All figures in $USD unless otherwise noted.

TORONTO, May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Firm Capital Apartment Real Estate Investment Trust (“the “Trust”), (TSXV: FCA.U), (TSXV: FCA.UN) is pleased to report the following:

$30.5 MILLION DISPOSITION OF FLORIDA PROPERTY

The Trust has completed the sale of one of its wholly-owned multi-family assets located in Florida (the “Florida Property”) for $30.5 million. The Florida Property had a sales price in line with its IFRS value.

Net of associated mortgage debt and closing costs, the net sale proceeds were approximately $12.0 million. As part of the transaction, the Trust has agreed to provide seller financing for $4 million due in 12 months (with a possible further one time six month extension) that will provide the Trust a possible escalating return on its investment as follows: (i) for the first six months, the interest rate is 9%, (ii) 11% from months 6 -12 and (iii) 15% from months 12 – 18.

On closing, the Trust received net sale proceeds of approximately $8.0 million which are being used for working capital purposes and debt reduction, which includes the Convertible Debenture (see below).

EARLY REDEMPTION OF $14.0 MILLION FCA.DB CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE

The Trust is pleased to announce that it intends to redeem early all of its outstanding $13.8 million (CAD$18.8 million) aggregate principal amount of 6.25% convertible unsecured subordinated debentures due June 30, 2026 (the “Convertible Debentures”) on or about July 2, 2024 (the “Redemption Date”). The Convertible Debentures, which have a maturity date of June 30, 2026, will be redeemed by the Trust early in accordance with the terms of the trust indenture. The Convertible Debentures, which are listed and posted for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol FCA.DB, will cease trading on the Redemption Date.

On the Redemption Date, the Trust will pay holders of Convertible Debentures a redemption price equal to $1,000 for each $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Debentures and all accrued and unpaid interest up to but excluding the Redemption Date. The Trust intends to use cash on hand to pay the redemption price of the redeemed Convertible Debentures.

Formal notice of redemption is being delivered to the Convertible Debenture holders through the Debenture Trustee, TSX Trust Company, in accordance with the trust indenture. Beneficial holders of the Convertible Debentures are encouraged to contact their investment dealer to coordinate the surrender of their Convertible Debentures or if they have any questions about the redemption. No action is required to be taken by holders of the Convertible Debentures in connection with the redemption.

STRATEGIC REVIEW UPDATE

As a result of the Florida Property sale, the Trust has the following remaining Real Estate Investments:

• Wholly Owned: Two actively-managed properties located in Houston, Texas comprised of 485 multi-family units;
• Joint Ventures: Four joint venture investment properties managed by our partners located in Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland and New York comprised of 614 multi-family units; and
• Preferred Capital: Three preferred capital investments located in South Dakota, Texas and Florida.

Currently, the remaining Wholly Owned properties are listed for sale, while the Trust is working with the various Joint Venture sponsors in either various sale processes or to hold for longer periods of time until unitholder value is realized. In the interim, the Trust has ample liquidity in dealing with the Convertible Debenture two years prior to maturity and has made the decision to repay early given its current cash position. Post repayment of the Convertible Debenture, the Trust will only have conventional, non-recourse mortgages secured against its various Wholly Owned and Joint Venture Real Estate Investments.

The Board will continue to assess matters on a quarterly basis and determine if the Trust should: (i) distribute excess income; (ii) distribute net proceeds from asset sales, after debt repayment; (iii) reinvest net proceeds into other investments; (iv) distribute proceeds as a return of capital or special distribution; and/or (v) use excess proceeds to repurchase Trust units in the marketplace. It is the Trust’s current intention not to disclose developments with respect to the Strategic Review unless and until it is determined that disclosure is necessary or appropriate, or as required under applicable securities laws.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable securities law. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “may”, “should”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “intend” and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with general economic conditions; adverse factors affecting the U.S. real estate market generally or those specific markets in which the Trust holds properties; volatility of real estate prices; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, the completion of the Strategic Review; and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; industry and government regulation; changes in legislation, income tax and regulatory matters; the ability of the Trust to implement its business strategies; competition; currency and interest rate fluctuations and other risks. Additional risk factors that may impact the Trust or cause actual results and performance to differ from the forward looking statements contained herein are set forth in the Trust’s Annual Information form under the heading Risk Factors (a copy of which can be obtained under the Trust’s profile on www.sedar.com).

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Except as required by applicable law, the Trust undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise

Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Bay Street News