Seven Hills Realty Trust (SEVN) 10-Q2024 Q2 Quarterly report

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited. Certain information and disclosures required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, for complete financial statements have been condensed or omitted. We believe the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. However, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, or our 2023 Annual Report. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair statement of results for the interim periods have been included. All intercompany transactions and balances with or among our consolidated subsidiaries have been eliminated. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the allowance for credit losses, the valuation of real estate owned and the fair value of financial instruments.

We originate first mortgage loans secured by middle market and transitional commercial real estate, or CRE, which are generally to be held as long term investments. We fund our loan portfolio using cash on hand and advancements under our Secured Financing Facilities, as defined in Note 5. See Note 5 for further information regarding our secured financing agreements.

The table below provides overall statistics for our loan portfolio as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

The tables below represent our loan activities during the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

The tables below represent our loan activities during the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

We evaluate the credit quality of each of our loans at least quarterly by assessing a variety of risk factors in relation to each loan and assigning a risk rating to each loan based on those factors. The higher the number, the greater the risk level. See our 2023 Annual Report for more information regarding our loan risk ratings.

As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the amortized cost of our loan portfolio within each internal risk rating by year of origination was as follows:

We measure our allowance for credit losses using the current expected credit loss, or CECL, model, which is based upon historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts incorporating forward-looking information that affect the collectability of the reported amount.

The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the related loans’ amortized cost basis in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Our loans typically include commitments to fund incremental proceeds to borrowers over the life of the loan; these future funding commitments are also subject to the CECL model. The allowance for credit losses related to unfunded loan commitments is included in accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Given the lack of historical loss data related to our loan portfolio, we estimate our expected losses using an analytical model that considers the likelihood of default and loss given default for each individual loan. This analytical model incorporates data from a third party database with historical loan loss information for commercial mortgage-backed securities, or CMBS, and CRE loans since 1998. Significant inputs to the model include certain loan specific data, such as loan to value, or LTV, property type, geographic location, occupancy, vintage year, remaining loan term, net operating income, expected timing and amounts of future loan fundings, and macroeconomic forecast assumptions, including the performance of CRE assets, unemployment rates, interest rates and other factors. We utilize the model to estimate credit losses over a reasonable and supportable economic forecast period of 12 months, followed by a straight-line reversion period of six months to average historical losses. Average historical losses are established using a population of third party historical loss data that approximates our portfolio as of the measurement date. We evaluate the estimated allowance for each of our loans individually and we consider our internal loan risk rating as the primary credit quality indicator underlying our assessment.

If a loan is determined to be collateral dependent (because the repayment of the loan is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the underlying collateral property) and the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, but foreclosure is not probable, we may elect to apply a practical expedient to determine the loan's allowance for credit losses by comparing the collateral's fair value, less costs to sell, if applicable, to the amortized cost basis of the loan. For collateral-dependent loans for which foreclosure is probable, the related allowance for credit losses is determined using the fair value, less costs to sell, if applicable, of the collateral compared to the loan's amortized cost.

See Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part IV, Item 15 of our 2023 Annual Report for further information regarding our measurement of our allowance for credit losses.

The tables below represent the changes to the allowance for credit losses during the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.

The tables below represent the changes to the allowance for credit losses during the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

In June 2023, we assumed legal title to an office property located in Yardley, PA through a deed in lieu of foreclosure. The table below presents the assets and liabilities of real estate owned in our condensed consolidated balance sheets:

Revenue from real estate owned represents rental income from operating leases with tenants and is recognized on a straight line basis over the lease term. We increased revenue from real estate owned to record revenue on a straight line basis by $107 and $385 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024. Expenses from real estate owned represents costs related to the acquisition of the property, costs to operate the property and depreciation and amortization expense.

We regularly evaluate real estate owned for indicators of impairment. Impairment indicators may include declining tenant occupancy, lack of progress leasing vacant space, tenant bankruptcies, low long term prospects for improvement in property performance, weak or declining tenant profitability, cash flow or liquidity, our decision to dispose of an asset before the end of its estimated useful life and legislative, market or industry changes that could permanently reduce the value of a property. If there is an indication that the carrying value of an asset is not recoverable, we estimate the projected undiscounted cash flows to determine if an impairment loss should be recognized. The future net undiscounted cash flows are subjective and are based in part on assumptions regarding hold periods, market rents and terminal capitalization rates. We determine the amount of any impairment loss by comparing the carrying value to estimated fair value. We estimate fair value through an evaluation of recent financial performance and projected discounted cash flows using standard industry valuation methods.

Our secured financing agreements at June 30, 2024 consisted of agreements that govern: our master repurchase facility with Wells Fargo, National Association, or Wells Fargo, or the Wells Fargo Master Repurchase Facility; our master repurchase facility with Citibank, N.A., or Citibank, or the Citibank Master Repurchase Facility; our master repurchase facility with UBS AG, or UBS, or the UBS Master Repurchase Facility, and our facility loan program with BMO Harris Bank N.A., or BMO, or the BMO Facility. We refer to the Wells Fargo Master Repurchase Facility, Citibank Master Repurchase Facility and UBS Master Repurchase Facility, collectively, as our Master Repurchase Facilities. We refer to the Master Repurchase Facilities and the BMO Facility, collectively, as our Secured Financing Facilities. See our 2023 Annual Report for more information regarding our Secured Financing Facilities.

The table below summarizes our Secured Financing Facilities as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

As of June 30, 2024, we were in compliance with the covenants and other terms of the agreements that govern our Secured Financing Facilities.

As of June 30, 2024, our outstanding borrowings under our Secured Financing Facilities had the following remaining maturities:

Based upon the performance and payment history of our commercial mortgage loans, along with our ability to obtain financing under repurchase agreements and success in extending certain of our existing Master Repurchase Agreements, we believe it is probable that we will extend our Master Repurchase Facilities prior to their maturities.

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents and accounts payable approximate their fair values due to the short term nature of these financial instruments.

We estimate the fair values of our loans held for investment and outstanding principal balances under our Secured Financing Facilities by using Level III inputs, including discounted cash flow analyses and currently prevailing market terms as of the measurement date. See our 2023 Annual Report for further information regarding the fair value of financial instruments.

The table below provides information regarding financial assets and liabilities not carried at fair value in our condensed consolidated balance sheets:

There were no transfers of financial assets or liabilities within the fair value hierarchy during the six months ended June 30, 2024.

On May 30, 2024, in accordance with our Trustee compensation arrangements, we awarded to each of our six Trustees 4,735 of our common shares, valued at the closing price of our common shares on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, or Nasdaq on that day. The aggregate value of common shares awarded was $360.

During the six months ended June 30, 2024, we purchased 6,838 of our common shares from certain current and former officers of The RMR Group LLC, or RMR in satisfaction of tax withholding and payment obligations in connection with the vesting of awards of our common shares, valued at the closing price of our common shares on Nasdaq on the applicable purchase date. The aggregate value of common shares purchased was $88.

We have no employees. The personnel and various services we require to operate our business are provided to us, pursuant to a management agreement with Tremont Realty Capital LLC, or Tremont, which provides for the day to day management of our operations by Tremont, subject to the oversight and direction of our Board of Trustees.

We pay Tremont an annual base management fee payable quarterly (0.375% per quarter) in arrears equal to 1.5% of our “Equity,” as defined under our management agreement. We include these amounts in base management fees in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Pursuant to the terms of our management agreement, we also pay Tremont management incentive fees, subject to Tremont earning those fees in accordance with the management agreement. We include these amounts in incentive fees in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Tremont, and not us, is responsible for the costs of its employees who provide services to us, unless any such payment or reimbursement is specifically approved by a majority of our Independent Trustees, is a shared services cost or relates to awards made under any equity compensation plan adopted by us. We are required to pay or to reimburse Tremont and its affiliates for all other costs and expenses of our operations. Some of these overhead, professional and other services are provided by RMR, pursuant to a shared services agreement between Tremont and RMR. These reimbursements include an allocation of the cost of personnel employed by RMR. These shared services costs are subject to approval by a majority of our Independent Trustees at least annually. We include these amounts in reimbursement of shared services expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. See our 2023 Annual Report for further information regarding our management agreement with Tremont.

We have relationships and historical and continuing transactions with Tremont, RMR, The RMR Group Inc., or RMR Inc., and others related to them, including other companies to which RMR or its subsidiaries provide management services and some of which have trustees or officers who are also our Trustees or officers. Tremont is a subsidiary of RMR, which is a majority owned subsidiary of RMR Inc., and RMR Inc. is the managing member of RMR. RMR provides certain shared services to Tremont that are applicable to us, and we reimburse Tremont or pay RMR for the amounts Tremont or RMR pays for those services. One of our Managing Trustees and Chair of our Board of Trustees, Adam D. Portnoy, is the sole trustee, an officer and the controlling shareholder of ABP Trust, which is the controlling shareholder of RMR Inc., and he is also a director of Tremont, the chair of the board of directors, a managing director and the president and chief executive officer of RMR Inc., and an officer and employee of RMR. Matthew P. Jordan, our other Managing Trustee, is a director and the president and chief executive officer of Tremont. Mr. Jordan is also an officer of RMR Inc. and an officer and employee of RMR, and our other officers are officers and employees of Tremont and/or RMR.

Our Independent Trustees also serve as independent trustees of other public companies to which RMR or its subsidiaries provide management services. Adam D. Portnoy serves as the chair of the board and as a managing trustee of those companies and other officers of RMR, including Mr. Jordan and certain of our other officers and officers of Tremont serve as managing trustees or officers of certain of these companies.

For further information about these and other such relationships and certain other related person transactions, refer to our 2023 Annual Report.

We have elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the IRC. Accordingly, we generally are not, and will not be, subject to U.S. federal income tax, provided that we meet certain distribution and other requirements. We are subject to certain state and local taxes, certain of which amounts are or will be reported as income taxes in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

We calculate net income per common share - basic using the two class method. We calculate net income per common share - diluted using the more dilutive of the two class or treasury stock method. Unvested share awards are considered participating securities and the related impact on earnings are considered when calculating net income per common share - basic and net income per common share - diluted.

The calculation of net income per common share - basic and diluted is as follows (amounts in thousands, except per share data):

As of June 30, 2024, we had unfunded loan commitments of $41,988 related to our loans held for investment that are not reflected in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. These unfunded loan commitments had a weighted average initial maturity of 0.9 years as of June 30, 2024. See Note 3 for further information related to our loans held for investment.

We are a Maryland REIT. Our business strategy is focused on originating and investing in floating rate first mortgage loans in the $15,000 to $75,000 range, secured by middle market and transitional CRE properties that have values up to $100,000. We define transitional CRE as commercial properties subject to redevelopment or repositioning activities that are expected to increase the value of the properties. Our mortgage loans are classified as loans held for investment in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Tremont is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. We believe that Tremont provides us with significant experience and expertise in investing in middle market and transitional CRE.

We operate our business in a manner that is consistent with our qualification for taxation as a REIT under the IRC. As such, we generally are not subject to U.S. federal income tax, provided that we meet certain distribution and other requirements. We also operate our business in a manner that permits us to maintain our exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the 1940 Act.

Our results of operations are impacted by a number of factors and primarily depend on the interest income from our investments and the financing and other costs associated with our business. Our operating results are also impacted by general CRE market conditions and unanticipated defaults by our borrowers. For further information regarding the risks associated with our loan portfolio, see Note 3 to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 and elsewhere in this Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of our 2023 Annual Report.

However, despite recent economic data indicating slowing U.S. economic growth, including lower retail sales, consumer spending and a slight increase in the unemployment rate, the FOMC has made it clear that inflation remains elevated and that it intends to keep the federal funds rate steady at 5.25% to 5.50% until it is confident that inflation is on pace to reach its longer-term objective of 2%. With no clear sight on the timing or magnitude of a future interest rate cut, CRE investors continue to adjust to a “higher for longer” interest rate environment. CRE owners that were counting on interest rate reductions but are not well capitalized to invest additional capital to deleverage and qualify for a refinance, are more likely to be forced to sell properties to repay debt, likely at distressed prices. Recent increases in CMBS and CRE collateralized loan obligation delinquency rates signal that the prolonged period of elevated interest rates is starting to impact these borrowers and their ability to refinance lower cost debt at current interest rates. For borrowers capable of investing additional equity into their properties, or for borrowers with well performing, cash flowing assets, there appear to be numerous financing options at their disposal.

CMBS activity increased through the first half of 2024. Strong demand from bond buyers has allowed borrowers to take advantage of tightening credit spreads for 10-year and 5-year loans, the latter of which has become more popular for both bond investors and borrowers. Life insurance companies continue to expand their product offerings to borrowers, offering both low leverage, fixed rate term debt as well as floating rate transitional loans, which were once reserved for banks and alternative lenders, like us. The banking sector continues to be impacted by legacy CRE exposure and increased capital charges imposed by regulators but have become more active by evaluating new loans for strategic, long-term clients. Agency lenders Fannie-Mae and Freddie-Mac are active but are also facing increased competition from CMBS/conduit providers, life-insurance companies and alternative lenders, like us. Oversupply issues in certain multifamily markets have put downward pressure on rents, making it more difficult to qualify for agency financing. Given that multifamily properties are generally coveted by most lenders, competition amongst lenders to provide financing on this sector has continued to increase.

Certain segments of the CRE industry are beginning to experience a deterioration in operating fundamentals. The U.S. office market continues to suffer from the post pandemic shift in work habits and weak demand for office space. Retail assets, particularly needs based and grocery anchored retail, have benefited from a strong consumer and employment market, but recent reports of declining retail sales and weakening consumer demand may eventually have an impact on performance. The industrial sector remains a preferred asset class among lenders and investors, however oversupply in certain markets and more measured corporate demand have impacted the pace of rent growth. The lack of affordable housing in the United States and the rent versus own dynamic continue to favor the apartment sector. Oversupply in certain markets however, has caused a slowdown, and in some markets, a decline in rent growth. For most markets, it is expected that the imbalance between supply and demand will be short lived and once these markets reach equilibrium, rents will increase again.

Despite the current market conditions and headwinds facing the CRE industry, we believe the CRE lending market remains well positioned to handle these challenges given that there is ample liquidity available to borrowers with well performing properties.

We present Distributable Earnings, Distributable Earnings per common share and Adjusted Book Value per common share, which are considered “non-GAAP financial measures” within the meaning of the applicable SEC rules. These non-GAAP financial measures do not represent net income, net income per common share or cash generated from operating activities and should not be considered as alternatives to net income or net income per common share determined in accordance with GAAP or as an indication of our cash flows from operations determined in accordance with GAAP, a measure of our liquidity or operating performance or an indication of funds available for our cash needs. In addition, our methodologies for calculating these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from the methodologies employed by other companies to calculate the same or similar supplemental performance measures; therefore, our reported Distributable Earnings and Distributable Earnings per common share may not be comparable to distributable earnings and distributable earnings per common share as reported by other companies.

We believe that Adjusted Book Value per common share is a meaningful measure of our capital adequacy because it excludes the impact of certain non-cash estimates or adjustments, including the unaccreted purchase discount resulting from the excess of the fair value of the loans Tremont Mortgage Trust, or TRMT, then held for investment and that we acquired as a result of our merger with TRMT on September 30, 2021, or the Merger, over the consideration we paid in the Merger and our allowance for credit losses for our loan portfolio and unfunded loan commitments. Adjusted Book Value per common share does not represent book value per common share or alternative measures determined in accordance with GAAP. Our methodology for calculating Adjusted Book Value per common share may differ from the methodologies employed by other companies to calculate the same or similar supplemental capital adequacy measures; therefore, our Adjusted Book Value per common share may not be comparable to the adjusted book value per common share reported by other companies.

In order to maintain our qualification for taxation as a REIT, we are generally required to distribute substantially all of our taxable income, subject to certain adjustments, to our shareholders. We believe that one of the factors that investors consider important in deciding whether to buy or sell securities of a REIT is its distribution rate. Over time, Distributable Earnings and Distributable Earnings per common share may be useful indicators of distributions to our shareholders and are measures that are considered by our Board of Trustees when determining the amount of distributions. We believe that Distributable Earnings and Distributable Earnings per common share provide meaningful information to consider in addition to net income, net income per common share and cash flows from operating activities determined in accordance with GAAP. These measures help us to evaluate our performance excluding the effects of certain transactions and GAAP adjustments that we believe are not necessarily indicative of our current loan portfolio and operations. In addition, Distributable Earnings, excluding incentive fees, is used in determining the amount of base management and management incentive fees payable by us to Tremont under our management agreement.

We calculate Distributable Earnings and Distributable Earnings per common share as net income and net income per common share, respectively, computed in accordance with GAAP, including realized losses not otherwise included in net income determined in accordance with GAAP, and excluding: (a) depreciation and amortization of real estate owned and related intangible assets, if any; (b) non-cash equity compensation expense; (c) unrealized gains, losses and other similar non-cash items that are included in net income for the period of the calculation (regardless of whether such items are included in or deducted from net income or in other comprehensive income under GAAP), if any; and (d) one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP and certain non-cash items, if any. Distributable Earnings are reduced for realized losses on loan investments when amounts are deemed uncollectable. This is generally at the time a loan is repaid, or in the case of foreclosure, when the underlying asset is sold, but may also be when, in our determination, it is nearly certain that all amounts due will not be collected. The realized loss amount reflected in Distributable Earnings will equal the difference between the cash received or expected to be received and the carrying value of the asset.

The table below details our loan portfolio as of June 30, 2024: