NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 – Organization and Nature of Business

Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated as a Maryland corporation on July 25, 2008. The Company’s objective is to maximize long-term stockholder value by acquiring well-located institutional-quality apartment properties in demographically attractive growth markets across the United States. The Company seeks to maximize returns through investments where it believes it can drive substantial growth in its funds from operations and net asset value through one or more of its Core-Plus, Value-Add, Opportunistic and Invest-to-Own investment strategies.

The Company has elected to be treated, and currently qualifies, as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”), for federal income tax purposes. As a REIT, the Company generally is not subject to corporate-level income taxes. To maintain its REIT status, the Company is required, among other requirements, to distribute annually at least 90% of its “REIT taxable income,” as defined by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), to the Company’s stockholders. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it would be subject to federal income tax on its taxable income at regular corporate tax rates.

The Company raised capital in a continuous registered offering, carried out in a manner consistent with offerings of non-listed REITs, from its inception until September 9, 2013, when it terminated the continuous registered offering in connection with the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board’s”) consideration of strategic alternatives to maximize value to its stockholders. The Company subsequently determined to register shares of newly authorized Class A common stock that were to be offered in a firmly underwritten public offering (the “IPO”), by filing a registration statement on Form S-11 (File No. 333-192610) with the SEC, on November 27, 2013. On March 28, 2014, the SEC declared the registration statement effective and the Company announced the pricing of the IPO of 3,448,276 shares of Class A common stock at a public offering price of $14.50 per share for total gross proceeds of $50.0 million. The net proceeds of the IPO, which closed on April 2, 2014, were approximately $44.0 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering costs.

In connection with the IPO, shares of the Company’s Class A common stock were listed on the NYSE MKT for trading under the symbol “BRG.” Pursuant to the second articles of amendment and restatement to its charter filed on March 26, 2014, (the “Second Charter Amendment”), each share of its common stock outstanding immediately prior to the listing, including shares sold in its continuous registered offering, was changed into one-third of a share of each of Class B-1 common stock, Class B-2 common stock and Class B-3 common stock. Following the filing of the Second Charter Amendment, the Company effected a 2.264881-to-1 reverse stock split of its outstanding shares of Class B-1 common stock, Class B-2 common stock and Class B-3 common stock, and on March 31, 2014, the Company effected an additional 1.0045878-to-1 reverse stock split of its outstanding shares of Class B-1 common stock, Class B-2 common stock and Class B-3 common stock.

As of March 31, 2014, we were externally managed by Bluerock Multifamily Advisor, LLC, an affiliate of Bluerock (the “Former Advisor”), pursuant to an advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). In connection with the completion of the IPO, we engaged BRG Manager, LLC, also an affiliate of Bluerock (the “Manager”), to provide external management services to us under a new management agreement (the “Management Agreement”), and terminated the Advisory Agreement with the Former Advisor.

Substantially concurrently with the completion of the IPO, the Company completed a series of related contribution transactions pursuant to which it acquired indirect equity interests in four apartment properties, and a 100% fee simple interest in a fifth apartment property for an aggregate asset value of $152.3 million (inclusive of Villas of Oak Crest, which is accounted for under the equity method, and Springhouse, in which the Company already owned an interest and which has been reported as consolidated for the periods presented.

The Company subsequently determined to register additional shares of its Class A common stock to be offered in a firmly underwritten public offering, (the “October 2014 Follow-On Offering”), by filing a registration statement on Form S-11 (File No. 333-198770) with the SEC on September 16, 2014. On October 2, 2014, the SEC declared the Registration Statement effective and the Company announced the pricing of the October 2014 Follow-On Offering at a public offering price of $11.90 per share. The Company closed the October 2014 Follow-On Offering of 3,035,444 shares of Class A common stock, inclusive of shares sold pursuant to the full exercise of the overallotment option by the underwriters, on October 8, 2014. Net proceeds of the October 2014 Follow-On Offering were approximately $32.9 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering costs.

On January 20, 2015, the Company completed an underwritten shelf takedown offering (the “January 2015 Follow-On Offering”) of 4,600,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, inclusive of shares sold pursuant to the full exercise of the overallotment option by the underwriters. The shares were registered with the SEC, pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-200359) filed with the SEC on November 19, 2014 and declared effective on December 19, 2014. The public offering price of $12.50 per share was announced on January 14, 2015. Net proceeds of the January 2015 Follow-On Offering were approximately $53.7 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering costs.

BLUEROCK RESIDENTIAL GROWTH REIT, INC.  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As of March 31, 2015, the Company's portfolio consisted of interests in thirteen properties (ten operating properties and three development properties), all but four acquired through joint ventures. The Company’s thirteen properties are comprised of an aggregate of 4,131 units, comprised of 3,226 operating units and 905 units under development. As of March 31, 2015, these properties, exclusive of our development properties, were approximately 94% occupied.

Note 2 – Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

The Company operates as an umbrella partnership REIT in which Bluerock Residential Holdings, L.P. (its “Operating Partnership”), or its wholly-owned subsidiaries, owns substantially all of the property interests acquired on the Company’s behalf. As of March 31, 2015, limited partners other than the Company owned approximately 4.48% of the Operating Partnership (2.05% is held by holders of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership (“OP Units”) and 2.43% is held by holders of the Operating Partnership’s long-term incentive plan units (“LTIP Units”)). Bluerock Real Estate, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, is referred to as Bluerock, (“Bluerock”), and the Company’s external manager, BRG Manager, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, is referred to as its Manager, (“Manager”), Both Bluerock and the Manager are related parties with respect to the Company, but are not within the Company’s control.

Because the Company is the sole general partner of its Operating Partnership and has unilateral control over its management and major operating decisions (even if additional limited partners are admitted to the Operating Partnership), the accounts of the Operating Partnership are consolidated in its consolidated financial statements. The Company consolidates entities in which it controls more than 50% of the voting equity and in which control does not rest with other investors. Investments in real estate joint ventures over which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but for which it does not have financial or operating control, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. These entities are reflected on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as “Investments in unconsolidated real estate joint ventures. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.  The Company will consider future majority owned and controlled joint ventures for consolidation in accordance with the provisions required by the Consolidation Topic 810 of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”).

Certain amounts in prior year financial statement presentation have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. 

Interim Financial Information

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting, and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10-1 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, the financial statements for interim reporting do not include all of the information and notes or disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring items) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  Operating results for interim periods should not be considered indicative of the operating results for a full year.

The balance sheet at December 31, 2014 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  For further information refer to the financial statements and notes thereto included in our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on March 4, 2015.  

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

There have been no significant changes to the Company’s accounting policies since it filed its audited consolidated financial statements in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03, “Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs” (“ASU 2015-03”). The amendments in ASU 2015-03 require that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts and the accounting for debt issue costs. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in ASU 2015-03. The amendments in ASU 2015-03 become effective for public business entities in the first annual period beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early application permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard.

BLUEROCK RESIDENTIAL GROWTH REIT, INC.  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In February 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis” (“ASU 2015-02”). ASU 2015-02 eliminates specific consolidation guidance for limited partnerships and revises other aspects of consolidation analysis, including how kick-out rights, fee arrangements and related parties are assessed. ASU 2015-02 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2015-02 on the Company’s financial statements.

In January 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-01, “Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20): Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items” (“ASU 2015-01”), which eliminates the concept of extraordinary items and require items that are either unusual in nature or infrequently occurring to be reported as a separate component of income from continuing operations or disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. ASU 2015-01 is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2015-01 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern” (“ASU 2014-15”), which requires an entity's management to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. ASU 2014-15 is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2016. ASU 2014-15 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”), which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance when it becomes effective on January 1, 2017. Early adoption is not permitted. ASU 2014-09 permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and is evaluating the impact that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Note 3 – Real Estate Assets Held for Sale, Discontinued Operations and Sale of Joint Venture Equity Interests

Real Estate Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations

The Company had reported its Creekside property as held for sale in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2013. On March 28, 2014, the special purpose entity in which the Company held a 24.7% indirect equity interest sold the Creekside property, as discussed below. On August 28, 2014, the Company’s Investment Committee approved a plan to sell North Park Towers and the Company has classified amounts related to the property as held for sale as of December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015.

Property Classified as Discontinued Operations

The following is a summary of the results of operations of the Creekside property classified as discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 (amounts in thousands); there were no operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as the property was sold on March 28, 2014:

Sale of Joint Venture Equity Interests

On December 10, 2014, the Company through BEMT Augusta, LLC sold its 25.0% interest in the Estates at Perimeter/Augusta, Bluerock Special Opportunity + Income Fund II, LLC (“Fund II”) sold its 25.0% interest, and an unaffiliated third party, (“BRG Co-Owner”), sold its 50.0% interest, to Waypoint Residential Services, LLC, an unaffiliated third party, for an aggregate of $26.0 million, subject to a loan prepayment penalty and certain prorations and adjustments typical in such real estate transactions. After deduction for payment of the existing mortgage indebtedness and loan prepayment penalty, closing costs and fees, the sale of the Company’s interest in the Estates at Perimeter/Augusta generated net proceeds to the Company of approximately $1.7 million and a gain on sale of $0.6 million.

BLUEROCK RESIDENTIAL GROWTH REIT, INC.  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

On December 9, 2014 the Company, through BEMT Berry Hill, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Operating Partnership (“BEMT Berry Hill’), entered into a series of transactions and agreements to restructure the ownership of Berry Hill (the “Restructuring Transactions”).

Prior to the Restructuring Transactions, the Company held a 25.1% indirect equity interest in Berry Hill, Bluerock Special Opportunity + Income Fund III, LLC (“Fund III”) held a 28.4% indirect equity interest, Bluerock Growth Fund, LLC (“BGF”), a Delaware limited liability company and an affiliate of the Company’s Manager, held a 29.0% indirect equity interest, and Stonehenge 23Hundred JV Member, LLC (“Stonehenge JV Member”), an affiliate of Stonehenge Real Estate Group, LLC (“Stonehenge”), an unaffiliated third party, held the remaining 17.5% indirect equity interest plus a promote interest based on investment return hurdles for its service as developer of the property. These indirect equity interests were all held in BR Stonehenge 23Hundred JV, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which owns 100% of 23Hundred, LLC (“23Hundred”), a Delaware limited liability company, which in turn owned 100% of Berry Hill.

Following the Restructuring Transactions, as of December 31, 2014, Berry Hill was owned in tenancy-in-common interests, adjusted for the agreed Stonehenge promote interest as follows: (i) BEMT Berry Hill and Fund III, through 23Hundred, held a 42.2% undivided tenant-in-common interest (the Company, through BEMT Berry Hill own a 19.8% indirect equity interest and Fund III owns a 22.4% indirect equity interest); (ii) BGF’s subsidiary BGF 23Hundred, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, holds a 22.9% undivided tenant-in-common interest; and (iii) Stonehenge JV Member’s subsidiary SH 23Hundred TIC, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, holds a 34.8% undivided tenant-in-common interest.

As a result of the restructuring, the Company no longer controlled Berry Hill through its voting rights. The Company’s investment in Berry Hill has been deconsolidated and is now accounted for under the equity method of accounting as of December 31, 2014.

On January 14, 2015, the Company, along with the other two holders of tenant-in-common interests in Berry Hill, sold their respective interests to 2300 Berry Hill General Partnership, an unaffiliated third party. The aggregate purchase price was $61.2 million, subject to certain prorations and adjustments typical in such real estate transactions. After deduction for payment of the existing mortgage indebtedness and payment of closing costs and fees, the sale of the Company’s interest in Berry Hill generated net proceeds of approximately $7.3 million to the Company and a consolidated gain on sale of $11.3 million, of which the Company’s pro rata share of gain is $5.3 million before disposition expenses of $0.1 million, which was included in the Company’s statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

On December 3, 2014, the Company, through BR Waterford Crossing JV, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Operating Partnership (“BRG Grove”) and Bell HNW Waterford, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and an unaffiliated third party (“BRG Co-Owner”), owned a 252-unit apartment community located in Hendersonville, Tennessee named the Grove at Waterford, as tenants-in-common.  BRG Grove owned a 60.0% tenant-in-common interest in the Grove at Waterford property. On December 18, 2014, BRG Grove sold its 60.0% tenant-in-common interest in the Grove at Waterford property, and BRG Co-Owner its 40.0% tenant-in-common interest, to Bell Hendersonville, an unaffiliated third party, for an aggregate of $37.7 million, subject to a loan prepayment penalty and certain prorations and adjustments typical in such real estate transactions. After deduction for payment of the existing mortgage indebtedness and loan prepayment penalty, closing costs and fees, the sale of the Company’s interest in the Grove at Waterford generated net proceeds to the Company of approximately $9.0 million and a gain on sale of $3.5 million.

On March 28, 2014, BR Creekside, LLC, a special-purpose entity in which the Company holds a 24.7% indirect equity interest, sold the Creekside property to SIR Creekside, LLC, an unaffiliated third party, for $18.9 million, subject to certain prorations and adjustments typical in such real estate transactions. After deduction for payment of the existing mortgage indebtedness encumbering the Creekside property in the approximate amount of $13.5 million and payment of closing costs and fees, excluding disposition fees of approximately $0.1 million deferred by the Former Advisor, the sale of the Creekside property generated net proceeds to the Company of approximately $1.2 million and a gain on sale of $1.0 million.

Note 4 – Investments in Real Estate

As of March 31, 2015, the Company was invested in ten operating real estate properties and three development properties through joint venture partnerships. The following tables provide summary information regarding our operating and development investments, which are either consolidated or presented on the equity method of accounting.

BLUEROCK RESIDENTIAL GROWTH REIT, INC.  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

⁽¹⁾ Represents date of last significant renovation or year built if there were no renovations.  

⁽²⁾ Represents the average effective monthly rent per occupied unit for all occupied units for the three months ended March 31, 2015. Total concessions for the three months ended March 31, 2015 amounted to approximately $45,000.

⁽³⁾ Percent occupied is calculated as (i) the number of units occupied as of March 31, 2015, divided by (ii) total number of units, expressed as a percentage.

⁽⁴⁾ The MDA Apartments include 8,200 square feet of retail space. Average effective rent excluding the property’s retail space was $2,082.

⁽⁵⁾ This property is classified as held for sale as of March 31, 2015 and accounted for on a consolidated basis based on our 100% ownership in the property. Amounts related to this investment are classified as held for sale assets/liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

Depreciation expense was $2.3 million and $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively including amounts in discontinued operations.

Intangibles related to the Company’s consolidated investments in real estate consist of the value of in-place leases. In-place leases are amortized over the remaining term of the in-place leases, which is approximately six months. Amortization expense related to the in-place leases was $0.5 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

⁽¹⁾ Represents the average pro forma effective monthly rent per occupied unit for all expected occupied units upon stabilization.

Note 5 – Acquisition of Real Estate

The following describes the Company’s significant acquisition activity during 2015:

Acquisition of Interest in Park & Kingston

On March 16, 2015, the Company, through a wholly-owned subsidiary of its Operating Partnership, completed an investment in a multi-tiered joint venture along with Fund III, an affiliate of Bluerock, to acquire 153 newly-constructed units (the “Phase I Units”) in a Class AA apartment community in Charlotte, North Carolina known as the Park & Kingston Apartments (“Park & Kingston”). The Company’s indirect ownership interest in Park & Kingston is 46.95%.

The purchase price for the Phase I Units of $27.85 million was funded, in part, with a $15.25 million senior mortgage loan secured by the Park & Kingston property and improvements.

The Company also has the ability to acquire 15 units under development at Park & Kingston (the “Phase II Units”), for a purchase price of $2.87 million. The seller has commenced, and will manage and complete the development of the Phase II Units. Upon completion of the development of and upon the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the Phase II Units, closing will occur, financed with supplemental financing of up to 70% of the appraised value of the Phase II Units per the senior mortgage loan discussed above.

Acquisition of Interest in Fox Hill

On March 26, 2015, the Company, through subsidiaries of its Operating Partnership, completed an investment in a multi-tiered joint venture along with Fund III, an affiliate of Bluerock, and three unaffiliated investors (collectively, the “Third Parties”), to acquire a 288-unit apartment community located in Austin, Texas (“Fox Hill”). The Company’s indirect ownership in Fox Hill is 85.27%.

The purchase price of $38.15 million was funded, in part, with a $26.71 million senior mortgage loan secured by the Fox Hill Property and improvements.

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

The acquisitions of Park & Kingston and Fox Hill have been accounted for as business combinations. The purchase prices were allocated to the acquired assets based on their estimated fair values at the dates of acquisition. The preliminary measurements of fair value reflected below are subject to change. The Company expects to finalize the purchase price allocation as soon as practical, but no later than one year from the acquisition date.

The pro-forma information presented below represents the change in consolidated revenue and earnings as if the Company's significant acquisitions of Village Green of Ann Arbor, North Park Towers, Lansbrook Village, ARIUM Grande Lakes, and Fox Hill, (collectively the "Recent Acquisitions"), had occurred on January 1, 2014 (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts).

⁽¹⁾ Pro-forma earnings per share, both basic and diluted, are calculated based on the net income (loss) attributable to BRG.

Aggregate property level revenues and net loss for the Recent Acquisitions, since the properties’ respective acquisition dates, that are reflected in the Company’s 2015 consolidated statement of operations amounted to $5.7 million and $.2 million, respectively.

Note 6 – Investments in Unconsolidated Real Estate Joint Ventures

Following is a summary of the Company’s ownership interests in the investments we report under the equity method of accounting. The carrying amount of the Company’s investments in unconsolidated real estate joint ventures as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is summarized in the table below (amounts in thousands):

The Company’s investments in the Villas at Oak Crest, Alexan CityCentre UCF Orlando, and Alexan Blaire House represent preferred equity investments with the following stated returns:

Summary combined financial information for the Company’s investments in unconsolidated real estate joint ventures as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, is as follows:

Acquisition of Alexan Blaire House Interests

On January 12, 2015, through BRG Southside, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of its Operating Partnership, the Company made a convertible preferred equity investment in a multi-tiered joint venture along with Fund II and Fund III, LLC, which are affiliates of the Manager, and an affiliate of Trammell Crow Residential to develop an approximately 269-unit Class A apartment community located in Houston, Texas, to be known as Alexan Blaire House. Alexan Blaire House will be developed upon a tract of land ground leased from Prokop Industries BH, L.P., a Texas limited partnership, by BR Bellaire BLVD, LLC, as tenant under an 85-year ground lease. We have made a capital commitment of $17.4 million to acquire 100% of the preferred equity interests in BRG Southside, LLC of which $8.7 million has been funded as of March 31, 2015.

⁽¹⁾ The principal includes a $17.4 million loan at a 3.97% interest rate and an $8.0 million supplemental loan at a 5.01% interest rate.

⁽²⁾ The principal balance includes the initial advance of $42.0 million at a fixed rate of 4.45% and an additional advance of $1.0 million that bears interest at a floating rate of one month LIBOR plus 3.00%, as of March 31, 2015, the additional advance had an interest rate of 3.31%.

⁽³⁾ ARIUM Grande Lakes Senior Loan bears interest at a floating rate of 1.67% plus one month LIBOR.  At March 31, 2015, the interest rate was 1.84%.

Lansbrook Mortgage Payable

On March 21, 2014, the Company, through an indirect subsidiary (the “Lansbrook Borrower”), entered into a $48 million loan with General Electric Capital Corporation, which is secured by the Lansbrook property. The $48.0 million is comprised of a $42.0 million initial advance and an additional $6.0 million of additional borrowing for the acquisition and improvement of additional units. At March 31, 2015, the Lansbrook Borrower has borrowed $0.7 million of the $6.0 million of additional borrowable funds. The loan matures on March 31, 2018 and bears interest at a fixed rate 4.44% per annum, with interest-only payments due until May 1, 2016 and principal payments beginning thereafter based upon a 30-year amortization schedule. Yield maintenance payments will be required to the extent the loan is prepaid before the third month prior to the maturity date and thereafter the loan may be prepaid without penalty. At the time of repayment, whether prepaid or paid at maturity, a $240,000 exit fee is due to the lender. The loan is nonrecourse to the Lansbrook Borrower, with recourse carve-outs for certain deeds, acts or failures to act on the part of the Lansbrook Borrower or any of its officers, members, managers or employees.

Park & Kingston Mortgage Payable

On March 16, 2015, the Company, through an indirect subsidiary (the “Park & Kingston Borrower”), entered into a $15.25 million loan with the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), which is secured by Park & Kingston. The loan matures on April 1, 2020 and bears interest at a fixed rate of 3.21%, with interest-only payments due for the entire loan term. Yield maintenance payments will be required to the extent prepaid before the sixth month prior to the maturity date; during the period from the sixth month prior to the maturity date to the third month prior to the maturity date, a prepayment premium of 1% of the principal being prepaid will be required, and thereafter the loan may be prepaid without penalty. The loan is nonrecourse to the Park & Kingston Borrower with recourse carve-outs for certain deeds, acts or failures to act on the part of the Park & Kingston Borrower, or any of its officers, members, managers or employees.

Fox Hill Mortgage Payable

On March 26, 2015, the Company, through an indirect subsidiary (the “Fox Hill Borrower”), entered into a $26.7 million loan with Walker & Dunlop, LLC, which is secured by Fox Hill. The loan was subsequently assigned to Fannie Mae. The loan matures on April 1, 2022 and bears interest at a fixed rate of 3.57%, with interest-only payments due until May 1, 2019 and fixed monthly payments based on 30-year amortization thereafter. During the first 60 months of the term, the loan may be prepaid at any time with at least 30 business days prior notice and the payment of a prepayment premium equal to the greater of (i) 1% of the principal balance and (ii) a yield maintenance amount calculated as set forth in the loan agreement. After the first 60 months of the term through the fourth month prior to the end of the term, the loan may be prepaid at any time with at least 30 business days prior notice and the payment of a prepayment premium equal to 1% of the principal balance, and thereafter, the loan may be prepaid at any time at par. The loan is nonrecourse to the Company and the Fox Hill Borrower with recourse carve-outs for certain deeds, acts or failures to act on the part of the Company and the Fox Hill Borrower, or any of its officers, members, managers or employees.

The net book value of real estate assets providing collateral for these above borrowings were $352.0 million and $288.4 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Note 8 – Line of Credit

As of January 1, 2014, the outstanding balance on the Company's working capital line of credit provided by Fund II and Fund III, both of which are affiliates of Bluerock, was $7.6 million.  On April 2, 2014, the line of credit was paid in full with proceeds from the IPO and extinguished.

Note 9 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments

As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company believes the carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, due to and from affiliates, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and distributions payable approximate their fair value based on their highly-liquid nature and/or short-term maturities.  As of March 31, 2015, the carrying value and approximate fair value of mortgages payable, as presented on the consolidated balance sheet, were $254.3 million and $260.6 million, respectively, inclusive of the North Park Towers mortgage payable, which is classified as held for sale.  The fair value of mortgages payable is estimated based on the Company’s current interest rates (Level 3 inputs, as defined in ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement”) for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

Note 10 – Related Party Transactions

In connection with the Company’s investments in the Enders Place at Baldwin Park, Berry Hill and MDA Apartments, it entered into a line of credit agreement with Fund II and Fund III. As of January 1, 2014, the outstanding balance on the Company's working capital line of credit provided by Fund II and Fund III, both of which are affiliates of Bluerock, was $7.6 million.  On April 2, 2014, the line of credit was paid in full with proceeds of the IPO and extinguished.

In connection with the Company’s acquisition of an interest in the Villas at Oak Crest, the Company assumed a receivable of $0.3 million from Fund II related to accrued interest on Fund II’s investment in the Villas at Oak Crest prior to the contribution of their interest to the Company, and as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company has a corresponding payable to Fund II for this amount.

As of March 31, 2014, we were externally managed by our Former Advisor pursuant to the Advisory Agreement. In connection with the completion of the IPO, we terminated our Advisory Agreement with our Former Advisor, and we entered into a new management agreement, or Management Agreement, with the Manager, on April 2, 2014. The terms and conditions of the Management Agreement, which became effective as of April 2, 2014, and the Advisory Agreement, which was effective for the reported periods prior to April 2, 2014, are described below.

Management Agreement

The Management Agreement requires the Manager to manage the Company’s business affairs in conformity with the investment guidelines and other policies that are approved and monitored by the Company’s board of directors. The Manager acts under the supervision and direction of the Board. Specifically, the Manager is responsible for (1) the selection, purchase and sale of the Company’s investment portfolio, (2) the Company’s financing activities, and (3) providing the Company with advisory and management services. The Manager provides the Company with a management team, including a chief executive officer, president, chief accounting officer and chief operating officer, along with appropriate support personnel. None of the officers or employees of the Manager are dedicated exclusively to the Company.

BLUEROCK RESIDENTIAL GROWTH REIT, INC.  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

We pay the Manager a base management fee in an amount equal to the sum of: (A) 0.25% of the Company’s stockholders’ existing and contributed equity prior to the IPO and in connection with our contribution transactions, per annum, calculated quarterly based on the Company’s stockholders’ existing and contributed equity for the most recently completed calendar quarter and payable in quarterly installments in arrears, and (B) 1.5% of the equity per annum of the Company’s stockholders who purchase shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, calculated quarterly based on their equity for the most recently completed calendar quarter and payable in quarterly installments in arrears. The base management fee is payable independent of the performance of the Company’s investments. The base management fee expense for the Manager was $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

The Company also pays the Manager an incentive fee with respect to each calendar quarter in arrears. The incentive fee is equal to the difference between (1) the product of (x) 20% and (y) the difference between (i) the Company’s adjusted funds from operations (“AFFO”), for the previous 12-month period, and (ii) the product of (A) the weighted average of the issue price of equity securities issued in the IPO and in future offerings and transactions, multiplied by the weighted average number of all shares of the Company’s Class A common stock outstanding on a fully-diluted basis (including any restricted stock units, any restricted shares of Class A common stock, LTIP Units, and other shares of common stock underlying awards granted under the Incentive Plans and OP Units) in the previous 12-month period, exclusive of equity securities issued prior to the IPO or in the contribution transactions, and (B) 8%, and (2) the sum of any incentive fee paid to the Manager with respect to the first three calendar quarters of such previous 12-month period; provided, however, that no incentive fee is payable with respect to any calendar quarter unless AFFO is greater than zero for the four most recently completed calendar quarters, or the number of completed calendar quarters since the closing date of the IPO, whichever is less. For purposes of calculating the incentive fee during the first 12 months after completion of the IPO, AFFO will be determined by annualizing the applicable period following completion of the IPO. One half of each quarterly installment of the incentive fee will be payable in LTIP Units, calculated pursuant to the formula above. The remainder of the incentive fee will be payable in cash or in LTIP Units, at the election of the Board, in each case calculated pursuant to the formula above. Incentive fees of $0.15 million were expensed during the three months ended December 31, 2014, which caused the issuance of 10,896 LTIP Units on February 18, 2015. Incentive fees to the Manager of $0.9 million were expensed during the three months ended March 31, 2015, which will result in the issuance of approximately 69,900 LTIP Units during the second quarter of 2015, assuming a LTIP Unit price of $13.33 per unit, once approved by the independent directors.

Management fee expense of $0.4 million and $1.0 million was recorded as part of general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and for the year ended December 31, 2014, respectively, related to the 179,562 LTIP Units granted in connection with the IPO. The expense recognized during 2014 was based on $12.43 per LTIP unit, which represents the closing share price for the Company’s Class A common stock on December 31, 2014. These LTIP units vest over a three year period beginning in April 2015.

The Company is also required to reimburse the Manager for certain expenses and pay all operating expenses, except those specifically required to be borne by the Manager under the Management Agreement. The Manager waived all reimbursements for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

 The initial term of the Management Agreement expires on April 2, 2017 (the third anniversary of the closing of the IPO), and will be automatically renewed for a one-year term on each anniversary date thereafter unless previously terminated in accordance with the terms of the Management Agreement. Following the initial term of the Management Agreement, the Management Agreement may be terminated annually upon the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the Company’s independent directors, based upon (1) unsatisfactory performance that is materially detrimental to the Company, or (2) the Company’s determination that the fees payable to the Manager are not fair, subject to the Manager’s right to prevent such termination due to unfair fees by accepting a reduction of the fees agreed to by at least two-thirds of the Company’s independent directors. The Company must provide 180 days’ prior notice of any such termination. Unless terminated for cause, as further described in the Management Agreement, the Manager will be paid a termination fee equal to three times the sum of the base management fee and incentive fee earned, in each case, by the Manager during the 12-month period immediately preceding such termination, calculated as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal quarter before the date of termination. The Company may also terminate the Management Agreement at any time, including during the initial term, without the payment of any termination fee, for cause with 30 days’ prior written notice from the Board.

During the initial three-year term of the Management Agreement, the Company may not terminate the Management Agreement except as described above or in the following circumstance: At the earlier of (i) April 2, 2017 (three years following the completion of the IPO), and (ii) the date on which the value of the Company’s stockholders’ equity exceeds $250.0 million, the Board may, but is not obligated to, internalize the Company’s management. The Manager may terminate the Management Agreement if it becomes required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, with such termination deemed to occur immediately before such event, in which case the Company would not be required to pay a termination fee. In addition, if the Company defaults in the performance of any material term of the Management Agreement and the default continues for a period of 30 days after written notice to the Company, the Manager may terminate the Management Agreement upon 60 days’ written notice. If the Management Agreement is terminated by the Manager upon a breach by the Company, the Company is required to pay the Manager the termination fee described above.

The Manager may retain, at its sole cost and expense, the services of such persons and firms as the Manager deems necessary in connection with our management and operations (including accountants, legal counsel and other professional service providers), provided that such expenses are in amounts no greater than those that would be payable to third-party professionals or consultants engaged to perform such services pursuant to agreements negotiated on an arm’s-length basis. The Manager has in the past retained, and going forward may retain Konig & Associates, P.C., a professional corporation wholly-owned by Michael L. Konig, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer, Secretary and General Counsel, to provide transaction based legal services, if the Manager determines that such retention would be less expensive than retaining third party professionals. The Company incurred $0.2 million in fees and expenses during the year ended December 31, 2014 for the firm’s transaction-related work on the contribution transactions, the IPO and the October 2014 Follow-On Offering. There was approximately $25,000 of fees and expenses payable by the Company to Konig & Associates, P.C. in conjunction with the October 2014 Follow-On Offering, as of December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015.

BLUEROCK RESIDENTIAL GROWTH REIT, INC.  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Prior and Terminated Advisory Agreement

Prior to the entry by the Company into the Management Agreement upon the completion of the IPO and the concurrent termination of the Advisory Agreement, the Former Advisor performed essentially the same duties and responsibilities as the Company’s new Manager. The Advisory Agreement had a one-year term expiring October 14, 2014, and was renewable for an unlimited number of successive one-year periods upon the mutual consent of the Company and its Advisor.

The Former Advisor was entitled to receive a monthly asset management fee for the services it provided pursuant to the Advisory Agreement. For 2013 and subsequent, the monthly asset management fee was one-twelfth of 0.65% of the higher of the cost or the value of each asset, where (A) cost equals the amount actually paid, excluding acquisition fees and expenses, to purchase each asset it acquires, including any debt attributable to the asset (including any debt encumbering the asset after acquisition), provided that, with respect to any properties the Company develops, constructs or improves, cost will include the amount expended by the Company for the development, construction or improvement, and (B) the value of an asset is the value established by the most recent independent valuation report, if available, without reduction for depreciation, bad debts or other non-cash reserves.  The asset management fee was based only on the portion of the cost or value attributable to our investment in an asset if the Company did not own all of an asset.

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Former Advisor was entitled to receive an acquisition fee for its services in connection with the investigation, selection, sourcing, due diligence and acquisition of a property or investment.  For 2013 and subsequent, the acquisition fee was 2.50% of the purchase price. The purchase price of a property or investment was equal to the amount paid or allocated to the purchase, development, construction or improvement of a property, inclusive of expenses related thereto, and the amount of debt associated with such real property or investment. The purchase price allocable for joint venture investments was equal to the product of (1) the purchase price of the underlying property and (2) the Company’s ownership percentage in the joint venture. 

The Former Advisor was also entitled to receive a financing fee for any loan or line of credit, made available to the Company. The Former Advisor was entitled to re-allow some, or all, of this fee to reimburse third parties with whom it subcontracted to procure such financing for the Company. On October 21, 2013, the Company amended its Advisory Agreement to decrease the financing fee from 1.0% to 0.25% of any loan made to the Company. In addition, to the extent the Former Advisor provided a substantial amount of services in connection with the disposition of one or more of our properties or investments (except for securities traded on a national securities exchange), the Former Advisor would receive fees equal to the lesser of (A) 1.5% of the sales price of each property or other investment sold or (B) 50% of the selling commission that would have been paid to a third-party broker in connection with such a disposition. In no event were disposition fees paid to the Former Advisor or its affiliates and unaffiliated third parties to exceed, in the aggregate, 6% of the contract sales price. On October 21, 2013, the Company amended its Advisory Agreement to change the disposition fee to only 1.5% of the sales price of each property or other investment sold, such that the disposition fee was no longer determined based on selling commissions payable to third-party sales brokers.

In addition to the fees payable to the Former Advisor, the Company reimbursed the Former Advisor for all reasonable expenses incurred in connection with services provided to the Company, subject to the limitation that it would not reimburse any amount that would cause the Company’s total operating expenses at the end of the four preceding fiscal quarters to exceed the greater of 2% of our average invested assets or 25% of its net income determined (1) without reductions for any additions to reserves for depreciation, bad debts or other similar non-cash reserves and (2) excluding any gain from the sale of our assets for the period.  Notwithstanding the above, the Company was permitted to reimburse amounts in excess of the limitation if a majority of its independent directors determined such excess amount was justified based on unusual and non-recurring factors. If such excess expenses were not approved by a majority of the Company’s independent directors, the Former Advisor was required to reimburse us at the end of the four fiscal quarters the amount by which the aggregate expenses during the period paid or incurred by us exceeded the limitations provided above.  The Company was not permitted to reimburse the Former Advisor for personnel costs in connection with services for which the Former Advisor received acquisition, asset management or disposition fees.  Due to the limitation discussed above and because operating expenses incurred directly by the Company exceeded the 2% threshold, the Board, including all of its independent directors, reviewed the total operating expenses for the four fiscal quarters ended December 31, 2013 and the Company’s total operating expenses for the four fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2014 and unanimously determined the excess amounts to be justified because of the costs of operating a public company in its early stage of operation and the Company’s initial difficulties with raising capital were considered to be non-recurring in nature.  As the Board has previously approved such expenses, all operating expenses for the year ended 2013 and the three months ended March 31, 2014 have been expensed as incurred.

The Company had issued 1,000 shares of convertible stock, par value $0.01 per share, to the Former Advisor, pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, that upon completion of the IPO were convertible to shares of common stock if and when: (A) the Company had made total distributions on the then outstanding shares of its common stock equal to the original issue price of those shares plus an 8% cumulative, non-compounded, annual return on the original issue price of those shares or (B) subject to specified conditions, the Company listed its common stock for trading on a national securities exchange. We listed shares of our Class A common stock on the NYSE MKT on March 28, 2014. At that time, the terms for converting the convertible stock would not be achieved and so we amended our charter on March 26, 2014 to remove the convertible stock as an authorized class of our capital stock.

In general, under the Advisory Agreement, the Company contracted property management services for certain properties directly to non-affiliated third parties, in which event it was to pay the Former Advisor an oversight fee equal to 1% of monthly gross revenues of such properties.

BLUEROCK RESIDENTIAL GROWTH REIT, INC.  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

All of the Company’s executive officers, and some of its directors, are also executive officers, managers and/or holders of a direct or indirect controlling interest in the Manager and other Bluerock-affiliated entities.  As a result, they owe fiduciary duties to each of these entities, their members, limited partners and investors, which fiduciary duties may from time to time conflict with the fiduciary duties that they owe to the Company and its stockholders.

 Some of the material conflicts that the Manager or its affiliates face are: 1) the determination of whether an investment opportunity should be recommended to us or another Bluerock-sponsored program or Bluerock-advised investor; 2) the allocation of the time of key executive officers, directors, and other real estate professionals among the Company, other Bluerock-sponsored programs and Bluerock-advised investors, and the activities in which they are involved; and 3) the fees received by the Manager and its affiliates.

Bluerock Property Management, LLC

The Company incurred $0.05 million in property management fees to Bluerock Property Management, LLC, an affiliate of Bluerock, on behalf of the North Park Towers property during the three months ended March 31, 2015.

Pursuant to the terms of the Advisory Agreement and the Management Agreement, summarized below are the related party amounts payable to our Former Advisor and the Manager, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands).

As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had $0.3 million in payables due to related parties other than our Manager and Former Advisor.

As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had $0.5 million and $0.6 million, respectively, in receivables due to us from related parties other than our Manager and Former Advisor.

Note 11 – Stockholders’ Equity

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders, less dividends on restricted stock expected to vest plus gains on redemptions on common stock, by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and any potential dilutive shares for the period.  Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders is computed by adjusting net income (loss) for the non-forfeitable dividends paid on non-vested restricted stock.

The Company considers the requirements of the two-class method when preparing earnings per share. Earnings per share is not affected by the two-class method because the Company’s Class A, B-1, B-2 and B-3 common stock and LTIP Units participate in dividends on a one-for-one basis.

The number of shares and per share amounts for the prior period have been retroactively restated to reflect the two reverse stock splits of the Class B common stock discussed below.

The effect of the conversion of OP Units is not reflected in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share, as they are exchangeable for Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis. The income allocable to such units is allocated on this same basis and reflected as noncontrolling interests in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. As such, the assumed conversion of these units would have no net impact on the determination of diluted earnings per share.

Class B Common Stock

The Company raised capital in a continuous registered offering, carried out in a manner consistent with offerings of non-listed REITs, from its inception until September 9, 2013, when it terminated the continuous registered offering in connection with the Board’s consideration of strategic alternatives to maximize value to the Company’s stockholders. Through September 9, 2013, the Company had raised an aggregate of $22.6 million in gross proceeds through its continuous registered offering, including its distribution reinvestment plan.

On January 23, 2014, the Company's stockholders approved the second articles of amendment and restatement to our charter (the “Second Charter Amendment”), that provided, among other things, for the designation of a new share class of Class A common stock, and for the change of each existing outstanding share of our common stock into:

This transaction was effective upon filing the Second Charter Amendment with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland on March 26, 2014. Immediately following the filing of the Second Charter Amendment, we effectuated a 2.264881 to 1 reverse stock split of our outstanding shares of Class B-1 common stock, Class B-2 common stock and Class B-3 common stock, and on March 31, 2014, we effected an additional 1.0045878 to 1 reverse stock split of our outstanding shares of Class B-1 common stock, Class B-2 common stock and Class B-3 common stock.

We refer to Class B-1 common stock, Class B-2 common stock and Class B-3 common stock collectively as “Class B” common stock. We listed our Class A common stock on the NYSE MKT on March 28, 2014. Our Class B common stock is identical to our Class A common stock, except that (i) we do not intend to list our Class B common stock on a national securities exchange, and (ii) shares of our Class B common stock convert automatically into shares of Class A common stock at specified times, as follows:

BLUEROCK RESIDENTIAL GROWTH REIT, INC.  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

On March 23, 2015, 353,630 shares of Class B-1 common stock converted into Class A common stock in accordance with the above, and no Class B-1 common stock remains outstanding.

On January 20, 2015, the Company closed its January 2015 Follow-On Offering of 4,600,000 shares of its Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, inclusive of shares sold pursuant to the full exercise of the overallotment option by the underwriters. The shares were registered with the SEC, pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-200359), filed with the SEC on November 19, 2014 and declared effective on December 19, 2014. The public offering price of $12.50 per share was announced on January 14, 2015. Net proceeds of the January 2015 Follow-On Offering were approximately $53.7 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses

Operating Partnership and Long-Term Incentive Plan Units

On April 2, 2014, concurrently with the completion of the IPO, the Company entered into the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of its Operating Partnership, Bluerock Residential Holdings, L.P. Pursuant to the amendment, the Company is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership and may not be removed as general partner by the limited partners with or without cause. The limited partners of the Operating Partnership are Bluerock REIT Holdings, LLC, BR-NPT Springing Entity, LLC (“NPT”), Bluerock Property Management, LLC (“BPM”), our Manager, and Bluerock Multifamily Advisor, LLC (the “Former Advisor”), all of which are affiliates of Bluerock.

Prior to the completion of the IPO, the Company owned, directly and indirectly, 100% of the limited partnership units in the Operating Partnership. Effective as of the completion of the IPO, limited partners other than the Company owned approximately 9.87% of the Operating Partnership (4.59% are held by OP Unit holders and 5.28% are held by LTIP Unit holders.) As of March 31, 2015, limited partners other than the Company owned approximately 4.48% of the Operating Partnership (2.05% is held by OP Unit holders and 2.43% is held by LTIP Unit holders.)

The Partnership Agreement, as amended, provides, among other things, that the Operating Partnership initially has two classes of limited partnership interests, which are units of limited partnership interest (“OP Units”), and the Operating Partnership’s long-term incentive plan units (“LTIP Units”). In calculating the percentage interests of the partners in the Operating Partnership, LTIP Units are treated as OP Units. In general, LTIP Units will receive the same per-unit distributions as the OP Units. Initially, each LTIP Unit will have a capital account balance of zero and, therefore, will not have full parity with OP Units with respect to any liquidating distributions. However, the Partnership Agreement Amendment provides that “book gain,” or economic appreciation, in the Company’s assets realized by the Operating Partnership as a result of the actual sale of all or substantially all of the Operating Partnership’s assets, or the revaluation of the Operating Partnership’s assets as provided by applicable U.S. Department of Treasury regulations, will be allocated first to the holders of LTIP Units until their capital account per unit is equal to the average capital account per-unit of the Company’s OP Unit holders in the Operating Partnership. We expect that the Operating Partnership will issue OP Units to limited partners, and the Company, in exchange for capital contributions of cash or property, and will issue LTIP Units pursuant to the Company’s 2014 Equity Incentive Plan for Individuals and 2014 Equity Incentive Plan for Entities (collectively the “Incentive Plans”), to persons who provide services to the Company, including the Company’s officers, directors and employees.

Pursuant to the Partnership Agreement, as amended, any holders of OP Units, other than the Company or its subsidiaries, will receive redemption rights which, subject to certain restrictions and limitations, will enable them to cause the Operating Partnership to redeem their OP Units in exchange for cash or, at the Company’s option, shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, on a one-for-one basis. The Company has agreed to file, not earlier than one year after the closing of the IPO, one or more registration statements registering the issuance or resale of shares of its Class A common stock issuable upon redemption of the OP Units issued upon conversion of LTIP Units, which include those issued to the Manager and the Former Advisor. Subject to certain exceptions, the Operating Partnership will pay all expenses in connection with the exercise of registration rights under the Partnership Agreement.

Stock-based Compensation for Independent Directors

Prior to the Company’s IPO on April 2, 2014, the Company’s independent directors received an automatic grant of 5,000 shares of restricted stock on the initial effective date of the continuous registered offering and received an automatic grant of 2,500 shares of restricted stock when such directors were re-elected at each annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders thereafter through the 2013 annual meeting held on August 5, 2013. The restricted stock vested 20% at the time of the grant and 20% on each anniversary thereafter over four years from the date of the grant. All shares of restricted stock granted to the independent directors receive distributions, whether vested or unvested. The value of the restricted stock granted was determined at the date of grant. Commencing with the Company’s IPO, the Company’s independent directors will no longer receive automatic grants upon appointment or reelection at each annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders.

On March 24, 2015, in accordance with the Company’s 2014 Equity Incentive Plan for Individuals (the “2014 Individuals Plan”), the Board authorized and each of the Company’s independent directors received two grants of 2,500 restricted shares of the Company’s Class A common stock. The first grant of 2,500 restricted shares related to services rendered in 2014 (each, a “2014 Restricted Stock Award”), while the second grant of 2,500 restricted shares relates to services rendered or to be rendered in 2015 (each, a “2015 Restricted Stock Award”). The vesting schedule for each 2014 Restricted Stock Award is as follows: (i) 834 shares as of March 24, 2015, (ii) 833 shares on March 24, 2016, and (iii) 833 shares on March 24, 2017. The vesting schedule for each 2015 Restricted Stock Award is as follows: (i) 834 shares as of March 24, 2016, (ii) 833 shares on March 24, 2017, and (iii) 833 shares on March 24, 2018. 

⁽¹⁾ The number of shares and per share amounts for the prior period have been retroactively restated to reflect the two reverse stock splits of the Class B common stock discussed above.

At March 31, 2015, there was $219,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stocks granted under the independent director compensation plan. The original cost is expected to be recognized over a period of 2.9 years.

The Company currently uses authorized and unissued shares to satisfy share award grants.

Distributions

On October 10, 2014, the Board declared monthly dividends for the fourth quarter of 2014 equal to a quarterly rate of $0.29 per share on both the Company’s Class A common stock and Class B common stock, payable monthly to the stockholders of record as of October 25, 2014, November 25, 2014 and December 25, 2014, which was paid in cash on November 5, 2014, December 5, 2014 and January 5, 2015, respectively.

The declared dividends equal a monthly dividend on the Class A common stock and Class B common stock as follows: $0.096666 per share for the dividend paid to stockholders of record as of October 25, 2014, and $0.096667 per share for the dividend paid to stockholders of record as of November 25, 2014, and December 25, 2014. A portion of each dividend may constitute a return of capital for tax purposes.

On January 9, 2015, the Board declared monthly dividends for the first quarter of 2015 equal to a quarterly rate of $0.29 per share on both the Company’s Class A common stock and Class B common stock, payable monthly to the stockholders of record as of January 25, 2015, February 25, 2015 and March 25, 2015, which was paid in cash on February 5, 2015, March 5, 2015 and April 5, 2015, respectively. 

The declared dividends equal a monthly dividend on the Class A common stock and Class B common stock as follows: $0.096666 per share for the dividend paid to stockholders of record as of January 25, 2015, and $0.096667 per share for the dividend paid to stockholders of record as of February 25, 2015, and March 25, 2015. A portion of each dividend may constitute a return of capital for tax purposes. There is no assurance that the Company will continue to declare dividends or at this rate.

Holders of OP and LTIP Units are entitled to receive "distribution equivalents" at the same time as dividends are paid to holders of the Company's Class A common stock.

 Distributions paid for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were as follows (amounts in thousands):

Note 12 – Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is subject to various legal actions and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. Although the outcome of any legal matter cannot be predicted with certainty, management does not believe that any of these legal proceedings or matters will have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

BLUEROCK RESIDENTIAL GROWTH REIT, INC.  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 13 – Economic Dependency

The Company is dependent on its Manager, an affiliate of Bluerock, to provide external management services for certain services that are essential to the Company, including the identification, evaluation, negotiation, purchase and disposition of properties and other investments; management of the daily operations of its real estate portfolio; and other general and administrative responsibilities. In the event that the Manager or its affiliates are unable to provide the respective services, the Company will be required to obtain such services from other sources.