UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 13, 2019

 

Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Maryland   001-36369   26-3136483
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation
or organization)
 

(Commission File Number)

 

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

1345 Avenue of the Americas, 32nd Floor

New York, NY 10105

(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(212) 843-1601
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
None.
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

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

 

Title of each class Trading Symbol Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share BRG NYSE American
8.250% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share BRG-PrA NYSE American
7.625% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share BRG-PrC NYSE American
7.125% Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share BRG-PrD NYSE American

 

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

 

Title of each class
Series B Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share
Warrants to Purchase Shares of Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K/A filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company ¨

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1.01 ENTRY INTO A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT

 

Dealer Manager Agreement

 

On November 13, 2019, Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”) and its operating partnership, Bluerock Residential Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Operating Partnership”), entered into a Dealer Manager Agreement (the “Dealer Manager Agreement”) with Bluerock Capital Markets, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, an affiliate of the Company (the “Dealer Manager”), whereby the Dealer Manager will serve as the Company’s exclusive dealer manager in connection with the Company’s primary offering (the “Offering”) of up to 20,000,000 shares of Series T redeemable preferred stock of the Company (the “Series T Preferred Stock”) on a “reasonable best efforts” basis. The Series T Preferred Stock is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-224990), as the same may be amended and/or supplemented (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), and will be offered and sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement dated November 13, 2019, and a base prospectus dated May 23, 2018 relating to the Registration Statement. In addition to the primary Offering, the Company is also offering up to 12,000,000 shares of Series T Preferred Stock pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan (the “Series T DRIP”) at $25.00 per share, and reserves the right to reallocate the shares of Series T Preferred Stock being offered between the Offering and the Series T DRIP.

 

Under the Dealer Manager Agreement, the Dealer Manager will provide certain sales, promotional and marketing services to the Company in connection with the Offering, and the Company will pay the Dealer Manager (i) selling commissions of 7.0% of the gross proceeds from sales of Series T Preferred Stock in the Offering (“Selling Commissions”), provided, that if the Dealer Manager enters into an agreement with a participating broker-dealer providing for a maximum selling commission of less than 7.0%, then the offering price per share of Series T Preferred Stock sold through such participating broker-dealer shall be reduced by an amount equal to the reduction in selling commission paid to such participating broker-dealer, and (ii) a dealer manager fee of 3.0% of the gross proceeds from sales of Series T Preferred Stock in the Offering (the “Dealer Manager Fee”). It is anticipated that substantially all of the Selling Commissions and the Dealer Manager Fee will be reallowed by the Dealer Manager to participating broker-dealers and/or applied by the Dealer Manager in support of the Offering.

 

The terms of the Dealer Manager Agreement were approved by the Company’s board of directors, including all of its independent directors.

 

Pursuant to the Dealer Manager Agreement, the Company has agreed to indemnify the Dealer Manager and participating broker-dealers, and the Dealer Manager has agreed to indemnify the Company, against certain losses, claims, damages and liabilities, including but not limited to those arising out of (i) untrue statements of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, prospectus or any supplement thereto, or blue sky applications relating to the Offering, or (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated in the Registration Statement, prospectus or any supplement thereto, or blue sky applications relating to the Offering.

 

The foregoing description of the Dealer Manager Agreement is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the terms of Dealer Manager Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit No. 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01. A copy of the opinion of Venable LLP relating to the legality of the issuance and sale of the Series T Preferred Stock is attached as Exhibit 5.1 hereto, and a copy of the opinion of Vinson & Elkins LLP with respect to tax matters concerning the Series T Preferred Stock is attached as Exhibit 8.1 hereto.

 

Twelfth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership

 

On November 19, 2019, in connection with the Offering, the Company entered into a Twelfth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership (the “Twelfth Amendment) of its Operating Partnership. The Twelfth Amendment provides, among other things, for the designation of 32,000,000 new Series T Redeemable Preferred Units of the Operating Partnership (the “Series T Preferred Units”), and the issuance of the Series T Preferred Units to the Company in exchange for the contribution by the Company of the net proceeds of the Offering of the Series T Preferred Stock. The Series T Preferred Units will have substantially similar rights and preferences as the Series T Preferred Stock, as described below in Item 3.03.

 

The foregoing description of the Twelfth Amendment is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the Twelfth Amendment, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit No. 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.

 

 

 

 

ITEM 3.03. MATERIAL MODIFICATION TO RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

On November 13, 2019, the Company filed Articles Supplementary (the “Articles Supplementary”) with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation to designate 32,000,000 shares of the Company’s authorized but unissued preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, as shares of Series T Preferred Stock, with the powers, designations, preferences and other rights as set forth therein. The Articles Supplementary became effective upon filing on November 13, 2019.

 

Ranking. The Series T Preferred Stock will rank (i) senior to the Company’s Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share the “Class A Common Stock”), and (ii) on parity with (a) the Company’s 8.250% Series A cumulative redeemable preferred stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), (b) the Company’s Series B redeemable preferred stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”), (c) the Company’s 7.625% Series C cumulative redeemable preferred stock (the “Series C Preferred Stock”), and (d) the Company’s 7.125% Series D cumulative preferred stock (the “Series D Preferred Stock”), in each case with respect to priority of dividend payments and rights upon the Company’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

 

Dividends. The Articles Supplementary provide that, commencing on the date of original issuance, the Company will pay the following dividends on the Series T Preferred Stock:

 

1. Series T Cash Dividends. Cumulative cash dividends on each share of Series T Preferred Stock at an annual rate of 6.15% of the Stated Value (each, a “Series T Cash Dividend”). Series T Cash Dividends are expected to be authorized and declared on a quarterly basis, payable monthly on the 5th  day of the month to holders of record on the 25th day of the prior month (or if such payment date or record date is not a business day, on the immediately preceding business day). The initial Series T Cash Dividend on each share of Series T Preferred Stock will begin accruing on, and will be cumulative from, the date of original issuance of such share of Series T Preferred Stock. Each subsequent Series T Cash Dividend will begin accruing on, and will be cumulative from, the end of the most recent Series T Cash Dividend period for which a Series T Cash Dividend has been paid on each such share of Series T Preferred Stock.

 

2. Annual Series T Stock Dividends.  Annual stock dividends, each at an annual rate of 0.2% of the Stated Value, for each of the first five (5) years from and including the later of  (i) the year 2020 or (ii) the year of original issuance of each such share of Series T Preferred Stock, payable in shares of Series T Preferred Stock (each, an “Annual Series T Stock Dividend”). Annual Series T Stock Dividends are expected to be authorized and declared on an annual basis, payable annually on the 29th day of December to eligible holders of record on the 24th day of December of each such year (or if such payment date or record date is not a business day, on the immediately preceding business day). The initial Annual Series T Stock Dividend payable on each share of Series T Preferred Stock will accrue and be cumulative on a monthly basis, from and including the later of (i) January 2020 or (ii) the month of original issuance of such share of Series T Preferred Stock. Each subsequent Annual Series T Stock Dividend will accrue and be cumulative on a monthly basis, from the end of the most recent Annual Series T Stock Dividend period for which an Annual Series T Stock Dividend has been paid on each such share of Series T Preferred Stock.

 

Any such Series T Cash Dividend or Annual Series T Stock Dividend may vary among holders of Series T Preferred Stock, and may be prorated with respect to any shares of Series T Preferred Stock that were outstanding (a) for purposes the Series T Cash Dividend, less than the total number of days in the Series T Cash Dividend period immediately preceding the applicable dividend payment date, with the amount of any such prorated Series T Cash Dividend being computed on the basis of the actual number of days in such dividend period during which such shares of Series T Preferred Stock were outstanding; and (b) for purposes the Annual Series T Stock Dividend, less than the total number of months in the Annual Series T Stock Dividend period to which the applicable dividend payment date relates, with the amount of any such prorated Annual Series T Stock Dividend being computed on the basis of the actual number of months during such dividend period in which such shares of Series T Preferred Stock were at any time outstanding.

 

Dividend Coverage Ratio.   For so long as any shares of Series T Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company will maintain a Dividend Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Articles Supplementary) of not less than 1.1:1 (the “Coverage Requirement”) as of the end of each calendar quarter. If the Dividend Coverage Ratio is below the Coverage Requirement as reflected in a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Annual Report on Form 10-K, as applicable and including any amendment thereof, filed by the Company during the most recent quarter (the “Current Filing”), then on and after the date of such Current Filing and until and unless the Coverage Requirement has been met, the Company shall not (i) issue any additional shares of any preferred stock the terms of which expressly provide that it ranks on parity with the Series T Preferred Stock with respect to any other distributions or liquidation rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company’s affairs (“Parity Preferred Stock”), nor (ii) make any voluntary distributions on shares of Class A Common Stock or any other class or series of the Company’s capital stock other than stock that, pursuant to its express terms, ranks junior to the Series T Preferred Stock with respect to any other distributions or liquidation rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company’s affairs; in either case, other than distributions required to maintain the Company’s qualification as a REIT for tax purposes.

 

 

 

 

So long as any shares of Series T Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company shall not sell an asset if such sale would cause it to fail to meet the Coverage Requirement, unless such sale is reasonably necessary for the Company to continue to qualify as a REIT. For purposes of determining the Dividend Coverage Ratio in such context, the Company’s Core Funds from Operations (“CFFO”) will be determined on a reasonable pro forma basis to adjust for the effect of disposing of the subject property.

 

Redemptions. The Series T Preferred Stock is not redeemable by the Company prior to the second anniversary of the date of original issuance, except in limited circumstances relating to the Company’s ability to preserve its qualification as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”), or in connection with a Change of Control (as defined in the Articles Supplementary) as described below.

 

Optional Redemption by the Company.  On and after the second anniversary of the date of original issuance of the shares of Series T Preferred Stock to be redeemed, the Company may, at its option, redeem the Series T Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, at a redemption price of 100% of the Stated Value, plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid cash dividends to and including the redemption date, payable in cash or in equal value of shares of Class A Common Stock based on the closing price per share of Class A Common Stock for the single trading day prior to the date of redemption. For purposes of such optional redemptions by the Company, when the shares of Series T Preferred Stock to be redeemed were acquired by the holder pursuant to either (i) the Series T DRIP or (ii) an Annual Series T Stock Dividend (such shares, “DRIP/ASTSD Shares”), the “date of original issuance” of such DRIP/ASTSD Shares shall be deemed to be the same as the date of original issuance of the underlying shares of Series T Preferred Stock pursuant to which such DRIP/ASTSD Shares are directly or indirectly attributable (such shares, “DRIP/​ASTSD Underlying Series T Shares”), and such DRIP/ASTSD Shares shall become subject to optional redemption by the Company hereunder on the same date as the DRIP/ASTSD Underlying Series T Shares.

 

Redemption at Option of Holders.   Holders of the Series T Preferred Stock may, at their option, elect to cause the Company to redeem their shares at a redemption price equal to the Stated Value, less a redemption fee, plus an amount equal to any accrued but unpaid cash dividends, if any, to and including the redemption date; provided, that shares of Series T Preferred Stock acquired by the holder pursuant to the Series T DRIP will not be subject to a redemption fee. The redemption fee shall be equal to:

 

· Beginning on the date of original issuance of the shares to be redeemed: 12%

 

· Beginning one year from the date of original issuance of the shares to be redeemed: 9%

 

· Beginning two years from the date of original issuance of the shares to be redeemed: 6%

 

· Beginning three years from the date of original issuance of the shares to be redeemed: 3%

 

· Beginning four years from the date of original issuance of the shares to be redeemed: 0%

 

For purposes of any such redemption at the option of a holder, where the shares of Series T Preferred Stock to be redeemed were acquired by the holder pursuant to an Annual Series T Stock Dividend (such shares, “ASTSD Shares”), the “date of original issuance” of such ASTSD Shares shall be deemed to be the same as the date of original issuance of the underlying shares of Series T Preferred Stock pursuant to which such ASTSD Shares are directly or indirectly attributable (such shares, “ASTSD Underlying Series T Shares”), and such ASTSD Shares shall be subject to the same redemption fee to which such ASTSD Underlying Series T Shares would be subject if submitted for simultaneous redemption hereunder.

 

Optional Redemption Following Death of a Holder. In addition, beginning on the date of original issuance and ending five years thereafter, the Company will redeem shares of Series T Preferred Stock of a holder who is a natural person upon his or her death, including shares held through a revocable grantor trust, or an IRA or other retirement or profit-sharing plan, at the written request of the holder’s estate, the recipient of such shares through bequest or inheritance, or, in the case of a revocable grantor trust, the trustee of such trust, who shall have the sole ability to request redemption on behalf of the trust. If spouses are joint registered holders of shares of Series T Preferred Stock, the written request to redeem such shares may be made upon the death of either spouse. The Company must receive such written request within one (1) year after the death of the holder. If the holder is not a natural person, such as a trust (other than a revocable grantor trust) or a partnership, corporation or similar legal entity, the right of redemption upon death shall be subject to the approval of company management in its sole discretion. Any such redemptions will be made at a redemption price equal to the Stated Value, plus an amount equal to accrued but unpaid cash dividends thereon through and including the date of redemption. For purposes of any such optional redemption following the death of a holder, when the shares of Series T Preferred Stock to be redeemed are DRIP/ASTSD Shares, the “date of original issuance” of such DRIP/ASTSD Shares shall be deemed to be the same as the date of original issuance of the DRIP/ASTSD Underlying Series T Shares.

 

 

 

 

If a holder of Series T Preferred Stock causes the Company to redeem shares of Series T Preferred Stock, the Company has the right, in its sole discretion, to pay the redemption price in cash or in equal value of shares of its Class A Common Stock, based on the closing price per share of Class A Common Stock for the single trading day prior to the date of redemption.

 

The Company’s ability to redeem shares of Series T Preferred Stock in cash may be limited to the extent that the Company does not have sufficient funds available to fund such cash redemption. Further, the Company’s obligation to redeem any of the shares of Series T Preferred Stock submitted for redemption in cash may be restricted by Maryland law. No redemptions of shares of Series T Preferred Stock will be made in cash at such time as the terms and provisions of any agreement to which the Company is a party prohibits such redemption or provides that such redemption would constitute a breach thereof or a default thereunder.

 

Change of Control Redemption by the Company. In addition, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company will be required to redeem all outstanding shares of the Series T Preferred Stock in whole within 60 days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurred, in cash at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid cash dividends, if any, to and including the redemption date. If the Maryland law solvency tests prohibit us from paying the full redemption price in cash, then the Company will pay such portion as would otherwise violate the solvency tests in shares of Class A Common Stock to holders on a pro rata basis, based on the closing price per share of Class A Common Stock for the single trading day prior to the date of redemption.

 

Voting Rights. The Series T Preferred Stock generally has no voting rights. However, holders of shares of Series T Preferred Stock will have an exclusive voting right on any amendment to the Company’s charter that would alter only the contract rights, as expressly set forth in the charter, of the Series T Preferred Stock, with any such amendment requiring the affirmative vote or consent of holders of two-thirds of the Series T Preferred Stock issued and outstanding at the time.

 

In addition, holders of shares of Series T Preferred Stock and of any Parity Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred (such Parity Preferred Stock, the “Parity Voting Preferred Stock”), voting together as a single class, will also have an exclusive right to vote on any amendment, alteration or repeal of the charter, including the terms of the Series T Preferred Stock, that would alter only the contract rights, as expressly set forth in the charter, of the Series T Preferred Stock and such Parity Voting Preferred Stock, with any such action requiring the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of shares of Series T Preferred Stock and such Parity Voting Preferred Stock entitled to cast two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast by such holders on such matter, with each holder of Series T Preferred Stock and such Parity Voting Preferred Stock entitled to one vote for each $25.00 in liquidation preference, with each holder of Series T Preferred Stock and such Parity Voting Preferred Stock entitled to one vote for each $25.00 in liquidation preference. As of the date of the prospectus supplement, the Parity Voting Preferred Stock in the foregoing matter includes the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series C Preferred Stock, and the Series D Preferred Stock.

 

Further, holders of shares of Series T Preferred Stock will also have the right to vote to (a) authorize, create or issue, or increase the number of authorized or issued shares of, any class or series of the Company’s capital stock ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Stock or Series T Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and rights upon the Company’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up (any such senior stock, the “Senior Stock”), (b) reclassify any authorized shares of the Company’s capital stock into Senior Stock, or (c) create, authorize or issue any obligation or security convertible into, or evidencing the right to purchase, Senior Stock. Any such action will require the approval of  (1) a majority of all votes collectively entitled to be cast by the holders of  (i) Series T Preferred Stock, and (ii) any Parity Voting Preferred Stock; and (2) two-thirds of all votes collectively entitled to be cast by the holders of  (i) Series A Preferred Stock, (ii) Series C Preferred Stock, (iii) Series D Preferred Stock, and (iv) any future Parity Preferred Stock (“Future Parity Preferred Stock”) upon which like voting rights have been conferred; in each case, voting together as a single class, with each such holder entitled to one vote for each $25.00 in liquidation preference; as well as (3) a majority of all votes cast by the holders of  (i) Series A Preferred Stock, (ii) Series B Preferred Stock, (iii) Series C Preferred Stock, (iv) Series D Preferred Stock, (v) Series T Preferred Stock, and (vi) any Future Parity Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class, with each such holder entitled to one vote for each $1,000.00 in liquidation preference.

 

 

 

 

There are restrictions on ownership of the Series T Preferred Stock intended to preserve the Company’s qualification as a REIT.

 

The foregoing description of the Articles Supplementary is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the Articles Supplementary, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit No. 3.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03.

 

ITEM 5.03 AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OR BYLAWS; CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR

 

The information set forth above under Item 3.03 of this report is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 5.03.

 

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.   Description
     
3.1   Articles Supplementary of the Company, dated November 13, 2019
     
5.1   Opinion of Venable LLP
     
8.1   Opinion of Vinson & Elkins LLP
     
10.1   Dealer Manager Agreement by and among Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc., Bluerock Residential Holdings, L.P. and Bluerock Capital Markets, LLC, dated November 13, 2019
     
10.2   Twelfth Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Bluerock Residential Holdings, L.P., dated November 19, 2019

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  BLUEROCK RESIDENTIAL GROWTH REIT, INC.
     
     
Date: November 19, 2019 By: /s/ Christopher J. Vohs
    Christopher J. Vohs
    Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.   Description
     
3.1   Articles Supplementary of the Company, dated November 13, 2019
     
5.1   Opinion of Venable LLP
     
8.1   Opinion of Vinson & Elkins LLP
     
10.1   Dealer Manager Agreement by and among Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc., Bluerock Residential Holdings, L.P. and Bluerock Capital Markets, LLC, dated November 13, 2019
     
10.2   Twelfth Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Bluerock Residential Holdings, L.P., dated November 19, 2019

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.1

 

BLUEROCK RESIDENTIAL GROWTH REIT, INC.

 

ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY
 

Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland that:

 

FIRST: Under a power contained in Article V of the charter of the Corporation (the “Charter”) and Section 2-105 of the Maryland General Corporation Law, the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”), by duly adopted resolutions, classified 32,000,000 shares of authorized but unissued preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Corporation as shares of Series T Redeemable Preferred Stock, with the following preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption (which, upon any restatement of the Charter, may be made a part of Article V thereof, with any necessary or appropriate changes to the numeration or lettering of the sections or subsections hereof). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Charter.

 

1.            Designation and Number. A series of Preferred Shares, designated the Series T Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series T Preferred Stock”), is hereby established. The number of authorized shares of Series T Preferred Stock shall be 32,000,000.

 

2.            Definitions. In addition to the capitalized terms elsewhere defined herein, the following terms, when used herein, shall have the meanings indicated:

 

(a)          “CFFO” means the Corporation’s Core Funds from Operations, as set forth in the Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Annual Report on Form 10-K, as applicable and including any amendment thereof, filed during the most recent quarter (the “Current Filing”); provided that such amount is calculated in a manner substantially consistent with the manner in which CFFO was calculated in the Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed for the third quarter of 2019 or in a manner otherwise calculated in accordance with commonly accepted industry practices at the time of the Current Filing (the “CFFO Calculation Standard”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Corporation does not report CFFO in a Current Filing, either in response to industry practice or as required by the Securities and Exchange Commission or other regulatory body, CFFO for such applicable period will be calculated in a manner consistent with the manner in which CFFO was calculated in the last periodic filing in which CFFO was (a) included and (b) calculated in a manner consistent with the CFFO Calculation Standard.

 

(b)          A “Change of Control” is when, after the original issuance of the Series T Preferred Stock, any of the following has occurred and is continuing:

 

(i)             a “person” or group” within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), other than the Corporation, its subsidiaries and its and their employee benefit plans, has become the direct or indirect “beneficial owner,” as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, of common equity of the Corporation representing more than 50% of the total voting power of all outstanding shares of Voting Stock (as defined below) of the Corporation; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, such a transaction shall not be deemed to involve a Change of Control if (A) the Corporation becomes a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of a holding company and (B) the direct or indirect holders of the Voting Stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the holders of the Voting Stock of the Corporation immediately prior to that transaction;

 

 

 

 

(ii)           consummation of any share exchange, consolidation or merger of the Corporation or any other transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which the Class A Common Stock will be converted into cash, securities or other property, (1) other than any such transaction where the Class A Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitutes, or is converted into or exchanged for, a majority of the common stock of the surviving person or any direct or indirect parent company of the surviving person immediately after giving effect to such transaction and (2) expressly excluding any such transaction preceded by the Corporation’s acquisition of the capital stock of another company for cash, securities or other property, whether directly or indirectly through one of our subsidiaries; or

 

(iii)          Continuing Directors (as defined below) cease to constitute at least a majority of the Board.

 

(c)          “Continuing Director” shall mean a director who either was a member of the Board on November 13, 2019 or who becomes a member of the Board subsequent to that date and whose appointment, election or nomination for election by the stockholders of the Corporation was duly approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors on the Board at the time of such approval, either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement issued by the Corporation on behalf of the Board in which such individual is named as a nominee for director.

 

(d)          “Dividend Coverage Ratio” shall mean the quotient of (i) CFFO and further adjusted to add back the expense of all dividends on Preferred Shares, for the two most recent quarters, plus the sum of: (A) the product of (1)(i) unrestricted cash on the Corporation’s balance sheet as reflected in the Current Filing, minus (ii) an amount equal to the greater of $5,000,000 or 5.0% of the amount in subclause (i) (provided, if such calculation would cause the amount to be negative, it will instead be equal to zero), multiplied by (2) a 5.0% annualized rate of return over such quarterly period, and (B) the product of (1)(i) unrestricted cash on the Corporation’s balance sheet as reflected in the Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Annual Report on Form 10-K, as applicable, filed immediately preceding the Current Filing, minus (ii) an amount equal to the greater of $5,000,000 or 5.0% of the amount in subclause (i) (provided, if such calculation would cause the amount to be negative, it will instead be equal to zero), multiplied by (2) a 5.0% annualized rate of return over such quarterly period, divided by (ii) the amount of dividends required to be paid to the holders of Series T Preferred Stock, Parity Preferred Stock (as defined herein) or Senior Stock (as defined herein) for such quarters without any breach, default or deferral with respect to any such dividends.

 

  2  

 

 

(e)          “NYSE American” shall mean the NYSE American stock exchange or any successor exchange or automated quotation service upon which the Class A Common Stock is listed.

 

(f)          “Stated Value” shall mean $25.00, subject to appropriate adjustment in relation to any recapitalizations, stock dividends, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or other similar events which affect the Series T Preferred Stock.

 

(g)          “Trading Day” shall mean, (i) if the Class A Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE American, a day on which the NYSE American is open for the transaction of business, (ii) if the Class A Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE American but is listed or admitted to trading on another national securities exchange or automated quotation system, a day on which the principal national securities exchange or automated quotation system, as the case may be, on which the Class A Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business, or (iii) if the Class A Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange or automated quotation system, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

(h)          “Voting Stock” shall mean common equity that is entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

 

3.            Rank. The Series T Preferred Stock, with respect to priority of payment of dividends and other distributions and rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, will rank (a) senior to all classes or series of Common Shares and to any other class or series of capital stock of the Corporation issued in the future, unless the terms of such stock expressly provide that it ranks senior to, or on parity with, the Series T Preferred Stock with respect to priority of payment of dividends and other distributions or rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation (together with the Common Shares, the “Junior Stock”); (b) on parity with any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, the terms of which expressly provide that it ranks on parity with the Series T Preferred Stock, including the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock, with respect to priority of payment of dividends and other distributions or rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation (the “Parity Preferred Stock”); and (c) junior to any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, the terms of which expressly provide that it ranks senior to the Series T Preferred Stock with respect to priority of payment of dividends and other distributions or rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation (the “Senior Stock”), and to all existing and future debt obligations of the Corporation. The term “capital stock” does not include convertible or exchangeable debt securities.

 

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4.            Dividends.

 

(a)          Subject to the preferential rights of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation ranking senior to the Series T Preferred Stock with respect to priority of dividend payments, holders of shares of the Series T Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when and as authorized by the Board and declared by the Corporation, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, the following dividends:

 

(i)            From the date of original issuance of each share of Series T Preferred Stock (the “Original Issue Date”), the Corporation shall pay cumulative cash dividends on such share of Series T Preferred Stock at the rate of 6.15% per annum of the Stated Value (each, a “Cash Dividend”). The initial Cash Dividend on each share of Series T Preferred Stock shall accrue and be cumulative from (and including) the Original Issue Date of such share of Series T Preferred Stock. Each subsequent Cash Dividend shall accrue and be cumulative from (and including) the end of the most recent Cash Dividend Period (as defined below) for which a Cash Dividend has been paid on each such share of Series T Preferred Stock. Cash Dividends shall be payable monthly in arrears on the fifth day of each month or, if such date is not a Business Day (as defined below), on the immediately preceding Business Day, with the same force and effect as if paid on such date (each, a “Cash Dividend Payment Date”), provided, however, that any such Cash Dividend may vary among holders of Series T Preferred Stock and may be prorated with respect to any shares of Series T Preferred Stock that were outstanding less than the total number of days in the Cash Dividend Period immediately preceding the applicable Cash Dividend Payment Date, with the amount of any such prorated dividend being computed on the basis of the actual number of days in such Cash Dividend Period during which such shares of Series T Preferred Stock were outstanding. A “Cash Dividend Period” is the respective period commencing on and including the first day of each month and ending on and including the day preceding the first day of the next succeeding Cash Dividend Period (other than the initial Cash Dividend Period and the Cash Dividend Period during which any shares of Series T Preferred Stock shall be redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Corporation). Cash Dividends will be payable to holders of record of the Series T Preferred Stock as they appear in the stock records of the Corporation at the close of business on the 25th day of the month preceding the applicable Cash Dividend Payment Date or, if such date is not a Business Day, on the immediately preceding Business Day (each, a “Cash Dividend Record Date”).

 

(ii)           For each of the first five years from and including the year of original issuance of each share of Series T Preferred Stock and beginning in the year 2020, the Corporation shall pay annual stock dividends (each, an “Annual Stock Dividend”) on such share of Series T Preferred Stock at the rate of 0.2% per annum of the Stated Value, payable in shares of Series T Preferred Stock on the 29th day of December or, if such date is not a Business Day, on the immediately preceding Business Day, with the same force and effect as if paid on such date (each, an “Annual Stock Dividend Payment Date”). The initial Annual Stock Dividend payable on each share of Series T Preferred Stock shall accrue and be cumulative on a monthly basis, from and including the later of (A) January 2020 or (B) the month of original issuance of such share of Series T Preferred Stock. Each subsequent Annual Stock Dividend shall accrue and be cumulative on a monthly basis, from the end of the most recent Annual Stock Dividend Period (as defined below) for which Annual Stock Dividends on the Series T Preferred Stock have been paid. Any such Annual Stock Dividend may vary among holders of Series T Preferred Stock and may be prorated with respect to any shares of Series T Preferred Stock that were outstanding less than the total number of months in the Annual Stock Dividend Period to which the applicable Annual Stock Dividend Payment Date relates, with the amount of any such prorated dividend being computed on the basis of the actual number of months in such Annual Stock Dividend Period during which such shares of Series T Preferred Stock were at any time outstanding. An “Annual Stock Dividend Period” is the respective period commencing on and including the first day of each year and ending on the last day of each such year (other than the initial Annual Stock Dividend Period). Annual Stock Dividends will be payable to holders of record of the Series T Preferred Stock as they appear in the stock records of the Corporation at the close of business on the 24th day of December, or, if such date is not a Business Day, on the immediately preceding Business Day (each, an “Annual Stock Dividend Record Date”).

 

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(iii)          The term “Business Day” shall mean each day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, which is not a day on which banks in the State of New York are required to close. Any dividend payable on the Series T Preferred Stock for any Cash Dividend Period or Annual Stock Dividend Period (each, hereinafter, a “Dividend Period”) will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

 

(b)           No dividends on shares of Series T Preferred Stock shall be authorized by the Board or declared by the Corporation or paid or set apart for payment by the Corporation at such time as the terms and provisions of any agreement of the Corporation, including any agreement relating to its indebtedness, prohibits such authorization, declaration, payment or setting apart for payment or provides that such authorization, declaration, payment or setting apart for payment would constitute a breach thereof or a default thereunder, or if such authorization, declaration, payment or setting apart for payment shall be restricted or prohibited by law.

 

(c)           Notwithstanding the foregoing Section 4(b), dividends on the Series T Preferred Stock will accrue whether or not the Corporation has earnings, whether there are funds legally available for the payment of such dividends and whether or not such dividends are authorized by the Board or declared by the Corporation. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, will be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on the Series T Preferred Stock which may be in arrears. When dividends are not paid in full (or a sum sufficient for such full payment is not so set apart) upon the Series T Preferred Stock and the shares of any class or series of Parity Preferred Stock, all dividends declared upon the Series T Preferred Stock and any class or series of Parity Preferred Stock shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share of Series T Preferred Stock and such class or series of Parity Preferred Stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accumulated dividends per share on the Series T Preferred Stock and such class or series of Parity Preferred Stock (which shall not include any accrual in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods if such Parity Preferred Stock does not have a cumulative dividend) bear to each other.

 

(d)           Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, unless full cumulative dividends on the Series T Preferred Stock have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment for all past Dividend Periods that have ended, no dividends (other than dividends or other distributions in shares of Junior Stock or in options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase any such shares of Junior Stock) shall be declared and paid or declared and set apart for payment nor shall any other distribution be declared and made upon the Junior Stock or the Parity Preferred Stock, nor shall any shares of Junior Stock or Parity Preferred Stock be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired (other than a redemption, purchase or other acquisition of Class A Common Stock made for purposes of an equity incentive or benefit plan of the Corporation) for any consideration (or any monies be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any shares of any such stock), directly or indirectly, by the Corporation (except by conversion into or exchange for shares of Junior Stock, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of Junior Stock).

 

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(e)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth above, the Corporation shall not be prohibited from (i) declaring or paying or setting apart for payment any dividend or other distribution on any shares of Junior Stock or Parity Preferred Stock, or (ii) redeeming, purchasing or otherwise acquiring any Junior Stock or Parity Preferred Stock, in each case, if such declaration, payment, setting apart for payment, redemption, purchase or other acquisition is necessary in order to maintain the continued qualification of the Corporation as a REIT under Section 856 of the Code.

 

5.            Liquidation Preference. Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, the holders of shares of Series T Preferred Stock are entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Corporation legally available for distribution to its stockholders, after payment of or provision for the Corporation’s debts and other liabilities, a liquidation preference equal to the Stated Value per share, plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid cash dividends (whether or not authorized or declared) thereon to and including the date of payment, but without interest, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of Junior Stock. If the assets of the Corporation legally available for distribution to stockholders are insufficient to pay in full the liquidation preference on the Series T Preferred Stock and the liquidation preference on the shares of any class or series of Parity Preferred Stock, all assets distributed to the holders of the Series T Preferred Stock and any class or series of Parity Preferred Stock shall be distributed pro rata so that the amount of assets distributed per share of Series T Preferred Stock and such class or series of Parity Preferred Stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that the liquidation preference per share on the Series T Preferred Stock and such class or series of Parity Preferred Stock bear to each other. Written notice of any distribution in connection with any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, stating the payment date or dates when, and the place or places where, the amounts distributable in such circumstances shall be payable, shall be given by first class mail, postage pre-paid, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the payment date stated therein, to each record holder of the Series T Preferred Stock at the respective addresses of such holders as the same shall appear on the stock transfer records of the Corporation.

 

After payment of the full amount of the liquidation distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of Series T Preferred Stock will have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Corporation. The consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into another entity, a consolidation or merger of another entity with or into the Corporation, a statutory share exchange by the Corporation or a sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s property or business shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation.

 

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In determining whether a distribution (other than upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation) by dividend, redemption or other acquisition of shares of stock of the Corporation or otherwise is permitted under the Maryland General Corporation Law, no effect shall be given to amounts that would be needed, if the Corporation were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of holders of the Series T Preferred Stock.

 

6.            Redemption at Option of Holders.

 

(a)          Each holder of shares of Series T Preferred Stock shall have the right, at such holder’s option, to require the Corporation to redeem any or all of such holder’s shares of Series T Preferred Stock at a redemption price per share of Series T Preferred Stock (the “Holder Redemption Price”) equal to the Stated Value, minus the Redemption Fee, plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid cash dividends, if any, to and including the date fixed for redemption (the “Holder Redemption Date”); provided that shares of Series T Preferred Stock acquired by the holder pursuant to the Corporation’s dividend reinvestment plan for shares of Series T Preferred Stock (the “Series T DRIP”) shall not be subject to a Redemption Fee. The Redemption Fee shall be an amount equal to (i) 12.0% of the Stated Value beginning on the Original Issue Date of the shares of Series T Preferred Stock to be redeemed; (ii) 9.0% of the Stated Value beginning one year after the Original Issue Date of the shares of Series T Preferred Stock to be redeemed; (iii) 6.0% of the Stated Value beginning two years after the Original Issue Date of the shares of Series T Preferred Stock to be redeemed; (iv) 3.0% of the Stated Value beginning three years after the Original Issue Date of the shares of Series T Preferred Stock to be redeemed; and (v) 0% of the Stated Value beginning four years after the Original Issue Date of the shares of Series T Preferred Stock to be redeemed (the “Redemption Fee”). For purposes of this Section 6, when the shares of Series T Preferred Stock to be redeemed were acquired by the holder thereof pursuant to an Annual Stock Dividend (such shares, the “ASTSD Shares”), the Original Issue Date of such ASTSD Shares shall be deemed to be the same as the Original Issue Date of the underlying shares of Series T Preferred Stock pursuant to which such ASTSD Shares are directly or indirectly attributable (such shares, the “ASTSD Underlying Series T Shares”), and such ASTSD Shares shall be subject to the same Redemption Fee to which such ASTSD Underlying Series T Shares would be subject if submitted for simultaneous redemption.

 

(b)          The Corporation has the right, in its sole discretion, to pay the Holder Redemption Price in cash or in equal value of shares of Class A Common Stock, calculated based on the closing price per share of the Class A Common Stock for the single Trading Day prior to the Holder Redemption Date.

 

(c)          Redemption of the Series T Preferred Stock shall be made at the option of the holder thereof, upon:

 

(i)           delivery to the Corporation’s transfer agent, in its capacity as redemption and paying agent (the “Redemption and Paying Agent”) by such holder of a duly completed notice (the “Holder Redemption Notice”) in compliance with the required procedures including those of the Corporation’s transfer agent and of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) for tendering interests in global certificates (the “Stated Transfer Procedures”), and specifying the number of shares of Series T Preferred Stock to be redeemed that are held by such holder as of the date of such Holder Redemption Notice, prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Holder Redemption Date; and

 

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(ii)       transfer of the Series T Preferred Stock in compliance with the Stated Transfer Procedures, such transfer being a condition to receipt by the holder of the Holder Redemption Price therefor.

 

(d)          Prior to 11:00 a.m. (local time in the City of New York) on the Holder Redemption Date, the Corporation must deposit with the Redemption and Paying Agent in trust sufficient funds (in immediately available funds if deposited on such Business Day) to pay the Holder Redemption Price of all the shares of Series T Preferred Stock that are to be redeemed in cash as of the Holder Redemption Date. If the Redemption and Paying Agent holds funds sufficient to pay the Holder Redemption Price of the Series T Preferred Stock for which a Holder Redemption Notice has been tendered, then as of such Holder Redemption Date, (i) such shares of Series T Preferred Stock shall cease to be outstanding and dividends shall cease to accrue thereon (whether or not transfer of such shares of Series T Preferred Stock is made) and (ii) all other rights of the holders in respect thereof shall terminate (other than the right to receive the Holder Redemption Price, in cash or in shares of Class A Common Stock, as applicable, upon transfer of such shares of Series T Preferred Stock). To the extent that the aggregate amount of cash deposited by the Corporation to satisfy the Holder Redemption Price exceeds the aggregate Holder Redemption Price of the shares of Series T Preferred Stock that the Corporation has elected to redeem in cash as of the Holder Redemption Date, then, following the Holder Redemption Date, the Redemption and Paying Agent must promptly return any such excess to the Corporation.

 

(e)          Notwithstanding any provision of this Section 6, no redemptions of shares of Series T Preferred Stock shall be made by the Corporation if such redemption shall be restricted or prohibited by law. Further, no redemptions of shares of Series T Preferred Stock shall be made by the Corporation in cash at such time as the terms and provisions of any agreement of the Corporation prohibits such redemption or provides that such redemption would constitute a breach thereof or a default thereunder.

 

7.            Optional Redemption by the Corporation.

 

(a)          Beginning on the second anniversary of each Original Issue Date of shares of Series T Preferred Stock, such shares of Series T Preferred Stock shall be redeemable by the Corporation, at the Corporation’s option, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time (the “Corporation Redemption Right”), at a redemption price per share of Series T Preferred Stock (the “Corporation Redemption Price”) equal to the Stated Value plus an amount equal to any accrued but unpaid cash dividends, if any, to and including the date fixed for redemption (the “Corporation Redemption Date”). For purposes of this Section 7, when the shares of Series T Preferred Stock to be redeemed were acquired by the holder thereof pursuant to either (i) the Series T DRIP or (ii) an Annual Stock Dividend (such shares, “DRIP/ASTSD Shares”), the Original Issue Date of such DRIP/ASTSD Shares shall be deemed to be the same as the Original Issue Date of the underlying shares of Series T Preferred Stock pursuant to which such DRIP/ASTSD Shares are directly or indirectly attributable (such shares, “DRIP/ASTSD Underlying Series T Shares”), and such DRIP/ASTSD Shares shall be subject to optional redemption by the Corporation on the same date as the DRIP/ASTSD Underlying Series T Shares.

 

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(b)          If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of Series T Preferred Stock issued on such Original Issue Date are to be redeemed, the shares of Series T Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall be redeemed pro rata (as nearly as may be practicable without creating fractional shares) by lot or by any other equitable method that the Corporation determines will not violate the Series T Ownership Limit (as defined in Section 10 below). If redemption is to be by lot and, as a result, any holder of shares of Series T Preferred Stock, other than a holder of shares of Series T Preferred Stock that has received an exemption from the Series T Ownership Limit, would have actual ownership or Constructive Ownership of more than 9.8% of the issued and outstanding shares of Series T Preferred Stock by value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, because such holder’s shares of Series T Preferred Stock were not redeemed, or were only redeemed in part, then, except as otherwise provided in the Charter, the Corporation shall redeem the requisite number of shares of Series T Preferred Stock of such holder such that no holder will own Series T Preferred Stock in excess of the Series T Ownership Limit, subsequent to such redemption. Holders of Series T Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall surrender such Series T Preferred Stock at the place, or in accordance with the procedures, designated in such notice and shall be entitled to the Corporation Redemption Price payable upon such redemption following such surrender. If (i) notice of redemption of any shares of Series T Preferred Stock has been given (in the case of a redemption of the Series T Preferred Stock other than to preserve the qualification of the Corporation as a REIT), (ii) the funds necessary for such redemption have been set apart by the Corporation in trust for the benefit of the holders of any shares of Series T Preferred Stock so called for redemption and (iii) irrevocable instructions have been given to pay the Corporation Redemption Price, then from and after the Corporation Redemption Date, dividends shall cease to accrue on such shares of Series T Preferred Stock, such shares of Series T Preferred Stock shall no longer be deemed outstanding, and all rights of the holders of such shares of Series T Preferred Stock shall terminate, except the right to receive the Corporation Redemption Price in cash or in shares of Class A Common Stock, as applicable, upon transfer of such shares of Series T Preferred Stock. The Corporation has the right, in its sole discretion, to pay the Corporation Redemption Price in cash or in equal value of shares of Class A Common Stock, calculated based on the closing price per share of the Class A Common Stock for the single Trading Day prior to the Corporation Redemption Date.

 

(c)          Unless full cumulative dividends on the Series T Preferred Stock for all past Dividend Periods that have ended shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid in cash or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment, no shares of Series T Preferred Stock shall be redeemed pursuant to the Corporation Redemption Right unless all outstanding shares of Series T Preferred Stock are simultaneously redeemed, and the Corporation shall not purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any shares of Series T Preferred Stock or any class or series of Junior Stock or Parity Preferred Stock (except (i) by conversion into or exchange for Junior Stock, (ii) the purchase of shares of Junior Stock or Parity Preferred Stock pursuant to the Charter to the extent necessary to ensure that the Corporation meets the requirements for qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes or (iii) the purchase or other acquisition of shares of Series T Preferred Stock or Parity Preferred Stock pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding shares of Series T Preferred Stock).

 

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(d)          Notice of redemption pursuant to the Corporation Redemption Right shall be mailed by the Corporation, postage prepaid, no less than seven (7) days prior to the Corporation Redemption Date, addressed to the respective holders of record of all, but not less than all, of the Series T Preferred Stock to be redeemed at their respective addresses as they appear on the transfer records maintained by the Corporation’s transfer agent. No failure to give such notice or defect therein shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any Series T Preferred Stock except as to the holder to whom such notice was defective or not given; provided that notice given to the last address of record shall be deemed to be valid notice. In addition to any information required by law or by the applicable rules of any exchange upon which the Series T Preferred Stock may be listed or admitted to trading, each such notice shall state: (i) the Corporation Redemption Date; (ii) the Corporation Redemption Price; (iii) the CUSIP number(s) of the shares of Series T Preferred Stock to be redeemed; (iv) the Stated Transfer Procedures for transfer of shares of Series T Preferred Stock for payment of the Corporation Redemption Price; (v) that dividends on the shares of Series T Preferred Stock to be redeemed will cease to accrue on the Corporation Redemption Date; and (vi) that payment of the Corporation Redemption Price will be made upon transfer of such Series T Preferred Stock in compliance with Stated Transfer Procedures. If fewer than all of the shares of Series T Preferred Stock held by any holder are to be redeemed, the notice mailed to such holder shall also specify the number of shares of Series T Preferred Stock held by such holder to be redeemed or the method for determining such number. Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary herein, the Corporation shall not be required to provide notice to the holder of Series T Preferred Stock in the event such holder’s Series T Preferred Stock is redeemed in order for the Corporation to qualify or to maintain the Corporation’s status as a REIT.

 

(e)           If a Corporation Redemption Date falls after a Cash Dividend Record Date or an Annual Stock Dividend Record Date (each, hereinafter, a “Dividend Record Date”), and on or prior to the corresponding Cash Dividend Payment Date or Annual Stock Dividend Payment Date (each, hereinafter, a “Dividend Payment Date”), each holder of Series T Preferred Stock at the close of business on such Dividend Record Date shall be entitled to the dividend payable on such shares on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date notwithstanding the redemption of such shares on or prior to such Dividend Payment Date, and each holder of Series T Preferred Stock that surrenders its shares on the Corporation Redemption Date shall be entitled to an amount equal to the dividends accruing after the end of the Dividend Period to which such Dividend Payment Date relates, up to, but not including, the Corporation Redemption Date. Except as provided herein, the Corporation shall make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, on Series T Preferred Stock for which a notice of redemption pursuant to the Corporation Redemption Right has been given.

 

8.            Optional Redemption Following Death of a Holder.

 

(a)          Subject to Section 8(c), beginning on the Original Issue Date of the applicable shares of Series T Preferred Stock and ending on the fifth anniversary of such Original Issue Date, the Corporation shall redeem shares of Series T Preferred Stock held by a natural person upon his or her death (a “Deceased Holder”), including shares held through a revocable grantor trust, or an IRA or other retirement or profit-sharing plan, at the written request of such Deceased Holder’s estate, the recipient of such shares through bequest or inheritance, or, in the case of a revocable grantor trust, the trustee of such trust, who shall have the sole ability to request redemption on behalf of the trust, which written request must be received by the Corporation within one (1) year after the death of the Deceased Holder. If spouses are joint registered holders of shares of Series T Preferred Stock, the written request to redeem such shares may be made upon the death of either spouse. If the holder of the applicable shares of Series T Preferred Stock is not a natural person, such as a trust (other than a revocable grantor trust) or a partnership, corporation or similar legal entity, the right of redemption upon death hereunder shall be subject to the approval of the Corporation in its sole discretion. Shares of Series T Preferred Stock redeemed pursuant to this Section 8 shall be redeemed at a redemption price per share of Series T Preferred Stock (the “Estate Redemption Price”) equal to the Stated Value, plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid cash dividends, if any, to and including the Redemption Date, less all dividends previously paid to such Deceased Holder or the Deceased Holder’s estate. For purposes of this Section 8, when the shares of Series T Preferred Stock to be redeemed upon written request as described above were DRIP/ASTSD Shares, the Original Issue Date of such DRIP/ASTSD Shares shall be deemed to be the same as the Original Issue Date of the DRIP/ASTSD Underlying Series T Shares.

 

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(b)          The Corporation has the right, in its sole discretion, to pay the Estate Redemption Price in cash or in equal value of shares of Class A Common Stock, calculated on the closing price per share of the Class A Common Stock for the single Trading Day prior to the Redemption Date.

 

(c)          Notwithstanding any provision of this Section 8, no redemptions of shares of Series T Preferred Stock shall be made by the Corporation if such redemption shall be restricted or prohibited by law. Further, no redemptions of shares of Series T Preferred Stock shall be made by the Corporation in cash at such time as the terms and provisions of any agreement of the Corporation prohibits such redemption or provides that such redemption would constitute a breach thereof or a default thereunder.

 

9.            Mandatory Redemption by Corporation Upon a Change of Control.

 

(a)          If a Change of Control occurs at any time the Series T Preferred Stock is outstanding, the Corporation shall redeem for cash all shares of Series T Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, on a date (the “Change of Control Redemption Date”) specified by the Corporation that can be no later than 60 calendar days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurred, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the Stated Value per share, plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid cash dividends thereon (whether or not authorized or declared) to and including the Change of Control Redemption Date (such price, the “Change of Control Redemption Price”); provided, however, if the assets of the Corporation legally available for redemption of the Series T Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 9 are insufficient to pay in full the Change of Control Redemption Price for all issued and outstanding shares of Series T Preferred Stock, then such portion of the Change of Control Redemption Price as would not be legally available shall be paid in shares of Class A Common Stock to holders of Series T Preferred Stock on a pro rata basis, based on the closing price per share of the Class A Common Stock for the single Trading Day prior to the Change of Control Redemption Date.

 

(b)         Notice of redemption pursuant to a Change of Control (the “Change of Control Redemption Notice”) shall be mailed by the Corporation, postage prepaid, no fewer than 15 days nor more than 30 days prior to the Change of Control Redemption Date, addressed to the respective holders of record of all, but not less than all, of the Series T Preferred Stock at their respective addresses as they appear on the transfer records maintained by the Corporation’s transfer agent. No failure to give such notice or defect therein shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any Series T Preferred Stock except as to the holder to whom such notice was defective or not given; provided, that notice given to the last address of record shall be deemed to be valid notice. In addition to any information required by law or by the applicable rules of any exchange upon which the Series T Preferred Stock may be listed or admitted to trading, each Change of Control Redemption Notice shall state: (i) the Change of Control Redemption Date; (ii) the Change of Control Redemption Price; (iii) the number of shares of Series T Preferred Stock to be redeemed; (iv) the Stated Transfer Procedures for transfer of shares of Series T Preferred Stock for payment of the Change of Control Redemption Price; (v) that dividends on the shares of Series T Preferred Stock to be redeemed will cease to accrue on the Change of Control Redemption Date; (vi) that payment of the Change of Control Redemption Price will be made upon transfer of such Series T Preferred Stock in compliance with Stated Transfer Procedures; and (vii) that the Series T Preferred Stock is being redeemed pursuant to the Corporation’s mandatory redemption in connection with the occurrence of a Change of Control and a brief description of the transaction or transactions constituting such Change of Control.

 

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(c)          If (i) a Change of Control Redemption Notice has been given, (ii) the funds necessary for such redemption have been set apart by the Corporation in trust for the benefit of the holders of any shares of Series T Preferred Stock so called for redemption and (iii) irrevocable instructions have been given to pay the Change of Control Redemption Price, then from and after the Change of Control Redemption Date, dividends shall cease to accrue on such shares of Series T Preferred Stock, such shares of Series T Preferred Stock shall no longer be deemed outstanding, and all rights of the holders of such shares of Series T Preferred Stock shall terminate, except the right to receive the Change of Control Redemption Price in cash, without interest, or, as provided in Section 9(a) above, in shares of Class A Common Stock, as applicable, upon transfer of such shares of Series T Preferred Stock.

 

(d)          If a Change of Control Redemption Date falls after a Dividend Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, each holder of Series T Preferred Stock at the close of business on such Dividend Record Date shall be entitled to the dividend payable on such shares on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date notwithstanding the redemption of such shares on or prior to such Dividend Payment Date, and each holder of Series T Preferred Stock that surrenders its shares on the Change of Control Redemption Date shall be entitled to an amount equal to the dividends accruing after the end of the Dividend Period to which such Dividend Payment Date relates, up to, but not including, the Change of Control Redemption Date. Except as provided herein, the Corporation shall make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, on Series T Preferred Stock for which a Change of Control Notice has been given.

 

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10.           Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.

 

(a)           As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(i)           “Prohibited Series T Owner” shall mean, with respect to any purported Transfer or Non-Transfer Event, any Person who, but for the provisions of Section 10(c), would beneficially own (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code), Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Series T Preferred Stock and, if appropriate in the context, shall also mean any Person who would have been the record owner of shares of Series T Preferred Stock that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.

 

(ii)          “Series T Beneficiary” shall mean one or more beneficiaries of the Series T Trust as determined pursuant to Section 10(i), provided that each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.

 

(iii)          “Series T Excepted Holder” shall mean a holder of Series T Preferred Stock for whom a Series T Excepted Holder Limit is created by the Board pursuant to Section 10(n).

 

(iv)          “Series T Excepted Holder Limit” shall mean, provided that the affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with the requirements established by the Board pursuant to Section 10(n) and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 10(n), the percentage limit established by the Board pursuant to Section 10(n).

 

(v)          “Series T Ownership Limit” shall mean 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Series T Preferred Stock or such other percentage determined by the Board in accordance with Section 10(n).

 

(vi)          “Series T Trust” shall mean any trust provided for in Section 10(d).

 

(vii)          “Series T Trustee” shall mean the Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and any Prohibited Series T Owner that is a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code and is appointed by the Corporation to serve as trustee of the Series T Trust. Until another Series T Trustee is otherwise appointed by the Corporation, the initial Series T Trustee shall be Kaplan Voekler Cunningham & Frank, PLC.

 

(b)          Prior to the Restriction Termination Date but subject to Section 10(q), (i) no Person, other than a Series T Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Series T Preferred Stock in excess of the Series T Ownership Limit and (ii) no Series T Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Series T Preferred Stock in excess of the Series T Excepted Holder Limit for such Series T Excepted Holder.

 

(c)          If any Transfer or Non-Transfer Event occurs which, if effective or otherwise, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning shares of Series T Preferred Stock in violation of Section 10(b), (i) then that number of shares of Series T Preferred Stock the Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate Section 10(b) (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically transferred to a Series T Trust for the benefit of a Series T Beneficiary, as described in Section 10(d) through (i) below, effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer or Non-Transfer Event, and such Person (or, if different, the direct or Beneficial Owner of such shares) shall acquire no rights in such shares (or shall be divested of its rights in such shares) or (ii) if the Transfer to the Series T Trust described in clause (i) of this sentence would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of Section 10(b), then the Transfer of that number of shares of Series T Preferred Stock that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section 10(b) shall be void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares.

 

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(d)          Upon any purported Transfer or Non-Transfer Event described in Section 10(c) that would result in a Transfer of shares of Series T Preferred Stock to a Series T Trust, such shares shall be deemed to have been Transferred to the Series T Trustee as trustee of a Series T Trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more Series T Beneficiaries. Such Transfer to the Series T Trustee shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the purported Transfer or Non-Transfer Event that results in the Transfer to the Series T Trust pursuant to Section 10(c). The Series T Trustee shall be appointed by the Corporation and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and any Prohibited Series T Owner. Each Series T Beneficiary shall be designated by the Corporation as provided in Section 10(i) below.

 

(e)          Shares of Series T Preferred Stock held by the Series T Trustee shall continue to be issued and outstanding shares. The Prohibited Series T Owner shall have no rights in the shares of Series T Preferred Stock held by the Series T Trustee. The Prohibited Series T Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any shares of Series T Preferred Stock held in trust by the Series T Trustee, shall have no rights to dividends or other Distributions on such shares and shall not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to such shares.

 

(f)          The Trustee shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other Distributions with respect to shares of Series T Preferred Stock held in the Series T Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Series T Beneficiary. Any dividend or other Distribution paid prior to the discovery by the Corporation that shares of Series T Preferred Stock have been Transferred to the Series T Trustee shall be paid with respect to such shares to the Series T Trustee upon demand and any dividend or other Distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Series T Trustee. Any dividends or other Distributions so paid over to the Series T Trustee shall be held in trust for the Series T Beneficiary. The Prohibited Series T Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to shares of Series T Preferred Stock held in the Series T Trust and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that Shares have been Transferred to the Series T Trust, the Series T Trustee shall have the authority (at the Series T Trustee's sole discretion) (i) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Series T Owner prior to the discovery by the Corporation that shares of Series T Preferred Stock have been Transferred to the Series T Trustee and (ii) to recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the Series T Trustee acting for the benefit of the Series T Beneficiary; provided, however, that if the Corporation has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the Series T Trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 10, until the Corporation has received notification that shares of Series T Preferred Stock have been Transferred into a Series T Trust, the Corporation shall be entitled to rely on its share transfer and other stockholder records for purposes of preparing lists of holders of Series T Preferred Stock entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes of holders of Series T Preferred Stock.

 

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(g)          As soon as reasonably practicable after receiving notice from the Corporation that shares of Series T Preferred Stock have been Transferred to the Series T Trust (and no later than 20 days after receiving notice in the case of shares of Series T Preferred Stock that are listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange), the Series T Trustee shall sell the shares held in the Series T Trust to a Person, designated by the Series T Trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate Section 10(b). Upon such sale, the interest of the Series T Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Series T Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Series T Owner and to the Series T Beneficiary as provided in this Section 10(g). The Prohibited Series T Owner shall receive the lesser of (i) the price paid by the Prohibited Series T Owner for the shares or, if the Prohibited Series T Owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the Series T Trust (e.g., in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the Market Price of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the Series T Trust and (ii) the sales proceeds received by the Series T Trustee (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale) from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the Series T Trust. The Series T Trustee may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Series T Owner by the amount of dividends and other Distributions which have been paid to the Prohibited Series T Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Series T Owner to the Series T Trustee pursuant to Section 10(f). Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Series T Owner shall be immediately paid to the Series T Beneficiary. If, prior to the discovery by the Corporation that shares of Series T Preferred Stock have been Transferred to the Series T Trustee, such shares are sold by a Prohibited Series T Owner, then (x) such shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Series T Trust and (y) to the extent that the Prohibited Series T Owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Series T Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 10(g), such excess shall be paid to the Series T Trustee upon demand.

 

(h)          Shares of Series T Preferred Stock Transferred to the Series T Trustee shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to the Corporation, or its designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such Transfer to the Series T Trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the Market Price at the time of such devise or gift) and (ii) the Market Price on the date the Corporation, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Corporation may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Series T Owner by the amount of dividends and other Distributions which have been paid to the Prohibited Series T Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Series T Owner to the Series T Trustee pursuant to Section 10(f). The Corporation may pay the amount of such reduction to the Series T Trustee for the benefit of the Series T Beneficiary. The Corporation shall have the right to accept such offer until the Series T Trustee has sold the shares held in the Series T Trust pursuant to Section 10(g). Upon such a sale to the Corporation, the interest of the Series T Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Series T Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Series T Owner.

 

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(i)           By written notice to the Series T Trustee, the Corporation may change the Series T Beneficiary by designating one or more nonprofit organizations to be the Series T Beneficiary of the interest in the Series T Trust such that (i) shares of Series T Preferred Stock held in the Series T Trust would not violate Section 10(b) in the hands of such Series T Beneficiary and (ii) each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections l70(b)(1)(A) (other than clauses (vii) and (viii) thereof), 2055 and 2522 of the Code. Neither the failure of the Corporation to make such designation nor the failure of the Corporation to appoint the Series T Trustee before the automatic transfer provided for in Section 10(c) shall make such transfer ineffective, provided that the Corporation thereafter makes such designation and appointment. The designation of a nonprofit organization as a Series T Beneficiary shall not entitle such nonprofit organization to serve in such capacity and the Corporation may, in its sole discretion, designate a different nonprofit organization as the Series T Beneficiary at any time and for any or no reason. Any determination by the Corporation with respect to the application of this Section 10 shall be binding on each Series T Beneficiary.

 

(j)           If the Board or its designee (including any duly authorized committee of the Board) shall at any time determine in good faith that a Transfer or Non-Transfer Event has taken place that results in a violation of Section 10(b) or that a Person intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership or beneficial ownership (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) of any shares of Series T Preferred Stock in violation of Section 10(b) (whether or not such violation is intended), the Board or its designee shall take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer or Non-Transfer Event or otherwise prevent such violation, including, without limitation, causing the Corporation to redeem shares of Series T Preferred Stock, refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the books of the Corporation or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer or Non-Transfer Event; provided, however, that any Transfers or attempted Transfers in violation of Section 10(b) (or Non-Transfer Event that results in a violation of Section 10(b)) shall automatically result in the Transfer to the Series T Trust described above, or, if applicable, shall be void ab initio as provided above irrespective of any action (or non-action) by the Board or its designee.

 

(k)          Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership or beneficial ownership (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) of shares of Series T Preferred Stock that will or may violate Section 10(b), or any Person who held or would have owned shares of Series T Preferred Stock that resulted in a Transfer to the Series T Trust pursuant to Section 10(c), shall immediately give written notice to the Corporation of such event, or in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice, and shall provide to the Corporation such other information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Transfer on the Corporation's qualification as a REIT.

 

(l)           Subject to Section 10(q), nothing contained in this Section 10 shall limit the authority of the Board to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable to protect the Corporation and the interests of the Stockholders in preserving the Corporation's qualification as a REIT.

 

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(m)          The Board shall have the power to determine the application of any provisions of this Section 10 and any definition in Section 10(a), including in the case of an ambiguity in the application of any provisions of this Section 10 or any such definition, with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it. In the event this Section 10 requires an action by the Board and the Charter fails to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board shall have the power to determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of Article V of the Charter or this Section 10.

 

(n)          Subject to clause (ii) below, the Board, in its sole discretion, may exempt (prospectively or retroactively) a Person from the Series T Ownership Limit and establish or increase a Series T Excepted Holder Limit for such Person if (i) the Board obtains such representations and undertakings from such Person as are reasonably necessary to ascertain that such Person’s Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Series T Preferred Stock in excess of the Series T Ownership Limit will not now or in the future jeopardize the Corporation’s ability to qualify as a REIT under the Code and (ii) such Person agrees that any violation or attempted violation of such representations or undertakings (or other action which is contrary to the restrictions contained in this Section 10) will result in such shares being automatically Transferred to a Series T Trust in accordance with Section 10(d) through (i) above. Prior to granting any exception or waiver or creating any Series T Excepted Holder Limit pursuant to this Section 10(n), the Board may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the Board in its sole discretion, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Corporation’s qualification as a REIT. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, the Board may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting such exemption or waiver or creating any Series T Excepted Holder Limit. The Board may only reduce the Series T Excepted Holder Limit for a Series T Excepted Holder (x) with the written consent of such Series T Excepted Holder at any time or (y) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements and undertakings entered into with such Series T Excepted Holder in connection with the establishment of the Series T Excepted Holder Limit for that Series T Excepted Holder. The Board may from time to time increase the Series T Ownership Limit for one or more Persons and decrease the Series T Ownership Limit for all other Persons; provided, however, that any such decreased Series T Ownership Limit will not be effective for any Person whose percentage ownership in shares of Series T Preferred Stock is in excess of the decreased Series T Ownership Limit until such time as such Person’s percentage of shares of Series T Preferred Stock equals or falls below the decreased Series T Ownership Limit, but any further acquisition of shares of Series T Preferred Stock in excess of such percentage ownership of shares will be in violation of the Series T Ownership Limit; and provided, further, that the new Series T Ownership Limit would not result in the Corporation being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT.

 

(o)          Subject to Section 6.1.1(a)(iii) of the Charter, an underwriter, placement agent or initial purchaser in a Rule 144A transaction that participates in a public offering, private placement or other private offering of Series T Preferred Stock may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Series T Preferred Stock in excess of the Series T Ownership Limit, but only to the extent (i) necessary to facilitate such public offering, private placement or other private offering and (ii) such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership does not cause the Corporation to fail to satisfy the requirements of Section 856(a)(6) of the Code or cause a violation of Section 6.1.1(a)(iii) or (iv) of the Charter.

 

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(p)          Each certificate representing shares of Series T Preferred Stock, if certificated, shall bear a legend that substantially describes the foregoing restrictions on transfer and ownership or, instead of such legend, the certificate, if any, may state that the Corporation will furnish a full statement about certain restrictions on transferability to a stockholder on request and without charge.

 

(q)          Nothing in this Section 10 shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE American or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that the settlement of any transaction occurs shall not negate the effect of any other provision of this Section 10 and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this Section 10.

 

11.           Voting Rights.

 

(a)           Holders of the Series T Preferred Stock shall not have any voting rights except as set forth below.

 

(b)           So long as any shares of Series T Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the holders of shares of Series T Preferred Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote on any amendment, alteration or repeal of the Charter, including the terms of the Series T Preferred Stock, that would alter only the contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of the Series T Preferred Stock, and the holders of any other classes or series of capital stock of the Corporation shall not be entitled to vote on any such amendment, alteration or repeal. Any such amendment, alteration or repeal shall require the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of two-thirds of the shares of Series T Preferred Stock issued and outstanding at the time. With respect to any amendment, alteration or repeal of the Charter, including the terms of the Series T Preferred Stock, that equally affects the terms of the Series T Preferred Stock and any Parity Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred (“Parity Voting Preferred Stock”), the holders of shares of Series T Preferred Stock and such Parity Voting Preferred Stock (voting together as a single class) shall have the exclusive right to vote on any amendment, alteration or repeal of the Charter, including the terms of the Series T Preferred Stock, that would alter only the contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of the Series T Preferred Stock and such Parity Voting Preferred Stock, and the holders of any other classes or series of capital stock of the Corporation shall not be entitled to vote on any such amendment, alteration or repeal. Any such amendment, alteration or repeal shall require the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of shares of Series T Preferred Stock and such Parity Voting Preferred Stock entitled to cast two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast by such holders on such matter, with each holder of Series T Preferred Stock and such Parity Voting Preferred Stock entitled to one vote for each $25.00 in liquidation preference.

 

(c)           So long as any shares of Series T Preferred Stock remain outstanding, in addition to any other vote or consent of stockholders required by the Charter, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of Series T Preferred Stock and Parity Voting Preferred Stock entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the outstanding shares of Series T Preferred Stock and Parity Voting Preferred Stock (voting together as a single class) shall be required to authorize, create or issue, or increase the number of authorized or issued shares of, any class or series of Senior Stock or reclassify any authorized shares of capital stock of the Corporation into Senior Stock, or create, authorize or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase Senior Stock.

 

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(d)           Holders of shares of Series T Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to vote with respect to (i) any issuance or increase in the total number of authorized Common Shares or Preferred Shares, (ii) any issuance or increase in the number of authorized shares of Series T Preferred Stock or the creation or issuance of any other class or series of capital stock, or (iii) any increase in the number of authorized shares of any other class or series of capital stock, in each case referred to in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of this Section 11(d) constituting Parity Preferred Stock or Junior Stock, and in the case of the creation of Parity Preferred Stock that requires such Parity Preferred Stock to vote together with the Series T Preferred Stock as a single class. Except as set forth herein, holders of Series T Preferred Stock shall not have any voting rights with respect to, and the consent of the holders of Series T Preferred Stock shall not be required for, the taking of any corporate action regardless of the effect that such corporate action may have upon the powers, preferences, voting power or other rights or privileges of the Series T Preferred Stock.

 

(e)           The foregoing voting provisions of this Section 11 shall not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding shares of Series T Preferred Stock shall have been redeemed or called for redemption upon proper notice pursuant hereto and sufficient funds, in cash, shall have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.

 

(f)           In any matter in which the Series T Preferred Stock may vote (as expressly provided herein), each share of Series T Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote per $25.00 of liquidation preference.

 

12.           Conversion. The Series T Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any other property or securities of the Corporation.

 

13.           Dividend Coverage Requirements.

 

(a)           So long as any shares of Series T Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Corporation shall maintain a Dividend Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.1:1 (the “Coverage Requirement”) as of the end of each calendar quarter. If the Corporation’s Dividend Coverage Ratio is below the Coverage Requirement as reflected in a Current Filing, on and after the date of such Current Filing the Corporation shall not issue any additional Preferred Shares other than Junior Stock, and shall not make any voluntary distributions on shares of Class A Common Stock or any other class of Junior Stock (other than distributions required to maintain status as a REIT for tax purposes) until and unless the Coverage Requirement has been met.

 

(b)          So long as any shares of Series T Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Corporation shall not sell an asset if such sale would cause the Corporation to fail to meet the Coverage Requirement, with CFFO for these purposes determined on a reasonable pro forma basis to adjust for the effect of disposing of the subject property, unless such sale is reasonably necessary for the Corporation to continue to qualify as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor statute, as determined by a majority of the independent directors on the Board.

 

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14.           Term. The Series T Preferred Stock has no stated maturity date and shall not be subject to any sinking fund and, except as otherwise set forth herein, is not subject to mandatory redemption. The Corporation shall not be required to set aside funds to redeem the Series T Preferred Stock.

 

15.           Status of Redeemed or Repurchased Series T Preferred Stock. All shares of Series T Preferred Stock redeemed, repurchased or otherwise acquired in any manner by the Corporation shall be retired and shall be restored to the status of authorized but unissued Preferred Shares, without designation as to series or class.

 

SECOND: The shares of Series T Preferred Stock have been classified and designated by the Board under the authority contained in the Charter.

 

THIRD: These Articles Supplementary have been approved by the Board in the manner and by the vote required by law.

 

FOURTH: The undersigned acknowledges these Articles Supplementary to be the corporate act of the Corporation and, as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned acknowledges that, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles Supplementary to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Chief Executive Officer and attested to by its Chief Legal Officer and Secretary on this 13th day of November, 2019.

 

ATTEST:   BLUEROCK RESIDENTIAL GROWTH REIT, INC.  
         
         
/s/ Michael L. Konig   By: /s/ R. Ramin Kamfar  (SEAL)
Name: Michael L. Konig     Name: R. Ramin Kamfar  
Title: Chief Legal Officer and Secretary     Title: Chief Executive Officer  

 

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Exhibit 5.1

 

 

 

November 19, 2019

 

Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc.

32nd Floor

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10105

 

Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-224990)

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have served as Maryland counsel to Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), in connection with certain matters of Maryland law arising out of the registration of 32,000,000 shares (the “Shares”) of Series T Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Series T Preferred Stock”), of the Company, to be issued by the Company in a public offering (the “Offering”) covered by the above-referenced Registration Statement, and all amendments thereto (the “Registration Statement”), filed by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). 20,000,000 Shares (the “Primary Offering Shares”) are issuable in the Company’s primary offering (the “Offering”) and 12,000,000 Shares (the “Plan Shares”) are issuable pursuant to the Company’s Series T Distribution Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”), subject to the right of the Company to reallocate Shares between the Offering and the Plan as described in the Prospectus Supplement (as defined herein).

 

In connection with our representation of the Company, and as a basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following documents (herein collectively referred to as the “Documents”):

 

1.             The Registration Statement;

 

2.             The Prospectus, dated May 23, 2018, as supplemented by a Prospectus Supplement (including, without limitation, the Plan included therein), dated as of the date hereof (the “Prospectus Supplement”), filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated under the 1933 Act;

 

3.             The charter of the Company (the “Charter”), including, without limitation, the Articles Supplementary relating to the Series T Preferred Stock, certified by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “SDAT”);

 

 

 

Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc.

November 19, 2019

Page 2

 

4.             The Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;

 

5.             A certificate of the SDAT as to the good standing of the Company, dated as of a recent date;

 

6.             Resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company relating to, among other matters, the sale, issuance and registration of the Shares (the “Resolutions”), certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;

 

7.             A certificate executed by an officer of the Company, dated as of the date hereof; and

 

8.             Such other documents and matters as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to express the opinion set forth below, subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein.

 

In expressing the opinion set forth below, we have assumed the following:

 

1.             Each individual executing any of the Documents, whether on behalf of such individual or another person, is legally competent to do so.

 

2.             Each individual executing any of the Documents on behalf of a party (other than the Company) is duly authorized to do so.

 

3.             Each of the parties (other than the Company) executing any of the Documents has duly and validly executed and delivered each of the Documents to which such party is a signatory, and such party’s obligations set forth therein are legal, valid and binding and are enforceable in accordance with all stated terms.

 

4.             All Documents submitted to us as originals are authentic. The form and content of all Documents submitted to us as unexecuted drafts do not differ in any respect relevant to this opinion from the form and content of such Documents as executed and delivered. All Documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the original documents. All signatures on all Documents are genuine. All public records reviewed or relied upon by us or on our behalf are true and complete. All representations, warranties, statements and information contained in the Documents are true and complete. There has been no oral or written modification of or amendment to any of the Documents, and there has been no waiver of any provision of any of the Documents, by action or omission of the parties or otherwise.

 

 

 

Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc.

November 19, 2019

Page 3

 

5.             The Shares will not be issued or transferred in violation of any restriction or limitation on transfer and ownership of shares of stock of the Company contained in the Charter. Upon the issuance of any of the Shares, the total number of shares of Series T Preferred Stock issued and outstanding will not exceed the total number of shares of Series T Preferred Stock that the Company is then authorized to issue under the Charter.

 

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein, it is our opinion that:

 

1.             The Company is a corporation duly incorporated and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing with the SDAT.

 

2.             The issuance of the Primary Offering Shares has been duly authorized and, when and if issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the Registration Statement, the Prospectus Supplement and the Resolutions, the Primary Offering Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

3.             The issuance of the Plan Shares has been duly authorized and, when and if issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the Registration Statement, the Prospectus Supplement, the Plan and the Resolutions, the Plan Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

The foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Maryland and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law. We express no opinion as to compliance with any federal or state securities laws, including the securities laws of the State of Maryland, or as to federal or state laws regarding fraudulent transfers. To the extent that any matter as to which our opinion is expressed herein would be governed by the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Maryland, we do not express any opinion on such matter. The opinion expressed herein is subject to the effect of judicial decisions which may permit the introduction of parol evidence to modify the terms or the interpretation of agreements.

 

The opinion expressed herein is limited to the matters specifically set forth herein and no other opinion shall be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated. We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion if any applicable law changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinion expressed herein after the date hereof.

 

 

 

Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc.

November 19, 2019

Page 4

 

This opinion is being furnished to you for submission to the Commission as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K relating to the Offering (the “Current Report”), which is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Current Report and the said incorporation by reference and to the use of the name of our firm therein. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the 1933 Act.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  /s/ Venable LLP

 

101250/429487

 

Exhibit 8.1

 

 

 

November 19, 2019

 

Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc.

1345 Avenue of the Americas

32nd Floor

New York, New York 10105

 

Re: Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc. Qualification as Real Estate Investment Trust

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as special tax counsel to Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the offer and sale of up to 32,000,000 shares of Series T Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company pursuant to a preliminary prospectus supplement filed on October 16, 2019 and a final prospectus supplement filed on November 14, 2019 (together, the “Prospectus Supplement”), forming part of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-224990) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 17, 2018 (the “Registration Statement”). You have requested our opinion regarding certain U.S. federal income tax matters.

 

In connection with the opinions rendered in (a) and (b) below (together, the “Tax Opinion”), we have examined the following:

 

1. the Registration Statement, the prospectus filed as part of the Registration Statement (the “Prospectus”), and the Prospectus Supplement;

 

2. the Company’s Second Articles of Amendment and Restatement filed on March 26, 2014 (the “Charter”), the Company’s First Articles of Amendment to the Charter filed on March 26, 2014, the Company’s Second Articles of Amendment to the Charter filed on March 26, 2014, the Company’s Third Articles of Amendment to the Charter filed on March 31, 2014, the Company’s Fourth Articles of Amendment to the Charter filed on March 31, 2014 with the Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland, the Articles Supplementary designating the Company’s 8.250% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, the Articles Supplementary designating the Company’s Series B Redeemable Preferred Stock, the Articles Supplementary designating the Company’s 7.625% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, the Articles Supplementary designating the Company’s 7.125% Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock, and the Articles Supplementary designating the Company’s Series T Redeemable Preferred Stock;

 

Vinson & Elkins LLP Attorneys at Law

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901 East Byrd Street, Suite 1500

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Tel +1.804.327.6300 Fax +1. 804.327.6301 www.velaw.com

 

 

 

 

November 19, 2019 Page 2

 

 

 

3. the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Bluerock Residential Holdings, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”) (such agreement, the “OP LPA”), the First Amendment to the OP LPA, the Second Amendment to the OP LPA, the Third Amendment to the OP LPA, the Fourth Amendment to the OP LPA, the Fifth Amendment to the OP LPA, the Sixth Amendment to the OP LPA, the Seventh Amendment to the OP LPA, the Eighth Amendment to the OP LPA, the Ninth Amendment to the OP LPA, the Tenth Amendment to the OP LPA, the Eleventh Amendment to the OP LPA, and the Twelfth Amendment to the OP LPA; and

 

4. such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of this opinion.

 

In connection with the Tax Opinion rendered below, we have assumed, with your consent, that:

 

1. each of the documents referred to above has been duly authorized, executed, and delivered; is authentic, if an original, or is accurate, if a copy; and has not been amended;

 

2. during its taxable year ending December 31, 2019, and future taxable years, the Company will operate in a manner that will make the factual representations contained in a certificate, dated the date hereof and executed by a duly appointed officer of the Company (the “Officer’s Certificate”), true for such years;

 

3. the Company will not make any amendments to its organizational documents or the organizational documents of the Operating Partnership after the date of this opinion that would affect its qualification as a real estate investment trust (a “REIT”) for any taxable year; and

 

4. no action will be taken by the Company or the Operating Partnership after the date hereof that would have the effect of altering the facts upon which the opinions set forth below are based.

 

In connection with the Tax Opinion rendered below, we also have relied upon the correctness of the factual representations contained in the Officer’s Certificate. No facts have come to our attention that would cause us to question the accuracy and completeness of such factual representations. Furthermore, where such factual representations involve terms defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the Treasury regulations thereunder (the “Regulations”), published rulings of the Internal Revenue Service (the “Service”), or other relevant authority, we have reviewed with the individuals making such representations the relevant provisions of the Code, the applicable Regulations and published administrative interpretations thereof.

 

 

 

 

November 19, 2019 Page 3

 

 

 

Based solely on the documents and assumptions set forth above, the representations set forth in the Officer’s Certificate, and the discussions in the Prospectus under the caption “Material Federal Income Tax Considerations” and in the Prospectus Supplement under the caption “Additional Material Federal Income Tax Considerations” (which are incorporated herein by reference), we are of the opinion that:

 

(a)       the Company qualified to be taxed as a REIT pursuant to sections 856 through 860 of the Code for its taxable years ended December 31, 2010 through December 31, 2018, and the Company’s organization and current and proposed method of operation will enable it to continue to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code for its taxable year ending December 31, 2019 and thereafter; and

 

(b)       the descriptions of the law and the legal conclusions in the Prospectus under the caption “Material Federal Income Tax Considerations” and in the Prospectus Supplement under the heading “Additional Material Federal Income Tax Considerations” are correct in all material respects.

 

We will not review on a continuing basis the Company’s compliance with the documents or assumptions set forth above, or the representations set forth in the Officer’s Certificate. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of the Company’s operations for any given taxable year will satisfy the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT. Although we have made such inquiries and performed such investigations as we have deemed necessary to fulfill our professional responsibilities as counsel, we have not undertaken an independent investigation of all of the facts referred to in this letter or the Officer’s Certificate. In particular, we note that the Company has engaged in transactions in connection with which we have not provided legal advice and may not have reviewed.

 

Moreover, we have not participated in the preparation of the Registration Statement, except with respect to the section entitled “Material Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the Prospectus and the section entitled “Additional Material Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the Prospectus Supplement, and we do not assume any responsibility for, and make no representation that we have independently verified, the accuracy, completeness, or fairness of the statements contained in the Registration Statement, except to the extent described above with respect to the section entitled “Material Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the Prospectus and the section entitled “Additional Material Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the Prospectus Supplement.

 

 

 

 

November 19, 2019 Page 4

 

 

 

The foregoing opinions are based on current provisions of the Code, the Regulations, published administrative interpretations thereof, and published court decisions. The Service has not issued Regulations or administrative interpretations with respect to various provisions of the Code relating to REIT qualification. No assurance can be given that the law will not change in a way that will prevent the Company from qualifying as a REIT.

 

The foregoing opinions are limited to the U.S. federal income tax matters addressed herein, and no other opinions are rendered with respect to other U.S. federal tax matters or to any issues arising under the tax laws of any other country, or any state or locality. We undertake no obligation to update the opinions expressed herein after the date of this letter. This opinion letter speaks only as of the date hereof. Except as provided in the next paragraph, this opinion letter may not be distributed, quoted in whole or in part or otherwise reproduced in any document, or filed with any governmental agency without our express written consent.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the captions “Material Federal Income Tax Considerations” and “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus and under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus Supplement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  /s/ Vinson & Elkins LLP
   
  Vinson & Elkins LLP

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

BLUEROCK RESIDENTIAL GROWTH REIT, INC.

 

Up to 20,000,000 Shares of Series T Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share

 

DEALER MANAGER AGREEMENT

 

November 13, 2019 

 

Bluerock Capital Markets, LLC

4100 Newport Place, Suite 720

Newport Beach, California 92660

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc. a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), has proposed to offer for public sale (the “Offering”) a maximum of 20,000,000 shares of Series T Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share (collectively, the “Shares,” and each, a “Share”). Shares are to be issued and sold to the public on a “reasonable best efforts” basis through you (the “Dealer Manager”), as the managing dealer, and the broker-dealers participating in the Offering (the “Participating Broker-Dealers”), at a price of $25.00 per Share.  The price at which Shares will be offered and sold is subject in certain circumstances to discounts based upon certain categories of purchasers.  

 

The Company is the sole general partner of Bluerock Residential Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership that serves as the Company’s operating partnership subsidiary (the “Operating Partnership”).  The Company and the Operating Partnership hereby jointly and severally agree with you, the Dealer Manager, as follows:

 

1.             Representations and Warranties of the Company and the Operating Partnership.

 

The Company and the Operating Partnership hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to the Dealer Manager and each Participating Broker-Dealer with whom the Dealer Manager has entered into or will enter into a Participating Broker-Dealer Agreement (the “Participating Broker-Dealer Agreement”) substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A to this Agreement, as of the date hereof and at all times during the Offering Period, as that term is defined in Section 5.1 below (provided that, to the extent such representations and warranties are given only as of a specified date or dates, the Company and the Operating Partnership only make such representations and warranties as of such date or dates as follows):

 

1.1           Compliance with Registration Requirements.  A registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-224990), including a preliminary prospectus, for the registration of the Shares has been prepared by the Company in accordance with applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) promulgated thereunder (the “Securities Act Regulations”), and was initially filed with the Commission on May 17, 2018 and first declared effective by the Commission on May 23, 2018 (the “Registration Statement”). The Company has prepared and filed such amendments thereto, if any, and such amended prospectuses, if any, as may have been required to the date hereof and will file such additional amendments and supplements thereto as may hereafter be required.  As used in this Agreement, the term “Registration Statement” means the Registration Statement, as amended through the date hereof, except that, if the Company files any post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement, “Registration Statement” shall refer to the Registration Statement as so amended by the last post-effective amendment declared effective; the term “Effective Date” means the applicable date upon which the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto is or was first declared effective by the Commission; the term “Prospectus” means the base prospectus, as amended or supplemented, on file with the Commission at the Effective Date of the Registration Statement (including financial statements, exhibits and all other documents related thereto filed as a part thereof or incorporated therein), except that if the base prospectus is amended or supplemented after the Effective Date in respect of the offering of the Shares and the Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share (each, a “Class A Share”) issuable upon redemption thereof (collectively, the “Offered Securities”), the term “Prospectus” shall refer to the base prospectus as amended or supplemented to date, collectively with any prospectus filed pursuant to either Rule 424(b) or 424(c) of the Securities Act Regulations in respect of the Offering and the Offered Securities (each a “Takedown Supplement”), from and after the date on which it shall have been filed with the Commission; the term “preliminary Prospectus” as used herein shall mean a preliminary prospectus related to the Shares as contemplated by Rule 430 or Rule 430A of the Securities Act Regulations included at any time as part of the Registration Statement; and the term “Filing Date” means the applicable date upon which the base prospectus or any Takedown Supplement is filed with the Commission. As of the date hereof, the Commission has not issued any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending before or threatened by the Commission under the Securities Act.

 

   

 

 

The Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and any further amendments or supplements thereto, will, as of the applicable Effective Date or Filing Date, as the case may be, comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations; the Registration Statement does not, and any amendments thereto will not, in each case as of the applicable Effective Date, contain an untrue statement of material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and the Prospectus does not, and any amendment or supplement thereto will not, as of the applicable Filing Date, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the Company and the Operating Partnership make no warranty or representation with respect to any statement contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto, made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by the Dealer Manager or any Participating Broker-Dealer expressly for use in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto.

 

1.2           Documents Incorporated by Reference. The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Prospectus (if any), at the time they are hereafter filed with the Commission, will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Exchange Act Rules and Regulations”), and, when read together with the other information in the Prospectus, at the time the Registration Statement became effective and as of the applicable Effective Date of each post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, did not and will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

1.3           Compliance with the Securities Act, Etc. (i) On (A) each applicable Effective Date, (B) the date of the preliminary Prospectus, (C) the date of the Prospectus, and (D) the date any supplement to the Prospectus is filed with the Commission, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, as applicable, have complied, and will comply, in all material respects with the Securities Act, the Securities Act Regulations, the Exchange Act and the Exchange Act Rules and Regulations, as applicable; and (ii) the Registration Statement does not, and any amendment thereto will not, in each case as of the applicable Effective Date, include any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and the Prospectus does not, and any amendment or supplement thereto will not, as of the applicable filing date, include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading; providedhowever, that the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.3 will not extend to any statements contained in, incorporated by reference in or omitted from the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto that are based upon written information furnished to the Company by the Dealer Manager expressly for use therein.

 

1.4           Securities Matters. There has not been (i) any request by the Commission for any further amendment to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or for any additional information, (ii) any issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the institution or, to the Company’s knowledge, threat of any proceeding for that purpose, or (iii) any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Shares for sale in any jurisdiction or any initiation or, to the Company’s knowledge, threat of any proceeding for such purpose. The Company is in compliance in all material respects with all federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations applicable to it and its activities, including, without limitation, with respect to the Offering and the sale of the Shares.

 

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1.5           Good Standing of the Company and the Operating Partnership.  The Company is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Maryland, and is in good standing with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland, with full power and authority to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and to enter into this Agreement and to perform the transactions contemplated hereby; this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and is a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and by general equitable principles, and except to the extent that the enforceability of the indemnity provisions and the contribution provisions contained in Sections 7 and 8 of this Agreement, respectively, may be limited under applicable securities laws.

 

The Operating Partnership is a limited partnership duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with full power and authority to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and to enter into this Agreement and to perform the transactions contemplated hereby; as of the date hereof the Company is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership; this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Operating Partnership and is a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Operating Partnership enforceable against the Operating Partnership in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and by general equitable principles, and except to the extent that the enforceability of the indemnity provisions and the contribution provisions contained in Sections 7 and 8 of this Agreement, respectively, may be limited under applicable securities laws.

 

Each of the Company and the Operating Partnership has qualified to do business and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which the ownership or leasing of its properties or the nature or conduct of its business, as described in the Prospectus, requires such qualification, except where the failure to do so would not have a material adverse effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, results of operations or cash flows of the Company and the Operating Partnership taken as a whole (a “Material Adverse Effect”).

 

1.6           Authorization of Shares. The Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued and sold as contemplated by the Prospectus and upon payment therefor as provided in this Agreement and the Prospectus, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and will conform to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus. The Class A Shares issuable upon redemption of the Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued as contemplated by the Prospectus, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and will conform to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus.

 

1.7           Absence of Defaults and Conflicts.  The Company is not in violation of its charter or its bylaws and the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the issuance, sale and delivery of the Shares or the Class A Shares issuable upon redemption thereof, the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated and compliance with the terms of this Agreement by the Company will not violate the terms of or constitute a breach or default under: (a) its charter or bylaws; or (b) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, lease, or other material agreement to which the Company is a party or to which its properties are bound; or (c) any law, rule or regulation applicable to the Company; or (d) any writ, injunction or decree of any government, governmental instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company except, in the cases of clauses (b), (c) and (d), for such violations or defaults that, individually or in the aggregate, would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

The Operating Partnership is not in violation of its certificate of limited partnership or its partnership agreement and the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated and compliance with the terms of this Agreement by the Operating Partnership will not violate the terms of or constitute a breach or default under: (a) its certificate of limited partnership or; (b) its partnership agreement; or (c) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, lease, or other material agreement to which the Operating Partnership is a party or to which its properties are bound; or (d) any law, rule or regulation applicable to the Operating Partnership; or (e) any writ, injunction or decree of any government, governmental instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Operating Partnership except, in the cases of clauses (b), (c), (d) and (e), for such violations or defaults that, individually or in the aggregate, would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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1.8           REIT Compliance.  The Company is organized in a manner that conforms with the requirements for qualification as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and the Company’s intended method of operation, as set forth in the Prospectus, would enable it to meet the requirements for taxation as a REIT under the Code.  The Operating Partnership will be treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes and not as a corporation or association taxable as a corporation.

 

1.9           No Operation as an Investment Company.  The Company is not and does not currently intend to conduct its business so as to be, an “investment company” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and it will exercise reasonable diligence to ensure that it does not become an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

1.10         Absence of Further Requirements.  As of the date hereof, no filing with, or consent, approval, authorization, license, registration, qualification, order or decree of any court, governmental authority or agency is required for the performance by the Company or the Operating Partnership of their respective obligations under this Agreement or in connection with the issuance and sale by the Company of the Shares, except such as may be required under the Securities Act, Securities Act Regulations, the Exchange Act, the Exchange Act Rules and Regulations, the rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) or applicable state securities laws or where the failure to obtain such consent, approval, authorization, license, registration, qualification, order or decree of any court, governmental authority or agency would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

1.11         Absence of Proceedings.  Unless otherwise described in the Prospectus, there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or the Operating Partnership, threatened against either the Company or the Operating Partnership at law or in equity or before or by any federal or state commission, regulatory body or administrative agency or other governmental body, domestic or foreign, which would have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

1.12         Financial Statements.  The financial statements of the Company included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus including without limitation those financial statements incorporated by reference to the Company’s reports filed pursuant to the Exchange Act, together with the related notes, present fairly the financial position of the Company, as of the date specified, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis and in conformity with Regulation S-X of the Commission.  No other financial statements or schedules are required by Form S-3 or under the Securities Act Regulations to be included in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any preliminary prospectus.

 

1.13         [Reserved].

 

1.14         Independent Accountants. Grant Thornton, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, or such other independent accounting firm that has audited and is reporting upon any financial statements included or to be included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, shall be as of the applicable Effective Date or Filing Date, and shall have been during the periods covered by their report included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, independent public accountants with respect to the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations.

 

1.15         No Material Adverse Change in Business.  Since the respective dates as of which information is provided in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, except as otherwise stated therein, (a) there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings or business affairs of the Company or the Operating Partnership, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, and (b) there have been no transactions entered into by the Company or the Operating Partnership which could reasonably result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

1.16         Material Agreements.  There are no contracts or other documents required by the Securities Act or the Securities Act Regulations to be described in or incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement which have not been accurately described in all material respects in the Prospectus or incorporated or filed as required.  Each document incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement or the Prospectus complied, as of the date filed, in all material respects with the requirements as to form of the Exchange Act, and the Exchange Act Rules and Regulations.

 

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1.17         Reporting and Accounting Controls.  Each of the Company and the Operating Partnership has implemented controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in supplements to the Prospectus and amendments to the Registration Statement under the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations, the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act and the Exchange Act Rules and Regulations and the reports and filings that it is required to make under the applicable state securities laws in connection with the Offering are recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure; and the Company makes and keeps books, records and accounts which, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company and the Operating Partnership.  The Company and the Operating Partnership maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (a) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (b) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for assets; (c) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (d) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.  To the Company’s knowledge, neither the Company nor the Operating Partnership, nor any employee or agent thereof, has made any payment of funds of the Company or the Operating Partnership, as the case may be, or received or retained any funds, and no funds of the Company, or the Operating Partnership, as the case may be, have been set aside to be used for any payment, in each case in material violation of any law, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or the Operating Partnership.

 

1.18         Material Relationships.  No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Company, on the one hand, and the directors, officers, security holders of the Company, the Operating Partnership, or their respective affiliates, on the other hand, which is required to be described in the Prospectus and which is not so described.

 

1.19         Possession of Licenses and Permits.  The Company possesses adequate permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively, “Governmental Licenses”) issued by the appropriate federal, state, local and foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now operated by it, except where the failure to obtain such Governmental Licenses, singly or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect; the Company is in compliance with the terms and condition of all such Governmental Licenses, except where the failure to so comply would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; all of the Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect, except where the invalidity of such Governmental Licenses to be in full force and effect would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and, as of the date hereof, the Company has not received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Governmental Licenses which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

1.20         Subsidiaries.  Each “significant subsidiary” of the Company (as such term is defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X) and each other entity in which the Company holds a direct or indirect ownership interest that is material to the Company (each a “Subsidiary” and, collectively, the “Subsidiaries”) has been duly organized or formed and is validly existing as a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or similar entity in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, has power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure to be so qualified would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  The only direct Subsidiaries of the Company as of the date of the Registration Statement or the most recent amendment to the Registration Statement, as applicable, are the Subsidiaries described or identified in the Registration Statement or such amendment to the Registration Statement.

 

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1.21         Possession of Intellectual Property.  The Company and the Operating Partnership own or possess, have the right to use or can acquire on reasonable terms, adequate patents, patent rights, licenses, inventions, copyrights, know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks, trade names or other intellectual property (collectively, “Intellectual Property”) necessary to carry on the business now operated by the Company and the Operating Partnership, respectively, except where the failure to have such ownership or possession would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.  Unless otherwise disclosed in the Prospectus, neither the Company nor the Operating Partnership has received any notice or is not otherwise aware of any infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any Intellectual Property or of any facts or circumstances which would render any Intellectual Property invalid or inadequate to protect the interest of the Company and/or the Operating Partnership therein, and which infringement or conflict (if the subject of any unfavorable decision, ruling or finding) or invalidity or inadequacy, singly or in the aggregate, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

1.22         Advertising and Sales Materials.  All advertising and supplemental sales literature prepared or approved by the Company, whether designated solely for “broker-dealer use only” or otherwise, to be used or delivered by the Company or the Dealer Manager in connection with the Offering (the “Authorized Sales Materials”), will not contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made and in conjunction with the Prospectus delivered therewith, not misleading.  Furthermore, all such Authorized Sales Materials will have received all required regulatory approval, which may include, but is not limited to, the Commission and state securities agencies, as applicable, prior to use, except where the failure to obtain such approval would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

1.23         Compliance with Privacy Laws and the USA PATRIOT Act.  The Company complies in all material respects with applicable privacy provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (the “GLB Act”) and applicable provisions of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act (USA PATRIOT Act) of 2001, as amended (the “USA PATRIOT Act”).

 

1.24         Good and Marketable Title to Assets.  Except as otherwise disclosed in the Prospectus:

 

(a)           the Company and its Subsidiaries have good and insurable or good, valid and insurable title (either in fee simple or pursuant to a valid leasehold interest) to all properties and assets described in the Prospectus as being owned or leased, as the case may be, by them and to all properties reflected in the Company’s most recent consolidated financial statements included in the Prospectus, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received notice of any claim that has been or may be asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to any such properties or assets (or any such lease) or affecting or questioning the rights of the Company or any such Subsidiary to the continued ownership, lease, possession or occupancy of such property or assets, except for such claims that could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(b)           there are no liens, charges, encumbrances, claims or restrictions on or affecting the properties and assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(c)            no person or entity, including, without limitation, any tenant under any of the leases pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries leases (as a lessor) any of its properties (whether directly or indirectly through other partnerships, limited liability companies, business trusts, joint ventures or otherwise) has an option or right of first refusal or any other right to purchase any of such properties, except for such options, rights of first refusal or other rights to purchase which, individually or in the aggregate, are not material with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise;

 

(d)           to the Company’s knowledge, each of the properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has access to public rights of way, either directly or through insured easements, except where the failure to have such access would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(e)           to the Company’s knowledge, each of the properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is served by all public utilities necessary for the current operations on such property in sufficient quantities for such operations, except where failure to have such public utilities could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

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(f)            to the knowledge of the Company, each of the properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries complies with all applicable codes and zoning and subdivision laws and regulations, except for such failures to comply which could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

  

(g)           all of the leases under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries hold or use any real property or improvements or any equipment relating to such real property or improvements are in full force and effect, except where the failure to be in full force and effect could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default in the payment of any amounts due under any such leases or in any other default thereunder and the Company knows of no event which, with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both, could constitute a default under any such lease, except such defaults that could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(h)           to the knowledge of the Company, there is no pending or threatened condemnation, zoning change, or other proceeding or action that could in any manner affect the size of, use of, improvements on, construction on or access to the properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except such proceedings or actions that could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

(i)            neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any lessee of any of the real property improvements of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is in default in the payment of any amounts due or in any other default under any of the leases pursuant to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries leases (as lessor) any of its real property or improvements (whether directly or indirectly through partnerships, limited liability companies, joint ventures or otherwise), and the Company knows of no event which, with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both, would constitute such a default under any of such leases, except such defaults as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

1.25         Registration Rights.  Except as otherwise disclosed in the Prospectus, there are no persons, other than the Company, with registration or other similar rights to have any securities of the Company or the Operating Partnership registered pursuant to the Registration Statement or otherwise registered by the Company under the Securities Act, or included in the Offering contemplated hereby.

 

1.26         Taxes.  The Company and the Operating Partnership have filed all federal, state and foreign income tax returns which have been required to be filed on or before the due date (taking into account all extensions of time to file), and has paid or provided for the payment of all taxes indicated by said returns and all assessments received by the Company and each of its Subsidiaries to the extent that such taxes or assessments have become due, except where the Company is contesting such assessments in good faith and except for such taxes and assessments the failure of which to pay would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

1.27         Authorized Use of Trademarks.  Any required consent and authorization has been obtained for the use of any trademark or service mark in any advertising and supplemental sales literature or other materials delivered by the Company to the Dealer Manager or approved by the Company for use by the Dealer Manager and, to the Company’s knowledge, its use does not constitute the unlicensed use of intellectual property.

 

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2.             Covenants of the Company and the Operating Partnership.

 

The Company and the Operating Partnership hereby jointly and severally covenant and agree with the Dealer Manager that:

 

2.1           Compliance with Securities Laws and Regulations.  The Company will: (a) use commercially reasonable efforts to cause any subsequent amendments to the Registration Statement thereto to become effective as promptly as possible; (b) promptly advise the Dealer Manager of (i) the receipt of any comments of, or requests for additional or supplemental information from, the Commission, (ii) the time and date of any filing of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus, and (iii) the time and date that any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement becomes effective; (c) timely file every amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus that may be required by the Commission or under the Securities Act; and (d) if at any time the Commission shall issue any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the Company will promptly notify the Dealer Manager and, to the extent the Company determines such action is in the best interest of the Company, use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the lifting of such order at the earliest possible time.

 

2.2           Delivery of Registration Statement, Prospectus and Sales Materials.  The Company will, at no expense to the Dealer Manager, furnish the Dealer Manager with such number of printed copies of the Registration Statement, including all amendments and exhibits thereto, and the Prospectus as the Dealer Manager may reasonably request.  The Company will similarly furnish to the Dealer Manager and others designated by the Dealer Manager as many copies as the Dealer Manager may reasonably request in connection with the Offering of: (a) the Prospectus in preliminary and final form and every form of supplemental or amended Prospectus; and (b) the Authorized Sales Materials.

 

2.3           Blue Sky Qualifications.  If required, the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to qualify the Shares and the Class A Shares issuable upon redemption thereof for offering and sale under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Dealer Manager and the Company shall mutually agree upon and to make such applications, file such documents and furnish such information as may be reasonably required for that purpose. The Company will, at the Dealer Manager’s request, furnish the Dealer Manager with a copy of such papers filed by the Company in connection with any such qualification. The Company will promptly advise the Dealer Manager of the issuance by such securities administrators of any stop order preventing or suspending the use of the Prospectus or of the institution of any proceedings for that purpose, and will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the removal thereof as promptly as possible. The Dealer Manager will cause its outside counsel to furnish it and the Company with a Blue Sky Survey dated as of the initial Effective Date, which will be supplemented to reflect changes or additions to the information disclosed in such survey.

 

2.4           Material Disclosures.  If at any time when a Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act any event occurs as a result of which, in the opinion of the Company, the Prospectus would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, the Company will promptly notify the Dealer Manager thereof (unless the information shall have been received from the Dealer Manager) and the Dealer Manager and the Participating Broker-Dealers shall suspend the offering and sale of the Shares in accordance with Section 4.12 hereof until such time as the Company, in its sole discretion (a) instructs the Dealer Manager to resume the offering and sale of the Shares and (b) has prepared any required supplemental or amended Prospectus as shall be necessary to correct such statement or omission and to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act.

 

2.5           Use of Proceeds.  The Company will apply the proceeds from the sale of the Shares as stated in the Prospectus in all material respects.

 

2.6           Transfer Agent.  The Company will engage and maintain, at its expense, a registrar and transfer agent for the Shares.

 

2.7           Annual Valuation. For so long as any Shares remain outstanding, and then only for so long as required under FINRA Rules 2310 and 2231 or any similar rule applicable to the Dealer Manager and/or the Participating Broker-Dealers (collectively, the “Valuation Rules”), the Company agrees to (i) conduct a valuation of its assets within twelve (12) months of any previous valuation using the services of a third-party valuation firm reasonably acceptable to the Dealer Manager, and (ii) based on such valuation, publish a per share estimated value for each Share in a manner reasonably designed to comply with applicable requirements under the Valuation Rules.

 

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3.             Payment of Expenses.

 

3.1           Company Expenses.  Subject to the limitations described below, the Company agrees to pay all costs and expenses incident to the Offering, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereunder are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, including expenses, fees and taxes in connection with: (a) the registration fee, the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement (including, without limitation, financial statements, exhibits, schedules and consents), the Prospectus, and any amendments or supplements thereto, and the printing and furnishing of copies of each thereof to the Dealer Manager and to Participating Broker-Dealers (including costs of mailing and shipment); (b) the preparation, issuance and delivery of certificates, if any, for the Shares , including any stock or other transfer taxes or duties payable upon the sale of the Shares; (c) all fees and expenses of the Company’s legal counsel, independent public or certified public accountants and other advisors; (d) filing for review by FINRA of all necessary documents and information relating to the Offering and the Shares(including the reasonable legal fees and filing fees and other disbursements of counsel relating thereto); (e) the fees and expenses of any transfer agent or registrar for the Shares and miscellaneous expenses referred to in the Registration Statement; (f) all costs and expenses incident to the travel and accommodation of the Company’s personnel, in making road show presentations and presentations to Participating Broker-Dealers and other broker-dealers and financial advisors with respect to the offering of the Shares; and (g) the performance of the Company’s other obligations hereunder.  

 

3.2           Dealer Manager Expenses.  In addition to payment of the Company expenses, the Company shall reimburse the Dealer Manager as provided in the Prospectus for certain costs and expenses incident to the Offering, to the extent permitted pursuant to prevailing rules and regulations of FINRA, including expenses, fees and taxes incurred in connection with: (a) attendance at broker-dealer sponsored conferences, educational conferences sponsored by the Company, industry sponsored conferences and informational seminars; (b) legal fees and expenses of counsel to the Dealer Manager; and (c) customary promotional items; provided, however, that, no costs and expenses shall be reimbursed by the Company pursuant to this Section 3.2 which would cause the total underwriting compensation paid in connection with the Offering to exceed 10% of the gross proceeds from the sale of the Shares, excluding reimbursement of bona fide due diligence expenses as provided under Section 3.3.

 

3.3           Due Diligence Expenses.  In addition to reimbursement as provided under Section 3.2, the Company shall also reimburse the Dealer Manager, and any Participating Broker-Dealer, as appropriate, for reasonable bona fide due diligence expenses incurred by the Dealer Manager or any Participating Broker-Dealer. Such due diligence expenses may include travel, lodging, meals and other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Dealer Manager or any Participating Broker-Dealer and their personnel when visiting the Company’s offices or properties to verify information relating to the Company or its properties.  The Dealer Manager or any Participating Broker-Dealer shall provide a detailed and itemized invoice to the Company for any such due diligence expenses.

 

3.4           FINRA Limitation on Organization and Offering Expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will not make any payments pursuant to this Section 3 to the extent such payments would result in the aggregate of the Company’s “organization and offering expenses” as defined by FINRA Rule 2310 to exceed 15% of the gross proceeds from the sale of the Shares.

 

4.             Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Dealer Manager.

 

The Dealer Manager hereby represents and warrants to, and covenants and agrees with the Company and the Operating Partnership as of the date hereof and at all times during the Offering Period (provided that, to the extent representations and warranties are given only as of a specified date or dates, the Dealer Manager only makes such representations and warranties as of such date or dates) as follows:

 

4.1           Good Standing of the Dealer Manager.  The Dealer Manager is a limited liability company duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, with full power and authority to conduct its business and to enter into this Agreement and to perform the transactions contemplated hereby; this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Dealer Manager and is a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Dealer Manager enforceable against the Dealer Manager in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and by general equitable principles, and except to the extent that the enforceability of the indemnity provisions and the contribution provisions contained in Sections 7 and 8 of this Agreement, respectively, may be limited under applicable securities laws.

 

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4.2           Compliance with Applicable Laws, Rules and Regulations.  The Dealer Manager represents to the Company that (i) it is a member of FINRA in good standing, and (ii) it and its employees and representatives who will perform services hereunder have all required licenses and registrations to act under this Agreement.  With respect to its participation and the participation by each Participating Broker-Dealer in the offer and sale of the Shares (including, without limitation any resales and transfers of Shares), the Dealer Manager agrees, and, by virtue of entering into the Participating Broker-Dealer Agreement, each Participating Broker-Dealer shall have agreed, to comply with any applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, applicable state securities or blue sky laws, and FINRA Rules.

 

4.3           AML Compliance.  The Dealer Manager represents to the Company that it has established and implemented anti-money laundering compliance programs in accordance with applicable law, including applicable FINRA Rules, Exchange Act Regulations and the USA PATRIOT Act, specifically including, but not limited to, Section 352 of the International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act of 2001 (the “Money Laundering Abatement Act,” and together with the USA PATRIOT Act, the “AML Rules”) reasonably expected to detect and cause the reporting of suspicious transactions in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares.  The Dealer Manager further represents that it is currently in compliance with all AML Rules and will require each Participating Broker-Dealer to comply with all AML Rules and the Dealer Manager hereby covenants to remain in compliance with such requirements, and to require each Participating Broker-Dealer to remain in compliance with such requirements, and shall, upon request by the Company, provide a certification to the Company that, as of the date of such certification (i) each of the Dealer Manager’s and each Participating Broker-Dealer’s AML Program is consistent with the AML Rules and (ii) each of the Dealer Manager and each Participating Broker-Dealer is currently in compliance with all AML Rules.

 

4.4           Accuracy of Information.  The Dealer Manager represents and warrants to the Company, the Operating Partnership and each person that signs the Registration Statement that the information under the caption “Plan of Distribution” in the Prospectus and all other information furnished to the Company by the Dealer Manager in writing expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

 

4.5           Suitability.   In offering the Shares, the Dealer Manager will require that the Participating Broker-Dealer comply, with the provisions of all applicable laws, rules and regulations relating to suitability of investors, including without limitation the FINRA Rules. The Dealer Manager shall, and each Participating Broker-Dealer shall agree to, maintain, for at least six years or a period of time not less than that required in order to comply with all applicable federal, state and other regulatory requirements, whichever is later, a record of the information obtained to determine that an investor meets the suitability standards imposed, if any, on the offer and sale of the Shares (both at the time of the initial subscription and at the time of any additional subscriptions) and a representation of the investor that the investor is investing for the investor’s own account or, in lieu of such representation, information indicating that the investor for whose account the investment was made met the suitability standards. Except to the extent that the Dealer Manager makes any direct sales to investors, the Company agrees that the Dealer Manager can satisfy its obligation by contractually requiring such information to be maintained by the investment advisers or banks referred to in Section 3(b) of the Participating Broker-Dealer Agreement.

 

4.6           Recordkeeping.  The Dealer Manager agrees to comply, and to require each Participating Broker-Dealer to comply, with the record keeping requirements of the Exchange Act, including but not limited to, Rules 17a-3 and 17a-4 promulgated under the Exchange Act.  The Dealer Manager further agrees to keep, and to require each Participating Broker-Dealer to keep, such records with respect to each customer who purchases Shares, the customer’s suitability and the amount of Shares sold, and to retain such records for such period of time as may be required by the Commission, any state securities commission, FINRA or the Company.

 

4.7           Customer Information.  The Dealer Manager shall:

 

(a)           abide by and comply with (i) the applicable privacy standards and requirements of the GLB Act; (ii) the privacy standards and requirements of any other applicable federal or state law; and (iii) its own internal privacy policies and procedures, each as may be amended from time to time;

 

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(b)           refrain from the use or disclosure of nonpublic personal information (as defined under the GLB Act) of all customers who have opted out of such disclosures except as necessary to service the customers or as otherwise necessary or required by applicable law; and

 

(c)           determine which customers have opted out of the disclosure of nonpublic personal information by periodically reviewing and, if necessary, retrieving an aggregated list of such customers from the Participating Broker-Dealers (the “List”) to identify customers that have exercised their opt-out rights.  In the event either party uses or discloses nonpublic personal information of any customer for purposes other than servicing the customer, or as otherwise required by applicable law, that party will consult the List to determine whether the affected customer has exercised his or her opt-out rights.  Each party understands that it is prohibited from using or disclosing any nonpublic personal information of any customer that is identified on the List as having opted out of such disclosures.

 

4.8           Resale of Shares.  The Dealer Manager agrees, and each Participating Broker-Dealer shall have agreed, to comply with any applicable requirements with respect to its and each Participating Broker-Dealer’s participation in any resales or transfers of the Shares.  In addition, the Dealer Manager agrees, and each Participating Broker-Dealer shall have agreed, that should it or they assist with the resale or transfer of the Shares, it and each Participating Broker-Dealer will fully comply with all applicable FINRA Rules and any other applicable federal or state laws.

 

4.9           Distribution of Prospectuses.  The Dealer Manager is familiar with Rule 15c2-8 under the Exchange Act, relating to the distribution of preliminary and final Prospectuses, and confirms that it has complied and will comply therewith.

 

4.10         Authorized Sales Materials.  The Dealer Manager shall use and distribute, in conjunction with the offer and sale of any Shares, only the Prospectus and the Authorized Sales Materials.

 

4.11         Materials for Broker-Dealer Use Only.  The Dealer Manager represents and warrants to the Company that it will not use any sales literature not authorized and approved by the Company or use any “broker-dealer use only” materials with members of the public in connection with offers or sales of the Shares.

 

4.12         Suspension or Termination of Offering.  The Dealer Manager agrees, and will require that each of the Participating Broker-Dealers agree, to suspend or terminate the offering and sale of the Shares upon request of the Company at any time. In relation to a suspension of the offering, the Dealer Manager will request that each Participating Broker-Dealer resume the offering and sale of the Shares upon the request of the Company.

 

5.            Sale of Shares.

 

5.1           Exclusive Appointment of Dealer Manager.  The Company hereby appoints the Dealer Manager as its exclusive agent and managing dealer during the period commencing with the date hereof and ending on the termination date of the Offering (the “Termination Date”) described in the Prospectus (the “Offering Period”) to solicit, and to cause Participating Broker-Dealers to solicit, purchasers of the Shares at the purchase price to be paid in accordance with, and otherwise upon the other terms and conditions set forth in, the Prospectus, and the Dealer Manager agrees to use its best efforts to procure purchasers of the Shares during the Offering Period.  The Shares offered and sold through the Dealer Manager under this Agreement shall be offered and sold only by the Dealer Manager and, at the Dealer Manager’s sole option, by any Participating Broker-Dealers whom the Dealer Manager may retain, each of which shall be members of FINRA in good standing, pursuant to an executed Participating Broker-Dealer Agreement with such Participating Broker-Dealer.  The Dealer Manager hereby accepts such agency and agrees to use its best efforts to sell the Shares on said terms and conditions.

 

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5.2           Compensation.

 

(a)           Selling Commissions.  Subject to volume discounts and other special circumstances described in or otherwise provided in the “Plan of Distribution” section of the Prospectus or this Section 5.2, the Company will pay to the Dealer Manager selling commissions in the amount equal to 7.0% of the gross proceeds of the Shares sold, which commissions may be reallowed in whole or in part to the Participating Broker-Dealer who sold the Shares giving rise to such commissions, as described more fully in the Participating Broker-Dealer Agreement entered into with such Participating Broker-Dealer; provided, however, that no commissions described in this clause (a) shall be payable in respect of the purchase of Shares sold: (i) through an investment advisor representative who is paid on a fee-for-service basis by the investor; (ii) by a Participating Broker-Dealer (or such Participating Broker-Dealer’s registered representative), in its individual capacity, or by a retirement plan of such Participating Broker-Dealer (or such Participating Broker-Dealer’s registered representative), or (iii) by an officer, director or employee of the Company. The Company agrees that if the Dealer Manager enters into a Participating Broker-Dealer Agreement providing for a maximum selling commission of less than 7.0% of the gross proceeds of the Shares sold, then the offering price per Share sold through any applicable Participating Broker-Dealer shall be reduced by an amount equal to the reduction in maximum selling commission to such Participating Broker-Dealer. For example, if the Dealer Manager and a Participating Broker-Dealer enter into a Participating Broker-Dealer Agreement providing for a maximum selling commission of 5.5% of the gross proceeds of the Shares sold, then the per Share offering price would be reduced by 1.5% from $25.00 to $24.625 per Share. 

 

(b)           Dealer Manager Fee.  The Company will pay to the Dealer Manager a dealer manager fee in the amount of 3.0% of the gross proceeds from the sale of the Shares (the “Dealer Manager Fee”), a portion of which may be reallowed to Participating Broker-Dealers (as described more fully in the Participating Broker-Dealer Agreement entered into with such Participating Broker-Dealer), which reallowance, if any, shall be determined by the Dealer Manager in its discretion based on factors including, but not limited to, the number of shares sold by such Participating Broker-Dealer, the assistance of such Participating Broker-Dealer in marketing the Offering, and the extent to which similar fees are reallowed to participating broker-dealers in similar offerings being conducted during the Offering Period.

  

5.3           Obligations to Participating Broker-Dealers.  The Company will not be liable or responsible to any Participating Broker-Dealer for direct payment of commissions or any reallowance of the Dealer Manager Fee to such Participating Broker-Dealer, it being the sole and exclusive responsibility of the Dealer Manager for payment of commissions or any reallowance of the Dealer Manager Fee to Participating Broker-Dealers.  Notwithstanding the above, the Company, in its sole discretion, may act as agent of the Dealer Manager by making direct payment of commissions or reallowance of the Dealer Manager Fee to such Participating Broker-Dealers without incurring any liability therefor.

 

6.             Submission of Orders.

 

      Each Investor desiring to purchase Shares in the Offering will be required to represent and warrant they have received a copy of the Prospectus and have had sufficient time to review it.

 

The Company is providing two closing services provided by DTC through which investors can purchase Shares. The first service is DTC Settlement. Investors purchasing through DTC Settlement will coordinate with their registered representatives to pay the full purchase price for their Shares by the settlement date, and such payments will not be held in escrow. The second service is DRS Settlement. Investors permitted to purchase through DRS Settlement must complete and sign subscription agreements, which will be delivered to the escrow agent, UMB Bank, National Association. In addition, Investors utilizing the DRS Settlement service must pay the full purchase price for their Shares to the escrow agent, to be held in trust for the investor’s benefit pending release to the Company.

 

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(a)     The methods of delivery of the Investors’ subscription to the Company are detailed as follows:

 

(i) DTC Settlement. Registered representatives whose clients are investing through DTC Settlement must coordinate with their clients to pay the full purchase price for the Shares by the settlement date. Investor payments under the DTC Settlement option will not be held in escrow. Investors must warrant and represent to the registered representative that they have received a copy of the Prospectus and have had time to review it.

 

(ii) DRS Settlement. Subject to compliance with Rule 15c2-4 of the Exchange Act, in connection with the purchases using DRS Settlement, the Dealer Manager or Participating Broker-Dealer, as applicable, will promptly deposit any checks received from subscribers in an escrow account maintained by UMB Bank, National Association by the end of the next business day following receipt of the subscriber’s subscription documents and check. Where the subscription review procedures are more lengthy than customary or pursuant to a Participating Broker-Dealer’s internal supervising review procedures, a subscriber’s check shall be transmitted by the end of the next business day following receipt by the review office. Any subscription payments received by the escrow agent will be deposited into a special non-interest bearing account in the Company’s name until such time as the Company has either accepted or rejected the subscription and will be held in trust for the Investor’s benefit, pending the acceptance of the subscription. Subscriptions will be accepted or rejected within 10 business days of receipt by the Company, and, if rejected, all funds shall be returned to the rejected subscribers within 10 business days. If accepted, the funds will be transferred into the Company’s general account on the next closing date. The Company will provide Investors a confirmation of their purchase subsequent to closing, and will generally admit stockholders on a semimonthly basis.

 

(b)     Subscription Procedure. Each Person desiring to purchase Shares through the Dealer Manager, or any other Participating Broker- Dealer, must comply with the subscription procedure applicable to them, as described in the Prospectus.

 

(c)     Completed Sale.  A sale of a Share shall be deemed by the Company to be completed for purposes of Section 5.2 if and only if (i) the Company has received payment of the full purchase price of each purchased Share, from an investor who satisfies the minimum purchase requirements set forth in the Registration Statement as determined by the Participating Broker-Dealer, or the Dealer Manager, as applicable, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (ii) the Company has accepted such subscription, and, if using DRS Settlement, a properly completed and executed Subscription Agreement, and (iii) such investor has been admitted as a stockholder of the Company. In addition, no sale of Shares shall be completed until at least five business days after the date on which the subscriber receives a copy of the Prospectus. The Dealer Manager hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Company, in its sole and absolute discretion, may accept or reject any subscription, in whole or in part, for any reason whatsoever or no reason, and no commission or Dealer Manager Fee will be paid to the Dealer Manager with respect to that portion of any subscription which is rejected. As used in this Agreement, “business day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

7.             Indemnification.

 

7.1           Indemnified Parties Defined.  For the purposes of this Section 7, an entity’s “Indemnified Parties” shall include such entity’s officers, directors, employees, members, partners, affiliates, agents and representatives, and each person, if any, who controls such entity within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act.

 

7.2           Indemnification of the Dealer Manager and Participating Broker-Dealers.  The Company and the Operating Partnership, jointly and severally, will indemnify, defend (subject to Section 7.6) and hold harmless the Dealer Manager and the Participating Broker-Dealers, and their respective Indemnified Parties, from and against any losses, claims (including the reasonable cost of investigation), damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which such Participating Broker-Dealers or the Dealer Manager, or their respective Indemnified Parties, may become subject, under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (a) in whole or in part, any material inaccuracy in a representation or warranty contained herein by either the Company or the Operating Partnership, any material breach of a covenant contained herein by either the Company or the Operating Partnership, or any material failure by either the Company or the Operating Partnership to perform its obligations hereunder or to comply with state or federal securities laws applicable to the Offering, or (b) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained (i) in any Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or (ii) in any Authorized Sales Materials or (iii) in any blue sky application or other document executed by the Company or on its behalf specifically for the purpose of qualifying any or all of the Shares or the Class A Shares issuable upon redemption thereof for sale under the securities laws of any jurisdiction or based upon written information furnished by the Company or the Operating Partnership under the securities laws thereof (any such application, document or information being hereinafter called a “Blue Sky Application”), or (c) the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated in the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereof or in the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and the Company and the Operating Partnership will reimburse each Participating Broker-Dealer or the Dealer Manager, and their respective Indemnified Parties, for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Participating Broker-Dealer or the Dealer Manager, and their respective Indemnified Parties, in connection with investigating or defending such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the Company or the Operating Partnership will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of, or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished either (x) to the Company or the Operating Partnership by the Dealer Manager or (y) to the Company, the Operating Partnership or the Dealer Manager by or on behalf of any Participating Broker-Dealer, in each case expressly for use in the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereof, or the Prospectus or any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto.  This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which either the Company or the Operating Partnership may otherwise have.

  

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7.3          Dealer Manager Indemnification of the Company and the Operating Partnership.  The Dealer Manager will indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Company and the Operating Partnership, their respective Indemnified Parties and each person who has signed the Registration Statement, from and against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which any of the aforesaid parties may become subject, under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims (including the reasonable cost of investigation), damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (a) in whole or in part, any material inaccuracy in a representation or warranty contained herein by the Dealer Manager, any material breach of a covenant contained herein by the Dealer Manager, or any material failure by the Dealer Manager to perform its obligations hereunder or (b) any untrue statement or any alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained (i) in any Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or (ii) in any Authorized Sales Materials or (iii) any Blue Sky Application, or (c) the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated in the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereof or in the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, provided, however, that in each case described in clauses (b) and (c) to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company or the Operating Partnership by the Dealer Manager specifically for use with reference to the Dealer Manager in the preparation of the Registration Statement or any such post-effective amendments thereof or the Prospectus or any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or (d) any use of sales literature by the Dealer Manager not authorized or approved by the Company or any use of “broker-dealer use only” materials with members of the public concerning the Shares by the Dealer Manager, or (e) any untrue statement made by the Dealer Manager or its representatives or agents or omission to state a fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares, or (f) any failure by the Dealer Manager to comply with applicable laws governing money laundry abatement and anti-terrorist financing efforts in connection with the Offering, or (g) any other failure by the Dealer Manager to comply with applicable FINRA Rules or Exchange Act Regulations.  The Dealer Manager will reimburse the aforesaid parties in connection with investigation or defense of such loss, claim, damage, liability or action.  This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Dealer Manager may otherwise have.

 

7.4           Participating Broker-Dealer Indemnification of the Company and the Operating Partnership.  By virtue of entering into the Participating Broker-Dealer Agreement, each Participating Broker-Dealer severally will agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Company, the Operating Partnership, the Dealer Manager, each of their respective Indemnified Parties, and each person who signs the Registration Statement, from and against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company, the Operating Partnership, the Dealer Manager, or any of their respective Indemnified Parties, or any person who signed the Registration Statement, may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, as more fully described in the Participating Broker-Dealer Agreement.

 

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7.5           Action Against Parties; Notification.  Promptly after receipt by any indemnified party under this Section 7 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 7, promptly notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof; provided, however, the failure to give such notice shall not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations hereunder except to the extent it shall have been prejudiced by such failure.  In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party, and it notifies an indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled, to the extent it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to participate in the defense thereof, with separate counsel.  Such participation shall not relieve such indemnifying party of the obligation to reimburse the indemnified party for reasonable legal and other expenses (subject to Section 7.6) incurred by such indemnified party in defending itself, except for such expenses incurred after the indemnifying party has deposited funds sufficient to effect the settlement, with prejudice, of the claim in respect of which indemnity is sought.  Any such indemnifying party shall not be liable to any such indemnified party on account of any settlement of any claim or action effected without the consent of such indemnifying party.

 

7.6           Reimbursement of Fees and Expenses.  An indemnifying party under Section 7 of this Agreement shall be obligated to reimburse an indemnified party for reasonable legal and other expenses as follows:

 

(a)   In the case of the Company and/or the Operating Partnership indemnifying the Dealer Manager, the advancement of Company funds to the Dealer Manager for legal expenses and other costs incurred as a result of any legal action for which indemnification is being sought shall be permissible only if all of the following conditions are satisfied: (i) the legal action relates to acts or omissions with respect to the performance of duties or services on behalf of the Company; (ii) the legal action is initiated by a third party who is not a stockholder of the Company or the legal action is initiated by a stockholder of the Company acting in his or her capacity as such and a court of competent jurisdiction specifically approves such advancement; and (iii) the Dealer Manager undertakes to repay the advanced funds to the Company, together with the applicable legal rate of interest thereon, in cases in which the Dealer Manager is found not to be entitled to indemnification.

 

(b)   In any case of indemnification other than that described in Section 7.6(a) above, the indemnifying party shall pay all legal fees and expenses reasonably incurred by the indemnified party in the defense of such claims or actions; provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be obligated to pay legal expenses and fees to more than one law firm in connection with the defense of similar claims arising out of the same alleged acts or omissions giving rise to such claims notwithstanding that such actions or claims are alleged or brought by one or more parties against more than one indemnified party.  If such claims or actions are alleged or brought against more than one indemnified party, then the indemnifying party shall only be obliged to reimburse the expenses and fees of the one law firm that has been participating by a majority of the indemnified parties against which such action is finally brought; and in the event a majority of such indemnified parties is unable to agree on which law firm for which expenses or fees will be reimbursable by the indemnifying party, then payment shall be made to the first law firm of record representing an indemnified party against the action or claim.  Such law firm shall be paid only to the extent of services performed by such law firm and no reimbursement shall be payable to such law firm on account of legal services performed by another law firm.

 

8.             Contribution.

 

If the indemnification provided for in Section 7 hereof is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, (a) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Operating Partnership, the Dealer Manager and the Participating Broker-Dealer, respectively, from the offering of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement and the relevant Participating Broker-Dealer Agreement or (b) if the allocation provided by clause (a) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (a) above but also the relative fault of the Company and the Operating Partnership, the Dealer Manager and the Participating Broker-Dealer, respectively, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.

 

The relative benefits received by the Company and the Operating Partnership, the Dealer Manager and the Participating Broker-Dealer, respectively, in connection with the offering of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement and the relevant Participating Broker-Dealer Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement and the relevant Participating Broker-Dealer Agreement (before deducting expenses), received by the Company, and the total selling commissions and Dealer Manager Fees received by the Dealer Manager and the Participating Broker-Dealer, respectively, in each case as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus bear to the aggregate initial public offering price of the Shares as set forth on such cover.

 

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The relative fault of the Company and the Operating Partnership, the Dealer Manager and the Participating Broker-Dealer, respectively, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact related to information supplied by the Company or the Operating Partnership, or by the Dealer Manager or by the Participating Broker-Dealer, respectively, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

 

The Company, the Operating Partnership, the Dealer Manager and the Participating Broker-Dealer (by virtue of entering into the Participating Broker-Dealer Agreement) agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable contributions referred to above in this Section 8.  The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section 8 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, the Dealer Manager and the Participating Broker-Dealer shall not be required to contribute any amount by which the total amount of selling commissions and Dealer Manager Fees paid to them pursuant to Section 5 above exceeds the amount of any damages which the Dealer Manager and the Participating Broker-Dealer have otherwise been required to pay by reason of any untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

 

No party guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any party who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

For the purposes of this Section 8, the Dealer Manager’s officers, directors, employees, members, partners, agents and representatives, and each person, if any, who controls the Dealer Manager within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution of the Dealer Manager, and each of the officers, directors, employees, members, partners, agents and representatives of the Company and the Operating Partnership, respectively, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company or the Operating Partnership, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution of the Company and the Operating Partnership, respectively.  The Participating Broker-Dealers’ respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 8 are several in proportion to the number of Shares sold by each Participating Broker-Dealer and not joint.

 

9.             Survival of Provisions.

 

The respective agreements, representations and warranties of the Company, the Operating Partnership, and the Dealer Manager set forth in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect until the Termination Date regardless of: (a) any investigation made by or on behalf of the Dealer Manager or any Participating Broker-Dealer or any person controlling the Dealer Manager or any Participating Broker-Dealer or by or on behalf of the Company, the Operating Partnership or any person controlling the Company; and (b) the delivery of payment for the Shares.  Following the termination of this Agreement, this Agreement will become void and there will be no liability of any party to any other party hereto, except for obligations under Sections 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14 and 16, all of which will survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

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10.           Applicable Law; Venue.

 

This Agreement was executed and delivered in, and its validity, interpretation and construction shall be governed by the laws of, the State of New York; provided however, that causes of action for violations of federal or state securities laws shall not be governed by this Section 10.  Venue for any action brought hereunder shall lie exclusively in New York, New York.

 

11.           Counterparts.

 

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts.  Each counterpart, when executed and delivered, shall be an original contract, but all counterparts, when taken together, shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

 

12.           Entire Agreement.

 

This Agreement and the Exhibit attached hereto constitute the entire agreement among the parties and supersede any prior understanding, whether written or oral, prior to the date hereof with respect to the Offering.

 

13.           Successors and Amendment.

 

13.1         Successors.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Dealer Manager and the Company and the Operating Partnership and their respective successors and permitted assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the Participating Broker-Dealers to the extent set forth in Sections 1, 5, and 7 hereof.  Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give to any other person any right, remedy or claim, except as otherwise specifically provided herein.

 

13.2         Assignment.  Neither the Company or Operating Partnership, nor the Dealer Manager may assign or transfer any of such party’s rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Dealer Manager, on the one hand, or the Company and the Operating Partnership, acting together, on the other hand.

 

13.3         Amendment.  This Agreement may be amended only by the written agreement of the Dealer Manager, the Company and the Operating Partnership.

 

14.           Term and Termination.

 

14.1         Termination; General.  This Agreement may be terminated by the Company upon ten (10) calendar days’ written notice to the other party in accordance with Section 16 below.  In any case, this Agreement shall expire at the close of business on the Termination Date.

 

14.2         Dealer Manager Obligations Upon Termination.  The Dealer Manager, upon the expiration or termination of this Agreement, shall (a) promptly deposit any and all funds, if any, in its possession which were received from investors for the sale of Shares into the appropriate account designated by the Company for the deposit of investor funds, (b) promptly deliver to the Company all records and documents in its possession which relate to the Offering and are not designated as dealer copies, (c) provide a list of all purchasers and broker-dealers with whom the Dealer Manager has initiated oral or written discussions regarding the Offering, and (d) notify Participating Broker-Dealers of such termination.  The Dealer Manager, at its sole expense, may make and retain copies of all such records and documents, but shall keep all such information confidential.  The Dealer Manager shall use its best efforts to cooperate with the Company to accomplish an orderly transfer of management of the Offering to a party designated by the Company.

 

14.3         Company Obligations Upon Termination.  Upon expiration or termination of this Agreement, the Company shall pay to the Dealer Manager all compensation to which the Dealer Manager is or becomes entitled under Section 5 hereof at such time as such compensation becomes payable.

 

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15.           Confirmation.

 

The Company hereby agrees and assumes the duty to confirm on its behalf and on behalf of dealers or brokers who sell the Shares all orders for purchase of Shares accepted by the Company.  Such confirmations will comply with the rules of the Commission and FINRA, and will comply with applicable laws of such other jurisdictions to the extent the Company is advised of such laws in writing by the Dealer Manager.

 

16.           Notices.

 

Any notice, approval, request, authorization, direction or other communication under this Agreement shall be deemed given (a) when delivered personally, (b) on the first business day after delivery to a national overnight courier service, (c) upon receipt of confirmation if sent via facsimile, or (d) on the fifth business day after deposited in the United States mail, properly addressed and stamped with the required postage, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the intended recipient at the address set forth below:

 

If to the Company or the Operating Partnership:   Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc.
    1345 Avenue of the Americas, 32nd Floor
    New York, New York 10105
    Facsimile: (646) 278-4220
    Attention: R. Ramin Kamfar
     
With a copy to:  

Kaplan Voekler Cunningham & Frank, PLC

1401 East Cary Street

Richmond, VA 23219

    Facsimile: (804) 823-4099
    Attention:  Richard P. Cunningham, Esq.

 

If to the Dealer Manager:   Bluerock Capital Markets, LLC
   

4100 Newport Place, Suite 720

Newport Beach, California 92660

    Facsimile: (953) 346-3979
    Attention: Paul Dunn
     
With a copy to:   Bluerock Capital Markets, LLC
   

1345 Avenue of the Americas, 32nd Floor

New York, New York 10105

    Facsimile: (646) 278-4220
    Attention:  Jason Emala

 

Any party may change its address specified above by giving the other party notice of such change in accordance with this Section 16.

 

[SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE]

 

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If the foregoing correctly sets forth our understanding, please indicate your acceptance thereof in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon this letter and your acceptance shall constitute a binding agreement between us as of the date first above written.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  COMPANY:
   
  BLUEROCK RESIDENTIAL GROWTH REIT, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Jordan Ruddy
    Jordan Ruddy
    President
     
  OPERATING PARTNERSHIP:
   
  BLUEROCK RESIDENTIAL HOLDINGS, L.P.
  .
  By: Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc.
    its General Partner
     
  By: /s/ Jordan Ruddy
    Jordan Ruddy
    President

 

Accepted and agreed as of the date first above written:

 

DEALER MANAGER:  
   
BLUEROCK CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC  
     
By: /s/ Paul Dunn  
  Name: Paul Dunn  
  Title:  Executive Vice President  

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER AGREEMENT

 

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Exhibit 10.2

 

TWELFTH AMENDMENT TO THE

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF

BLUEROCK RESIDENTIAL HOLDINGS, L.P.

 

DESIGNATION OF NEW SERIES T

REDEEMABLE PREFERRED UNITS

 

November 19, 2019

 

Pursuant to Section 4.02 and Article XI of the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Bluerock Residential Holdings, L.P., as amended, (the “Partnership Agreement”), the General Partner hereby amends the Partnership Agreement as follows in connection with the offer and sale of up to 32,000,000 shares of a new Series T Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series T Preferred Stock”) of Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc. and the issuance to the General Partner of new Series T Preferred Units (as defined below) in exchange for the contribution by the General Partner of the net proceeds from the issuance and sale of the Series T Preferred Stock:

 

1.             Designation and Number. A new series of Preferred Units (as defined below), designated the Series T Preferred Units (the “Series T Preferred Units”), is hereby established. The number of authorized Series T Preferred Units shall be 32,000,000.

 

2.             Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Partnership Agreement. The following defined terms used in this Amendment to the Partnership Agreement shall have the meanings specified below:

 

“Articles Supplementary” means the Articles Supplementary of the General Partner filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland on November 13, 2019, designating the terms, rights and preferences of the Series T Preferred Stock.

 

“Annual Unit Distribution” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a)(ii).

 

“Annual Unit Distribution Payment Date” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a)(ii).

 

“Annual Unit Distribution Period” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a)(ii).

 

“Annual Unit Distribution Record Date” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a)(ii).

 

“Business Day” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a)(iii).

 

“Common Stock” means shares of the General Partner’s Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share.

 

“Junior Units” shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.

 

“Parity Preferred Units” shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.

 

 

 

 

“Partnership Agreement” shall have the meaning provided in the recital above.

 

“Preferred Units” means all Partnership Interests designated as preferred units by the General Partner from time to time in accordance with Section 4.02 of the Partnership Agreement.

 

“Series T Preferred Cash Distribution” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a)(i).

 

“Series T Preferred Cash Distribution Payment Date” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a)(i).

 

“Series T Preferred Cash Distribution Period” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a)(i).

 

“Series T Preferred Cash Distribution Record Date” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a)(i).

 

“Series T Preferred Stock” shall have the meaning provided in the recital above.

 

“Series T Preferred Units” shall have the meaning provided in Section 1.

 

“Stated Value” shall mean $25.00, subject to appropriate adjustment in relation to any recapitalizations, distributions, unit splits, unit combinations, reclassifications or other similar events which affect the Series T Preferred Units.

 

3.             Maturity. The Series T Preferred Units have no stated maturity and will not be subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption.

 

4.             Rank. The Series T Preferred Units will, with respect to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership, rank (a) senior to all classes or series of Common Units of the Partnership and any class or series of Preferred Units expressly designated as ranking junior to the Series T Preferred Units as to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership (together with the Common Units, the “Junior Units”); (b) on a parity with any class or series of Preferred Units issued by the Partnership expressly designated as ranking on a parity with the Series T Preferred Units, including the Series A Preferred Units, Series B Preferred Units, Series C Preferred Units and Series D Preferred Units, as to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership (the “Parity Preferred Units”); and (c) junior to any class or series of Preferred Units issued by the Partnership expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series T Preferred Units with respect to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership. The term “Preferred Units” does not include convertible or exchangeable debt securities of the Partnership, which will rank senior to the Series T Preferred Units prior to conversion or exchange. The Series T Preferred Units will also rank junior in right or payment to the Partnership’s existing and future indebtedness.

 

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5.             Distributions.

 

(a)             Subject to the preferential rights of holders of any class or series of Preferred Units of the Partnership expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series T Preferred Units as to distributions, the holders of Series T Preferred Units shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if authorized by the General Partner and declared by the Partnership, out of funds of the Partnership legally available for payment of distributions, the following distributions:

 

(i)             From the date of original issue of each Series T Preferred Unit (the “Original Issue Date”), the Partnership shall pay cumulative cash distributions on each such Series T Preferred Unit at the rate of 6.15% per annum of the Stated Value per Series T Preferred Unit (equivalent to a fixed annual amount of $1.5375 per unit) (the “Series T Preferred Cash Distribution”). The initial Series T Preferred Cash Distribution on each such Series T Preferred Unit shall accrue and be cumulative from (and including) the Original Issue Date of such Series T Preferred Unit. Each subsequent Series T Preferred Cash Distribution shall accrue and be cumulative from (and including) the end of the most recent Series T Preferred Cash Distribution Period (as defined below) for which a Series T Preferred Cash Distribution has been paid on each such Series T Preferred Unit. Series T Preferred Cash Distributions shall be payable monthly in arrears on the fifth day of each month or, if such date is not a Business Day (as defined below), on the immediately preceding Business Day (each, a “Series T Preferred Cash Distribution Payment Date”), provided, however, that any such Series T Preferred Cash Distribution may vary among holders of Series T Preferred Units and may be prorated with respect to any Series T Preferred Units that were outstanding less than the total number of days in the Series T Preferred Cash Distribution Period immediately preceding the applicable Series T Preferred Cash Distribution Payment Date, with the amount of any such prorated distribution being computed on the basis of the actual number of days in such Series T Preferred Cash Distribution Period during which such Series T Preferred Units were outstanding. A “Series T Preferred Cash Distribution Period” is the respective period commencing on and including the first day of each month and ending on and including the day preceding the first day of the next succeeding Series T Preferred Cash Distribution Period (other than the initial Series T Preferred Cash Distribution Period and the Series T Preferred Cash Distribution Period during which any Series T Preferred Units shall be redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Partnership). Series T Preferred Cash Distributions will be payable to holders of record of the Series T Preferred Units as they appear on the records of the Partnership at the close of business on the 25th day of the month preceding the applicable Series T Preferred Cash Distribution Payment Date or, if such date is not a Business Day, on the immediately preceding Business Day (each, a “Series T Preferred Cash Distribution Record Date”).

 

(ii)              For each of the first five years from and including the later of (i) the year 2020 or (ii) the year of original issue of each Series T Preferred Unit, the holders of Series T Preferred Units shall be entitled to receive a distribution of Series T Preferred Units (each, an “Annual Unit Distribution”) on each such Series T Preferred Unit at the rate of 0.2% per annum of the Stated Value, payable in Series T Preferred Units on the 29th day of December or, if such date is not a Business Day, on the immediately preceding Business Day (each, an “Annual Unit Distribution Payment Date”). The initial Annual Unit Distribution payable on each Series T Preferred Unit shall accrue and be cumulative on a monthly basis, from and including the later of (A) January 2020 or (B) the month of the original issuance of such Series T Preferred Unit. Each subsequent Annual Unit Distribution shall accrue and be cumulative on a monthly basis, from the end of the most recent Annual Unit Distribution Period (as defined below) for which an Annual Unit Distribution has been paid on each such the Series T Preferred Unit. Any such Annual Unit Distribution may vary among holders of Series T Preferred Units and may be prorated with respect to any Series T Preferred Units that were outstanding less than the total number of months in the Annual Unit Distribution Period to which the applicable Annual Unit Distribution Payment Date relates, with the amount of any such prorated distribution being computed on the basis of the actual number of months in such Annual Unit Distribution Period during which such Series T Preferred Units were at any time outstanding. An “Annual Unit Distribution Period” is the respective period commencing on and including the first day of each year and ending on the last day of each such year (other than the initial Annual Unit Distribution Period). Annual Unit Distributions will be payable to holders of record of the Series T Preferred Units as they appear on the records of the Partnership at the close of business on the 24th day of December, or, if such date is not a Business Day, on the immediately preceding Business Day (each, an “Annual Unit Distribution Record Date”).

 

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(iii)            The term “Business Day” shall mean each day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, which is not a day on which banks in the State of New York are required to close. The amount of any distribution payable on the Series T Preferred Units for any Series T Preferred Cash Distribution Period or Annual Unit Distribution Period will be computed on the basis of twelve 30-day months and a 360-day year.

 

(b)             No distributions on the Series T Preferred Units shall be authorized by the General Partner or declared, paid or set apart for payment by the Partnership at such time as the terms and provisions of any agreement of the General Partner or the Partnership, including any agreement relating to the indebtedness of either of them, prohibits such authorization, declaration, payment or setting apart for payment or provides that such declaration, payment or setting apart for payment would constitute a breach thereof or a default thereunder, or if such declaration or payment shall be restricted or prohibited by law.

 

(c)             Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, distributions on the Series T Preferred Units will accrue whether or not the restrictions referred to in Section 5(b) exist, whether or not the Partnership has earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of such distributions and whether or not such distributions are authorized or declared. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, will be payable in respect of any distribution on the Series T Preferred Units which may be in arrears. When distributions are not paid in full upon the Series T Preferred Units and any Parity Preferred Units (or a sum sufficient for such full payment is not so set apart), all distributions declared upon the Series T Preferred Units and any Parity Preferred Units shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of distributions declared per Series T Preferred Unit and such Parity Preferred Units shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accumulated distributions per Series T Preferred Unit and such Parity Preferred Units (which shall not include any accrual in respect of unpaid distributions for prior distributions periods if such Parity Preferred Units do not have a cumulative distribution) bear to each other.

 

(d)             Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, unless full cumulative distributions on the Series T Preferred Units have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid in cash or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment for all past Series T Preferred Cash Distribution Periods that have ended, no distributions (other than a distribution in Junior Units or in options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase any such Junior Units) shall be declared and paid or declared and set apart for payment nor shall any other distribution be declared and made upon the Junior Units or the Parity Preferred Units, nor shall any Junior Units or Parity Preferred Units be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any monies be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such Units) by the Partnership (except by conversion into or exchange for options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase Junior Units).

 

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(e)             Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth above, the Partnership shall not be prohibited from (i) declaring or paying or setting apart for payment any distribution on Junior Units or Series T Preferred Units, or (ii) redeeming, purchasing or otherwise acquiring any Junior Units or Parity Preferred Units, in each case, if such declaration, payment, setting apart for payment, redemption, purchase or other acquisition is necessary in order to maintain the continued qualification of the General Partner as a REIT under Section 856 of the Code.

 

(f)             For the avoidance of doubt, in determining whether a distribution (other than upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation) by distribution, redemption or other acquisition of the Partnership Units is permitted under Delaware law, no effect shall be given to the amounts that would be needed, if the Partnership were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon distribution of holders of Partnership Units whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distribution.

 

6.             Liquidation Preference. Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Partnership, the holders of Series T Preferred Units are entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Partnership legally available for distribution to its partners, after payment of or provision for the Partnership’s debts and other liabilities, a liquidation preference equal to the Stated Value per unit, plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid distributions (whether or not authorized or declared) thereon to and including the date of payment, but without interest, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of Junior Units. If the assets of the Partnership legally available for distribution to partners are insufficient to pay in full the liquidation preference on the Series T Preferred Units and the liquidation preference on any Parity Preferred Units, all assets distributed to the holders of the Series T Preferred Units and any Parity Preferred Units shall be distributed pro rata so that the amount of assets distributed per Series T Preferred Units and such Parity Preferred Units shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that the liquidation preference per Series T Preferred Unit and such Parity Preferred Units bear to each other. Written notice of any distribution in connection with any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Partnership, stating the payment date or dates when, and the place or places where, the amounts distributable in such circumstances shall be payable, shall be given by first class mail, postage pre-paid, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the payment date stated therein, to each record holder of the Series T Preferred Units at the respective addresses of such holders as the same shall appear on the records of the Partnership. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of Series T Preferred Units will have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Partnership. The consolidation or merger of the Partnership with or into another entity, a consolidation or merger of another entity with or into the Partnership, a statutory exchange by the Partnership or a sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of the Partnership’s property or business shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Partnership.

 

7.             Redemption. In connection with any redemption by the General Partner of any shares of Series T Preferred Stock pursuant to Sections 6, 7, 8 or 9 of the Articles Supplementary, the Partnership shall redeem, on the date of such redemption, an equal number of Series T Preferred Units held by the General Partner. As consideration for the redemption of such Series T Preferred Units, the Partnership shall deliver to the General Partner (i) an amount of cash equal to the amount of cash, if any, paid by the General Partner to the holder of such shares of Series T Preferred Stock in connection with the redemption thereof and (ii) a number of Common Units equal to the number of shares of Common Stock, if any, issued by the General Partner to the holder of such shares of Series T Preferred Stock in connection with the redemption thereof.

 

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8.             Voting Rights. Holders of the Series T Preferred Units will not have any voting rights.

 

9.             Conversion. The Series T Preferred Units are not convertible or exchangeable for any other property or securities, except as provided herein.

 

10.           Allocation of Profit and Loss.

 

Section 5.01(f) of the Partnership Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and the following new Section 5.01(f) is inserted in its place:

 

(f)             Priority Allocations With Respect To Preferred Units. After giving effect to the allocations set forth in Sections 5.01(c), (d), and (e) hereof, but before giving effect to the allocations set forth in Sections 5.01(a) and 5.01(b), Net Operating Income shall be allocated to the General Partner until the aggregate amount of Net Operating Income allocated to the General Partner under this Section 5.01(f) for the current and all prior years equals the aggregate amount of the Series A Preferred Return, Series B Preferred Return, Series C Preferred Return, Series D Preferred Return, and Series T Preferred Cash Distribution paid to the General Partner for the current and all prior years; provided, however, that the General Partner may, in its discretion, allocate Net Operating Income based on accrued Series A Preferred Return, Series B Preferred Return, Series C Preferred Return, Series D Preferred Return, and Series T Preferred Cash Distribution with respect to the January Series A Preferred Distribution Payment Date, Series B Preferred Distribution Payment Date, Series C Preferred Distribution Payment Date, Series D Preferred Distribution Payment Date, or Series T Preferred Cash Distribution Payment Date if the General Partner sets the Distribution Record Date for such Series A Preferred Distribution Payment Date, Series B Preferred Distribution Payment Date, Series C Preferred Distribution Payment Date, Series D Preferred Distribution Payment Date, or Series T Preferred Cash Distribution Payment Date on or prior to December 31 of the previous year. For purposes of this Section 5.01(f), “Net Operating Income” means the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s gross income over its expenses (but not taking into account depreciation, amortization, or any other noncash expenses of the Partnership), calculated in accordance with the principles of Section 5.01(h) of the Partnership Agreement.

 

11.             Except as modified herein, all terms and conditions of the Partnership Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, which terms and conditions the General Partner hereby ratifies and confirms.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Amendment as of the date first set forth above.

 

  GENERAL PARTNER:  
       
       
  BLUEROCK RESIDENTIAL GROWTH REIT, INC.,
  a Maryland corporation  
       
       
  By: /s/ Jordan B. Ruddy  
  Name: Jordan B. Ruddy  
  Title: President  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Signature page for Amendment re: Series T Preferred Units – November 2019]