencies such as Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s. Non-agency RMBS have a higher risk of loss than agency RMBS. We may realize credit losses on our investment in non-agency RMBS.

We may also invest in RMBS backed by non-conforming residential mortgage loans. We expect that the residential mortgage loans will be non-conforming due to non-credit factors including, but not limited to, the fact that the (i) mortgage loan amounts exceed the maximum amount for such mortgage loan to qualify as a conforming mortgage loan, and (ii) underwriting documentation for the mortgage loan does not meet the criteria for qualification as a conforming mortgage loan. Non-conforming residential mortgage loans may have higher risk of delinquency and foreclosure and losses than conforming mortgage loans. We may realize credit losses on our investment in RMBS backed by non-conforming residential mortgage loans.

The types of structured debt securities and real estate-related loans in which we may invest have caused large financial losses for many investors and we can give no assurances that our investments in such securities will be successful.

We may invest in residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, collateralized debt obligations and other structured debt securities as well as real estate-related loans. Many of these types of investments have become illiquid and considerably less valuable over the past three years. This reduced liquidity and decrease in value caused financial hardship for many investors in these assets. Many investors did not fully appreciate the risks of such investments. We can give no assurances to our stockholders that our investments in these assets will be successful.

Changes in interest rates could negatively affect the value of our investments, which could result in reduced earnings or losses and negatively affect the cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

We may invest in fixed-rate residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities and other fixed-rate debt investments. Under a normal yield curve, an investment in these instruments will decline in value if long-term interest rates increase. We will also invest in floating-rate debt investments, for which decreases in interest rates will have a negative effect on value and interest income. Declines in market value may ultimately reduce earnings or result in losses to us, which may negatively affect cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

Prepayments can adversely affect the yields on our investments.

In the case of residential mortgage loans, there are seldom any restrictions on borrowers’ abilities to prepay their loans. Homeowners tend to prepay mortgage loans faster when interest rates decline. Consequently, owners of the loans may reinvest the money received from the prepayments at the lower prevailing interest rates. Conversely, homeowners tend not to prepay mortgage loans when interest rates increase. Consequently, owners of the loans are unable to reinvest money that would have otherwise been received from prepayments at the higher prevailing interest rates. This volatility in prepayment rates may affect our ability to maintain targeted amounts of leverage on our RMBS portfolio and may result in reduced earnings or losses for us and negatively affect the cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

The yield of our other assets may be affected by the rate of prepayments differing from our projections. Prepayments on debt instruments, where permitted under the debt documents, are influenced by changes in current interest rates and a variety of economic, geographic and other factors beyond our control, and consequently, such prepayment rates cannot be predicted with certainty. If we are unable to invest the proceeds of any prepayments we receive in assets with at least an equivalent yield, the yield on our portfolio will decline. In addition, we may acquire assets at a discount or premium and if the asset does not repay when expected, our anticipated yield may be impacted. Under certain interest rate and prepayment scenarios we may fail to recoup fully our cost of acquisition of certain investments.

If credit spreads widen before we obtain long-term financing for our assets, the value of our assets may suffer.

We will price our assets based on our assumptions about future credit spreads for financing of those assets. We expect to obtain longer-term financing for our assets using structured financing techniques in the future. In such financings, interest rates are typically set at a spread over a certain benchmark, such as the yield on United States Treasury obligations, swaps, or LIBOR. If the spread that borrowers will pay over the benchmark widens and the rates we charge on our assets to be securitized are not increased accordingly, this may reduce our income or cause losses.

 

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Hedging against interest rate exposure may adversely affect our earnings, limit our gains or result in losses, which could adversely affect cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

We may enter into interest rate swap agreements or pursue other interest rate hedging strategies. Our hedging activity will vary in scope based on the level of interest rates, the type of portfolio investments held, and other changing market conditions. Interest rate hedging may fail to protect or could adversely affect us because, among other things:

 

   

interest rate hedging can be expensive, particularly during periods of rising and volatile interest rates;

 

   

available interest rate hedging may not correspond directly with the interest rate risk for which protection is sought;

 

   

the duration of the hedge may not match the duration of the related liability or asset;

 

   

the amount of income that a REIT may earn from hedging transactions to offset interest rate losses is limited by federal tax provisions governing REITs;

 

   

the credit quality of the party owing money on the hedge may be downgraded to such an extent that it impairs our ability to sell or assign our side of the hedging transaction;

 

   

the party owing money in the hedging transaction may default on its obligation to pay; and

 

   

we may purchase a hedge that turns out not to be necessary, i.e., a hedge that is out of the money.

Any hedging activity we engage in may adversely affect our earnings, which could adversely affect cash available for distribution to our stockholders. Therefore, while we may enter into such transactions to seek to reduce interest rate risks, unanticipated changes in interest rates may result in poorer overall investment performance than if we had not engaged in any such hedging transactions. In addition, the degree of correlation between price movements of the instruments used in a hedging strategy and price movements in the portfolio positions being hedged or liabilities being hedged may vary materially. Moreover, for a variety of reasons, we may not seek to establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Any such imperfect correlation may prevent us from achieving the intended accounting treatment and may expose us to risk of loss.

Hedging instruments often are not traded on regulated exchanges, guaranteed by an exchange or its clearing house, or regulated by any U.S. or foreign governmental authorities and involve risks and costs.

The cost of using hedging instruments increases as the period covered by the instrument increases and during periods of rising and volatile interest rates. We may increase our hedging activity and thus increase our hedging costs during periods when interest rates are volatile or rising and hedging costs have increased. In addition, hedging instruments involve risk since they often are not traded on regulated exchanges, guaranteed by an exchange or its clearing house, or regulated by any U.S. or foreign governmental authorities. Consequently, there are no requirements with respect to record keeping, financial responsibility or segregation of customer funds and positions. Furthermore, the enforceability of agreements underlying derivative transactions may depend on compliance with applicable statutory, commodity and other regulatory requirements and, depending on the identity of the counterparty, applicable international requirements. The business failure of a hedging counterparty with whom we enter into a hedging transaction will most likely result in a default. Default by a party with whom we enter into a hedging transaction may result in the loss of unrealized profits and force us to cover our resale commitments, if any, at the then current market price. Although generally we will seek to reserve the right to terminate our hedging positions, it may not always be possible to dispose of or close out a hedging position without the consent of the hedging counterparty, and we may not be able to enter into an offsetting contract in order to cover our risk. We cannot be certain that a liquid secondary market will exist for hedging instruments purchased or sold, and we may be required to maintain a position until exercise or expiration, which could result in losses.

 

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There can be no assurance that the direct or indirect effects of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, enacted in July 2010 for the purpose of stabilizing or reforming the financial markets, will not have an adverse effect on our interest rate hedging activities.

On July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) became law in the United States. Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act contains a sweeping overhaul of the regulation of privately negotiated derivatives. The provisions of Title VII become effective on July 16, 2011 or, with respect to particular provisions, on such other date specified in the Dodd-Frank Act or by subsequent rulemaking. While the full impact of the Dodd-Frank Act on our interest rate hedging activities cannot be assessed until implementing rules and regulations are promulgated, the requirements of Title VII may affect our ability to enter into hedging or other risk management transactions, may increase our costs in entering into such transactions, and may result in us entering into such transactions on more unfavorable terms than prior to effectiveness of the Dodd-Frank Act. The occurrence of any of the foregoing events may have an adverse effect on our business.

Our investments in debt securities and preferred and common equity securities will be subject to the specific risks relating to the particular issuer of the securities and may involve greater risk of loss than secured debt financings.

Our investments in debt securities and preferred and common equity securities will involve special risks relating to the particular issuer of the securities, including the financial condition and business outlook of the issuer. Issuers that are REITs and other real estate companies are subject to the inherent risks associated with real estate and real estate-related investments. Issuers that are debt finance companies are subject to the inherent risks associated with structured financing investments. Furthermore, debt securities and preferred and common equity securities may involve greater risk of loss than secured debt financings due to a variety of factors, including that such investments are generally unsecured and may also be subordinated to other obligations of the issuer. As a result, investments in debt securities and preferred and common equity securities are subject to risks of (i) limited liquidity in the secondary trading market, (ii) substantial market price volatility resulting from changes in prevailing interest rates, (iii) subordination to the senior claims of banks and other lenders to the issuer, (iv) the operation of mandatory sinking fund or call/redemption provisions during periods of declining interest rates that could cause the issuer to reinvest redemption proceeds in lower yielding assets, (v) the possibility that earnings of the issuer may be insufficient to meet its debt service and distribution obligations and (vi) the declining creditworthiness and potential for insolvency of the issuer during periods of rising interest rates and economic downturn. These risks may adversely affect the value of outstanding debt securities and preferred and common equity securities and the ability of the issuers thereof to make principal, interest and/or distribution payments to us.

Our dependence on the management of other entities in which we invest may adversely affect our business.

We will not control the management, investment decisions or operations of the companies in which we may invest. Management of those enterprises may decide to change the nature of their assets, or management may otherwise change in a manner that is not satisfactory to us. We will have no ability to affect these management decisions and we may have only limited ability to dispose of our investments.

Many of our investments will be illiquid and we may not be able to vary our portfolio in response to changes in economic and other conditions.

Certain of the securities that we may purchase in connection with privately negotiated transactions will not be registered under the relevant securities laws, resulting in a prohibition against their transfer, sale, pledge or other disposition except in a transaction that is exempt from the registration requirements of, or is otherwise in accordance with, those laws. Some of the residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities that we may purchase may be traded in private, unregistered transactions and are therefore subject to restrictions on resale or otherwise have no established trading market. The mezzanine and bridge loans we may purchase will be particularly illiquid investments due to their short life, their unsuitability for securitization and the greater difficulty of recoupment in the event of a borrower’s default. As a result, our ability to vary our portfolio in response to changes in economic and other conditions may be relatively limited.

Declines in the market values of our investments may adversely affect periodic reported results of operations and credit availability, which may reduce earnings and, in turn, cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

A substantial portion of our assets will be classified for accounting purposes as “available-for-sale.” These investments are carried at estimated fair value and temporary changes in the market values of those assets will be directly charged or credited to stockholders’ equity without impacting net income on the income statement. Moreover, if we determine that a decline in the estimated fair value of an available-for-sale security below its amortized value is other-than-temporary, we will recognize a loss on that security on the income statement, which will reduce our earnings in the period recognized.

 

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A decline in the market value of our assets may adversely affect us particularly in instances where we have borrowed money based on the market value of those assets. If the market value of those assets declines, the lender may require us to post additional collateral to support the loan. If we were unable to post the additional collateral, we may have to sell assets at a time when we might not otherwise choose to do so. A reduction in credit available may reduce our earnings and, in turn, cash available for distribution to stockholders.

Further, credit facility providers may require us to maintain a certain amount of cash reserves or to set aside unlevered assets sufficient to maintain a specified liquidity position, which would allow us to satisfy our collateral obligations. As a result, we may not be able to leverage our assets as fully as we would choose, which could reduce our return on equity. In the event that we are unable to meet these contractual obligations, our financial condition could deteriorate rapidly.

Market values of our investments may decline for a number of reasons, such as changes in prevailing interest rates, increases in defaults, increases in voluntary prepayments for those investments that we have that are subject to prepayment risk, widening of credit spreads and downgrades of ratings of the securities by ratings agencies.

Some of our portfolio investments will be carried at an estimated fair value and we will be required to disclose the fair value of other investments quarterly. The estimated fair value will be determined by us and, as a result, there may be uncertainty as to the value of these investments.

Some of our portfolio investments will be in the form of securities that are recorded at fair value but that have limited liquidity or are not publicly traded. In addition, we must disclose the fair value of our investments in loans each quarter. Such estimates are inherently uncertain. The fair value of securities and other investments, including loans, that have limited liquidity or are not publicly traded may not be readily determinable. We will estimate the fair value of these investments on a quarterly basis. Because such valuations are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on numerous estimates, our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these securities existed. The value of our common stock could be adversely affected if our determinations regarding the fair value of these investments are materially higher than the values that we ultimately realize upon their disposal.

Competition with third parties in acquiring and originating investments may reduce our profitability and the return on our stockholders’ investment.

We have significant competition with respect to our acquisition and origination of assets with many other companies, including other REITs, insurance companies, commercial banks, private investment funds, hedge funds, specialty finance companies and other investors, many of which have greater resources than us. We may not be able to compete successfully for investments. In addition, the number of entities and the amount of funds competing for suitable investments may increase. If we pay higher prices for investments or originate loans on more generous terms than our competitors, our returns will be lower and the value of our assets may not increase or may decrease significantly below the amount we paid for such assets. If such events occur, our stockholders may experience a lower return on their investment.

Our joint venture partners could take actions that decrease the value of an investment to us and lower our stockholders’ overall return.

We may enter into joint ventures with third parties to make investments. We may also make investments in partnerships or other co-ownership arrangements or participations. Such investments may involve risks not otherwise present with other methods of investment, including, for example, the following risks:

 

   

that our co-venturer or partner in an investment could become insolvent or bankrupt;

 

   

that such co-venturer or partner may at any time have economic or business interests or goals that are or that become inconsistent with our business interests or goals; or

 

   

that such co-venturer or partner may be in a position to take action contrary to our instructions or requests or contrary to our policies or objectives.

Any of the above might subject us to liabilities and thus reduce our returns on our investment with that co-venturer or partner.

 

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Our due diligence may not reveal all of a borrower’s liabilities and may not reveal other weaknesses in its business.

Before making a loan to a borrower or acquiring debt or equity securities of a company, we will assess the strength and skills of such entity’s management and other factors that we believe are material to the performance of the investment. In making the assessment and otherwise conducting customary due diligence, we will rely on the resources available to us and, in some cases, an investigation by third parties. This process is particularly important and subjective with respect to newly organized or private entities because there may be little or no information publicly available about the entities. There can be no assurance that our due diligence processes will uncover all relevant facts or that any investment will be successful.

We will depend on debtors for our revenue, and, accordingly, our revenue and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders will be dependent upon the success and economic viability of such debtors.

The success of our investments in real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments materially depend on the financial stability of the debtors underlying such investments. The inability of a single major debtor or a number of smaller debtors to meet their payment obligations could result in reduced revenue or losses.

Delays in liquidating defaulted mortgage loans could reduce our investment returns.

If we make or invest in mortgage loans and there are defaults under those mortgage loans, we may not be able to repossess and sell the underlying properties quickly. Borrowers often resist foreclosure actions by asserting numerous claims, counterclaims and defenses, including, without limitation, lender liability claims, in an effort to prolong the foreclosure action. In some states, foreclosure actions can take up to several years or more to litigate. At any time during the foreclosure proceedings, the borrower may file for bankruptcy, which would have the effect of staying the foreclosure action and further delaying the foreclosure process. Foreclosure litigation tends to create a negative public image of the collateral property and may result in disrupting ongoing leasing and management of the property. Foreclosure actions by senior lenders may substantially affect the amount that we may receive from an investment. These factors could reduce the value of our investment in the defaulted mortgage loans.

Delays in restructuring or liquidating non-performing debt-related securities could reduce the return on our stockholders’ investment.

Debt-related securities may become non-performing after acquisition for a wide variety of reasons. Such non-performing debt-related investments may require a substantial amount of workout negotiations and/or restructuring, which may entail, among other things, a substantial reduction in the interest rate and a substantial write-down of such loan or asset. However, even if a restructuring is successfully accomplished, upon maturity of such debt-related security, the borrower under the security may not be able to negotiate replacement “takeout” financing to repay the principal amount of the securities owed to us. We may find it necessary or desirable to foreclose on some of the collateral securing one or more of our investments. Intercreditor provisions may substantially interfere with our ability to do so. Even if foreclosure is an option, the foreclosure process can be lengthy and expensive as discussed above.

If we foreclose on the collateral that will secure our investments in loans receivable, we may incur significant liabilities for deferred repairs and maintenance, property taxes and other expenses, which would reduce cash available for distribution to stockholders.

Some of the properties we may acquire in foreclosure proceedings may face competition from newer, more updated properties. In addition, the overall condition of these properties may have been neglected prior to the time we would foreclose on them. In order to remain competitive, increase occupancy at these properties and/or make them more attractive to potential tenants and purchasers, we may have to make significant capital improvements and/or incur deferred maintenance costs with respect to these properties. Also, if we acquire properties through foreclosure, we will be responsible for property taxes and other expenses which will require more capital resources than if we held a secured interest in these properties. To the extent we have to make significant capital expenditures with respect to these properties, we will have less cash available to fund distributions and investor returns may be reduced.

 

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We intend to make direct investments in opportunistic real estate, which involves a higher risk of loss than more conservative real estate investment strategies.

We intend to make direct investments in various types of opportunistic real estate, which may include, but are not limited to, office, industrial and retail properties, hospitality properties and undeveloped residential lots. We consider opportunistic or enhanced-return properties to be properties with significant possibilities for short-term capital appreciation, such as properties with moderate vacancies or near-term lease rollovers, poorly managed and positioned properties, properties owned by distressed sellers and built-to-suit properties. Our opportunistic real estate investments may involve the acquisition of properties that face significant challenges, such as being located in markets that are depressed or overbuilt. As a result of our potential investments in these types of markets, we may face increased risks relating to changes in local market conditions and increased competition for similar properties in the same market, as well as increased risks that these markets will not recover and the value of our properties in these markets will not increase, or will decrease, over time. Our approach to acquiring and operating income-producing properties will involve more risk than comparable real estate programs that employ more conservative investment strategies.

Properties that have significant vacancies could be difficult to sell, which could diminish the return on these properties.

A property may incur vacancies either by the expiration of tenant leases or the continued default of tenants under their leases. If vacancies continue for a long period of time, we may suffer reduced revenues resulting in less cash available to distribute to our stockholders. In addition, because a property’s market value depends principally upon the value of the leases associated with that property, the resale value of a property with high or prolonged vacancies could suffer, which could further reduce our returns.

Investments in non-performing real estate assets involve greater risks than investments in stabilized, performing assets and make our future performance more difficult to predict.

Traditional performance metrics of real estate assets are generally not meaningful for non-performing real estate assets. Non-performing properties, for example, do not have stabilized occupancy rates to provide a useful measure of revenue. Similarly, non-performing loans do not have a consistent stream of loan servicing or interest payments to provide a useful measure of revenue. In addition, for non-performing loans, often there is no expectation that the face amount of the note will be paid in full. Appraisals may provide a sense of the value of the investment, but any appraisal of the property or underlying property will be based on numerous estimates, judgments and assumptions that significantly affect the appraised value of the underlying property. Further, an appraisal of a non-stabilized property, in particular, involves a high degree of subjectivity due to high vacancy levels and uncertainties with respect to future market rental rates and timing of lease-up and stabilization. Accordingly, different assumptions may materially change the appraised value of the property. In addition, the value of the property will change over time.

In addition, we may pursue more than one strategy to create value in a non-performing real estate investment. With respect to a property, these strategies may include development, redevelopment, or lease-up of such property. With respect to a loan, these strategies may include negotiating with the borrower for a reduced payoff, restructuring the terms of the loan or enforcing our rights as lender under the loan and foreclosing on the collateral securing the loan.

The factors described above make it challenging to evaluate non-performing investments. As of March 11, 2011, all of our real estate-related investments are non-performing real estate assets.

We may depend on tenants for revenue, and lease defaults or terminations could reduce our net income and limit our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

The success of our real estate investments may materially depend on the financial stability of our tenants. A default or termination by a significant tenant on its lease payments to us would cause us to lose the revenue associated with such lease and could require us to find an alternative source of revenue to meet mortgage payments and prevent a foreclosure, if the property is subject to a mortgage. In the event of a tenant default or bankruptcy, we may experience delays in enforcing our rights as landlord and may incur substantial costs in protecting our investment and re-leasing our property. If a tenant defaults on or terminates a significant lease, we may be unable to lease the property for the rent previously received or sell the property without incurring a loss. These events could cause us to reduce the amount of distributions to our stockholders.

 

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Our inability to sell a property at the time and on the terms we want could limit our ability to pay cash distributions to our stockholders.

Many factors that are beyond our control affect the real estate market and could affect our ability to sell properties for the price, on the terms or within the time frame that we desire. These factors include general economic conditions, the availability of financing, interest rates and other factors, including supply and demand. Because real estate investments are relatively illiquid, we have a limited ability to vary our portfolio in response to changes in economic or other conditions. Further, before we can sell a property on the terms we want, it may be necessary to expend funds to correct defects or to make improvements. However, we can give no assurance that we will have the funds available to correct such defects or to make such improvements. We may be unable to sell our properties at a profit. Our inability to sell properties at the time and on the terms we want could reduce our cash flow and limit our ability to make distributions to our stockholders and could reduce the value of our shares.

If we sell a property by providing financing to the purchaser, we will bear the risk of default by the purchaser, which could delay or reduce the distributions available to our stockholders.

If we decide to sell any of our properties, we intend to use our best efforts to sell them for cash; however, in some instances, we may sell our properties by providing financing to purchasers. When we provide financing to a purchaser, we will bear the risk that the purchaser may default, which could reduce our cash distributions to stockholders. Even in the absence of a purchaser default, the distribution of the proceeds of the sale to our stockholders, or the reinvestment of the proceeds in other assets, will be delayed until the promissory note or other property we may accept upon a sale are actually paid, sold, refinanced or otherwise disposed.

Potential development and construction delays and resultant increased costs and risks may hinder our operating results and decrease our net income.

From time to time we may acquire unimproved real property or properties that are under development or construction. Investments in such properties will be subject to the uncertainties associated with the development and construction of real property, including those related to re-zoning land for development, environmental concerns of governmental entities and/or community groups and our builders’ ability to build in conformity with plans, specifications, budgeted costs and timetables. If a builder fails to perform, we may resort to legal action to rescind the purchase or the construction contract or to compel performance. A builder’s performance may also be affected or delayed by conditions beyond the builder’s control. Delays in completing construction could also give tenants the right to terminate preconstruction leases. We may incur additional risks when we make periodic progress payments or other advances to builders before they complete construction. These and other factors can result in increased costs of a project or loss of our investment. In addition, we will be subject to normal lease-up risks relating to newly constructed projects. We also must rely on rental income and expense projections and estimates of the fair market value of property upon completion of construction when agreeing upon a purchase price at the time we acquire the property. If our projections are inaccurate, we may pay too much for a property, and the return on our investment could suffer.

If the properties related to our investments are concentrated by type or geographic area, then we will be exposed to increased risk with respect to those property types or that geographic area.

Our investments may at times be concentrated in certain property types that are subject to a higher risk of foreclosure. In addition, our investments may be secured by properties concentrated in a limited number of geographic locations. Adverse conditions in the areas where the properties securing or otherwise underlying our investments are located (including business layoffs or downsizing, industry slowdowns, changing demographics and other factors) and local real estate conditions (such as oversupply or reduced demand) may have an adverse effect on the value of the properties underlying our investments. A material decline in demand or the ability of tenants to pay rent or of a buyer to consummate a purchase in these geographic areas may result in a material decline in our cash available for distribution.

Costs imposed pursuant to governmental laws and regulations may reduce our net income and the cash available for distributions to our stockholders.

Real property and the operations conducted on real property are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to protection of the environment and human health. We could be subject to liability in the form of fines, penalties or damages for noncompliance with these laws and regulations. These laws and regulations generally govern wastewater discharges, air emissions, the operation and removal of underground and above-ground storage tanks, the use, storage, treatment, transportation and disposal of solid and hazardous materials, the remediation of contamination associated with the release or disposal of solid and hazardous materials, the presence of toxic building materials, and other health and safety-related concerns.

 

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Some of these laws and regulations may impose joint and several liability on the tenants, owners or operators of real property for the costs to investigate or remediate contaminated properties, regardless of fault, whether the contamination occurred prior to purchase, or whether the acts causing the contamination were legal. Activities of our tenants, the condition of properties at the time we buy them, operations in the vicinity of our properties, such as the presence of underground storage tanks, or activities of unrelated third parties may affect our properties.

The presence of hazardous substances, or the failure to properly manage or remediate these substances, may hinder our ability to sell, rent or pledge such property as collateral for future borrowings. Any material expenditures, fines, penalties, or damages we must pay will reduce our ability to make distributions and may reduce the value of our shares.

The costs of defending against claims of environmental liability, of complying with environmental regulatory requirements, of remediating any contaminated property, or of paying personal injury claims could reduce the amounts available for distribution to our stockholders.

Under various federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations, a current or previous real property owner or operator may be liable for the cost of removing or remediating hazardous or toxic substances on, under or in such property. These costs could be substantial. Such laws often impose liability whether or not the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such hazardous or toxic substances. Environmental laws also may impose liens on property or restrictions on the manner in which property may be used or businesses may be operated, and these restrictions may require substantial expenditures or prevent us from entering into leases with prospective tenants that may be impacted by such laws. Environmental laws provide for sanctions for noncompliance and may be enforced by governmental agencies or, in certain circumstances, by private parties. Certain environmental laws and common law principles could be used to impose liability for the release of and exposure to hazardous substances, including asbestos-containing materials and lead-based paint. Third parties may seek recovery from real property owners or operators for personal injury or property damage associated with exposure to released hazardous substances. The costs of defending against claims of environmental liability, of complying with environmental regulatory requirements, of remediating any contaminated property, or of paying personal injury claims could reduce the amounts available for distribution to our stockholders.

Costs associated with complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act may decrease cash available for distributions.

Our properties may be subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, or the Disabilities Act. Under the Disabilities Act, all places of public accommodation are required to comply with federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. The Disabilities Act has separate compliance requirements for “public accommodations” and “commercial facilities” that generally require that buildings and services be made accessible and available to people with disabilities. The Disabilities Act’s requirements could require removal of access barriers and could result in the imposition of injunctive relief, monetary penalties or, in some cases, an award of damages. Any funds used for Disabilities Act compliance will reduce our net income and the amount of cash available for distributions to our stockholders.

Uninsured losses relating to real property or excessively expensive premiums for insurance coverage could reduce our cash flows and the return on our stockholders’ investment.

There are types of losses, generally catastrophic in nature, such as losses due to wars, acts of terrorism, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, pollution or environmental matters, that are uninsurable or not economically insurable, or may be insured subject to limitations, such as large deductibles or co-payments. Insurance risks associated with potential acts of terrorism could sharply increase the premiums we pay for coverage against property and casualty claims. Additionally, mortgage lenders in some cases have begun to insist that commercial property owners purchase coverage against terrorism as a condition for providing mortgage loans. Such insurance policies may not be available at reasonable costs, if at all, which could inhibit our ability to finance or refinance our properties. In such instances, we may be required to provide other financial support, either through financial assurances or self-insurance, to cover potential losses. We may not have adequate coverage for such losses. If any of our properties incurs a casualty loss that is not fully insured, the value of our assets will be reduced by any such uninsured loss, which may reduce the value of our shares. In addition, other than any working capital reserve or other reserves we may establish, we have no source of funding to repair or reconstruct any uninsured property. Also, to the extent we must pay unexpectedly large amounts for insurance, we could suffer reduced earnings that would result in lower distributions to our stockholders.

 

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Terrorist attacks and other acts of violence or war may affect the markets in which we plan to operate, which could delay or hinder our ability to meet our investment objectives and reduce our stockholders’ overall return.

Terrorist attacks or armed conflicts may directly impact the value of our properties through damage, destruction, loss or increased security costs. KBS-sponsored programs and KBS-advised investors have historically owned properties in major metropolitan areas. We expect that we will also invest in such markets. We may not be able to obtain insurance against the risk of terrorism because it may not be available or may not be available on terms that are economically feasible. The terrorism insurance that we obtain may not be sufficient to cover loss for damages to our properties as a result of terrorist attacks. The inability to obtain sufficient terrorism insurance or any terrorism insurance at all could limit our investment options as some mortgage lenders have begun to insist that specific coverage against terrorism be purchased by commercial owners as a condition of providing loans.

Risks Related to Our Financing Strategy

We expect to use leverage in connection with our investments, which increases the risk of loss associated with our investments.

We expect to finance the acquisition and origination of a portion of our investments with warehouse lines of credit, repurchase agreements, various types of securitizations, mortgages and other borrowings. Although the use of leverage may enhance returns and increase the number of investments that we can make, it may also substantially increase the risk of loss. Our ability to execute this strategy will depend on various conditions in the financing markets that are beyond our control, including liquidity and credit spreads. There can be no assurance that leveraged financing will be available to us on favorable terms or that, among other factors, the terms of such financing will parallel the maturities of the underlying assets acquired. If our strategy is not viable, we will have to find alternative forms of long-term financing for our assets, as secured revolving credit facilities and repurchase facilities may not accommodate long-term financing. This could subject us to more restrictive recourse indebtedness and the risk that debt service on less efficient forms of financing would require a larger portion of our cash flows, thereby reducing cash available for distribution to our stockholders, for our operations and for future business opportunities. If alternative financing is not available, we may have to liquidate assets at unfavorable prices to pay off such financing. Our return on our investments and cash available for distribution to our stockholders may be reduced to the extent that changes in market conditions cause the cost of our financing to increase relative to the income that we can derive from the assets we acquire.

Short-term borrowing through repurchase agreements, bank credit facilities and warehouse facilities may put our assets and financial condition at risk. Repurchase agreements economically resemble short-term, variable-rate financing and usually require the maintenance of specific loan-to-collateral value ratios. If the market value of the assets subject to a repurchase agreement decline, we may be required to provide additional collateral or make cash payments to maintain the loan to collateral value ratio. If we are unable to provide such collateral or cash repayments, we may lose our economic interest in the underlying assets. Further, credit facility providers and warehouse facility providers may require us to maintain a certain amount of cash reserves or to set aside unleveraged assets sufficient to maintain a specified liquidity position that would allow us to satisfy our collateral obligations. In addition, such short-term borrowing facilities may limit the length of time that any given asset may be used as eligible collateral. As a result, we may not be able to leverage our assets as fully as we would choose, which could reduce our return on assets. In the event that we are unable to meet these collateral obligations, our financial condition could deteriorate rapidly.

We may not be able to acquire eligible investments for a CDO issuance or may not be able to issue CDO securities on attractive terms, either of which may require us to seek more costly financing for our investments or to liquidate assets.

We may use short-term financing arrangements to finance the acquisition of instruments until a sufficient quantity is accumulated, at which time we may refinance these lines through a securitization, such as a CDO issuance, or other long-term financing. As a result, we are subject to the risk that we will not be able to acquire, during the period that our short-term financing is available, a sufficient amount of eligible assets to maximize the efficiency of a CDO issuance. In addition, conditions in the capital markets may make the issuance of CDOs less attractive to us when we have accumulated a sufficient pool of collateral. If we are unable to issue a CDO to finance these assets, we may be required to seek other forms of potentially less attractive financing or liquidate the assets. In addition, while we generally will retain the equity component, or below investment grade component, of such CDOs and, therefore, still have exposure to any investments included in such securitizations, our inability to enter into securitization transactions will increase our overall exposure to risks associated with ownership of such investments, including the risk of default under warehouse facilities, bank credit facilities and repurchase agreements discussed above.

 

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The use of CDO financings with over-collateralization requirements may have a negative impact on our cash flow.

We expect that the terms of CDOs we may issue will generally provide that the principal amount of assets must exceed the principal balance of the related bonds by a certain amount, commonly referred to as “over-collateralization.” We anticipate that the CDO terms will provide that, if certain delinquencies and/or losses exceed specified levels, which we will establish based on the analysis by the rating agencies (or any financial guaranty insurer) of the characteristics of the assets collateralizing the bonds, the required level of over-collateralization may be increased or may be prevented from decreasing as would otherwise be permitted had losses or delinquencies not exceeded those levels. Other tests (based on delinquency levels or other criteria) may restrict our ability to receive net income from assets collateralizing the obligations. We cannot assure our stockholders that the performance tests will be satisfied. In advance of completing negotiations with the rating agencies or other key transaction parties on our future CDO financings, we cannot assure our stockholders of the actual terms of the CDO delinquency tests, over-collateralization terms, cash flow release mechanisms or other significant factors regarding the calculation of net income to us. Failure to obtain favorable terms with regard to these matters may materially and adversely affect the availability of net income to us. If our assets fail to perform as anticipated, our over-collateralization or other credit enhancement expense associated with our CDO financings will increase.

We may be required to repurchase loans that we have sold or to indemnify holders of CDOs we issue.

If any of the loans we originate or acquire and sell or securitize do not comply with representations and warranties that we make about certain characteristics of the loans, the borrowers and the underlying properties, we may be required to repurchase those loans (including from a trust vehicle used to facilitate a structured financing of the assets through CDOs) or replace them with substitute loans. In addition, in the case of loans that we have sold instead of retained, we may be required to indemnify persons for losses or expenses incurred as a result of a breach of a representation or warranty. Repurchased loans typically require a significant allocation of working capital to be carried on our books, and our ability to borrow against such assets may be limited. Any significant repurchases or indemnification payments could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.

High mortgage rates may make it difficult for us to finance or refinance properties, which could reduce the number of properties we can acquire, our net income and the amount of cash distributions we can make.

If mortgage debt is unavailable at reasonable rates, we may not be able to finance the purchase of real properties. If we place mortgage debt on properties, we run the risk of being unable to refinance the properties when the loans become due, or of being unable to refinance on favorable terms. If interest rates are higher when we refinance the properties, our income could be reduced. We may be unable to refinance properties. If any of these events occurs, our cash flow would be reduced. This, in turn, would reduce cash available for distribution to our stockholders and may hinder our ability to raise more capital by issuing more stock or by borrowing more money.

Lenders may require us to enter into restrictive covenants relating to our operations, which could limit our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

When providing financing, a lender may impose restrictions on us that affect our distribution and operating policies and our ability to incur additional debt. Loan agreements we enter may contain covenants that limit our ability to further mortgage a property or that prohibit us from discontinuing insurance coverage or replacing KBS Capital Advisors as our advisor. These or other limitations would decrease our operating flexibility and our ability to achieve our operating objectives.

In a period of rising interest rates, our interest expense could increase while the interest we earn on our fixed-rate assets would not change, which would adversely affect our profitability.

Our operating results will depend in large part on differences between the income from our assets, net of credit losses and financing costs. Income from our assets may respond more slowly to interest rate fluctuations than the cost of our borrowings. Consequently, changes in interest rates, particularly short-term interest rates, may significantly influence our net income. Increases in these rates will tend to decrease our net income and market value of our assets. Interest rate fluctuations resulting in our interest expense exceeding our interest income would result in operating losses for us and may limit our ability to make distributions to our stockholders. In addition, if we need to repay existing debt during periods of rising interest rates, we could be required to liquidate one or more of our investments at times that may not permit realization of the maximum return on such investments.

 

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We have broad authority to incur debt and high debt levels could hinder our ability to make distributions and decrease the value of our stockholders’ investment.

Although we expect that once we have fully invested the proceeds of our initial public offering, our debt financing will be 50% or less of the cost of our investments, our debt financing may exceed this level during our offering stage. Our charter limits our borrowings to 75% of the cost of our tangible assets, however, we may exceed this limit with the approval of the conflicts committee of our board of directors. High debt levels would cause us to incur higher interest charges and higher debt service payments and could also be accompanied by restrictive covenants. These factors could limit the amount of cash we have available to distribute and could result in a decline in the value of our stockholders’ investment.

Federal Income Tax Risks

Failure to qualify as a REIT would reduce our net earnings available for investment or distribution.

Our qualification as a REIT will depend upon our ability to meet requirements regarding our organization and ownership, distributions of our income, the nature and diversification of our income and assets and other tests imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. If we fail to qualify as a REIT for any taxable year after electing REIT status, we will be subject to federal income tax on our taxable income at corporate rates. In addition, we would generally be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year of losing our REIT status. Losing our REIT status would reduce our net earnings available for investment or distribution to stockholders because of the additional tax liability. In addition, distributions to stockholders would no longer qualify for the dividends paid deduction and we would no longer be required to make distributions. If this occurs, we might be required to borrow funds or liquidate some investments in order to pay the applicable tax.

Failure to qualify as a REIT would subject us to federal income tax, which would reduce the cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

We expect to operate in a manner that will allow us to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2010. However, the federal income tax laws governing REITs are extremely complex, and interpretations of the federal income tax laws governing qualification as a REIT are limited. Qualifying as a REIT requires us to meet various tests regarding the nature of our assets and our income, the ownership of our outstanding stock, and the amount of our distributions on an ongoing basis. While we intend to operate so that we will qualify as a REIT, given the highly complex nature of the rules governing REITs, the ongoing importance of factual determinations, including the tax treatment of certain investments we may make, and the possibility of future changes in our circumstances, no assurance can be given that we will so qualify for any particular year. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any calendar year and we do not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, we would be required to pay federal income tax on our taxable income. We might need to borrow money or sell assets to pay that tax. Our payment of income tax would decrease the amount of our income available for distribution to our stockholders. Furthermore, if we fail to maintain our qualification as a REIT and we do not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, we no longer would be required to distribute substantially all of our REIT taxable income to our stockholders. Unless our failure to qualify as a REIT were excused under federal tax laws, we would be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification was lost.

Our stockholders may have current tax liability on distributions they elect to reinvest in our common stock.

If our stockholders participate in our dividend reinvestment plan, they will be deemed to have received, and for income tax purposes will be taxed on, the amount reinvested in shares of our common stock to the extent the amount reinvested was not a tax-free return of capital. In addition, our stockholders will be treated for tax purposes as having received an additional distribution to the extent the shares are purchased at a discount to fair market value, if any. As a result, unless our stockholders are tax-exempt entities, they may have to use funds from other sources to pay their tax liability on the value of the shares of common stock received.

 

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Even if we qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, we may be subject to other tax liabilities that reduce our cash flow and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

Even if we qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, we may be subject to some federal, state and local taxes on our income or property. For example:

 

   

In order to qualify as a REIT, we must distribute annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income to our stockholders (which is determined without regard to the dividends-paid deduction or net capital gain). To the extent that we satisfy the distribution requirement but distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income, we will be subject to federal corporate income tax on the undistributed income.

 

   

We will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount, if any, by which distributions we pay in any calendar year are less than the sum of 85% of our ordinary income, 95% of our capital gain net income and 100% of our undistributed income from prior years.

 

   

If we elect to treat property that we acquire in connection with a foreclosure of a mortgage loan or certain leasehold terminations as “foreclosure property,” we may avoid the 100% tax on gain from a resale of that property, but the income from the sale or operation of that property may be subject to corporate income tax at the highest applicable rate.

 

   

If we sell an asset, other than foreclosure property, that we hold primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, our gain would be subject to the 100% “prohibited transaction” tax unless such sale were made by one of our taxable REIT subsidiaries.

Our investments in debt instruments may cause us to recognize “phantom income” for federal income tax purposes even though no cash payments have been received on the debt instruments.

It is expected that we may acquire debt instruments in the secondary market for less than their face amount. The amount of such discount will generally be treated as “market discount” for federal income tax purposes. We may acquire distressed debt investments that are subsequently modified by agreement with the borrower. If the amendments to the outstanding debt are “significant modifications” under the applicable Treasury regulations, the modified debt may be considered to have been reissued to us in a debt-for-debt exchange with the borrower. This deemed reissuance may prevent the modified debt from qualifying as a good REIT asset if the underlying security has declined in value.

In general, we will be required to accrue original issue discount on a debt instrument as taxable income in accordance with applicable federal income tax rules even though no cash payments may be received on such debt instrument.

In the event a borrower with respect to a particular debt instrument encounters financial difficulty rendering it unable to pay stated interest as due, we may nonetheless be required to continue to recognize the unpaid interest as taxable income. Similarly, we may be required to accrue interest income with respect to subordinate residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities at the stated rate regardless of when their corresponding cash payments are received.

As a result of these factors, there is a significant risk that we may recognize substantial taxable income in excess of cash available for distribution. In that event, we may need to borrow funds or take other action to satisfy the REIT distribution requirements for the taxable year in which this “phantom income” is recognized.

REIT distribution requirements could adversely affect our ability to execute our business plan.

We generally must distribute annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, subject to certain adjustments and excluding any net capital gain, in order for federal corporate income tax not to apply to earnings that we distribute. To the extent that we satisfy this distribution requirement, but distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income, we will be subject to federal corporate income tax on our undistributed REIT taxable income. In addition, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax if the actual amount that we pay out to our stockholders in a calendar year is less than a minimum amount specified under federal tax laws. We intend to make distributions to our stockholders to comply with the REIT requirements of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

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From time to time, we may generate taxable income greater than our taxable income for financial reporting purposes, or our taxable income may be greater than our cash flow available for distribution to stockholders (for example, where a borrower defers the payment of interest in cash pursuant to a contractual right or otherwise). If we do not have other funds available in these situations we could be required to borrow funds, sell investments at disadvantageous prices or find another alternative source of funds to make distributions sufficient to enable us to pay out enough of our taxable income to satisfy the REIT distribution requirement and to avoid corporate income tax and the 4% excise tax in a particular year. These alternatives could increase our costs or reduce our equity. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to operate solely on the basis of maximizing profits.

To maintain our REIT status, we may be forced to forego otherwise attractive opportunities, which may delay or hinder our ability to meet our investment objectives and reduce our stockholders’ overall return.

To qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy certain tests on an ongoing basis concerning, among other things, the sources of our income, nature of our assets and the amounts we distribute to our stockholders. We may be required to make distributions to stockholders at times when it would be more advantageous to reinvest cash in our business or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution. Compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to operate solely on the basis of maximizing profits and the value of our stockholders’ investment.

Potential characterization of distributions or gain on sale may be treated as unrelated business taxable income to tax-exempt investors.

If (i) all or a portion of our assets are subject to the rules relating to taxable mortgage pools, (ii) we are a “pension-held REIT,” (iii) a tax-exempt stockholder has incurred debt to purchase or hold our common stock, or (iv) the residual Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit interests, or REMICs, we buy (if any) generate “excess inclusion income,” then a portion of the distributions to and, in the case of a stockholder described in clause (iii), gains realized on the sale of common stock by such tax-exempt stockholder may be subject to federal income tax as unrelated business taxable income under the Internal Revenue Code.

The “taxable mortgage pool” rules may increase the taxes that we or our stockholders incur and may limit the manner in which we conduct securitizations or financing arrangements.

We may be deemed to be ourselves or make investments in entities that own or are themselves deemed to be taxable mortgage pools. As a REIT, provided that we own 100% of the equity interests in a taxable mortgage pool, we generally would not be adversely affected by the characterization of the securitization as a taxable mortgage pool. Certain categories of stockholders, however, such as foreign stockholders eligible for treaty or other benefits, stockholders with net operating losses, and certain tax-exempt stockholders that are subject to unrelated business income tax, could be subject to increased taxes on a portion of their dividend income from us that is attributable to the taxable mortgage pool. In addition, to the extent that our stock is owned by tax-exempt “disqualified organizations,” such as certain government-related entities that are not subject to tax on unrelated business income, we will incur a corporate-level tax on a portion of our income from the taxable mortgage pool. In that case, we are authorized to reduce and intend to reduce the amount of our distributions to any disqualified organization whose stock ownership gave rise to the tax by the amount of such tax paid by us that is attributable to such stockholder’s ownership.

 

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Similarly, certain of our securitizations or other borrowings could be considered to result in the creation of a taxable mortgage pool for federal income tax purposes. We intend to structure our securitization and financing arrangements as to not create a taxable mortgage pool. However, if we have borrowings with two or more maturities and (i) those borrowings are secured by mortgages or residential or commercial mortgage-backed securities and (ii) the payments made on the borrowings are related to the payments received on the underlying assets, then the borrowings and the pool of mortgages or residential or commercial mortgage-backed securities to which such borrowings relate may be classified as a taxable mortgage pool under the Internal Revenue Code. If any part of our investments were to be treated as a taxable mortgage pool, then our REIT status would not be impaired, provided we own 100% of such entity, but a portion of the taxable income we recognize may be characterized as “excess inclusion” income and allocated among our stockholders to the extent of and generally in proportion to the distributions we make to each stockholder. Any excess inclusion income would:

 

   

not be allowed to be offset by a stockholder’s net operating losses;

 

   

be subject to a tax as unrelated business income if a stockholder were a tax-exempt stockholder;

 

   

be subject to the application of federal income tax withholding at the maximum rate (without reduction for any otherwise applicable income tax treaty) with respect to amounts allocable to foreign stockholders; and

 

   

be taxable (at the highest corporate tax rate) to us, rather than to our stockholders, to the extent the excess inclusion income relates to stock held by disqualified organizations (generally, tax-exempt companies not subject to tax on unrelated business income, including governmental organizations).

The tax on prohibited transactions will limit our ability to engage in transactions, including certain methods of securitizing mortgage loans, that would be treated as sales for federal income tax purposes.

A REIT’s net income from prohibited transactions is subject to a 100% tax. In general, prohibited transactions are sales or other dispositions of assets, other than foreclosure property, deemed held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business. We might be subject to this tax if we were to dispose of or securitize loans in a manner that was treated as a sale of the loans for federal income tax purposes. Therefore, in order to avoid the prohibited transactions tax, we may choose not to engage in certain sales of loans at the REIT level, and may limit the structures we utilize for our securitization transactions, even though the sales or structures might otherwise be beneficial to us.

It may be possible to reduce the impact of the prohibited transaction tax by conducting certain activities through taxable REIT subsidiaries. However, to the extent that we engage in such activities through taxable REIT subsidiaries, the income associated with such activities may be subject to full corporate income tax.

Complying with REIT requirements may force us to liquidate otherwise attractive investments.

To qualify as a REIT, we must ensure that at the end of each calendar quarter, at least 75% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash items, government securities and qualified REIT real estate assets, including certain mortgage loans and residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities. The remainder of our investment in securities (other than government securities and qualified real estate assets) generally cannot include more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer. In addition, in general, no more than 5% of the value of our assets (other than government securities and qualified real estate assets) can consist of the securities of any one issuer, and no more than 25% of the value of our total assets can be represented by securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries. If we fail to comply with these requirements at the end of any calendar quarter, we must correct the failure within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter or qualify for certain statutory relief provisions to avoid losing our REIT qualification and suffering adverse tax consequences. As a result, we may be required to liquidate from our portfolio otherwise attractive investments. These actions could have the effect of reducing our income and amounts available for distribution to our stockholders.

Liquidation of assets may jeopardize our REIT qualification.

To qualify as a REIT, we must comply with requirements regarding our assets and our sources of income. If we are compelled to liquidate our investments to repay obligations to our lenders, we may be unable to comply with these requirements, ultimately jeopardizing our qualification as a REIT, or we may be subject to a 100% tax on any resultant gain if we sell assets that are treated as dealer property or inventory.

 

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Characterization of any repurchase agreements we enter into to finance our investments as sales for tax purposes rather than as secured lending transactions would adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT.

We may enter into repurchase agreements with a variety of counterparties to achieve our desired amount of leverage for the assets in which we invest. When we enter into a repurchase agreement, we generally sell assets to our counterparty to the agreement and receive cash from the counterparty. The counterparty is obligated to resell the assets back to us at the end of the term of the transaction. We believe that for federal income tax purposes we will be treated as the owner of the assets that are the subject of repurchase agreements and that the repurchase agreements will be treated as secured lending transactions notwithstanding that such agreement may transfer record ownership of the assets to the counterparty during the term of the agreement. It is possible, however, that the Internal Revenue Service could successfully assert that we did not own these assets during the term of the repurchase agreements, in which case we could fail to qualify as a REIT if tax ownership of these assets was necessary for us to meet the income and/or asset tests.

Complying with REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively.

The REIT provisions of the Internal Revenue Code may limit our ability to hedge our assets and operations. Under these provisions, any income that we generate from transactions intended to hedge our interest rate, inflation and/or currency risks will be excluded from gross income for purposes of the REIT 75% and 95% gross income tests if the instrument hedges (i) interest rate risk on liabilities incurred to carry or acquire real estate or (ii) risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would be qualifying income under the REIT 75% or 95% gross income tests, and such instrument is properly identified under applicable Treasury Regulations. Income from hedging transactions that do not meet these requirements will generally constitute nonqualifying income for purposes of both the REIT 75% and 95% gross income tests. As a result of these rules, we may have to limit our use of hedging techniques that might otherwise be advantageous, which could result in greater risks associated with interest rate or other changes than we would otherwise incur.

Ownership limitations may restrict change of control or business combination opportunities in which our stockholders might receive a premium for their shares.

In order for us to qualify as a REIT for each taxable year after 2010, no more than 50% in value of our outstanding capital stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals during the last half of any calendar year. “Individuals” for this purpose include natural persons, and some entities such as private foundations. To preserve our REIT qualification, our charter generally prohibits any person from directly or indirectly owning more than 9.8% in value of our capital stock. This ownership limitation could have the effect of discouraging a takeover or other transaction in which holders of our common stock might receive a premium for their shares over the then prevailing market price or which holders might believe to be otherwise in their best interests.

Our ownership of and relationship with our taxable REIT subsidiaries will be limited and a failure to comply with the limits would jeopardize our REIT status and may result in the application of a 100% excise tax.

A REIT may own up to 100% of the stock of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries. A taxable REIT subsidiary may earn income that would not be qualifying income if earned directly by the parent REIT. Both the subsidiary and the REIT must jointly elect to treat the subsidiary as a taxable REIT subsidiary. A corporation of which a taxable REIT subsidiary directly or indirectly owns more than 35% of the voting power or value of the stock will automatically be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary. Overall, no more than 25% of the value of a REIT’s assets may consist of stock or securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries. A domestic taxable REIT subsidiary will pay federal, state and local income tax at regular corporate rates on any income that it earns. In addition, the taxable REIT subsidiary rules limit the deductibility of interest paid or accrued by a taxable REIT subsidiary to its parent REIT to assure that the taxable REIT subsidiary is subject to an appropriate level of corporate taxation. The rules also impose a 100% excise tax on certain transactions between a taxable REIT subsidiary and its parent REIT that are not conducted on an arm’s-length basis. We cannot assure our stockholders that we will be able to comply with the 25% value limitation on ownership of taxable REIT subsidiary stock and securities on an ongoing basis so as to maintain REIT status or to avoid application of the 100% excise tax imposed on certain non-arm’s length transactions.

 

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The Internal Revenue Service may challenge our characterization of certain income from offshore taxable REIT subsidiaries.

We may form offshore corporate entities treated as taxable REIT subsidiaries. If we form such subsidiaries, we may receive certain “income inclusions” with respect to our equity investments in these entities. We intend to treat such income inclusions, to the extent matched by repatriations of cash in the same taxable year, as qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test but not the 75% gross income test. Because there is no clear precedent with respect to the qualification of such income inclusions for purposes of the REIT gross income tests, no assurance can be given that the Internal Revenue Service will not assert a contrary position. If such income does not qualify for the 95% gross income test, we could be subject to a penalty tax or we could fail to qualify as a REIT, in both events only if such inclusions (along with certain other non-qualifying income) exceed 5% of our gross income.

If our CDO issuers that are taxable REIT subsidiaries are subject to federal income tax at the entity level, it would greatly reduce the amounts those entities would have available to distribute to us and to pay their creditors.

There is a specific exemption from federal income tax for non-U.S. corporations that restrict their activities in the United States to trading stock and securities (or any activity closely related thereto) for their own account whether such trading (or such other activity) is conducted by the corporation or its employees through a resident broker, commission agent, custodian or other agent. We intend that any of our CDO issuers that are taxable REIT subsidiaries will rely on that exemption or otherwise operate in a manner so that they will not be subject to federal income tax on their net income at the entity level. If the Internal Revenue Service were to succeed in challenging that tax treatment, it could greatly reduce the amount that those CDO issuers would have available to distribute to us and to pay to their creditors.

We may be subject to adverse legislative or regulatory tax changes.

At any time, the federal income tax laws or regulations governing REITs or the administrative interpretations of those laws or regulations may be amended. We cannot predict when or if any new federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation, or any amendment to any existing federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation, will be adopted, promulgated or become effective and any such law, regulation or interpretation may take effect retroactively. We and our stockholders could be adversely affected by any such change in, or any new, federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation.

Dividends payable by REITs do not qualify for the reduced tax rates.

Legislation enacted in 2003 and modified in 2005 and 2010 generally reduces the maximum tax rate for dividends payable to domestic stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates to 15% (through 2012). Dividends payable by REITs, however, are generally not eligible for the reduced rates. Although this legislation does not adversely affect the taxation of REITs or dividends paid by REITs, the more favorable rates applicable to regular corporate dividends could cause investors who are individuals, trusts and estates to perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in stock of non-REIT corporations that pay dividends, which could adversely affect the value of the stock of REITs, including our common stock.

 

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Retirement Plan Risks

If the fiduciary of an employee benefit plan subject to ERISA (such as a profit sharing, Section 401(k) or pension plan) or an owner of a retirement arrangement subject to Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code (such as an individual retirement account (“IRA”)) fails to meet the fiduciary and other standards under ERISA or the Internal Revenue Code as a result of an investment in our stock, the fiduciary could be subject to penalties and other sanctions.

There are special considerations that apply to employee benefit plans subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) (such as profit sharing, Section 401(k) or pension plans) and other retirement plans or accounts subject to Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code (such as an IRA) that are investing in our shares. Fiduciaries and IRA owners investing the assets of such a plan or account in our common stock should satisfy themselves that:

 

   

the investment is consistent with their fiduciary and other obligations under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code;

 

   

the investment is made in accordance with the documents and instruments governing the plan or IRA, including the plan’s or account’s investment policy;

 

   

the investment satisfies the prudence and diversification requirements of Sections 404(a)(1)(B) and 404(a)(1)(C) of ERISA and other applicable provisions of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code;

 

   

the investment in our shares, for which no public market currently exists, is consistent with the liquidity needs of the plan or IRA;

 

   

the investment will not produce an unacceptable amount of “unrelated business taxable income” for the plan or IRA;

 

   

our stockholders will be able to comply with the requirements under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code to value the assets of the plan or IRA annually; and

 

   

the investment will not constitute a prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code.

With respect to the annual valuation requirements described above, we will provide an estimated value for our shares annually. We can make no claim whether such estimated value will or will not satisfy the applicable annual valuation requirements under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code. The Department of Labor or the Internal Revenue Service may determine that a plan fiduciary or an IRA custodian is required to take further steps to determine the value of our common shares. In the absence of an appropriate determination of value, a plan fiduciary or an IRA custodian may be subject to damages, penalties or other sanctions. See Part II, Item 5, “Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities – Market Information” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Failure to satisfy the fiduciary standards of conduct and other applicable requirements of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code may result in the imposition of civil and criminal penalties and could subject the fiduciary to claims for damages or for equitable remedies, including liability for investment losses. In addition, if an investment in our shares constitutes a prohibited transaction under ERISA or the Internal Revenue Code, the fiduciary or IRA owner who authorized or directed the investment may be subject to the imposition of excise taxes with respect to the amount invested. In addition, the investment transaction must be undone. In the case of a prohibited transaction involving an IRA owner, the IRA may be disqualified as a tax-exempt account and all of the assets of the IRA may be deemed distributed and subjected to tax. ERISA plan fiduciaries and IRA owners should consult with counsel before making an investment in our common shares.

 

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

We have no unresolved staff comments.

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

As of December 31, 2010, we owned two office properties encompassing 126,699 rentable square feet and that were 16% occupied. For a discussion of our real estate portfolio, see Part I, Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Portfolio Lease Expiration

The following table reflects lease expirations of our owned properties as of December 31, 2010:

 

Year of Expiration

   Number of
Leases Expiring
     Annualized
Base Rent  (1)
     % of Portfolio
Annualized Base
Rent Expiring
    Leased Rentable
Square Feet
Expiring
     % of Portfolio
Rentable Square
Feet Expiring
 

Month to Month

     2       $ 81,631         19     4,477         22

2011

     3         328,557         75     14,655         72

2012

     1         29,408         6     1,258         6

2013-2020

     —           —           0     —           0
                                           

Total

     6       $ 439,596         100     20,390         100
                                           

 

(1) Annualized base rent represents annualized contractual base rental income as of December 31, 2010, adjusted to straight-line any contractual rent increases or decreases from the lease’s inception through the balance of the lease term.

As of December 31, 2010, our properties were leased to six tenants in the medical services industry. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2010, we had a concentration of credit risk related to tenants in the medical services industry.

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we are party to legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our business. Management is not aware of any legal proceedings of which the outcome is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Nor are we aware of any such legal proceedings contemplated by government agencies.

 

ITEM 4. (REMOVED AND RESERVED)

 

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PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Stockholder Information

As of March 9, 2011, we had 6,421,485 million shares of common stock outstanding held by a total of approximately 2,000 stockholders. The number of stockholders is based on the records of DST Systems, Inc., who serves as our transfer agent.

Market Information

No public market currently exists for our shares of common stock, and we currently have no plans to list our shares on a national securities exchange. Until our shares are listed, if ever, our stockholders may not sell their shares unless the buyer meets the applicable suitability and minimum purchase requirements. In addition, our charter prohibits the ownership of more than 9.8% of our stock, unless exempted by our board of directors. Consequently, there is the risk that our stockholders may not be able to sell their shares at a time or price acceptable to them.

To assist the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) members and their associated persons that participate in the initial public offering of our common stock, pursuant to FINRA Conduct Rule 5110, we will disclose in each annual report distributed to stockholders a per share estimated value of our shares, the method by which it was developed, and the date of the data used to develop the estimated value. In addition, KBS Capital Advisors, our advisor, will prepare annual statements of estimated share values to assist fiduciaries of retirement plans subject to the annual reporting requirements of ERISA in the preparation of their reports relating to an investment in our shares. For this purpose, the estimated value of our shares of common stock is $10 per share as of December 31, 2010. The basis for this valuation is the current public offering price of $10 per share (ignoring purchase price discounts for certain categories of purchasers). Our advisor has indicated that it intends to use the most recent price paid to acquire a share in our initial public offering (ignoring purchase price discounts for certain categories of purchasers) or a follow-on public offering as its estimated per share value of our shares until we have completed our offering stage. We will consider our offering stage complete when we are no longer publicly offering equity securities – whether through our initial public offering or follow-on public offerings – and have not done so for 18 months. If our board of directors determines that it is in our best interest, we may conduct follow-on offerings upon the termination of our initial public offering. Our charter does not restrict our ability to conduct offerings in the future. (For purposes of this definition, we do not consider a “public equity offering” to include offerings on behalf of selling stockholders or offerings related to a dividend reinvestment plan, employee benefit plan or the redemption of interests in our Operating Partnership.)

Although the initial estimated value represents the price at which most investors will purchase shares in our primary offering, this reported value will likely differ from the price at which a stockholder could resell his or her shares because (i) there is no public trading market for the shares at this time; (ii) the estimated value does not reflect, and is not derived from, the fair market value of our assets, nor will it represent the amount of net proceeds that would result from an immediate liquidation of our assets, because the amount of proceeds available for investment from an offering will be net of selling commissions, dealer manager fees, other organization and offering costs and acquisition and origination fees and expenses; (iii) the estimated value does not take into account how market fluctuations will affect the value of our investments, including how the current disruptions in the financial and real estate markets may affect the values of our investments; and (iv) the estimated value does not take into account how developments related to individual assets may increase or decrease the value of our portfolio.

 

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Distribution Information

We will declare distributions when our board of directors determines we have sufficient cash flow. During our offering stage, we expect that we will fund any distributions from interest income on our debt investments, rental income from our real property investments, and to the extent we acquire investments with short maturities or investments that are close to maturity, we may fund distributions with the proceeds received at the maturity, payoff or settlement of those investments. Upon completion of our offering stage, we expect to fund distributions from interest and rental income on investments, the maturity, payoff or settlement of investments and from strategic sales of loans, debt securities, properties and other assets. We do not expect to make significant asset sales (and concomitant distributions) during our offering stage because, as a REIT, we will generally have to hold our assets for two years in order to meet the safe harbor to avoid a 100% prohibited transactions tax, unless such assets are held through a TRS or other taxable corporation. At such time as we have assets that we have held for at least two years, we anticipate that we may authorize and declare distributions based on gains on asset sales monthly, to the extent we close on the sale of one or more assets and the board of directors does not determine to reinvest the proceeds of such sales. Because we intend to fund distributions from cash flow, we do not expect our board of directors to declare distributions on a set monthly or quarterly basis. Rather, our board of directors will declare distributions from time to time based on cash flow from our investments and our investment activities.

To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we must make aggregate annual distributions to our stockholders of at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (which is computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction or net capital gain and which does not necessarily equal net income as calculated in accordance with GAAP). If we meet the REIT qualification requirements, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax on the income that we distribute to our stockholders each year. In general, we anticipate making distributions to our stockholders of at least 100% of our REIT taxable income so that none of our income is subject to federal income tax. Our board of directors may authorize distributions in excess of those required for us to maintain REIT status depending on our financial condition and such other factors as our board of directors deems relevant.

Our distribution policy is not to use sources other than cash flow from operations and investment activities to pay distributions. However, our organizational documents do not restrict us from paying distributions from any source nor do our organizational documents restrict the amount of distributions we may pay from any source, including proceeds from our ongoing initial public offering or the proceeds from the issuance of securities in the future, third-party borrowings, advances from our advisor or sponsors or from our advisor’s deferral of its fees under the advisory agreement. From time to time, we may generate taxable income greater than our taxable income for financial reporting purposes, or our taxable income may be greater than our cash flow available for distribution to stockholders. In these situations we may make distributions in excess of our cash flow from operations and investment activities to satisfy the REIT distribution requirement described above. In such event, we would look first to third party borrowings to fund these distributions.

We have not established a minimum distribution level, and our charter does not require that we make distributions to our stockholders.

Use of Proceeds from Sales of Registered Securities and Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

On November 20, 2009, our Registration Statement on Form S-11 (File No. 333-156633), covering a public offering of up to 140,000,000 shares of common stock, was declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933. We commenced our initial public offering on November 20, 2009 upon retaining KBS Capital Markets Group LLC, an affiliate of our advisor, as the dealer manager of our offering. We are offering 100,000,000 shares of common stock in our primary offering at an aggregate offering price of up to $1.0 billion, or $10.00 per share with discounts available to certain categories of purchasers. The 40,000,000 shares offered under our dividend reinvestment plan are initially being offered at an aggregate offering price of $380 million, or $9.50 per share. Our board of directors has approved an extension of our primary offering of 100,000,000 shares until the earlier of the sale of all 100,000,000 shares or September 30, 2011. If we have not sold all of the primary offering shares by September 30, 2011, we may continue our initial public offering until November 20, 2012. Under rules promulgated by the SEC, in some circumstances we could continue our primary offering until as late as May 19, 2013. We may sell shares under the dividend reinvestment plan beyond the termination of the primary offering until we have sold all the shares under the plan.

 

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On April 19, 2010, we broke escrow in our offering and through December 31, 2010, we had sold 5,112,988 shares of common stock for offering proceeds of $50.4 million, all of which were sold in the primary offering. As of December 31, 2010, we had incurred selling commissions, dealer manager fees and other organization and offering costs in the amounts set forth below, which amounts represent our maximum liability for organization and offering costs as of December 31, 2010. We pay selling commissions and dealer manager fees to KBS Capital Markets Group, and KBS Capital Markets Group reallows all selling commissions and a portion of the dealer manager fees to participating broker-dealers. In addition, we reimburse KBS Capital Advisors and KBS Capital Markets Group for certain offering expenses as described in our prospectus, as amended and supplemented.

 

Type of Expense Amount

               Amount                  

Estimated/Actual

Selling commissions and dealer manager fees

   $ 4,116,312                 Actual          

Finders’ fees

     —         Actual

Other underwriting compensation

     581,270       Actual

Other organization and offering costs (excluding
underwriting compensation)

     2,862,469       Actual
           

Total expenses

   $ 7,560,051      
           

From the commencement of our ongoing initial public offering through December 31, 2010, the net offering proceeds to us, after deducting the total expenses incurred as described above, were approximately $42.8 million.

We expect to use substantially all of the net proceeds from our ongoing initial public offering to invest in and manage a diverse portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments. We may use the net proceeds from the sale of shares under our dividend reinvestment plan for general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, the redemption of shares under our share redemption program; reserves required by any financings of our investments; future funding obligations under any real estate loans receivable we acquire; the acquisition or origination of assets, which would include payment of acquisition and origination fees to our advisor; the repayment of debt; and expenses related to our investments, such as purchasing a loan senior to ours to protect our junior position in the event of a default by the borrower on the senior loan, making protective advances to preserve collateral securing a loan, or making capital and tenant improvements or paying leasing costs and commissions related to real property. As of December 31, 2010, we have used the net proceeds from our ongoing primary public offering to acquire $18.2 million in real estate-related loans and real estate investments, including $0.3 million of acquisition fees and expenses.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, we did not sell any equity securities that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933.

Share Redemption Program

We have adopted a share redemption program that may enable stockholders to sell their shares to us in limited circumstances.

Pursuant to the share redemption program, as amended to date, there are several limitations on our ability to redeem shares:

 

   

Unless the shares are being redeemed in connection with a stockholder’s death, “qualifying disability” or “determination of incompetence” (each as defined under the share redemption program), we may not redeem shares until the stockholder has held his or her shares for one year.

 

   

During any calendar year, the share redemption program limits the number of shares we may redeem to those that we could purchase with the amount of the net proceeds from the issuance of shares under the dividend reinvestment plan during the prior calendar year.

 

   

During any calendar year, we may redeem no more than 5% of the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the prior calendar year.

 

   

We have no obligation to redeem shares if the redemption would violate the restrictions on distributions under Maryland law, which prohibits distributions that would cause a corporation to fail to meet statutory tests of solvency.

 

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Pursuant to the program, as amended, we will initially redeem shares as follows:

 

   

The lower of $9.25 or 92.5% of the price paid to acquire the shares from us for stockholders who have held their shares for at least one year;

 

   

The lower of $9.50 or 95.0% of the price paid to acquire the shares from us for stockholders who have held their shares for at least two years;

 

   

The lower of $9.75 or 97.5% of the price paid to acquire the shares from us for stockholders who have held their shares for at least three years; and

 

   

The lower of $10.00 or 100% of the price paid to acquire the shares from us for stockholders who have held their shares for at least four years.

Notwithstanding the above, the redemption price for redemptions sought upon a stockholder’s death, “qualifying disability” or “determination of incompetence” will initially be the amount paid to acquire the shares from us. Furthermore, once we establish an estimated value per share of our common stock, the redemption price per share for all stockholders will be equal to the estimated value per share, as determined by our advisor or another firm chosen for that purpose. We expect to establish an estimated value per share after the completion of our offering stage. We will consider our offering stage complete when we are no longer publicly offering equity securities – whether through our initial public offering or follow-on public offerings – and have not done so for 18 months. “Public equity offering” for this purpose does not include offerings on behalf of selling stockholders or offerings related to a dividend reinvestment plan, employee benefit plan or the redemption of interests in the Operating Partnership.

We may amend, suspend or terminate the share redemption program upon 30 days’ notice to our stockholders. We may provide this notice by including such information in a Current Report on Form 8-K or in our annual or quarterly reports, all publicly filed with the SEC, or by a separate mailing to our stockholders.

During the year ended December 31, 2010, we did not redeem any shares pursuant to our share redemption program. As described above, we limit the dollar value of shares that may be redeemed under the program to the amount of net proceeds from the issuance of shares under the dividend reinvestment plan during the prior calendar year. We did not declare any distributions to our stockholders in 2010. Accordingly, because of the restriction, we have no funds available for redemption under the share redemption program in 2011.

 

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected financial data as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 and for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto and Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”:

 

     As of December 31,  
               2010                          2009             

Balance sheet data

    

Total real estate and real estate-related investments, net

   $ 17,773,376      $ —     

Total assets

     42,404,160        192,656   

Total liabilities

     1,346,145        —     

Total stockholders’ equity

     41,058,015        192,656   
     For the Years Ended December 31,  
     2010     2009  

Operating data

    

Total revenues

   $ 308,095      $ —     

Net loss

     (1,974,928     (7,344

Net loss per common share - basic and diluted

     (1.18     (0.37

Other data

    

Cash flows used in operations

   $ (1,572,329   $ (7,344

Cash flows used in investing activities

     (17,884,520     —     

Cash flows provided by financing activities

     42,906,312        —     

Weighted-average number of common shares
outstanding, basic and diluted

     1,678,335        20,000   

 

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the “Selected Financial Data” above and our accompanying consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto. Also, see “Forward-Looking Statements” preceding Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Overview

We were formed on October 8, 2008 as a Maryland corporation and intend to qualify as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) beginning with the taxable year ending December 31, 2010. On January 8, 2009, we filed a registration statement on Form S-11 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to offer a minimum of 250,000 shares and a maximum of 140,000,000 shares of common stock for sale to the public, of which 100,000,000 shares were registered in our primary offering and 40,000,000 shares were registered under our dividend reinvestment plan. The SEC declared our registration statement effective on November 20, 2009 and we retained KBS Capital Markets Group LLC, an affiliate of our advisor, to serve as the dealer manager of the offering pursuant to a dealer manager agreement. The dealer manager is responsible for marketing our shares in the ongoing initial public offering.

We intend to use substantially all of the net proceeds from our ongoing initial public offering to invest in and manage a diverse portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments. Such investments will include the origination and acquisition of mortgage, mezzanine, bridge and other real estate-related loans, investments in real estate-related debt securities such as residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations and investments in opportunistic real estate. We may also invest in entities that make similar investments. As of December 31, 2010, we owned four non-performing first mortgage loans and two office properties.

 

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On April 19, 2010, we broke escrow in the offering and through December 31, 2010, we had sold 5,112,988 shares for gross offering proceeds of $50.4 million, all of which were sold in the primary offering.

KBS Capital Advisors LLC is our advisor. As our advisor, KBS Capital Advisors manages our day-to-day operations and our portfolio of investments. KBS Capital Advisors also has the authority to make all of the decisions regarding our investments, subject to the limitations in our charter and the direction and oversight of our board of directors. KBS Capital Advisors will also provide asset-management, marketing, investor-relations and other administrative services on our behalf.

We intend to make an election to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, beginning with the taxable year ending December 31, 2010. If we qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax to the extent we distribute qualifying dividends to our stockholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year after electing REIT status, we will be subject to federal income tax on our taxable income at regular corporate income tax rates and generally will not be permitted to qualify for treatment as a REIT for federal income tax purposes for four years following the year in which our qualification is denied. Such an event could materially and adversely affect our net income and cash available for distribution. However, we believe that we will be organized and will operate in a manner that will enable us to qualify for treatment as a REIT for federal income tax purposes beginning with our taxable year ending December 31, 2010, and we intend to continue to operate so as to remain qualified as a REIT for federal income tax purposes thereafter.

Market Outlook — Real Estate and Real Estate Finance Markets

During the past three years, significant and widespread concerns about credit risk and access to capital have been present in the U.S. and global financial markets. Economies throughout the world have experienced increased unemployment and sagging consumer confidence due to a downturn in economic activity. Despite improved stock market performance and positive economic indicators, a lack of job creation, low consumer confidence and a growing federal budget deficit temper the positive indicators. Amid signs of recovery in the economic and financial markets, concerns remain regarding job growth, wage stagnation, credit restrictions and increased taxation. Over the past several months, the U.S. commercial real estate industry has experienced a slow-down in the deterioration of fundamental benchmarks. However, the general economic conditions continue to create a highly competitive leasing environment which impacts our investments in real estate properties, as well as the collateral securing a majority of our real estate-related investments. If these challenging economic conditions persist or if recovery is slower than expected, our liquidity and financial condition (as well as the liquidity and financial condition of our tenants and borrowers) may be adversely affected. For further discussion of current market conditions, see Part I, Item 1, “Business — Market Outlook — Real Estate and Real Estate Finance Markets.”

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We are dependent upon the net proceeds from our ongoing initial public offering to conduct our proposed operations. We will obtain the capital required to purchase and originate real estate-related investments and conduct our operations from the proceeds of our ongoing initial public offering and any future offerings we may conduct, from secured or unsecured financings from banks and other lenders and from any undistributed funds from our operations. To date, we have had two primary sources of capital for meeting our cash requirements:

 

   

Proceeds from our ongoing initial public offering; and

 

   

Cash flow generated by our real estate and real estate–related investments.

On April 19, 2010, we broke escrow in our ongoing initial public offering and through December 31, 2010, we had sold 5,112,988 shares for gross offering proceeds of $50.4 million, all of which were sold in the primary offering. If we are unable to raise substantial funds in the offering, we will make fewer investments resulting in less diversification in terms of the type, number and size of investments we make and the value of an investment in us will fluctuate with the performance of the specific assets we acquire. Further, we will have certain fixed operating expenses, including certain expenses as a publicly offered REIT, regardless of whether we are able to raise substantial funds in our initial public offering. Our inability to raise substantial funds would increase our fixed operating expenses as a percentage of gross income, reducing our net income and limiting our ability to make distributions.

Our investments in real estate generate cash flow in the form of rental revenues and tenant reimbursements, which are reduced by operating expenditures and corporate general and administrative expenses. Cash flow from operations from our real estate investments is primarily dependent upon the occupancy levels of our properties, the net effective rental rates on our leases, the collectibility of rent and operating recoveries from our tenants and how well we manage our expenditures. As of December 31, 2010, our real estate property investments were 16% leased.

 

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Investments in performing real estate-related loans generate cash flow in the form of interest income. Investments in non-performing real estate-related loans may or may not generate cash flow. Cash flow from operations under our real estate-related loans is primarily dependent on the operating performance of the underlying collateral and the borrowers’ ability to make their debt service payments. As of December 31, 2010, all of our real estate-related loans were non-performing. We do not expect non-performing mortgages to perform in accordance with their contractual terms, including the repayment of the principal amount outstanding under the loans, the payment of interest at the stated amount on the face of notes or the repayment of the loans upon their maturity dates. As such, we will explore various strategies including, but not limited to, one or more of the following: (i) negotiating with the borrowers for a reduced payoff, (ii) restructuring the terms of the loans and (iii) enforcing our rights as lenders under these loans and foreclosing on the collateral securing the loans. We believe that one or more of these potential courses of action will at some point result in positive cash flow to us.

For the year ended December 31, 2010, our cash needs for acquisitions and capital expenditures were met with the proceeds from our ongoing initial public offering. Operating cash needs during the same period were also met through proceeds from our ongoing initial public offering. We believe that our cash on hand, proceeds from our ongoing initial public offering, cash flow from operations and anticipated financing activities are sufficient to meet our liquidity needs for the foreseeable future.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

We commenced operations with the acquisition of our first real estate investment on August 2, 2010. As of December 31, 2010, we owned four non-performing first mortgage loans and two real estate properties. During the year ended December 31, 2010, net cash used in operating activities was $1.6 million. We expect that our cash flows from operating activities will increase in future years as a result of owning the assets acquired during 2010 for an entire period and as a result of anticipated future acquisitions of real estate and real estate-related investments, and the related operations of such real estate and the potential cash flow from real estate-related investments.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $17.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 and primarily consisted of the following:

 

   

Acquisition of one real estate investment with an aggregate purchase price of $1.8 million; and

 

   

Acquisitions of five non-performing first mortgage loans for $16.0 million.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

During the year ended December 31, 2010, our cash flows from financing activities were $42.9 million. Our cash flows from financing activities consisted of $50.4 million of cash provided by offering proceeds related to our initial public offering, net of payments of commissions, dealer manager fees and other organization and offering expenses of $7.5 million.

We currently have no outstanding debt. Once we have fully invested the proceeds of our initial public offering, we expect that our debt financing will be 50% or less of the cost of our investments, although it may exceed this level during our offering stage. Our charter does not limit us from incurring debt until our borrowings would exceed 75% of the cost of our tangible assets, though we may exceed this limit under certain circumstances.

In addition to making investments in accordance with our investment objectives, we expect to use our capital resources to make certain payments to our advisor and the dealer manager. During our organization and offering stage, these payments will include payments to the dealer manager for selling commissions and the dealer manager fee and payments to the dealer manager and our advisor for reimbursement of certain organization and offering expenses. However, our advisor has agreed to reimburse us to the extent that selling commissions, the dealer manager fee and other organization and offering expenses incurred by us exceed 15% of our gross offering proceeds. During our acquisition and development stage, we expect to make payments to our advisor in connection with the selection and origination or purchase of investments, the management of our assets and costs incurred by our advisor in providing services to us as well as for any dispositions of assets (including the discounted payoff of non-performing loans). The advisory agreement has a one-year term but may be renewed for an unlimited number of successive one-year periods upon the mutual consent of KBS Capital Advisors and our conflicts committee.

 

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Results of Operations

Our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2010 are not indicative of those expected in future periods as we broke escrow in our initial public offering on April 19, 2010 and commenced operations on August 2, 2010 in connection with our first investment. During the period from inception (October 8, 2008) to December 31, 2009, we had been formed but had not yet commenced operations, as we had not yet begun our initial public offering. As a result, we had no material results of operations for that period. The SEC declared the registration statement for our initial public offering effective on November 20, 2009 and we retained KBS Capital Markets Group LLC, an affiliate of our advisor, to serve as the dealer manager of the offering.

As of December 31, 2010, we had acquired one office property and five non-performing first mortgage loans. We foreclosed on one of the non-performing first mortgage loans and received title to the property securing the loan during the year ended December 31, 2010. As such, we owned two office properties and four non-performing first mortgage loans as of December 31, 2010. We funded the acquisitions of these investments with proceeds from our ongoing initial public offering. In general, we expect that our income and expenses related to our portfolio will increase in future periods as a result of anticipated future acquisitions of real estate and real estate-related investments. Our income and expenses will also depend on the outcome of our recovery strategies on our non-performing loans for such investments, depending on the outcome of our recovery strategy for such investments.

Rental income and tenant reimbursements for the year ended December 31, 2010 were $0.2 million. We expect rental income and tenant reimbursements to increase in future periods as a result of owning the assets acquired in 2010 for an entire period, leasing additional space and anticipated future acquisitions of real estate.

Interest income from our real estate loans receivable was $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2010, all our real estate loans receivable are non-performing loans and interest income related to these loans is recognized on a cash basis. We expect interest income to increase in future periods as a result of owning the assets acquired during 2010 for an entire period and implementing our recovery strategies on non-performing loans including anticipated future acquisitions of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments.

Property operating costs and real estate taxes and insurance for the year ended December 31, 2010 were $0.2 million and $46,000, respectively. We expect property operating costs and real estate taxes and insurance to increase in future periods as a result of owning the assets acquired in 2010 for an entire period and anticipated future acquisitions of real estate.

Asset management fees with respect to our real estate loans receivable and real estate investment for the year ended December 31, 2010 totaled $30,000. All asset management fees incurred as of December 31, 2010 have been paid. We expect asset management fees to increase in future periods as a result of owning the assets acquired in 2010 for an entire period and anticipated future acquisitions.

Real estate acquisition fees and expenses to affiliates and non-affiliates for the year ended December 31, 2010 totaled $0.2 million. We expect real estate acquisition fees and expenses to affiliates and non-affiliates to increase in future if we make future real estate acquisitions.

General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2010 were $1.6 million. These general and administrative costs consisted primarily of insurance premiums, professional fees, dividend processing fees and independent director fees. We recorded independent director fees of $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, of which $10,000 was payable at December 31, 2010. We expect general and administrative costs to increase in the future based on a full year of operations as well as increased activity as we make investments but to decrease as a percentage of total revenue.

Depreciation and amortization for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $0.2 million. We expect depreciation and amortization to increase in future periods as a result of owning the assets acquired in 2010 for an entire period and anticipated future acquisitions of real estate.

For the year ended December 31, 2010, we had a net loss of $2.0 million, due primarily to general and administrative costs, operating expenses, depreciation and amortization expense, real estate acquisition fees to affiliates and non-affiliates, real estate taxes and insurance, and asset management fees to affiliates.

 

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Organization and Offering Costs

Our organization and offering costs (other than selling commissions and dealer manager fees) may be paid by our advisor, the dealer manager or their affiliates on our behalf. These offering costs include all expenses incurred by us in connection with our ongoing initial public offering. Organization costs include all expenses incurred by us in connection with our formation, including but not limited to legal fees and other costs to incorporate. Organization costs are expensed as incurred and offering costs, which include selling commissions and dealer manager fees, are charged as incurred as a reduction to stockholders’ equity.

Pursuant to the advisory agreement and the dealer manager agreement, we are obligated to reimburse our advisor, the dealer manager or their affiliates, as applicable, for organization and offering costs paid by them on our behalf, provided that our advisor is obligated to reimburse us to the extent selling commissions, dealer manager fees and other organization and offering costs incurred by us in our ongoing initial public offering exceed 15% of gross offering proceeds. As of December 31, 2010, selling commissions, dealer manager fees, and organization and other offering costs were 15% of the gross offering proceeds. Through December 31, 2010, we had sold 5,112,988 shares in the offering for gross offering proceeds of $50.4 million and recorded organization and other offering costs of $3.4 million and selling commissions and dealer manager fees of $4.1 million.

Critical Accounting Policies

Below is a discussion of the accounting policies that management considers critical in that they involve significant management judgments and assumptions, require estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain and because they are important for understanding and evaluating our reported financial results. These judgments will affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and our 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. With different estimates or assumptions, materially different amounts could be reported in our financial statements. Additionally, other companies may utilize different estimates that may impact the comparability of our results of operations to those of companies in similar businesses.

Revenue Recognition

Real Estate Loans Receivable

Interest income on our real estate loans receivable is recognized on an accrual basis over the life of the investment using the interest method. Direct loan origination or acquisition fees and costs, as well as acquisition premiums or discounts, are amortized over the term of the loan as an adjustment to interest income. We place loans on nonaccrual status when any portion of principal or interest is 90 days past due, or earlier when concern exists as to the ultimate collection of principal or interest. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, we reverse the accrual for unpaid interest and generally do not recognize subsequent interest income until cash is received, or the loan returns to accrual status. Generally, a loan may be returned to accrual status when all delinquent principal and interest are brought current in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement and certain performance criteria have been met. As of December 31, 2010, all four of our investments in loans receivable were on nonaccrual status.

We will recognize interest income on loans purchased at discounts to face value where we expect to collect less than the contractual amounts due under the loan when that expectation is due, at least in part, to the credit quality of the borrower. Income is recognized at an interest rate equivalent to the estimated yield on the loan, as calculated using the carrying value of the loan and the expected cash flows. Changes in estimated cash flows are recognized through an adjustment to the yield on the loan on a prospective basis. Projecting cash flows for these types of loans requires a significant amount of assumptions and judgment, which may have a significant impact on the amount and timing of revenue recognized on these investments. We recognize interest income on non-performing loans on a cash basis since these loans generally do not have an estimated yield and collection of principal and interest is not assured

 

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Real Estate

We recognize minimum rent, including rental abatements, lease incentives and contractual fixed increases attributable to operating leases, on a straight-line basis over the term of the related leases when collectibility is reasonably assured and record amounts expected to be received in later years as deferred rent receivable. If the lease provides for tenant improvements, we determine whether the tenant improvements, for accounting purposes, are owned by the tenant or us. When we are the owner of the tenant improvements, the tenant is not considered to have taken physical possession or have control of the physical use of the leased asset until the tenant improvements are substantially completed. When the tenant is the owner of the tenant improvements, any tenant improvement allowance that is funded is treated as a lease incentive and amortized as a reduction of revenue over the lease term. Tenant improvement ownership is determined based on various factors including, but not limited to:

 

   

whether the lease stipulates how a tenant improvement allowance may be spent;

 

   

whether the amount of a tenant improvement allowance is in excess of market rates;

 

   

whether the tenant or landlord retains legal title to the improvements at the end of the lease term;

 

   

whether the tenant improvements are unique to the tenant or general-purpose in nature; and

 

   

whether the tenant improvements are expected to have any residual value at the end of the lease.

We record property operating expense reimbursements due from tenants for common area maintenance, real estate taxes, and other recoverable costs in the period the related expenses are incurred.

We make estimates of the collectibility of our tenant receivables related to base rents, including deferred rent, expense reimbursements and other revenue or income. We specifically analyze accounts receivable, deferred rents receivable, historical bad debts, customer creditworthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment terms when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. In addition, with respect to tenants in bankruptcy, we make estimates of the expected recovery of pre-petition and post-petition claims in assessing the estimated collectibility of the related receivable. In some cases, the ultimate resolution of these claims can exceed one year. When a tenant is in bankruptcy, we will record a bad debt reserve for the tenant’s receivable balance and generally will not recognize subsequent rental revenue until cash is received or until the tenant is no longer in bankruptcy and has the ability to make rental payments.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We recognize interest income on our cash and cash equivalents as it is earned and record such amounts as other interest income.

Real Estate Loans Receivable and Loan Loss Reserves

Real estate loans are classified as held for investment, available for sale, or both based on management’s intent and ability to hold the loans for the foreseeable future. Real estate loans held for investment are recorded at amortized cost, net of loan loss reserves (if any), and evaluated for impairment at each balance sheet date. The amortized cost of a real estate loan receivable is the outstanding unpaid principal balance, net of unamortized acquisition premiums or discounts and unamortized costs and fees directly associated with the origination or acquisition of the loan. The amount of impairment, if any, will be measured by comparing the recorded amount of the loan to the present value of the expected cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s observable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent and collection of principal and interest is not assured. If a loan is deemed to be impaired, we will record a loan loss reserve and a provision for loan losses to recognize impairment.

As of December 31, 2010, there were no loan loss reserves and we did not record any impairment losses related to the real estate loans receivable during the year ended December 31, 2010. However, in the future, we may experience losses from our investments in loans receivable requiring us to record loan loss reserves. Realized losses on individual loans could be material and significantly exceed any recorded reserves.

The reserve for loan losses is a valuation allowance that reflects management’s estimate of loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. The reserve is adjusted through “Provision for loan losses” on our consolidated statements of operations and is decreased by charge-offs to specific loans when losses are confirmed. The reserve for loan losses may include an asset-specific component and a portfolio-based component.

 

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The asset-specific reserve component relates to reserves for losses on loans considered impaired. We consider a loan to be impaired when, based upon current information and events, we believe that it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement. If we purchase a loan at a discount to face value and at the acquisition date we expect to collect less than the contractual amounts due under the terms of the loan based, at least in part, on our assessment of the credit quality of the borrower, we will consider such a loan to be impaired when, based upon current information and events, we believe that it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts we estimated to be collected at the time of acquisition. We also consider a loan to be impaired if we grant the borrower a concession through a modification of the loan terms or if we expect to receive assets (including equity interests in the borrower) with fair values that are less than the carrying value of the loan in satisfaction of the loan. A reserve is established when the present value of payments expected to be received, observable market prices, the estimated fair value of the collateral (for loans that are dependent on the collateral for repayment) or amounts expected to be received in satisfaction of a loan are lower than the carrying value of that loan.

Failure to recognize impairments would result in the overstatement of earnings and the carrying value of our real estate loans held for investment. Actual losses, if any, could differ from estimated amounts.

Real Estate

Depreciation and Amortization

Real estate costs related to the acquisition and improvement of properties are capitalized and amortized over the expected useful life of the asset on a straight-line basis. Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred and significant replacements and betterments are capitalized. Repair and maintenance costs include all costs that do not extend the useful life of the real estate asset. We consider the period of future benefit of an asset to determine its appropriate useful life. Expenditures for tenant improvements are capitalized and amortized over the shorter of the tenant’s lease term or expected useful life. We anticipate the estimated useful lives of our assets by class to be generally as follows:

 

Buildings    25-40 years
Building improvements    10-25 years
Tenant improvements    Shorter of lease term or expected useful life
Tenant origination and absorption costs    Remaining term of related leases, including below-market renewal periods

Real Estate Acquisition Valuation

We record the acquisition of income-producing real estate or real estate that will be used for the production of income as a business combination. All assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured at their acquisition-date fair values. Acquisition costs are expensed as incurred and restructuring costs that do not meet the definition of a liability at the acquisition date are expensed in periods subsequent to the acquisition date. Real estate obtained in satisfaction of a loan is recorded at the estimated fair value of the real estate (net of liabilities assumed) or the fair value of the loan satisfied if more clearly evident. The excess of the carrying value of the loan over the fair value of the property is charged-off against the reserve for loan losses when title to the property is obtained. Costs of holding the property are expensed as incurred in our consolidated statements of operations. During the year ended December 31, 2010, we acquired two real estate assets, one of which was acquired through foreclosure of a loan, recorded each acquisition as a business combination and expensed $0.1 million of acquisition costs.

Intangible assets include the value of in-place leases, which represents the estimated value of the net cash flows of the in-place leases to be realized, as compared to the net cash flows that would have occurred had the property been vacant at the time of acquisition and subject to lease-up. Acquired in-place lease value will be amortized to expense over the average remaining non-cancelable terms of the respective in-place leases, including any below-market renewal periods.

We assess the acquisition-date fair values of all tangible assets, identifiable intangibles and assumed liabilities using methods similar to those used by independent appraisers (e.g., discounted cash flow analysis) and that utilize appropriate discount and/or capitalization rates and available market information. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a number of factors, including historical operating results, known and anticipated trends, and market and economic conditions. The fair value of tangible assets of an acquired property considers the value of the property as if it were vacant.

 

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We record above-market and below-market in-place lease values for acquired properties based on the present value (using an interest rate that reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases and (ii) management’s estimate of fair market lease rates for the corresponding in-place leases, measured over a period equal to the remaining non-cancelable term of above-market in-place leases and for the initial term plus any extended term for any leases with below-market renewal options. We amortize any recorded above-market or below-market lease values as a reduction or increase, respectively, to rental income over the remaining non-cancelable terms of the respective lease, including any below-market renewal periods.

We estimate the value of tenant origination and absorption costs by considering the estimated carrying costs during hypothetical expected lease-up periods, considering current market conditions. In estimating carrying costs, we include real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses and estimates of lost rentals at market rates during the expected lease-up periods.

We amortize the value of tenant origination and absorption costs to depreciation and amortization expense over the remaining average non-cancelable term of the leases.

Estimates of the fair values of the tangible assets, identifiable intangibles and assumed liabilities require us to make significant assumptions to estimate market lease rates, property-operating expenses, carrying costs during lease-up periods, discount rates, market absorption periods, and the number of years the property will be held for investment. The use of inappropriate assumptions would result in an incorrect valuation of our acquired tangible assets, identifiable intangibles and assumed liabilities, which would impact the amount of our net income.

Impairment of Real Estate and Related Intangible Assets and Liabilities

We continually monitor events and changes in circumstances that could indicate that the carrying amounts of our real estate and related intangible assets and liabilities may not be recoverable or realized. When indicators of potential impairment suggest that the carrying value of real estate and related intangible assets and liabilities may not be recoverable, we assess the recoverability by estimating whether we will recover the carrying value of the real estate and related intangible assets and liabilities through its undiscounted future cash flows and its eventual disposition. If, based on this analysis, we do not believe that we will be able to recover the carrying value of the real estate and related intangible assets and liabilities, we would record an impairment loss to the extent that the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value of the real estate and related intangible assets and liabilities. We did not record any impairment loss on our real estate and related intangible assets and liabilities during the year ended December 31, 2010.

Projecting future cash flows involves estimating expected future operating income and expenses related to the real estate and its related intangible assets and liabilities as well as market and other trends. Using inappropriate assumptions to estimate cash flows could result in incorrect fair values of the real estate and its related intangible assets and liabilities and could result in the overstatement of the carrying values of our real estate and related intangible assets and liabilities and an overstatement of our net income.

Fair Value Measurements

Under GAAP, we are required to measure certain financial instruments at fair value on a recurring basis. In addition, we are required to measure other financial instruments and balances at fair value on a non-recurring basis (e.g., carrying value of impaired real estate loans receivable and long-lived assets). Fair value is defined as the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The GAAP fair value framework uses a three-tiered approach. Fair value measurements are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

 

   

Level 1: unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical assets or liabilities;

 

   

Level 2: quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-derived valuations in which significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets; and

 

   

Level 3: prices or valuation techniques where little or no market data is available that requires inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

 

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When available, we will utilize quoted market prices from independent third-party sources to determine fair value and will classify such items in Level 1 or Level 2. In instances where the market for a financial instrument is not active, regardless of the availability of a nonbinding quoted market price, observable inputs might not be relevant and could require us to make a significant adjustment to derive a fair value measurement. Additionally, in an inactive market, a market price quoted from an independent third party may rely more on models with inputs based on information available only to that independent third party. When we determine the market for a financial instrument owned by us to be illiquid or when market transactions for similar instruments do not appear orderly, we will use several valuation sources (including internal valuations, discounted cash flow analysis and quoted market prices) and will establish a fair value by assigning weights to the various valuation sources. Additionally, when determining the fair value of liabilities in circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for an identical liability is not available, we will measure fair value using (i) a valuation technique that uses the quoted price of the identical liability when traded as an asset or quoted prices for similar liabilities when traded as assets or (ii) another valuation technique that is consistent with the principles of fair value measurement, such as the income approach or the market approach.

Changes in assumptions or estimation methodologies can have a material effect on these estimated fair values. In this regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument.

We consider the following factors to be indicators of an inactive market: (i) there are few recent transactions, (ii) price quotations are not based on current information, (iii) price quotations vary substantially either over time or among market makers (for example, some brokered markets), (iv) indexes that previously were highly correlated with the fair values of the asset or liability are demonstrably uncorrelated with recent indications of fair value for that asset or liability, (v) there is a significant increase in implied liquidity risk premiums, yields, or performance indicators (such as delinquency rates or loss severities) for observed transactions or quoted prices when compared with our estimate of expected cash flows, considering all available market data about credit and other nonperformance risk for the asset or liability, (vi) there is a wide bid-ask spread or significant increase in the bid-ask spread, (vii) there is a significant decline or absence of a market for new issuances (that is, a primary market) for the asset or liability or similar assets or liabilities, and (viii) little information is released publicly (for example, a principal-to-principal market).

We consider the following factors to be indicators of non-orderly transactions: (i) there was not adequate exposure to the market for a period before the measurement date to allow for marketing activities that are usual and customary for transactions involving such assets or liabilities under current market conditions, (ii) there was a usual and customary marketing period, but the seller marketed the asset or liability to a single market participant, (iii) the seller is in or near bankruptcy or receivership (that is, distressed), or the seller was required to sell to meet regulatory or legal requirements (that is, forced), and (iv) the transaction price is an outlier when compared with other recent transactions for the same or similar assets or liabilities.

Income Taxes

We intend to elect to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and intend to operate as such beginning with our taxable year ending December 31, 2010. We expect to have little or no taxable income prior to electing REIT status. To qualify as a REIT, we must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of our annual REIT taxable income to our stockholders (which is computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction or net capital gain and which does not necessarily equal net income as calculated in accordance with GAAP). As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax to the extent we distribute qualifying dividends to our stockholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to federal income tax on our taxable income at regular corporate income tax rates and generally will not be permitted to qualify for treatment as a REIT for federal income tax purposes for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification is lost unless the Internal Revenue Service grants us relief under certain statutory provisions. Such an event could materially and adversely affect our net income and net cash available for distribution to stockholders. However, we intend to organize and operate in such a manner as to qualify for treatment as a REIT.

We have concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in our financial statements. Neither we nor our subsidiaries have been assessed interest or penalties by any major tax jurisdictions. Our evaluations were performed for the tax year ending December 31, 2010.

 

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Subsequent Events

We evaluate subsequent events up until the date the consolidated financial statements are issued.

Status of the Offering

We commenced our ongoing initial public offering of 140,000,000 shares of common stock on November 20, 2009. As of March 9, 2011, we had sold 6,401,485 shares of common stock in the offering for gross offering proceeds of $63.2 million, all of which were sold in the primary offering.

 

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We may be exposed to the effects of changes in interest rates as a result of the acquisition and origination of mortgage, mezzanine, bridge and other loans and the acquisition of real estate securities. We may also be exposed to the effects of interest rate changes as a result of borrowings used to maintain liquidity and to fund the acquisition, expansion and refinancing of our real estate investment portfolio and operations. Our profitability and the value of our investment portfolio may be adversely affected during any period as a result of interest rate changes. As of December 31, 2010, our investments in mortgage loans were non-performing and therefore changes in interest rates will not impact our operations. Our interest rate risk management objectives are to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings, prepayment penalties and cash flows and to lower overall borrowing costs. We may manage interest rate risk by maintaining a ratio of fixed rate, long-term debt such that floating rate exposure is kept at an acceptable level. In addition, we may utilize a variety of financial instruments, including interest rate caps, floors, and swap agreements, in order to limit the effects of changes in interest rates on our operations. When we use these types of derivatives to hedge the risk of interest-earning assets or interest-bearing liabilities, we may be subject to certain risks, including the risk that losses on a hedge position will reduce the funds available for payments to holders of our common stock and that the losses may exceed the amount we invested in the instruments.

For a discussion of the interest rate risks related to the current capital and credit markets, see Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” and Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Market Outlook” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

See the Index to Financial Statements at page F-1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

 

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon, and as of the date of, the evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file and submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when required. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file and submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

In connection with the preparation of our Form 10-K, our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010. In making that assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework.

Based on its assessment, our management believes that, as of December 31, 2010, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria. There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

As of the quarter ended December 31, 2010, all items required to be disclosed under Form 8-K were reported under Form 8-K.

 

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PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Executive Officers and Directors

We have provided below certain information about our executive officers and directors.

 

Name*

   Age**   

Positions

Keith D. Hall

   52    Chief Executive Officer and Director

Peter McMillan III

   54    Chairman of the Board, President and Director

David E. Snyder

   39    Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary

Stacie K. Yamane

   46    Chief Accounting Officer

Michael L. Meyer

   72    Independent Director

William M. Petak

   49    Independent Director

Eric J. Smith

   53    Independent Director

 

* The address of each executive officer and director listed is 620 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1300, Newport Beach, California 92660.

** As of March 1, 2011.

Keith D. Hall is our Chief Executive Officer and serves as one of our directors, positions he has held since December 2008. He is also an Executive Vice President of KBS REIT I, KBS REIT II and KBS REIT III, positions he has held for these entities since June 2005, August 2007 and January 2009, respectively, and a sponsor of KBS Legacy Partners Apartment REIT, which was formed in 2009. Mr. Hall also owns and controls a 50% interest in GKP Holding LLC. GKP Holding owns a 33 1/3% interest in KBS Holdings LLC, which entity is the sole owner of our advisor and the dealer manager of our initial public offering. Each of our four sponsors, Peter M. Bren, Mr. Hall, Peter McMillan III and Charles J. Schreiber, Jr., actively participate in the management and operations of our advisor. Mr. Hall is also a member of the investment committee formed by our advisor to evaluate and authorize new investment opportunities for us.

Mr. Hall is a co-founder of Willowbrook Capital Group, LLC, an asset management company. Prior to forming Willowbrook in 2000, Mr. Hall was a Managing Director at CS First Boston, where he managed CSFB’s distribution strategy and business development for the Principal Transaction Group’s $18.0 billion real estate securities portfolio. Mr. Hall’s two primary business unit responsibilities were Mezzanine Lending and Commercial Real Estate Development. Before joining CSFB in 1996, he served as a Director in the Real Estate Products Group at Nomura Securities, with responsibility for the company’s $6.0 billion annual pipeline of fixed-income commercial mortgage-backed securities. Mr. Hall spent the 1980s as a Senior Vice President in the High Yield Department of Drexel Burnham Lambert’s Beverly Hills office, where he was responsible for distribution of the group’s high-yield real estate securities. Mr. Hall received a Bachelor of Arts Degree with honors in Finance from California State University, Sacramento.

Our board of directors has concluded that Mr. Hall is qualified to serve as one of our directors for reasons including his expertise in the real estate finance markets and with real estate-related investments. With over 25 years of experience investing in and managing real estate-related investments, Mr. Hall has the depth and breadth to implement our business strategy. As an executive officer and principal of our advisor, Mr. Hall is able to direct the board of the directors to the critical issues facing our company.

Peter McMillan III is our President and the Chairman of the Board, positions he has held since December 2008. He is also an Executive Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and a director of KBS REIT I and KBS REIT III, positions he has held for these entities since June 2005 and January 2010, respectively. Mr. McMillan is an Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary of KBS REIT II, positions he has held for this entity since August 2007, and is also a director of KBS REIT II, a position he has held for this entity since March 2008. In addition, he is an Executive Vice President of KBS Legacy Partners Apartment REIT, a position he has held for this entity since August 2009. Mr. McMillan also owns and controls a 50% interest in GKP Holding LLC. GKP Holding owns a 33 1/3% interest in KBS Holdings LLC, which entity is the sole owner of our advisor and the dealer manager of our initial public offering. Each of our four sponsors, Peter M. Bren, Keith D. Hall, Mr. McMillan and Charles J. Schreiber, Jr., actively participate in the management and operations of our advisor. Mr. McMillan is also a member of the investment committee formed by our advisor to evaluate and authorize new investment opportunities for us.

 

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Mr. McMillan is a co-founder and the Managing Partner of Willowbrook Capital Group, LLC. Prior to forming Willowbrook in 2000, Mr. McMillan served as an Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of SunAmerica Investments, Inc., which was later acquired by American International Group, Inc. As Chief Investment Officer, he was responsible for over $75.0 billion in assets, including residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, public and private investment grade and non-investment grade corporate bonds and commercial mortgage loans and real estate investments. Before joining SunAmerica in 1989, he served as Assistant Vice President for Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company with responsibility for the company’s $6.0 billion fixed income portfolios. Mr. McMillan received his Master of Business Administration in Finance from the Wharton Graduate School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and his Bachelor of Arts Degree with honors in Economics from Clark University. Mr. McMillan is a director of Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc. and Metropolitan West Funds.

Our board of directors has concluded that Mr. McMillan is qualified to serve as one of our directors and the Chairman of the Board for reasons including his expertise in the real estate finance markets and with real estate-related investments. With over 26 years of experience investing in and managing real estate-related debt investments, Mr. McMillan has the depth and breadth of experience to implement our business strategy. As an executive officer and a principal of our advisor, Mr. McMillan is able to direct our board of directors to the critical issues facing our company. Further, his experiences as a director of KBS REIT I, KBS REIT II, KBS REIT III, Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc., Metropolitan West Funds and us provide him with an understanding of the requirements of serving on a public company board and qualify him to serve as the chairman of our board of directors.

David E. Snyder is our Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary, positions he has held since December 2008 and is also Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary of KBS Legacy Partners Apartment REIT, positions he has held since August 2009. He is also the Chief Financial Officer of our advisor, KBS REIT I, KBS REIT II and KBS REIT III, positions he has held for these entities since November 2008, December 2008, December 2008 and January 2010, respectively.

From January 1998 to May 2008, Mr. Snyder worked for Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. (“NHP”), a real estate investment trust specializing in healthcare related property. He served as the Vice President and Controller from July 2005 to February 2008 and Controller from January 1998 to July 2005. At NHP, Mr. Snyder was responsible for internal and external financial reporting, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, budgeting, debt compliance, negotiation and documentation of debt and equity financing and the negotiation of acquisition and leasing documentation. In addition, Mr. Snyder was part of the senior management team that approved investments, determined appropriate financing and developed strategic goals and plans. As part of his investment and financing responsibilities, Mr. Snyder participated in the origination, modification and refinancing of mortgage loans made to customers, mortgages obtained on real estate and unsecured credit facilities.

Mr. Snyder was an adjunct accounting professor at Biola University from 1998 to 2005, teaching courses in auditing and accounting. He was the director of financial reporting at Regency Health Services, Inc., a skilled nursing provider, from November 1996 to December 1997. From October 1993 to October 1996, Mr. Snyder worked for Arthur Andersen LLP. Mr. Snyder received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from Biola University in La Mirada, California. Mr. Snyder is a Certified Public Accountant.

Stacie K. Yamane is our Chief Accounting Officer, a position she has held since August 2009. Ms. Yamane is also the Fund Controller of our advisor and Chief Accounting Officer of KBS REIT I, KBS REIT II, KBS REIT III and KBS Legacy Partners Apartment REIT, positions she has held for these entities since October 2004, December 2008, December 2008, January 2010, and August 2009, respectively. From August 2007 until December 2008, Ms. Yamane served as Chief Financial Officer of KBS REIT II and she served as Controller of KBS REIT II from August 2007 until October 2008. Additionally, Ms. Yamane served as Chief Financial Officer of KBS REIT I from June 2005 to December 2008 and Controller of KBS REIT I from June 2005 to October 2008.

In addition, Ms. Yamane serves as Senior Vice President/Controller, Portfolio Accounting for KBS Realty Advisors LLC, a position she has held for this entity since 2004. She served as a Vice President/ Portfolio Accounting with KBS-affiliated investment advisors from 1995 to 2004. At KBS Realty Advisors, Ms. Yamane is responsible for client accounting/ reporting for four real estate portfolios. These portfolios consist of industrial, office and retail properties as well as land parcels. Ms. Yamane works closely with portfolio managers, asset managers, property managers and clients to ensure the completion of timely and accurate accounting, budgeting and financial reporting. In addition, she assists in the supervision and management of KBS Realty Advisors’ accounting department.

 

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Prior to joining an affiliate of KBS Realty Advisors in February of 1995, Ms. Yamane was an audit manager at Kenneth Leventhal & Company, a CPA firm specializing in real estate. During her eight years at Kenneth Leventhal & Company, Ms. Yamane performed or supervised a variety of auditing, accounting and consulting engagements including the audit of financial statements presented under the U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) basis, as well as financial statements presented on a cash and tax basis, the valuation of asset portfolios and the review and analysis of internal control systems. Her experiences at KBS and Kenneth Leventhal & Company give her 21 years of real estate experience.

Ms. Yamane received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration with a dual concentration in Accounting and Management Information Systems from California State University, Fullerton. She is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive California).

Michael L. Meyer is one of our independent directors, a position he has held since October 2009. He is also an independent director of KBS Legacy Partners Apartment REIT, a position he has held since January 2010. Mr. Meyer is a private real estate investor and since 1999 has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Michael L. Meyer Company. The Michael L. Meyer Company is a principal and/or manager of real estate entities and provides those entities with property acquisition, financing and management services and advice. Since June 2006, Mr. Meyer also has been a principal of TwinRock Partners, LLC (formerly known as AMG Realty Investors, LLC), a commercial real estate investment company. From 2000 to 2003, Mr. Meyer was a principal in Advantage 4 LLC, a provider of telecommunications systems for real estate projects. From 1999 to 2003, Mr. Meyer was also a principal of Pacific Capital Investors, which acquired non-performing loans secured by real estate in Japan. From 1974 to 1998, Mr. Meyer was Managing Partner—Orange County and Audit Partner of the E&Y Kenneth Leventhal Real Estate Group of Ernst & Young LLP and its predecessor. Mr. Meyer is a director and member of the audit committee of Opus Bank and is a director and chair of the audit committee of Paladin Realty Income Properties, Inc., positions he has held for these entities since September 2010 and February 2004, respectively. Additionally, Mr. Meyer serves as a director and member of the audit committee of City National Bank, a position he has held since 1999, and served as a director and member of the audit committee of City National Corporation from July 1999 to April 2010.

Mr. Meyer was inducted into the California Building Industry Foundation Hall of Fame in June of 1999 for outstanding achievements in the real estate industry and community. Mr. Meyer was also the recipient of the University of California Irvine Graduate School of Management Real Estate Program Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Meyer received a Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Iowa. He is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive California).

Our board of directors has concluded that Mr. Meyer is qualified to serve as one of our independent directors and the chairman of our audit committee for reasons including his expertise with respect to commercial real estate investments and accounting and financial reporting matters. Mr. Meyer has over 11 years of experience investing in commercial real estate and providing commercial real estate acquisition, financing and management services and advice. In addition, with over 24 years of experience as an independent auditor for real estate companies, Mr. Meyer provides our board with substantial expertise regarding real estate accounting and financial reporting matters. Further, Mr. Meyer’s experience as a director and chair of the audit committee of Paladin Realty Income Properties, Inc. and as a director and member of the audit committee of KBS Legacy Partners Apartment REIT, Opus Bank, City National Bank and City National Corporation provide him with an understanding of the requirements of serving on a public company board.

William M. Petak is one of our independent directors, a position he has held since October 2009. Since April 2009, Mr. Petak has served as the Managing Principal of CorAmerica Capital LLC, a commercial real estate loan investment manager. CorAmerica Capital was established to acquire discounted performing mortgage and real estate-related assets as well as originate new real estate investments. Mr. Petak has over 26 years of experience in the real estate industry and 20 years of experience investing in real estate-related debt investments. From January 2005 to April 2009, Mr. Petak served as Senior Vice President and Director for AIG Mortgage Capital, LLC, a subsidiary of American International Group, Inc. (AIG). Mr. Petak also served as National Head of Mortgage Lending and Real Estate for the retirement services company, SunAmerica, Inc., from January 1999 to August 2001, and served as Managing Director for AIG Investments, Inc. as well as National Head of Mortgage Lending and Real Estate for both SunAmerica and the life insurance company American General from August 2001 to April 2009. Both SunAmerica and American General were acquired by AIG in 1999 and 2001, respectively, and were managed on a mutually exclusive basis. Mr. Petak joined AIG with the merger of SunAmerica with AIG in 1999. Ultimately, Mr. Petak was responsible for AIG Mortgage Capital’s regulated insurance portfolios’ fixed income real estate investments nationwide. He served on both the Securitized Products Group Committee and Global Asset Allocation Committee for the regulated insurance companies of AIG.

 

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Prior to joining AIG in 1999, Mr. Petak was SunAmerica Investments’ Senior Vice President. Mr. Petak was responsible for SunAmerica’s national mortgage lending and real estate investments as well as its leveraged lease real estate acquisitions. From 1996 to 2007, Mr. Petak served as a Loan Committee member and as a member of the board of directors for GreenPark Financial, one of the nation’s largest Fannie Mae DUS lenders. From 1983 to 1989, he worked with Pacific Financial Group, a privately held Beverly Hills real estate investment company, as Vice President of Acquisitions.

Mr. Petak is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Business Economics. He is a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association, the Commercial Mortgage Securities Association, a member of the Life Mortgage & Real Estate Officer Council and is a founding member of the Board for the Richard S. Ziman Center for Real Estate at UCLA and currently serves as its Chairman.

Our board of directors has concluded that Mr. Petak is qualified to serve as one of our independent directors for reasons including his expertise in the real estate finance markets. With over 26 years of experience in the real estate industry and 20 years of experience investing in real estate-related debt, Mr. Petak offers insights and perspective with respect to our investment portfolio. Further, as a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association, the Commercial Mortgage Securities Association, and the Life Mortgage & Real Estate Officer Council, and a founding member and current Chairman of the Board for the Richard S. Ziman Center for Real Estate at UCLA, Mr. Petak is regularly and actively engaged in both the professional and academic community.

Eric J. Smith is one of our independent directors, a position he has held since October 2009. Mr. Smith has over 25 years experience in the real estate finance industry. From 1985 to 2009, Mr. Smith was employed by the Credit Suisse Group and its predecessor firms. From September 2004 to February 2009, he was the Managing Director, Fixed Income Sales for the Securitized Products unit. From 2002 to September 2004, he was Managing Director and San Francisco Branch Manager, Fixed Income Sales. From 1998 to 2002, he was Director, Fixed Income Sales. From 1985 to 1998, he was Vice President, Fixed Income Sales. While at Credit Suisse and its predecessor firms, he was responsible for the acquisition and disposition of residential and commercial whole loans, public and private investment grade and non-investment grade residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities and CDOs. He also executed trades in U.S. government securities, asset-backed securities, corporate bonds and repurchase lending. Prior to working for Credit Suisse and its predecessor firms, Mr. Smith was with Farmer’s Savings as a regional director for real estate mortgage acquisitions and with Wells Fargo Mortgage as a Vice President in their Secondary Mortgage Division. Mr. Smith received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from California State University Sacramento.

Our board of directors has concluded that Mr. Smith is qualified to serve as one of our independent directors and the chairman of our conflicts committee for reasons including his expertise in the real estate finance markets. Mr. Smith has experience with a broad range of debt-related investments, including residential and commercial whole loans, public and private investment grade and non-investment grade residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, U.S. government securities, asset-backed securities, corporate bonds and repurchase lending. With over 25 years experience in the real estate finance industry, Mr. Smith’s knowledge and expertise of the real estate finance market complements that of the other board members.

The Audit Committee

Our board of directors has established an audit committee. The audit committee’s function is to assist our board of directors in fulfilling its responsibilities by overseeing (i) the integrity of our financial statements, (ii) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) the independent auditors’ qualifications and independence, and (iv) the performance of the independent auditors and our internal audit function. The members of the audit committee are Michael L. Meyer (chairman), William M. Petak and Eric J. Smith. All of the members of the audit committee are “independent” as defined by the New York Stock Exchange. All members of the audit committee have significant financial and/or accounting experience, and our board of directors has determined that Mr. Meyer satisfies the SEC’s requirements for an “audit committee financial expert.”

Code of Conduct and Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our executive officers and directors, including but not limited to, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer. Our Code of Conduct and Ethics can be found at http://www.kbsstrategicopportunityreit.com.

 

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation of Executive Officers

Our conflicts committee, which is composed of all of our independent directors, discharges our board of directors’ responsibilities relating to the compensation of our executives. However, we currently do not have any paid employees and our executive officers do not receive any compensation directly from us for services rendered to us. Our executive officers are officers and/or employees of, or hold an indirect ownership interest in, KBS Capital Advisors, our advisor, and/or its affiliates, and our executive officers are compensated by these entities, in part, for their services to us or our subsidiaries. See Part III, Item 13, “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence – Certain Transactions with Related Persons” for a discussion of the fees paid to KBS Capital Advisors and its affiliates.

Compensation of Directors

If a director is also one of our executive officers, we do not pay any compensation to that person for services rendered as a director. The amount and form of compensation payable to our independent directors for their service to us is determined by our board of directors, based upon recommendations from our advisor. Two of our executive officers, Messrs. Hall and McMillan, manage and control our advisor, and through the advisor, they are involved in recommending and setting the compensation to be paid to our independent directors.

We have provided below certain information regarding compensation earned by or paid to our directors during fiscal year 2010.

 

Name

   Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash in
2010
     All Other
Compensation
     Total  

Michael L. Meyer

   $ 92,000       $ —         $         92,000   

William M. Petak

     89,000         —           89,000   

Eric J. Smith

     97,000         —           97,000   

Keith D. Hall (1)

     —           —           —     

Peter McMillan III (1)

     —           —           —     

 

(1) Directors who are also our executive officers do not receive compensation for services rendered as a director.

Cash Compensation

We compensate each of our independent directors with an annual retainer of $40,000. In addition, we pay our independent directors for attending board and committee meetings as follows:

 

   

$2,500 for each board meeting attended;

 

   

$2,500 for each committee meeting attended (committee chairpersons receive an additional $500 per committee meeting for serving in that capacity);

 

   

$2,000 for each teleconference meeting of the board; and

 

   

$2,000 for each teleconference meeting of any committee (committee chairpersons receive an additional $1,000 per teleconference committee meeting for serving in that capacity).

All of our directors receive reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of our board of directors.

 

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Stock Ownership

The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 9, 2011, for each person or group that holds more than 5% of our common stock, for each director and executive officer and for our directors and executive officers as a group.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

   Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned
  Percent of
All Shares

KBS Capital Advisors LLC (1)

   20,000(2)   *

Keith D. Hall, Chief Executive Officer and Director (1)

   20,000(2)   *

Peter McMillan III, Chairman of the Board, President and Director (1)

   20,000(2)   *

David E. Snyder, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary

   —     —  

Stacie K. Yamane, Chief Accounting Officer

   —     —  

Michael L. Meyer, Independent Director

   —     —  

William M. Petak, Independent Director

   —     —  

Eric J. Smith, Independent Director

   —     —  

All directors and executive officers as a group

   20,000(2)   *

Robert Low (3)

   522,063   8.13%

 

* Less than 1% of the outstanding common stock.
(1)

The address of this beneficial owner is 620 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1300, Newport Beach, California 92660.

(2)

Includes 20,000 shares owned by KBS Capital Advisors, which is indirectly owned and controlled by Peter M. Bren, Keith D. Hall, Peter McMillan III and Charles J. Schreiber, Jr. None of the shares is pledged as security.

(3)

The address of the beneficial owner is 2740 North Mayfair Avenue, Springfield, Missouri 65803-5084.

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Director Independence

Although our shares are not listed for trading on any national securities exchange, a majority of the members of our board of directors, and all of the members of the audit committee and the conflicts committee are “independent” as defined by the New York Stock Exchange. The New York Stock Exchange standards provide that to qualify as an independent director, in addition to satisfying certain bright-line criteria, our board of directors must affirmatively determine that a director has no material relationship with us (either directly or as a partner, stockholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with us). Our board of directors has determined that Michael L. Meyer, William M. Petak and Eric J. Smith each satisfies the bright-line criteria and that none has a relationship with us that would interfere with such person’s ability to exercise independent judgment as a member of the board. None of these directors has ever served as (or is related to) an employee of ours or any of our predecessors or acquired companies or received or earned any compensation from us or any such other entities except for compensation directly related to service as a director of us. Therefore, we believe that all of these directors are independent directors.

Our Policy Regarding Transactions with Related Persons

Our charter requires our conflicts committee, which consists of all of our independent directors, to review and approve all transactions between us and our advisor, any of our officers or directors or any of their affiliates. Prior to entering into a transaction with a related party, a majority of the conflicts committee must conclude that the transaction is fair and reasonable to us and on terms and conditions not less favorable to us than those available from unaffiliated third parties. In addition, our Code of Conduct and Ethics lists examples of types of transactions with related parties that would create prohibited conflicts of interest and requires our officers and directors to be conscientious of actual and potential conflicts of interest with respect to our interests and to seek to avoid such conflicts or handle such conflicts in an ethical manner at all times consistent with applicable law. Our executive officers and directors are required to report potential and actual conflicts to a designated compliance officer, currently our chief financial officer, via the Ethics Hotline, to an internal audit representative or directly to the audit committee chair, as appropriate.

 

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Certain Transactions with Related Persons

As described further below, we have entered into agreements with certain affiliates pursuant to which they will provide services to us. Peter M. Bren, Keith D. Hall, Peter McMillan III and Charles J. Schreiber, Jr. control and indirectly own our advisor, KBS Capital Advisors LLC, and KBS Capital Markets Group LLC, the entity that acted as the dealer manager in our public offering. We refer to these individuals as our sponsors. Messrs. Hall and McMillan are also our executive officers and directors. All four of our sponsors actively participate in the management and operations of our advisor. Our advisor has three managers: an entity owned and controlled by Mr. Bren; an entity owned and controlled by Messrs. Hall and McMillan; and an entity owned and controlled by Mr. Schreiber.

Our Relationship with KBS Capital Advisors. Our advisor provides day-to-day management of our business. Among the services provided by our advisor under the terms of the advisory agreement are the following:

 

   

finding, presenting and recommending investment opportunities to us consistent with our investment policies and objectives;

 

   

making investment decisions for us, subject to the limitations in our charter and the direction and oversight of our board of directors;

 

   

acquiring investments on our behalf;

 

   

sourcing and structuring our loan originations;

 

   

arranging for financing and refinancing of our investments;

 

   

formulating and overseeing the implementation of strategies for the administration, promotion, management, operation, financing and refinancing, marketing, servicing and disposition of our investments;

 

   

engaging and supervising our agents;

 

   

performing administrative services and maintaining our accounting; and

 

   

assisting us with our regulatory compliance.

Our advisor is subject to the supervision of our board of directors and only has such authority as we may delegate to it as our agent. Our advisory agreement has a one-year term expiring October 8, 2011 subject to an unlimited number of successive one-year renewals upon mutual consent of the parties. From January 1, 2010 through the most recent date practicable, which was February 28, 2011, we have compensated our advisor as set forth below.

Our advisor or its affiliates have paid, and may pay in the future, some of our organization and offering costs (other than selling commissions and dealer manager fees) incurred in connection with our initial public offering, including our legal, accounting, printing, mailing and filing fees. We reimburse our advisor for these costs, but only to the extent that the reimbursement would not cause selling commissions, the dealer manager fee and other organization and offering expenses borne by us to exceed 15% of the gross offering proceeds of our initial public offering as of the date of the reimbursement. In addition, after the termination of the primary offering, our advisor is obligated to reimburse us to the extent selling commissions, the dealer manager fee and other organization and offering costs borne by us exceed 15% of the gross proceeds raised in the primary offering. KBS Capital Advisors will do the same after termination of the offering pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan. From January 1, 2010 through February 28, 2011, our advisor incurred approximately $3.8 million of organization and offering expenses on our behalf and has been reimbursed by us for approximately $3.7 million of such costs.

We incur acquisition and origination fees payable to our advisor equal to 1.0% of the cost of investments acquired by us, or the amount funded by us to acquire or originate loans, including acquisition and origination expenses and any debt attributable to such investments. Acquisition and origination fees relate to services provided in connection with the selection and acquisition or origination of real estate and real estate-related investments. Acquisition and origination fees from January 1, 2010 through February 28, 2011 totaled approximately $0.2 million, all of which has been paid as of February 28, 2011.

In addition to acquisition and origination fees, we reimburse our advisor for customary acquisition and origination expenses, whether or not we ultimately acquire the asset. From January 1, 2010 through February 28, 2011, our advisor and its affiliates did not incur any such costs on our behalf.

 

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For asset management services, we pay our advisor a monthly fee. The asset management fee with respect to an investment in a loan (and investments other than real property) is calculated, each month, as one-twelfth of 0.75% of the lesser of (i) the amount actually paid or allocated to acquire or fund the loan (or other investment), inclusive of fees and expenses related thereto and the amount of any debt associated with or used to acquire or fund such investment and (ii) the outstanding principal amount of such loan (or other investment), plus the fees and expenses related to the acquisition or funding of such investment, as of the time of calculation. With respect to investments in real property, the asset management fee is a monthly fee equal to one-twelfth of 0.75% of the sum of the amount paid or allocated to acquire the investment. This amount includes fees and expenses related thereto and the amount of any debt associated with or used to acquire such investment. From January 1, 2010 through February 28, 2011, our asset management fees totaled $0.1 million, all of which have been paid as of February 28, 2011.

Under our advisory agreement our advisor and its affiliates have the right to seek reimbursement from us for all costs and expenses they incur in connection with their provision of services to us, including our allocable share of our advisor’s overhead, such as rent, employee costs, utilities and information technology costs. Our advisor may seek reimbursement for employee costs under the advisory agreement. Commencing July 1, 2010, we have reimbursed our advisor for our allocable portion of the salaries, benefits and overhead of internal audit department personnel providing services to us. In the future, our advisor may seek reimbursement for additional employee costs. However, we will not reimburse our advisor or its affiliates for employee costs in connection with services for which KBS Capital Advisors earns acquisition, origination or disposition fees (other than reimbursement of travel and communication expenses) or for the salaries and benefits our advisor or its affiliates may pay to our executive officers. From January 1, 2010 through February 28, 2011, we have reimbursed our advisor for $0.5 million of operating expenses, including $33,000 of employee costs.

Our Relationship with KBS Capital Markets Group. On November 20, 2009, upon the launch of our public offering, we entered into an agreement with our dealer manager. Pursuant to the agreement, as amended on May 17, 2010, KBS Capital Markets Group is entitled to receive selling commissions and dealer manager fees of up to 9.5% of the gross proceeds of our primary offering (no selling commissions or dealer manager fees are payable with respect to sales under the dividend reinvestment plan). All or a portion of the selling commissions are not charged with regard to shares sold to certain categories of purchasers. A reduced dealer manager fee is payable with respect to certain volume discount sales. The dealer manager reallows 100% of selling commissions to broker-dealers participating in the public offering. From its dealer manager fee, KBS Capital Markets Group may reallow to any participating broker-dealer up to 1.0% of the gross offering proceeds attributable to that participating broker-dealer as a marketing fee (in special cases, the dealer manager has the option to increase the amount of this reallowance). From January 1, 2010 through February 28, 2011, we incurred selling commissions of $3.2 million, of which 100% was reallowed to participating broker-dealers. From January 1, 2010 through February 28, 2011, we incurred dealer manager fees of $1.8 million, of which $0.2 million was reallowed to participating broker-dealers.

In addition to selling commissions and dealer manager fees, we are also obligated to reimburse the dealer manager and its affiliates for certain offering related expenses that they incur on our behalf. These include expenses for travel, meals, lodging and attendance and sponsorship fees incurred by registered persons associated with the dealer manager and officers and employees of our affiliates to attend retail conferences sponsored by participating broker-dealers and other meetings with participating broker-dealers; expense reimbursements to broker-dealers for actual costs incurred in connection with attending bona fide training and education meetings hosted by us; certain technology costs associated with the offering; certain legal fees allocable to the dealer manager; and reimbursement of bona fide due diligence expenses of broker-dealers. Under our dealer manager agreement, we are responsible for reimbursing our dealer manager and its affiliates for offering related expenses they incur provided that our reimbursement payments shall not cause (i) total underwriting compensation (excluding reimbursement of bona fide due diligence expenses) to exceed 10% of the gross proceeds from the primary offering, or (ii) total organization and offering expenses borne by us to exceed 15% of our gross offering proceeds. From January 1, 2010 through February 28, 2011, our dealer manager sought reimbursement for $0.6 million in expenses, all of which have been paid as of February 28, 2011.

Currently Proposed Transactions. There are no currently proposed material transactions with related persons other than those covered by the terms of the agreements described above.

 

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

During the year ended December 31, 2010, Ernst & Young LLP served as our independent registered public accounting firm and provided certain tax and other services. Ernst & Young has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since our formation.

Pre-Approval Policies

In order to ensure that the provision of such services does not impair the auditors’ independence, the audit committee charter imposes a duty on the audit committee to pre-approve all auditing services performed for us by our independent auditors, as well as all permitted non-audit services. In determining whether or not to pre-approve services, the audit committee will consider whether the service is a permissible service under the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC. The audit committee, may, in its discretion, delegate to one or more of its members the authority to pre-approve any audit or non-audit services to be performed by the independent auditors, provided any such approval is presented to and approved by the full audit committee at its next scheduled meeting.

Since November 20, 2009, when we became a reporting company under Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, all services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP have been pre-approved in accordance with the policies and procedures described above.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees

The aggregate fees billed to us for professional accounting services, including the audit of our annual financial statements by Ernst & Young for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, are set forth in the table below.

 

         2010              2009      

Audit fees

   $ 174,000       $ 45,000   

Audit-related fees

     5,000         50,792   

Tax fees

     7,132         18,000   

All other fees

        —     
                 

Total

   $ 186,132       $ 113,792   
                 

For purposes of the preceding table, Ernst & Young’s professional fees are classified as follows:

 

   

Audit fees – These are fees for professional services performed for the audit of our annual financial statements and the required review of quarterly financial statements and other procedures performed by Ernst & Young in order for them to be able to form an opinion on our consolidated financial statements. These fees also cover services that are normally provided by independent auditors in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

 

   

Audit-related fees – These are fees for assurance and related services that traditionally are performed by independent auditors that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the financial statements, such as due diligence related to acquisitions and dispositions, attestation services that are not required by statute or regulation, internal control reviews and consultation concerning financial accounting and reporting standards.

 

   

Tax fees – These are fees for all professional services performed by professional staff in our independent auditor’s tax division, except those services related to the audit of our financial statements. These include fees for tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice, including federal, state and local issues. Services may also include assistance with tax audits and appeals before the IRS and similar state and local agencies, as well as federal, state and local tax issues related to due diligence.

 

   

All other fees – These are fees for any services not included in the above-described categories.

 

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PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

(a) Financial Statement Schedules

See the Index to Financial Statements at page F-1 of this report.

The following financial statement schedule is included herein at pages F-26 through F-27 of this report:

Schedule III – Real Estate Assets and Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization

 

(b) Exhibits

 

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EXHIBIT LIST

 

Ex.

  

Description

  3.1    Second Articles of Amendment and Restatement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 4, 2010
  3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 333-156633) filed August 21, 2009
  4.1    Form of Subscription Agreement, included as Appendix A to the prospectus, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 333-156633) filed January 6, 2011
  4.2    Statement regarding restrictions on transferability of shares of common stock (to appear on stock certificate or to be sent upon request and without charge to stockholders issued shares without certificates), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 333-156633) filed February 25, 2009
  4.3    Amended and Restated Dividend Reinvestment Plan, included as Appendix B to the prospectus, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 333-156633) filed January 6, 2011
  4.4    Amended and Restated Share Redemption Program, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 333-156633) filed August 21, 2009
  4.5    Second Amended and Restated Escrow Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 333-156633) filed October 5, 2009
10.1    Amended and Restated Dealer Manager Agreement with Selected Dealer Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 17, 2010
10.2    Advisory Agreement, between KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc. and KBS Capital Advisors LLC, dated October 8, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 333-156633) filed October 8, 2010
10.3    Amendment No. 1 to Advisory Agreement, between KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc. and KBS Capital Advisors LLC, dated November 9, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed November 10, 2010
10.4    Deed of Trust, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing (related to the acquisition of the Academy Point Atrium I First Mortgage), by Peridot Properties I, LLC, to The Public Trustee of El Paso County for the benefit of LaSalle Bank National Association, dated October 22, 2001, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 333-156633) filed October 8, 2010
10.5    Loan Sale Agreement (related to the acquisition of the Academy Point Atrium I First Mortgage), by and between KBS SOR Debt Holdings II, LLC and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Trustee for the Registered Holders of J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp. Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Series 2001-C1, dated September 7, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 333-156633) filed October 8, 2010

 

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Ex.

  

Description

10.6      Agreement Regarding Assignment Without Recourse of Certain Loan Documents (related to the acquisition of the Roseville Commerce Center Mortgage Portfolio), by and between KBS SOR Debt Holdings II LLC and Heritage Bank of Commerce, dated September 10, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 333-156633) filed October 8, 2010
10.7      Construction Deed of Trust (related to the acquisition of the Roseville Commerce Center Mortgage Portfolio, Loan No. 5979000100), by D&D Roseville Holdings, LLC, in favor of Heritage Bank of Commerce, dated June 15, 2007, as modified, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 333-156633) filed October 8, 2010
10.8      Construction Deed of Trust (related to the acquisition of the Roseville Commerce Center Mortgage Portfolio, Loan No. 5978000100), by Roseville Commerce Center, LLC, in favor of Heritage Bank of Commerce, dated June 15, 2007, as modified, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 333-156633) filed October 8, 2010
10.9      Deed of Trust (related to the acquisition of the Roseville Commerce Center Mortgage Portfolio, Loan No. 5979000101), by D & D Roseville Holdings, LLC, in favor of Heritage Bank of Commerce, dated June 15, 2007, as modified, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 333-156633) filed October 8, 2010
10.10    Loan Sale Agreement (related to the acquisition of the Northridge Center I & II First Mortgage), by and between KBS SOR Debt Holdings II, LLC and Bank of America, N.A., as successor by merger to LaSalle Bank National Association, as Trustee for the Registered Holders of Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust 2005-C3, Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005-C3, dated December 7, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 333-156633) filed January 6, 2011
10.11    Deed to Secure Debt, Assignment of Leases and Rents and Security Agreement (related to the acquisition of the Northridge Center I & II First Mortgage), by FOR 1031 Northridge LLC and DBSI Northridge LeaseCo LLC, dated January 26, 2005, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 333-156633) filed January 6, 2011
10.12    Assignment of Deed to Secure Debt, Assignment of Assignment of Leases and Rents and Assignment of Loan Documents (related to the acquisition of the Northridge Center I & II First Mortgage), by Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp, dated June 28, 2005, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 333-156633) filed January 6, 2011
21.1      Subsidiaries of the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 333-156633) filed January 6, 2011
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 18 U.S.C. 1350, as created by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2      Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as created by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Consolidated Financial Statements

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2   

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009

     F-3   

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009

     F-4   

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31,  2010 and 2009

     F-5   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009

     F-6   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-7   

Financial Statement Schedule

  

Schedule III — Real Estate Assets and Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization

     F-26   

All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule in Item 15(a), Schedule III – Real Estate Assets and Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization. These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc. at December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule referred to above, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Irvine, California

March 11, 2011

 

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KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     December 31,  
             2010                     2009          

Assets

    

Real estate loans receivable, net

   $ 13,226,739      $ —     

Real estate held for investment, net

     4,546,637        —     
                

Total real estate and real estate-related investments, net

     17,773,376        —     

Cash and cash equivalents

     23,642,119        192,656   

Rents and other receivables

     47,131        —     

Above-market leases, net

     27,739        —     

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     913,795        —     
                

Total assets

   $ 42,404,160      $ 192,656   
                

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

    

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 916,811      $ —     

Due to affiliates

     378,284        —     

Other liabilities

     51,050        —     
                

Total liabilities

   $ 1,346,145      $ —     
                

Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)

    

Stockholders’ equity

    

Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized,
no shares issued and outstanding

     —          —     

Common stock, $.01 par value; 1,000,000,000 shares authorized,
5,132,988 and 20,000 shares issued and outstanding
as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively

     51,330        200   

Additional paid-in capital

     42,988,957        199,800   

Accumulated deficit

     (1,982,272     (7,344
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     41,058,015        192,656   
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 42,404,160      $ 192,656   
                

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
             2010                     2009          

Revenues:

    

Rental income

   $ 153,643      $ —     

Interest income from real estate loans receivable

     130,945        —     

Tenant reimbursements

     23,507        —     
                

Total revenues

     308,095        —     
                

Expenses:

    

Operating, maintenance, and management

     216,534        —     

Real estate taxes and insurance

     46,471        —     

Asset management fees to affiliate

     30,089        —     

Real estate acquisition fees and expenses

     114,275        —     

Real estate acquisition fees and expenses to affiliate

     46,373        —     

General and administrative expenses

     1,635,437        7,463   

Depreciation and amortization

     211,685        —     
                

Total expenses

     2,300,864        7,463   
                

Other income:

    

Other interest income

     17,841        119   
                

Net loss

   $ (1,974,928   $ (7,344
                

Net loss per common share, basic and diluted

   $ (1.18   $ (0.37
                

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, basic and diluted

     1,678,335        20,000   
                

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009

 

     Common Stock     

Additional

Paid-in

    Accumulated     Total
Stockholders’
 
           Shares                Amounts          Capital     Deficit     Equity  

Balance, December 31, 2008

     20,000       $ 200       $ 199,800      $ —        $ 200,000   

Net loss

     —           —           —          (7,344     (7,344
                                          

Balance, December 31, 2009

     20,000       $ 200       $ 199,800      $ (7,344   $ 192,656   

Issuance of common stock

     5,112,988         51,130         50,349,208        —          50,400,338   

Commissions on stock sales and
related dealer manager fees to affiliate

     —           —           (4,116,312     —          (4,116,312

Other offering costs

     —           —           (3,443,739     —          (3,443,739

Net loss

     —           —           —          (1,974,928     (1,974,928
                                          

Balance, December 31, 2010

     5,132,988       $ 51,330       $ 42,988,957      $ (1,982,272   $ 41,058,015   
                                          

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
             2010                     2009          

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

    

Net loss

   $ (1,974,928   $ (7,344

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

    

Depreciation and amortization

     211,685        —     

Deferred rent

     (386     —     

Amortization of above- and below-market leases, net

     32,174        —     

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Rents and other receivables

     (46,745     —     

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     (438,094     —     

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     312,804        —     

Due to affiliates

     312,259        —     

Other liabilities

     18,902        —     
                

Net cash used in operating activities

     (1,572,329     (7,344
                

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

    

Investments in real estate loans receivable

     (16,001,739     —     

Acquisitions of real estate

     (1,800,000     —     

Additions to real estate

     (82,781     —     
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (17,884,520     —     
                

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

    

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     50,400,338        —     

Payments of commissions on stock sales and related dealer manager fees

     (4,116,312     —     

Payments of other offering costs

     (3,377,714     —     
                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     42,906,312        —     
                

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     23,449,463        (7,344

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     192,656        200,000   
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 23,642,119      $       192,656   
                

Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Transaction:

    

Investment in real estate acquired through foreclosure

   $ 2,775,000      $ —     
                

Escrow deposits in other assets and other liabilities

   $ 475,767      $ —     
                

Increase in other offering costs due to affiliates

   $ 66,025      $ —     
                

Liabilities assumed on real estate acquisition

   $ 32,148      $ —     
                

Increase in capital expenses payable

   $ 29,967      $ —     
                

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2010

 

1. ORGANIZATION

KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, Inc. (the “Company”) was formed on October 8, 2008 as a Maryland corporation that intends to qualify as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) beginning with the taxable year ending December 31, 2010. The Company conducts its business primarily through KBS Strategic Opportunity Limited Partnership (the “Operating Partnership”), a Delaware limited partnership formed on December 10, 2008. The Company is the sole general partner of and owns a 0.1% partnership interest in the Operating Partnership. KBS Strategic Opportunity Holdings LLC (“REIT Holdings”), a Delaware limited liability company formed on December 9, 2008, owns the remaining 99.9% interest in the Operating Partnership and is its sole limited partner. The Company is the sole member and manager of REIT Holdings.

Subject to certain restrictions and limitations, the business of the Company is externally managed by KBS Capital Advisors LLC (the “Advisor”), an affiliate of the Company, pursuant to an advisory agreement the Company renewed with the Advisor on October 8, 2010 as amended on November 9, 2010 (the “Advisory Agreement”). On December 24, 2008, the Company issued 20,000 shares of its common stock to the Advisor at a purchase price of $10.00 per share. As of December 31, 2010, the Advisor owns 20,000 shares of common stock of the Company.

The Company expects to invest in and manage a diverse portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments. Such investments may include the origination and acquisition of mortgage, mezzanine, bridge and other real estate-related loans, investments in real estate-related debt securities such as residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations and investments in opportunistic real estate. The Company may also invest in entities that make similar investments. Additionally, the Company expects to acquire real estate properties through acquisition or foreclosure. As of December 31, 2010, the Company owned four first mortgage loans and two office properties.

On January 8, 2009, the Company filed a registration statement on Form S-11 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to offer a minimum of 250,000 shares (the “Minimum Number of Shares”) and a maximum of 140,000,000 shares of common stock for sale to the public (the “Offering”), of which 40,000,000 shares are being offered pursuant to the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan. The SEC declared the Company’s registration statement effective on November 20, 2009, and the Company retained KBS Capital Markets Group LLC (the “Dealer Manager”), an affiliate of the Company, to serve as the dealer manager of the Offering pursuant to a dealer manager agreement, as amended and restated on April 6, 2010 (the “Dealer Manager Agreement”). The Dealer Manager is responsible for marketing the Company’s shares being offered pursuant to the Offering. As described above, the Company intends to use substantially all of the net proceeds from the Offering to invest in a diverse portfolio of real estate-related loans, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments.

On April 19, 2010, the Company broke escrow in the Offering and through December 31, 2010, the Company had sold 5,112,988 shares of common stock for gross offering proceeds of $50.4 million.

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, REIT Holdings and the Operating Partnership, and their direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) as contained within the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) and the rules and regulations of the SEC.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

 

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KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2010

 

Revenue Recognition

Real Estate Loans Receivable

Interest income on the Company’s real estate loans receivable is recognized on an accrual basis over the life of the investment using the interest method. Direct loan origination or acquisition fees and costs, as well as acquisition premiums or discounts, are amortized over the term of the loan as an adjustment to interest income. The Company places loans on nonaccrual status when any portion of principal or interest is 90 days past due, or earlier when concern exists as to the ultimate collection of principal or interest. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, the Company reverses the accrual for unpaid interest and generally does not recognize subsequent interest income until cash is received, or the loan returns to accrual status. Generally, a loan may be returned to accrual status when all delinquent principal and interest are brought current in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement and certain performance criteria have been met. As of December 31, 2010, all four of the Company’s investments in loans receivable were on nonaccrual status.

The Company will recognize interest income on loans purchased at discounts to face value where the Company expects to collect less than the contractual amounts due under the loan when that expectation is due, at least in part, to the credit quality of the borrower. Income is recognized at an interest rate equivalent to the estimated yield on the loan, as calculated using the carrying value of the loan and the expected cash flows. Changes in estimated cash flows are recognized through an adjustment to the yield on the loan on a prospective basis. Projecting cash flows for these types of loans requires a significant amount of assumptions and judgment, which may have a significant impact on the amount and timing of revenue recognized on these investments. The Company recognizes interest income on non-performing loans on a cash basis since these loans generally do not have an estimated yield and collection of principal and interest is not assured.

Real Estate

The Company recognizes minimum rent, including rental abatements, lease incentives and contractual fixed increases attributable to operating leases, on a straight-line basis over the term of the related leases when collectibility is reasonably assured and records amounts expected to be received in later years as deferred rent receivable. If the lease provides for tenant improvements, the Company determines whether the tenant improvements, for accounting purposes, are owned by the tenant or the Company. When the Company is the owner of the tenant improvements, the tenant is not considered to have taken physical possession or have control of the physical use of the leased asset until the tenant improvements are substantially completed. When the tenant is the owner of the tenant improvements, any tenant improvement allowance that is funded is treated as a lease incentive and amortized as a reduction of revenue over the lease term. Tenant improvement ownership is determined based on various factors including, but not limited to:

 

   

whether the lease stipulates how a tenant improvement allowance may be spent;

 

   

whether the amount of a tenant improvement allowance is in excess of market rates;

 

   

whether the tenant or landlord retains legal title to the improvements at the end of the lease term;

 

   

whether the tenant improvements are unique to the tenant or general-purpose in nature; and

 

   

whether the tenant improvements are expected to have any residual value at the end of the lease.

The Company records property operating expense reimbursements due from tenants for common area maintenance, real estate taxes, and other recoverable costs in the period the related expenses are incurred.

The Company makes estimates of the collectibility of its tenant receivables related to base rents, including deferred rent, expense reimbursements and other revenue or income. Management specifically analyzes accounts receivable, deferred rents receivable, historical bad debts, customer creditworthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment terms when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. In addition, with respect to tenants in bankruptcy, management makes estimates of the expected recovery of pre-petition and post-petition claims in assessing the estimated collectibility of the related receivable. In some cases, the ultimate resolution of these claims can exceed one year. When a tenant is in bankruptcy, the Company will record a bad debt reserve for the tenant’s receivable balance and generally will not recognize subsequent rental revenue until cash is received or until the tenant is no longer in bankruptcy and has the ability to make rental payments.

 

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December 31, 2010

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company recognizes interest income on its cash and cash equivalents as it is earned and records such amounts as other interest income.

Real Estate Loans Receivable and Loan Loss Reserves

Real estate loans are classified as held for investment, available for sale, or both based on management’s intent and ability to hold the loans for the foreseeable future. Real estate loans held for investment are recorded at amortized cost, net of loan loss reserves (if any), and evaluated for impairment at each balance sheet date. The amortized cost of a real estate loan receivable is the outstanding unpaid principal balance, net of unamortized acquisition premiums or discounts and unamortized costs and fees directly associated with the origination or acquisition of the loan. The amount of impairment, if any, will be measured by comparing the recorded amount of the loan to the present value of the expected cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s observable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent and collection of principal and interest is not assured. If a loan is deemed to be impaired, the Company will record a loan loss reserve and a provision for loan losses to recognize impairment.

As of December 31, 2010, there were no loan loss reserves and the Company did not record any impairment losses related to the real estate loans receivable during the year ended December 31, 2010. However, in the future, the Company may experience losses from its investments in loans receivable requiring the Company to record loan loss reserves. Realized losses on individual loans could be material and significantly exceed any recorded reserves.

The reserve for loan losses is a valuation allowance that reflects management’s estimate of loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. The reserve is adjusted through “Provision for loan losses” on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and is decreased by charge-offs to specific loans when losses are confirmed. The reserve for loan losses may include an asset-specific component and a portfolio-based component.

The asset-specific reserve component relates to reserves for losses on loans considered impaired. The Company considers a loan to be impaired when, based upon current information and events, it believes that it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement. If the Company purchases a loan at a discount to face value and at the acquisition date the Company expects to collect less than the contractual amounts due under the terms of the loan based, at least in part, on the Company’s assessment of the credit quality of the borrower, the Company will consider such a loan to be impaired when, based upon current information and events, it believes that it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts the Company estimated to be collected at the time of acquisition. The Company also considers a loan to be impaired if it grants the borrower a concession through a modification of the loan terms or if it expects to receive assets (including equity interests in the borrower) with fair values that are less than the carrying value of the loan in satisfaction of the loan. A reserve is established when the present value of payments expected to be received, observable market prices, the estimated fair value of the collateral (for loans that are dependent on the collateral for repayment) or amounts expected to be received in satisfaction of a loan are lower than the carrying value of that loan.

Failure to recognize impairments would result in the overstatement of earnings and the carrying value of the Company’s real estate loans held for investment. Actual losses, if any, could significantly differ from estimated amounts.

 

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KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2010

 

Real Estate

Depreciation and Amortization

Real estate costs related to the acquisition and improvement of properties are capitalized and amortized over the expected useful life of the asset on a straight-line basis. Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred and significant replacements and betterments are capitalized. Repair and maintenance costs include all costs that do not extend the useful life of the real estate asset. The Company considers the period of future benefit of an asset to determine its appropriate useful life. Expenditures for tenant improvements are capitalized and amortized over the shorter of the tenant’s lease term or expected useful life. The Company anticipates the estimated useful lives of its assets by class to be generally as follows:

 

Buildings    25-40 years
Building improvements    10-25 years
Tenant improvements    Shorter of lease term or expected useful life
Tenant origination and absorption costs    Remaining term of related leases, including below-market renewal periods

Real Estate Acquisition Valuation

The Company records the acquisition of income-producing real estate or real estate that will be used for the production of income as a business combination. All assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured at their acquisition-date fair values. Acquisition costs are expensed as incurred and restructuring costs that do not meet the definition of a liability at the acquisition date are expensed in periods subsequent to the acquisition date. Real estate obtained in satisfaction of a loan is recorded at the estimated fair value of the real estate or the fair value of the loan satisfied if more clearly evident. The excess of the carrying value of the loan over the fair value of the property is charged-off against the reserve for loan losses when title to the property is obtained. Costs of holding the property are expensed as incurred in our consolidated statements of operations. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company acquired two real estate assets, one of which was acquired through foreclosure of a loan, recorded each acquisition as a business combination and expensed $0.1 million of acquisition costs.

Intangible assets include the value of in-place leases, which represents the estimated value of the net cash flows of the in-place leases to be realized, as compared to the net cash flows that would have occurred had the property been vacant at the time of acquisition and subject to lease-up. Acquired in-place lease value will be amortized to expense over the average remaining non-cancelable terms of the respective in-place leases, including any below-market renewal periods.

The Company assesses the acquisition-date fair values of all tangible assets, identifiable intangibles and assumed liabilities using methods similar to those used by independent appraisers (e.g., discounted cash flow analysis) and that utilize appropriate discount and/or capitalization rates and available market information. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a number of factors, including historical operating results, known and anticipated trends, and market and economic conditions. The fair value of tangible assets of an acquired property considers the value of the property as if it were vacant.

The Company records above-market and below-market in-place lease values for acquired properties based on the present value (using an interest rate that reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases and (ii) management’s estimate of fair market lease rates for the corresponding in-place leases, measured over a period equal to the remaining non-cancelable term of above-market in-place leases and for the initial term plus any extended term for any leases with below-market renewal options. The Company amortizes any recorded above-market or below-market lease values as a reduction or increase, respectively, to rental income over the remaining non-cancelable terms of the respective lease, including any below-market renewal periods.

The Company estimates the value of tenant origination and absorption costs by considering the estimated carrying costs during hypothetical expected lease-up periods, considering current market conditions. In estimating carrying costs, the Company includes real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses and estimates of lost rentals at market rates during the expected lease-up periods.

 

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KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2010

 

The Company amortizes the value of tenant origination and absorption costs to depreciation and amortization expense over the remaining average non-cancelable term of the leases.

Estimates of the fair values of the tangible assets, identifiable intangibles and assumed liabilities require the Company to make significant assumptions to estimate market lease rates, property-operating expenses, carrying costs during lease-up periods, discount rates, market absorption periods, and the number of years the property will be held for investment. The use of inappropriate assumptions would result in an incorrect valuation of the Company’s acquired tangible assets, identifiable intangibles and assumed liabilities, which would impact the amount of the Company’s net income.

Impairment of Real Estate and Related Intangible Assets and Liabilities

The Company continually monitors events and changes in circumstances that could indicate that the carrying amounts of its real estate and related intangible assets and liabilities may not be recoverable or realized. When indicators of potential impairment suggest that the carrying value of real estate and related intangible assets and liabilities may not be recoverable, the Company assesses the recoverability by estimating whether the Company will recover the carrying value of the real estate and related intangible assets and liabilities through its undiscounted future cash flows and its eventual disposition. If, based on this analysis, the Company does not believe that it will be able to recover the carrying value of the real estate and related intangible assets and liabilities, the Company would record an impairment loss to the extent that the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value of the real estate and related intangible assets and liabilities. The Company did not record any impairment loss on its real estate and related intangible assets and liabilities during the year ended December 31, 2010.

Projecting future cash flows involves estimating expected future operating income and expenses related to the real estate and its related intangible assets and liabilities as well as market and other trends. Using inappropriate assumptions to estimate cash flows could result in incorrect fair values of the real estate and its related intangible assets and liabilities and could result in the overstatement of the carrying values of the Company’s real estate and related intangible assets and liabilities and an overstatement of its net income.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents may include cash and short-term investments. Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance was $23.6 million and $0.2 million, respectively. There were no restrictions on the use of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2010 and 2009.

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance exceeds federally insurable limits as of December 31, 2010. The Company monitors the cash balances in its operating accounts and adjusts the cash balances as appropriate; however, these cash balances could be impacted if the underlying financial institutions fail or are subject to other adverse conditions in the financial markets. To date, the Company has experienced no loss or lack of access to cash in its operating accounts. The Company has a corporate banking relationship with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. in which it deposits all funds.

Rents and Other Receivables

The Company periodically evaluates the collectibility of amounts due from tenants and maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of tenants to make required payments under lease agreements. In addition, the Company maintains an allowance for deferred rent receivable that arises from the straight-lining of rents. The Company exercises judgment in establishing these allowances and considers payment history and current credit status of its tenants in developing these estimates.

 

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KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2010

 

Fair Value Measurements

Under GAAP, the Company is required to measure certain financial instruments at fair value on a recurring basis. In addition, the Company is required to measure other financial instruments and balances at fair value on a non-recurring basis (e.g., carrying value of impaired real estate loans receivable and long-lived assets). Fair value is defined as the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The GAAP fair value framework uses a three-tiered approach. Fair value measurements are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

 

   

Level 1: unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical assets or liabilities;

 

   

Level 2: quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-derived valuations in which significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets; and

 

   

Level 3: prices or valuation techniques where little or no market data is available that requires inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

When available, the Company utilizes quoted market prices from an independent third-party source to determine fair value and classifies such items in Level 1 or Level 2. In instances where the market for a financial instrument is not active, regardless of the availability of a nonbinding quoted market price, observable inputs might not be relevant and could require the Company to make a significant adjustment to derive a fair value measurement. Additionally, in an inactive market, a market price quoted from an independent third party may rely more on models with inputs based on information available only to that independent third party. When the Company determines the market for a financial instrument owned by the Company to be illiquid or when market transactions for similar instruments do not appear orderly, the Company uses several valuation sources (including internal valuations, discounted cash flow analysis and quoted market prices) and establishes a fair value by assigning weights to the various valuation sources. Additionally, when determining the fair value of liabilities in circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for an identical liability is not available, the Company measures fair value using (i) a valuation technique that uses the quoted price of the identical liability when traded as an asset or quoted prices for similar liabilities when traded as assets or (ii) another valuation technique that is consistent with the principles of fair value measurement, such as the income approach or the market approach.

Changes in assumptions or estimation methodologies can have a material effect on these estimated fair values. In this regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument.

The Company considers the following factors to be indicators of an inactive market: (i) there are few recent transactions, (ii) price quotations are not based on current information, (iii) price quotations vary substantially either over time or among market makers (for example, some brokered markets), (iv) indexes that previously were highly correlated with the fair values of the asset or liability are demonstrably uncorrelated with recent indications of fair value for that asset or liability, (v) there is a significant increase in implied liquidity risk premiums, yields, or performance indicators (such as delinquency rates or loss severities) for observed transactions or quoted prices when compared with the Company’s estimate of expected cash flows, considering all available market data about credit and other nonperformance risk for the asset or liability, (vi) there is a wide bid-ask spread or significant increase in the bid-ask spread, (vii) there is a significant decline or absence of a market for new issuances (that is, a primary market) for the asset or liability or similar assets or liabilities, and (viii) little information is released publicly (for example, a principal-to-principal market).

The Company considers the following factors to be indicators of non-orderly transactions: (i) there was not adequate exposure to the market for a period before the measurement date to allow for marketing activities that are usual and customary for transactions involving such assets or liabilities under current market conditions, (ii) there was a usual and customary marketing period, but the seller marketed the asset or liability to a single market participant, (iii) the seller is in or near bankruptcy or receivership (that is, distressed), or the seller was required to sell to meet regulatory or legal requirements (that is, forced), and (iv) the transaction price is an outlier when compared with other recent transactions for the same or similar assets or liabilities.

 

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KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2010

 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

The Company has adopted a dividend reinvestment plan (the “DRP”) through which common stockholders may elect to reinvest an amount equal to the distributions declared on their shares in additional shares of the Company’s common stock in lieu of receiving cash distributions. The initial purchase price per share under the DRP will be $9.50. Once the Company establishes an estimated value per share, shares issued pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan will be priced at the estimated value per share of the Company’s common stock, as determined by the Advisor or another firm chosen for that purpose. The Company expects to establish an estimated value per share after the completion of its offering stage. The offering stage will be considered complete when the Company is no longer publicly offering equity securities — whether through the Offering or follow-on public offerings – and has not done so for 18 months. No selling commissions or dealer manager fees will be paid on shares sold under the DRP. The board of directors of the Company may amend or terminate the DRP for any reason upon 10 days’ notice to participants. As of December 31, 2010, no shares have been issued under the DRP.

Redeemable Common Stock

The Company has adopted a share redemption program that may enable stockholders to sell their shares to the Company in limited circumstances.

There are several limitations on the Company’s ability to redeem shares under the share redemption program:

 

   

Unless the shares are being redeemed in connection with a stockholder’s death, “qualifying disability” or “determination of incompetence” (each as defined under the share redemption program), the Company may not redeem the shares until the stockholder has held the shares for one year.

 

   

During each calendar year, the share redemption program limits the number of shares the Company may redeem to those that the Company could purchase with the amount of the net proceeds from the issuance of shares under the DRP during the prior calendar year.

 

   

During any calendar year, the Company may redeem no more than 5% of the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the prior calendar year.

 

   

The Company has no obligation to redeem shares if the redemption would violate the restrictions on distributions under Maryland law, which prohibits distributions that would cause a corporation to fail to meet statutory tests of solvency.

Pursuant to the program, the Company will initially redeem shares at prices determined as follows:

 

   

The lower of $9.25 or 92.5% of the price paid to acquire the shares from the Company for stockholders who have held their shares for at least one year;

 

   

The lower of $9.50 or 95.0% of the price paid to acquire the shares from the Company for stockholders who have held their shares for at least two years;

 

   

The lower of $9.75 or 97.5% of the price paid to acquire the shares from the Company for stockholders who have held their shares for at least three years; and

 

   

The lower of $10.00 or 100% of the price paid to acquire the shares from the Company for stockholders who have held their shares for at least four years.

Notwithstanding the above, the redemption price for redemptions sought upon a stockholder’s death, “qualifying disability” or “determination of incompetence” will initially be the amount paid to acquire the shares from the Company. Furthermore, once the Company establishes an estimated value per share of its common stock, the redemption price per share for all stockholders will be equal to the estimated value per share, as determined by the Advisor or another firm chosen for that purpose. The Company expects to establish an estimated value per share after the completion of its offering stage. The Company considers its offering stage complete when it is no longer publicly offering equity securities — whether through the primary offering or a follow-on public offering — and has not done so for 18 months. “Public equity offering” for this purpose does not include offerings on behalf of selling stockholders or offerings related to a dividend reinvestment plan, employee benefit plan or the redemption of interests in the Operating Partnership.

 

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KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2010

 

The Company’s board of directors may amend, suspend or terminate the share redemption program with 30 days’ notice to its stockholders. The Company may provide this notice by including such information in a Current Report on Form 8-K or in the Company’s annual or quarterly reports, all publicly filed with the SEC, or by a separate mailing to its stockholders.

The Company records amounts that are redeemable under the share redemption program as redeemable common stock in its consolidated balance sheets because the shares will be mandatorily redeemable at the option of the holder and therefore their redemption will be outside the control of the Company. The maximum amount redeemable under the Company’s share redemption program is limited to the number of shares the Company could redeem with the amount of the net proceeds from the sale of shares under the DRP during the prior calendar year. However, because the amounts that can be redeemed will be determinable and only contingent on an event that is likely to occur (e.g., the passage of time) the Company presents the net proceeds from the current year and prior year DRP, net of current year redemptions, as redeemable common stock in its consolidated balance sheets.

The Company classifies as liabilities financial instruments that represent a mandatory obligation of the Company to redeem shares. The Company’s redeemable common shares are contingently redeemable at the option of the holder. When the Company determines it has a mandatory obligation to repurchase shares under the share redemption program, it will reclassify such obligations from temporary equity to a liability based upon their respective settlement values.

During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company did not redeem any shares pursuant to the share redemption program. As described above, the Company limits the dollar value of shares that may be redeemed under the program to the amount of net proceeds from the issuance of shares under the dividend reinvestment plan during the prior calendar year. The Company did not declare any distributions to its stockholders in 2010. Accordingly, because of the restriction, the Company has no funds available for redemption under the share redemption program in 2011.

Related Party Transactions

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement and Dealer Manager Agreement, the Company is obligated to pay the Advisor and the Dealer Manager specified fees upon the provision of certain services related to the Offering, the investment of funds in real estate and real estate-related investments, management of the Company’s investments and for other services (including, but not limited to, the disposition of investments). The Company is also obligated to reimburse the Advisor and Dealer Manager for organization and offering costs incurred by the Advisor and the Dealer Manager on behalf of the Company, and the Company is obligated to reimburse the Advisor for acquisition and origination expenses and certain operating expenses incurred on behalf of the Company or incurred in connection with providing services to the Company. In addition, the Advisor is entitled to certain other fees, including an incentive fee upon achieving certain performance goals, as detailed in the Advisory Agreement.

The Company records all related party fees as incurred, subject to any limitations described in the Advisory Agreement. The Company had not incurred any disposition fees, subordinated participation in net cash flows, or subordinated incentive listing fees during the year ended December 31, 2010.

Organization and Offering Costs

Organization and offering costs (other than selling commissions and dealer manager fees) of the Company may be paid by the Advisor, the Dealer Manager or their affiliates on behalf of the Company. These offering costs include all expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the Offering. Organization costs include all expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the formation of the Company, including but not limited to legal fees and other costs to incorporate the Company.

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement and the Dealer Manager Agreement, the Company is obligated to reimburse the Advisor, the Dealer Manager or their affiliates, as applicable, for organization and offering costs paid by them on behalf of the Company, provided that the Advisor is obligated to reimburse the Company to the extent selling commissions, dealer manager fees and other organization and offering costs incurred by the Company in the Offering exceed 15% of gross offering proceeds.

 

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KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2010

 

Organization costs are expensed as incurred, and offering costs, which include selling commissions and dealer manager fees, are deferred and charged to stockholders’ equity as such amounts are reimbursed to the Advisor, the Dealer Manager or their affiliates from the gross proceeds of the Offering. The Company expects the Advisor to continue to incur organization and offering costs on its behalf. However, as more shares are sold in the Offering, the amounts incurred by the Advisor will decrease since the Company will begin to incur these costs directly.

Selling Commissions and Dealer Manager Fees

The Company pays the Dealer Manager up to 6.5% and 3.0% of the gross offering proceeds from the primary offering as selling commissions and dealer manager fees, respectively. A reduced sales commission and dealer manager fee is paid with respect to certain volume discount sales. All or a portion of the selling commissions will not be charged with regard to shares sold to certain categories of purchasers. No sales commission or dealer manager fee is paid with respect to shares issued through the dividend reinvestment plan. The Dealer Manager reallows 100% of sales commissions earned to participating broker-dealers. The Dealer Manager may reallow to any participating broker-dealer up to 1% of the gross offering proceeds attributable to that participating broker-dealer as a marketing fee and, in special cases, the Dealer Manager may increase the reallowance.

Acquisition and Origination Fees

The Company pays the Advisor an acquisition and origination fee equal to 1% of the cost of investments acquired, or the amount funded by the Company to acquire or originate mortgage, mezzanine, bridge or other loans, including any acquisition and origination expenses related to such investments and any debt attributable to such investments.

Asset Management Fee

With respect to investments in loans and any investments other than real estate, the Company pays the Advisor a monthly fee calculated, each month, as one-twelfth of 0.75% of the lesser of (i) the amount paid or allocated to acquire or fund the loan or other investment, inclusive of acquisition and origination fees and expenses related thereto and the amount of any debt associated with or used to acquire or fund such investment and (ii) the outstanding principal amount of such loan or other investment, plus the acquisition and origination fees and expenses related to the acquisition or funding of such investment, as of the time of calculation.

With respect to investments in real estate, the Company pays the Advisor a monthly asset management fee equal to one-twelfth of 0.75% of the amount paid or allocated to acquire the investment, inclusive of acquisition fees and expenses related thereto and the amount of any debt associated with or used to acquire such investment.

In the case of investments made through joint ventures, the asset management fee are determined based on the Company’s proportionate share of the underlying investment.

Operating Expenses

The Advisor has the right to seek reimbursement from the Company for all costs and expenses it incurs in connection with the provision of services to the Company, including the Company’s allocable share of the Advisor’s overhead, such as rent, employee costs, utilities and information technology costs. Commencing July 1, 2010, the Company has reimbursed the Advisor for the Company’s allocable portion of the salaries, benefits and overhead of internal audit department personnel providing services to the Company. In the future, the Advisor may seek reimbursement for additional employee costs. The Company will not reimburse the Advisor for employee costs in connection with services for which the Advisor earns acquisition, origination or disposition fees (other than reimbursement of travel and communication expenses) or for the salaries and benefits the Advisor or its affiliates may pay to the Company’s executive officers.

 

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KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2010

 

Independent Director Compensation

The Company pays each of its independent directors an annual retainer of $40,000. In addition, the independent directors are paid for attending meetings as follows: (i) $2,500 for each board meeting attended, (ii) $2,500 for each committee meeting attended (except that the committee chairman is paid $3,000 for each meeting attended), (iii) $2,000 for each teleconference board meeting attended, and (iv) $2,000 for each teleconference committee meeting attended (except that the committee chairman is paid $3,000 for each teleconference committee meeting attended). All directors are reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of the board of directors. The Company incurred independent director fees of $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, which are included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. At December 31, 2010, $10,000 of independent director fees were payable and are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. Director compensation is an operating expense of the Company that is subject to the operating expense reimbursement obligation of the Advisor discussed above.

Income Taxes

The Company intends to elect to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and intends to operate as such beginning with its taxable year ending December 31, 2010. The Company expects to have little or no taxable income prior to electing REIT status. To qualify as a REIT, the Company must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of the Company’s annual REIT taxable income to its stockholders (which is computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction or net capital gain and which does not necessarily equal net income as calculated in accordance with GAAP). As a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to federal income tax to the extent it distributes qualifying dividends to its stockholders. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it will be subject to federal income tax on its taxable income at regular corporate income tax rates and generally will not be permitted to qualify for treatment as a REIT for federal income tax purposes for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification is lost unless the Internal Revenue Service grants the Company relief under certain statutory provisions. Such an event could materially and adversely affect the Company’s net income and net cash available for distribution to stockholders. However, the Company intends to organize and operate in such a manner as to qualify for treatment as a REIT.

The Company has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in its financial statements. Neither the Company nor its subsidiaries has been assessed interest or penalties by any major tax jurisdictions. The Company’s evaluations were performed for the tax year ended December 31, 2010.

Segments

The Company’s segments are based on the Company’s method of internal reporting, which classifies its operations by investment type: real estate-related and real estate. For financial data by segment, see Note 7, “Segment Information.”

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses, totaling $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, consisted primarily of $0.5 million of amortization of insurance premiums, $0.3 million of board of director fees and $0.4 million of legal fees. Other general and administrative expenses include accounting, bank and other professional fees.

Per Share Data

Basic net loss per share of common stock is calculated by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding during such period. Diluted net loss per share of common stock equals basic net loss per share of common stock as there were no potentially dilutive securities outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.

Square Footage, Occupancy and Other Measures

Square footage, occupancy and other measures used to describe real estate and real estate-related investments included in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are presented on an unaudited basis.

 

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KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2010

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Updates

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements (“ASU No. 2010-06”). ASU No. 2010-06 requires additional disclosures regarding significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements, including a description of the reasons for the transfers. Further, this ASU requires additional disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements relating to the activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU No. 2010-06 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements relating to the activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of ASU No. 2010-06 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In July 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-20, Receivables (Topic 310): Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses (“ASU No. 2010-20”). ASU No. 2010-20 requires the Company to provide a greater level of disaggregated information about the credit quality of its financing receivables and its allowance for credit losses. This ASU requires the Company to disclose additional information related to credit quality indicators, past due information, information related to loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring and significant purchases and sales of financing receivables disaggregated by portfolio segment. ASU No. 2010-20 was initially effective for interim and annual periods ending on or after December 15, 2010. As this ASU amends only the disclosure requirements for loans and the allowance for credit losses, the adoption of ASU No. 2010-20 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements. In January 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-01, Receivables (Topic 310): Deferral of the Effective Date of Disclosures about Troubled Debt Restructurings in Update No. 2010-20 (“ASU No. 2011-01”). ASU No. 2011-01 announced that it was deferring the effective date of new disclosure requirements for troubled debt restructurings prescribed by ASU No. 2010-20. The effective date for those disclosures will be concurrent with the effective date for proposed ASU No. 2010-20. Currently, that guidance is anticipated to be effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2011. The adoption of ASU No. 2010-20 may require additional disclosures, but the Company does not expect the adoption to have a material impact to its consolidated financial statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-29, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force) (“ASU No. 2010-29”). ASU No. 2010-29 updated accounting guidance to clarify that pro forma disclosures should be presented as if a business combination occurred at the beginning of the prior annual period for purposes of preparing both the current reporting period and the prior reporting period pro forma financial information. These disclosures should be accompanied by a narrative description about the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments. The new accounting guidance is effective for business combinations consummated in periods beginning after December 15, 2010, and should be applied prospectively as of the date of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted ASU No. 2010-29 for the year ended December 31, 2010 and the adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

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KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2010

 

3. REAL ESTATE LOANS RECEIVABLE

As of December 31, 2010, the Company, through wholly owned subsidiaries, had investments in real estate loans receivable as follows:

 

Loan Name

    Location of Related Property or Collateral

   Date
Acquired
    

Property
Type

  

Loan Type

   Book Value
as of
December 31, 2010 (1)
    

Maturity
Date (3)

Roseville Commerce Center Mortgage Portfolio

              

Roseville, California

              

Roseville Commerce Center First Mortgage I (2)

     09/10/2010       Industrial/Flex    Non-Performing Mortgage (3)    $ 4,111,814       09/15/2011

Roseville Commerce Center First Mortgage II (2)

     09/10/2010       Industrial/Flex    Non-Performing Mortgage (3)      1,700,372       09/15/2011

Roseville Commerce Center First Mortgage III (2)

     09/10/2010       Land    Non-Performing Mortgage (3)      157,430       09/15/2011
                    

Total Roseville Commerce Center Mortgage Portfolio

              5,969,616      

Northridge Center I & II First Mortgage
Atlanta, Georgia

     12/08/2010       Office    Non-Performing Mortgage (3)      7,257,123       02/11/2012
                    
            $ 13,226,739      
                    

 

(1)

Outstanding principal balance as of December 31, 2010 represents original principal balance outstanding under the loan, increased for any subsequent fundings and reduced for any principal paydowns. As these are non-performing loans, the Company does not anticipate the outstanding principal balance to be repaid at maturity or otherwise.

(2)

Book value of real estate loans receivable represents outstanding principal balance adjusted for unamortized acquisition discounts, origination fees, and direct origination and acquisition costs.

(3)

Maturity dates are as of December 31, 2010. As these are non-performing loans, the Company does not anticipate the outstanding principal balance to be repaid at maturity or otherwise.

(4)

The Company does not expect non-performing mortgages to perform in accordance with their contractual terms, including the repayment of the principal amount outstanding under the loans, the payment of interest at the stated amount on the face of notes or the repayment of the loans upon their maturity date.

The following summarizes the activity related to real estate loans receivable for the year ended December 31, 2010:

 

Face value of real estate loans receivable acquired

   $ 33,559,399   

Discount on purchase price of real estate loans receivable

     (17,883,538

Closing costs on purchase of real estate loans receivable

     325,878   

Foreclosure of Academy Point Atrium I

     (2,775,000
        

Real estate loans receivable - December 31, 2010

   $ 13,226,739   
        

During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company acquired five non-performing first mortgage loans, including one first mortgage loan that was foreclosed in November 2010. With respect to non-performing loans, the Company explores various strategies including, but not limited to, one or more of the following: (i) negotiating with the borrowers for a reduced payoff, (ii) restructuring the terms of the loans and (iii) enforcing the Company’s rights as lenders under these loans and foreclosing on the collateral securing the loans.

Recent Acquisitions

Academy Point Atrium I First Mortgage

On September 7, 2010, the Company, through an indirect wholly owned subsidiary, purchased, at a discount, a non-performing first mortgage loan (the “Academy Point Atrium I First Mortgage”) for $2.8 million plus closing costs from a seller unaffiliated with the Company or the Advisor. The borrower under the loan is also not affiliated with the Company or the Advisor. The property securing the loan is a two-story office building constructed in 1981. The office building contains 92,099 rentable square feet and is part of a two-building campus located on approximately 7.22 acres of land at 1250 Academy Park Loop in Colorado Springs, Colorado. On November 3, 2010, the Company foreclosed on the loan and took title to the building. See Note 4, “Real Estate.”

 

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KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2010

 

Roseville Commerce Center Mortgage Portfolio

On September 10, 2010, the Company, through an indirect wholly owned subsidiary, purchased three separate non-performing first mortgage loans (collectively, the “Roseville Commerce Center Mortgage Portfolio”). The Company acquired all three loans at varying discounts from a seller unaffiliated with the Company or the Advisor. The first loan (the “Roseville Commerce Center First Mortgage I”) is secured by three industrial flex buildings containing 68,431 rentable square feet and was acquired for $4.0 million plus closing costs. The second loan (the “Roseville Commerce Center First Mortgage II”) is secured by two industrial flex buildings containing 44,910 rentable square feet and was acquired for $1.7 million plus closing costs. The third loan (the “Roseville Commerce Center First Mortgage III”) is secured by four parcels of partially improved land encompassing 6.0 acres and was acquired for $0.2 million plus closing costs. The borrowers under each of the three loans in the Roseville Commerce Center Mortgage Portfolio are not affiliated with the Company or the Advisor. The collateral securing the loans in the Roseville Commerce Center Mortgage Portfolio is located at 10556-10612 Industrial Avenue in Roseville, California. All three first mortgage loans are cross-defaulted. As the loans were non-performing at acquisition, the Roseville Commerce Center Mortgage Portfolio was placed on non-accrual status.

Northridge Center I & II Mortgage

On December 8, 2010, the Company, through an indirect wholly owned subsidiary, purchased, at a discount, a non-performing first mortgage loan (the “Northridge Center I & II Mortgage”) for $7.1 million plus closing costs. The Company acquired the loan from a seller unaffiliated with the Company or the Advisor. The borrowers under the Northridge Center I & II Mortgage are not affiliated with us or the Company’s advisor. The Northridge Center I & II Mortgage is secured by two office buildings containing 188,509 rentable square feet constructed in 1985 and 1989, respectively. The buildings are located at 365-375 Northridge Road in Atlanta, Georgia. As the loan was non-performing at acquisition, the Northridge Center I & II Mortgage was placed on non-accrual status.

 

4. REAL ESTATE

As of December 31, 2010, the Company owned two office properties, encompassing approximately 126,929 rentable square feet. The following table provides summary information regarding the properties owned by the Company as of December 31, 2010:

 

Property

 

Date
  Acquired  

 

City

    State      

  Property  
Type

  Land     Building
and
Improvements
    Tenant
Origination
and
Absorption
    Total
Real Estate
at Cost
    Accumulated
Depreciation
and
Amortization
    Total
Real  Estate,
Net
 

Village Overlook Buildings

  08/02/2010   Stockbridge     GA      Office   $ 440,000      $ 1,201,537      $ 221,385      $ 1,862,922      $ (185,847   $ 1,677,075   

Academy Point Atrium I (1)

  11/03/2010     Colorado Springs       CO      Office     1,650,000        1,223,273        —          2,873,273        (3,711     2,869,562   
                                                       
          $ 2,090,000      $ 2,424,810      $ 221,385      $ 4,736,195      $ (189,558   $ 4,546,637   
                                                       

 

(1) The Company acquired the Academy Point Atrium I First Mortgage on September 7, 2010 as a non-performing mortgage loan. On November 3, 2010, the Company foreclosed on the property securing the loan, Academy Point Atrium I, and took title to the building.

Operating Leases

The Company’s real estate property is leased to tenants under operating leases for which the terms and expirations vary. As of December 31, 2010, the leases have remaining terms of up to 1.9 years with a weighted-average remaining term of 0.4 years. The leases may have provisions to extend the lease agreements, options for early termination after paying a specified penalty, rights of first refusal to purchase the property at competitive market rates, and other terms and conditions as negotiated. The Company retains substantially all of the risks and benefits of ownership of the real estate assets leased to tenants. Generally, upon the execution of a lease, the Company requires security deposits from tenants in the form of a cash deposit and/or a letter of credit. Amounts required as security deposits vary depending upon the terms of the respective leases and the creditworthiness of the tenant, but generally are not significant amounts. Therefore, exposure to credit risk exists to the extent that a receivable from a tenant exceeds the amount of its security deposit. Security deposits received in cash related to tenant leases are included in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and totaled $32,000 as of December 31, 2010.

 

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KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2010

 

As of December 31, 2010, the future minimum rental income from the Company’s property under non-cancelable operating leases is as follows:

 

2011

   $  113,599   

2012

     27,526   
        
   $ 141,125   
        

As of December 31, 2010, the Company owned two real estate properties. One property was vacant and the other property was 59% leased to six tenants in the medical services industry. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2010, the Company had a concentration of credit risk related to tenants in the medical services industry.

Recent Acquisitions

Village Overlook Buildings

On August 2, 2010, the Company, through an indirect wholly owned subsidiary, acquired one property comprised of two two-story medical office buildings containing 34,830 rentable square feet in Stockbridge, Georgia (the “Village Overlook Buildings”). The Village Overlook Buildings are located on approximately 2.7 acres of land. The purchase price of the Village Overlook Buildings was $1.8 million.

Academy Point Atrium I

On October 6, 2010, the Company was the successful bidder at the foreclosure sale of the property securing the Academy Point Atrium I First Mortgage and on November 3, 2010, the Company formally received title to the property. The property is a two-story office building containing 92,099 rentable square feet in Colorado Springs, Colorado (“Academy Point Atrium I”). Academy Point Atrium I is part of a two building campus located on approximately 7.22 acres of land. The building is currently vacant. The purchase price of the Academy Point Atrium I First Mortgage was $2.8 million.

 

5. FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES

The fair value for certain financial instruments is derived using valuation techniques that involve significant management judgment. The price transparency of financial instruments is a key determinant of the degree of judgment involved in determining the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments. Financial instruments for which actively quoted prices or pricing parameters are available and for which markets contain orderly transactions will generally have a higher degree of price transparency than financial instruments for which markets are inactive or consist of non-orderly trades. The Company evaluates several factors when determining if a market is inactive or when market transactions are not orderly. See Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.” The following is a summary of the methods and assumptions used by management in estimating the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate the fair value:

Cash and cash equivalents, rent and other receivables, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities: These balances approximate their fair values due to the short maturities of these items.

Real estate loans receivable: These instruments are presented in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at their amortized cost and not at fair value. The fair values of real estate loans receivable were estimated using an internal valuation model that considered the expected cash flows for the loans, underlying collateral values (for collateral-dependent loans) and estimated yield requirements of institutional investors for loans with similar characteristics, including remaining loan term, loan-to-value, type of collateral and other credit enhancements.

 

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KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2010

 

The following are the carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of December 31, 2010:

 

     December 31, 2010  
     Face
Value
     Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
 

Financial assets:

        

Real estate loans receivable

   $ 27,483,336       $ 13,226,739       $ 12,950,000   

Disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments is based on pertinent information available to the Company at December 31, 2010 and requires a significant amount of judgment. Despite increased capital market and credit market activity, transaction volume for certain financial instruments remains relatively low. This has made the estimation of fair values difficult and, therefore, both the actual results and the Company’s estimate of value at a future date could be materially different.

During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company measured the following non-financial asset at fair value:

 

            Fair Value Measurements Using  
     Total      Quoted Prices in
Active  Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant Other
Observable  Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 

Nonrecurring Basis:

           

Investments in real estate (1)

   $ 1,800,000       $ —         $ —         $ 1,800,000   

Foreclosed real estate (1)

     2,775,000         —           —           2,775,000   
                                   

Total Assets

   $ 4,575,000       $ —         $ —         $ 4,575,000   
                                   

 

(1) Amount reflects acquisition date fair value of real estate acquired.

 

6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company has entered into an Advisory Agreement with the Advisor and a Dealer Manager Agreement with the Dealer Manager. These agreements entitle the Advisor and the Dealer Manager to specified fees upon the provision of certain services with regard to the Offering, the investment of funds in real estate and real estate-related investments, and the disposition of real estate and real estate-related investments (including the discounted payoff of non-performing loans) among other services, as well as reimbursement of organization and offering costs incurred by the Advisor and the Dealer Manager on behalf of the Company (as discussed in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”) and certain costs incurred by the Advisor in providing services to the Company. The Advisor and Dealer Manager also serve as the advisor and dealer manager, respectively, for KBS Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc., KBS Real Estate Investment II, Inc., KBS Real Estate Investment Trust III, Inc. and KBS Legacy Partners Apartment REIT, Inc. During the year ended December 31, 2010, no transactions occurred between the Company and these entities.

 

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KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2010

 

Pursuant to the terms of these agreements, summarized below are the related-party costs incurred by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, and any related amounts payable as of December 31, 2010 and 2009:

 

     Incurred in the Year Ended      Payable as of  
     December 31, 2010      December 31, 2009      December 31, 2010      December 31, 2009  

Expensed

           

Asset management fees (1)

   $ 30,089       $ —         $ —         $ —     

Reimbursable operating expenses (2)

     461,847         346,254         312,259         —     

Acquisition fees on real properties

     46,373         —           —           —     

Additional Paid-in Capital

           

Selling commissions

     2,618,103         —           —           —     

Dealer manager fees

     1,498,209         —           —           —     

Reimbursable other offering costs

     3,437,433         —           66,025         —     

Capitalized

           

Acquisition and origination fees on real estate loans receivable

     130,490         —           —           —     
                                   
   $ 8,222,544       $ 346,254       $ 378,284       $ —     
                                   

 

(1) See Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Related Party Transactions – Asset Management Fee.”

(2) In addition, the Advisor may seek reimbursement for employee costs under the Advisory Agreement. Beginning July 1, 2010, the Company has reimbursed the Advisor for the Company’s allocable portion of the salaries, benefits and overhead of internal audit department personnel providing services to the Company. These were the only employee costs reimbursable under the Advisory Agreement as of December 31, 2010. The Company will not reimburse for employee costs in connection with services for which KBS Capital Advisors earns acquisition, origination or disposition fees (other than reimbursement of travel and communication expenses) or for the salaries or benefits the Advisor or its affiliates may pay to the Company’s executive officers.

As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Advisor had incurred organization and offering costs on behalf of the Company of approximately $3.4 million and $1.9 million, respectively, which amounts represent the Company’s maximum liability for organization and offering costs as of December 31, 2010 and 2009. The Company will be liable for such costs up to an amount that, when combined with selling commissions and dealer manager fees, do not exceed 15% of the gross proceeds of the Offering. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had recorded organization and offering costs (other than selling commissions and dealer manager fees) of $3.4 million, of which $3.3 million has been reimbursed to the Advisor during the year ended December 31, 2010; no organization and offering costs were recognized as of December 31, 2009 as the Minimum Number of Shares of the Company’s common stock had not been issued.

 

7. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company presently operates in two business segments based on its investment types: real estate-related and real estate. Under the real estate-related segment, the Company has invested in non-performing first mortgage loans. Under the real estate segment, the Company has invested in office properties. All revenues earned from the Company’s two operating segments were from external customers and there were no intersegment sales or transfers. The Company does not allocate corporate-level accounts to its operating segments. Corporate-level accounts include corporate general and administrative expenses, non-operating interest income, non-operating interest expense and other corporate-level expenses. The accounting policies of the segments are consistent with those described in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”

 

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KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2010

 

The Company evaluates the performance of its segments based upon net operating income (“NOI”), which is a non-GAAP supplemental financial measure. The Company defines NOI for its real estate-related segment as interest income less loan servicing costs and asset management fees. The Company defines NOI for its real estate segment as operating revenues (rental income, tenant reimbursements and other operating income) less property and related expenses (property operating expenses, real estate taxes, insurance, asset management fees and provision for bad debt) less interest expense, if any. NOI excludes certain items that are not considered to be controllable in connection with the management of an asset such as non-property income and expenses, depreciation and amortization, and corporate general and administrative expenses. The Company uses NOI to evaluate the operating performance of the Company’s real estate-related and real estate investments and to make decisions about resource allocations. The Company believes that net income is the GAAP measure that is most directly comparable to NOI; however, NOI should not be considered as an alternative to net income as the primary indicator of operating performance as it excludes the items described above. Additionally, NOI as defined above may not be comparable to other REITs or companies as their definitions of NOI may differ from the Company’s definition.

The following tables summarize total revenues and NOI for each reportable segment for the year ended December 31, 2010 and total assets and total liabilities for each reportable segment as of December 31, 2010:

 

     For the Year  Ended
December 31, 2010
 

Revenues:

  

Real estate-related segment

   $ 130,945   

Real estate segment

     177,150   
        

Total segment revenues

   $ 308,095   
        

NOI:

  

Real estate-related segment

   $ 110,207   

Real estate segment

     (95,206
        

Total NOI

   $ 15,001   
        
     As of
December 31, 2010
 

Assets:

  

Real estate-related segment

   $ 13,832,097   

Real estate segment

     4,637,422   
        

Total segment assets

     18,469,519   

Corporate-level (1)

     23,934,641   
        

Total assets

   $ 42,404,160   
        

Liabilities:

  

Real estate-related segment

   $ 563,377   

Real estate segment

     295,428   
        

Total segment liabilities

     858,805   

Corporate-level (2)

     487,340   
        

Total liabilities

   $ 1,346,145   
        

 

(1) Corporate-level assets consisted primarily of net proceeds from the Offering being held in the form of cash and cash equivalents of approximately $23.5 million as of December 31, 2010.

(2) As of December 31, 2010, corporate-level liabilities primarily consisted of transfer agent costs, professional fees and independent director fees payable.

 

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KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2010

 

The following table reconciles the Company’s net loss to its NOI for the year ended December 31, 2010:

 

Net loss

   $ (1,974,928

Other interest income

     (17,841

Real estate acquisition fees and expenses

     114,275   

Real estate acquisition fees and expenses to affiliate

     46,373   

General and administrative expenses

     1,635,437   

Depreciation and amortization

     211,685   
        

NOI

   $ 15,001   
        

 

8. SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

Presented below is a summary of the unaudited quarterly financial information for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009:

 

     2010  
     First Quarter     Second Quarter     Third Quarter     Fourth Quarter  

Revenues

   $ —        $ —        $ 74,682      $ 233,413   

Net loss

   $ (2,646   $ (603,552   $ (459,785   $ (908,945

Net loss per common share, basic and diluted

   $ (0.13   $ (0.74   $ (0.23   $ (0.24

Distributions declared per common share

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —     
     2009  
     First Quarter     Second Quarter     Third Quarter     Fourth Quarter  

Revenues

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —     

Net loss

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ (7,344

Net loss per common share, basic and diluted

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ (0.37

Distributions declared per common share(2)

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —     

 

9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Economic Dependency

The Company is dependent on the Advisor and the Dealer Manager for certain services that are essential to the Company, including the sale of the Company’s shares of common and preferred stock available for issue; the identification, evaluation, negotiation, origination, acquisition and disposition of investments; management of the daily operations of the Company’s investment portfolio; and other general and administrative responsibilities. In the event that these companies are unable to provide the respective services, the Company will be required to obtain such services from other sources.

Environmental

As an owner of real estate, the Company is subject to various environmental laws of federal, state and local governments. Although there can be no assurance, the Company is not aware of any environmental liability that could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations. However, changes in applicable environmental laws and regulations, the uses and conditions of properties in the vicinity of the Company’s property, the activities of its tenants and other environmental conditions of which the Company is unaware with respect to the property could result in future environmental liabilities.

 

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KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2010

 

Legal Matters

From time to time, the Company may become party to legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of its business. Management is not aware of any legal proceedings of which the outcome is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition.

 

10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company evaluates subsequent events up until the date the consolidated financial statements are issued.

Status of the Offering

The Company commenced its Offering on November 20, 2009. As of March 9, 2011, the Company had sold 6,401,485 shares of common stock in the Offering for gross offering proceeds of $63.2 million, all of which were sold in the primary offering.

 

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KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

SCHEDULE III

REAL ESTATE ASSETS AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION

December 31, 2010

 

                    Initial Cost to Company           Gross Amount at which Carried
at Close of Period
               

Description

 

Location

  Ownership
Percent
    Encumbrances     Land     Building and
Improvements (1)
    Total     Cost
Capitalized
Subsequent to
Acquisition
    Land     Building and
Improvements (1)
    Total (2)     Accumulated
Depreciation
and
Amortization
   

Original
Date of
Construction

 

Date
Acquired

Village Overlook Buildings

 

Stockbridge,

GA

    100%      $ —        $ 440,000      $ 1,332,235      $ 1,772,235      $ 112,748      $ 440,000      $ 1,422,922      $ 1,862,922      $ (185,847   1993   08/02/2010

Academy Point Atrium I (3)

  Colorado Springs, CO     100%        —          1,650,000        1,223,273        2,873,273        —          1,650,000        1,223,273        2,873,273        (3,711   1981   11/03/2010
                                                                               
      TOTAL      $ —        $ 2,090,000      $ 2,555,508      $ 4,645,508      $ 112,748      $ 2,090,000      $ 2,646,195      $ 4,736,195      $ (189,558    
                                                                               

 

(1) Building and improvements include tenant origination and absorption costs.

(2) The aggregate cost of real estate for federal income tax purposes was $4.9 million as of December 31, 2010.

(3) The Company acquired the Academy Point Atrium I First Mortgage on September 7, 2010 as a non-performing mortgage loan. On November 3, 2010, the Company foreclosed on the property securing the loan, Academy Point Atrium I, and took title to the building.

 

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Table of Contents

KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.

SCHEDULE III

REAL ESTATE ASSETS AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION (CONTINUED)

December 31, 2010

 

 

 

Real estate:

  

Balance at December 31, 2009

   $ —     

Acquisitions (1)

     4,645,508   

Improvements

     112,748   

Write-off of fully depreciated and fully amortized assets

     (22,061
        

Balance at December 31, 2010

   $ 4,736,195   
        

Accumulated depreciation:

  

Balance at December 31, 2009

   $ —     

Depreciation expense

     211,619   

Write-off of fully depreciated and fully amortized assets

     (22,061
        

Balance at December 31, 2010

   $ 189,558   
        

 

(1) Acquisitions include Academy Point Atrium I, which the Company acquired through foreclosure of the Academy Point Atrium I First Mortgage.

 

F-27


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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, in the City of Newport Beach, State of California, on March 11, 2011.

 

KBS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY REIT, INC.
By:   /S/    KEITH D. HALL        
  Keith D. Hall
  Chief Executive Officer and Director

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 

Name

  

Title

 

Date

/S/    KEITH D. HALL        

Keith D. Hall

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director

  March 11, 2011

/S/    PETER MCMILLAN III        

Peter McMillan III

  

Chairman of the Board, President and Director

  March 11, 2011

/S/    DAVID E. SNYDER        

David E. Snyder

  

Chief Financial Officer

  March 11, 2011

/S/    STACIE K. YAMANE        

Stacie K. Yamane

  

Chief Accounting Officer

  March 11, 2011

/S/    MICHAEL L. MEYER        

Michael L. Meyer

  

Director

  March 11, 2011

/S/    WILLIAM M. PETAK        

William M. Petak

  

Director

  March 11, 2011

/S/    ERIC J. SMITH        

Eric J. Smith

  

Director

  March 11, 2011